Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met Feb. 28.

Here are 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 meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Village Clerk Paul Saladino. On roll call, as read by Clerk Saladino, the following were:

PRESENT: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee, O'Brien, and Peterson, with President Kuchler presiding.

ABSENT: None

OTHERS: Village Manager Andrianna Peterson

Village Attorney Ben Schuster

Public Works Director Richard Colby

Community Development Director Charity Jones

Finance Director Lou Cipparrone

Police Chief Robert Wardlaw

Fire Chief Terrence Vavra

Management Analyst Shaun O'Connor

Management Analyst Maureen Rush

President Kuchler welcomed the Village Board and thanked Trustees for attending the meeting. He noted that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has lifted COVID-19 restrictions and therefore, masks are optional. The video of the meeting is available on YouTube, and will also be available on Facebook and posted to the Village website.

President Kuchler asked Emma McLean and Kiera Jensen of Lyons Township High School, National Honor Society to lead the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

President Kuchler introduced and congratulated Emma McLean and Kiera Jensen of the LTHS National Honor Society. Ms. McLean and Ms. Jensen reported that the National Honor Society is planning a Day of Service on April 9 to help local senior citizens clean up their yard. A flier with information about how to sign up for the program is available.

President Kuchler thanked Dr. Kyle Schumacher and the District 102 School Board for their continued partnership. President Kuchler, Trustee Augustine, President Melendez,

Dr. Schumacher and Manager Peterson recently met and agreed to experiment using the Cossitt School teacher parking lot for additional parking on weekends, starting Friday, March 4, 2022. The agreement will especially assist businesses west of La Grange Road. The District and Village will continue to meet to discuss other potential parking opportunities.

President Kuchler thanked Public Work crews for plowing the streets and handling several back-to-back snow events. He also thanked the first responders for their efforts during the storms.

President Kuchler announced that La Grange Restaurant Week began on Friday, February 25 and will last until Sunday, March 6. Participating restaurants will feature specially priced menus at lunch and dinner. He asked for continued support of our valued businesses. For more information regarding restaurant listings, please visit the LGBA website at www.lgba.com.

President Kuchler reported that the Village entered into a task order with Christopher Burke Engineering to provide flood mitigation options and for four additional engineering projects including: 1) school / park district coordination; 2) funding options; 3) buyout programs; and 4) immediate projects for depressional areas. Some of the initiatives that Burke completed during this time is a $17.5M application for the FEMA BRIC grant program, identification of areas of potential future study, and confirmation of previous engineering conclusions that new potential projects should be considered in the context of a larger stormwater management plan that includes maintaining or enhancing our current sewer outfalls. In that regard, the Village's attorneys have reported that the Judge has scheduled the trial with the Hanson Quarry to begin on July 18, 2022.

President Kuchler thanked MWRD Commissioners Eira Sepulveda, Chakena Perry and Congresswoman Marie Newman for visiting La Grange on Wednesday, February 23, to tour the Village's permeable paver parking lots in the downtown. The Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) is also studying a potential flood mitigation / basement backup cost share program. Recommendations regarding potential program parameters are forthcoming and will be discussed further at their upcoming meeting on March 10.

President Kuchler announced that the week of March 28 is Spring Break for many grade school and high school students in La Grange. Unless there is pressing business, the meeting of March 28, 2022, is planned to be cancelled.

A. Resolution of Appreciation - Mark Burkland

President Kuchler read the Resolution of Appreciation of Mark Burkland into the record.

President Kuchler thanked Mark Burkland for his service, legal skills and counsel. He recognized former Village President Tim Hanson, who also benefitted from Mr. Burkland's counsel.

Trustee Kotynek thanked Mr. Burkland for his experience and leadership. He wished him all the best.

Trustee Augustine thanked Mr. Burkland for his clear guidance, care and sympathy. She wished him well.

Trustee Gale thanked Mr. Burkland for his straightforward advice and availability. He also noted his ability to boil down complex matters into simple concepts. He wished him the best of luck.

Trustee McGee thanked Mr. Burkland for his expertise and preparedness. She noted his calming spirit and wished him and his family the best.

Mark Burkland expressed his appreciation to the Village Board and staff for the kind words.

Trustee Kotynek made a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Mark Burkland seconded by Trustee Gale. Motion carried on a voice vote.

MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Peterson announced that the final component of the budget development Process would be held on Saturday, March 12 at 8 a.m. in the Village Hall Auditorium. Public comments are welcomed at any time via email at apeterson@lagrangeil.gov. The Preliminary Budget documents are available at the Village Hall and Library, and will be posted, along with the Village Manager's message, on the Village's website by Friday, March 4. A Public Hearing regarding the preliminary budget will be held on Monday, April 11. Consideration of the proposed FY 2022-23 Village Budget is anticipated on April 25.

Village Manager Peterson announced this year's Spring Clean Up will be held the week of April 11 on resident's regular collection day. The contract with Flood Brothers requires a separate “Spring Clean Up” sticker (2 are required at $3.05 /each - $6.10 total) for unlimited participation. Spring Clean Up stickers will be sold at the same locations as refuse and yard waste stickers. For more information about the Village's refuse program, residents are asked to please visit the website at www.lagrangeil.gov.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

None.

5. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE

A. Ordinance - Design Review Permit #115 – 80 S. La Grange Road, Tivoli Enterprises, Inc.

B. Award of Contract - Replacement Recording/Playback Equipment

C. Agreement - Goldshield Detective Service, Inc.

D. Award of Contract - Codification of Village Ordinances

E. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, February 14, 2022

F. Consolidated Voucher 220228

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 to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Trustee Gale.

Trustee Augustine asked if the 30-day warranty could be extended for the cable equipment. Manager Peterson noted that she would confer with the consultant regarding options and report back to the Village Board.

President Kuchler noted that the agenda includes consideration of a Design Review Permit for 80 S. La Grange Road, Tivoli Enterprises, Inc. He introduced the owner of Classic Cinemas, Chris Johnson. Mr. Johnson stated that he has received a demolition permit for the 100-year-old building and that rehabilitation plans were submitted a week ago. He stated that Classic Cinemas is anticipating a summer reopening of the Theater and that staff has been helpful in moving the project forward. President Kuchler stated that the Village Board and residents are excited for the theater to reopen.

President Kuchler noted the efforts of staff on the codification RFP, notably by Management Analysts Maureen Rush and Shaun O'Connor.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Nays: Absent:

Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee, O'Brien and Peterson None None

6. CURRENT BUSINESS

None.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Dave Paulos, 700 block of south Spring, noted that the 700 members of Dry Up La Grange appreciate President Kuchler's comments and Village efforts. The group stands with the Village on solving the flooding problem. He requested that more information be provided as it becomes available.

President Kuchler thanked Mr. Paulos and stated the Village Boards appreciation for the efforts of Dry Up La Grange. He stated that the Village met with Chris Burke and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District last week and are continuing to work on

solutions, along with legislators,

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

President Kuchler stated that Cook County Commissioner Aguilar is scheduled to attend the next Village Board meeting.

9. CLOSED SESSION

None.

10. ADJOURNMENT At 8:09 p.m. Trustee Kotynek made a motion to adjoum, seconded by Trustee Gale. Approved by a voice vote.

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