Village of Maple Park Board of Trustees Met Oct. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Village President Kathleen Curtis called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Curtis led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL/QUORUM ESTABLISHED
President Curtis asked for a roll call. Those answering present were Trustee JP Dries, Trustee Suzanne Fahnestock, Trustee Brandon Harris, Trustee Chris Higgins, Trustee Christian Rebone, Trustee Jen Ward.
Also present were Village Administrator Dawn Wucki-Rossbach, Chief Dean Stiegemeier, Public Works Superintendent Lou Larson, Treasurer Cheryl Aldridge, Village Engineer Jeremy Lin, Village Attorney Kevin Buick, and Village Clerk Terri D’Amato. Also in attendance were those residents that signed in on the attached Sign in Sheet.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Any resident wishing to address the Board may do so according to the guidelines set forth in the “Rules for Public Comments at Public Meetings” handout. Please complete a speaker request form and submit it to the Village Clerk. You may also send an email to Villageclerk@Villageofmaplepark.com in advance of the meeting. The Village Clerk will read such comments during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Village Clerk D’Amato read aloud to those in attendance the email comments that were received in the order in which they were received by the following residents: • Allen Gibson
• Cliff Speare
• Brian Baenziger
• Ashley Blum
Copies of the email comments received are entered into the record of the minutes. Those present at the meeting who spoke:
Kris Dalton – Asked about the trees in the easements that were hanging out causing difficulty in visibility at the intersections and asked that they be trimmed. Also spoke about the purchase of Village street and stated that the proposal needs to be heard before any decision is made. Ronald Blum – Thanked Director Larson and his staff for taking care of the trees that were damaged during the last storm event. Regarding the sale of a Village street, felt all parties need to find a common ground and be objective.
Luke Goucher – Felt that all points made in the emails were good and valid; that some social media claims were not factual; there was a benefit to closing the street as it would eliminate a train crossing; intends on removing the back barn to add to outdoor dining and aid in traffic issues regarding loading and unloading; tent company will repair the street once the tents are removed. His restaurant is following all the COVID-19 mandates, and thanked everyone for their support as they are doing their best to be good neighbors. Indicated that having bands in the future would be optional.
Russ Dueringer – Was against the permanent closure and purchase of Pleasant Street as there was no reason to close it. He’s been a resident of Maple Park since 1946 and a businessman in town for 34 years.
Alan Gibson – Stands by his letter/email.
Mark Salerno – Stated that he is against the sale of Pleasant Street.
John Peloso/HD Rockers – Felt that the issue of the sale of Pleasant Street should be put on the ballot, putting the question of the sale to the residents and voters.
5. AWARD PRESENTATION
• Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists Certificate of Appreciation to Officer Matthew Maculan
Chief Stiegemeier read the letter he received from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists recognizing Officer Maculan presented Officer Matthew Maculan with his Certificate of Appreciation from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists.
6. MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA / ADDITIONS-DELETIONS
CONSENT AGENDA – OMNIBUS VOTE
All items listed on the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless requested by a Board member, in which event the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda. Prior to a vote on the Consent Agenda, members of the public may request that a Trustee have an item removed from the Consent Agenda.
a) Approval of Board Minutes
• Special Meeting – August 18, 2020
• Board Meeting – September 1, 2020
b) Receive and File
• Infrastructure Committee – August 11, 2020; September 8, 2020
• Personnel Committee – August 18, 2020; September 15, 2020
• Planning Commission – June 18, 2020
• Finance Committee – August 25, 2020
• 2019 Annual Plan Commission Report
c) Acceptance of Cash and Investment Report as of August 31, 2020
d) Approval of Bills Payable and Manual Check Register #796
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: 1. $54,301.58
MANUAL CHECKS: 2. $2,803.83
TOTAL: 3. $57,105.41
e) Approval of Travel, Meals, Lodging for Elected Officials
-None
Motion by Trustee Harris with 2nd by Trustee Ward to approve Consent Agenda Items a.) through e.) On a roll call vote Trustees Dries, Ward, Rebone, Higgins, Harris, Fahnestock voted yes. Motion carried.
7. FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Aldridge presented the monthly reports to the president and board. Village President Curtis asked if there were any questions regarding the reports. Trustee Fahnestock inquired about the impact in revenue from unemployment due to the pandemic. Treasurer Aldridge responded that we may not know the full impact until next Spring when tax return impacts may be felt. Budget predictions have been worked out until 2025 to look at worst case scenario. MFT funds have dropped slightly, but water funds have been steady and the Village is maintaining normal service levels.
8. LEGAL REPORT
Village President Curtis asked if there were any questions for Attorney Buick. None heard.
9. VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Administrator Wucki-Rossbach that there was a six-month extension request received for the Special Use Permit for the property at 18663 County Line road, which would make the deadline in March 2021.
Census response rate is currently at 79%, which doesn’t include any information from Census takers that have been out in the Village.
10. POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Stiegemeier reported that his officers attended State-mandated taser training on Saturday, October 3rd. Trustee Dries thanked the Chief and his officers on their increased visibility in the Village, and for the professional engagement they have shown during calls.
11. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Superintendent Larson reminded everyone that there is no leaf pick up program in the Village and raking leaves into the streets blocks the storm sewers. Reminder to the residents about leaf raking will be posted on the website as well as the Village Facebook page.
12. ENGINEERING REPORT
Village Engineer Lin reported the following:
• Waste Water Treatment Plant property purchase before the board already on the agenda.
