Minutes of a Meeting of the Joliet Township Board 175 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432 Tuesday, December 15, 2015 The regular town board meeting, being held at 175 West Jefferson Street, Joliet Township government offices, on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. was called to order by Township Supervisor Daniel L. Vera. The following official business was transacted: The Town Clerk led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. The Town Clerk called the roll as follows: TRUSTEES: Robert F. Wisniewski Jeffery M. Wallace Raymond F. Slattery Burke J. Schuster SUPERVISOR: Daniel L. Vera TOWN CLERK: Beth Ann May OTHER OFFICIALS: Commissioner James Maffeo Assessor James Brenczewski ALSO PRESENT: Accountant Colleen Witt Director Sarah Gimbel Attorney Franklin D. Burkey Gerry Pubentz Investigator/GA Approval of the Minutes: Regular Town/November 17, 2015: Trustee Slattery moved to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2015, Regular Town Board Meeting and to waive the reading of these minutes inasmuch as copies had previously been delivered. Seconded by Trustee Schuster. Upon a voice vote the motion carried. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 1
Public Comment: Gerry Pubentz, Investigator with the General Assistance Program, commented on his upcoming retirement from the Township. Mr. Pubentz thanked the Supervisor, General Assistance Director Cornelia Malone and the Board for the opportunity and said it has been a pleasure to serve. He and his wife, Karen, (also recently retired) plan on being very busy in their retirement spending more time with family. Gerry also commented that he plans on fishing, gardening and watching the Chicago White Sox. He wished the Board the best in their future endeavors. New Business: Adopt/Resolution No. 2015-04 Surplus Equipment/Animal Control Supervisor Vera spoke on the proposed resolution. He indicated there are 3 vans no longer in service at the Animal Control Center due to the purchase of 3 new vehicles this past year. The 3 vans are referenced on the Attachment A of the resolution. The decals and light kits have been removed from the used vans and they have been painted. Two of the vans will be sold as soon as possible; the third van may be held for use by the Center when there are large groups of animals which need to be transported/transferred to and from our facility. The used vans will be advertised by means of public notice for bid. Trustee Wallace moved to approve the Resolution No. 2015-04 Surplus Equipment/Animal Control and the Attachment A reflecting the 3 vans for surplus. Seconded by Trustee Wisniewski. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes (5), Nays (0) 1 Adopt/2015 Town Levy Ordinance No. 335-2015 Accountant Witt indicated there have been no changes from the proposed levy presented at the November 17, 2015 meeting. Trustee Schuster moved to approve the 2015 Town Levy Ordinance No. 335-2015, reflecting $2,638,231. Seconded by Trustee Wallace. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes (5), Nays (0) 2 Adopt/2015 Road District Levy Ordinance No. 2015-07 (RD) Accountant Witt indicated there have been no changes from the proposed levy presented at the November 17, 2015 meeting. Trustee Slattery moved to approve the 2015 Road District Levy Ordinance No. 335-2015, reflecting $1,592,500. Seconded by Trustee Schuster. Commissioner Maffeo was in agreement with the proposed levy. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes (5), Nays (0) 3 Approval/Vision and Life Insurance Policies Accountant Witt asked for clarification regarding the family coverage costs for the vision and dental insurance. She asked if the Township is also providing the same level of payment for family coverage, as the health insurance, for the vision and dental. There was discussion regarding this matter and a general consensus that yes, the vision and dental will be provided at the same level as the health insurance for the family coverage. 1 2 3 Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 2
