Board of Trustees Meetings

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, VILLAGE OF NILES July 25, 2006 8:00 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Village President Nicholas B. Blase. ROLL CALL The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by President Blase. The following Trustees were present: Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston and Przybylo. Trustee Biederman was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Board Meeting Trustee Bondi made a motion, seconded by Trustee June 27, 2006 Callero, to approve the minutes of the June 27, 2006 Board Meeting, as submitted. On roll call, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. PRESENTATIONS: Representative John D’Amico President Blase stated that Representative John Appreciation for Grant D’Amico was very helpful to Niles in getting a grant for $75, 000 for water service and was also very helpful in conclusion of the project for the bridge on Howard Street. President Blase said that he is very appreciative for Representative D’Amico’s help. Representative John D’Amico said that he is the Representative in the 15th District, and even though the Mayor is thanking him for the grant, he would not have done this if it weren’t for the Mayor. Representative D’Amico said that he works closely with Mayor Blase and he wanted to thank the Mayor for guiding him through his first term and for working with him. Retirement-Transportation George Van Geem said that on June 30th, Alice Egan Alice A. Egan retired after 29 years of service to the Village as a Free Bus driver. During her employment, Alice was recognized as one of the premier transit drivers, and was recently inducted into an ultra exclusive group-the PACE Two Million Mile Club. To be eligible, a driver must drive 2,000,000 miles, which takes about 25 years, without having a preventable accident. Your commitment to providing safe, reliable and friendly service to the residents of Niles was much appreciated and will definitely be missed.  July 25, 2006 We wish you the very best on an enjoyable retirement! Boy Scout Troop 175 “JJ” Palliser said that his Eagle project is collecting Eagle Rank Community Project used cell phones, cell phone chargers, and batteries, and Jerome “JJ” Palliser he is doing this in cooperation with a nationwide organization called, “Call to Protect”, in Washington. This organization refurbishes these phones and fixes them so they can only call 911 and passes them out for free to victims of domestic abuse. His goal is to reach 500 cell phones through October. He asked the Mayor for permission to put boxes around the Village to collect the cell phones and equipment. President Blase asked George Van Geem to make sure that everything was set for him to do this, and George responded that he would. PROCLAMATION: President Blase stated that National Night Out will be held on August 1, 2006. Following is the Proclamation: Whereas, the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is sponsoring a unique, nationwide crime, drug and violence prevention program on August 1, 2006 entitled "National Night Out"; and Whereas, the "23rd Annual National Night Out" provides a unique opportunity for Niles to join forces with thousands of other communities across the country in promoting cooperative, police- community crime prevention efforts; and Whereas, the Village of Niles plays a vital role in assisting the Niles Police Department through joint crime, drug and violence prevention efforts in Niles and is supporting "National Night Out 2006" locally; and Whereas, it is essential that all citizens of Niles be aware of the importance of crime prevention programs and impact that their participation can have on reducing crime, drugs and violence in Niles; and Whereas, police-community partnerships, neighborhood safety, awareness and cooperation are important themes of the "National Night Out" program; Now, therefore I, Mayor Nicholas B. Blase, do hereby call upon all citizens of the Village of Niles to join the Niles Police Department and the National Association of Town Watch in supporting the "22nd Annual National Night Out" on August 1, 2006. Further, let it be resolved that I, Mayor Nicholas B. Blase, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, August 1, 2006 as "National Night Out" in the Village of Niles. 2  July 25, 2006 Chief Strzelecki stated that August 1, 2006 was proclaimed the National Night Out for 2006. He said that this is an evening where the Police Department along with the community march in an area for crime prevention reasons, to stamp out crime in the local areas. Chief Strzelecki said that he invites everyone to come out and join them in the neighborhood to participate in the event. President Blase repeated that it was Tuesday August 1st at 7:00 p.m. at Notre Dame High School. TRUSTEE REPORTS: Trustee Bondi stated that he wanted to report on this year's 4th of July Parade. Once again, the Village of Niles experienced a very successful Parade. He was pleased to see the exceptionally large turnout of residents lined up on the streets, and to know that the hard work the Committee had done was enjoyed by all. We were very fortunate to have beautiful weather that day. He sent a special note of thanks to the Fire, Police, and Public