Village of Lombard Legistar System

Upon Roll Call by Village Clerk, Suzan L. Kramer, the following were Present: President

Mueller, Trustees DeStephano, Tross, Koenig, Sebby, Florey and Soderstrom.

Quorum Present

Appointed Officials Present:

Village Manager William T. Lichter

Assistant to the Village Manager Ellen Balsamo

Finance Director Len Flood

Village Attorney Thomas P. Bayer

Village Attorney George Wagner

Fire Chief Ed Seagraves

Chief of Police Van Dillenkoffer

Village Engineer Dave Dratnol

Director of Public Works Stan Rickard

Assistant Director of Public Works John Burg

Community Development David Hulseberg

Records Clerk Diane Jantelezio

President Mueller convened the Public Hearing and turned it over to Attorney Thomas P.

Bayer at 7:36 p.m. Attorney Bayer explained the purpose of the Public Hearing for PC

01-23 regarding a proposed Annexation Agreement, rezoning, conditional use and a

variation for the properties at 203 Eastgate Road, 233 Eastgate Road, 1807 S. Highland

Avenue, 567 S. Stewart. Mr. Bayer stated that a request from petitioner was received to

continue this matter to the Board Meeting of January 3, 2002. Therefore, Item # 010818,

on the Agenda Items for Separate Action later that evening would also be continued as

well. Mr. Bayer adjourned the Public Hearing for this item at 7:37 p.m.

Trustee Florey reported that the Committee met on December 4, 2001 at which time

several items of interest were discussed, among them was the Business Recognition

Awards. Trustee Florey stated that the forms for nominations of businesses are on the

Village's web page. Also, a request by Grove Restaurant for a grant for the removal of a

fence will come before the Board at the January 3, 2002 meeting. Trustee Florey

informed the Board that in the audience that evening was Cindy Davies, the new

Executive Director of the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. He stated that the next

meeting of the Committee will be a night meeting to take place on January 8, 2002, to be

held at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be in regard to special services areas. Trustee Florey

commented that letters have been sent to residents and he invited all to attend that

meeting.

Director of Community Development, David Hulseberg stated due to a conflict of time,

the meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee of January 8,

2002 will be rescheduled.

Trustee DeStephano stated that the Committee met on November 27, 2001 and among

the items discussed were a grant request from Montini High School, which is being

reworked, as the grant request was not approved as submitted.

Also discussed was an article to be prepared for the Spring edition of the Lombard Pride

regarding hazardous materials in the home. She went on to say that the Committee was

also considering a recycling program for Cruise Nights and the challenges that are

presented when recyclables are mixed due to the volume of recycling. The Committee's

goal is to recycle at little or no cost to the Village. The next meeting will take place on

January 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.

Trustee Koenig informed the Board that the Committee met on November 28, 2002. The

Committee reviewed and recommended the 2002 Risk Management Program that was

on that evening's agenda. Trustee Koenig provided details of the plan. Also reviewed at

the meeting was the proposed 2001 Property Tax Levy. She stated that the rate remains

unchanged at .05775 and the increase translates into only a few dollars. The Police

and Firefighters Pension Fund was discussed at that time. The next meeting will take

place on January 15, 2002.

Trustee Soderstrom said that he will prepare a study, but that it would take some time

and in all probability would not be ready for a January, 2002 Board meeting.

President Mueller then gave the direction to Attorney Bayer to provide legal support to

this endeavor.

Trustee DeStephano also wanted to review enforcement of the speed limits already in

effect.

Police Chief Van Dillenkoffer responded that the Police Department is responding to

resident complaints. He commented that residents could be loaned a hand held radar

unit and this would evaluate the speeds of vehicles in the area.

President Mueller stated that he has talked to Chief Dillenkoffer regarding traffic control

within the last couple of weeks. He urged residents to call the Police Department if local

speeding situations occur.

Trustee Tross complimented the professional behavior of the Lombard officers as he

has gotten calls regarding the courtesy and consideration demonstrated by many

officers during traffic stops.

Trustee Soderstrom stated that although enforcing speed limits is outside of the scope

of the Transportation and Safety Committee, he would contact Dane Cuny regarding

how the Committee could help with enforcement.

Trustee Sebby questioned the dates of payments to be made to Mary F. Rooney and

Associates, the consultants for the DuPage Theater and Shops Ad Hoc Committee. He

asked if the last $7500.00 payment would bring the contract past January.

