Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met April 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Board of Trustees of the Village of La Grange special meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Village President, Mark Kuchler. On roll call, as read by Village Clerk John Burns, the following were:

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

ABSENT: None

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

President Kuchler thanked Trustees for attending the meeting and stated that the meeting was being held by telephone as a result of Governor Pritzker's emergency Coronavirus related actions to ease the standards for municipal open meetings as a result of the unusual and difficult circumstances. He announced that the meeting would be broadcasted on cable, on Facebook and on the Village website. Residents were encouraged to submit public comments on both the public hearing as well as the agenda via email or telephone prior to the meeting.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A. Resolution – Adopting a Supplemental Rule Concerning Public Comments During Virtual Meetings

President Kuchler announced that Governor Pritzker's Executive Order suspends Open Meeting Act provisions related to in-person attendance by the public. 

A Supplemental

Rule was proposed to allow the public to participate in Village of La Grange virtual meetings during the order. The Open Meetings Act requires public meetings to be “open and convenient" for members of the public, and the Governor's Executive Order does not change that standard. One element of an open and convenient meeting is the ability for the public to give public comment.

The Village Board has provided that element by posting notices and materials for meetings in advance of its meetings, and the Village Board provides means for the public to submit comments by telephone and e-mail. The Village has provided audio broadcasts of the Village Board meetings on cable television as well as on You Tube, social media, and on the Village's website. The Village also includes a notice directly on the meeting agenda, advising the public of how to provide their comments to the Village,

The proposed Supplemental Rule includes a dedicated telephone number and a dedicated e-mail address for the public to submit their comments. The Supplemental Rule includes time periods for submitting the comments and provides the Village President authority to adjust the time periods based on the circumstances of a particular meeting. The Supplemental Rule also includes basic standards for the comments, including legibility, length, and forbidding abusive or obscene content. The Supplemental Rule provides that the Village President or his designee will read the comments during the meeting.

Trustee Holder made a motion to approve the resolution adopting a supplemental rule concerning public comments during virtual meetings, seconded by Trustee McCarty.

Approved by a roll call vote:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

B. Proclamation - Arbor Day in La Grange, April 24, 2020

President Kuchler announced that April 24, 2020 is Arbor Day. He announced that 2019 marks the 37th consecutive year of the Village being named a Tree City USA.

President Kuchler asked Clerk Burns to read the proposed Proclamation into the record.

Trustee McCarty made a motion to approve the proclamation declaring April 24, 2020 as Arbor Day, seconded by Trustee Holder. Motion carried on a voice vote.

C. Appointment - Shawana McGee, Village Trustee

President Kuchler announced that with his appointment to the position of Village President, the Village solicited nominations for the open position of Village Trustee from the general public. After speaking with various candidates, he was pleased to submit the appointment of Shawana McGee. She has been an active and invaluable member of the

La Grange community. Her enthusiasm and dedication to serving the public will be beneficial to the residents of La Grange. President Kuchler recommended that the appointment be approved.

Trustee Augustine made a motion to approve the appointment of Shawana McGee to the position of Village Trustee, seconded by Trustee Holder. Motion carried on a voice vote.

President Kuchler thanked the Village Board and announced that Trustee McGee will be sworn in virtually with an in person ceremony to follow at a later date. Her first meeting will be April 27, 2020.

3. PUBLIC HEARING

A. Public Hearing – FY 2020-21 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget

President Kuchler opened the public hearing and explained that the public hearing represents the conclusion of a six-month long budget development process. This process began in November 2019 with a pre-budget development workshop that included pension funding and consideration of the preliminary property tax levy, adoption of the final 2019 property tax levy in December, a workshop to discuss capital projects in January and a workshop to discuss operating budgets on March 7, 2020.

Since the budget workshop in March, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a growing impact on the national, state and local economy. As a result, it is anticipated that Village revenues will be negatively impacted by the outbreak. At this time the overall impact and changing economic conditions resulting from COVID-19 remain unknown. As there continues to be uncertainty about the duration and impact of the pandemic on the local economy, major changes to the proposed operating budget discussed at the budget workshop on March 7 are not recommended at this time.

