North Cook News

Village of Bartlett Village Board met Oct. 1

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER

President Wallace called the regular meeting of October 1, 2024, of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bartlett to order on the above date at 7:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski, and President Wallace

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT: Village Administrator Paula Schumacher, Assistant Village Administrator Scott Skrycki, Assistant to the Village Administrator Sam Hughes, Human Resources Director Janelle Terrance, Finance Director Todd Dowden, Director of Public Works Dan Dinges, Assistant Public Works Director Tyler Isham, Public Works Engineer Nick Talarico, Planning & Development Director Kristy Stone, Head Golf Professional Phil Lenz, Chief Geoff Pretkelis, Deputy Chief Rob Sweeney, Deputy Chief Will Naydenoff, Village Attorney Kurt Asprooth, and Village Clerk Lorna Giless.

3. INVOCATION – Reverend Andrew Weiss from Faith World Outreach

4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

5. CONSENT AGENDA

President Wallace stated that all items marked with an asterisk on the agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. He further stated that there will be no separate discussion of these items unless a board member so requests, in which event, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered at the appropriate point on the agenda. He asked if there were any items a board member wished to remove from the Consent Agenda, or any items a board member wished to add to the Consent Agenda.

Trustee Deyne stated that he would like to add item 12.F. 1 to the Consent Agenda – Ordinance 2024-102-R, A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Hanover Park and the Village of Bartlett for an Emergency Water Interconnection.

Trustee Hopkins stated that he would like to add item 12.D. 1, 2, 3, & 4, to the Consent Agenda - Ordinance 2024-96, An Ordinance Amending Section 3-3-2-6 of the Bartlett Liquor Control Ordinance regarding the number of Class C Extended Licenses, Ordinance 2024-97, An Ordinance Amending Section 3-3-2-1 of the Bartlett Liquor Control Ordinance regarding the number of Class A Licenses, Ordinance 2024-98, An Ordinance Amending Section 3-3-2-21 of the Bartlett Liquor Control Ordinance regarding the number of Class V Licenses, and Ordinance 2024-99, Ordinance Amending Section 1-6-4-2 of the Bartlett Municipal Code Regarding the Order of Business for the Village Board of Trustees. 

Trustee Suwanski stated that she would like to add item 12.E. 1 to the Consent Agenda – Resolution 2024-100-R, A Resolution Authorizing Participation as a Member in the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System Response Pursuant to an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Establishment of a Mutual Aid Intergovernmental Service Agreement.

President Wallace then recited each item that was on the Consent Agenda, including the nature of the matters being considered and other information to inform the public of matters being voted upon. He then stated that he would entertain a motion to Amend the Consent Agenda, and the items designated to be approved by Consent therein.

Trustee Deyne moved to Approve the Amended Consent Agenda and that motion was seconded by Trustee Hopkins.

ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS THEREIN

AYES: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

Trustee Deyne moved to Approve the Amended Consent Agenda and that motion was seconded by Trustee LaPorte.

ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDED CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSENT ITEMS THEREIN

AYES: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

6. MINUTES – Covered and approved under the Consent Agenda.

7. BILL LIST – Covered and approved under the Consent Agenda.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT - None

9. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

A. President Wallace read a Proclamation for Arts DuPage.

B. National Night Out Video

Mayor Wallace thanked everyone involved in putting the video presentation together and said it was done very well.

Chief Pretkelis thanked the Board, Department Heads, and all staff who worked together to make the event such a success. He went on to acknowledge the connections and relationships with residents and businesses and stated that’s what makes Bartlett so special.

10. QUESTION/ANSWER: PRESIDENT & TRUSTEES

Trustee Deyne recognized staff on their birthdays and anniversaries.

Trustee Deyne mentioned the Public Works Open House which will be taking place on October 5, 2024, from 11am-2pm at 1150 Bittersweet Drive Bartlett, IL 60103. Trustee Deyne encouraged people to attend.

Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated this was the first time that the Department was hosting an Open House. He stated they have a map to assist residents/guests to know where to go. He went on to say that they’ll have refreshments such as water, coffee, donuts etc. for attendees.

Trustee Deyne also mentioned that the Fire Station on West Bartlett Road is also hosting an Open House on October 5, 2024, from 10am-2pm.

Trustee Gunsteen asked Head Golf Professional Phil Lenz how things were going at the Golf Course as we’re rounding out the season. Head Golf Professional Phil Lenz stated that things are going well and that the weather has been very cooperative this season.

Trustee Hopkins stated that he’d been tasked with handing out Thank You Letters from Bartlett Elementary. He went on to say that there were a few second-grade classrooms that came to Village Hall today for a mock board meeting.

Village Administrator Paula Schumacher stated that it was great to have them visit. The students got to be Mayor and Trustees and make/vote on policies such as extending recess as well as their favorite candy. She went on to say that the students got to work the Police squad siren as well.

Trustee Hopkins stated that his daughter came home all smiles and said that they had a great time. He thanked staff for putting it together and hosting the students.

