Wilmette Village President and Board of Trustees met July 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Village Clerk Timothy J. Frenzer called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
1.0 Roll Call
Trustees Julie Wolf, Daniel E. Sullivan, Jr., Senta Plunkett, Joel Kurzman, Stephen M. Leonard
Absent Kathy Dodd
President Bob Bielinski
Staff Present: Timothy J. Frenzer, Village Manager
Michael Braiman, Assistant Village Manager Jeffrey M. Stein, Corporation Counsel Barbara Hirsch, Deputy Village Clerk John Prejzner, Assistant Director of Administrative Services Brigitte Berger-Raish, Director of Engineering & Public Works Fire Chief Michael McGreal Deputy Fire Chief Benjamin Wozney Deputy Fire Chief Robert Brill Brian King, Chief of Police Kyle Perkins, Deputy Chief of Police
Village Clerk Timothy Frenzer noted that President Bielinski was absent this evening and asked for nominations for a President pro tem.
Trustee Sullivan nominated Trustee Wolf, seconded by Trustee Plunkett. There were no objections and President pro tem Wolf proceeded to preside over the meeting.
2.0 Public Comment
Lali Watt, 811 Chilton Lane, said she was representing the League of Women Voters, and is speaking to let the Village Board know that the League of Women Voters of Wilmette and the Wilmette community remain interested in the issues of the Cook County Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Ordinances. She urged the Village Board to move expediently and thoughtfully to study the issues thoroughly and to do everything possible to keep the community informed.
Trustee Wolf said the Village Board has submitted their questions to staff regarding the issues and they will keep the community informed.
Ms. Watt asked what the best way was for residents to submit questions to the Village Board.
Mr. Frenzer said the Village Board will set up a committee meeting at which time it will be advisable to solicit public input and comment on those questions.
Trustee Sullivan asked how many communities have opted out of Cook County’s ordinances at this time.
Mr. Frenzer said he believed 110 communities have opted out at this time of approximately 132 communities.
3.0 Consent Agenda
Trustee Kurzman asked to remove item 3.18 from the Consent Agenda.
Trustee Sullivan moved approval of the remaining items of the Consent Agenda as follows:
3.1 Approval of minutes of the Regular Board meeting held July 11, 2017.
Land Use Committee Consent Agenda
3.2 Presentation of minutes of the Appearance Review Commission meeting held June 5, 2017.
3.3 Presentation of minutes of the Plan Commission meeting held June 6, 2017.
3.4 Presentation of minutes of the Land Use Committee meeting held July 26, 2016.
3.5 Presentation of minutes of the Land Use Committee meeting held December 12, 2016.
3.6 Presentation of minutes of the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held June 21, 2017.
3.7 Introduction of Ordinance#2017-O-44 amending Chapter 20, Article 16 of the Village Code Sign Ordinance.
3.8 Request To Remand Back To The Zoning Board Of Appeals Meeting September 19, 2017 - Zoning Board of Appeals Report, Case #2017-Z-31, 808 Linden Avenue (St. Francis Xavier School) regarding a request for a special use and variations to permit the Construction Of A Two- Story Addition.
3.9 Request To Table To August 22, 2017 Regular Village Board Meeting - Plan Commission Report, Case #2017-P-03, 730 Romona Road regarding a request for tentative plat approval for a two-lot subdivision.
Finance Committee Consent Agenda
3.10 Adoption of Resolution #2017-R-19 declaring the Village of Wilmette’s official intent to reimburse certain capital expenditures from the proceeds of future debt issues.
Administration Committee Consent Agenda
3.11 Presentation of minutes of the Transportation Commission meeting held December 15, 2016.
3.12 Recommendation of appointment of Cameron Krueger to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners from July 25, 2017 to July 25, 2020-Waiver of rules; Appointment of Cameron Krueger to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners from July 25, 2017 to July 25, 2020.
3.13 Notice of vacancy on the Electrical Commission due to the resignation of Michael McGreal.
3.14 Recommendation of appointment of Benjamin Wozney to the Electrical Commission from August 22, 2017 to August 22, 2021.
