12/17/2001MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
December 17. 2001
The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the conference room of the Village Hall at
8:40 P.M. on Monday, December 3, 2001. In attendance were:
Steven Harris, Mayor
Jerry Kayne, Trustee
Derek Ragona, Trustee
Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee
William Seiden, Trustee
Vernon Swanson, Trustee
Matthew Wylie, Trustee
Up ting the Comprehensive Plan
Robert Franz, Manager
Robert Fialkowski, Director of Finance
Barbara Little, Director of Public Works/Engineering
Diane Mikula, Assistant to the Village Manager
Peter Coblentz, Village Attorney
The Board discussed a staff report on updating Deerfield's Comprehensive Plan. The last revision
was in December 1995. Trustee Swanson stated that the plan has been a very effective guide for
the Village but in serious need of updating. He cited several task forces that have dealt or are
dealing with issues that should be incorporated into that document. The Village has always kept it
a very simple plan, but crucial in that it gives direction to all boards and commissions and provides
residents with a sense of the future of the community.
Discussion ensued on how best to proceed with revising the plan. There was support that a
planning consultant should be retained by the Village to assist in this process. It was agreed that
staff would prepare a Scope of Services proposal for further review and discussion by the Board.
Senior Citizen Subsidy Program
The Manager updated the Board on the current program offered by the Village to assist seniors
(meeting certain income levels) with rent or property tax payments. The Human Relations
Commission, which conducts the program, is asking the Board to raise the income guidelines from
$14,000 to $16,000 for individuals and from $15,000 to $18,000 for couples.
The Board had no objections to the increases and directed that the program should continue to
function. Even though only a ew seniors qualify for a subsidy, the feeling was that there is a need
which should be addressed.
Membership in NIPC & NWMC
The Manager discussed with the Board the benefits of Deerfield joining the Northwest Municipal
Conference and becoming a dues paying member of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission.
Both agencies approach local government issues from a regional perspective and would offer
opportunities for resolving problems that transcend municipal boundaries. The annual dues for
NIPC are $3,200. The cost to join the NWMC is $6,700.
The Board indicated its willingness to join these agencies. Staff will pursue the matter.
Committee of the Whole Minutes
December 17, 2001
Page 2
School Districl 109 Vehicle Sticker
The Manager reported on a request from the Superintendent of School District 109 for the Village
to offer a special Educational Vehicle Sticker as part of its annual sticker sales. Residents could
choose to pay an additional $30 which would be forwarded to the 109 Education Foundation. The
pros and cons of this proposal were discussed briefly, and the Board agreed to take it under
advisement.
Walkable Community Task Force
Trustee Kayne commented on his proposal to establish a task force to look at pedestrian safety
issues, particularly around schools and in the downtown area. He shared in writing earlier with the
Board his specific objectives for this project.
Trustee Rosenthal expressed concern with forming another task force when the Safety Council
seemed the appropriate group to study such issues. She also feared that such action would create
unrealistic expectations in that projects such as on -demand lights and alternate forms of
transportation are so difficult to implement and very expensive.
The majority of the Board was inclined to support such a study with the objective of incorporating
the task force findings into the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Harris will confer with Trustee Kayne
about the number of members to be appointed.
Executive Session
Trustee Ragona moved, seconded by Trustee Swanson to go into Executive Session to discuss
litigation pursuant to Section 2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act. The motion passed by the
following vote:
AYES: Kayne, Ragona, Rosenthal, Seiden, Swanson, Wylie (6)
NAYS: None (0)
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
Minutes prepared by:
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