08/07/2023August 7, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order on
August 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at Deerfield Village Hall. The clerk called the roll and announced
that the following were
Present: Robert Benton
Larry Berg
Elaine Jacoby
Mary Oppenheim
William Seiden
Absent: Rebekah Metts-Childers
Dan Shapiro, Mayor
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Acting Village Manager
Andrew Lichterman and Ben Schuster, Village Attorney.
Trustee Berg moved to nominate Trustee Jacoby as Mayor Pro Tem. Trustee Oppenheim
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Jacoby led those in attendance in
reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC WORKS & ENGINEERING Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob
6-MONTH REPORT Phillips presented highlights from the departmental
objectives report for the Public Works and Engineering departments. Mr. Phillips acknowledged
his staff, Tyler Dickinson and Ryan Oates as well as Justin Keenan, as being instrumental to the
achieving the departmental objectives and preparing the report. Mr. Phillips reported that in
response to inflation and supply chain issues, the department completely revised the 2023 Capital
Improvement Program. He noted the new program included construction of a replacement water
main along Waukegan Road between Deerfield Road and North Avenue, completion of the water
meter head replacement project, and upgrades to the Water Reclamation Facility to include
phosphorus removal, which will be an IEPA requirement as of June 2024. Mr. Phillips reported
the department continues to plan for upcoming infrastructure projects, including lining the
sanitary and storm sewers and refining the water system operations.
Mr. Phillips stated the Engineering Division continues to maintain a conservative fiscal approach
to departmental expenditures without compromising necessary departmental operations. He
stated some of their initiatives include managing and overseeing the Geographic Information
System (GIS), reviewing commercial and residential development plans with respect to drainage
and grading impacts, providing inspection services to permits as required by Village Code,
providing site reviews to residents with flooding concerns, addressing residential and Village -
responsible flooding issues and more. Mr. Phillips reported the major projects include the 2023
street rehabilitation project, the Waukegan Road water main project, the Arbor Vitae Road and
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August 7, 2023
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Appletree Lane infrastructure project, the Hazel Avenue and Park Avenue reconstruction design
projects, green initiatives and the sidewalk ADA transition plan.
Mr. Phillips noted the Street Division's primary responsibilities include keeping the streets clean
and clear from snow and ice and insuring streets are in good maintenance. He noted the Public
Works staff also assists with salt requisitions, the 50/50 tree program, maintenance of the
railroad right-of-way, street light maintenance, cutting, weeding and tree maintenance on
Village -owned property and leaf collection.
Mr. Phillips reported the Water Division provides fresh and safe potable water to Village
residents by continuously monitoring and testing the water and implementing EPA regulations.
Mr. Phillips noted the Water Division also maintains, repairs and replaces water mains, water
services and fire hydrants as needed, performs upgrades and improvements to the distribution
system, detects and repairs leaks, maintains an elevated tank, 13 water pumps, three underground
reservoirs and a booster station with a system capacity of over six million gallons, installs,
repairs, replaces and tests water meters as needed and take meter readings of all residential and
commercial establishments within the Village in addition to flushing and maintaining hydrants.
Mr. Phillips reported the Sewer Division maintains, cleans and repairs the sanitary and storm
sewer systems. He also noted they provide sewer televising services, mapping, and respond to
emergency calls. Mr. Phillips stated the Wastewater Division maintains and operates the WRF
and satellite facilities. He pointed out some of their major projects include the bio-solid land
application program, NPDES permits, the chemical phosphorus removal project and working
with the North Branch Watershed work group. Mr. Phillips reported the Garage Division
personnel are responsible for the overall maintenance of all Village vehicles and mobile
equipment. He noted they are also responsible for the written specifications, bidding, awarding
and taking delivery of all Public Works vehicles and equipment. Mr. Phillips noted trucks are
still not readily available, and that the Village is still awaiting a truck that was ordered two years
ago.
Trustee Seiden asked about the residents that are not in compliance with the RPZ testing
requirement. Mr. Phillips reported the Village will make personal contact with the residents to
complete testing and if there is no resolution, will turn off their water.
Trustee Oppenheim asked about the tree survey. Mr. Phillips noted the report is not complete,
but he will present the final report once it is completed.
DOCUMENT APPROVAL
Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion
Trustee Benton moved to,approve the minutes from
the July 17, 2023, Board of Trustees meeting.
