Minutes of Village Board Meeting - February 22, 2011

MINUTES OF VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2011


President Patrick Brennan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present: Barry Thompson, Ray Mason, Dennis Martin, Terry Houchens and Dick Parrish. Member absent: Rudy Martin. Also present: James Grabowski – Village Administrator, John Harrington – Finance Director, Rob Tonarelli – Supt. of Public Works, Steve Thornton – Building & Zoning Officer, Justin Meyer – Police Chief and several members of the Minooka Police Force, Chris Spesia – Village Attorney and Kevin Biscan – Robinson Engineering.

Changes To Agenda – President Brennan announced that agenda item #11C would be pulled off the meetings agenda as it was not yet ready for review.

Review of Minutes – Minutes of Village Board Meeting of January 25, 2011 were reviewed. Trustee Houchens moved, Trustee Parrish seconded the motion to accept the minutes of January 25, 2011 Village Board meeting as presented.
Ayes: Parrish, D. Martin, Mason and Houchens
Nays: None
Absent: Thompson and R. Martin
Motion carried.

Bills and Transfers – Trustee D. Martin moved, Trustee Houchens seconded the motion to approve the Bills and Transfers as presented at the January Committee of The Whole meeting with the addition of the updated open invoices list presented tonight in the amount of $438,009.62.
Ayes: Houchens, Parrish, D. Martin and Mason
Nays: None
Absent: Thompson and R. Martin
Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report – Trustee D. Martin moved, Trustee Houchens seconded the motion to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented.
Ayes: Parrish, Houchens, Mason and D. Martin
Nays: None
Absent: R. Martin and Thompson
Motion carried.

Public Forum
President Brennan opened the public forum at 7:05 p.m. No one came forward; public forum was closed. President Brennan announced that the Minooka Police Officer of the Year Award was to be presented and invited Police Chief Justin Meyer to come forward to do the honors. He also invited Dick Parrish, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. Trustee Thompson entered the meeting at 7:06 p.m.

Chief Meyer presented the Officer of the Year Award to Patrolman Kenneth Briley for exceeding standards in the patrol and community policing levels. His high level of performance has set the example for others to follow. Patrolman Briley has also displayed a willingness to volunteer his time at special events and take on additional responsibilities within the department. He has shown he is a leader among his co-workers. His dedication to duty, professionalism and commitment to excellence reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Minooka Police Department and the Village of Minooka. President Brennan then presented Officer Briley with a plaque proclaiming the Village’s sincere appreciation for his outstanding contribution to making the department as successful as it is today and all through the year 2010. Everyone congratulated Officer Briley for this accomplishment. Officer Briley stated that it was an honor for him to be selected; he said he knew his Sergeant had a big hand putting him in for the position and he thanked Chief Meyer for selecting him. He added that there were a lot of good men and women working for the department and the town and added that it was an honor for him to represent them. President Brennan agreed and added that it was great to see as many as were present to share this honor with Officer Briley, showing the collaboration of the department making him very proud. Trustee Parrish agreed and expressed his appreciation and congratulations as well.

Consent Agenda – Mr. Grabowski read the titles of each item listed on the Consent Agenda and noted that all had been discussed at the Committee of The Whole and were recommended for approval. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Parrish seconded the motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Ayes: D. Martin, Houchens, Parrish, Thompson and Mason
Nays: None
Absent: R. Martin
Motion carried.

• Resolution Approving Letter of Credit Release, Minooka Bible Church (2011R-1417)
• Resolution Approving American Legion Request for Funding of Memorial Day Parade ($1000) (2011R-1418)
• Resolution Approving Grundy County Chamber of Commerce Dues ($1,155) (2011R-1419)
• Resolution Approving Funding Request, Conservation Foundation ($750) (2011R-1420)
• Resolution Amending Snow Removal Contract (2011R-1421)

Old Items
Public Hearing on question of a Proposed Amendment to an Annexation Agreement, Rockefeller Property – Mr. Grabowski noted that the public hearing had been opened at the previous Village Board meeting in January and was continued to work out final details in the agreement. He stated that the agreement would essentially amend the annexation agreement to define the roadway improvements needed and recapture for the improvements, approves a site plan. He asked that the motion to approve the ordinance include that the approval be contingent on the engineer’s approval of the road plans and of the site plan for the property. Mr. Spesia noted that the other item that was discussed was the sewer tap on fee which would be current fee at the time a building permit is pulled. He noted that a letter of default was sent out and upon approval by the Board of the agreement; the Village will get a letter that withdraws that letter of default as it will be remedied by approval of the agreement.

