H O M E R T O W N S H I P BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Transcription

1 STATE OF ILLINOIS Will County, ss. Town of Homer Page 1 of 6 H O M E R T O W N S H I P BOARD MEETING MINUTES MONTHLY BUSINESS AND PLANNING MEETING May 8, 2017 FINAL Approved 6/12/17 THE BOARD OF TOWN TRUSTEES met at the Homer Township Old Town Hall, Cedar Road, Lockport, IL on May 8, 2017 Meeting began at 7:30 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and ended at 9:19 pm. PRESENT: Pam Meyers Supervisor Linsey Sowa Clerk Tom Fijan Trustee Ed Kalas Trustee Vicki Bozen Trustee John Kruczek Trustee ****************************************************************************************** Supervisor Pam Meyers and Clerk Linsey Sowa conducted the Meeting of Township Board where the following official business was transacted. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Supervisor Meyers with the Pledge to the flag. Also present was Attorney Sramek, Commissioner DeVivo, and Assessor Szynkowski. 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America 3. Roll Call 4. Matters from the Public: 1. Lori McElavy spoke regarding the Lincoln Way Special Recreation Association. Her Son has participated in their programming; she commented that other members of the audience were residents of the Township whose children also participate in the LWSRA programs. Mrs. McElavy stated that once special needs children leave the school system there are not many activities for them to participate in. She thanked the Township for their support of the NWSRA and hopes that the board will consider supporting the LWSRA. 2. Resident John Kooi spoke regarding Yangas Park. Mr. Kooi stated that three ties have bene thrown into the park at Yangas. Commissioner DeVivo commented that the road district will remove them. Mr. Kooi stated that glass bottles have been thrown into the tennis and basketball court area for the first time in the past few years, he fears the neighbors will being to mistreat the courts again. Supervisor Meyers told Mr. Kooi to call the non-emergency number of the police and report any such activity, as well as calling the Township. 5. Accounting: A. Motion by Trustee Kruczek, second by Trustee Bozen to approve May 2017 accounts payable and receivable. ROLL CALL: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. B. Line item Transfers: none C. Requests for funding contributions 1. Received Application from Lincoln Way SRA requesting reimbursement of out of district fees, which would enable them to waive those charges currently imposed for services provided to

2 Homer Township residents. At the April 10, 2017 meeting the Board voted to invite a representative from the Organization to make a formal presentation. 2. Executive Director Keith Wallace as well as program director Abby Phillips discussed LWSRA programs and their community outreach efforts. Mr. Wallace explained that the LWSRA provides Special Olympic Programs also. Mr. Wallace explained a program the SRA partnered with Hadley Middle School to teach students more about those with Special Needs and their daily lives. Board members asked questions regarding program offerings. 3. Supervisor Meyers explained the Township is not able to levy taxes to fund the SRA like some municipalities who provide funds to LWSRA currently do. Meyers stated that the current arrangement with the NWSRA is to cover 2/3 of the out of district fees of Township residents who participate. Supervisor Meyers did state that at some point in the future the board may need to consider capping it s reimbursements if there is a large growth in enrollments. Supervisor Meyers stated that money currently in the tentative budget line item should have adequate funding to cover this reimbursement. a. Motion by Trustee Bozen, Second by Trustee Kruczek to cover 2/3 of the out of district fees for Township residents participating in LWSRA programs. ROLL CALL: ALL- YES, Motion Carries. 6. Highway Commissioner Mike DeVivo Report: A. Commissioner DeVivo presented the Road District Tentative Budgets (Road & Bridge, Equipment & Building Funds) for Fiscal Year April 1, 2017 thru March 31, Commissioner DeVivo explained that the district has been deficit spending the past few years in order to complete the addition and other improvements. DeVivo stated that there are still more projects that need to be completed. 2. Motion by Trustee Kruczek, Second by Trustee Bozen to file the Tentative Budget with the Township Clerk directing she publically post the Documents 30 days before the public hearing and to publish notice of the June 12, 2017 Public Hearing. ROLL CALL: ALL-YESW, Motion Carries. 7. Assessor Karen Szynkowski Report: Assessor Szynkowski asked that those who have questions should call her office or make an appointment to come ask questions. Supervisor Meyers stated that many individuals who have received their current tax bill are confused about the fact that the rates for some taxing bodies have decreased yet their taxes have gone up dollar wise due to an increase in property values. 8. Clerk Linsey Sowa Report A. Minutes: (Note: Approved Township minutes available online at 1. Motion by Trustee Fijan second by Trustee Bozen to approve the amended March 13, 2017 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. ROLL CALL: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 2. Motion by Supervisor Meyers, Second by Trustee Kalas to approve the April 10, 2017 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. ROLL CALL: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. B. FOIA Report 1. Clerk Sowa presented the April 2017 report. C. Elections: 1. The abstract of votes for the April 4, 2017 election and certified results have been received from the County. New term of office to take effect on May 15, 2017 (except for the Assessor/ Collector.) D. Annual Town Meeting: 1. The Annual Town Meeting of the electors was conducted on April 11, a minutes were presented- those minutes are available on the Township Website. b. Annual Supervisor s Financial reports were presented c. The 2018 Meeting date and time were set by motion and approved on a unanimous voice vote. The next Annual Town Meeting will be held on April 10, 2018 at 6pm. d.clerk Sowa reported that no agenda items were requested by petition filings and no directives Page 2 of 6

