North Cook News

Village of Buffalo Grove President & Board of Trustees met Aug. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER 

President Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Those present stood and pledged allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL 

Roll call indicated the following present: President Smith; Trustees Johnson, Cesario, Ottenheimer, Pike and Weidenfeld. Trustee Stein was absent.

Also present were: Dane Bragg, Village Manager; Patrick Brankin, Village Attorney; Chris Stilling, Deputy Village Manager; Chris Black, Finance Director; Christine Berman, Deputy Finance Director; Art Malinowski, Director of Human Resources; Katie Golbach, Human Resource Management Analyst; Evan Michel, Assistant to the Village Manager; Molly Gillespie, Communications Director; Brett Robinson, Director of Purchasing; Nicole Woods, Director of Community Development; Kyle Johnson, Deputy Director of Public Works/Village Engineer; Jim Warnstedt, Deputy Director of Public Works; Geoff Tollefson, Director of Golf Operations; Fire Chief Baker; and Police Chief Budds.

TRUSTEE REPORTS 

Trustee Johnson noted that this is National Farmer’s Market Week, and noted the Buffalo Grove Farmer’s Market and thanked the numerous volunteers who work tirelessly each week to make it a huge success.

Trustee Johnson also noted various events that will take place during the upcoming Buffalo Grove Days celebration that will take place during Labor Day weekend.

CITIZEN CITATION 

Chief Baker recognized the life-saving actions of Matthew Pangbom and the Buffalo Grove Fire Department personnel who responded to a 9-year-old unresponsive in a local swimming pool on July 15, 2023. Chief Baker then presented Certificates of Appreciation to Mr. Pangbom as well as the members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department who ensured that this 9-year-old is home and healthy today. All were heartily congratulated and thanked by the audience and the Board. Mr. Pangbom thanked the Village for this recognition and noted what an emotional experience it was to be able to help this child. Mr. Pangbom also urged everyone to learn CPR procedures, because you never know when you will need them.

PROMOTION OF SERGEANT MATTHEW MILLS 

Ed McKee, Chair of the Police & Fire Commission reviewed the accomplishments of Sergeant Mills throughout his career with the Buffalo Grove Police Department, after which he administered the Oath of Office to Sergeant Mills. Sergeant Mills’ wife then pinned on his badge as he was congratulated by the audience and the Board.

Sergeant Mills thanked the Board and the Department for this recognition and noted that he is privileged and honored to work with the Village of Buffalo Grove residents and his colleagues in the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

The Committee of the Whole Meeting consisted of staff reports and Board discussion on the listed topics, with staff answering questions from the Board on each topic.

BG MOVING FORWARD UPDATE 

Ms. Gillespie, Mr. Michel and Ms. Woods reported on BG Moving Forward, which encompasses the three interrelated strategic growth initiatives: Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Plan and Community Branding. The presentation provided an update for each project and illustrated how the projects are moving forward. both collectively and individually. Further details are contained in the memo that they wrote to Mr. Bragg on August 3, 2023.

President Smith thanked staff for their efforts, with a special thanks to all of the residents who took the time to participate in these efforts. President Smith also noted that it is not too late to weigh in on these discussions, and urged residents to volunteer in any way that they are able.

MARKET PRESENTATION 

To help lay the groundwork for the economic development elements of the Comprehensive Plan, Christian Beaudoin from Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) presented a snapshot of regional market trends. Mr. Beaudoin was the market analysis expert on the Lake Cook Corridor Plan consultant team. The presentation provided a broader understanding of the current trends and forecast for retail, commercial, residential, office, and industrial markets.

2024 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 

Mr. Johnson and Mr. Warnstedt provided an overview of the Capital Improvement Program requests received for the 2024 budget cycle, details of which are contained in the memo that Mr. Johnson sent to Mr. Bragg dated August 1, 2023.

GENERAL WAGE INCREASE 

Mr. Malinowski reviewed the non-represented General Wage Increase and Merit Pool Recommendation to maintain the Village’s strategic pay structure and pay-for-performance program, details of which are contained in the memo that he and Ms. Golbach sent to Mr. Bragg dated August 7, 2023.

SUNSET HOME RULE & UTILITY TAXES 

Mr. Black reviewed the Sunset Home Rule and Utility Taxes, details of which are contained in his memo to Mr. Bragg dated August 7, 2023. In 2004, the Village Board adopted Ordinance No. 2004-16 amending Chapter 3.40 of the Municipal Code to increase the Home Rule Sales Tax by 0.5% to 1.0% effective July 1, 2004. Within the recitals of the ordinance was a requirement that by January 2006 and each January thereafter, a review is to be undertaken to determine if the rate should remain at the current level.

FY 2023 BUDGET – SIX-MONTH STATUS UPDATE 

Mr. Black reviewed the 2023 Budget Six-Month Status Update, details of which are contained in his memo to Mr. Bragg of August 1, 2023. This revenue and expenditure report provides an overview of current year performance measured against the 2023 Budget and the prior year’s six-month totals and provides information to make any necessary adjustments in spending and service delivery to respond to an unanticipated revenue decline or unforeseen expenditures.

2024 PROPERTY TAX LEVY 

Mr. Black reviewed the Preliminary 2024 Property Tax Levy, details of which are contained in his memo of August 7, 2023, to Mr. Bragg. Staff is developing a recommendation for the FY 2023 Property Tax Levy to be extended and collected in 2024, in conjunction with the development of the FY 2024 Village Budget.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

President Smith 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 none.

ADJOURNMENT 

Moved by Weidenfeld, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn the meeting. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:

AYES: 5 – Johnson, Cesario, Ottenheimer, Pike, Weidenfeld

NAYS: 0 – None

ABSENT: 1 – Stein

Motion declared carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.

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