Minutes Archive

February 02, 2016

1. Call to Order

Mayor Pro Tem David Olsen called the regular meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Downers Grove to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Downers Grove Village Hall.

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen said Mayor Tully is absent tonight.   

In the absence of Mayor Tully, Commissioner Olsen served as Mayor Pro Tem. 

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2. Roll Call

Present:  Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner White, Commissioner Vattimo, Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Olsen

Absent:  Commissioner Barnett, Mayor Tully

Non-Voting:  Village Manager Dave Fieldman; Village Attorney Enza Petrarca; Village Clerk April Holden

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 past meetings, an opportunity will be given for public comments and questions of a general nature. 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. Finally, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions on items appearing on the Active Agenda and the First Reading. 

The Mayor Pro Tem stated that at the appropriate time the presiding officers will ask if there are any comments from the public. Individuals wishing to speak, should raise their hand to be recognized and, after acknowledgment from the presiding officer, approach the microphone and state their name. Remarks should be limited to five minutes, and individuals are asked to refrain from making repetitive statements.

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen 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.

3. Minutes of Council Meetings

MIN 2016-6655 - A. Minutes:  Executive Session Minutes for Approval Only - January 12, 2016

 

MIN 2016-6643 - B. Minutes:  Council Minutes - January 19, 2016

 

Motion:  Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Waldack moved to approve the minutes as presented. 

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen declared the motion carried by voice vote.

4. Public Comments

This is the opportunity for public comments.

There were no comments.

5. Consent Agenda

COR 2016-6644 - A. Claims Ordinance:  No. 6143, Payroll, January 8, 2016

 

BIL 2016-6645 - B. Bills Payable:  No. 6242, February 2, 2016

 

MIN 2016-6653 - C. Minutes:  Note Receipt of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Summary:  Architectural Design Review Board and Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Historic Preservation - October 21, 2015

 

Motion:  Commissioner White moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Commissioner Hosé seconded the motion.

Votes:  Yea:  Commissioners White, Hosé, Waldack, Vattimo; Mayor Pro Tem Olsen Nay:  None

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen declared the motion carried.

6. Active Agenda

7. First Reading

ORD 2016-6637 - A. Ordinance:  Authorize the Village of Downers Grove to Borrow Funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)

Village Manager Dave Fieldman asked Finance Director Judy Buttny to present the information regarding borrowing funds from the IEPA for water improvements.

Judy Buttny, Finance Director, said the Village is seeking authorization to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program at the IEPA.  This does not obligate the Village to borrow money, but gives us the ability to do so.  She said $3 million of the FY 16 Water Fund budget will be financed using IEPA loans.  The current interest rate is 1.86% for a 20-year loan as compared to rates of 2.7% using municipal bonds.  It is a savings of about $300,000 in interest to the Village.  She explained that the IEPA has already approved a 5-year Project Plan Document from the Village. 

Commissioner Hosé said that he has spoken with Mr. Fieldman about this over the past year or two and he is glad to see this has come forward.

1. Tom LeCren, 545 Chicago Avenue, asked whether there is a guarantee that the State has this money.  Mr. Fieldman said that the State has indicated that the money is there and available. 

 

ORD 2016-6652 - B. Ordinance:  Provide for the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2008A

Mr. Fieldman said this provides for the issuance of refunding bonds. 

Ms. Buttny said the Village's financial advisor, Robert Baird, has advised staff about a potential refunding opportunity in the 2008 stormwater bonds estimated to save the Village approximately 11% or $852,000.  This savings is net of all fees.  Pending approval, an official statement will be prepared, a bond rating will be obtained on the refunding, the bonds will be priced the week of March 14, and the closing will be held the week of March 28, 2016.  

8. Mayor's Report

9. Manager's Report

Mr. Fieldman said the Stormwater Utility Report will be discussed on February 16; he invited the public to follow this discussion.

10. Attorney's Report

Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, the following are presented for Village Council consideration:

 

  1. An ordinance authorizing the Village of Downers Grove to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
  2. An ordinance providing for the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2008A

 

11. Council Member Reports

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen said Boy Scout Venture Crew #57 will hold a box car pasta supper and model railroad open house on Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5739 Dunham Road.

12. Council Member New Business

MOT 2016-6658 - A. Motion:  Direct Staff to Prepare a Resolution re:  Funding for Meals on Wheels

Commissioner Hosé said he was proud to support the reinstatement of appropriation for Meals on Wheels in the Village.  He opposed the initial cuts.  It is a wonderful program that takes care of seniors throughout our Village as well as many seniors across DuPage County.  He is very disappointed to see the effects on the program in DuPage County as a result of the budget impasse in Springfield.  He asked Council members to support the drafting and adoption of a resolution calling on the General Assembly and Governor to support the passage of a budget for at least the Meals on Wheels program so it can continue to serve the people that benefit from it. 

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to direct staff to prepare a resolution regarding funding for Meals on Wheels.  Commissioner Waldack seconded the motion. 

Commissioner Waldack said he supports the preparation of a resolution that urges the leadership in Springfield to pass legislation to financially support the Meals on Wheels program.  He suggested a change in the proposed language of the fifth paragraph to read:  "Whereas this funding interruption has seen reductions in Meals on Wheels home delivery to two deliveries from five per week in DuPage County; and...."  He said the feedback he has received is overwhelmingly in favor of this.  He asked staff to include contact information for all elected officials who represent Downers Grove on our website so that this and other issues can be relayed to our elected officials.  He spoke of the 13th century conclaves and said we have much to learn from them.  He urged people to contact our elected officials.    

Commissioner White said he will support this.  It is important to make it clear that Meals on Wheels is a serious program that addresses core services of government and is not merely another charity.   

Commissioner Hosé said he prepared a draft of the resolution and thanked Commissioner Waldack for his input.

Votes:  Yea:  Commissioners Hosé, Waldack, White, Vattimo; Mayor Pro Tem Olsen Nay:  None

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen declared the motion carried.

13. Adjournment

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen asked for a motion to adjourn. 

Commissioner White moved to adjourn.  Commissioner Waldack seconded the motion.

Votes:  Yea:  Commissioners White, Waldack, Vattimo, Hosé; Mayor Pro Tem Olsen Nay:  None

Mayor Pro Tem Olsen declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

April Holden
Village Clerk

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