Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange President and Village Board of Trustees met Dec. 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 Clerk, John Burns. On roll call, as read by Village Clerk John Burns, the following were:

Present: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, Kuchler, and McCarty, with Trustee Kuchler presiding as Chairperson Pro Tem.

Absent: President Livingston and Trustee Holder

Others: Village Manager Andrianna Peterson

Village Attorney Mark Burkland

Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham

Community Development Director Charity Jones

Finance Director Lou Cipparrone

Police Chief Kurt Bluder

Fire Chief Terrence Vavra

Village Clerk John Burns announced that President Tom Livingston was unable to attend the Village Board Meeting. Clerk Burns requested a Motion be made to elect a Trustee to preside over the meeting as Chairperson Pro Tem.

Trustee McCarty moved to elect Trustee Kuchler as Chairperson Pro Tem, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Motion approved by voice vote.

Chairperson Kuchler asked Village Clerk Burns to lead the audience in reciting the pledge of allegiance.

2. President’s Report

Chairperson Kuchler congratulated the LGBA for a very special and successful Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 7. The event is a wonderful and festive way to showcase our downtown and businesses. In addition to the LGBA and businesses, he acknowledged the fantastic job of our dedicated employees – Public Works, Fire, Police and Police Auxiliary. He wished everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season and reminded everyone to continue to shop local in La Grange.

Chairperson Kuchler announced that the La Grange Police Department will host its fourth annual Toy Drive on Saturday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Park District Recreation Center – 536 East Avenue. Participants are asked to “Stuff the Squad" with an unwrapped toy donation. Anyone donating a toy will gain access to the Park District indoor playground during the event. The event results from many dedicated hours by our Police Department to help celebrate the season and La Grange's spirit of giving. Toy donations benefit the All Children's Advocacy Center which is one of our important community partners.

Chairperson Kuchler noted that the last day for leaf pickup will be Friday, December 13.

Chairperson Kuchler announced that the next regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting on Monday, December 23 has been cancelled. The next regular meeting of the Village Board will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020.

A. Appointment - Zoning Board of Appeals

Trustee Gale made a motion to approve the appointment of Anjali Peterson to the Zoning Board of Appeals, seconded by Trustee McCarty. The motion carried on a voice vote.

3. Manager’s Report

Manager Peterson announced that the Village Hall be closed at noon on Tuesday, December 24, and on Tuesday January 31 as well as all day on Wednesday, December 25 and on Wednesday, January 1 for the holidays. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday December 26 and Thursday, January 2. A full complement of public safety personnel will be available in the event of an emergency. Refuse service will be delayed by one day for residents south of 47th Street the week of December 23 and December 30. Holiday trees are scheduled to be picked up beginning January 6 until January 16, 2020. No stickers are required.

4. Public Comments Regarding Agenda Items

None.

5. Consent Agenda and Vote

A. Ordinance – Plat of Resubdivision for 637 South Waiola Avenue / Gerald Abram and Amy Rife

B. Ordinance – Creating an Additional Class B Liquor License, Inayat Inc, d/b/a 7 Eleven #133246

C. Purchase - Consolidation of Village Computer Servers and Water Billing Software Upgrade

D. Ordinance – Disposal of Surplus Property – Police Department

E. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, November 11, 2019

F. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, November 25, 2019

G. Consolidated Voucher 191125

H. Consolidated Voucher 191209

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 McCarty and seconded by Trustee Kotynek to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Approved by a roll call vote:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee Holder

6. Current Business

A. Ordinance - Abatement of 2019 Tax Levy / General Obligation Alternate Revenue Water Bonds, Series 2012A

Chairperson Kuchler asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine explained that in 2012, the Village Board approved two significant infrastructure improvements to the Village's water system. In order to provide funding for these two capital projects, the Village Board adopted an ordinance on September 10, 2012, authorizing the issuance of $2.08 million in general obligation, alternate revenue water bonds. For the Series 2012A water bond issue, the Village Board has identified revenues derived from water sales as the alternative revenues pledged to pay for principal and interest expenditures relating to this issue. Sufficient monies are budgeted and available within the Water Fund from water sales in FY 2020-21 to pay for this expense. Therefore, it is appropriate to abate the portion of the bonds maturing during FY 2020-21 from the 2019 tax levy.