3 from the electors were presented or discussed. E. Legal Postings: 1. Tentative Budgets will be posted for the required 30 days and a legal notice of the public hearing scheduled for June 12, 2017 will be published once the clerk is directed by the Township Board. 9. Supervisor Pam Meyers Report: A. Status Report Administration: 1. Transition from ending term to new term of office for Township Board/ elected officials: a. Supervisor Meyers stated that the current Township Board/ elected officialls term of office ends and new term begins on May 15, execpt for the offices of Township Assessor/ Collector- terms begin January On behalf of Homer Township thanks to Trustee Bozen for her past service and welcome to Trustee George Offord in the new term. 2. Supervisor Meyers stated that administratively all aspects of the transition are in progress. 2. Finance: a. Supervisor Meyers reported that Hearne & Associates have begun the annual audit process. Supervisor asks that any documents requested by the auditor be returned promptly. b. Supervisor Meyers presented Homer Township Tentative Budgets (General Assistance; Founders Operating; Founders Bonds; Open Space Operating; Park; Park Developer Contributions and Town Funds) for fiscal year April 1, 2017 thru March 31, Motion by Trustee Bozen, Second by Trustee Kalas to file Tentative Budget with Township Clerk directing she publically post the documents 30 days before the public hearing and publish notice of the June 12, 2017 Public Hearing. ROLL CALL: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. 3. Zoning amendment request from the Village of Homer Glen: a. Supervisor Meyers stated that she and Attorney Sramek will continue to work on the request. 4. Contractual agreement Documents Open Space/ Paul Parcel: a. Supervisor Meyers reported that Attorney Sramek drafted an agreement to include specifications of the Town Board at their March meeting. Supervisor Meyers stated that the agreement has been mailed and that we are waiting to receive the executed contract from Mr. Konow. 5. Annual Employee Wage Reviews: a. Motion by Trustee Kalas, second by Trustee Fijan to discuss employee wage reviews briefly during executive session. VOICE VOTE: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. B. Status Report Facilities/ Property Management: 1. Maintenance Department: a. Supervisor Meyers reported that all parks/ sports facilities reopened for the season with portable toilets and waste receptacles placed. At Board s discretion, additional portable toilets were placed at Lamers and Trantina Dog Park. b. Supervisor Meyers reported that Lawn Maintenance at all sites began earlier than normal and continues to be challenged by rain, rapid growth rates and partial workforce. 1. Supervisor Meyers reported that as of now one seasonal laborer has returned from last year, and we are accepting applications for additional temporary laborers. Applications are on the website and ads have been placed in the newspaper. Page 3 of 6

4 Page 4 of 6 1. Senior Housing Facility a. Supervisor Meyers reported that all units are occupied and rents are current. b. Supervisor Meyers also stated that there are two tenants where there are health issues who have requested to move out prior to the expiration of their leases, Meyers reminded that we will allow termination of the lease if we are able to get new tenants and re-rent the units. Supervisor Meyers stated that it should not take long to clean and do repairs in these units as said tenants are new, unlike the extensive work, which has taken place after original tenants have moved on. 10. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Events: Chairman, Clerk Linsey Sowa 1. Status Report Homer Harvest Days: a. Clerk Sowa also reported that planning for 2017 has begun. A task force will being meeting to brainstorm on updating the event concept for Status Report Community Festival and Parade a. Volunteers: Seeking festival volunteers- adults and high school students seeking community service. No court ordered community service is available. Please contact Linsey at b. Parade: contracts have been executed for performers parade will take place Saturday June 24 at 11am c. Carnival: Mega passes are for sale at the village of homer glen (no longer being sold at the Highway Department). Payment by credit card is available. d. Special Needs Pre-Party will be held on Friday June 23- parking lot to open at 2, event to begin at 2:30. Pre registration for participants is required. e. Beer Tent- There will be no admission charge this year. Those 21 and over will still need to show id to get wristband to purchase alcohol. Those under 21 will still be allowed to enter. f. Fireworks Night: Students from the House of Music will be performing from 6:00-7:00 at the Fireworks viewing area. 7:00 Mr. D's Magic & Illusions Show at Fireworks view area. 9:30 Fireworks, Music will be simulcast live on FM. The Fireworks will best be viewed from the Townships Sports Fields where the live sound track will be broadcasted for those in attendance. A major portion of the show is a ground show that only can be seen from the Viewing area at the Township Sports fields. Over Flow Parking will be at Bengtsons with Shuttle Buses provided so please give yourself extra time to get to and from Bengtsons and the Viewing area. g. Bands: i. Thursday June 22: - 5:30pm- Anthem Classic Rock and Beyond, 7:45 pm- Maggie Speaks ii. Friday June 23: 5:15pm- Johnny Russler & The Beach Bumb Band, 9:00pm- Rockstar Rodeo iii. Saturday June 24: 2:30pm- The New Invaders, 4:30pm- Reckless, 6:30pm- Morgan Station, 9:00pm- Infinity iv. Sunday June 25: 1:30pm- Nick Ponterelli Band, 4:00pm- Blooze Brothers B. Military: No report C. Open Space: Chairman, Tom Fijan 1. Trustee Fijan stated that the Township is ordering signage for the dog park to direct patrons to the north side of the property for restrooms and water fountain. D. Park & Recreation: Chairmen, Trustees Ed Kalas and John Kruczek 1. Status Update: IEPA Grant a. Supervisor Meyers reported that she was notified by letter late this afternoon that the