Municipal Services Committee Consent Agenda
3.15 Approval of contract in the amount of $38,900 with McCann Industries Inc., Addison, IL for purchase of asphalt roller and trailer.
3.16 Approval of contract in the amount not to exceed $32,700 with Hutchinson Design Group, Ltd., Barrington, IL for professional design and project management services associated with the Village Hall roof replacement project.
3.17 Approval of contract in the amount not to exceed $129,535 with RJN, Wheaton, IL for smoke testing services.
3.19 Introduction of Ordinance #2017-O-43 amending Chapter 15 of the Village Code concerning encroachments in public easements.
3.20 Adoption of Resolution #2017-R-18 approving a Local Agency Agreement for Federal participation Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement for Federal participation for the Locust Road Improvements, Phase II design services.
Judiciary Committee Consent Agenda
3.21 Adoption of Resolution #2017-R-20 approving a third amendment to the ground lease between the Village of Wilmette and New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC.
Trustee Plunkett seconded the motion. Voting yes: Trustees Sullivan, Plunkett, Kurzman, Leonard and President pro tem Wolf. The motion carried.
4.0 Reports Of Officers:
4.1 Recognition of Deputy Chief Tom Robertson for his service to the Village.
Fire Chief Michael McGreal thanked Deputy Chief Tom Robertson for his service to the Village and summarized his accomplishments with the Fire Department.
4.2 Recognition of Fire Chief Michael McGreal for his service to the Village.
Village Manager Timothy Frenzer thanked Chief McGreal for his years of service and summarized his accomplishments with the Fire Department.
4.3 Promotion of Michael Scheetz to Lieutenant, James Bentz to Duty Chief and Robert Brill to Deputy Chief.
Village Clerk Timothy Frenzer issued the Oath of Office to Michael Scheetz, James Bentz, and Robert Brill and congratulated them on their promotions.
4.4 Appointment of Benjamin Wozney as Chief of the Wilmette Fire Department effective August 3, 2017.
Village Clerk Timothy Frenzer issued the Oath of Office to Fire Chief Benjamin Wozney and congratulated him on his new position effective August 3, 2017.
5.0 Report Of Liquor Control Commissioner:
No Report
6.0 Standing Committee Reports:
6.1 Land Use Standing Committee Report
All items listed on the Consent Agenda
6.2 Finance Standing Committee Report
All items listed on the Consent Agenda
6.3 Administration Standing Committee Report
All items listed on the Consent Agenda
6.4 Municipal Services Standing Committee Report
3.18 Approval of contract in the amount not to exceed $49,385 with Stantec, Chicago, IL for Supplemental Analysis of the Separate Storm Sewer System Study.
Trustee Sullivan moved approval of contract in the amount not to exceed $49,385 with Stantec, Chicago, IL for Supplemental Analysis of the Separate Storm Sewer System Study, seconded by Trustee Plunkett.
Brigitte Berger-Raish, Director of Engineering and Public Works, said following the Stantec presentation at the June 26, 2017 Committee of the Whole meeting, Village staff solicited stormwater questions from the Village Board to ensure there was adequate opportunity to evaluate all suggestions and options to address stormwater in west Wilmette. In addition to responding to Trustee questions, Stantec will summarized the impacts, costs and benefits of four stormwater project alternatives. These items are not included in Stantec’s scope of work for the Value-Engineering Study and therefore require the proposed separate contract. The proposed contract will include meeting with Village staff and developing responses to 24 Trustee questions, development of updated menu of alternatives, analysis of local flood mitigation options and a meeting with the Village Board.
President pro tem Wolf asked Trustee Kurzman for comment as he removed the item from the Consent Agenda.
Trustee Kurzman said the previous Committee of the Whole meeting went late into the evening and he believes there was a lack of clarity about what exactly the reduced cost option of the alternatives are. His underlying concern based on resident feedback, is the possibility that some of the new alternatives being injected into the mix, might favor one neighborhood over another and he is concerned about them all. He is looking for clarification on the items and also some assurance that we are addressing all two year flood neighborhoods.
Ms. Berger-Raish said the purpose of the proposed contract is to develop those answers, so she is not able to provide answers regarding the cost of the alternative plans.