President Brennan asked if there were any questions or comments from the audience. There were none. Trustee D. Martin asked if the landscape plan would be reviewed as well. Mr. Grabowski replied that it would be subject to staff review at the time of permit being pulled. President Brennan then entertained a motion to close the public hearing. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Parrish seconded the motion to close the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
Ayes: D. Martin, Houchens, Thompson, Mason and Parrish
Nays: None
Absent: R. Martin
Motion carried.

Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to an Annexation Agreement, Rockefeller Property – Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Mason seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance Authorizing Execution of an Amendment to an Annexation Agreement (Rockefeller Property) contingent upon review and approval of the McLindon Road design plan and site plan of the property by the Village Engineer.
Ayes: D. Martin, Houchens, Thompson, Mason, Parrish and President Brennan
Nays: None
Absent: R. Martin
Motion carried.

New Items
Ordinance Adding to the Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8, Trespass – Mr. Grabowski noted that it is a trespass on public or private property ordinance which would give our police offices another discretionary option when dealing with minor violations. He reminded everyone that at the previous Board meeting, there was a question about trespassing on private property as a lake. He said that discussion had taken place and it was recommended that posting the area as no trespassing would be the best option. The ordinance will allow the officers to write a local ticket rather than a state ticket. Trustee Houchens asked what committee would determine what was going to be posted and how the determination was going to be made. Mr. Grabowski replied that posting on public property would be taken to the Public Safety Committee and then the Committee of The Whole if that’s what they wanted to do. Hearing no further questions or discussion, President called for a vote on the motion. Trustee Mason moved, Trustee Thompson seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance #2011-06 Addition to Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 2, Section 8, Trespass.
Ayes: Mason, Thompson, Parrish and D. Martin
Nays: Houchens
Absent: R. Martin
Motion carried.

Ordinance Abating the Taxes Levied for the Years 2010 to 2014 to Pay Debt Service on Series 2002 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) of the Village of Minooka, Will County, Grundy County and Kendall County, Illinois – Mr. Grabowski stated that the abatements had been approved at the January 25th Village Board meeting but there had been some question from Will County as to whether this bond that had actually been paid off should be abated as well. He explained that they were listing all the future years this should be abated and sending it to the counties so they know it has been paid off and should be abated in the future.
Trustee D. Martin moved, Trustee Thompson seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance #2011-07 Abating the Taxes Levied for the Years 2010 to 2014 to Pay Debt Service on Series 2002 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) of the Village of Minooka, Will County, Grundy County and Kendall County, Illinois.
Ayes: Thompson, Parrish, D. Martin, Mason and Houchens
Nays: None
Absent: R. Martin
Motion carried.

Staff Reports – Mr. Grabowski noted that on March 3rd at 11:30 a.m. President Brennan will be delivering the State of the Village at the American Legion Hall, upstairs of Skinny’s Bar and Grill and all were invited to attend.

He then announced that along the lines of presenting Officer Briley the Officer of the Year Award, he wanted to bring to the Board’s attention any Village employees who had anniversaries beginning in January and also in February. He read the following names and the number of years of employment with the Village:

• Kiedra Meece 11 years
• John Schavone 4 years
• Denise Byrd 4 years
• Chris Chiavetone 15 years
• John Harrington 4 years
• Sean Wojtczak 3 years
• Robbie Tonarelli 28 years

Liquor Commission Report – Commissioner Brennan had no report.

Annexation Committee Report – Chairman Brennan had nothing to report
.
Executive Session - President Brennan announced that there was no need for an executive session.

As Appropriate – President Brennan noted that the Minooka Showcase would be held at the Minooka High School South Campus on March 12th beginning at 10:00 a.m. Trustee Martin stated that he really appreciated getting the March calendar before the end of February, and he wanted to thank whoever’s idea it was. Mr. Grabowski said he would let Missy Felker know. Trustee Parrish asked if the Board had been brought up to date with what the Community Policing Officer was doing with the NASCAR replica vehicle. Mr. Grabowski replied that he had not and asked Chief Meyer to elaborate. Chief Meyer stated that the vehicle was the 2006 Dodge Charger that had been a police squad that was being shaped to look like a NASCAR by GAVC Automotive students in Morris, IL. It would appear at community events to represent the Village promoting the Community Policing partnerships within the businesses, schools, civic organization and also the citizens of Minooka. With endorsements from IL Special Olympics and the IL Dept. of Transportation, the vehicle will attend special events and promotions for each organization including car shows, parades and trade shows. The project will be funded through sponsors and donations with those donating $250 or more getting their names painted on the vehicle. Trustee Parrish remarked that he thought it would be a great community policing tool.

Hearing nothing further, President Brennan entertained a motion to adjourn. Trustee Thompson moved, Trustee Parrish seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. All voted aye; meeting adjourned.

Mary L. Ray, Village Clerk
Approved March 22, 2011

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