• Center Street – gravel has been filled in the off-street parking areas.
• Both the Wastewater Treatment plant and lift stations are operating fine.
13. OLD BUSINESS
14. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATIONS
i. Pleasant Street Purchase Proposal
Discussions about possible purchase included the following issues/concerns: • Pleasant street has been previously suggested to be closed.
• Parking in downtown is already a challenge.
• This closure would be part of the Downtown Redevelopment process.
• Suggestion to include purchase on referendum/ballot to the residents.
ii. Additional Parking Regulations-Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Complaints from residents regarding trailer parking was brought before the Board for consideration regarding the current ordinance. After some discussion, board consensus was to send the issue to the Planning Commission for review and suggestion.
B. MOTIONS
i. Motion to Approve Committee Liaisons for Committee of the Whole Meetings
Suzanne Fahnestock – Personnel Committee Liaison
Christopher Higgins – Finance Committee Liaison
Motion by Trustee Rebone with 2nd by Trustee Dries to approve appointments of Suzanne Fahnestock as Personnel Committee Liaison and Christopher Higgins as Finance Committee Liaison. On a roll call vote Trustees Fahnestock, Dries, Ward, Rebone, Higgins, Harris voted yes. Motion carried.
ii. Motion to Approve Letter Inquiring About Land Acquisition for the Wastewater Treatment Facility
Question about any backup plan for the Village regarding water supply was brought up. Currently, the Village is partnered with Kishwaukee Reclamation. There was annexation agreement within previous development plan however that depended on the number of homes sold and that development is no longer feasible.
Motion by Trustee Higgins with 2nd by Trustee Rebone to Approve Letter Inquiring About Land Acquisition for the Wastewater Treatment Facility. On a roll call vote Trustees Harris, Fahnestock, Dries, Ward, Rebone, Higgins voted yes. Motion carried.
15. RESOLUTIONS
A. RESOLUTION 2020-22 A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF VILLAGE STREETS
This Resolution extends the termination date of outdoor seating and dining for the bars and restaurants in Maple Park until November 15, 2020 with tear down and neighborhood cleanup to be completed by 12:00 Noon on November 16, 2020.
Trustee Harris wanted to dispel any rumors or questions about his integrity with regards to any issues regarding the outdoor dining, and reminded everyone to review his voting record where he abstained on any vote.
Trustee Fahnestock had questions and concerns regarding snow plowing if roads were still closed and we experienced any snow issues. Supt. Larson indicated that they have that already taken care of.
Motion by Trustee Higgins with 2nd by Trustee Fahnestock to adopt Resolution 2020-22 A Resolution Extending the Temporary Closure of Village Streets. On a roll call vote Trustees Dries, Fahnestock, and Higgins voted yes, Trustee Rebone voted No, Trustees Harris and Ward abstained. President Curtis voted No. Motion passed. (3 Yeas; 2 Abstain; 2 No)
B. RESOLUTION 2020-23 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT OR HER DESIGNEE TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FOSTER & BUICK LAW GROUP FOR VILLAGE LEGAL SERVICES
This Resolution authorizes the Village President to enter into an agreement with Foster & Buick Law Group to continue utilizing their services as Village Attorney.
Motion by Trustee Dries with 2nd by Trustee Rebone to adopt Resolution 2020-23 a Resolution Authorizing the Village President or Her Designee to Approve an Agreement with the Foster & Buick Law Group for Village Legal services. On a roll call vote Trustees Rebone, Higgins, Harris, Fahnestock, Dries, Ward voted yes. Motion carried.
16. ORDINANCES
A. ORDINANCE 2020-19 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 11, “ZONING REGULATIONS,” CHAPTER 1, “TITLE; PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS,” CHAPTER 2, “GENERAL PROVISIONS,” AND CHAPTER 8, “INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS” OF THE VILLAGE OF MAPLE PARK MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO ADULT-USE CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS
This Ordinance sets the zoning and regulations regarding any Adult Use Cannabis establishments within the Village of Maple Park.
Trustee Fahnestock asked for clarification on Item #7. Administrator Wucki-Rossbach explained that this had to do with on-site consumption and that will not be allowed on any dispensary property located within the Village of Maple Park.
Motion by Trustee Higgins with 2nd by Trustee Harris to approve Ordinance 2020-19, an Ordinance Amending Title 11, “Zoning Regulations,” Chapter 1, “Title; Purpose; Definitions,” Chapter 2, “General Provisions,” and Chapter 8, “Industrial Districts” of the Village of Maple Park Municipal Code Pertaining to Adult-Use Cannabis Establishments.
On a roll call vote Trustees Ward, Rebone, Higgins, Harris, Fahnestock, Dries voted yes. Motion carried.
17. VILLAGE PRESIDENT REPORT
President Curtis thanked all in attendance for coming out to the meeting. Thanked Trustee Dries for his service to the Village as he and his family will be moving out of town shortly.
18. TRUSTEE REPORT
Trustee Dries inquired about hours for Halloween and what compliance measures the Village will be taking. Administrator Wucki-Rossbach indicated that hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the Village will be following the compliance regulations shared from the IDPH. Also suggested that residents turn their porch light on if they are participating, and turn their porch light off if they will not be participating.
19. EXECUTIVE SESSION
20. ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business before the board, motion by Trustee Rebone with 2nd by Trustee Higgins to adjourn. Motion carried by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up