Trustee Leonard asked why the decision was to go with Stantec rather than CBBEL regarding the proposed contract.
Ms. Berger-Raish said the real value that Stantec can bring is a new way to look at the costs and benefits of these projects. We already have the benefit through the three years that the Municipal Services Committee has studied this issue, and have seen the costs and benefits that CBBEL has provided so Stantec will provide a new perspective.
Trustee Kurzman asked what changes would be considered for Alternative Four of the Value Engineering Study.
Joe Johnson, Stantec, said they have all the information for Alternative One. Alternative Three is a lesser level of service and does not reach the full ten year level of protection but provides some benefit to specific neighborhoods. They will present the comparison results, specifically in terms of the level of improvement provided in the reduction and inundation areas. The hybrid is to blend those two and find out if there are elements to be added to Alternative Three to increase the level of service. Alternative Four is to look outside of the box and see if there are areas on the west side of Wilmette where we can drastically improve flooding without necessarily having to build 44,000 feet of pipe across the whole west side. A key driver is the length of sewer that has to be constructed. He said if they dramatically reduce the cost, they will not achieve the ten year level of service across the whole west side. They will provide four different scenarios to the Village Board in September.
Trustee Kurzman said he would like to say for the record, how potentially perilous it could be where proposals will come in that put some neighborhoods up to 10 year flood protection, which is seemingly standard for all neighborhoods east of Ridge Road and some neighborhoods west of Ridge Road, for a project that will help some areas and not others. He is very concerned about that, even with appreciating the out of the box thinking that will go into the design of it.
Trustee Leonard said as Stantec is evaluating the out of the box ideas, what is the minimum standard they will consider to be successful.
Mr. Johnson said the criteria they have used in other areas that they would present to the Village Board, is to keep water off the street for the 10 year storm and that analysis has already been done. The next tiers would be to see if we can minimize the risk of structure flooding and make sure all the streets are passable for emergency vehicle access.
Trustee Leonard asked if Mr. Johnson has discussed the emergency vehicle access with the Fire Department.
Mr. Johnson said he has not had that discussion yet but that will be an important discussion to have before they proceed with the criteria.
Ms. Berger-Raish said she has had previous conversations with the Fire and Police Departments and she wanted to assure residents that there is no doubt that first responders will get to residents that need them. Their concern is that the Village has very expensive public safety equipment and they do not want to jeopardize the equipment by going through flood waters.
President pro tem Wolf said the purpose of the proposed contract is to provide information for a future Committee of the Whole meeting. If the contract is approved this evening, there should be sufficient time to have the information for a September meeting.
Trustee Sullivan said he will support the contract as the Stormwater project is important to the Village. It is a big project that will impact residents fiscally and the information will provide him with more information to provide an educated decision on the project.
Trustee Plunkett said she will support the approval of the contract because the Stormwater project is the largest one to be considered by the Village Board. She would like as much information as a Trustee and a resident for specific water and flooding issues to make an informed decision.
Trustee Kurzman said he has expressed his concerns and he does not want to be an impediment to the process so he will support the proposed contract.
Trustee Leonard said he shared some of Trustee Kurzman’s concerns and he appreciates the information provided so that he better understands exactly what the Village is trying to achieve with the proposed contract. He will support the proposed contract.
Voting yes: Trustees Sullivan, Plunkett, Kurzman, Leonard and Pro tem Wolf. Voting no: none. The motion carried.
6.5 Public Safety Standing Committee Report
All items listed on the Consent Agenda
6.6 Judiciary Standing Committee Report
All items listed on the Consent Agenda
6.7 Reports From Special Committees
No Reports
7.0 New Business
No Report
8.0 Matters Referred To Standing Committees
8.1 Review text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
8.2 Review adding group homes for private school students as a permitted or special use in the residential zoning districts.
8.3 Review Westlake Plaza Local Sign Ordinance regulations
9.0 Adjournment
Trustee Sullivan moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m., seconded by Trustee Plunkett. All voted aye, the motion carried.
https://www.wilmette.com/download/agendas_and_minutes/village_board/minutes/2017/7-25-17.pdf
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