Trustee Suwanski thanked the Rotary, the Lions, and the Chamber of Commerce, and all the volunteers for a great Oktoberfest.

Mayor Wallace stated it was a successful event with a great turnout. He thanked the Police Department for doing a good job directing traffic.

Trustee Suwanski asked for an update regarding the Lake Street TIF.

Village Administrator Paula Schumacher stated that they are currently working on putting together a few visual aids as it stands now and what future use will look like. She went on to say that they’re meeting next week as a staff to discuss/review how to put together the visual aids. She stated they’re starting to get responses from being at the ICSC Conference at the beginning of September where they promoted the TIF. She went on to say that they’re starting to see it gather some interest.

Trustee Gandsey stated she really likes the flashing lights on Prospect North of Wilcox. She stated she’s had several people on the path stop to tell her how much they like it. She asked if there could be a sign in place letting people know to stop while the light is flashing as there has been some confusion over it. She also stated that a sign like that might be helpful if the flashing lights were in place at other locations as well.

Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated that they are looking into putting up additional signage to make it clear that you’re supposed to stop for pedestrians and cyclists that push the button.

11. TOWN HALL

Laura Fazio, 229 N. Eastern Ave.

Ms. Fazio stated that after watching the video she wanted to say that she’s been a Bartlett resident for 10 years and loves living here.

Ms. Fazio stated that she’s here today due to a driveway violation and was fined $500. She feels that the fine does not match the violation. She also stated a week to fix the violation was too short a time to get the issue resolved. She went on to say that she would like a printed-out Rights for residents because when you get a violation, you get a Notice but there are no Rights included for the resident. She stated there needs to be clarity and transparency for the rights of the residents that live in Bartlett.

Ms. Fazio also stated that during this process, she had a Code Enforcement Officer knock on her neighbors’ doors to ask if they could take picture to see if she was in compliance with the violation.

She stated she feels that’s no right or a used a tactic to see if a resident is compliant as she felt her privacy was violated as the Code Enforcement Officer disclosed to her neighbors why they were there which caused her embarrassment. She went on to say that she’s not just here to complain but to come up with a solution and a policy change. Ms. Fazio offered to be on a resident advisory committee. She also stated that she feels there should be some process for the Code Enforcement Officer which should be communicated to the residents.

Ms. Fazio stated that this has caused animosity in her neighborhood. She went on to say that the rights of the person who snitched on her are more protected more than she is. She on to say that now everyone’s a suspect instead of one person. Ms. Fazio reiterated that she would like to see some sort of Policy change or a motion of changing policy. She also wanted to know what the process is in changing policy as she would like to be involved in that. 

Mayor Wallace thanked Ms. Fazio for being here and stated that they will look at the Ordinance and look into a policy change for resident rights further.

12. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

President Wallace stated that he would entertain a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss the Agreement between the Village of Bartlett and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Chapter #114.

Trustee Deyne moved to Approve Adjourning to Executive Session and that motion was seconded by Trustee LaPorte.

ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE THE ADJORN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

AYES: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

13. RECONVENE BOARD MEETING

President Wallace called the Board Meeting back to order.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski, and President Wallace

ABSENT: None

14. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. BUILDING & ZONING COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN GUNSTEEN

Trustee Gunsteen stated there was no report.

B. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN GANDSEY

Trustee Gandsey presented Resolution 2024-95-R; A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement to Continue the Coalition to Stop CPKC and Opposing the Merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad.

Trustee Gandsey stated that in the fall of 2022, the Village of Bartlett joined a coalition called "Stop CPKC," which includes several communities along the Milwaukee West Line and DuPage County. The coalition aims to oppose the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Rail.

In the spring of 2023, the Surface Transportation Board ultimately approved the merger.

However, the pursuit of mitigation, oversight, and funding continues. The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) before you this evening will further this effort, allowing the parties to collaborate in communicating, managing, and representing their joint interests.

The cost-sharing agreement, not to exceed $40,000 for each municipality, will cover the coordination mentioned earlier. Additionally, it will help secure and manage a $1.235 million grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which will support oversight and data collection. This includes, but is not limited to, tracking gate downtime, real-time train activity, and train lengths. The funding will reimburse some of the coalition’s expenses for our economic consultants and experts and will help support ongoing initiatives.

Trustee Gandsey moved to Approve Resolution 2024-95-R, a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement to Continue the Coalition to Stop CPKC and Opposing the Merger of the Canadian Pacific Railway and Kansas City Southern Railroad. That motion was seconded by Trustee Deyne.

Trustee Gunsteen asked if during this merger, there was any financial gain for the Village of Bartlett?

Village Administrator Paula Schumacher stated that things the Village of Bartlett is fighting for would point to the maintenance of our quiet zones. There’s a formula that the FRA has for the number of trains, accidents, safety mitigation that are around those quiet zones. When the number of trains goes up, it changes that calculation. She went on to say that the Village has fought hard for any changes that the FRA will require to maintain our quiet zones. She stated the monitoring of gates down and blockages have always been a data point that they’ve been chasing for a long time. She went on to say that we’ve been working on acquiring the technology on the railroad’s dime to have some early warning when a long freight train is coming that we can re-route our responses.

