Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met Oct. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Due to the physical distancing standards required under Governor Pritzker's order and guidance, seating in the Village Hall Auditorium was limited for the meeting.

Face coverings were required to be worn during the meetingband throughout the Village Hall.

Public comments were also accepted in advance of the meeting by phone and e-mail.

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Board of Trustees of the Village of La Grange meeting was called to order at 7:33 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, McCarty and McGee 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 welcomed the Village Board and thanked Trustees for att meeting which has been modified to adjust for social distancing and the wearing of face coverings. He reminded everyone to stay six feet apart and wear a mask at all times while in the Village Hall. The video of the meeting was broadcasted on cable television, YouTube, and will also be available on Facebook and posted to the Village website. Residents were encouraged to submit public comments on the agenda via email or telephone prior to the meeting.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A. Oath of Office - David Rohlicek, Deputy Police Chief

President Kuchler reported that Sergeant David Rohlicek has been named the new Deputy Police Chief after a competitive internal process. Sergeant Dave Rohlicek is currently a Watch Commander and has been with the Police Department for almost 28 years. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement Administration and will be graduating from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command on October 23. Sergeant Rohlicek has a long resume of accomplishments within the Department including service as an Investigator, Field Training Officer and DARE Instructor.

President Kuchler invited Clerk Burns to administer the Oath of Office to Deputy Chief David Rohlicek.

President Kuchler announced that last week and as of October 26, Governor Pritzker placed new restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 on several regions in Illinois due to an increase in the average test positivity rate. As detailed in the July 15 Restore Illinois plan, new mitigations would be applied if a region's positivity rate averages greater than or equal to 8 percent for three consecutive days, or if a region experiences a sustained increase in the positivity rate and hospital admissions. The Governor announced that effective Wednesday, October 28, additional COVID-19 mitigation measures will be going into effect for the suburban Cook region (Region 10) which includes La Grange.

President Kuchler stated that according to the Governor's press release, Region 10 has had eight consecutive days of increases in test positivity and seven days of increased hospital admissions making it the first region in the state to meet the metrics for additional mitigations in this way and surpass warning levels in two categories simultaneously. If the positivity rate in Region 10 averages less than or equal to 6.5% over a three-day period, if there is a decrease in hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness over a three-day period, and if the three-day rolling averages of ICU bed availability and medical/surgical bed availability is greater than or equal to 20% over a seven-day period, the region will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. Conversely, if the average positivity rate continues to increase over seven out of ten days and the hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness continues to increase over seven out of ten days, more stringent mitigations can be applied. If the metrics remain stable, the region will continue to be monitored.

Under the mitigations, restaurants will not be allowed to provide indoor dining effective Wednesday at 12:01 am. Gatherings have also been reduced from 50 persons to 25. He urged everyone to please help support our businesses by acting responsibly to slow the spread of illness. He reminded residents to be vigilant about wearing face coverings, social distancing and handwashing. He also asked the public to please continue to shop our safe and valued La Grange businesses and patronize La Grange restaurants as often as possible. The restaurants are open for delivery and carry-out and need our support.

President Kuchler asked Trustee Holder for a hospital update. Trustee Holder advisedbthat COVID-19 is on the rise in both Europe and the United States, with infections approaching new daily records in our area. It has spread quickly to the younger populations and is now accelerating in the over 65 population. He advised that there are 11 positive cases at La Grange Memorial Hospital. He asked residents to note the red ribbons on the trees throughout the Village. He noted that those are for 18 year old La Grange resident Michael Lang, who recently passed and had COVID-19. He stressed that while there is no vaccine for COVID-19 yet, there is a vaccine for the flu. As flu season is almost here, he urged residents to please get the flu shot. If exposed or presenting symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your doctor and get tested.

President Kuchler expressed his condolences to the family of Michael Lang.

President Kuchler announced that the Village is continuing to celebrate “Skeletober in La Grange”. He asked the public to please visit www.skeletober.com for information about the Skeleton Scavenger Hunt and find out more about drawings for prizes from local businesses. He reminded residents that trick or treating hours on Halloween, October 31, are 3 to 7 p.m. La Grange, along with the Villages of La Grange Park, Western Springs and the City of Countryside, issued trick or treat guidelines for Halloween that are based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To help keep everyone safe, he reminded everyone to be vigilant about wearing face coverings, social distancing and handwashing. For more information about how you can participate in a safe and responsible manner, please visit the Village website. He noted that after Halloween, please consider composting your pumpkin at Pumpkin Smash 2020 – “Green Your Halloween” – held on Saturday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the La Grange Park Department of Public Works. The program is sponsored by the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission and the La Grange Park Sustainability Commission.

President Kuchler announced that La Grange Delivers Holiday Wishes this year with expanded lighting, festive experiences and curated retail promotions. The Village and the La Grange Business Association have developed safe and exciting opportunities to support our businesses this season. Look for Facebook Live shopping events starting November 5 and the La Grange Holiday Digital Wish Book launching on November 10. For the third year, the small businesses in La Grange will host a flash sale on Small Business Saturday, November 28. From 10 p.m. - 3 p.m. special offers and sales from merchants will be available. A virtual tree lighting ceremony will also take place on November 28 through a Facebook livestream on the La Grange IL Facebook page. Special oversized illuminated lighting displays will provide perfect opportunities for your holiday photos and showcase La Grange as a must-see holiday destination. Festive window displays will transform storefront windows for families to enjoy also beginning November 28. Santa will arrive in La Grange at FNBC Bank on December 5 and Princess Elsa and Olaf from Frozen will greet vehicles driving by at the Stone Avenue Train Station. Please download the LGBA app on Apple and Android devices or visit www.lagrangedelivers.com or www.lagrangeevents.com/holiday for more information. He invited everyone to experience all that La Grange has to offer this holiday season.

