Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees met July 14.
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 | |
| Bob Israel | Trustee | Present | |
| Muriel Collison | Trustee | Present | |
| Heather Ross | Trustee | Present | |
| Johannah Hebl | Trustee | Present | |
| Dan Pepoon | Trustee | Present |
3. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - Jun 23, 2020 7:30 PM
President Frum noted the public can make comments by emailing publiccomments@northbrook.il.us and email responses must be under 200 words.
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Muriel Collison, Trustee
SECONDER: Bob Israel, Trustee
AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon
4. PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
5. MANAGER'S REPORT
Village Manager Rich Nahrstadt noted the Northbrook Village Instagram account went live last week and has over 100 followers. The Pfingsten Road Bridge will be completed next week. He read a statement to the Board from the Chair of the Arts Commission Bruce Bondy, regarding the Plein Air Photography Festival success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Frum thanked the Village staff for hosting a successful Photography Plein Air Photography Festival during the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed gratitude for her fellow Trustees and Village staff for hosting an awesome Fourth of July celebration for the residents of Northbrook.
6. WARRANT LIST
A. Review and Approval of Payments to be Made
Trustee Ciesla Moved for the approval of class A & B Warrants dated June 16, 2020 - June 30, 2020 in the amount of $1,594,243.54.
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 June 29, 2020
Trustee Ciesla Moved for the approval of Frontage Deposit refunds totaling $32,300.00 dated June 29, 2020.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee
SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee
AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon
7. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
A. Commission Reappointment
President Frum noted this is an appointment for Ernest Hampton for the Arts Commission.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Muriel Collison, Trustee
SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee
AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon
B. A Consideration of the Declaration of Disaster Executed by the Village President
President Frum stated she is not requesting the Board extend the Declaration of Disaster at this time and she can issue another declaration if needed in the future.
Village Attorney Steve Elrod noted President Frum issued a Declaration of Disaster due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it will expire at the adjournment of tonight's meeting.
Trustee Hebl commented the Village will continue practicing safety precautions and encourages the public to follow the safety guidelines to decrease the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic crisis.
President Frum clarified that even though the declaration is not being extended by the Board, the Village of Northbrook is still in a COVID-19 pandemic and encourages the public to follow the safety guidelines. Furthermore, the rules and restrictions established by the Governor’s Order are still in effect.
Green Moment
Alanna Gordon discussed how the world issued a global shutdown due to COVID-19, which had a positive effect on the environment. According to the Scientific American, the car emissions were cut by 5% from last year (the largest fall in CO2 emissions). Since people are not flying in airplanes or driving automobiles, the air population has been reduced around the world. US Today reported a 5%-10% drop in air pollutants in New York (50% carbon monoxide drop).
However, they are concerned that the pollution might return to the past increased levels. The retailers fear that reusable bags have caused an uptake in the public using single use plastic bags. In addition, curbside pickup has increased idling in vehicles, which consumes more gas than turning off your car. Furthermore, she encourages the public to continue recycling their plastic bags with the Village Film Recycling Program (recycling receptacles located at the Village Hall or Police Station) and utilize the Terra Cycle program. She encouraged the public to visit gogreennorthbrook.org for more information.
President Frum commented she sent the Board an email regarding the review of Commissions and the Board will be reviewing the Municipal Code related to the Commissions. She requested the Board review the documents and submit changes by August 15, 2020. The changes will be forwarded to each Commission to review and provide feedback. She discussed the Electrical Commission question submitted by Trustee Hebl and noted State Law requires both the Electrical and Plan Commission.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Trustee Israel moved, seconded by Trustee Ciesla to move agenda item 9 (A) and item 10 (A) to the Consent Agenda. On voice vote, all were in favor.
