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2001
- December 18, 2001
- December 11, 2001
- November 27, 2001 - Council
- November 27, 2001 - Workshop
- November 20, 2001
- November 13, 2001
- November 06, 2001
- October 23, 2001 - Council
- October 23, 2001 - Workshop
- October 16, 2001
- October 09, 2001
- October 02, 2001
- September 25, 2001
- September 18, 2001
- September 04, 2001
- August 28, 2001
- August 21, 2001
- August 14, 2001
- August 07, 2001
- July 24, 2001
- July 17, 2001
- July 10, 2001
- July 03, 2001
- June 26, 2001
- June 19, 2001
- June 12, 2001
- June 05, 2001
- May 22, 2001 - Special Session
- May 22, 2001 - Workshop
- May 15, 2001
- May 08, 2001 - Council
- May 08, 2001 - Workshop
- May 01, 2001
- April 24, 2001
- April 17, 2001
- April 10, 2001 - Council
- April 10, 2001 - Workshop
- April 03, 2001
- March 27, 2001
- March 20, 2001
- March 13, 2001
- March 06, 2001
- February 27, 2001
- February 20, 2001
- February 13, 2001 - Council
- February 13, 2001 - Workshop
- February 06, 2001
- January 23, 2001
- January 16, 2001
- January 09, 2001
- January 02, 2001
- 2000
July 03, 2001
1. Call to Order
Mayor Brian Krajewski called the regular meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Downers Grove to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Downers Grove Village Hall.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor Krajewski led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Mayor Krajewski said he would like to remind everyone present that the Council meeting is broadcast over the local FM radio station, WDGC . In addition, a tape recording and videotape of the meeting are being made using Village owned equipment. The videotape of the meeting will be used for later rebroadcast of the Council meeting over the Village cable television Channel 6.
The Council will follow the rules of conduct for this meeting as provided in Sec. 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code. These offer the public the opportunity to comment at several points in the meeting. First, immediately following approval of the minutes of the past meetings, an opportunity will be given for public comments and questions on the active agenda items for this evening��������s meeting. Following this, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions on any subject. Finally, if a public hearing is scheduled for this meeting, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions related to the subject of the hearing.
The Mayor stated that at the appropriate time the presiding officers will ask if there are any comments from the public. If anyone wishes to speak, the individual should raise their hand to be recognized and, after acknowledgment from the presiding officer, approach the microphone and state their name and address. He stated that remarks be limited to five minutes, and asked that individuals refrain from making repetitive statements.
The Mayor said there are agendas located on either side of the Council Chambers, and he invited the audience to pick up an agenda and follow the progress of the Council meeting.
2. Roll Call
Present: Commissioner Michael Gilbert, Commissioner Thomas Sisul, Commissioner Marilyn Schnell, Commissioner Martin Tully, Commissioner Mark Zabloudil and Mayor Brian Krajewski Non Voting: Village Clerk April Holden, Village Manager Riccardo Ginex and Village Manager Riccardo Ginex
3. Minutes of Workshop and Council Meetings
Council Meeting �������� June 19, 2001 Executive Session for Approval Only �������� June 19, 2001 Workshop Meeting �������� June 26, 2001 There being no additions or corrections to the minutes, Mayor Krajewski said they would be filed as submitted.
4. Public Comments and Questions
A. Comments and Questions on Active Agenda
There were none.
B. Comments and Questions on General Matters
William Volrath of 6818 Osage said he had six issues he wanted to address briefly and asked that he not be interrupted until he completed his presentation.
Mr. Volrath said that a month ago he underwent 4-1/2 hours of open-heart surgery, stating he was extremely fortunate to have a facility like Good Samaritan Hospital and its medical staff in the Village. They have a state-of-the-art surgical facility.
Mr. Volrath said that Village residents recently received a glossy mailing from the EDC which had material that he felt could have been communicated through the local newspaper or the web page. He questioned the expense involved in this brochure. He said the EDC Director, Mr. Steve Rockwell, should be informed that citizen comments should be welcomed even if they do not �������voice your support for the project.������� He felt the mailer suggested that only supportive citizen comments were welcomed.
