Village of Western Springs President and Board of Trustees Met March 29.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Alice F. Gallagher, Presiding
Call to Order, 7:00 p.m.
James Horvath, Acting Village Clerk*
Board Members Present
Nicole Chen*
Alan Fink*
James John*
Scott Lewis*
Heidi Rudolph*
James Tyrrell*
Others Present
Ingrid Velkme, Village Manager
Grace Turi, Director of Finance*
John Mastandona, Asst. Dir. of Finance*
Mike Kelly, Deputy Dir. of Fire & EMS*
Brian Budds, Director of Law
Enforcement Service*
Casey Biernacki, Asst. Dir. of Mun Svcs*
Matt Supert, Director of Mun Svcs*
Marty Scott, Director of CD*
Aleks Briedis, Director of Rec*
Pat Schramm, Director of Technology*
Elaine Haeske, Deputy Village Clerk*
Michael Jurusik, Village Attorney*
*Electronic Attendance -Authorized by The Open Meetings Act, the CDC directive (social distancing guidelines) and Illinois Governor Disaster Proclamation dated March 5, 2021 (Restore Illinois Plan) and Executive Orders 2021-05 extending the Governor's prior Executive Orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and his implementation of the "Restore Illinois" Plan (COVID-19 E.O. No. 75 as amended."
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Roll call as noted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Gallagher led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
READING OF AGENDA - ADDITIONS - DELETIONS
President Gallagher said that agenda item number 7 regarding an intergovernmental agreement between the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Village of Western Springs, and the Village of Hinsdale regarding the pedestrian bridge over the Tri-State Tollway was tabled. President Gallagher said there are a few minor details still needed to be ironed out before proceeding with approval of the agreement.
PUBLIC HEALTH UPDATE
President Gallagher provided an update to all. All regions in the State remain in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. A recent increase in some of the key indicators point to a possible resurgence of the virus, even as more vaccines are available and administered.
On March 26, the Cook County Department of Public Health issued an order increasing outdoor dining to groups up to 10 people. Outdoor fitness classes, meetings, social events, and recreational activities can increase to 50% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less. Indoor fitness classes can increase to the lesser of 50% capacity or 50 people per room, with face coverings and 6' of separation.
The State will move to the Bridge Phase between Phase 4 and 5 when 70% of Illinoisans aged 65 and older have received their first shot, and hospital ICU bed availability is greater than 20%, new COVID-related hospital admissions, total number of COVID hospital patients, and COVID related deaths are not substantially increasing across the State. We will move to the final phase, Phase 5, when 50% of Illinoisans aged 16 and older have received their first shot and the other metrics stated above remain steady or improve.
Currently, nearly 70% of Illinoisans 65 and older have received the vaccination. Across the state, 27% of ICU beds are available and the daily mortality rate is decreasing. However, new COVID hospital admissions, hospitalized patients with COVID, and the daily number of COVID cases have all been increasing.
With each passing day, the vaccine seems more readily available. The State is currently in Phase 1B+ of the vaccination plan which includes all residents over 65 and all residents over 16 with certain comorbidities. Residents who qualify may schedule an appointment on the IDPH website or by calling the IDPH hotline at 833-621-1284.
According to experts, both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are proving highly effective (90%) at preventing symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, and this protection appears to extend to COVID variants. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is less effective in preventing mild and moderate disease (72-74%), but just as effective in preventing serious illness and death as the other available vaccines, including the variants. The CDC urges everyone to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible, and a vaccine is available to you.
A third vaccination clinic took place this past Friday at the Grand A venue Community Center and the second dose follow-up clinic for our second clinic is this Saturday. These clinics could not happen without the extra efforts of many people: staff and volunteers alike. Special thanks to Senior Center Coordinator Mic Cagney and many other members of staff, D 101 volunteers, and so many others, for their roles in getting vaccines into the arms of Western Springs residents. We are getting close, but we are not out of the woods yet. It is still vital to follow the health guidelines designed to keep us all safe: wear a mask, maintain 6' of separation, and wash hands frequently.
COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT TONI PRECKWINKLE PRESENTATION
Ms. Preckwinkle provided the Board with an update on some of the work of the Cook County Board. The Board has a balanced budget which was passed at the end of 2020. It has no new taxes and a $100 million equity fund. President Preckwinkle provided an update related to local COVID-19 vaccine mass vaccination sites at Forest Park and Triton College and smaller sites. We are making real progress on vaccinations, but we still have a long way to go. She encouraged everyone to wear a mask, wash hands and social distance. President Preckwinkle also reminded the Board of the Cook County Board's Emergency Rental Assistance Program for renters in Cook County and landlords who may apply on behalf of eligible tenants. Applications will be accepted until April 2, 2021. President Preckwinkle said she is thankful for the good work of local officials. President Gallagher thanked Ms. Preckwinkle for her update and for her office's finance assistance with our underpass project through "Invest in Cook". She added that we so appreciate the support of the Cook County Board. On behalf of the residents of Western Springs, President Gallagher thanked Cook County Board President Preckwinkle for all she does.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were none.
DISCUSSION ITEMS-SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
OLD OR OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.
CONSIDERATION OF AND ACTION ON AGENDA ITEMS
EXPLANATION OF OMNIBUS VOTING PROCEDURE
President Gallagher explained that the Illinois State Statutes allow a municipality to collectively vote on a group of ordinances, resolutions, and other motions, such as awards of contract, appointments, etc. This is known as an omnibus vote. All the items contained on the omnibus vote list have been previously discussed by the President and Board of Trustees on at least one occasion, and often on several occasions. By placing them on the omnibus vote list, a single vote may be taken to approve them. A Trustee may remove any item from the list and have it discussed and voted on separately, prior to the omnibus vote.
President Gallagher said that agenda item number 7 regarding an intergovernmental agreement was tabled as mentioned previously. There were no other requests to amend the omnibus vote list.
CONSIDERATION OF AN OMNIBUS VOTE(*)
Trustee Tyrrell moved that the following ordinances, resolutions, and motions as contained on the meeting agenda for March 29, 2021, be adopted and/or approved under an omnibus vote:
1) * APPROVAL OF THE MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 22, 2021 AND MARCH 8, 2021 AS READ
2) *ORDINANCE 21-3035 AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE VILLAGE OF WESTERN SPRINGS DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES (MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT)
3) *ORDINANCE 21-3036 APPROVING AN UPDATED VERSION OF THE VILLAGE OF WESTERN SPRINGS OFFICIAL ZONING MAP PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 11-12-6, 11-12-7 AND 11-13-19 OF THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL CODE(65 ILCS 5/11-12-6, 11-12-7 AND ll-13-19) AND SECTION 10-5-3 (ZONING MAP) OF THE WESTERN SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE OF 1997, AS AMENDED
4) *ORDINANCE 21-3037 AMENDING SECTION 2-6-1 (ESTABLISHMENT; MEMBERSHIP; TERMS OF OFFICE), CHAPTER 6 (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION) OF TITLE 2 (BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) OF THE WESTERN SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ADVISORY MEMBER TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.)
5) *RESOLUTION 21-2604 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF VILLAGE FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL AND EXECUTION OF THE LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY AGREEMENT FOR FEDERAL PARTICIPATION (IDOT- SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM) FOR THE WOLF ROAD BIKE PATH PROJECT (BEMIS WOODS TO OGDEN A VENUE) TO BE ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF WESTERN SPRINGS AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
6) *RESOLUTION 21-2605 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LOAN APPLICATION UNDER THE IEPA PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROGRAM (PWSLP), TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE AND AGREEMENT, AND RELATED IEPA DOCUMENTS FOR THE ROSE A VENUE AND GROVE A VENUE ROADWAY AND WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT [IEPA LOAN PROJECT NUMBER: L17-5566]
8) *MOTION TO AW ARD A CONTRACT TO LOWEST COST, QUALIFIED AND RESPONSIBLE BIDDER, INDEPENDENT MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES, INC. OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILLINOIS FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT HIGH SERVICE PUMP NO. 3 REPLACEMENT AT A TOTAL COST OF $33,500.00
9) *MOTION TO WAIVE THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO SOLE SOURCE PROVIDER, NEWCASTLE ELECTRIC, INC. OF ITASCA, IL FOR THE WELL NO. 3 HIGH RESISTANCE GROUNDING PROJECT AT A TOT AL COST OF $20,000
10) *MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF IRENE COMBS AS AN ADVISORY MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM TO EXPIRE IN MARCH 2024
The motion was seconded by Trustee John.
The motion passed on a roll call vote.
Voting aye: Trustees Tyrrell, Rudolph, Lewis, John, Fink, Chen, and President Gallagher.
Voting nay: None.