President Kuchler stated that the budget will be considered for adoption at the April 27 meeting.

President Kuchler indicated that the notice of the Public Hearing had been posted and published according to State Statute. Copies of the proposed budget document have been available for inspection at the Village Hall, the La Grange Public Library and posted on the Village website since late February. President Kuchler noted that the Village Budget is a living document and resident input is welcome throughout the year.

President Kuchler asked Finance Director Cipparrone to provide a general overview of the proposed budget and answer any questions.

Mr. Cipparrone explained that the Village has a $32 million dollar budget that consists of 12 funds. About 85% of the General Fund budget is made up of personnel costs; focused on capital improvements as it is a strategic priority for the Village Board. As of March 9, there is a planned surplus of $11,000 at the end of 2021 with projected reserves of 59% annual operating expenditures.

Mr. Cipparrone explained that the overall impact and changing economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 virus remain unknown and there continues to be a great deal of uncertainty about the duration and impact of the pandemic on the local economy. As the year moves forward, the Village Board has the ability to make adjustments to the Budget as deemed necessary.

Although no major changes to the FY 2020-21 budget are recommended at this time, short and long term plans have been identified to reduce expenditures as may by necessary in order to offset the financial impact resulting from the COVID-19 virus, while maintaining current operations and staffing levels. In the interim, the Village has sufficient reserves to maintain essential public health and public safety services during these challenging times.

From the preliminary budget, three adjustments are proposed. The first was reducing the health insurance coverage from 1.1% to 2.9%. The second was to postpone parking fine increases and the third was the postponement on the increasing of the fees for both commuter and residential parking decals.

President Kuchler asked Public Works Director Gillingham to provide an overview of upcoming Capital Projects.

Mr. Gillingham responded that the major projects that the Village will be working on this year include neighborhood street resurfacing, engineering for Edgewood Avenue, the 50th Street Storm Sewer project and the Streetscape improvement project. More specifically, the streets included in the neighborhood resurfacing program are in the hospital area as they are in poor condition and do not require corresponding water main replacement. Staff is in the process of completing the engineering plans and will be going out to bid in the next few months. For the Edgewood Avenue project, the consultant has been given direction to proceed with the design based on feedback received from the Village Board and residents. Staff anticipates the engineering work to be completed this year and will continue to seek out grants for the construction of the roadway. Progress continues on the other projects identified and discussed as part of the Capital Improvement Program including the 50th Street Storm Sewer Project and Streetscape Improvement Project.

B. Reading of Public Comments Submitted to the Village for the Public Hearing

President Kuchler asked Manager Peterson if any Public Comments were submitted. Manager Peterson responded that no comments had been received.

President Kuchler announced that with no further comments, the Village Budget public hearing would be closed. He noted that final action on the Village Budget would be taken on Monday, April 27, 2020.

President Kuchler resumed the regular meeting noting the same individuals were in attendance.

President Kuchler announced that on April 1, Governor Pritzker signed a 30-day extension to the stay at home and school closure order though the end of the day on Thursday, April 30. The measure was implemented to help limit further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The stay at home order means that residents must stay in their home unless necessary to leave for an essential service, supplies and work, or if your employer is engaged in an essential services. Essential services and supplies include things like healthcare, groceries, medicine and medical supplies, hardware and home maintenance supplies, cleaning supplies and banking. If residents must leave their homes, they are asked to please use appropriate social distancing measures at all times. Everyone needs to be responsible and do their part to follow the stay at home order.

President Kuchler announced that the Village is working closely with local hospitals. To protect everyone, hospital workers and first responders are depending on residents to comply with the Governor's order. The best way to demonstrate care and concern for others during this crisis is to keep our distance, and by doing so, keep them safe.

