H O M E R T O W N S H I P BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Transcription

1 H O M E R T O W N S H I P BOARD MEETING MINUTES STATE OF ILLINOIS Will County, ss. Town of Homer MONTHLY BUSINESS AND PLANNING MEETING September 19, 2016 FINAL- APPROVED 11/21/16 THE BOARD OF TOWN TRUSTEES met at the Homer Township Old Town Hall, Cedar Road, Lockport, IL on September 16, Meeting began at 7:30 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and ended at 9:36pm. PRESENT: Pam Meyers Supervisor Linsey Sowa Clerk Tom Fijan Trustee Ed Kalas Trustee Vicki Bozen Trustee ABSENT: John Kruczek Trustee ****************************************************************************************** Supervisor Pam Meyers and Clerk Linsey Sowa conducted the Meeting of Township Board where the following official business was transacted. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Supervisor Meyers with the Pledge to the flag. Also present was Attorney Sramek and Commissioner DeVivo (DeVivo left at 8:58pm). 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 3. Roll Call 4. Matters from the Public: A. Northern Illinois Food Bank representative- A volunteer from the Northern Illinois Food Bank spoke regarding the services offered by the organization. The food bank is looking to put a satellite center in this area of the state, probably in Joliet. The food bank provides supplementary food for community food banks. The food bank is raising money for the new center, and is currently about halfway towards the fundraising goal. B. Regina Robinson spoke, and presented board members with two petitions regarding amenities at the dog park. The first was requesting water be brought to the dog park, and the second was to incorporate the existing shelter into the fenced area of the park. Robinson stated that she felt given the amount of money in the Open Space fund there should be no need for the Township to raise taxes or to charge user fees. Robinson stated that a cheap hand pump well like at the forest preserves could be installed. Robinson also stated that moving the fence to encompass the current shelter may not be the best solution, and that other options could be considered. Robinson stated at the very high end she felt the improvements would not cost more than $20,000. Robinson stated she would be happy to work with the committee on ideas for improvements. Meyers reminded everyone that there is water on the site at Trantina available on the North side of the street. A discussion on the type of pump and well that could be installed took place as well as a discussion of estimated costs. Supervisor Meyers stated that the Open Space Committee has been discussing shade options for a few months at the meetings. Meyers also stated that the committee discussed the idea of moving shelter further down the yard to avoid congestion near the entrance of the park. Meyers commented Page 1 of 5

2 Page 2 of 5 that a moveable shelter concept has also been discussed. A timeline and the process of getting quotes and how these projects move through the board and committees was also discussed. Other residents were also present to support the improvements at the park. Laverene Smazak stated that she has been using the park since it was opened, and she has never seen anyone use the picnic shelter and tables, and that she would like to see the dog park enclosure extended to include the pavilion. Smazak stated that the grass could get a break if the dogs were able to lay on the concrete under the pavilion. Supervisor Meyers stated that any change to the property would likely need to be brought to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, as an OSLAD grant was used to pay for the development of the property. Meyers also commented that there are plans to re-seed the dog park turf in the fall, and that the small and large dog sides have been rotated to hopefully allow for the turf to get a break. John Robinson stated that a hand pump well will probably not be as expensive as everyone thinks, and that he also thinks the idea of the moveable shelter is a good one to save wear on turf. Cheryl Ulm also spoke about the dog park, and stated that the dog park is a great place for residents to gather, she stated that it would be nice if there were some additional amenities including shade. Ulm stated that people come to the dog park from other communities and that she felt it may bring people who shop and spend money in Homer. Ulm also stated that if there was well, water could be used to wash the dogs after they use the park as well. 5. Accounting: A. Motion by Trustee Kalas, second by Trustee Fijan to approve August 2016 accounts payable and receivable. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. B. Requests for Funding Contributions: 1. Annual application request to continue SRA funding contribution agreement with Homer Township has been received. Supervisor Meyers reminded board members that while the name of the SRA has changed to Northern Will County SRA, the agreement for funding contribution has remained the same as it was when the organization was known as the Tri County SRA. Meyers stated that this agreement has been in place for many years, before she even became supervisor in Supervisor Meyers stated that the agreement has been that Homer Township pays 2/3rds of the out of district fee for special recreation participants who reside in Homer Township. a. Motion by Bozen to approve the continuation of the agreement with the Northern Will County SRA for the 2/3 rd funding of out of district rates for Homer Township Residents, Second by Kalas. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 6. Highway Commissioner Mike DeVivo Report: A. Commissioner DeVivo stated that the district is working hard to keep its website updated with construction information. DeVivo also stated that the salt bid has come in, and that the cost is down to $43 per ton. DeVivo also stated that he believes the department will be fully moved in to the new addition this season. 7. Assessor Karen Szynkowski Report: A. Assessor Szynkowski was not present, no report given. 8. Clerk Linsey Sowa Report A. Minutes: (Note: Approved Township minutes available online at 1. Motion by Trustee Bozen to approve August 8, 2016 Regular Board Meeting minutes, Second by Supervisor Meyers. Trustee Bozen stated that she would like to see her comment regarding the reason she voted no regarding the lap top to be added to the minutes. Clerk Sowa asked if Bozen had wording she would like specifically added. Bozen asked Sowa to listen to the tape and put in exactly what she said. Sowa stated she does not take verbatim minutes. Meyers stated that when you vote if you would like your reasoning stated specifically you should ask for the minutes to reflect that specifically at the time of the vote. Meyers also stated that should be ready with how you would like the minutes to read if you are going to ask for them to be amended. Bozen then explained her reason for why she voted no. Bozen continued to state she was making motions to adjust the wording of the minutes, Clerk Sowa

