Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met Sept. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Board of Trustees of the Village of La Grange regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Village President, Thomas Livingston. On roll call, as read by Deputy Village Clerk Andrianna Peterson, the following were:

PRESENT:

Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, Kuchler and McCarty, with President Livingston presiding.

ABSENT:

Clerk Burns and Trustee Holder

OTHERS:

Village Manager Andrianna Peterson Village Attorney Barb Adams Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham Community Development Director Charity Jones Finance Director Lou Cipparrone Police Chief Kurt Bluder Fire Chief Terrence Vavra

President Livingston asked Deputy Village Clerk Andrianna Peterson to lead the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

President Livingston thanked the members of the CommUnity Diversity Group, which celebrated the 28th year of the Race Unity Rally.

President Livingston thanked the LGBA and coordinators of another successful West End Art Festival. He recognized the work of numerous volunteers and Village staff that work together to make these events happen. He also thanked residents for supporting these events that celebrate La Grange.

President Livingston announced that The Robert E. Coulter American Legion will hold a commemoration ceremony on September 11 at noon to honor the victims of the attacks and the first responders who died on September 11, 2001.

President Livingston announced that at the July 8 Village Board meeting, Village Attorney Mark Burkland provided a general overview of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which legalizes the sale, possession, and use of cannabis for recreational purposes in limited quantities by persons 21 years and older, beginning January 1, 2020. Under the Act, a municipality may prohibit or significantly limit the location of recreational cannabis businesses by ordinance. As the Village's Zoning Code does not include a recreational cannabis dispensary as an authorized use, dispensaries currently are not allowed. At the meeting on July 8, the Village Board adopted a resolution stating that the Village would be studying the matter and could provide direction to the Plan Commission to commence a Zoning Code review process regarding the matter if it chooses to do so.

Discussion on this topic will take place at the September 23 Village Board meeting. Residents are invited to provide comment via email or letter to the Village Board or Village Manager, or in person at the meeting. No action is anticipated to be taken at the September 23 meeting – October 14 would be the first opportunity for the Village Board to take action.

President Livingston thanked the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board and Commissioner Maryiana Spyropoulos for recognizing the Village of La Grange on its 140th Anniversary.

A. Resolution of Appreciation - Retiring Acting Fire Captain Brian Sible

President Livingston asked Deputy Clerk Peterson to read the Resolution of Appreciation into the record. President Livingston thanked Acting Captain Sible for his professionalism and dedication to the Village.

Trustee McCarty made a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Acting Fire Captain Sible, seconded by Trustee Kotynek. Motion carried on a voice vote.

3. MANAGER'S REPORT

Manager Peterson announced Com Ed will be conducting overhead utility line clearance in the La Grange area over the next several months. Utility line clearance involves trimming trees and pruning shrubs on both public and private properties which may interfere with electrical wires. Tree trimming may or may not be required on property depending on the area and need – impacted residents will receive a notice from Com Ed with more information. A map of the areas identified for tree trimming is available on the Village's website.

Manager Peterson announced that the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission, in conjunction with the La Grange Park Sustainability Commission, is hosting a Native Garden Bike Tour on Sunday, September 15 between 12 and 2 p.m. The tour features gardens in La Grange and La Grange Park. More information, including a map of the gardens featured on the tour is available on the Village's website.

Manager Peterson announced that over the past several months, the Village has coordinated a

number of construction projects to replace aging infrastructure and enhance storm water management. Residents and the Village Board have been updated through regular construction updates during the work. Manager Peterson asked Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham to provide more information regarding the various projects and their current status.

Director Gillingham reported that the Capital Projects season was busy this year as the Village coordinated improvements of Village infrastructure. A project on Brewster Avenue included the replacement of 1,700 feet of 95-year-old water main from La Grange Road to Spring Avenue. The work was started on March 25 and finished on May 24. After replacement of the water main, La Grange Park then completed the resurfacing of the roadway in August.

Director Gillingham noted that the Village also replaced both the Village Hall parking lot as well as Lot 8 with permeable pavers. The Village Hall lot was started on June 3rd and was opened on July 25th, Lot 8 was started on June 19th and opened to vehicles on August 16th.

Director Gillingham stated that the Blackstone Avenue water main replacement and roadway reconstruction project included the replacement of the 100 year old water main from 47th Street to Cossitt Avenue along with the reconstruction of the roadway. The water main project, which included the option for residents to replace their water services lines, was started on April 2nd and completed on June 26th The roadway project started immediately after the completion of the water main and included the curbs, sidewalks, driveways and asphalt. The remaining work to be completed on Blackstone Avenue includes placing the final layer of asphalt and parkway restoration which is expected to be completed before October.