REPORTS
11) MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT (Rudolph)
Trustee Rudolph presented the highlights of the February 2021 monthly report. In the General Fund, we ended the month with a very small surplus. The sales and local use taxes continue to be very strong generating approximately 5.83% more in sales taxes than the same time in 2020 while local use tax produced 40% higher tax receipts than the same time in 2020. Our income tax receipts are on target and we have heard nothing further at this point about the State proposing any reductions. Building permits are picking up, including in Timber Trails, and our expenditures are on target. In the Water/Sewer Fund, the consumption billed in February, which covered November 16 to January 19, 2021 , was up 4.5% more than the consumption billed in 2020 for the same period. The Police Pension Fund posted unrealized gains in February of 1.52% and maintained a trailing 12- month return of 22.67%. Our return on investment assumption is 6.75%.
Trustee Rudolph moved, seconded by John, to approve the February 2021 monthly report.
The motion passed on a roll call vote.
Voting aye: Trustees Rudolph, Tyrell, Chen, Fink, John, and Lewis.
Voting nay: None.
8) VILLAGE PRESIDENT GALLAGHER
President Gallagher reported that for the second year in a row, Thomas Ford Memorial Library and the Village partnered to host the Pet Mayor of Western Springs election on the library's Facebook page. There were several candidates and Vito the Dog was elected in a landslide. On Monday, March 22, Selmin Cicek and President Gallagher congratulated Vito with an official certificate, although President Gallagher said she believes he was more interested in the treats at hand.
Also, on March 22, President attended the House Committee public hearing via zoom and provided testimony with regard to HB 2379, a 5G bill. While this is a shell bill, the committee's chairman, Representative Walsh, assured the attendees that negotiations regarding the bill will be ongoing so we will be sure to make sure that the amendments that we drafted and are proposing are taken into consideration, discussed and, hopefully, adopted.
The Arbor Day Foundation recently awarded the Village a Growth Award in addition to its 2020 designation as a Tree City USA. The Village was commended for its commitment to effective urban forest management and for demonstrating environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. On behalf of the Board, we thank Public Works and the Municipal Services Department for the extra care and effort taken to maintain the health of the Villages trees to earn this award. Our trees are an extremely valuable asset to our Village, and it shows in the care and attention that we give to them. Arbor Day this year is April 30, 2021.
9) VILLAGE MANAGER VELKME
Village Manager Velkme announced a virtual public information meeting which is planned for the Plainfield Road corridor study on April 14, 2021 from 5 until 7:30 p.m. This is part of the Phase 1 of the design study of Plainfield Road which will probably only go until 2022 and then afterwards it will probably three or four years by the time it is finally constructed. The reconstruction project is from East Avenue to County Line Road, so it does impact a number of municipalities.
The French Market is scheduled to resume on Sunday, May 9, 2021 through October 24, 2021 in the central business district from 9:00 a.m. until 1 :00 p.m. So, we know that spring is on the way when we are announcing the French Market.
Finally, Village Manager Velkme said representatives from Baxter & Woodman were present to provide the Board with an update on Well #5. Village Manager Velkme asked Supt. Duffy to introduce them. Ms. Duffy introduced Ray Koenig and Carolyn Grieves from Baxter & Woodman who were present to give the Board an update on Well #5. Ms. Grieves said they were happy to be here to give the Board an update and discuss what has been going on with Well #5 and the electrical building. Ms. Grieves said Mr. Koenig is also in attendance virtually and she asked him to give an update on Well #5 and the electrical building.
Mr. Koenig said that last week they went to start up the well and had an electrical issue that they got trouble-shot earlier this week and all the parts were replaced. The issue ending up being a shorted-out wire that was installed by the building manufacturer and had nothing to do with the actual. There is a side way filter cabinet and that was the electrical component that got overheated. Everybody worked hard and got this this trouble shot and all the parts replaced. Mr. Koenig said they are ready tomorrow to do the four hour well test again and if everything goes right, we will have the well testing done and then we will take chlorination samples later in the week and if everything goes right with those, by the end of the week or early next week, we will have Well No. 5 ready to go.
President Gallagher said that is good news and we hope this time it is true because we have heard, and our poor staff has had to come to us time and again with delays and it has been very frustrating. This well is critical infrastructure for our Village and anything you can do to speed the process, while making sure it is safe and effective, will be appreciated. President Gallagher thanked him for that update.
Supt. Duffy said she had an update for the schedule following that work. We will do our four-hour pump test tomorrow, followed by a coliform test. We have to obtain two negative coliform samples 24-hour hours apart in order to then send Well No. 5 for chemical treatment and to distribution. At that point, early next week, we will test Well No. 5 to the reservoir to make sure that all of that is sound and that we have a run light and then moving forward after that we will work on testing through the various reverse osmosis trains at the water plant.