3 stated she is unclear regarding what Bozen is asking her to do. Meyers clarified and stated that she assumes that Bozen is now dropping her first motion and asking for a new motion to table the minutes. No second was made, Motion to table fails. Regarding the original motion, on a voice vote- Three Aye, One Nay. Bozen stated she would like it stated in the minutes that item 3.c.1 does not reflect what she actually said or her intention of what she said at that meeting. 2. Motion by Trustee Kalas to approve August 8, 2016 Executive Session Minutes without release. Second by Supervisor Meyers. On a Voice Vote: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. B. Elections: Clerk Sowa spoke about early voting hours and vote by mail hours. 9. Supervisor Pam Meyers Report: A. Status Report Administration: 1. Finance: a. Supervisor Meyers reported that Accountant Manprisio has officially retired and that she and staff have begun transitioning to work with the new accounting firm. Supervisor Meyers thanked Accountant Manprisio for providing the Township with some old audit copies that the Township have in its possession and needed to comply with a FOIA request for records. Meyers stated that she imagines the reason we did not have the files probably goes back to when we took over any many documents were never able to be located after the election. B. Status Report Facilities/ Property Management: Page 3 of 5 1. Senior Housing Facility a. Supervisor Meyers reported that there is currently one vacancy to date, and that she and staff are in the process of screening some applicants. b. Supervisor Meyers reported that Job Order Contracting proposal has been received to replace repetitively leaking skylights occurring at two different units. 1. Motion by Trustee Kalas, second by Trustee Fijan to accept the JOC replacement proposal submitted from FH Paschen in the amount of $4, to replace two skylights. ALL- YES, Motion Carries. 2. Administration Center: a. Supervisor Meyers reported that the Administrative office equipment upgrading is underway as approved at the august Board Meeting. Meyers stated that installation will occur soon. b. Supervisor Meyers stated that we have received a proposal from Job Order Contracting for roof replacement per the scope of work options previously specified by the Township Board. Meyers stated that the original budgetary estimate from Stan s roofing is also included for comparison. Supervisor Meyers stated that she would like to get this project moving before the winter. Meyers reminded that the board decided not to go to bid on the roof project, but to solicit a bid from JOC, as the Stan s budgetary estimate indicated a project cost of over $20, Motion by Trustee Fijan, Second by trustee Bozen to approve the JOC Roof Replacement Bid. All-YES, Motion carries. c. Supervisor Meyers also stated that the trees planted around the administration building are contributing to some of the roofing problems. Meyers also stated that much of this work cannot be done in house due to size of trees. Meyers stated that many companies were solicited, a few of the companies do not pay prevailing wage, and that because this project is tied to the roof, the project must meet prevailing wage. Therefore many companies were not able to bid. Meyers stated that the proposal the board has been given from Homer Tree includes priority options within it in case the board chose not to remove all the trees. Commissioner DeVivo left at 8:58pm. 1. Motion by Supervisor Meyers to accept portion 1b of the proposal for $3,9000 and