Trustee Gandsey asked who has direct communication with CPKC?

Village Administrator Paula Schumacher stated that we do. Assistant Village Administrator Scott Skrycki went on to say that the next meeting is scheduled on October 31, 2024, between the Coalition and CPKC.

Trustee Hopkins asked how much we’ve spent so far?

Assistant Village Administrator Scott Skrycki stated that the current fiscal year allowed for $40,000 and we haven’t reached that amount yet. He went on to say that he didn’t have the exact amount of how much is left. Village Administrator Paula Schumacher stated they haven’t hit that amount yet but are in the vicinity of $30,000-$32,000.

Trustee Gandsey asked if we’re expecting every community listed on the agreement will still be involved?

Village Administrator Paula Schumacher stated that they expect that to be the case. She went on to say that Metra dropped off but no updated information about any other communities.

ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-95-R, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE THE COALITION TO STOP CPKC AND OPPOSING THE MERGER OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY AND KANSAS SOUTHERN RAILROAD.

AYES: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

C. FINANCE COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN LAPORTE

Trustee LaPorte stated that there was no report

D. LICENSE & ORDINANCE COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN HOPKINS

Trustee Hopkins stated that Ordinance 2024-96, an Ordinance Amending Section 3-3-2-6 of the Bartlett Liquor Control Ordinance regarding the number of Class C Extended Licenses, Ordinance 2024-97, an Ordinance Amending Section 3-3-2-1of the Bartlett Liquor Control Ordinance regarding the number of Class A Licenses, Ordinance 2024-98, an Ordinance Amending Section 3-3-2-21of the Bartlett Liquor Control Ordinance regarding the number of Class V Licenses, and Ordinance 2024-99, an Ordinance Amending Section 1-6-4-2 of the Bartlett Municipal Code Regarding the Order of Business for the Village Board of Trustees were all covered and approved under the Consent Agenda.

E. POLICE & HEALTH COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN SUWANSKI

Trustee Suwanski stated that Resolution 2024-100-R, a Resolution Authorizing Participation as a Member in the Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System Response Pursuant to an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Establishment of a Mutual Aid Intergovernmental Service Agreement was covered and approved under the Consent Agenda.

Trustee Suwanski presented Resolution 2024-101-R, a Resolution Approving an Agreement between the Village of Bartlett and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Chapter #114. She stated that the Village has reached a tentative agreement for the collective bargaining agreement with the Metropolitan Alliance of Police representing our Police Department. The term of this successor agreement is May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2027. Trustee Suwanski went on to say that we believe this new contract is both fair to the officers and beneficial to the department. It provides additional salary and pay for specific responsibilities. These additions not only recognize the work for our existing officers but also brings the department into a good position to compete for the most qualified candidates.

Trustee Suwanski moved to Approve Resolution 2024-101-R, a Resolution Approving an Agreement between the Village of Bartlett and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, Chapter #114.

That motion was seconded by Trustee Deyne.

Trustee Hopkins thanked the Police Department and officers for everything they do within the community. He stated he hopes they will be happy with the contract, and that we appreciate all that they do.

ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2024-101—R, A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF BARTLETT AN THE METROPOITAN ALLIANCE OF POLICE, CHAPTER #114.

AYES: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

F. PUBLIC WORKS AND GOLF COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN DEYNE

Trustee Deyne stated that Resolution 2024-102-R; A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Hanover Park and the Village of Bartlett for an Emergency Water Interconnection was covered and approved under the Consent Agenda.

13. NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Wallace stated there was a Midway Sports Bar Class A and V Liquor License Request, a BP Gas Station Class C Liquor License Request-1100 Stearns Road, and a BP Gas Station Class C Liquor License Request- 5590 County Farm Road.

Trustee Hopkins wanted to make sure that the issue presented by Ms. Fazio at Town Hall is followed up on and have a committee agenda item regarding code regulations.

President Wallace agreed and asked that we look into the Ordinance for the next Committee meeting.

Trustee Suwanksi asked about Emergency Response Management. She asked if given the current situation with Hurricane Helene, have we given any thought about how we would communicate with people during a crisis situation, specifically regarding StarLink.

Chief of Police Pretkelis stated that they have not had those type of discussions due to our geographical location. He went on to say that he is confident with the plan in place as well as our federal and state partners. He referenced our Mutual Aid Agreement as well as our partnership with the Township and DuPage County. He went on to say that they can further look into StarLink if the Board would like them to.

14. QUESTION/ANSWER PRESIDENT & TRUSTEES - None

15. ADJOURNMENT

President Wallace stated the meeting will adjourn. There being no further business to discuss, Trustee Deyne moved to adjourn the meeting, that motion was seconded by Trustee LaPorte.

ROLL CALL VOTE TO ADJOURN

AYES: Trustees Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

https://www.bartlettil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/14991/638646800701570000