Works Departments, the Village of Niles Staff, and the Park District, for all of their assistance in making this Parade a huge success. He also thanked the businesses in the community and the organizations which took part in the Parade and contributed to its success. He gave special thanks to Mayor Blase and the Board of Trustees for their support. The Committee is already starting work for July 4, 2007. This concluded his report. OLD BUSINESS: Plat of Consolidation Chuck Ostman said that this is a request for a plat of Baginski’s Consoldiation at consolidation at 8221 Ballard. He said that this is a 8221 Ballard typical consolidation where they have two small 25 foot lots where there is currently a house that is straddling both lots, and what they are looking for is approval to consolidate those two lots into one lot 50 foot wide, and at the same time request an easement dedication. This has been reviewed by the Community Development and Engineering Departments and he recommends approval. Trustee Preston made the motion, seconded by Trustee Callero, to adopt the ordinance which approves the plat of consolidation. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman 3  July 25, 2006 There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Verizon Lease Agreement Assistant Village Manager, Steve Vinezeano, said that the lease agreement was negotiated with himself and Stu Chapman. He said that they have a very good lease, $2,000 per month with a 4% escalation each year. This is only for the property next to the tower. He said they are very pleased with the lease agreement and hopes to move forward with this. Trustee Callero asked Mr. Vinezeano, in terms of appearance purposes, how many antennas are up there now. Mr. Vinezeano responded he believes there is one and that we have our own up there. He said there is still space for another carrier. Trustee Callero commented that it will not be an eyesore. Mr. Vinezeano responded that no one really likes these towers in the first place, so it is going to be as less of an eyesore as possible. The tower was put up for our communications by the carrier that originally went in there, so it is an eyesore by function. When we put these towers up, we try to make them as less of an eyesore as possible. Trustee Callero commented the antenna will not be any larger. Mr. Vinezeano responded that is correct and they are trying to make them smaller. President Blase asked if the $2,000 was the monthly rent. Mr. Vinezeano responded that the life of this contract will be about 1 million dollars. Motion was made by Trustee Callero, seconded by Trustee Preston to approve the Verizon Lease Agreement. On call roll, the vote was: AYAS : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Special Use to co-locate antenna President Blase said that is a request that has to do panels on monopole located at with a Special Use to co-locate antenna panels on a 6849 Touhy Avenue monopole located at the Public Works Facility, as was discussed in the Verizon Lease Agreement. 4  July 25, 2006 Trustee Murphy made the motion, seconded by Trustee Bondi to approve the request for the special use to co- locate the antenna panels on monopole located at 6849 Touhy Avenue. On call roll, the vote was: AYAS : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. NEW BUSINESS: Animal Control Trustee Callero said that we have a new ordinance that they would like to pass this evening. He said they went through a 45 minute open meeting discussing this, and there were a couple suggestions that will be followed through after this that were not made as part of the ordinance itself. He said that this ordinance has been modeled after various ordinances of other communities and we feel that this is appropriate for our community. Trustee Callero made the motion, seconded by Trustee Bondi, to adopt the ordinance which regulates animal control. On call role, the vote was: AYAS : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS :0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Village Tax Levy for 2006 Trustee Murphy stated that is an ordinance providing for the levying and the assessment of property taxes for the tax year 2006. This ordinance officially sets the property tax levy for the Village for tax year 2006. The levy is $4,142,485 which is the same as 2005. Trustee Murphy said that he would like to point out that the Village of Niles has not raised their taxes now for two years. While some residents have seen an increase last year, that increase is a result of a significant rise in their assessment evaluation. Adversely many of our residents saw a decrease in their taxes, because their assessment evaluation went up slightly or actually decreased. So again, he repeated that Niles has not raised the property taxes for 2 years. Motion was made by Trustee Murphy, and seconded by Trustee Callero, to adopt the ordinance which approves the Village tax Levy for 2006. On call roll, the vote was: 5  July 25, 2006 AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Flexible Benefits Plan Trustee Murphy stated that this resolution approves an Employee Flexible Benefits Plan, which was discussed in a Pre-Board meeting. The Village Board has determined that it will be in the best interest of the Village of Niles and its employees to adopt a “Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan” allowing for pre-taxed insurance, medical benefits, and dependent care expenses. Motion was made by Trustee Murphy, and seconded by Trustee Callero, to adopt the resolution which approves the “Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan”. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Authorization of use of MFT Trustee Preston stated that this is a request regarding Funds for Engineering for the authorization of the use of Motor Fuel Tax funds to Cumberland Avenue pay for the Phase I engineering work required for the Improvement Project Cumberland Avenue improvement project. This project will resurface Cumberland Avenue from Oakton Street to Church Street and includes widening areas north of Ballard road and intersection improvements. The Village received a grant in the amount of $682,500 for this project from the Northwest Council of Mayors under the Surface Transportation Program. This resolution must be passed and filed with the Illinois Department of Transportation to authorize the use of MFT funding. The motion was made by Trustee Preston, and seconded by Trustee Przybylo, to approve the authorization of use of the MFT fund for engineering services. On call roll the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. 6  July 25, 2006 Award Engineering Contract Trustee Preston stated that since they approved using For Cumberland Avenue the MFT funds, they now want to approve awarding a Improvement Project contract to McDonough Associates for Phase I engineering work in the amount not to exceed $113,000 and authorize the Director of Public Services to execute the agreement. This is a budgeted item. The motion was made by Trustee Preston, and seconded by Trustee Bondi, to approve the award of contract to McDonough Associates. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Seek bids for 2006 Trustee Bondi said that this is a request to seek bids for Watermain Replacement 2006 watermain replacement for 1. Concord Lane from Lexington Lane to Lexington Lane , and 2. Lexington Lane from Caldwell Avenue to Caldwell Avenue Total cost for this project is $960,000. Motion was made by Trustee Bondi, and seconded by Trustee Callero, to approve the request to seek bids for the 2006 water main replacement. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Authorization to bid Trustee Przybylo stated that this is a bid to provide for water leak survey a leak survey for 100 miles of watermains. It is a budgeted item for $17,000.00. The motion was made by Trustee Przybylo, and seconded by Trustee Callero, to grant authorization to bid for the water leak survey. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. 7  July 25, 2006 Award Road Salt Contract Trustee Callero said that this contract award has increased by 17.5% over last year. He said that he contacted Scott Jochim about this. The first year contract with Morton Salt, which was 2002, the price was $34.75 a ton. In 2003 the price went down to $28.93, then $30.23 in 2004, and $34.06 in 2005. Again, that is still lower than the initial price of 2002. He said that this year the price jumped to $40.01, which is a 17.5% increase. This increase is basically due to transportation costs for bringing the salt in. He said that he checked into what the other communities are paying. Morton Grove and Skokie are paying $39.68, Park Ridge $40. 68, and Glenview $41.16. Trustee Callero said that they discussed whether there were any problems with Morton Salt. Scott Jochim said that with Morton Salt they had no problems with deliveries. In most instances they order it in the morning and in the afternoon they had several trucks unloading salt. They were getting phone calls from the surrounding communities last year saying that they did not have any deliveries of salt in awhile and asked if we had any extra salt to loan them. These were communities who were obtaining their salt through a State contract. He said that the State has had some problems in the past and in fact he found out that Northbrook actually left, and did not stay with the contract this year. They will be paying a little over $45.00 a ton and they negotiated with Morton Salt. So all in all with Morton Salt, the Village gets prompt delivery and they do not have to run the salt through a screen as they have had to in the past with the State contract. Trustee Callero said that even though he does not like the increase they have had, the biggest cost is in the delivery charges and that they have had five years of good service from Morton Salt. The motion was made by Trustee Callero, and seconded by Trustee Preston, to award the contract to Morton Salt. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Award Uniform Contract for Trustee Przybylo said that this is a budgeted item. The Public Services highest bid they received was $34,000, the second bid was $23,000, and Michael’s Uniform Company was $22, 494.46. 8  July 25, 2006 Trustee Przybylo made the motion, seconded by Trustee Callero to award the contract to the lowest bidder, Michael’s Uniform Company, Inc. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Purchase of Firefighting Trustee Murphy said that the Fire Department has Safety Clothing asked for approval to purchase 12 replacements of firefighting protective clothing per OSHA and NFPA requirements from W.S. Darley & Co., Melrose Park, This was the lowest of three bidders in the amount of $21,898.20, which is a budgeted item. In accordance with current safety standards for fire safety clothing, the department must replace this equipment every five years with normal wear. Current equipment being replaced is 9 to 12 years old and does not meet current safety standards for fire safety clothing. Motion was made by Trustee Murphy, seconded by Trustee Callero, to approve the purchase in the amount of $21,898.20. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Extension of Ticket President Blase stated that the Village has been in an Amnesty Program amnesty program regarding parking violations, and generally non-moving traffic violations. This program has been going on for two months and expires at the end of July. During the course of that time, 3,581 tickets were sent out, 741 came back as unidentifiable, and the total amount of money collected was $14,960.00. President Blase recommended extending the program for another two months. He then asked Attorney Annunzio who the 3,581 tickets were sent to. Attorney Annunzio said that only the people in Niles. President Blase then asked how they will announce the extension if the initial announcement was by letters to the people. 9  July 25, 2006 George Van Geem said that other than public media, they will send correspondence to each of the people on the list saying “lucky you, you have another 2 months, but this will be it”. Trustee Preston asked if the letters were certified mail or if they were regular US mail letters. It was responded that they were regular letters. Trustee Preston then asked Steve Vinezeano when the “Focus” goes out and if it can be announced in it. It was decided that there will be announcements in the paper, the Focus, and letters to the people. Trustee Callero made the motion, seconded by Trustee Preston, to extend the Amnesty Program for two months. On call roll, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Waive Permit Fees for Trustee Callero said that the Village normally waives St. Matthews Church permit fees for religious organizations, and St. Matthew Church has requested that the fees be waived for the demolition of three structures. Two of those structures, on Maryland, will be used for Church property, and one on Milwaukee Avenue will be used as a commercial lot that will be either rented or sold. Trustee Callero said that he has no problems waiving the fee for the two religious lots, but on the third lot, which is the commercial lot, he would prefer not to waive that fee. Trustee Callero pointed out that in their letter the church prioritized the list of homes to be demolished in case the Village would only waive one or two of the fees. Trustee Callero asked Mr. Ostman if the lots on Milwaukee Avenue are the commercial lots. Mr. Ostman responded yes. Trustee Callero said that he would make a motion to waive the fee of the Church lot at 9077 Maryland and not on the other two lots. However he said that if the Church decides to use the lots for the Church, they will go back and waive those fees also. Trustee Callero made the motion, seconded by Trustee Preston, to waive the demolition permit fee at 9077 N. Maryland Street. On call roll, the vote was: 10  July 25, 2006 AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. Petitions for Referral: President Blase listed the following Petitions for Referral and stated the application fees have been paid: 06-ZP-16 Sharlotte Zaki Special Use for beauty salon at 8800 N. Milwaukee Avenue 06-ZP-17 Yera Patel Special Use for restaurant at 7954 Waukegan 06-ZP-18 Lawrence Maye Special Use to maintain existing 6 ft. satellite dish at 7634 N. Odell Motion was made by Trustee Bondi, and seconded by Trustee Callero, to refer the above listed petitions to the Zoning Board. On roll call, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. FINANCIAL REPORT: Trustee Callero stated that the Accounts Payable for the month of June, 2006, were $3,616,888.90. The ending cash balance as of June 30, 2006 was $33,433,038.60. Trustee Callero made a motion, seconded by Trustee Murphy, that the Accounts Payable for the month of June, 2006 be approved for payment and the Treasurer's Report filed for audit. On roll call, the vote was: AYES : 5 Bondi, Callero, Murphy, Preston, Przybylo NAYS : 0 ABSENT : 1 Biederman There being 5 affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED. 11  July 25, 2006 ADJOURNMENT President Blase stated that this concluded the business of the Board. He asked if there was anything from the floor. Trustee Preston stated that she wanted to make an announcement of Fire Chief Harry Kinowski’s retirement party. It will be on Friday August 25. Trustee Preston also wanted to remind people that the Village has its summer concert series going on at the Leaning Tower at 7:00 PM every Thursday. There being no further business to come before the Board, motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Callero, and seconded by Trustee Murphy. On roll call, all concurred. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M. __________________________ _________________________________________ Village Clerk Village President 12