Ms. Grieves and Mr. Koenig provided an update to the Board. Discussion followed. Water Plant Supt. Erin Duffy said the hope is to begin the 4-hour well testing on March 30 followed by a series of other steps and testing to bring the well on-line to the system. After next week, as long as all of the tests come out okay, we will have Well No. 5 available to us in the event of emergencies.
Trustee Chen said that when Ms. Duffy says the water goes to distribution, it will obviously be tested before it goes into any of the systems. When Ms. Duffy says distribution, does that just mean it is going to the reservoir or what does that mean, when will it be in people's lines going to their houses, if at line, in the near future.
Ms. Duffy said it will obviously be coliform tested, a BacT test, so that will undergo two coliform tests this week, if not more. Following that, Well No. 5 will undergo chemical treatment, chlorination, and potentially iron removal, prior to being introduced into the reservoir and so that is the next step. Then, our steps after that, once we have accomplished that, will be for Well No. 5 to go through both reverse osmosis train #4 and then test it through reverse osmosis train #3, because the idea is that in an emergency, we could use Well No. 5 through either reverse osmosis train. The water from Well No. 5 will go to the reservoir and be blended with either Well No. 3 or Well No. 4 next week, but, Ms. Duffy said, that is just for a test and that is not how we plan to operate. It is merely to test out our operational procedures at the well and at the water plant to make sure that we get a run light and we see all of the necessary information for it to go to the reservoir. Ms. Duffy said we need to make sure that everything is in order before we then bring it to the plant because by no means do, we want to dead-head the pump.
Director Supert clarified the flow of the water. The reservoir is a large storage facility that is located at the water treatment plant. Our treated water goes into that reservoir post our treatment process and then our high service pumps push it from the reservoir out to distribution. Trustee Chen asked if both Well No. 3 and Well No. 4 were online right now. She said asked if there was maintenance ongoing on Well No. 3 or Well No. 4 that had them off-line. Supt Duffy both wells have been online continuously since August. The maintenance that is going on is on the feed pump for Well No. 4 but that is located at the water plant and that is part of the treatment train or treatment system.
Trustee Tyrrell said that he understands that Well No. 5 will be for emergency basis after it goes into the reservoir, but he asked what the end plan was on Well No. 5 as far as servicing the citizens of the Village, as well as Well No. 3 and Well No. 4. Are we going to blend it and have three pumps going or will it be back there for emergencies or something happens with Well No. 3 or No. 4?
Ms. Duffy said that ideally, it is not good to let a pump sit, so ideally, we would use Well No. 5 and rotate it. We generally rotate all of our redundant pumps monthly so, for example, we have three (3) high service pumps, we use two (2) at a time and rotate them out monthly so that each pump gets about a month of rest, but also, no longer than a month's rest so ideally once we have Well No. 5 completely on-line and tested through both of the reverse osmosis trains at that water plant, we would be rotating it in the same fashion with Well No. 3 and Well No. 4.
Trustee Tyrrell said that sounds terrific and asked when Supt. Duffy thought that would be. Supt. Duffy said she is optimistic that we can have that by the time we start to see some of our peak demands here in the summer. Trustee Tyrrell said that is really something we can look forward to, taking the pressure off of Well No. 3 and Well No. 4.
10) VILLAGE ATTORNEY JURUSIK
Village Attorney Jurusik reported that he had received an update from the Illinois Municipal League (IML). That organization does put on an annual conference for elected and appointed officials. Last year's conference was cancelled due to COVID. The IML just put out a notice that they plan to hold an annual conference this year, on September 23-25, 2021. The conference will be downtown at the Chicago Hilton Towers where they normally hold their annual conference and it will be an in-person conference. It won't be a virtual conference. As we move closer to the conference dates, we will make sure the Board receives information on attendance if Board members are interested in attending this year.
President Gallagher said she tries to attend every year and there are always topics of interest. President Gallagher encouraged all trustees, if they have the time, to check out the schedule when it becomes available and if there are topics that interest you, be sure to let Deputy Clerk Haeske know of your interest so you can be registered to attend.
ADJOURN
MOTION:
Trustee Tyrrell moved, seconded by Chen, to adjourn this meeting.
The motion passed on a roll call vote.
Trustee Lewis, John, Fink, Chen, Tyrrell, and Rudolph.
Voting nay: None
This meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
https://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03292021-1186
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