Trustee Augustine moved to approve an ordinance regarding the abatement of the 2019 tax levy / general obligation alternate revenue water bonds, series 2012A, in the amount of $128,430.00, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Approved by a roll call vote:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee Holder

B. Ordinance - Abatement of 2019 Tax Levy / General Obligation Alternate Revenue Sewer Bonds, Series 2015

Chairperson Kuchler asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine explained that in 2015, the Village Board approved a set of revenue enhancements which enabled the Village to address its critical sewer needs. Infrastructure improvements include construction of the 50th Street relief storm sewer, a lateral sewer to depression area #5 (48th Street and Ninth Avenue), and a flood wall on Brainard Avenue. Sufficient monies are budgeted and available within the General Fund and Sewer Fund from the various taxes and sewer sales in FY 2020-21 to pay for this expense. Therefore, it is appropriate to abate the portion of the bonds maturing during FY 2020-21 from the 2019 tax levy in the amount of $1,002,181.26.

Trustee Kotynek inquired if non-home sales tax is enough to support bonds. Finance Director Cipparrone stated that over the last few years revenues have been a little less than budgeted but it is expected to be a closer margin this year.

Trustee Kotynek inquired as to the possibility of refinancing the bond. Mr. Cipparrone explained that the bond is not currently eligible to be called and may be callable after 10 years. The current bond yield is 3% however, and refinancing will be held for consideration in the future, dependent upon interest rates at that time.

Trustee Augustine motioned to approve an ordinance regarding the abatement of the 2019 tax levy / general obligation alternate revenue sewer bonds, series 2015 in the amount of $1,002,181.26, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Approved by a roll call vote:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee Holder

C. Resolution – Levying a Tax for Library Operating Purposes

Chairperson Kuchler asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine stated that the La Grange Library is a “municipal library” and as such must levy property taxes as part of the Village of La Grange tax levy. The La Grange Library Board of Trustees 2019 tax levy request for operating purposes is $2,466,664 which is a 3.27 percent increase over last year's tax levy.

Members of the La Grange Public Library were in attendance to answer any questions.

It was moved by Trustee Augustine to accept the La Grange Public Library Resolution approved by the Library Board, seconded by Trustee Kotynek. Approved by voice vote.

D. Ordinance – 2019 Property Tax Levy for Village Operations

Chairperson Kuchler asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine stated the preliminary 2019 property tax levy was reviewed and discussed in detail at the November 11, 2019 Village Board meeting. The final tax levy, reflects an increase of 3.27 percent, exclusive of debt service, over the prior year's tax extension. The increase reflects the allowable increase under the Property Tax Limitation Act of 1.9 percent (CPI as of December, 2018). The remaining levy increase represents new growth of 5 million Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) from estimated residential and commercial construction during the next fiscal year. If such new growth does not occur, the property tax levy will automatically be lowered by Cook County.

The effect the 2019 levy will have on an average home with an estimated market value of $500,000 is in an increase of $26.05 from the Village levy and an increase of $8.73 from the Library levy.

The proposed 2019 property tax levy request of $9,864,854 represents an increase of $312,487 or 3.27 percent from the 2018 tax levy of $9,552,367.

A motion was made by Trustee Augustine to approve an ordinance adopting the 2019 property tax levy for Village operations, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Approved by a roll call vote:

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

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee Holder

7. Public Comments Regarding Matters Not on the Agenda

None.

8. Trustee Comments

Trustee McCarty thanked the Department of Public Works, Fire Department and Police Department for their work preparing for and executing the 28th Annual Holiday Walk.

Trustee McCarty also noted that holiday light recycling program is taking place with multiple drop off locations in the La Grange area.

9. Closed Session

None.

10. Adjournment

At 7:56 p.m. Trustee Kotynek made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Gale. Approved by a voice vote.

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