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09/05/2023September 5, 2023 The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order on September 5, 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 Dan Shapiro, Mayor Absent: Rebekah Metts-Childers and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Manager Kent Street and Steven Elrod; Village Attorney. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Shapiro led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. SEMI ANNUAL REPORT Deputy Chief Brian Budny presented highlights from the Police Department Semi -Annual Report. He reported the calls for service have been fairly steady at about 7,800 calls. Deputy Chief Budny noted the number of calls for service has been consistent over the past four years. He reported index crimes have been going down, which is a positive. He noted that in 2021, the thefts were high mainly due to identity thefts during the pandemic. Deputy Chief Budny reported the classification of index crimes has changed slightly, but the statistics in the report are fairly consistent. Deputy Chief Budny noted in the first six months of this year, there have been seven vehicle thefts while the City of Chicago has 83 per day. He noted the number of traffic collisions has reduced. He also stated traffic and parking tickets have stayed consistent over the past three years. Deputy Chief Budny reported DUI enforcement is down, but the Department had a lot of enforcement in 2022. The dispatch center construction is estimated to be completed by approximately October 1, and the project will be completed once the necessary technology has been installed. Deputy Chief Budny noted the eighth graders at Shepard Middle School beat the Fire and Police Departments in the charity basketball game. He noted the department also designed a memorial patch for the 100 Club and donated more than $1,000 to their charitable fund. Deputy Chief Budny reported other charitable and community events include the pink patches, Cop on Top, Coffee with a Cop and the Community Roll Call series that took place in different parks throughout the Village. Mayor Shapiro thanked the Department for continuing to do a great job. He asked about the reduction in index crimes. Deputy Chief Budny noted the number of catalytic converter thefts Board of Trustees meeting September 5, 2023 Page 2 of 5 has decreased. He reported the decrease is due to the overnight shift being very proactive, as well as the FLOCK cameras. Deputy Chief Budny reported the second remote assessment has been completed and the Department has been accredited for the past 18 years. Trustee Oppenheim congratulated the Department for the amount of outreach into the community they perform, and the effort made to spend time with students and other residents. She commended the department for the collaborative, friendly and informed relationship between the Department and residents. Trustee Berg noted the department's presence at the Farmers Market also goes a long way. Trustee Jacoby understands how hard the job is and how easy the officers make it look. Trustee Seiden asked about gang activity. Deputy Chief Budny noted there is not a lot of gang activity in Deerfield, but there is some gang activity in Waukegan, North Chicago and Zion. DOCUMENT APPROVAL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2023, Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. TREASURER'S REPORT Village Treasurer Eric Burk presented highlights from the July 2023 Treasurer's Report representing 58% of the fiscal year. Mr. Burk reported sales tax decreased from the same period of the prior year, but continues to exceed projection and prior year to date amounts. He noted water and sewer billings increased, which is typical this time of year. Mr. Burk reported hotel tax includes payments from five hotels. He stated MFT revenue includes an annual allotment for high growth cities. Mr. Burk reported state income tax continues to exceed projection, but lags the prior year collections. He noted Food and Beverage tax increased from the prior year. Mr. Burk reported notable expenditures in July include construction and engineering costs, dispatch center remodel costs that are reimbursable, Family Days fireworks, redesign of D-Tales and repairs at 839 Todd Court. He stated large expenditures to come include the Village's contributions to the Police Pension Fund, debt service payments and transfer to the refuse fund. BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the bills and payroll dated August 21, 2023. Trustee Berg seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5) NAYS: None (0) PUBLIC COMMENT Kate Tallo and Jorie Simon asked the Trustees to address the skunk issue in the Village. Ms. Tallo moved to Deerfield in 2019 and her dog has gotten skunked six times. Ms. Tallo reported they cannot enjoy their back yard due to the skunks. Ms. Tallow believes the skunk situation has gotten worse. She noted other municipalities have animal control programs in place. Ms. Tallo expressed concern that some residents will take the situation into their own hands. She asked if resources could be allocated in the 2024 budget. Mayor Shapiro believes the skunk situation has been worse this year due to the mild winter. He suggested Board of Trustees meeting September 5, 2023 Page 3 of 5 reaching out to animal control in Lake County. Ms. Tallo noted she has reached out to animal control