North Cook News

Village of Buffalo Grove Committee of the Whole met Oct. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

President Sussman called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Those present stood and pledged allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

Roll call indicated the following present: President Sussman; Trustees Stein, Ottenheimer, Weidenfeld, Johnson, Smith and Pike.

Also present were: Dane Bragg, Village Manager; Jenny Maltas, Deputy Village Manager; Patrick Brankin, Village Attorney; Andrew Brown, Deputy Finance Director; Art Malinowski, Director of Human Resources; Katie Golbach, Human Resources Management Analyst; Evan Michel, Management Analyst; Brett Robinson, Director of Purchasing; Chris Stilling, Deputy Village Manager; Nicole Woods, Deputy Director of Community Development; Rati Akash, Village Planner; Darrin Monico, Village Engineer; Mike Reynolds, Director of Public Works; Geoff Tollefson, Director of Golf Operations; Julie Dziewior, Deputy Clerk; Police Chief Casstevens; Deputy Police Chief Eisenmenger; Fire Chief Baker; and Deputy Fire Chief Wagner.

The Committee of the Whole Meeting consisted of staff reports and Board discussion on the following topics.

ONLINE PROCUREMENT

Mr. Robinson reviewed the use of Vendor Registry for the publication and distribution of bids and requests for proposals. This registry publishes formal procurement documents online, allows staff to track existing vendors and source new suppliers for goods and services, and provides the ability to manage contracts online internally while also publishing contracts. Further details may be found in Mr. Robinson’s memo to Mr. Bragg of October 3, 2019.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE

Mrs. Akash reviewed the Community Development software solutions, which were the result of research, discussions with other communities, and demonstrations from vendors. The proposed software will serve as a catalyst for making permit process improvements more efficient and effective. The proposed $240,000.00 expenditure will be an efficient cloud-based presented solution, catering to both the department and community needs. Further details of this proposal may be found in Mrs. Akash’s memo to Mr. Bragg of October 3, 2019.

In answer to President Sussman, the majority of the Board was in favor of the expenditure.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

Mr. Michel reviewed the proposal for whether or not the Board wishes to pursue and allocate resources to the development of a comprehensive community engagement strategy, details of which may be found in is memo to Mr. Bragg of August 1, 2019. After discussion, it was determined that the Board is agreeable to the formation of a committee to develop a comprehensive community engagement strategy.

LEXINGTON/ARMSTRONG INTERSECTION

Mr. Monico reviewed the current turning restrictions at the intersection of Lexington and Armstrong, details of which are contained in his memo to Ms. Maltas of March 14, 2019. The Board and Chief Casstevens are in favor of Mr. Monico’s option to remove all turning restrictions at that intersection.

COMMUNICATION PLANNING

Ms. Maltas reviewed the options concerning Communications Planning, details of which are contained in her memo to the Board of July 23, 2019.

2020 WAGE POOL

Mr. Malinowski reviewed the background and staff recommendation for the 2020 Wage Pool, details of which are contained in the memo from him and Ms. Golbach to Mr. Bragg dated October 3, 2019.

2020 TAX LEVY

Mr. Brown reviewed the 2020 Tax Levy, details of which are contained in the Village Board Meeting Agenda Item Overview as well as his memo to Mr. Bragg of October 3, 2019.

LOCAL MOTOR FUEL TAX

Mr. Stilling reviewed the background of a proposed municipal gas tax and noted that staff is seeking Board feedback on a municipal gas tax rate, details of which are contained in his memo to Mr. Bragg of October 3, 2019.

After Board discussion, President Sussman polled the Board as to what, if any, municipal gas tax would be acceptable:

$.00 - Ottenheimer, Smith, Sussman

$.01 - Stein, Weidenfeld

$.02 - Johnson, Pike

WATER RATE AND DEBT STRATEGTY

Mr. Brown presented a background on the water/sewer rate analysis prepared by Strand and Associates. Staff is recommending the Village implement a fixed facility fee per metered utility account. Consistent with the recommendation from Strand and Associates, staff proposes establishing a monthly fixed facility fee of $17.39 ($9.26 water and $8.13 sewer). By utilizing debt, the Village is now proposing a one-time 11% increase to the water/sewer rate in 2020. These increases will fully support the debt services needed for capital infrastructure improvements and have no impact on the tax levy. Further details may be found in his memo to Mr. Bragg of October 2, 2019. The Board agreed with staff recommendations.

QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

President Sussman reviewed the parameters to be followed by speakers and asked if there were any questions from the audience on items not on tonight’s agenda; there were no such questions.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Moved by Weidenfeld, seconded by Ottenheimer, to move to Executive Session to discuss Section 2(C)(5) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act: (5) the Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the use of the Public Body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:

AYES: 6 – Stein, Ottenheimer, Weidenfeld, Johnson, Smith, Pike 

NAYS: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

The Board moved to Executive Session from 9:30 P.M. until 9:51 P.M.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Johnson, seconded by Smith, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, the motion was unanimously declared carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 P.M.

http://buffalogrovevillageil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=1471&Inline=True