Sangamon Sun

Village of Lagrange Board of Trustee met Oct. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

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

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

PRESENT: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Holder, Kotynek, and Kuchler with President Livingston presiding.

ABSENT: TrusteeMcCarty

OTHERS: Village Manager Andrianna Peterson

Village Attomey Mark Burkland

Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham

Community Development Director Charity Jones

Finance Director Lou Cipparrone

Police Chief Kurt Bluder

Fire Chief Tenence Vavra

President Livingston asked Village Clerk John Bums to lead the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PRESIDENT'SREPORT

President Livingston announced that it was National First Responders Day. He thanked the First Responders of the Village ofLa Grange for all oftheir hard work in keeping the community safe.

President Livingston noted that the flooding that occurred on Saturday, October 26 was a significant rain event. He added that staff was in the field responding to various calls and working to stay ahead of the water. He stated that the Village will continue to take a proactive approach in adding capacity to stormwater management with each project. Public Works Director Gillingham added that the 2.78 inches of rain on Saturday consisted of a thrce year rain event. The sewer system reached capacity which caused flooding in the commonly flooded areas. However, once the rain ended the system was able to catch up and return to normal.

President Livingston thanked the La Grange Business Association for hosting the State of La Grange last week. As La Grange advances into 2020, new projects are planned and several successful projects were completed in 2019.

President Livingston announced that he was happy to report that the Village received the 2019 Sustainable Landscaping Award from the Metropolitan water Reclamation District for incorporating "green", sustainable landscaping into the recent parking lot designs on Harris Avenue. The parking lots were designed using permeable pavers which funher the Village's goals of furthering environmental and sustainable practices wherever possible. He thanked the MWRD and Public Works Director Gillingham for coordinating the project.

President Livingston thanked the LGBA for a great Halloween Walk and the businesses who participated. Suggested trick or treat hours on Wednesday, October 31 are from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. He asked residents to make this a safe and fun event by making pedestrian safety a priority. Motorist are urged to be especially alert on Halloween for children darting between parked cars and when entering and exiting driveways. Children are encouraged to use flashlights and reflective clothing or treat bags to help improve visibility during evening hours.

President Livingston announced that the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission, in conjunction with the La Grange Park Sustainability Commission, will be holding a pumpkin composting event on Saturday November 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will take place at the La Grange Park Public Works located at 937 Bamsdale Road in La Grange Park.

A. Appointment - Community and Economic Development Commission

Trustee Holder made a motion to approve the transfer of Justin Hanson to the Community and Economic Development Commission from the Design Review Commission, seconded by Trustee Kotynek. Motion carried on a voice vote.

President Livingston thanked Mr. Hanson for his continued service to the Village. -

3. MANAGER'S REPORT

Manager Peterson announced that earlier this year, the Village was awarded a bronze designation by SolSmart, a national program that seeks to encourage solar energy development. In furtherance of the Village's commitment to encourage access to solar energy options, and pursuant to a recommendation by the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission, the Village Board will waive a portion of the typical building permit fees for solar energy system installations. For a standard residential roof mounted solar energy system, this is an average savings of $200. Additional information is available on the Village's website.

Manager Peterson announced that the Village Hall will be closed on Monday, November l1 for the Veteran's Day Holiday. The Village Board still intends to hold a Village

Board meeting that evening at 7:30 p.m. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, November 12. As always, a full complement of public safety personnel will be on call to

respond to emergencies.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None.

5. CONSENTAGENDAANDVOTE

A. Ordinance - Creating an Additional Class A-3 Liquor License, Urquizo & Almaraz, Corp. d/b/a Brothers Mexican Grill

B. Agreement - Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services - Ground Emergency Medical Transport

C. Purchase - Public Works / Rock Salt

D. Contract - Geographic Information System Consortium

E. Resolution - Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

F. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, October 14,2019

G. Consolidated Voucher 191028

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.

Trustee Holder inquired as to why the price for rock salt was higher than in previous years. Public Works Director Gillingham responded that when he spoke to the vendor, they did not provide much additional information except that some communities in the region had even higher prices.

