January 11, 2011

1. Call to Order

Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Schnell 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. 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Mayor Schnell led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2. Roll Call

Present: Commissioner Marilyn Schnell, Commissioner Bob Barnett, Commissioner William Waldack, Commissioner Sean P. Durkin, Commissioner Bruce E. Beckman and Commissioner Geoff Neustadt Absent: Mayor Ron Sandack Non Voting: Village Manager David Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca and Village Clerk April Holden T he 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 of a general matter. 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 Consent Agenda, the Active Agenda and the First Reading.

The presiding officer will ask, at the appropriate time, 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. Remarks should be limited to five minutes, and asked that individuals refrain from making repetitive statements.

Mayor Schnell said there are agendas located on either side of the Council Chambers, and she invited the audience to pick up an agenda and follow the progress of the Council meeting.

MOT 00-04386 Motion: Permit Electronic Attendance Mayor Pro Tem Schnell said that Mayor Sandack will not be attending tonight's meeting electronically due to his duties in Springfield. Indexes: Council Rules

3. Minutes of Council Meetings

Council Minutes - January 4, 2011 There being no additions or corrections to the minutes, Mayor Schnell said they would be filed as submitted.

4. Public Comments - General Comments on Matters Not Appearing on Tonight's Agenda

Bill Wrobel, 7800 Queens Ct., referred to the January 4, 2011 meeting, saying that there was a Consent Agenda item voted upon. He reviewed the minutes of the December 21 meeting when a contract with I/O Solutions was approved. He asked if this was Workshopped.

Mayor ProTem Schnell said it was not Workshopped.

Village Manager Dave Fieldman explained that on a regular basis contracts that come in at or under budget, and below $100,000 are not placed on the First Reading agenda. He said this practice began in January 2010.  Mayor ProTem Schnell said that there is an opportunity at every meeting for the public to comment before the Consent Agenda is approved.

Mr. Wrobel then referred to Mr. LeCren's question last week concerning the new meeting procedures and how those changes were working out. Mayor ProTem Schnell said that the Manager has indicated that the three meeting schedule provides an efficiency for staff in terms of scheduling reports and follow-up. Mr. Fieldman responded as well that placement of items on the Consent Agenda items is at the discretion of the Manager.

5. Public Hearings

6. Consent Agenda

BIL 00-04383 A. List of Bills Payable: Ordinance 5174, January 11, 2011

Sponsors: Accounting A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: N/A

MOT 00-04380 B. Motion: 2011 Top Priority Action Items

Sponsors: Manager's Office A motion was made to Note Receipt Of this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Strategic Plan

MOT 00-04384 C. Motion: Note Receipt of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Summary of Item: Human Service Commission - December 1, 2010 A motion was made to Note Receipt Of this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Boards and Commissions Minutes

Passed The Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Commissioner Barnett, seconded by Commissioner Beckman, that the consent agenda be passed. The motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Y ea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Barnett, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Commissioner Neustadt

7. Active Agenda

RES 00-04381 A. Resolution: Provide for Electronic Attendance

Sponsors: Village Attorney

Summary of Item: This authorizes Mayor Sandack to attend certain Council meetings electronically.

A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE

RESOLUTION 2011-01 M ayor Pro Tem Schnell noted that last week Commissioner Durkin made comments about modifying the resolution allowing for a vote whenever the Mayor is phoning in from Springfield.

Commissioner Durkin corrected that Commissioner Waldack made the comments regarding modification of the resolution last week.

Commissioner Waldack thanked the residents for their comments. The issue is whether a member of the Council can attend meetings electronically. Council rules are clear regarding electronic attendance. He said that the shortcoming of the resolution presented last week had to do with advanced approval and changing Council rules and procedures that prevented advanced approval. Commissioner Waldack said that the modifications result in no changes to existing Council rules and State law. The resolution has been modified to require approval at each meeting. All elements necessary for electronic attendance have been met, there will be an explanation at the beginning of each meeting, a vote on the motion will be taken and the Senator will be allowed to attend each meeting electronically. The Village's requirements regarding electronic attendance were liberal prior to State law. Our tradition and precedent is to always allow electronic attendance by a Council member if the elements prescribed are met. The vote at each meeting is an acknowledgement of the elements and circumstances at the time of the meeting, and not to be used for political gamesmanship or advantage. He said he hopes this Council and future Councils will note this precendent and not prevent attendance at meetings physically or electronically. He thanked the Council and the Village Attorney for making the changes to the resolution.

A motion was made by Commissioner Beckman, seconded by Commissioner Barnett, to Adopt this file. Mayor Schnell declared the motion carried by the following vote:

VOTES: Yea: Commissioner Beckman, Commissioner Barnett, Commissioner Neustadt, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Waldack and Mayor Schnell

Mayor Schnell declared the motion carried. Indexes: Council Rules

8. First Reading

9. Mayor's Report

Mayor ProTem Schnell announced that Retired Police Lieutenant Dave Rechenmacher passed away yesterday. He retired in 1999. She had the privilege of knowing and working with him for the many years she's been on Council. He will be sorely missed, and she extended the condolences of the Village to his family. 

Materials to be Received

Materials to be Placed on File

10. Manager's Report

11. Attorney's Report

Future Active Agenda

12. C ouncil Member Reports and New Business

Commissioner Neustadt commented that it has been snowing out, and he asked drivers to slow down, drive carefully, and allow the Public Works staff to do their plowing jobs. He also announced that this weekend, January 13-16, the downtown businesses will hold their indoor sidewalk sale.

Commissioner Beckman announced that March 8 is the last day for voter registration. He said if someone hasn't registered or has moved, they can re-register in several locations including Village Hall.

Commissioner Barnett said he appreciates everyone trying to accommodate Mayor Sandack's situation. He said that the Village is well served by the Mayor serving in Springfield. He noted also that the Mayor has foregone his Mayoral salary. The Village's structure of government sets the day-to-day operations in the hands of the Village Manager. Staff does a great job running the Village. He pointed out that when the Village has needs, the Village uses technology to fulfill those needs. He thanked everyone for allowing this to occur.

Commissioner Durkin provided information submitted by a viewer regarding the histories of Senators living in Downers Grove. Lotty Holman O'Neill was first elected to the Illinois House and served continuously from 1922-1963 except when she ran for Senator and lost in 1930. She returned in 1932. She was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1950 and served until 1963, when she retired at age 84 . There is a statue of her in the Capitol Rotunda, which he will visit when he is in Springfield. In addition, Jack Bowers was elected Senator in 1976 and in 1982. He served for four years.

Commissioner Durkin then reported on the Business Ledger publication for this week which listed the top ten Suburban business stories for 2010, and of those ten Downers Grove had 20% of the report, including DeVry, Inc., and Dover Corporation. Those businesses created over 900 new jobs. He expressed his appreciation and congratulations to Greg Bedalov and the EDC.  

13. Adjournment

Commissioner Barnett moved to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act to consider property acquisition. Commissioner Beckman seconded.

VOTE: YEA - Commissioners Barnett, Beckman, Neustadt, Durkin, Waldack, Mayor Schnell

Mayor Schnell declared the motion carried and the Council convened into Executive Session at 7:18 p.m.