Mr. Volrath then said that Council��������s efforts in conducting recent public hearings have been inadequate. He referred to issues such as quick take land matters, Station Crossing, and the parking garage which he said are important public issues and should be announced at least a week in advance in both local newspapers as well as being promoted on the Village��������s home page. He said that all three hearings were conducted with as little notice to the public as possible.
Mr. Volrath then said he does not believe most citizens of the community want the Council to take any steps to increase commuter traffic and congestion in the Village��������s downtown. He believes a 750 car parking garage is excessive in size and will exasperate the already existing traffic congestion. He believes this should be scaled back to about 400-500 cars.
Mr. Volrath then said that the millions of dollars the Council insists on throwing at the downtown development is fiscally irresponsible. He said that the Village��������s Master Plan was developed several years ago during an economic boom, and those days are over. The economic model is no longer valid. As a major taxpayer he wants to see a detailed analysis of how the downtown expenditures will be paid, including what he considers to be some of the most expensive parking spaces in Du Page County. He wants to know how this will be accomplished without raising taxes and fees. He suggests it is impossible in the current economy to do so.
Mr. Volrath then addressed the Park District��������s proposed recreation center. He said he thinks the Park District has failed to provide adequate gymnasium space to the community, and that Ogden and Belmont is a poor location for the facility. He said one of the worst opinions he has heard from an attorney came from the Park District��������s attorney who suggested that a lack of Code variance is equivalent to an absence of health and safety issues. Mr. Volrath said that is sheer nonsense and if the Village embraces that opinion it assures litigation.
Mr. Volrath concluded stating during the Council debates there was an almost universal agreement that an ethics Ordinance for Council members could be beneficial. He urged the Council to move forward on such an Ordinance so that both the Council and the residents of the Village can evaluate issues of conflict of interest. He believes there have been incidents in the past that could have been avoided if a sensible ethics Ordinance had been enacted.
5. Public Hearings
There were none.
6. Consent Agenda
BIL00 -00562 List of Bills Payable: No. 5388a, July 3, 2001 (FY 2000/01) No. 5388b, July 3, 2001 (FY 2001/02) Sponsors: Accounting Commissioner McConnell questioned item WI 415 (TIF Redevelopment) on page 10.
Commissioner Gilbert questioned item DE 441 on page 2. A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: N/A
BID00 -00554 Bid: Award Unit Price Contract to Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc. for FY 2001 /02 Mosquito Abatement Program Sponsors: Code Services A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Mosquito Abatement Program
BID00 -00555 Bids: $148,221 to Freightliner of Chicago for Three Freightliner Cab and Chassis; $157,350 to Team Temco for Three Dump Bodies with Plows Sponsors: Public Works and Deputy Village Manager A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Vehicle Purchases
BID00 -00556 Bids: $15,300 to K-Five Construction for 2001/02 Contract for Liquid Asphalt Cement; $30,500 to Harry W. Kuhn for Bituminous Hot Mix and Cold Mix Sponsors: Public Works A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Public Works �������� Cement and Concrete Materials Passed The Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Commissioner Sisul, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, that the consent agenda be passed. The motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Gilbert, Commissioner Sisul, Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Zabloudil and Mayor Krajewski
7. Active Agenda
ORD00 -00559 Ordinance: Restrict Vehicular Traffic from Downers Grove North High School Parking Lot Sponsors: Parking & Traffic Commission Summary of Item: At their meeting of May 15, 2001, the Parking & Traffic Commission unanimously moved to recommend that the Village Council restrict left turns out of the parking lot at the south side of North High School located between Forest Avenue and Main Street and additionally approve design option #2 which provides ingress off of Forest Avenue and egress off of Main Street.
AN ORDINANCE RESTRICTING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM DOWNERS GROVE NORTH HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
ORDINANCE NO . 4311 Commissioner Tully moved to amend the Ordinance. He said in the Public Works Committee meeting earlier today, there was concern expressed about the issues raised by residents on Forest Avenue. The concern was about cars going in on Forest and out on Main. District 99 has committed to the gate solution which would remain down at all times and accessed through a key card or other method. Another item discussed was the issue of exiting east from Main Street and turning left. He said that it seems logical to amend the Ordinance and state that it would be unlawful to exit west bound onto the access drive on Forest Street. That would allow anyone doing this to be ticketed. He then read the wording for the proposed amendment.