Trustee Holder inquired if the price of salt was set by the state. Mr. Gillingham responded that while the Village uses the state program, the program is based on individual bids. As only one bid was received in the program, the vendor has encountered issues with supply and demand as well as transportation.

Trustee Augustine asked if it was in the Village's best interest to go with the state group or if greater savings could be achieved by opening bidding for salt independently. Mr. Gillingham responded that traditionally the state receives four bids for salt, however only two bids were received this year due to greater use of altemative methods of snow control. If the Village was to seek salt independently, it could be difficult to get bids and any bids received could be a significantly higher price.

President Livingston thanked the Brothers Mexican Grill team for attending the meeting and investing in La Grange.

A motion was made by Trustee Holder and seconded by Trustee Gale to approve the Consent Agenda as Presented.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Holder, Kotynek, and Kuchler Nays: None

Absent: Trustee McCartY

6. CURRENT BUSINESS

A. FY 2018-2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports

President Livingston asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine stated that the report is prepared by the Finance Department and reviewed by our auditors, Sikich L.L.P. she noted that the new GASB standards had been incorporated into the report.

Sikich has rendered an unmodified or "clean" opinion for the Village ofLa Grange, stating that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position ofthe Village and results of its operations as of April 30, 2019.

Sikich also prepared and provided the Auditor's Communication to the Village Board for the year ended April 30, 2019, which includes documents such as Required Communication, Management Letter, and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

Village staffwill submit the CAFR to the Govemment Finance Officers' Association for consideration of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate ofAchievement is the highest form ofrecognition in the area of govemmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the Village. The Village has received this prestigious award for twenty three consecutive years.

Additional copies ofthe audit report will be placed on file at the La Grange Public Library, in the Village Clerk's office and in the Finance Department for public inspection. It is also located on the Village's website.

Mr. Dan Berg, a partner with Sikich L.L.P was in attendance and presented a brief overview ofthe 2018-2019 audit report.

Trustee Kotynek congratulated Finance Director Lou Cipparrone and Assistant Finance Director Joe Munizza for a job well done. He noted that they achieved a Certificate of Achievement for the 23'd consecutive year. He inquired how long an auditor and their team worked with a Village before rotating the audit manager.

Mr. Berg responded that Sikich L.L.P. has been managing the La Grange audit for l7 years and has provided a new manager this year. Generally, a team will work on a municipality for 2 to 3 years before being rotated intemally.

Trustee Holder inquired as to GASB Pronouncement 88 on debt issuance and asked if it would affect the pensions. Mr. Berg responded that as it is direct debt that is non-bond related it would not.

President Livingston thanked Director Cipparrone and Mr. Munizza for their excellence and precision, and Mr. Berg for his coordination and hard work in completing the audit.

On behalfofthe Village Board, President Livingston accepted the 2018- 19 Financial Audit Report.

7. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA 

None.

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Kuchler asked if the intersections that flooded in the heavy rain on Saturday will be addressed with planned storm water management improvements. Mr. Gillingham responded that the 50s Street project is designed to improve the holding capacity of depressional areas as identified in the hydraulic model. The proposed project would improve the conveyance in many of the areas. He stated that what was experienced on Saturday was expected from the amount ofrain that fell in the timeframe and that once the storm ended, the system was able to catch up.

Trustee Holder inquired if consultant Mark Sabatino would be continuing even though his contract was coming to an end. Ms. Jones responded that Mr. Sabatino has another opportunity. The value of the services was noted and staff is looking at potential restructuring in Community Development to facilitate economic development efforts as several large projects like the comprehensive plan are on the horizon.

Trustee Holder inquired ifthe access to the ICSC was sufficient and beneficial. Ms. Jones responded that it was a productive conference and provided contacts and meetings with several prospective business opportunities.

Trustee Holder thanked her and the staff for their work identifying grants for the comprehensive plan.

President Livingston noted that Wheely's, a new coffee shop, was now open at 21 S. La Grange Road and encouraged people to stop by.

9. CLOSED SESSION

None.

10. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:04 p.m. Trustee Holder made a motion to adjoqn, seconded by Trustee Kotynek. Approved by a voice vote.

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