Assistant to the Village Manager, Ellen Balsamo, responded by saying that October,

November and December payments have been made, and no check will be released for

January until approximately January 19, 2002. If the consultants services are no longer

needed, notice will be given to Mary F. Rooney and Associates and payments would be

discontinued.

Trustee Tross commented on the property tax levy, and stated that he was not

requesting a separation of the Helen Plum Library from the Village property tax levy. He

did, however, mention the reduced Lake Michigan water tax portion that would equate to

a minimum increase in the Spring of approximately $.21 per 1,000 gallons.

Mr. Lichter stated that the staff recommendation was to reduce the allocation for the

Lake Michigan water debt service and pick part of it up on the water/sewer bill. If the

Board so desired to approve the corporate tax levy, the Board would not need to make a

decision that evening. The decision could be made during the budget workshop

process as to how they would want to handle the shortfall in the property tax.

Trustee Koenig stated that the tax levy may lead to an increase in water rates, but by

approving the levy as presented, the increase may not necessarily follow.

Mr. Lichter informed the Board that five hundred tons of salt could be stored in the yard.

Trustee Soderstrom thanked the Public Works department for addressing this issue, and

claimed that residents would appreciate the decision.

President Mueller mentioned that the Eastgate Shopping Center had been contacted

regarding the removal of salt in the parking lot by the shopping center.

Director of Community Development, Dave Hulseberg commented that the shopping

center had been called again and he would make sure this would be removed by the

end of the week.

Trustee DeStephano asked that this item be removed from the Consent Agenda due to

the three year time frame of the contract and also because this has not gone out to bid.

She stated that it's a very competitive market at this time and the market has not been

explored.

Mr. Lichter commented that this contract would save the Village money.

Finance Director, Len Flood informed the Board that Operations Superintendent, Keith

Surges brought this matter to his attention some time ago. Cingular will take all of the

individual contracts that the Village has with several providers and will consolidate them

into one account for the first time in many years. He commented on the reliability of the

carrier and stated that signals will be more easily picked up in difficult places with this

carrier. He also commented on several other service problems with other providers in

the past. He pointed out that all phones would be under one cellular service provider for

the first time in many, many years.

President Mueller stated that other service providers have been looked at.

Trustee DeStephano commented that she prices voice minutes for her business and

she is well aware that you can get more competitive prices by "playing the game". She

expressed the feeling that this matter should go out to bid.

Trustee Koenig asked if this matter could be done as a bid or an RFP.

Mr. Flood responded that it could be done as an RFP, but it would be difficult to

compare costs between providers. Mr. Flood said that staff has invested a lot of time

going through the process and a savings of $35,000 would be realized.

Trustee Tross asked if all of the phones would be under the contract.

Mr. Flood answered that all phones would be included in the contract as well as the Fire

Department.

Mr. John Egan presented his report regarding the DuPage Theater and the

Committees' progress. He read a memo from the committee regarding the first report

received from the Lobbyist, Carolyn Kulie dated November 19, 2001. He also

mentioned the report on the business plan from the consultant, Dulcie Gilmore &

Associates. As of that evening, Mr. Egan stated that the report had not been seen by the

Committee as the report was two weeks later than originally expected for several

reasons. Mr. Egan sited the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and it's negative

impact on a number of organizations. He pointed out that the Board requested the first

progress report for January, 2002 and the Board did not allow themselves any review

time.

Trustee Sebby thanked Mr. Egan for the report, and stated that he had questions

regarding the business plan. He stated that Virginia Lippig mentioned at the Board

Meeting of November 16, 2001 that she hoped to have a business plan for the Board

inspection.

Mr. Egan then began to share with the Board the numerous delays encountered by the

consultant, such as she would not start work on the project until she received the first

check and the unavailability of needed paperwork. Mr. Egan stated that the Committee

will meet on December 17, 2001 and they may have questions that need to be

addressed. The Committee's hope was that they would have a report for the Board by

December 28, 2001.

Trustee Sebby stated that he wouldn't have asked for a report at this time if it had not

been promised by a committee member.

President Mueller commented that there will be a special Committee of the Whole

meeting to be announced, but assured residents it will be early in January.

Trustee Koenig remarked that the agenda for the meeting of January 3, 2002 is getting

very heavy in view of the number of items tabled at this evening's agenda.

Trustee Tross thanked Trustee Sebby for asking that the report be prepared showing

expenditures pertaining to the DuPage Theater, as he occasionally gets asked by

residents how much the theater has cost the Village. Trustee Tross quoted from the

report a figure of $61,487.41 for various items such as fire system upgrades, roof and

masonry repairs, landscaping, maintenance and labor spent on the Theater. Trustee

Tross expressed his disappointment in the levels of donations and asked residents to

make donations.

