North Cook News

Village of South Barrington Finance Committee met March 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 2:04 pm by Committee Chairman Stagno.

ROLL CALL 

Members Present: Chairman Stagno, Trustee Joe Abbate and Trustee Bernard Kerman.

Members Absent: None.

Others present: Mayor Paula McCombie, Trustee Edgar Alvarado, Trustee Steve Guranovich, Treasurer Michelle Bodie and Administrator Bob Palmer.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

No public present for comment.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Trustee Abbate made a Motion to approve the Finance Committee Minutes of January 6, 2020. Trustee Kerman seconded the motion. By unanimous voice vote, the Motion passed.

AGENDA ITEMS 

1. Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Preparation Review Bodie reviewed the proposed Revenues and Expenditures of approximately $7.3 million. Bodie reviewed the cash balance on page 17 of the review as well as the cash balances in all the existing funds. Stagno noted the increase in legal expenses. Bodie referred to page 9 of the report and noted the amount was less than the prior year. Mayor McCombie explained the necessity for allocation of funds and commented on the pending of enforcement of property maintenance issues at Bartlett and Higgins Road. Alvarado commented on the recovery of some legal expenses. Bodie confirmed that recovery has taken place in cases such as the recent issue with a short term rental ordinance violation. Mayor McCombie commented on the number of properties that are in violation of the short term rental ordinance and also the upcoming issue with small cell wireless antennas. Bodie continued the review commenting on the transfer of $600k in funds to the road program. Alvarado commented on capital projects. Bodie explained some of the projects being discussed, such as monument welcome signs and security cameras at locations throughout the Village. Kerman confirmed that the road program also included crack sealing.

2. IMRF Employer Retirement Reserve Statement for Regular and SLP Accounts Bodie gave an overview of the reserve statement noting the employees in IMRF and also that there is one employee in SLEP. Employees are "pensionable" at age 55.

3. Bond Reduction C1 & C2 Arboretum (Public Improvements) Palmer explained that the Village Engineer had reviewed the public improvements that the Arboretum was responsible for in the development of the Charles Schwab building and that a reduction in the posted bond would be appropriate, however the Cook County Assessor is showing that the property in question has a delinquent tax liability (which is believed to be in error). Until the tax liability issue is cleared up the bond reduction will not proceed. Motion was made by Abbate to recommend to the Village Board to follow the recommendation of the Village Engineer for bond reduction C1 & C2 Arboretum following the clearance of tax liability with Cook County. Second was made by Kerman. On a voice vote the motion was approved.

4. Village Monument Signs Trustee Guranovich presented four sign locations and explained that an additional location would be in conjunction with the Arboretum property at Rt. 59 and Higgins. Discussion regarding the purpose, cost and materials for the signs. Mayor McCombie suggested a special meeting to focus on discussing the aspects of the signs and what they would mean for the Village. Kerman suggested looking at the signs in terms of a return on investment and what that would be. Guranovich will work on alternate sign designs, it was also noted that the signs due to their location would be limited to 33 square feet.

MAYOR'S REPORT 

Mayor McCombie reviewed work on emergency management, a proposal for an electronic billboard and a meeting held with the Arboretum to discuss the existing sales tax rebate.

STAFF REPORTS 

Village Administrator Palmer reported on the seasonal snowfall, 15 snow and related events with Cuba Township, 19 mailboxes reported to be damaged by snowplows and 3 reports of turf damage. Palmer also reported that a stop sign on Bridges Drive had been repaired by the Park District. Finance Director Bodie had no further items to report on outside the regular Finance Committee Agenda.

OLD BUSINESS 

No old business.

NEW BUSINESS 

No new business.

ADJOURNMENT 

Having no further business, Trustee Kerman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Abbate seconded the motion. By unanimous voice vote, the motion passed, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:37 PM.

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