July 19, 2011

1. Call to Order

Mayor Martin Tully 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 Tully 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 Becky Rheintgen, Commissioner Geoff Neustadt and Mayor Martin Tully  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 Tully 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

Executive Session Minutes for Approval Only - June 7, 2011 and June 10, 2011  Council Minutes - July 12, 2011 M ayor Tully asked for a Motion to approve the minutes as submitted.

Commissioner Schnell moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Commissioner Durkin seconded the motion.

The Mayor declared the Motion carried by voice vote.

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

1 . Chantel Riha, 6014 Grand Avenue, representing herself and several neighbors, asked what the Village is doing to liaison between residents and ComEd concerning the lengthy and frequent power outages in their neighborhood.

Dave Fieldman, Village Manager, responded that staff is working on two fronts.  Staff is preparing a Village-wide comprehensive outage report with ComEd to determine how outages in Downers Grove compare with service in other areas.  Secondly, staff is aware of neighborhoods that have poor reliability and is working with ComEd leadership to address that issue.  They have had some success in the past and are cautiously optimistic.  They are presently working on the Longmeadow neighborhood.  He asked that any other neighborhoods with excessive reliability issues contact Village Hall and let Doug Kozlowski know of the other areas.

Mayor Tully said they have also communicated with local legislators who have been meeting with ComEd leadership.  He said that he met with Senator Christine Radogo and they discussed several issues including highlighting more chronic issues such as power outages, responsiveness, etc.  She has passed this on to Senior Con Ed management.  In addition Representative Sandy Pihos, and Senator Sandack are familiar with the issues and have communicated with ComEd leadership regarding the situation.  Council and staff are looking at historical information from other communities as well.

Commissioner Durkin asked what time period staff is looking at for a response.   Mr. Fieldman responded that staff works with ComEd on a weekly basis.  Response depends upon the type of issue, and they are looking for weekly feedback.  Some solutions have taken a couple of construction seasons to correct.  Commissioner Durkin replied that he would like to see resolution sooner than a couple of seasons, which equates to a couple of years.  He understands the issues recently were caused by storms; however, there are areas in the Village that continue to have power outages.

Mayor Tully said he believes the Village needs to be realistic in terms of expectations for a response.

Commissioner Schnell commented that she asked Mr. Fieldman to update the Manager's report online to keep residents apprised of what is taking place.

Mayor Tully added that the Council has the power to keep this item on its agenda on a weekly basis.  

5. Public Hearings

6. Consent Agenda

COR 00-04560 A.  Claim Ordinance:  No. 5907, Payroll, July 1, 2011

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

BIL 00-04561 B.  List of Bills Payable:  No. 5912, July 19, 2011

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

RES 00-04558 C.  Resolution:  Authorize a Contract with J.S. Riemer, Inc.- Watershed Improvements - 2nd and Cumnor Project

Sponsors: Public Works

Summary of Item: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND J.S. RIEMER, INC.

RESOLUTION 2011-42 A motion was made to Pass this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Village Property - Acquisition, Watershed Infrastructure Improvement Plan

RES 00-04573 D.  Resolution:  Authorize Agreement with County of DuPage re:  Prentiss Creek Neighborhood Resource Center

Sponsors: Finance

Summary of Item: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF DUPAGE AND THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE

RESOLUTION 2011-43 A motion was made to Pass this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: DuPage County Community Development Block Grant

MOT 00-04570 E.  Motion:  Award $23,127.30 to SEECO Consultants, Inc., Tinley Park, IL, for Material Testing Services for the 2011 Roadway Maintenance Contracts   

Sponsors: Public Works A motion was made to Award this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Street - Resurfacing

MOT 00-04571 F.  Motion:  Note Receipt of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Summary of Item: Library Board - June 8, 2011 and June 22, 2011 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 Schnell, seconded by Commissioner Durkin, 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 Rheintgen, Commissioner Neustadt and Mayor Tully

7. Active Agenda

8. First Reading

MOT 00-04574 A.  Motion:  Authorize $145,912.10 to Zoll Corporation, Chelmsford, MA, for the Purchase of Seven Cardiac Monitors

Sponsors: Fire Department J eff Pindelski, Deputy Fire Chief, said this is a request to purchase seven cardiac monitors from Zoll Corporation in the amount of $145,912.10.  This is a scheduled replacement based on recommended guidelines.

Commissioner Rheintgen noted that the monitors they are replacing have exceeded their usefulness, yet are going to be made available to other sources.  She asked what the liability to the Village is in this situation.  Deputy Chief Pindelski responded that these monitors are returned to a medical distribution company that rehabs them before they are distributed elsewhere.

