Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees met April 28

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Jun 2, 2020

Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees met April 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. ROLL CALL

Attendee Name

Title

Status

Arrived

Sandra Frum

Village President

Present

Kathryn Ciesla

Trustee

Present

7:40 PM

Bob Israel

Trustee

Present

Muriel Collison

Trustee

Present

Heather Ross

Trustee

Present

Johannah Hebl

Trustee

Present

Dan Pepoon

Trustee

Present

2. STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY ELROD

Village Attorney Steve Elrod presented information regarding the March 16, 2020 order by Governor Pritzker regarding modifying the Open Meetings Act. He stated there was nothing to stop the Board from conducting a virtual meeting.

3. MINUTES APPROVAL

A. Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - Apr 14, 2020 11:30 AM

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee

SECONDER: Muriel Collison, Trustee

AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

4. PUBLIC HEARING

A. A Public Hearing for FY 2020/21 Annual Budget

Deputy Village Manager/CFO Jeff Rowitz discussed the Budget for FY20 and FY21 with the Board. On March 10, 2020, the General Fund had a surplus balance of $100,000. They anticipate revenues will be $3.7 million less next year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In addition, due to the updated revenue projection $1.5 million in expenditures was removed from the General Fund for next year. Furthermore, $2.1 million will be used from the surplus reserves for FY21. The Board will continue to review revenue and expenses and make needed adjustments.

The General Fund reserve is currently projected to have a balance of $19.1 million by April 30, 2021. He discussed several capital projects that have been re-prioritized. The water and sewer rates are planned to increase by 10% starting October 1, 2020. The Board will discuss this further at a Committee of the Whole meeting this summer. The parking rate increase is planned to take effect on May 1, 2020. The total budget for the Village of Northbrook is $94,938,002 and the General Fund is $45,948,595.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT TIME

President Frum noted the public can make comments by emailing publiccomments@northbrook.il.us and email responses must be under 200 words.

6. MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Rich Nahrstadt discussed how the Village received new flyers from the North Suburb Legal Aid Clinic, which were distributed to the community. The draft schedule was sent out regarding COW topics and he is requesting feedback from the Board.

Trustee Hebl asked about the structure of the library and if schools need assistance with graduations during the COVID-19. Mr. Nahrstadt responded the schools are exploring graduation ideas and will be further discussed during the task force meeting tomorrow. President Frum noted the library is, in part, replacing the windows and the project is going very fast due to the building being empty.

7. WARRANT LIST

A. Payments to be Made Per Listing Dated April 1, 2020 - April 15, 2020 (Alpha & Descending Lists)

Trustee Ciesla Moved for the approval of class A & B Warrants dated April 1, 2020 - April 15, 2020 in the amount of $1,212,532.49.

Trustee Hebl asked if the two IT expenditures for $28,000.00 and $32,000.00 were COVID-19 related. Furthermore, asked if the charges for the parking machines will be reduced for the month of May due to lower activity. Mr. Rowitz responded the parking charges will be reduced due to the reduced usage in the commuter lots. The Village made a payment to Dell for $23,000, which was COVID-19 related for employees who work remotely and a check was sent to CDW in the amount of $36,000 for server storage, which was approved by Resolution on March 10. Trustee Hebl asked if the vans can be parked overnight in the parking lot. Manager Nahrstadt responded one of the vans belongs to a resident who lives in the condominium building next door and owns a contracting business. Currently, the parking lot allows free parking after 10 a.m. and there is no policy regarding overnight parking.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee

SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee

AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

B. Review of Frontage Deposit List Dated April 14, 2020

Trustee Ciesla Moved for the approval of Frontage Deposit refunds totaling $9,500.00 dated April 14, 2020.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee

SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee

AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

8. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A. A Consideration of the Extension of the Declaration of Disaster Executed by the Village President

President Frum discussed how the Declaration of Disaster expires at the end of tonight’s meeting. She is requesting the Board extend to the end of the next Board meeting on May 12, 2020.