The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
TREASURER'S REPORT Finance Director Eric Burk presented highlights
from the June 2023 Treasurer's Report representing
50%of the fiscal year. Mr. Burk noted sales tax and home rule sales tax increased due to
significant one-time payments resulting from an IDOR audit. He stated vehicle sticker fees and
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the first installment of Lake County property taxes were collected during the month. Mr. Burk
reported water and sewer billings continue to reflect lower usage months. He pointed out notable
expenditures in June include construction and engineering costs, general liability insurance, three
payrolls, the Village portion of Patty Turner Center costs, Family Days expenditures, repairs at
1219 Carlisle Place and 839 Todd Court, dispatch remodel costs that are reimbursable, and
legal/production costs for the public hearing related to the Baxter property.
BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the bills and
payroll dated July 17, 2023. Trustee Benton
seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5)
NAYS: None (0)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Arnold Footle asked when the Village will start
patching the potholes. Mr. Lichterman asked Mr.
Footle to contact Public Works. Mr. Phillips noted the Village has a schedule for patching. Mr.
Lichterman noted the work is ongoing.
CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON A
REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE
ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE
REPORTS
Joe Lightcap from Baker & Tilly reported
the firm issued an unmodified opinion on the
Village's financial statements for the year ending
FINANCIAL REPORT December 31, 2022. Mr. Lightcap provided a high-
level overview of the audit financial statements and
insights. He noted the report provides more information than what is required.
Mr. Lightcap reported the governmental funds, which are supported by taxes, had a $2.1 million
increase after the infrastructure and sewer expenses. He also noted the police pension fund
values were down for the year, but many of the investments have increased since the end of
2022. Mr. Lightcap reported the police pension fund is 83 percent funded, which is very good.
Mr. Lightcap noted the non -financial highlights addressed management and audit
responsibilities, changes in accounting practices and any areas of risk. Mr. Lightcap reported the
audit was very successful and there were no comments in this area.
Trustee Seiden moved to accept the report. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
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CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION R-23-36 APPROVING AN A Resolution approving an application for funding
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING UNDER not to exceed $35,212.63 for building
THE BUSINESS FACADE REBATE building improvements under the Business Fagade
PROGRAM FOR WD ASSOCIATES — Rebate program for WD Associates for the location
806 & 808 WAUKEGAN ROAD at 806 and 808 Waukegan Road.
RESOLUTION R-22-37 AUTHORIZING A Resolution authorizing a grant of $32,949.00 to
A GRANT TO THE DEERFIELD the DBR Chamber of Commerce so all current
BANNOCKBURN RIVERWOODS services and programs offered to the business
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE community can continue uninterrupted.
Trustee Oppenheim moved to accept the Consent Agenda and approve the Resolutions. Trustee
Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5)
NAYS: None (0)
OLD BUSINESS
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF Mr. Lichterman reported at the July 17,
STAFF RE: PERMIT RE UIREMENTS 2023, Board of Trustees meeting, the Trustees
provided helpful feedback on the permit
requirement issue. Accordingly, staff has revised the recommendation and attempted to
accomplish three major objectives:
1. Develop a common-sense approach to permit requirements that would serve to protect the
health, safety, and welfare of the Village while also allowing practical exemptions for
maintenance type items. The intent is not to increase the scope of work that currently requires
permits. Rather, the language is intended to provide clarity that certain routine type maintenance
work will not require a permit.
2. Increase clarity for exactly when permits are required. A cross-section of a single-family home
with visual tags indicating when permits are required has been created to accompany a public
information campaign.
3. Launch a public information campaign discussing the benefits associated with obtaining
permits such as protecting your asset, ensuring the work was done properly and avoiding future
costly repairs.
Specifically, staff recommends amending Section 6-1 "Permit Required" of the Village of
Deerfield Municipal Code to better clarify when construction/improvement work requires a
permit and specifically remove the $500 requirement. Mr. Lichterman reported the intent is to
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keep the scope of work that requires a permit the same, but to write the text of the Municipal
Code in a less ambiguous way as to better serve the public interest. He noted some of the key
changes include showing some of the exemptions for a single plumbing fixture or electrical
fixture change that are maintenance. Trustee Oppenheim noted the Village requires permits to
protect residents. Mayor Pro Tem Jacoby suggested adding the infographic to D-Tales, the
Village website and social media. Trustee Benton suggested also providing the information to
contractors. Mr. Lichterman noted the information can be provided to contractors who have
registered through the new online permitting process.
Trustee Oppenheim moved to accept the report and recommendation of staff regarding permit
fees and direct the Village Attorney to prepare the Ordinance. Trustee Berg seconded the
motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5)
NAYS: None (0)
DISCUSSION
ADJOURNMENT Trustee Berg moved to adjourn the meeting.
Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion
passed by unanimously on a voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
The next regular Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, August 21,
2023, at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
Mayor
ATTEST: k44:� A —
Village Jerk