Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met Sept. 12.

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 7:30 p.m. by Village Clerk Paul Saladino. On roll call, as read by Clerk Saladino, the following were:

PRESENT: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kuchler presiding.

ABSENT: Trustee Kotynek

McGee. O'Brien and Peterson. with President

OTHERS: Acting Village Manager Charity Jones

Village Attomey Benjamin Schuster

Public Works Director Richard Colby

Finance Director Lou Cipparrone

Police Chief Robert Wardlaw

Fire Chief Terry Vavra

President Kuchler welcomed the Village Board and thanked Trustees for attending the meeting. The video of the meeting is available on YouTube, and will also be available on Facebook and posted to the Village website.

President Kuchler invited Shirley Roberson, Denise Bruton, Russell Davenport and Mike Bojovic to lead the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PRESIDENTS REPORT

President Kuchler announced that agenda items will be out of sequence.

C. Resolution of Appreciation - Willie Roberson

President Kuchler stated that Willie Roberson came to work every day with a smile that brightened the workplace. Willie came in to work with a positive attitude and was always ready to tackle anything. President Kuchler noted that Willie was also a mentor to his co workers.

President Kuchler read the Resolution of Appreciation into record.

President Kuchler thanked Mrs. Shirley Roberson for putting up with all the late-night calls, weekend calls, and holiday calls and the sacrifices the Roberson family had to make. Trustee Gale made a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Willie Roberson seconded by Trustee Peterson. Motion carried on a voice vote.

A. Appointment - Design Review Commission

President Kuchler read into the record the recommended transfer of appointment of Kurt Volkmann from the Environmental Quality Commission to the Design Review Commission.

Trustee Gale made a motion to approve the appointment seconded by Trustee O'Brien. Motion carried on a voice vote.

B. Appointment - Design Review Commission

President Kuchler read into the record the recommended appointment of Lindsay Hanson to the Design Review Commission.

Trustee Augustine made a motion to approve the appointment seconded by Trustee Gale. Motion carried on a voice vote.

President Kuchler stated that on September 11, there was torrential rain fall and unfortunately some homes were flooded. He stated that along with the Board, he is aware that this is a continuing problem that still remains one of the Village's top priorities. President Kuchler thanked the Public Works Department for their efforts and coming out on a Sunday. President Kuchler stated that he met with regional leaders. Congressman Sean Casten and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and continues to request funding for the Village for flood relief. President Kuchler stated that he met with Congresswoman Marie Neuman and she reiterated that the funding for flood mitigation in La Grange is still waiting approval from the Senate.

President Kuchler stated that the trial scheduled for September 19 was continued until September 27,2022. He noted that frustration is understandable, but the motion for continuance was due to conflicts in the judge's schedule. He stated that after the trial, the Board can look forward to the next steps regarding the flood issues.

President Kuchler thanked the members of the CommUNITY Diversity Group for celebrating their 31't annual Race Unity Day Rally at the end of "Diversity Days" weekend of positive and thoughtful events, which continually focus on inclusion and understanding for all residents.

President Kuchler thanked the La Grange Business Association (LGBA) and their coordinators for another successful West End Art Festival. He noted that events of this caliber require a tremendous amount of time and energy. President Kuchler recognized the work of numerous volunteers and Village staff that work together to make these events happen. President Kuchler noted that for the rain barrel auction, the top selling rain barrel was painted by Fire Chief Terry Vavra. President Kuchler thanked the Police Department and Public Works Department for their hard work during the weekend art festival, including during a rain event on Sunday. He also thanked the residents for supporting the events that celebrate La Grange.

President Kuchler stated that the Robert E. Coulter American Legion held a commemoration ceremony on September 1l - Patriot's Day, at the Countryside City Hall which he attended along with Congressman Sean Casten. President Kuchler thanked the Legion and our first responders for the opportunity to reflect and remember those that were lost that day. He expressed his continued support for first responders.

President Kuchler stated that September 12 is National Policewoman Day. He stated that as a widow with three children under the age of 10, his grandmother got a job as Chicago Police Matron, as women were not allowed to be police officers. However, during her career his grandmother Rose Noonan Hanson became one of the first policewoman in the City of Chicago. He recognized the five women in our Police Department, including one in the Police Academy, on National Policewoman Day.