Commissioner Neustadt asked if these will be on the new ladder truck, and the progress on the ladder truck.  Deputy Chief Pindelski said that they would be on the new truck, and progress is moving ahead, with delivery of the truck expected in September.    Indexes: Fire Department - Cardiac Monitors

RES 00-04572 B.  Resolutions:  Approve OASIS Grants

Sponsors: Community Development T om Dabareiner, Director, Community Development, explained this item originally included eight grant requests, but now consists of seven grants for a total of $285,572.  One of the projects has withdrawn.  The remaining seven are Bill Kay Nissan, Downers Grove Animal Hospital, A-Len Radiators, Forn Parts, Mr. Trim office building, and two apartment buildings on Ogden Avenue.  The FY-11 budget includes $750,000 of TIF funding from the Ogden Avenue TIF for a matching grant program.  A total of $285,572 will be committed to these projects if the grants are approved.  This leverages $1.1 million in the Ogden Avenue corridor, including the private match associated with these projects.

Mr. Dabareiner explained that OASIS stands for Ogden Avenue Site Improvement Strategy, a matching grant program approved in September 2010 by the Village Council.  The goals are based on the Ogden Avenue Master Plan regarding overall improvements to Ogden Avenue.  The grant review process is generated by the EDC, and the OASIS team includes the EDC, Chamber of Commerce, Village staff, and Architectural Design Review Board.  Projects were evaluated against other projects on a qualitative basis.  He then provided a general project summary. Twenty projects have been reviewed and 13 were recommended for funding.  He noted that the 12 remaining recommendations include site improvements, landscaping, building façade improvements, and new signage.  Two projects that were significant were A-Len Radiators and the Downers Grove Animal Hospital and they were eligible for 25% more funding.  The recommendations are spread across the Ogden Avenue TIF area.  He then reviewed the specific projects for the companies involved.

Commissioner Schnell thanked the team for their work.  She asked if all improvements were consistent with the Master Plan.  Mr. Fieldman responded that they were.  Commissioner Schnell commented that with regard to A-Len, there appears to be a gap in the sidewalk on the east side of Fairview as a result of the work, and she asked staff to look at this.  One of the benefits of this program is to start sidewalks along Ogden Avenue.  She then asked for an update of where the Village stands regarding sidewalks on Ogden Avenue

Commissioner Waldack asked whether all of these requests will appear for approval as a group.  Mr. Fieldman responded that this will be on the Consent Agenda as resolutions.  Commissioner Waldack expressed concern about the item removed, asking for confirmtion that they are not funding any start-up costs at all.  Mr. Dabareiner responded that start-up costs are not part of the eligibility criteria.  Commissioner Waldack also said he was concerned that they came so close to approving something that changed hands recently.  Mr. Fieldman said the program is set up as a reimbursement program to minimize risks.

Mayor Tully said he was pleased to see these coming forward, noting that the source of funds is the TIF.  He asked about the five sign applications pending.  Mr. Dabareiner responded that most of the sign applications are under the authority of the Village Manager and are for the purpose of bringing signs in compliance with the Sign Ordinance.

Mayor Tully then asked if they expect to see more applications this year.  Mr. Dabareiner said there will be another application period in the next month.  Those will most likely come before the Council.  Indexes: Ogden Avenue TIF

9. Mayor's Report

Materials to be Received

Materials to be Placed on File

10. Manager's Report

Manager Fieldman commented on water conservation. The Village is experiencing hot and dry weather.  Water restrictions are in place based on the odd/even schedule based on address.  Outdoor water use is permitted from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  The Village is enforcing water restrictions because maintaining an adequate supply of water is essential, not only for residential use, but also for fires.

11. Attorney's Report

Future Active Agenda

12. Council Member Reports and New Business

Commissioner Durkin commented that the EDC, under the direction of Cindy Klima applied for the I-Phone/I-Pad app.  This is a free app, called Discover Downers Grove and specifies hotels, restaurants, places to go and things to do.  This application can be found in Apple App stores by searching for Discover Downers Grove.  It is a great tool, and he is extremely proud that the EDC accomplished this.

Commissioner Durkin announced that the Labor of Love 5k Run will be held on Labor Day sponsored by the Noon Lions Club.  He referred people to the website, www.5kLaborofLove.

Commissioner Rheintgen announced that residents can drop off latex paint at 7900 S. Route 53 in Woodridge until Friday.  Information is on the DuPage County website.

Commissioner Neustadt said he was absent last week because his family suffered a tragedy - the lose of their baby, MacKenzie.  He thanked everyone for their support.

Commissioner Tully expressed deepest condolences to Commissioner Neustadt and his family.  He then said there was a serious fire in Denburn Woods recently.  He thanked the emergency responders who contained the fire.  There were minor injuries to firefighters and he wished them a speedy recovery.

The Mayor then congratulated the EDC for choosing Michael Cassa as the new President of the EDC.  He will join the EDC on Monday, July 25, and has 20 years of economic development experience.  Mr. Cassa has a proven track record in economic development.

Mayor Tully also commented on the 3rd Annual Labor of Love 5k Run sponsored by the Noon Lions Club.  He noted that certification by the Chicago Area Runners Association is critical to the race, and will hopefully allow the race to grow yearly.  Commissioner Durkin said they are projecting 600 runners for this year's race.   

13. Adjournment

Commissioner Schnell moved to adjourn.  Commissioner Durkin seconded the Motion.

VOTE:  YEA:  Commissioners Schnell, Durkin, Rheintgen, Barnett, Neustadt, Waldack; Mayor Tully

Mayor Tully declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.