North Cook News

Village of Lincolnwood President and Board of Trustees met Oct. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order 

President Bass called the Committee of the Whole meeting of the Lincolnwood Board of Trustees to order at 6: 04 P. M., Wednesday, October 16, 2019, in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 6900 North Lincoln Avenue, Village ofLincolnwood, County ofCook and State of Illinois.

On roll call by Deputy Village Clerk Chuck Meyer the following were: 

PRESENT: President Bass, Trustees Sargon, Cope, Klatzco, Ikezoe-Halevi, Patel (6: 13) 

ABSENT: Trustee Hlepas Nickell

A quorum was present.

Also present: Anne Marie Gaura, Village Manager; Chuck Meyer, Assistant Village Manager; Heather McFarland, Assistant to the Village Manager; Jon Bogue, Management Analyst; Steve McNellis, Community Development Director; Doug Hammel, Development Manager; Ben Harris, Accountant; Bob Merkel, Finance Director.

Approval of Minutes 

There were no minutes provided for approval at this meeting.

Regular Business 

1. Discussion Regarding Aging Well

President Bass introduced Elline Eliasoff to speak to the Village Board regarding becoming part ofthe livability communities through AARP. Ms. Eliasoff explained the process for Lincolnwood to become part of the Livability Community.

Trustee Klatzco asked Ms. Eliasoff if she could send the Board more information on the program.

Trustee Sargon asked Village Manager, Anne Gaura, about the cost of staff time. Ms. Gaura stated she is just learning ofthe program and will reach out and contact the municipalities that have implemented this program to understand the implications on staff support.

Trustee Cope was concerned about being an AARP sponsor or endorsing their membership.

There was further discussion on the item.

President Bass thanked Ms. Eliasoff for coming to the meeting and making the presentation and that the Board would consider the program.

2. Discussion Regarding Budget Update

This item was presented by the Robert Merkel, using PowerPoint.

Mr. Merkel spoke about two budgets, last year FY 2018/ 19 budget and the current year and the general fund.

Mr. Merkel went over what was budgeted last year and what was actually spent.

Mr. Merkel explained why expenditures were higher and that it was attributed to retirements and a few other things.

Mr. Merkel talked about what was budgeted for this year for the big projects and went over some FY 2021 budget issues.

Trustee Cope asked about the property tax assessment and how that affects the budget and how to maintain tax levy.

There was further discussion regarding tax bills and levies and evaluations.

Mr. Merkel also spoke ofthe North East Industrial (NEID) TIF which will expire in April and will put properties back on the Equalized Assessed Valuation( EAV).

Trustee Cope asked how the new pension law will affect the Village. Mr. Merkel stated it would increase the pension return.

Mr. Merkel stated the IMRF rate increased as well as health insurance premiums.

Mr. Merkel stated that Truth in Taxation would be on the next Committee ofthe Whole agenda.

3. Discussion Regarding Recording of Committee Meetings and Logistics

This item was presented by Chuck Meyer, Assistant Village Manager, using PowerPoint.

Mr. Meyer did an overview giving information as to which Boards and Commissions are currently televised and what the viewership is.

Mr. Meyer stated the Village looked at what other communities are doing in regards to televising of Boards and Commissions. Mr. Meyer stated that if the Village were to televise

more Boards and Commissions meetings the Village would need to hire one or two more video operators to fulfill the goal. Mr. Meyer also showed a breakdown of the cost for each Board and Commission to be televised.

Mr. Meyer asked for Board direction.

Trustee Klatzco stated it would be nice if the Park and Recreation Board was televised and perhaps the Human Relations Commission.

There was discussion on whether to just do an audio recording or video as well. Trustee Patel stated he was interested in both audio and video.

Trustee Klatzco would like to budget to do them all.

Trustee Sargon stated she would like to start off with Traffic Commission, Human Relations Commission and Park and Recreation Board and then revisit the other Boards and Commissions

at a later date.

Ms. Gaura asked for direction regarding recording versus televising and also asked for clarification regarding recording and televising Traffic Commission, Human Relations Commission and the Park and Recreation Board to which the Board clarified they would like those three Boards and Commissions televised.

Ms. Gaura stated staff would start working on that.

Public Forum

None

Adiournment 

At 7:24 P.M. Trustee Patel moved to adjourn Committee ofthe Whole and move to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Potential Litigation, Per Section 2( c)( 11), seconded by Trustee Sargon.

The motion passed by Voice Vote.

https://www.lincolnwoodil.org/download/Village%20Board%20Meeting/2013%20COTW%20Agendas/2019-10-16-Committee-of-the-Whole-Minutes.pdf