who stated they only take action if the skunk is diseased or unconscious. Mayor Shapiro noted Ms. Tallo's voice is the first voice he has heard on this issue. Mr. Street noted this is not a Village issue, but there are things citizens can do to eliminate the attractiveness of skunks coming into their yard. He suggested it could be an educational issue. Trustee Jacoby suggested putting information in the next edition of D-Tales. Mr. Street noted there is information on the Village website. Ms. Simon noted the skunks are out in force and she almost got skunked. Mayor Shapiro noted there is not a lot that can be done at the Village level. REPORTS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Assistant to the Village Manager, Justin Keenan, OF STAFF RE: ALLEY VACATION reported this policy formalizes the alley vacation PROCESS process that has been in place for more than a decade. He noted the Village typically receives one or two alley vacation requests a year. Trustee Seiden moved to accept the report and recommendation of staff regarding alley vacation process and directed the Village Attorney to prepare the Ordinance. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5) NAYS: None (0) CONSENT AGENDA ORDINANCE 0-23-26 GRANTING An Ordinance granting the requested relief for a REQUESTED FENCE HEIGHT RELIEF fence height at the property located at 1223 FOR 1223 CRABTREE LANE Crabtree Lane, allowing a four -foot -high fence in the front yard of the property. Trustee Oppenheim moved to accept the Consent Agenda and adopt the Ordinance. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5) NAYS: None (0) OLD BUSINESS There was no Old Business. Board of Trustees meeting September 5, 2023 Page 4 of 5 NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE 0-23-27 AMENDING SECTIONS 6-1 AND 6-10 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD, 1975, AS AMENDED, REGARDING WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT Assistant Village Manager Andrew Lichterman reported property owners are required to obtain and display a building permit in a conspicuous location when engaging in construction or demolition work governed in sections 6-1 and/or 6-10 of the Municipal Code. Staff has recent experience with a property owner/contractor that altered and falsified material information on the building permit card, which was on display at the subject location. Mr. Lichterman reported this Ordinance amends the Municipal Code to establish a separate and distinct violation if a permit card is altered. Trustee Berg moved to adopt the Ordinance amending Sections 6-1 and 6-10 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Deerfield, 1975, as amended, regarding work without a valid permit. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Seiden (5) NAYS: None (0) DISCUSSION HARVEST FEST Mayor Shapiro reported Harvest Fest is coming this Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 5-9 p.m. at the Deerfield Road Metra Lot. The main act is 7tn Heaven, who will start at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Keenan reported Harvest Fest starts at the Farmers Market on Saturday morning. RC Juggles will be there with a massive bubble machine, Touch -a -Truck and the fire and police vehicles will also be there. MAYOR'S STATEMENT Mayor Shapiro read the following statement: "In my June 21 statement regarding the Baxter property, I stated that Bridge Industrial was in discussions with Lake County regarding its proposed industrial development. On July 18, Bridge met with Lake County staff and, on September 1, the County posted a report from its meeting. Part of the report addressed the general office zoning district that lies to the northern and western portions of the Baxter property. Whether Bridge decides to move forward with a possible rezoning is unknown at this time but if it does, public hearings would be required at which point the public would have an opportunity to voice its concerns. The Village of Deerfield's planning jurisdiction includes the 102 acres that Bridge sought to annex and develop this past spring. Accordingly, the Village will have an opportunity to articulate its position on Bridge's possible rezoning request with the County, if it is made. I previously expressed reservations about its project and over 500 people attended our Plan Commission's public hearing prior to the time that Bridge withdrew its applications. It is clear to me that Bridge's applications raised many unresolved issues. Therefore, to the extent that Bridge Board of Trustees meeting September 5, 2023 Page 5 of 5 seeks to rezone the general office zoning district for its proposed project, I will encourage our Village Board to adopt a resolution in opposition to the rezoning request for Bridge's proposal." Trustee Benton noted there was a comment from Lake County summarizing their report. A number of the different groups will bring reports to the committee meeting. Mayor Shapiro noted their report is public and available for anyone to view. He also noted they have not applied for rezoning, but this is his recommendation if they do apply for rezoning. ADJOURNMENT Trustee Benton moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimously on a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. The next regular Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, September 18, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST: ^ VU --�;I— Village Clerk