5 Township has received the grant for the retrofitting of the Culver Park pond. 2. Baseball Field Lights: a. HAC informed the Township that 25 lights were not functioning on the baseball fields. Trustee Kruczek accompanied representatives of HAC to inspect the situation. b. Trustee Kalas reported that the committee made a motion to advise the Town Board to approve replacement of the half dozen lights on field 4 and to replace or fix issues with the left field lights on the softball fields. c. Committee members discussed that the Township could budget to fix the lights on other two fields next year if necessary. Trustees Kruczek and Fijan discussed researching LED lights and fixtures for the future, and compliance with the Village of Homer Glen s lighting ordinance. d. Motion by Supervisor Meyers second by Trustee Kruczek to accept the recommendations of the park and rec committee to replace field 4 and field two lights. ROLL CALL:ALL-YES, Motion Carries. E. Seniors Group: Chairman, Trustee Vicki Bozen stated the meeting will take place tomorrow at Cross of Glory. 11. New Business: A. Supervisor Meyers reported that she has received information from Vista National concerning updates on potential changes to the affordable Care Act voted on by the US House of Representatives. Moving to the Senate will be considerations to repeal and replace the ACA with the American Health Care Act. 12. Old Business: A. Status Report Caton Farm/ Bruce Road SRA: 1. Supervisor Meyers reported on the Meeting with Will County Department of Transportation regarding the Caton farm Bruce road SRA. County is open to reconsidering other routes. Initially the eastern termini sub group, Lockport Township, City of Lockport, Homer Township, and the Village of Homer Glen- will need to put up some money to do new studies on Cedar an Gougar. Meyers stated that the Bruce road interchange is no longer being considered, as it would be more cost prohibitive to study and we would have to go back to square one and re-evaluate the logical termini. Supervisor Meyers stated that we have an initial draft of an IGA with Will County Department of Highways and, the County Dept. of Highways will bring changes before the States Attorney for them to review and put in all of our revisions prior to the local governments bring them to their respective attorneys. County and Engineers will study Cedar and Gougar, but will not remove the middle route from the study, but with the understanding we are not hoping for the middle alignment, however for consideration purposes it will remain. Additional engineering will need to take place as will a major public forum. The Federal Highway Division and Illinois Department of Transportation will have input on the new study, as will the TCC- who gets final consideration. Then the plan goes to the Federal administration and then back to The Will County Board, who would have to amend or revise their old approvals. At this point the revised update from Civil Tech is estimated at a cost of $96,500 for part A of the study which takes between months, projected to split between all 4 entities if they agree, totaling about $25,000- $30,000 per entity. However, Lockport Township is not physically in the change we are asking for but they have been willing to stick with the local governments because they want the bridge fixed. However, they have expressed concerns and stated that Lockport Township may not be spending money on this. Supervisor Meyers stated that the downside of re-engineering is whatever comes out of the part A study will be what we are stuck with. If one of the other 2 phases is approved, there will be additional work and engineering costs to design the project. Cedar and Gougar will be widened eventually. Cedar is not happening too soon, as there is no funding. However, Gougar is dependent on the proposed Page 5 of 6

6 Illiana Tollway. If that happens Gougar improvements will go on the fast track, if not it may languish. The local governments are anticipating that if everything aligns correctly the IGA could come before boards for part A at our June meeting and get everything back to county board for their July meeting. 13. Executive Session: Motion by Trustee Kruczek, Second by Trustee Bozen to take a brief recess and enter into executive session as permissible by the Open Meetings Act pertaining to exemption C-1 Employment. 14. Motion to leave executive session and enter regular session at 9:19pm by Trustee Kruczek, second by Trustee Bozen. VOICE VOTE: ALL-YES, Motion Carries. No action was taken in Executive Session 15. Adjournment- Motion for Adjournment at 9:19 pm by Trustee Bozen, Second by Trustee Kruczek. VOICE VOTE: ALL-YES, Meeting adjourned. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS Meeting Location: Township Hall, S. Cedar Road, Lockport, IL HOMER TOWN BOARD REGULAR BUSINESS/PLANNING DATE: June 12, :30PM Page 6 of 6