In Section 1 of the Ordinance, immediately following the words �������proceed northerly along Main Street�������, the following would be added:�������; and (b) to exit westbound from the parking lot access drive at Forest Street.�������
Commissioners Sisul and Gilbert agreed to the amended wording. A motion was made by Commissioner Sisul, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, to Adopt this file. Mayor Krajewski declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Gilbert, Commissioner Sisul, Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Zabloudil and Mayor Krajewski Indexes: North High School Parking Restrictions
ORD00 -00558 Ordinance: Phase II Annexation �������� Downers Grove Estates/Meadowlawn Subdivision Sponsors: Planning Services Summary of Item: This will annex to the Village of Downers Grove certain unincorporated territory located in the Downers Grove Estates/Meadowlawn Subdivision. This annexation will not be recorded, and thus not effective until after January 1, 2002.
AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE , ILLINOIS (DOWNERS GROVE ESTATES /MEADOWLAWN SUBDIVISION PHASE II ANNEXATION )
ORDINANCE NO . 4312 A motion was made by Commissioner Gilbert, seconded by Commissioner Zabloudil, to Adopt this file. Mayor Krajewski declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Gilbert, Commissioner Sisul, Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Zabloudil and Mayor Krajewski Indexes: Annexation, Downers Grove Estates, Meadowlawn Subdivision
8. Mayor��������s Report
Materials to be Received �������� Minutes
Finance and Administrative Committee �������� May 31, 2001 Library Board �������� May 23, 2001 and June 13, 2001 Liquor Commission �������� May 3, 2001 A motion was made by Commissioner Sisul, seconded by Commissioner Gilbert, to Note Receipt Of this file. Mayor Krajewski declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Gilbert, Commissioner Sisul, Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Zabloudil and Mayor Krajewski
Materials to be Received �������� Monthly Reports
Materials to be Placed on File
9. Manager��������s Report
Manager Ginex recognized the Village staff members for awards they have received over the past months.
The first is the EDC an award received in May 2001 acknowledging the EDC as an accredited Economic Development Organization. The Downers Grove EDC is one of 19 to achieve this status out of 25,000 such groups. He presented a plaque from the American Economic Development Council to the EDC Director, Steve Rockwell.
The next award was from the Government Office of Financial Accounting given to the Village in recognition of excellence in financial reporting. The Village has received this award since 1994. Manager Ginex said this is an especially important award as it was received during a year when the staff was involved of the conversion to SCI . He introduced some of the Financial Department staff and complimented them on their achievement.
Manager Ginex then noted an award from the Society of Human Resource Management which awarded the Village��������s Human Resources Department its Innovative Practice Award for its on-line salary data base on the Metronet. The award represents five years of development and administration. It was presented to Greg Zimmerman and Dr. Wu in San Francisco. Comments made at that meeting by the editor of HR magazine who stated that �������cutting innovation demonstrated by Downers Grove places local government in the forefront of development.������� The Manager then commended the staff for its accomplishments.
The Mayor had staff members come up to receive the award and congratulated them on their work.
10. Attorney��������s Report
Village Attorney Blondin said he was presenting four items.
Future Active Agenda
ORD00 -00560 Ordinance: Authorize Special Use Providing for a Public Park with a Recreational Center and Accessory Parking, Uses and Improvements Sponsors: Zoning Board of Appeals Summary of Item: At their meeting of May 23, 2001 the Zoning Board of Appeals voted four to one to recommend that a Special Use be granted for the Downers Grove Park District Family Recreation Center.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE PROVIDING FOR A PUBLIC PARK WITH A RECREATIONAL CENTER AND ACCESSORY PARKING , USES AND IMPROVEMENTS
ORDINANCE NO . 4313 Indexes: Park District, Park District Recreation Center
ORD00 -00373 Ordinance: Refund of GO Bonds Series 1996 and 2000 Sponsors: Finance Indexes: General Obligation Bond �������� Refund
ORD00 -00428 Ordinance: Amend Open Burning Restrictions Sponsors: Village Attorney Indexes: Open Burning
ORD00 -00527 Ordinance: Provide for the Issuance of Phase IV CBD Bonds Sponsors: Finance Summary of Item: This will authorize the sale of $6,000,000.00 in general obligation TIF bonds.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2001 , OF THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE , DUPAGE COUNTY , ILLINOIS , AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A DIRECT ANNUAL TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SAID BONDS
ORDINANCE NO . 4319 Indexes: Bond Issue
11. Committee Standing Reports
Public Works Committee
Commissioner Schnell said the compaction report from CSI on the CBD should be back in approximately two weeks. The report will be coming in under budget.
