Loading...
11/16/2009November 16, 2009 The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order by Mayor Harriet Rosenthal in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The Clerk called the roll and announced that the following were: Present: Harriet Rosenthal, Mayor Robert Benton Alan Farkas Thomas Jester Mary Oppenheim William Seiden Barbara Struthers and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Attorney Peter Coblentz and Kent Street, Village Manager. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Members from Cub Scout Pack 450 from Walden School led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENTATION TO BOARD Pack leader Nancy Rock and members of Cub Scout Pack 450 from Walden School presented the Village with a painting of Deerfield scenes made by the Junior Webelos. MIKE S1 ANAHAN AWARD Chief Sliozis introduced Chief Russell Laine from the Algonquin Police Department on behalf of the International Association of the Chiefs of Police. Chief Laine awarded the 2009 Mike Shanahan Award to the Deerfield Police Department for excellence in private /public cooperation. Chief Laine explained the award recognizes outstanding achievement in the development and implementation of public /private cooperation in public safety. Chief Sliozis recognized the efforts of the community and Commander Rick Weil. He also thanked the Trustees for their support. Commander Rick Weil noted the award shows a spirit of cooperation between public and private entities that have gotten together to further communication, safety, emergency planning, incident command, etc. The reciprocal agreements with both Takeda and Baxter Healthcare to set up command centers are an example of cooperative effort. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Mayor Rosenthal thanked Chief Laine and expressed appreciation to Chief Sliozis, Commander Weil and the entire Police Department. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Trustee Benton made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 2, 2009 Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Oppenheim made a motion to approve the Board of Trustees Meeting November 16, 2009 Page 2 of 5 Bills and Payroll dated November 16, 2009. Trustee Seiden seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Farkas, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Struthers (6) NAYS: None (0) TREASURER'S REPORT Bob Fialkowski presented highlights from the Treasurer's Report through the end of October representing half of the fiscal year. He noted sales tax show a lag but he is hopeful it will pick up. Mr. Fialkowski noted that signs on a national level show retail sales are picking up. The hotel tax for the month went up from the prior month but was below the activity level of the last two years. Water sales and sewer revenues picked up a bit, but the Village is still under budget in those revenues, and expenditures are also under budget. Operating revenues remain ahead of operating expenditures. Mayor Rosenthal noted the projections for revenues were lowered from what was originally budgeted. She questioned whether the lower budget would be realized or if there would be a deficit. Mr. Fialkowski responded that the budget showed a deficit from the onset. He does not see revenues coming in above the budget, and expenditures are under budget at this point. Assuming there are no unusual circumstances or a difficult winter, the expenditures should come in under budget, resulting in a slight deficit or break even in operating funds. REPORT ON DEPARTMENTAL Mr. Fialkowski presented highlights from the OBJECTIVES, FINANCE DEPARTMENT Finance Department for the past six months. The department has staffed negotiations with police officer and public works unions and provided other HR functions including recruiting a new computer technician. Mr. Fialkowski reported the annual budget documentation was completed on time and it received . the GFOA Budget Award for the 19th consecutive year. Mr. Fialkowski noted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was also submitted for the GFOA award and added that several other required reports have been completed on time as well. The vehicle licensing procedure is the same as last year. The department sent out compliance letters in July. Mr. Fialkowski noted late and shut off notices for utilities are down from the last six months. Mr. Fialkowski reported that staff also assisted in the Police Department computer upgrade system, and mobile data terminals were installed in the new squad cars. The department continues to staff Village board meetings in light of the open positions in Administration. Trustee Oppenheim asked about progress on an automated time clock for public works employees. Mr. Fialkowski responded.that staff is still working on implementation. It is not an inexpensive endeavor, requiring additional system changes. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment. Board of Trustees Meeting November 16, 2009 Page 3 of 5 REPORTS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Assistant Village Engineer Bob Phillips reported TO ADOPT NPDES STORM WATER that the Village applied for the National Pollutant MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (SWMP) Discharge Elimination System kNPDES) permit six years ago. Over the past several years, the Village has worked to become compliant with Phase II requirements. Earlier this year, the Village contracted with Gewalt Hamilton Associates. Marcy Knysz from Gewalt Hamilton presented a report on the Storm Water Management Program. Ms. Knysz explained that the IEPA issued the NPDES Phase II Permit in 2003 and it was reissued in February 2009. The permit allows for discharging of storm water from separate storm sewer systems (MS4) to waters of the State. The goal of the program is to reduce pollutants in storm water. Ms. Knysz discussed why storm water pollution is a problem. She noted that untreated rainfall or snowmelt moving over the ground picks up natural and manmade pollutants and deposits them into lakes, rivers, wetlands and underground sources