11/06/2006MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
November 6, 2006
The village board met in the conference room of the village hall at 9:05 p.m. on
Monday, November 6, 2006, following the regular board meeting. In attendance were:
Village Board Staff
Steven Harris, Mayor Robert D. Franz, Village Manager
Robert Benton, Trustee Philip Kiraly, Asst. Village Manager
Michelle Feldman, Trustee Robert Fialkowski, Director of Finance
Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee Clint Case, Code Enforcement Officer
William Seiden, Trustee
Barbara Struthers, Trustee Peter Coblentz, Village Attorney
Matthew Wylie, Trustee
ABANDONED/DORMANT CONSTRUCTION SITES
The Board discussed issues relating to residential construction sites that lie dormant for
long periods, impacting adjacent residents. The village can require that the sites be
secured and the grass cut but cannot require that construction occur in a timely manner.
The village attorney described ideas that have been discussed with staff to address this
problem. They include terms and conditions to the building permit and a performance
bond that the village could use to restore the site. Also suggested is a shorter time frame
for demolition permits. Currently, they are issued for one year. A three or four month
permit would reduce the overall construction timeframe.
It was agreed that financial incentives are needed to expedite these projects. Additionally,
more restrictions are needed on contractors violating any codes or regulations, such as a
freeze on any new permits. The attorney will draft an ordinance for further review by
staff and the Board.
AT&T LIGHTSPEED
Staff asked for direction from the Board on further discussions with AT&T regarding
their new video services that they wish to offer the community as competition to
Comcast, but without submitting to a franchise agreement. The primary obstacle is
“build out” provisions, which AT&T will not commit to under any circumstances. This
issue disrupts the level playing field that, if conceded by the village, might result in
Comcast refusing to honor its franchise commitments.
Another issue of concern is the size and location of equipment AT&T wishes to place in
the public right-of-way. Some permits were issued by the village on a trial basis, with
mixed results.
After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the chairman of the Cable and Telecom-
munications Commission should be invited to a workshop with the Board to review our
options and plan a course of action. The meeting will be scheduled after the holidays.
NEW BOARD ROOM
Issues were discussed relating to the new board room (and second floor) in the expanded
village hall.
• It was agreed that School District 113’s request to use the board room once a
month for a meeting should be granted. A policy on use of the facilities needs to
be updated.
• The board room should have new wall treatments and efforts made to find
suitable places elsewhere for the pictures and quilts in the existing board room.
• Plans will proceed for acquiring new laptop computers by May 1st as the village
moves toward “paperless” board meetings. Some trustees expressed concern
about this change.
FAMILY DAYS AND NEW COMMUNITY EVENT
Staff met previously with the Family Days chair and a Deerfield resident interested in
contracting with the village to conduct all or a portion of the Family Days events. The
lack of volunteer help and the need for more financial controls prompted the idea. The
additional cost and loss of community “esprit de corps” are arguments against contracting
for this service.
No conclusions were reached on this topic, nor on whether a “Taste of Deerfield” should
be pursued further. It was emphasized that efforts must be made to get more residents
involved in Family Days to get it reenergized.
The meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
Minutes prepared by:
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Robert D. Franz, Village Manager