President Kuchler stated that the Citizens Council will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, September l4 and all are welcomed to attend. He noted that the Citizens Council is looking for residents to join who want to leam more about the Village operations, Library and Park District and to be part of the process of slating candidates.

3. MANAGER'S REPORT

Acting Village Manager Charity Jones stated that the Village's contractor began work on Phase 2 of the Downtown Streetscape project last week. She stated that Phase 2 of the project continues the removal and replacement of all remaining brick pavers. select sidewalk areas, and a refresh of all crosswalks within the Central Business District. Ms. Jones noted that the work is phased to minimize impact on downtown businesses and pedestrian activity. A detailed project map showing the planned work areas by phase is available on the Village website. For any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (708) 579-2328.

Acting Manager Jones noted that the La Grange Area Historical Society is hosting the 2022 virtual Home and History Tour on September 18,2022. The Historical Society will also be hosting an in person "sneak peek" preview of the tour, with opportunities to meet the owners of the featured homes on September 15. For more information, please visit the Historical Society website at www.lagrangehistory.org.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

None.

5. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE

A. Approval - Purchase of Lucas 3 CPR Device

B. Amendment - Parking and Compliance Ticket Tracking Software

C. Ordinance - Amending Chapter I 1 1 of the La Grange Code of Ordinances Regarding Possession of Alcohol by Minors

D. Resolution - Designating a Representative to the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA)

E. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, August 22, 2022

F. Consolidated Voucher 220912

A motion was made by Trustee Gale to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Trustee O'Brien.

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.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, McGee, O'Brien and Peterson

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee Kotynek

6. CURRENT BUSINESS

None

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

Becky Lorentzen, CommUNITY Diversity Group, thanked the Village, Police Department, and Fire Department for their support the Diversity Rally over the weekend.

Laura West, 140 Sunset, stated that September l1 was the 6s occasion of overland flooding in the area of Sunset and Elm. She stated that residents are not being informed of what the Village is doing to address this problem.

President Kuchler thanked Ms. West for expressing her concerns.

Stuart Smith, 100 block Sunset, expressed frustration regarding the flooding at Sunset and Elm. He requested further information regarding the strategic plans that the Village will implement to address flooding.

President Kuchler thanked Mr. Smith for expressing his concerns.

Sarah Gall, 100 Sunset, stated that after moving into La Grange in2019, her basement was flooded. She expressed her frustrations regarding flooding and is requesting the Village address or provide the plans surrounding flooding in La Grange.

President Kuchler thanked Ms. Gall for expressing her concerns.

President Kuchler noted that the Village has hired engineers to look at various solutions and stated that there is no simple solution that will address the issues at Sunset and Elm. President Kuchler noted the Maple Avenue Relief Sewer (MARS) project is what will eventually address the situation. He also noted that the Village will continue to meet with the experts to see what can be done to address the issues. President Kuchler noted that in the meantime, the Public Works Director Rick Colby and his staff are willing to speak with the residents about potential fixes that can be done by the homeowners. President Kuchler noted that h 2022 the Village instituted the Residential Sewer Backup Prevention Program providing 50o% reimbursement of eligible costs for backflow or overhead sewers and noted the budgeted $50,000 was used. He noted that these residents can provide feedback if the backflow or overhead sewers devices made a difference.

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Gale stated that he is disappointed the trial date was moved back but is looking forward to its conclusion and the clarity it will provide, after which the Village should formulate a plan for what stormwater projects happen next after the 50s Street Project.

Trustee Augustine stated that fie Board is listening to residents and has a plan for the 50s Sheet area. She stated that she understands residents in other areas are asking for what will happen after the trial in other areas of the community and want a plan. She stated that the residents' continued engagement is helping and the Village will develop something to address their concerns.

9. CLOSED SESSION

None

10. ADJOURNMENT

At 8:13 p.m. Trustee Gale made a motion adjourn, O'Brien. Approved by a roll call vote.