Accountant Witt then reviewed the VSP vision plans current rate of $6.12/$13.15 and renewal rate of $6.52/14.01 for the 2 year renewal program. This provides for an eye exam every 12 months and lens and frames every 24 months. The VSP vision plan is renewable on January 1, 2016. The Standard life insurance rates will remain the same for the next 2 year term. Employees are provided a $10,000 life policy as part of their benefits and they may purchase additional coverage (rates vary). Family members are not covered. This policy is renewable February 1, 2016. Trustee Wisniewski moved to provide the same level of family coverage for the dental and vision plans as the regular health insurance for employees purchasing the family coverage; and to approve the proposed VSP vision plan and the Standard life insurance plans as presented. Seconded by Trustee Wallace. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes (5), Nays (0) 4 Approval/2016 Pace Paratransit Local Share Agreement Accountant Witt reported our cost estimate for this past year was $21,797 of which we have only been billed $11,800.00. We pay on a per bill basis and it is based on ridership. The maximum cost for next year is $22,425.00 per the cost estimate worksheet included in the proposed agreement. Trustee Wisniewski moved to authorize the Supervisor to enter into a contract with Pace for Paratransit services at the proposed price of $22,425.00 for the calendar year January 1, 2016 December 31, 2016. Seconded by Trustee Slattery. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes (5), Nays (0) 5 Approval/Daybreak Shelter Grant General Assistance Supervisor Vera commented we have supported certain types of equipment/supply requests in the past for the Daybreak Shelter through grants from the General Assistance program. This is a new request for mattresses, sheets and blankets for use at the shelter by homeless clients. The request is for $4,496.32; however, he indicated he is recommending $5,000.00. Trustee Schuster moved to approve a grant for $5,000.00 for the Daybreak Shelter for mattresses, sheets and blankets for use by the homeless clients. Seconded by Trustee Wallace. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes (5), Nays (0) 6 Unfinished Business: None Reports: Supervisor: The Supervisor commented on the billing received from Marchio Fence for the fence installed around the generator and the gate installed at the north end of the building near the Town Hall door. Marchio came out and looked at the projects and indicated they would issue a quote; however, they started the work without having provided a quote and there were billing problems. The cost on the invoices (for both projects) came in beyond the $20,000.00 limit for bid requirements which prompted the Supervisor to 4 5 6 Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 3
call Marchio for adjustments and explanations. Marchio apologized for the mistakes, made adjustments for the cost and provided new invoices. The Supervisor thanked those that were able to attend the Senior holiday events and reminded everyone of the last one on Wednesday, December 16. He updated the Board on the terms of replacing Gerry Pubentz in the General Assistance Program. After discussing with Director Malone, an ad will be posted on the Animal Control Facebook Page for a part-time position. There is no longer a need for a full time position as the volume of participants in the program has decreased. Mr. Pubentz offered to help interview and train the new employee. The Supervisor also reported on him and Commissioner Maffeo picking up three pallets of animal food. Clerk: Clerk May reported she continues to work on the Farrell Road Bridge project. She has been working with Gina Tuminello reviewing old records in the Supervisor s Office. She prepared the final Town and Road District Levy documents for filing. She attended 2 senior luncheons and will be attending the St. Joe s Senior Group luncheon tomorrow. She reviewed the titles for the Animal Control vans and prepared the resolution for the surplus property. She commented on the invitation to the Grand Opening of the new Student Center at Joliet Central High School on January 27, 2016, everyone received a copy of the invitation in the packet. Highway Commissioner: Commissioner Maffeo reported they continue to have trees cut and removed. He added, we are over budget for this year; however, the trees must come down because of disease and based on resident complaints. All of the trees removed are within our property, none of them are on private property. He indicated we will need to budget as much or more, for tree removal, next year. The final pavement repairs are complete on Parker Road and New Lenox Road. The Commissioner then updated the Board on the matter of the Farrell Road Bridge. He attended a meeting with Bruce Gould, Will County Engineer, to review the jurisdictional map of roads, where he learned that Farrell Road had been annexed to the City of Joliet in 2008. The Township was not informed because the property which was annexed was in New Lenox Township; however, Farrell Road is a boundary road which we maintained. (The other side of the road is Joliet Township.). The County was not aware as Mr. Gould continued to do inspections of the bridge and worked with Commissioner Maffeo on the replacement project with IDOT. This prompted a meeting with Mr. Jim Trizna, Public Works Director, Commissioner Maffeo, Attorney Burkey, Accountant Witt and Greg Mounts (Hutchison Engineering). They discussed how to move forward on the project and reimbursements to the Township/County for work already performed. Attorney Burkey indicated Accountant Witt will work with Greg Mounts to follow up with the city on the matter. Attorney Burkey added we will not be doing any additional work on the project. Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 4