Mr. Egan pointed out that these costs should not be related to the Ad Hoc Committee as

there is income coming into the Village for the commuter parking at the Theater lot.

Trustee Toss confirmed that as owner of property, the Village is responsible for

maintenance of the building.

Mr. Egan feels that the outline of cost is a bad reflection on the Ad Hoc Committee, as

the Committee had nothing to do with $10,000 for landscaping. He stated that in the

report it is stated that the expense of the parking lot comes to $13,000 but no reference

is made to the fact that there is an income coming from that property as well with

ninety-one parking spaces being utilized.

Trustee Tross apologized and clarified the issue.

President Mueller commented that the figure of $61,000 is misleading, and gives people

the impression that $60,000 of Village money is being spent on the property.

Trustee Tross wished more time would be spent encouraging people to donate money.

Mr. Egan stated that fundraising is difficult and the first question he is commonly asked

is "when will construction begin?" He also commented that trying to raise hard dollars

out of people's pockets in an environment where there is an economic turndown is

difficult. He again raised the issue of some of the Trustee's lack of commitment to

continue after January 3, 2002. Mr. Egan stated that both the lobbyist and the consultant

encouraged the Committee not to move too quickly on contributions because people will

be reluctant to give larger donations later. He cautioned the Trustees not to expect $6M

in the coffers by January 3, 2002.

Mr. Egan then went on to summarize donations that have been made, pledges made,

grants, businesses and corporations that have been approached and their responses.

He questioned who will be responsible for running the Theater and felt that this is an

issue that needs to be discussed.

Trustee Sebby commented that the only viable money that has been spent on the

Theater for income producing property is the landscaping and parking. He also

expressed his surprise that the January 3, 2002 meeting regarding the Theater is now

being postponed to a later date, as he had heard nothing about this until this time. He

was uncomfortable that the extension of time for this issue seemed to be a given.

President Mueller stated that this discussion should take place in January, 2002 which

will be scheduled as soon as possible. He commented that this is being rescheduled not

to allow more time but to give the Committee a fair chance to represent the report in a

considerable manner.

Trustee Sebby apologized for getting heated on the subject, and he expressed his wish

that the proceedings be held as a televised meeting.

Trustee Tross stated that he has know Mr. Egan for 33 years and that he was playing

devil's advocate role and not an adversarial role. He told Mr. Egan that he supports the

process and again he pleaded for residents not to send letters but to send checks.

Mr. Egan said that the October Board meeting had many residents there to discuss the

flooding that had taken place. He commented that he then suggested a later date than

January 3, 2002 to discuss the Theater.

Members of the public that spoke:

Kevin Fitzpatrick 348 S. Lewis, compared the issue of the DuPage Theater to a long

shot horse. He stated that fundraising for the Theater is hampered because no one is

sure that the Theater will still be there. He commented that this project has always been

one step ahead of the wrecking ball. Mr. Fitzpatrick complimented President Mueller, as

he has been working on this with him for 3 years. Mr. Fitzpatrick expressed his belief

that there are no organizations against the Theater, as "no name" comments in the

press do not count. He said that thousands of people are in support of the Theater and

there is public sector funding available. He views this as an economic opportunity for

Lombard, believes that it can work, and stated that those who think the Theater can't

work are being too pessimistic.

Mr. Lichter presented the annual update of the 2002 Strategic Plan. This document was

drafted on November 5, 2001 at an all day session that was attended by the Board of

Trustees, department heads and Ellen Balsamo. Among the directions for 2002, not

listed according to priority were:

1. Reaching a final DuPage Theater decision

2. Continuing to improve perception, service, and support to the Community.

3. To address the issue of Business Development

4. To alleviate flooding concerns

5. Providing neighborhood infrastructure enhancements

6. Further improving the St. Charles Road corridor

7. Making internal service improvements

These were among the many issues that the planning group would like to see

addressed in the next twelve months. Mr. Lichter stated that there were seventy

directions given, selected from a list of more than ninety. The planning group is seeking

input from the Board which will influence staff's direction in the next twelve to twenty four

months.

Trustee DeStephano thought that the strategic direction was quite good in general, but

she questioned the Elmhurst Hospital Clinic that was considered.

Mr. Lichter stated that the item was on the list, but was not considered a priority.

Trustee DeStephano did not recall this item from the strategic planning session.

Trustee Tross pointed out that when revenues rebound, priorities may change again.