Village of Sleepy Hollow Village Board met July 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The regular meeting of the Sleepy Hollow Corporate Authorities was called to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Village hall. Board members in attendance were President Stephan Pickett, Trustees Steven DeAtley, Anthony Piraino, Joseph Nemec, Donald Ziemba, Thomas Merkel and Edward Harney. Also present were Chief James Linane, Village Attorney Mark Schuster, Village Engineer Jeffrey Steele, Director of Finance Henry Mionskowski and Director of Public Works Kyle Killinger.
Prior to voting on the minutes of 6-17-2019 President Pickett admonished the trustees to not move their microphones since they have been placed to optimize the recording quality of their comments.
MINUTES
Ziemba moved with a second from DeAtley to approve the minutes of 6-15-2019. In regard to the minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2019, Trustee Merkel stated that he had questioned the propriety of inviting Michael Rivas, candidate for appointment to the office of Chief of Police, into the closed session. The Village President confirmed that the question was asked, but it was noted that this question was asked after a motion had been made and affirmative vote concluded to adjourn to executive session, and before the executive session had been convened; and therefore had not been included in the minutes of the open session. The minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2019 were thereafter approved by unanimous voice vote.
DeAtley moved with a second from Piraino to amend the agenda to move up the request by Chief Linane to approve the appointment of William McKenna as part time patrol officer. By unanimous voice vote the motion to amend the agenda was unanimously passed. Chief Linane introduced William McKenna to the board. William McKenna has 30 years of service for the Chicago Police Department. Chief Linane read the rest of his background check into the record after which he requested the board to approve his request to hire William “Bill” McKenna as part time patrol office at the union rate of $20.91/hour. The offer of employment is conditioned on the successful passing of the hearing, physical and drug tests and completion of the part time office training program. DeAtley moved with a second by Piraino to approve the hiring request. By a unanimous roll call vote the motion passed and the Village Clerk provided the oath of office swearing in William McKenna.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Pickett reported that tonight’s meeting would be the last meeting of Chief James Linane and that he would be retiring on 7-15-2019. To a trustee all members of the board thanked Chief Linane for his years of professional service to the Village.
President Pickett also reported that he has signed the liquor license for the 4th of July festivities provided by Sleepy Hollow Service Club.
President Pickett introduced ORDINANCE 2019-12 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LIQUOR REGULATIONS GOVERNING CLASS F: VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT LIQUOR LICENSE CLASSIFICATION. The proposed amendment was made at the request of Elsie’ Video Gaming so as to permit the business to make the preparation and serving of food optional. Absent the successful passage of the ordinance, the owner of Elsie’s said the cost of complying with Health Department regulations was prohibitive and he would have to close his business. Trustee Nemec noted in response to a question by Trustee Merkel that the amount of video gaming tax revenues generated by Elsie’s and any other establishment doing business in the Village was available on line. Trustee Ziemba moved with a second from Trustee Nemec to approve Ordinance 2019-12, President Pickett called for a roll call vote with Ziemba, Nemec, DeAtley, Piraino and Harney voting Aye. Merkel voted nay, motion passed.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk, with apology to Chief Linane, announced the removal of Resolution 2019-519 from tonight’s agenda. The Resolution will be revised and returned to the agenda for the regular meeting scheduled for 7-15-2019.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
No report
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
No report
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Engineer Steele reported an update of the culvert repairs to Bull Frog Road noting with the exception of some patching the repairs are complete and the roadway will be opened in time for the 4th of July festivities.
Steele also reported he has completed the review of the DraftPros application to install fiber optic cable. The installation is to be underground without removal of trees and/or overhead foliage so Engineer Steele recommended that the board approve the permit request. After discussion and questions by board members, Trustee Harney moved with a second from Trustee DeAtley to approve the request to install underground fiber optic cable. Motion passed.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE REPORT
Trustee Ziemba moved with a second from Trustee Nemec to approve warrants in the amount of $106,900.93. By roll call vote the motion passed unanimously.
Finance Director Mionskowski next introduced a payment order in the amount of $8,115.76 for the repair of a Village light pole damaged by a motor vehicle. The plan is to make the repairs and then seek subrogation from Progressive Insurance, the liability carrier for the negligent motor vehicle operator. Trustee Ziemba moved with a second from Trustee Nemec to approve the payment to repair the damaged light pole and to seek subrogation from Progressive Insurance. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Gardner, 106 Thorobred stated that she wholeheartedly supported the erection the cell tower and she applauds the board for its efforts to increase revues for the village.
