Special Meeting Board of Trustees

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Thursday, June 19, 2014 6:00 PM Board Room Special Meeting Board of Trustees Village President Keith Giagnorio, Village Clerk Sharon Kuderna, Trustee Dan Whittington, Trustee Mike Fugiel, Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz, Trustee Peter Breen, Trustee Laura Fitzpatrick and Trustee Bill Ware Special Meeting Board of Trustees Minutes June 19, 2014 I Call to Order The Special Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Lombard held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 in the Board Room of the Lombard Village Hall was called to order by Village President Giagnorio at 6:01 p.m. II Pledge of Allegiance Village Clerk Sharon Kuderna led the Pledge of Allegiance. III Roll Call Present 8 - Keith Giagnorio, Sharon Kuderna, Dan Whittington, Mike Fugiel, Reid Foltyniewicz, Peter Breen, Laura Fitzpatrick, and Bill Ware Staff Present: Village Manager Scott Niehaus Assistant Village Manager Nicole Aranas Director of Community Development Bill Heniff Chief of Police Ray Byrne Executive Coordinator Carol Bauer IV Agenda 140246 Discussion - Video-Gaming Policy Issues Village President Giagnorio indicated it had been six weeks since the Village Board discussed lifting the ban on allowing video gaming in the community. He spoke of the Village being business-friendly and a request from some businesses to allow video gaming. He felt the Board had had time to do some research, talk to residents and business owners, evaluate the pros and cons of video gaming and review the impact video gaming might have on the community. He spoke of the numerous calls, text messages, e-mails, personals visits and petitions that had been received. He talked about the public process, of residents reaching out to elected officials and how crucial this was with this important community matter. He spoke of how proud he is to live in a community where residents do care about their town and have enough of a passion about what happens in the town to reach out to the elected officials to relay their thoughts and concerns regarding this matter. He spoke of being proud of the Trustees talking to each other and stepping up to the plate on this Village of Lombard Page 1 Special Meeting Board of Trustees Minutes June 19, 2014 matter. The consensus was that video gaming was not wanted or needed in Lombard. He indicated that after a very busy six weeks, the Village Board has made a decision to not lift the ban on video gaming in Lombard. He said the residents had spoken and the Board listened. He talked about being the Liquor Commissioner and that a lot of the regulations regarding video gaming would fall upon him. He felt if there was going to be a change, that you needed to have a passion for the change and he did not have a passion for this change. He said the residents elected him and the Village Board members and the Board was acting on behalf of the residents. Trustee Whittington stated that he had received 47 contacts just today and only one person was in favor of video gaming. Trustee Foltyniewicz talked about keeping an open mind to video gaming and that he was not sold either way. Trustee Fitzpatrick spoke of the research that she was able to do and the more she looked at information on video gaming, the worse that it got. She felt the Village did not want or need video gaming and thanked the Board for coming to the right decision. Trustee Fugiel talked about how people have choices and make choices. He had received an overwhelming response from residents against video gaming. Trustee Breen talked of other communities possibly considering video gaming and felt those communities did not know all that Lombard had gone through with regard to considering video gaming. He talked of all the ways the Village had reached out to residents. He indicated a community group that had started up. He was glad the Board had made a decision to not lift the ban on video gaming. Trustee Ware indicated that he had originally entertained the idea of lifting the ban on video gaming and that the Board had had time to review the pros and cons since the last discussion. He did indicate he had received some favorable responses to allowing video gaming including former Village Trustees. Marymae Meyer, 414 W. Windsor, indicated even though the Village Board had reached a decision to keep the ban on video gaming, she wanted to convey her thoughts on the negativity of video gaming and effects of video gaming and other addictions on people. She spoke of an outstanding way of life in the community and wanted it to remain. Lori Solyom, 22 S. Highland, talked of the Families First group that had been formed. She spoke of the Village being a business-friendly community. She also wanted the Village to be a resident-friendly and family-friendly town. She spoke of video gaming being the crack cocaine of gambling. She urged the Board to continue the ban. Deb Dynako, 125 S. Craig, spoke of the video gaming machines designed to beat the players. She felt there was no real revenue for the Village from video gaming. She stated she would rather see the Village re-instate vehicle stickers for revenue. She spoke of Lombard Pride and Character Counts in Lombard. Village of Lombard Page 2 Special Meeting Board of Trustees Minutes June 19, 2014 Kevin Fitzpatrick, 348 S. Lewis, congratulated the Village Board on what he felt was making the right decision regarding video gambling. He spoke of acting versus re-acting. He indicated it was not the loudest people who spoke, but the most people who spoke. He felt that charitable gambling was not gambling. Congratulated the Village Board. Village Manager Niehaus explained the procedures for this matter to be removed from the regular meeting agenda . Attorney Bayer indicated there were two motions - first to move the two items to the beginning of the agenda, and if approved, the two items would be moved to the beginning of the meeting. Second, he explained the choices to include moving the items to the beginning of the meeting; removing the items from the agenda; and adding the items to the Consent Agenda with a motion to not approve the ordinances. The Village Board concurred to move the two items to the beginning of the regular meeting agenda before public participation. V Public Participation VI Adjournment A motion was made by Trustee Dan Whittington, seconded by Trustee Peter Breen, that the Special Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Lombard held on June 19, 2014 be adjourned at 6:43 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6- Dan Whittington, Mike Fugiel, Reid Foltyniewicz, Peter Breen, Laura Fitzpatrick, and Bill Ware Village of Lombard Page 3