President Kuchler announced that he had the privilege of speaking at the annual La Grange Business Association “State of La Grange" event. The event included a panel of other community leaders such as Nick Dubak of Dubak Electrical Group and manufacturer of the UThermX thermal scanner – located in La Grange - and Nora Devine of the Devine Law Group and tax appeal attorney. They discussed the importance of continuing to support our valued businesses at this difficult time and ways that government and businesses can work together. He thanked the LGBA for an excellent and interesting program. The program will be available online.

President Kuchler announced that earlier in the month he and Village staff met with Marie Newman, Democratic candidate for Illinois 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss issues of Village concern including additional COVID-19 funding, infrastructure needs, public safety, and support for grant funding.

MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Andrianna Peterson announced that the Village has been notified that those residents who reside in the 43rd precinct have had a change in polling place for the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election. Residents who previously voted at St. John's Lutheran Church will now be polling at Lyons Township High School, 100 S. Brainard Avenue, La Grange, IL 60525. Residents may still register to vote in person at one of the six Cook County courthouse locations or an Early Voting location. Early voting will take place through November 2 at multiple locations in Cook County including the Hodgkins, Lyons and Brookfield Village Halls. Any registered suburban Cook County voter may also request a mail in ballot online at the Cook County Clerk's office. The deadline to apply is October 29, 2020. Applications for a mail in ballot are also available at the Village Hall. Drop boxes for mail-in ballots are located at over 50 Early Voting sites. Voters can drop off their completed mail-in ballots from 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Additional information regarding Early Voting, Early Voting Sites, Early Voting wait times and vote by mail are available on the County's website or by calling 312-603-0906.

Village Manager Peterson advised that the Village Hall will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 for the Veteran's Day Holiday. Regular office hours will resume on

Thursday, November 12. As always, a full complement of public safety personnel will be on call to respond to emergencies.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

None.

5. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE

A. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, October 12, 2020

B. Consolidated Voucher 201026

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.

It was moved by Trustee Holder and seconded by Trustee McCarty to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Approved by a roll call vote:

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

6. CURRENT BUSINESS 

A. FY 2019-2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports

President Kuchler asked Trustee McGee to introduce the item. Trustee McGee stated that the report is prepared by the Finance Department and reviewed by our auditors, Sikich LLP.

Sikich has rendered an unmodified or “clean” opinion for the Village of La Grange, stating that the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Village and results of its operations as of April 30, 2020.

Sikich also prepared and provided the Auditor's Communication to the Village Board for the year ended April 30, 2020, which includes documents such as Required Communication, Management Letter, and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

Village staff will submit the CAFR to the Government Finance Officers' Association for consideration of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the Village. The Village has received this prestigious award for twenty four consecutive years.

Additional copies of the 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 LLP was in attendance and presented a brief overview of the 2019-2020 audit report.

Trustee Kotynek inquired as to how it was determined that the projected reduction in revenues could be $750,000 as a result of COVID-19. Mr. Cipparrone advised that the annual projections are based on anticipated decreases in revenues such as sales tax. The Illinois Municipal League estimates that the state shared revenue will be lowered by 10 15% this year. At this point the total impacts remain unknown. As further information becomes available, it will be reported.

Trustee Kotynek inquired as to the disbursement of the FEMA / CARES Act Grant. Mr. Cipparrone responded that the Village has applied for $209,000 in reimbursable costs through the CARES Act which we expect to receive. In addition, the Village applied for the FEMA grant which may result in a $15,000 - $25,000 reimbursement. In total, the grants may offset $250,000 of COVID-19 incurred expenses made by the Village.

Trustee Kotynek inquired as to what internal controls existed at the staff level and if it resulted in enough separation of duties for such a small staff. Mr. Berg responded that as part of the audit, this factor was examined and it was found that there was adequate separation of duties across all functions.

Trustee Kotynek thanked Village staff for the time and effort producing the audit.

Trustee Holder inquired as the pronouncements regarding material that can be found in the audit management letter. Mr. Berg responded that the Village does not have leases at this time, which would impact pronouncement #87.

Trustee Holder noted that La Grange has historically had very good financial management. He inquired if the financial safety net accrued could be a target of State government. Mr. Cipparrone responded that finances are public documents but the State cannot directly access the funds. However, the State could theoretically withhold revenues which could force local municipalities, La Grange included, to use reserve balances.

Trustee Gale inquired as to Police and Fire pension funding. Mr. Berg responded that the six year projection is required supplementary information. Depending on the point in time where the measurements are taken, the measurement results can vary.

President Kuchler 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 behalf of the Village Board, President Kuchler accepted the 2019-20 Financial Audit Report.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Kotynek congratulated new Deputy Chief David Rohlicek on his promotion. He wished him a long and successful tenure as Deputy Chief. He also noted that Saint Francis Xavier has once again been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. This award is for those schools which achieve academic excellence and this is the second time St. Francis has received the award. He congratulated them on their achievement.

Trustee Holder congratulated Deputy Chief Rohlicek on his promotion. He also asked residents to remember that La Grange has wonderful Holiday events and local retailers that need our support.

9. CLOSED SESSION

None.

10.

ADJOURNMENT

At 8:24 p.m. Trustee Kotynek made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Augustine. Approved by a voice vote.

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