RESULT: ADOPTED [6 TO 0]
MOVER: Bob Israel, Trustee
SECONDER: Kathryn Ciesla, Trustee
AYES: Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon
ABSTAIN: Frum
A. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-86
A Resolution Authoring the Purchase of Water Main Tap and Repair Supplies as Needed from Ziebell Water Service Products Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Illinois; Core & Main LP of St. Louis, Missouri; and Mid-American Water of Wauconda Inc. of Wauconda, Illinois
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-87
A Resolution Authorizing Participation in the ComEd Green Region Program for the Village of Northbrook/Northbrook Park District Prescribed Burn and Community Outreach Project
C. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-88
A Resolution Approving a Budget Amendment and Purchase of Cisco Systems Licenses from Sentinel Technologies
D. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-89
A Resolution Authorizing a Contract for Masonry Repair Consulting Services with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. of Northbrook, Illinois
COMMITTEE REPORTS
9. FINANCE
A. Initial Review - New 6b Property Tax Incentive Request - Incubator Business Facility - 1825 Shermer Road
Tom Poupard, Director of Development & Planning Services, discussed the 6b tax incentive request for the property located at 1825 Shermer Road. The Board previously reviewed a 6b request submitted by Jinny Beauty Supply to purchase and occupy the same building; however, due to the pandemic, Jinny Beauty Supply terminated their contract agreement. The Village has a new applicant, Brit Properties, LLC, which is interested in purchasing the property and requested a 6b tax incentive. The applicant plans to convert the existing building into an “incubator space” for multiple businesses, rather than lease to any one business.
President Frum commented she is in favor of the “incubator space” for multiple businesses. She expressed concern with the applicant maintaining the 6b industrial use requirement.
Trustee Ciesla stated she is in favor of approving the 6b tax incentive; however, she is sad to hear that Jinny Beauty Supply terminated their contract agreement. The “incubator space” for multiple businesses is a new trend that will start increasing in the community.
Trustee Israel stated he agrees with Trustee Ciesla. He expressed the need for more industrial in Northbrook and requested the industrial requirements be added to the agreement with Brit Properties, LLC. Furthermore, he suggested the ICDC review the request in detail and provide feedback.
Trustee Collison stated she is in favor of the “incubator space” for multiple businesses, but not in favor of approving the 6b tax incentive. She expressed concern with no tenants listed on the applicant’s application and questioned the amount of job opportunities the applicant listed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and the Parks District are in great need of funding.
Trustee Ross asked if the Board approved a 6b request at the same property last year. Mr. Poupard responded no. Several residential proposal had been reviewed over the years.
Trustee Ross stated she is in favor of the “incubator space” for multiple businesses. She expressed concern with how the applicant responded to Trustee Israel's questions, such as ensuring compliance with the Cook County minimum wage standard for all employees.
Trustee Hebl stated she agrees with Trustee Ciesla and questioned the use of the “incubator space” for multiple businesses. Furthermore, she agrees with President Frum establishing an industrial requirement and would like to include County employee wage requirements. She is in favor of approving this request if the applicant meets the requirements.
Trustee Pepoon stated he is in favor of approving the request and would like to modify the tax agreement to not allow existing Northbrook businesses to “downsize” and transfer to a 6b incentive property.
Trustee Ciesla commented many businesses have changed their business practices and down sized, due to the pandemic crisis. She noted the Village does not require in any of the lease documents that applicants comply with the Cook County Sick Leave Policy. Furthermore, the property is foreclosed and might remain an eyesore in the community.
President Frum commented they will forward this request to the ICDC, School District, Public Library and Parks District for feedback. Next, the applicants request will come back to the Board with documents for further review.
Mr. Poupard stated they will include an incentive agreement and will continue working with the applicant.
10. PUBLIC WORKS
11. PLANNING/ZONING
A. PRELIMINARY REVIEW - ZONING & DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
1. Preliminary Review of a Request for a Special Permit to Allow a Medical Office for Heal-N-Cure at 1460 Techny Road
Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director of Development and Planning Services discussed a preliminary review for a Special Permit to allow a medical office for Heal-N-Cure at 1460 Techny Road. The applicant is a general practitioner and the medical space is zoned O3. The property is a multi-tenant single-story office with multiple special permits granted for other medical offices. The office will be staffed with two physicians (seven additional staff members) and the parking will be shared with the other tenants. The hours of operation will be Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
President Frum stated the Board has no concerns and will send the request to the Plan Commission.
12. COMMUNITY
13. PUBLIC SAFETY
14. LEGISLATION AND COMMUNICATION
15. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
16. CLOSED SESSION
Trustee Hebl moved seconded by Trustee Ross to go into closed session under section 2(c) 21 for the review and approval of closed session minutes and section 2(c) 6 the sale of land. On voice vote, all were in favor.
17. ADJOURN
President Frum adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m.
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