of drinking water. Non -storm water discharges enter the system via illicit connections and discharges. She explained that typical pollutants include sediment, nutrients, bacteria, oil and grease, trace metals, toxic chemicals, etc. Ms. Knysz reviewed permit requirements. She explained they were in the implementation phase and would submit data and information about how the program was working. She noted there was no baseline data at this time, but they would track the progress toward measurable goals. Ms. Knysz noted that six minimum control measures must be addressed. They are: public education and outreach, public involvement and participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site storm water runoff control and watershed development, post- construction storm water management in new development and redevelopment areas and pollution prevention for municipal operations. Ms. Knysz discussed the anticipated benefits of the storm water program, which include improved water quality, enhanced opportunities for recreation, reduction in flood damage and an enhanced aesthetic value. Mayor Rosenthal noted the Village would post information on the Village website. Trustee Oppenheim found the report fascinating. Trustee Oppenheim made a motion to accept the report. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Village Manager Street reported that the City of FOR A NEW PUBLIC ACCESS Highland Park has proposed a new joint studio at STUDIO AND PLAYBACK FACILITY the Highland Park Police Station. Mr. Street noted WITH THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK that Comcast is stopping its funding of the Deerfield Board of Trustees Meeting November 16, 2009 Page 4 of 5 studio as of the end of 2009 and that Deerfield's Cable and Telecommunications Commission reviewed and recommended the proposal. Trustee Oppenheim asked about the time commitment. Mr. Street noted the initial proposal was for 2010, but Highland Park is investing significantly in the facility, and the need for the services will continue for some time. Trustee Seiden made a motion to accept the report and recommendation for a new public access studio and playback facility with the City of Highland Park. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. Trustee Seiden explained it is important to note this facility has a bearing on Village board meetings. Many residents listen to the meetings, and he would like to maintain the same level of service. Trustee Farkas hopes to move into a more self- sustaining system but noted that could not be achieved immediately. In response to a question from Trustee Struthers, Mr. Street noted that AT &T does not currently carry local public access channels but has committed to do so in the first quarter of 2010. He added that Board meetings would continue to be available on disk at the Deerfield Library. Trustee Oppenheim asked Mr. Adler about the proposed facility. Mr. Adler explained he just saw a diagram and it looks adequate. He also noted the Highland Park Police Department could use that facility in case of certain emergencies, which may also be helpful to Deerfield. The motion passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA There was no Consent Agenda. There was no Old Business. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS ORDINANCE 0 -09 -24 APPROVING An Ordinance approving and authorizing the AND AUTHORIZING THE execution of an intergovernmental agreement EXECUTION OF AN establishing the Northern Illinois Municipal INTERGOVERNMENTAL Natural Gas Franchise Consortium. First Reading. AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL Mr. Street explained that several Northern Illinois NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE communities will have their gas agreements expire. CONSORTIUM — IR In Deerfield, the agreement does not expire until 2038, but the Village may benefit from this. The initial request is for a $500 contribution. Trustee Struthers asked if residents could take advantage of the consortium. Mr. Street explained it does not affect residential rates but does apply to the regulation of right -of- ways. Board of Trustees Meeting November 16, 2009 Page 5 of 5 Trustee Benton made a motion to waive the first reading of the Ordinance. Trustee Farkas seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Benton made a motion to authorize the execution of an intergovernmental agreement establishing the Northern Illinois Municipal Gas Franchise Consortium. Trustee Seiden seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Farkas, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Struthers (6) NAYS: None (0) DISCUSSION DEERFIELD EMERGENCY FUND Trustee Jester noted two upcoming opportunities to support the Deerfield Community Emergency Fund. The Village includes requests annually in the utility bills, and the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service, which will be held at St. Gregory's on Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30 pm. FOOD PANTRY Trustee Struthers explained the Food Pantry would be collecting at the Holiday Celebration which will be held the first weekend in December. COM ED APPELLATE HEARING Trustee Farkas noted that he, Trustee Jester and Trustee Seiden went to view the Commonwealth Edison suit.Appellate Hearing. The Village Attorney did an outstanding job. He noted the Second District Court does not take a lot of oral arguments, and the mere fact that they decided to hold a hearing reflects a high level of interest by the Count. The questions asked by the Judges during the hearing suggested they are giving serious consideration to the Village's position, but they didn't provide any clear indication of how they will rule. HAPPY THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving wishes to all. LEAF PICK UP ADJOURNMENT Mayor Rosenthal encouraged attendance at the November 25`h Ecumenical Service and offered Happy Mr. Street advised that this is the last week for leaf pick up. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:2/5 p.m. APPROVED: :,Lj Mayor ATTEST: 14-5. 4-7R- Alla-ge Clerk 1 1 1