4 Page 4 of 5 option 2 for $2,100 for Tree Removal by Homer Tree Service, Second by Trustee Kalas. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 3. Parks/ Sports Complexes Management/ Maintenance: a. Supervisor Meyers stated that the Soccer club has begun putting in all the paperwork for the beginning of their season. b. Dead / diseased tree removal program: 1. Supervisor Meyers stated that on August 8, 2016 the Board approved a proposal submitted by Homer Tree service to remove a total of 7 dead trees in the amount of $4,400. a. Supervisor Meyers stated that an addendum has been received from the previously approved proposal to include the removal of two additional trees that were discovered in the forest area at Country Woods that are a detriment to adjacent property. Homer Tree is offering the additional tree removal at a reduced cost considering they will already be onsite to complete the previously approved work. b. Motion by Trustee Bozen, Second by Trustee Kalas to approve additional tree removal in the amount of $350. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 10. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Events: Chairman, Clerk Linsey Sowa 1. Status Report Homer Harvest Days: a. Clerk Sowa stated that the event was a success. Special thanks to Homer Glen EMA, Will County Sherriff Aux., The Homer Township Road District, The Homer Glen Junior Women s Club, all our committee members and volunteers. 2. Movie in the Park: a. Clerk Sowa reported that the Movie in the Park was a HUGE success- Thank you to the Homer Township Public Library, Homer Glen EMA, Pizza Mia, and the Northwest Homer Fire Department. Also Clerk Sowa extended a special Thank You to the Hagan family for allowing Homer Township the use of their screen, projector, and sound system. b. Clerk Sowa stated we have received overwhelming and positive response from the community regarding the event. Clerk asks for consensus from the Board to being researching cost of projector, screen, etc in order to conduct future movie events- for instance additional movies in the park, screenings for seniors, etc and to explore the possibility of cost sharing on film licensing with the library. Township board gave consensus for Clerk to continue gathering information. c. Motion to approve purchase of popcorn machine for upcoming events- not to exceeded $500 by Trustee Kalas second by Supervisor Meyers. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. Machine can be used for many of the township events, including Halloween Party, parade, Harvest Days, etc. 3. Status Report Community Festival and Parade a. No update 3.Township Halloween Party: a. Clerk Sowa reported that she and staff have begun planning for the 2016 event to be held at the Trantina Farm on October 22, 2016 which will take place from noon-3pm. Clerk Sowa stated that anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact the office. B. Military: Chairman, Assessor Szynkowski was absent, no report given. C. Open Space Planning & Operations: Chairman Trustee Fijan 1. Rain Barrel Sales/ Fundraising a. Trustee Fijan reported that the committee is now accepting orders to purchase rain barrels with proceeds going to the Open Space Program. D. Park & Recreation: Chairmen, Trustees Ed Kalas and John Kruczek

5 1. Status Report Culver Park Detention Basin Retrofit project: Trustee Kalas reported that the application for the grant has been sent off, and that it is likely we will not hear anymore on the project until the grant is awarded sometime in early E. Seniors Group: Chairman, Trustee Vicki Bozen- The Newsletter was submitted by Seniors President Jackie Barr-Pederson. 11. New Business: A. Supervisor Meyers stated that the update on the mosquito abatement from Clarke is provided for board members in their packets. B. Motion to approve attendance for Township Officials of Illinois Annual Conference and Hotel Accommodations for any Township Official interested in attending By Trustee Kalas, Second by Supervisor Meyers. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 12. Old Business: A. Status Update Caton Farm/ Bruce Road SRA: 1. Supervisor Meyers reported on the TCC meeting with IDOT and FHWA that she attended on July 12, 2016 at IDOT Region 1 Office in Schaumburg. Supervisor Meyers stated that the City of Lockport is pushing for another TCC meeting to discuss alternatives. Supervisor Meyers also reported that County Highway Engineer Bruce Gould is planning to retire, which may be holding up the TCC meeting date. 13. Executive Session- Motion to enter into Executive Session to Discuss Exception C-11 litigation at 9:30pm by Trustee Kalas, Second by Trustee Fijan. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. a.motion by Trustee Kalas, Second by Trustee Bozen to return to regular meeting at 9:33pm. No action was taken in executive session. 14. Action after Executive Session: Motion by Supervisor Meyers, second by Trustee Kalas to instruct Attorney Sramek to prepare a letter to property owner requiring them to conform to the conservation easement. ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 15. Adjournment- Motion for Adjournment at 9:36pm by Trustee Bozen Second by Supervisor Meyers. ALL-YES, Meeting adjourned. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING HOMER TOWN BOARD REGULAR BUSINESS/PLANNING DATE: OCTOBER 17, :30PM Location: Township Hall, S. Cedar Road, Lockport, IL Page 5 of 5