Village Attorney Steve Elrod discussed how the Declaration of Disaster lasts seven days. The Village President has entered several orders pursuant to the declaration and the Village Board has the authority to extend the time period for the declaration. The Governor will be issuing a new order to extend the Stay at Home provisions until May 31, 2020. The new Governor’s order will be in effect on May 1, 2020, which will allow some State parks to reopen, golfing will be allowed and several businesses that were closed will now reopen to the public for pick-up or curbside delivery. Regarding facemasks, the Governor’s order requests ages two years+ wear facemasks and President Frum’s order requests ages five years+ wear facemasks. Furthermore, they will be modifying President Frum’s order to insure it is consistent with the Governor’s order.

Trustee Ciesla asked if other municipalities have stopped the Emergency order. Attorney Elrod responded he is unaware of any municipalities that have discontinued the Emergency order.

Trustee Pepoon asked if the driving range is open. President Frum responded the driving range is still closed.

President Frum asked for a motion to extend the Declaration to the adjournment of the May 12, 2020 regular Board of Trustees meeting.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Bob Israel, Trustee

SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee

AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

UPDATE:

President Frum noted the cancellation of the Memorial Day celebration, and the Fourth of July Fireworks was rescheduled for Labor Day weekend. The Village will be hosting a mask distribution on Thursday for residents of Northbrook.

Trustee Ciesla discussed having the Trustees visit businesses to encourage COVID-19 safety precautions during the pandemic. She would like to post videos and photos on the website showing several businesses practicing COVID-19 safety precautions in Northbrook.

Trustee Hebl asked what resources are available for high school students to gain jobs skills or fun activities during summer break.

Trustee Ciesla asked if the Arts Commission’s requests are included in the budget. President Frum responded there is money available from the Friends of the Arts to move forward with some of the projects.

9. CONSENT AGENDA

RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]

MOVER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee

SECONDER: Bob Israel, Trustee

AYES: Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

ABSTAIN: Frum

A. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-38

A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of an Agreement for Cemetery Burials & Related Service with Property Werks of Northern Illinois Inc. D/B/A Professional Cemetery Services of Dundee, Illinois

B. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-39

A Resolution Authorizing Renewal of the Contract for Cemetery Landscape Maintenance with BrightView Landscape Services, LLC of Chicago, Illinois

C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-40

A Resolution Approving a Plat of Resubdivision for 1355 Rosemary Lane and 1375 Rosemary Lane (Plan Commission Docket No. PCD-20-03)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

10. FINANCE

A. ORDINANCE NO. 2020-17

An Ordinance Adopting the Municipal Budget of the Village of Northbrook, County of Cook, State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2020 and Ending April 30, 2021

Trustee Ciesla made a motion to approve the Northbrook municipal budget for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. On roll call Trustee Ciesla moved, second by Trustee Israel. On voice all in favor.

RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]

MOVER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee

SECONDER: Bob Israel, Trustee

AYES: Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

ABSTAIN: Frum

B. ORDINANCE NO. 2020-18

An Ordinance Adopting the Budget of the Northbrook Public Library, County of Cook, State of Illinois for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2020 and Ending April 30, 2021

Trustee Ciesla made a motion to approve the library budget for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. On roll call Trustee Ciesla moved, second by Trustee Pepoon. On voice all in favor.

RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]

MOVER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee

SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee

AYES: Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

ABSTAIN: Frum

PUBLIC WORKS

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-41

A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Alpha Building Services Inc. of Bridgeview, Illinois for Custodial Maintenance Services at Certain Village Buildings

Trustee Hebl requested the custodians use the appropriate sanitation supplies and wear the proper protective equipment during COVID-19.

RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]

MOVER: Bob Israel, Trustee

SECONDER: Muriel Collison, Trustee

AYES: Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon

ABSTAIN: Frum

12. PLANNING/ZONING

A. PRELIMINARY REVIEW - ZONING & DEVELOPMENT

APPLICATIONS

13. COMMUNITY

14. PUBLIC SAFETY

15. LEGISLATION AND COMMUNICATION