The Village has adjusted some operations in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, however, La Grange's police, fire, 911, water and sewer system maintenance, water plant operations, refuse service, and other critical services are continuing. The Village website is updated regularly with new information on connecting to the Village, our business community and how to help during this crisis. Restaurants also remain ready to serve via delivery and carry-out and appreciate your support.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced a new text message program, allowing people to text “COVID” to 312-500-3836 in order to register to receive current information and updates about COVID-19. We will continue to provide updated information on our website, social media and announcements as it becomes available.

President Kuchler stated that we are bound together by our love of La Grange and the strong sense of community we are known for. He thanked residents for their continued support and commitment to retaining connections with all aspects of the community by supporting our businesses, social service agencies, medical professionals, first responders and each other. He also thanked residents for closely following the Governor's orders. He thanked Village Staff for their hard work and professionalism.

President Kuchler asked Trustee Holder to provide updates from La Grange Memorial Hospital. Trustee Holder thanked the La Grange community for their incredible support including meals provided to healthcare workers and a 44 car parade of residents showing their support. He reported that the pandemic continues with continual spikes in confirmed cases of the virus. He noted that the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can get lean and noted that there are ways to donate PPE. There have been advancements in the testing capabilities both the local and national levels, however, he warned that although the spread of the virus appears to be slowing, there is still growth.

He asked residents to continue to social distance, wear masks in public and wash their hands. He stressed continued diligence.

President Kuchler noted that while Governor Pritzker's stay-at-home order is in place until April 30, there is always the potential that the order could be extended. The Village will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

President Kuchler stressed the importance of each La Grange resident being counted in the 2020 Census and thanked the dozens of community partners in La Grange that are helping us to reach everyone about the Census. The Village website has Census information, including the importance of each child being counted and activities that you can do with your child as you fill out the Census. The COVID-19 crisis will end but an accurate Census count will determine funding and representation for the next 10 years. The Census is just 10 questions and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. He urged residents to please fill out the Census questions online, over the phone or by mail today.

President Kuchler announced that Governor Pritzker has advised organizers of summer events to think seriously about canceling large events and festivals until a COVID-19 vaccine is ready. To ensure public health and safety, the Pet Parade Committee has decided to hold a “virtual” Pet Parade instead of the traditional parade format on the same day and time – May 30 at 9:30 a.m. The La Grange Business Association Carnival traditionally held in conjunction with the Pet Parade weekend is also planned to be postponed. To be a part of the Virtual Parade, residents are invited to submit creative 10 second video clips with their pets using the form available on the website. The best 100 clips will be added to the video along with videos of favorite acts and other surprises.

4. MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Andrianna Peterson announced that on March 9, the Village Board approved a three month extension of the Village's current refuse contract with Republic Services until July 31, 2020. Service with Republic Services will continue until that time in the same manner. Information and details regarding the refuse program effective August 1, 2020 will be forthcoming. Information regarding the Village's refuse program is available on the Village website.

Manager Peterson announced that the BNSF Railroad has announced that they plan to reconstruct the Ashland Avenue railroad crossing beginning April 24 to May 1. The crossing will be completely closed during the work and traffic will be detoured to Catherine Avenue to the west or La Grange Road to the east. More information can be found on the Village website.

5. READING OF PUBLIC COMMENTS SUBMITTED TO VILLAGE

None.

6. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE 

A. Ordinance – Establishing Special Service Area (SSA) #10 Private Improvements - M/I Homes, Mason Pointe Subdivision

B. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Special Meeting, Monday, March 23, 2020

C. Consolidated Voucher 200413

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 Holder to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Nays: Absent:

Trustees Augustine, Gale, Holder, Kotynek, and McCarty None None

CURRENT BUSINESS 

None.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Gale reiterated the safety precautions all citizens should be taking during this time and he encouraged residents to continue to do so.

ADJOURNMENT

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

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OqiOpY5m0Po7GwHM6B6Meu1VvMcKRqOcdYHrKNGKqUk/edit