Michael Tennis, 303 Churchill Court, rose to state he conducted an informal review of the revenues for the recent year end noting that 58% of the revenues come from taxes – primarily property taxes, 22% comes from the State, 8% comes from licenses, 7% comes from fines and the remaining 5% comes from miscellaneous sources. He suggested that the board needs to keep in mind when considering any new sources of revenue, such as the new cell tower, that the numbers for 2020 will change since the sales tax agreement with Elgin expires at the end of 2019 thereby reducing revenues by just over $36,600.00.
Rich English, 1046 Beau Brummel Court, rose and questioned the need for the new cell tower and in light of the alleged health hazards from thermal and non-thermal sources.
TRUSTEE REPORTS
Roads, Parks & Streets – No report
Finance – No report
Water & Sewer – No Report
Police & Public Safety – Trustee DeAtley expressed his personal thanks to Chief Linane for his many years of public service. Otherwise – No report.
Public Buildings & Environment – No report.
Building & Zoning Enforcement – Trustee Piraino provided a report on his breakfast meeting held on 6-29-2019 in the Village hall. He characterized the meeting as an open discussion of the issues facing the village, including authorizing residents to erect sheds on their property. Piraino citing personal support for allowing sheds stated he is planning on meeting the village attorney to draft such an ordinance which he plans on bringing to the full board sometime in August 2019. He also stated he would be proposing amending the business meeting agenda to allow for a question and answer session with village residents.
OLD BUSINESS
Director of Public Works Killinger is seeking board approval to sell a 2001 International Dump Truck to Ponds Inc., for $8,000. Killinger reminded the board that this issue was initially presented during the June 17, 2019 regular meeting at which time he was directed to post the sale on Craigslist to see if a better offer would be made. The sole offer was by Ponds who offered $8,000 which was their original offer. By a unanimous roll call vote the board approved the request to sell the truck to Ponds for $8,000.00.
Trustee Nemec moved with a second from Trustee Ziemba to remove from the table ORDINANCE 2019-9 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING REINSTATEMENT OF AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE OPTION AND GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT WITH VOGUE TOWERS I, LLC FOR LEASE OF CERTAIN VILLAGE PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ERECTING A TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER IN THE VILLAGE. This item was tabled from the May 6, 2019 regular board meeting. By roll call vote the motion to remove Ordinance 2019-12 from the table was unanimously approved.
President Pickett provided a synopsis of the events creating the need to return the issue of approving the lease and agreement for the installation of the cell tower. Attorney Schuster in response to a question by Trustee Piraino that the original agreement has lapsed and Vogue Towers I, LLC is asking the board to reinstate the agreement and lease.
Because the contract identifies 4 parcels Trustee Merkel inquired as to the exact location or parcel on which the cell tower is to be erected. Trustee Piraino questioned whether the original reasons given for the erection of the tower still exist since at his recent breakfast meeting no resident expressed interest, positive or negative, on the construction of the cell tower. Trustee Piraino stated he thought the amount of rent payment to the village was too low. Trustee Harney called the question to end the debate about the cell tower. Trustee Nemec seconded the motion. On the motion to call the question, DeAtley, Nemec, Harney and Ziemba voted aye. Merkel and Piraino voted nay. Motion passed 4-2.
Returning to the original motion made by Trustee Ziemba and seconded by Nemec to approve Ordinance 2019-12, Ziemba, Nemec, DeAtley and Harney voted aye. Merkel and Piraino voted nay. Motion passed and the agreement with Vogue Towers I, LLC is reinstated.
NEW BUSINESS
Trustee Piraino reported that he was contacted by a resident on Jamestowne Road regarding water bubbling on the surface of her property. He asked public works look into the issue.
Trustee Nemec brought to the board’s attention that the Illinois Government website shows that Sleepy Hollow realized $17,000 in tax revenues from video gaming in the village.
Chief Linane presented each board member and staff with a polo shirt and hat with the official emblem of the Village as an expression of his gratitude to the members for the many courtesies shown during his tenure. He also suggested these items would allow village residents to identify the members of village government at the 4th of July celebration. The Chief presented Trustee Ziemba with a miniature Zamboni ornament.
President Pickett noted that the Village will be holding an open house on 7-15-2019 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. to honor Chief Linane.
ADJOURNMENT
Nemec moved with a second from Ziemba to adjourn the meeting and on voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
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