Commissioner Schnell said there was also some discussion about the North High parking lot, as well as increasing lines of communication between the School District and the community. In addition it was recommended that the Village Forester become involved in reviewing the landscape plans to assure adequate screening from the residential area. It was also stated that the second and third shifts would not be using that parking lot.
Commissioner Schnell then asked Jack Bajor to make a short report on the Belmont Road grade crossing. Mr. Bajor said he reported to the Public Works Committee about a meeting with METRA . The Belmont project is moving ahead and they will be contacting the Village in the next few weeks. They are completing their environmental impact study and are looking to minimize property acquisition through design alternatives.
Commissioner Schnell said there has been some e-mail about the south side water tank painting. She said it should be painted and operational by September and will add one million gallons of water to the south side residents.
Regarding the Belmont underpass, the Mayor said there is a meeting scheduled for July 25 at Village Hall with some State Legislators, METRA , DuPage County and IDOT to finalize an intergovernmental agreement transferring the road from IDOT to DuPage County, as well as to commit to funding. IDOT said they would be committing to half the funding that is not covered by ICC funding, and looks to METRA for the remaining half. Everyone is in the process of reviewing the agreement prior to the meeting.
Commissioner Tully spoke about the Public Works Committee stating they have a draft prepared of their Mission statement. In addition, he said that the Ordinance states the Committee is Public Works not Public Services. Public Services may expand the scope of their work.
Finance and Administrative Committee
Commissioner McConnell said the Finance Committee met earlier in the evening to establishing a financing framework for the downtown TIF . She said they met with Phil McKenna regarding the next round of bonds for the Phase IV of the CBD and the Parking Deck design. More information will be available in August. She said they also looked at some balance sheets and income statements to provide better tools for the Council. They will also review the land bank proposals when they arrive in early August. In addition, the space needs for renovation or expansion of Village Hall will become part of the Committee��������s responsibilities.
12. Council Member Reports and New Business
Mayor Krajewski reminded everyone that the 4th of July Parade has been moved to 59th Street and begins in front of O��������Neill Middle School. It will move westbound to Dunham.
Commissioner Tully wished everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.
Commissioner Gilbert said there are 353 days to the next Heritage Festival.
All Commissioners wished a happy and safe 4th of July to the residents.
13. Adjournment
Commissioner Sisul moved to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to Section 2����(1) of the Open Meetings Act to consider personnel and Section 2����(6) the price for sale or lease of Village Property. Commissioner Gilbert seconded.
VOTE : YEA �������� Commissioners Sisul, Gilbert, Zabloudil, Tully, McConnell, Schnell, Mayor Krajewski
Mayor Krajewski declared the motion carried. Council convened into Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. The Mayor said the Council may return into Open Session following the Executive Session.
RECONVENE
Mayor Krajewski reconvened the Village Council meeting at 8:06 p.m. and called for a Motion to approve Rick Ginex as Village Manager of the Village of Downers Grove.
Commissioner Sisul moved to approve Rick Ginex as Village Manager effective August 6 subject to the execution of the contract. Commissioner Gilbert seconded the Motion.
Commissioner Tully said he interviewed Mr. Ginex and is confident they have chosen the right man. He has had 24 years of experience in the Village and is well experienced. Commissioner Tully is glad that Mr. Ginex is willing to take on the position.
Commissioner McConnell said she has had an opportunity to work with Mr. Ginex on Character Counts. She is happy to have Rick in this new position.
Commissioner Zabloudil said it is important to have someone with leadership ability. Mr. Ginex has demonstrated that in his role with the Police Department. This is a great opportunity for the Village to have him as part of the team.
VOTE : YEA : Commissioners Sisul, Gilbert, Zabloudil, Tully, McConnell, Schnell, Mayor Krajewski
The Mayor said the Motion has been approved unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Sisul moved to adjourn. Commissioner Gilbert seconded.
VOTE : YEA �������� Commissioners Sisul, Gilbert, Zabloudil, Tully, McConnell, Schnell, Mayor Krajewski
Mayor Krajewski declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
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