Director Gillingham also provided an update on the status of the Ashland Avenue water main replacement and roadway reconstruction. He stated that the project included the replacement of the 120 year old water main from 47th Street to Harris Avenue and reconstruction of the roadway. The water main replacement, which also included the option for residents to replace their water service lines, was started on April 22nd and was completed on August 7th. The water main project took approximately three weeks longer due to several conditions in the Cossitt

Avenue intersection. First, the bedrock was shallower than anticipated which required additional excavation to get the new water main below the 60" combination brick sewer. Second, an AT&T duct package was discovered directly over and parallel to the water main on Cossitt Avenue. This prevented reconnection of the new water main to the existing water main on Cossitt Avenue. The Village is working with AT&T to have the duct package relocated and expects the work to take place next year. Once the water main was completed, work on the roadway began. The contractor was directed to complete the roadway adjacent to Cossitt Avenue School first in order to limit disruption. At this time, the curbs, sidewalks, and driveways are completed and the first layer of asphalt will be placed within the next week. Currently, the contract is at 36 working days, with an obligation to complete the project within 55 working days - placing the completion in the beginning of October.

Director Gillingham also reported that the La Grange Road Resurfacing project is nearing completion. The project consisted of resurfacing La Grange Road from 1-294 to 31st Street. The project was started in April and the final layer of asphalt was placed last week. At this time, the work that remains consists of striping and other punch list items.

Director Gillingham stated that as a part of the Pathway redevelopment project, the Village oversaw the replacement of the Village's water main on Shawmut Avenue from La Grange Road to Locust Avenue. The work was completed several weeks ago. Similar to Shawmut Avenue, the 47th Street water main replacement project was conducted as part of the Mason Pointe redevelopment project. The Village oversaw the replacement of the Village's water main on 47th Street from Bluff Avenue to 9th Avenue. This work was also completed several weeks ago.

President Livingston stated that the Village is always looking for methods to minimize disruption to residents during Capital Improvement projects. He thanked residents for their input and staff for their efforts to continue to improve Village infrastructure.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 

None.

5. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE 

A. Award of Contract – 2019 Sewer Televising Program

B. Ordinance – Disposal of Surplus Property – Police Department and Administrative Department

C. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, August 26, 2019

D. Consolidated Voucher 190909

Trustee Augustine stated that in consideration of her relationship with the Village Prosecutor, she recused herself from each item on the voucher related to the Village Prosecutor.

A motion was made by Trustee Kotynek and seconded by Trustee Kuchler to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Trustee Kuchler asked Chief Bluder if the procedure for confiscated cannabis will change since it has been decriminalized. He also asked how long the Police Department must wait to dispose of evidence. Police Chief Bluder responded that when disposing of surplus property, often the Police Department must wait for the court case to be completed to dispose of the evidence. The procedure has not changed dramatically in regards to cannabis but there possibly will not be as many cases as in the past due to the new legal limit for possession.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, Kuchler, and McCarty 

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee Holder

6. CURRENT BUSINESS

None.

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Resident Robert Vosatka, 150 East Avenue, inquired as to why the Community Center can put stone on their parkway when he cannot. He expressed concerns regarding recent work in his parkway by Cook County.

President Livingston thanked Mr. Vosatka for his question and stated that staff would look into the matter.

Dan Dolgner, an Indian Head Park resident, stated that his daughter attends Lyons Township High School. He had questions regarding the changes in parking purchases when the Village switched it to an online system.

President Livingston thanked Mr. Dolgner for his comments and asked him to speak with Finance Director Lou Cipparrone after the meeting.

Resident Justin Hansen, 301 S. Brainard, inquired as to what the Village was considering in regards to the upcoming legalization of cannabis.

President Livingston responded that the Village Board will discuss the matter at the September 23rd Village Board meeting. The meeting on September 23 will outline options for the Village Board to consider and community feedback will also be invited. No official action is anticipated at this meeting

Mr. Hansen thanked President Livingston for providing a timeframe on the issue. He stated that

it was a complex issue with good arguments on both sides, however he asked that the Village opt out of allowing cannabis.

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Kotynek thanked Village staff for all of their hard work and dedication in completing Village infrastructure projects.

9. CLOSED SESSION

None.

10. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:07 p.m. Trustee Kotynek made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Kuchler. Approved by a voice vote.

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