Assessor: Assessor Brenczewski indicated December 10 was the last day for hearings. He is still in negotiations with Midwest Generation, now NRG, on a complaint filed in 2014. He hopes to have this settled before the appeals close. He indicated the equalizer/multiplier we received was 6% (positive). The books will be back in his hands in January and the cycle of assessing starts again. Attorney: Attorney Burkey reported he continues to work with staff on various matters. He also informed the Board that former Animal Control Officer, Carlos Garcia, has returned the equipment to the Center. Accountant: Accountant Witt reported the bank reconciliations for October and November are on the table for review. The financial reports through November 30, 2015 has been provided. She indicated receiving the 2016 unemployment rates for Road District (.55%) and for General Town (5.85%). She also received the 2016 IMRF rate of 6.8%. She has been working on the Farrell Road Bridge project, attending the meetings with the Commissioner and Attorney Burkey. She met with Dean Cass on the VSP & Standard Life Insurance renewals. Animal Control Center: Director Gimbel reviewed the November statistical report and added there is nothing unusual to report. She also reported on receiving the pallets of animal food and that former Animal Control Officer, Carlos Garcia, turned in his equipment. She reported on a community project where animals were taken to the University of St. Francis during finals week to relieve the students stress and a $200 donation was received. The Santa picture day was cancelled. The clear the shelter event will be held this Saturday and it is also a clinic day. Trustee Wallace asked if we were at capacity and she replied we are full of cats and currently have 11 dogs for adoption and are full on the stray holds. All of the animal traps are in for the season. Trustee Wallace asked for an update on the status of the Bicentennial Park acquisition. Supervisor Vera replied that he is still in communication with the City Manager and there are still issues to be worked out, specifically, the fountain and the parking lot at the north end of the property. He has been working with the Park Board Foundation and Attorney Burkey is working with the City Attorney too. Things are on hold for now and any movement forward remains to be seen. Trustee Wisniewski requested a resolution for retiring employee, Gerry Pubentz, for the January 12, 2016 meeting. He also asked about the status of the resolution recognizing St. Paul School on the baseball championship (this past fall). The Clerk replied, the only Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 5
opportunity we had to present in a timely fashion was when St. Paul was accepting a resolution from the City of Joliet and then after that too much time passed. Trustee Wisniewski said that was fine for now but felt these types of resolutions are important. Clerk May replied that she understands. She will complete the honorary resolution for retiring employee Gerry Pubentz for the January 12, 2016 meeting. Receipts: Trustee Wallace moved to deposit all funds into their proper accounts as presented for the period ending December 15, 2015. Seconded by Trustee Slattery. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Expenditures: The Supervisor presented the following invoices for town board approval for the period ending December 15, 2015: FUND EXPENDITURES General Town $136,677.14 Motion: Trustee Slattery Second: Trustee Schuster Roll Call: Ayes 5, Nays 0 7 General Assistance $27,117.59 Motion: Trustee Wallace Second: Trustee Slattery Roll Call: Ayes 5, Nays 0 8 Road and Bridge $118,919.70 Motion: Trustee Wisniewski Second: Trustee Slattery Roll Call: Ayes 5, Nays 0 9 Animal Control $43,953.77 Motion: Trustee Wallace Second: Trustee Slattery Roll Call: Ayes 5, Nays 0 10 No bills were presented for consideration of the Senior Fund. Certifications for all funds were passed unanimously. 7 8 9 10 Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 6
Closed Session: None Adjournment: Trustee Slattery moved to adjourn the town board meeting to January 12, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. Seconded by Trustee Schuster. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Beth Ann May Town Clerk Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes/December 15, 2015 DRAFT 7