November 17, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Public comment will be taken electronically. To submit a comment electronically, please click on the "Submit Public Comment" link on the Current Week's Meeting page of the Village website any time before or during the meeting. Thank you.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Robert Barnett noted most of the Council members would be operating by conference call from their homes. Manager Fieldman, Deputy Manager Baker, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca and Village Clerk Megan Miles are in the Committee Room.
Mayor Barnett called to order the Village Council meeting at 7:01 p.m. and led those in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. He explained the protocol for the meeting and the guidelines to submit public comment.
2. Roll Call
Council Attendance (Present): Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Walus, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Gray, Mayor Barnett
Absent: None
Non-Voting: Village Manager David Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca, Village Clerk Megan Miles
MOT 2020-8752 - A. Motion: Conduct the November 17, 2020 Village Council meeting electronically.
Motion: Commissioner Hosé to conduct the November 17, 2020 Village Council meeting electronically. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.
3. Proclamations
A. Small Business Saturday - Mayor Barnett emphasized the need to support and recognize local small businesses, especially during the pandemic. He proceeded to read the proclamation and proclaimed November 28, 2020 as Small Business Saturday.
4. Minutes of Council Meetings
MIN 2020-8748 - A. Minutes: Council Minutes - November 10, 2020
Motion: Commissioner Hosé moved that the Council adopt the minutes of the November 10, 2020 meeting, as presented. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.
Mayor Barnett noted that Public Comments would be moved to the end of the agenda.
5. Consent Agenda
BIL 2020-8751 - A. Bills Payable: No. 6385 - Payroll, November 6, 2020
BIL 2020-8750 - B. Bills Payable: No. 6560 - Payroll, November 17, 2020
RES 2020-8709 - C. Resolution: Authorize a Memorandum of Understanding with the Downers Grove Park District
Summary: This authorizes a memorandum of understanding with the Downers Grove Park District
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION 2020-58B
RES 2020-8718 - D. Resolution: Authorize an Agreement and Addendum with Allied Universal Technology Services
Summary: This authorizes an agreement and addendum with Allied Universal Technology Services
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM WITH ALLIED UNIVERSAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
RESOLUTION 2020-59
MOT 2020-8705 - E. Motion: Authorize a Payment in the Amount of $70,000 for COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Activities to the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Summary: This authorizes a payment in the amount of $70,000 for COVID-19 pandemic-related activities to the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
RES 2020-8713 - F. Resolution: Authorize a Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast of Illinois IV, Inc.
Summary: This authorizes a cable franchise agreement with Comcast of Illinois IV, Inc.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CABLE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH COMCAST OF ILLINOIS IV, INC.
RESOLUTION 2020-60
MIN 2020-8749- G. Minutes: Note Receipt of Minutes of Board and Commissions
Summary: Zoning Board of Appeals - February 26, 2020; Board of Fire and Police Commissioners - August 26, 2020; Plan Commission - September 14, 2020; Architectural Design Review Board - September 16, 2020
Motion: Commissioner Hosé moved that the Council adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion. Roll call:
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.
6. Active Agenda
ORD 2020-8717 - A. Ordinance: Authorize a Special Use for Approval of an Additional Theater within an Existing Building located at 5201 Highland Avenue
Summary: This authorizes a special use for approval of an additional theater within an existing building located at 5201 Highland Avenue
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE FOR APPROVAL OF AN ADDITIONAL THEATER WITHIN AN EXISTING BUILDING LOCATED AT 5201 HIGHLAND AVENUE
ORDINANCE 5829
Motion: Commissioner Hosé moved that the Council "Adopt an Ordinance Authorizing a Special Use for the Approval of an Additional Theater within an Existing Building located at 5201 Highland Avenue", as presented. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.
7. First Reading
ORD 2020-8712 - A. Ordinance: Amend Certain Traffic Control Provisions
Village Manager Dave Fieldman discussed that this item authorizes eight (8) stop sign installations on Prentiss Drive between Springside and Woodward, as requested by a resident. Details followed. The Transportation and Parking Commission (TAP) reviewed and recommended approval of this ordinance at its October 22, 2020 meeting. Many of the commissioners and the Mayor extended their appreciation to the resident for bringing the matter forward and to the Transportation and Parking Commission for reviewing and recommending the sign installations.
MOT 2020-8708 - B. Motion: Estimate the 2020 Aggregate Tax Levy for the Village of Downers Grove
Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker summarized the break-out of the property tax bill reflecting the various taxing bodies along with breakouts of the five components of the Village's property tax levy. Increases were reflected in the required contributions for the police and fire pension funds, respectively. For the remaining portions of the levy, staff was recommending to keep them flat with no increase from the prior year. Per Mr. Baker, this translated to a property with a market value of $350,000 to pay in property taxes for 2021 approximately $705.00 as compared to $653.00 in 2020. Further details followed.
Mayor Barnett reminded the public that the Village was an organization of people that delivers services and those services are not free. Village property taxes are paying about 20 to 25 cents on a dollar for operating the Village, which was a testament to years of management and prior councils. Furthermore, he reminded the public that many families are receiving a variety of services for about $2.00 to $4.00 a day.
ORD 2020-8707 - C. Ordinance: Adopt the Fiscal year 2021 Budget in Lieu of Passage of an Appropriation Ordinance
Village Manager Dave Fieldman walked through the budget timeline reminding the public that there will be multiple times in which to discuss the proposed budget. Adoption of the budget will take place in December 2020. A series of Q&A's have been posted on the Village's web site.
Commissioners appreciated staff's work on the budget especially during the pandemic, for following up on a previous resident's question, and for realizing staff's behind-the-scenes work on the budget, i.e., pursuing grants, reimbursements, cost efficiencies, etc. Mayor Barnett noted a couple of emails that arrived.
8. Manager's Report
9. Attorney's Report
Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, the following are presented for Village Council consideration:
- An ordinance amending certain traffic and parking provisions.
- An ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2021 budget in lieu of passage of an appropriation ordinance.
10. Public Comments
No comments voiced, however, Mayor Barnett asked that two emails be added into the record.
11. Mayor and Council Member Reports
Commissioner Hosé reminded the public to take personal responsibility regarding the pandemic and remember to patronize the small businesses within the Village.
Commissioner Earl wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to patronize the Village's small businesses.
Commissioner Gray discussed the challenges resulting from the pandemic, the need for more social services and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Commissioner Kulovany mentioned the recent passing of Jim Meisner, a teacher and coach at Downers Grove South High School.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt reminded everyone to practice the three "Ws" and to be thankful for each other, family, and community.
Commissioner Walus updated the council on the Bondfield Race Express, noting there will be no in-person race shirt pick-ups. They will be mailed instead. She reminded to thank first responders and look for opportunities to assist in the community.
Mayor Barnett reminded everyone that some adjustments/ choices will have to be made during this holiday season to stop the spread of the virus. He asked the community to stay at home, not travel and consider purchasing a meal or providing a meal to a neighbor and to practice the three "Ws".
12. Adjournment
Mayor Barnett asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Hosé made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion. Roll call:
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Megan Miles
Village Clerk
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