Plato Township Board met Sept. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
CALL TO ORDER
Supervisor Crocetti called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Supervisor Mitch Crocetti; Trustees: Jim Cartee, Matt Clark, Tim Maroder, and Ron Straub; and Township Clerk Beth Gehrke.
Absent: Assessor Janet Roush and Highway Commissioner Larry Trainor
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Supervisor Crocetti led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Some citizens spoke to issues regarding the new garbage collection program. Issues raised included lack of yard waste service and the mandated use of the curbside collection program. Also raised was the difficulty to reach township officials using the phone numbers on the website and via email. These issues were addressed by the board during old business. Clarification was given concerning the bulky item service of one item per week, the need to call to schedule a pick up for appliance removal, and the exemption of agricultural and business properties. The public was reminded that Plato Township board meetings are public meetings and the board encouraged residents to attend the meetings to be aware of board actions. Meeting dates are posted and on the website. The garbage hauling contract was discussed at several of these regular meetings. It was explained one of the reasons for the mandated garbage pickup was to limit the number of heavy trucks wearing the township roads.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2017, regular board meeting was made by Maroder, seconded by Clark. Motion carried.
A motion to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2017, public hearing for budget and appropriation ordinances was made by Maroder, seconded by Cartee. Motion carried.
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
Financial Reports, Warrants, & Pay Bills Supervisor Crocetti provided the board with balance sheets, warrants, statements of income and expenses, paychecks, and working budget detail for the township and the township road district.
Total Assets: Plato Township $346,422.38 Road District $439,680.55 A motion to approve the warrants and financial reports subject to review was made by Cartee, seconded by Maroder. Motion carried.
Park Crocetti reported on complaints received concerning the Lion's Soccer Club use of the park. There was a large increase in numbers, lights were being used on the fields, and there was a considerable amount of trash left after the use of the fields. The large number of players was causing additional wear of the fields. The use of lights is not in the contract. Maroder thought one of the conditions with the neighboring subdivision when the park was developed was there be no lighting of the fields. Joe Abraham, co-owner of the Lion's Soccer Club was present and addressed the issues. He explained that another club asked and were given permission by Lion's Club to use the fields for 2 weeks while their own home fields were under construction, the Lions Club also thought the increase in numbers overwhelming and Abraham said it will not happen again. The Lion's normal use of the park is 3-4 games on Saturday and 3-4 games on Sunday. Lights have been used to allow more practice time as the day light gets shorter in fall. Practices are moved indoors by the 2nd week of October. He presented 2 options to the board for consideration.
Option #1- Moving the lights from field 2 to field 4 (which is further away from the homes) for the next 3 weeks.
Option # 2 - No lights will be used and they will scramble and figure out what else they can do for practice sessions. The lights are insured by the rental company. The board agreed to allow the use of the lights, if moved to field 4, until the week of Oct. 15th, which is the last week of evening practice at the park. Lights will be moved tomorrow. The electronic gates will soon be installed which will close the park at dusk. Additional trash cans were requested, Crocetti will arrange to have more available, and the Lion's will see to getting the trash cleaned up after using the park. The potential development of additional fields was brought up. Joe said, "As it relates to the dream of additional fields, if that comes to reality or there's funding that needs to be raised, we'd love to know, because anything we can do to help with that would be very motivating to do."
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
The board was provided with a written report from Commissioner Trainor which is attached. Drainage issues were discussed along with jurisdictional issues of drainage areas. A boy scout from Troop 567 said their troop would be willing to help with creek clean up.
ASSESSOR'S REPORT
There was no report.
CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk Gehrke reported that B&A's were filed with the county as required.
OLD BUSINESS
Plato Park Electronic Gate The gate will be installed when the Forest Preserve has time.
Student Trustee Concept Clark reported on his conversation with Central High School Principal Testone who said the students thought the student trustee was a great idea. Clark has developed an advertising flyer which he will email out to the board for comment. The school will then push it out via email to all the students. There will be a link to apply for the position. Applicants should be over 16 and able to drive. Interviews could potentially be the end of October.
Mosquito Abatement The second spraying for abatement was not done because of the weather. The highway department treated the stagnant waters.
Refuse Hauling Contract New Curbside Collection Program revised sheets were made available to everyone. Dan Christensen, the owner of DC Trash was present to answer questions and address citizen's concerns. DC Trash and the township had received concerns regarding the lack of yard waste service. Christensen explained people in the township burn, compost, or have a third party which handles their leaves, there is considerable cost to adding a yard waste service, and how many people will use the service is an unknown. DC Trash is adding a yard waste service on a subscription basis.This will allow subscribers to put out 5 lawn bags, bundles, or clearly marked containers less than 50 LB in weight out for service every other week from April 1st until November 30th. There will be an annual fee of $200 for this service and it will be available to all Plato Township residents who would like to sign up. There was discussion concerning the burning regulations in Kane County. Some citizens did not believe the allowed 5 bags would be enough. DC Trash proposed a charge of $3 per additional bag. Christensen said the first bill will include the new information, and be for 4 months. Normal billing will be for 3 months. Clark thanked Christensen for their effort to find solutions and please the residents. Board members addressed the citizens thanking them for attending and encouraging them to continue coming to township board meetings; much time had been spent on the garbage contract, and additional citizen input is appreciated.
Crocetti received 2 requests from single family residents for exemption to the curbside collection program. After discussion, the consensus of the board was to leave the contract as it stands and not allow exemptions.
A citizen complained about the requirement of garbage pickup in the township, and accused the township of "sneaking" through this contract. The process of posting, discussion at public board meetings, and the public bid opening was explained. Also explained was the dissolution of the Plato Township Solid Waste Board, with the Plato Township Board taking over the Solid Waste Board's responsibilities. Details of the contract, exemptions, and reasons for selecting DC Trash, including the considerable cost savings, were explained.
Crocetti reported he is looking at an upgraded phone system for the township as the present system only will hold 21 calls and sometimes fills up, especially when there is an issue like the yard waste pick up.
NEW BUSINESS Clark reported there is a Career Day on November 2 at Central High School which is looking for 10 more presenters about careers. He asked whether any of the township positions would be interested in presenting.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Maroder, seconded by Clark at 8:31pm. Motion carried.
http://www.platotownship.com/content/board/Plato%20Township%20Minutes%20%2009-21-2017(1).pdf
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