Thursday, August 15, 2002
7:30 PM
Village of Lombard
Board Room - Village Hall
Village Board of Trustees
Village President: William J. Mueller |
Acting Village Clerk: Barbara Johnson |
Trustees: Joan DeStephano, Richard J.Tross, |
Karen Smith-Koenig, Steven D. Sebby, |
Kenneth M. Florey and Rick Soderstrom |
Meeting Minutes
Village Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes
August 15, 2002
Village President Willliam J. Mueller, Council Member Suzan Kramer, Trustee |
Joan DeStephano, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen Koenig, Trustee |
Steven Sebby, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and Trustee Rick Soderstrom |
Present:
RESCHEDULED REGULAR MEETING - AUGUST 15, 2002 - 7:00 PM
BOARD ROOM
Broadcast on Cable TV Channel 6
I
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
The Regular Meeting of the President and Board of Trustees of August 15, 2002 was |
called to order by President Mueller at 7:02 p.m. in the Board Room of Village Hall. |
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Village Clerk Suzan L. Kramer. |
II
Roll Call
Upon Roll Call by Village Clerk, Suzan L. Kramer, the following were Present: President |
Mueller, Trustees DeStephano, Tross, Koenig, Sebby, Florey and Soderstrom. |
Appointed Officials Present: |
Village Manager William T. Lichter |
Assistant to the Village Manager Ellen Balsamo |
Village Attorney Tom Bayer |
Finance Director Len Flood |
Director of Community Development David Hulseberg |
Fire Chief George Seagraves |
Village Engineer Dave Dratnol |
Assistant Director of Public Works John Burg |
Deputy Village Clerk Barbara Johnson |
III
Public Hearings
IV
Public Participation
President Mueller related that Bill Everitt passed away this week. He said that Mr. |
Everitt was a dedicated citizen and public servant, having served Lombard's Zoning |
Board of Appeals for 35 years. He also said that most of those years Mr. Everitt had |
served as Chairperson. He conveyed condolences to the family on behalf of the Village |
and asked for a moment of silent prayer. |
Jaycees-Taste of Lombard Recognition
President Mueller said that the Lombard Jaycees are to be commended, as our |
fireworks display in Lombard rivals that of Chicago's Venetian Nights. Certificates were |
presented by President Mueller to Jaycees Barb Ware and Ellen Bachner,General |
Chairs, for their year round work on the activities. He commended Ellen Bachner |
especially since she had a baby girl on June1and was out there working anyway during |
the fourth of July. He said that the Jaycees put on the display themselves, whereas |
many communities hire someone to put on the show. He said that the money granted |
by the Village goes one hundred percent to the display. |
020502
Enactment No: School's Open Safety |
V
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Trustee Soderstrom, seconded by Trustee Florey. The motion |
carried by the following vote: |
Aye:
Trustee Joan DeStephano, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen |
Koenig, Trustee Steven Sebby, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and Trustee |
Rick Soderstrom |
6 -
VI
Committee Reports
Economic/Community Development Committee-Trustee Kenneth M. |
Florey, Chairperson |
Trustee Kenneth M. Florey reported that the Committee met on Monday at which time |
they discussed the DuPage Theater Business Plan and deferred comment until that |
discussion later in tonight's agenda. He said that they also approved a Facade Grant |
request. He said that the next meeting will be held on September 3, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. |
Environmental Concerns Committee-Trustee Joan DeStephano, |
Chairperson |
Trustee Joan DeStephano reported that the Committee met on July 23. She stated that |
recycling at Cruise Nights is improving, she thanked residents for their cooperation and |
encouraged them continue to use the brown bins. She announced that the Recycling |
Extravaganza will be held on September 14, from 9 unit 3 at Yorktown Shopping Center |
on the Highland Avenue side. She asked that any interested volunteers call Public |
Works at 620-5740 to sign up. She mentioned that she is very proud to work with this |
Committee on this event. She stated that this event will not take in hazardous waste. |
She said that the County will do that later in the season. She announced that due to the |
threat of the West Niles Virus, and some confirmed victims, Public Works has increased |
their spraying; she said that they had sprayed on July 27, August 10 and will spray |
again on August 24. She concluded saying that there is a West Niles Virus Hot line at |
800-942-2555 for Clark Environmental or go to www.CDC.gov. She also said that there |
is a TV 6 presentation Mondays and Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. and Fridays |
at 9:00 p.m. She urged people to take precautions but don't be alarmed. She said that |
the next meeting will be held on August 27 at 7:00 p.m.and the public is invited |
Finance Committee-Trustee Karen S. Koenig, Chairperson
Trustee Karen S. Koenig said that the Committee met July 11 and discussed the |
DuPage Theater Business Plan which she will report on later. She said that the next |
meeting will be on Tuesday September 17 at 7:30. |
Public Works Committee-Trustee Steven D. Sebby, Chairperson
Trustee Steven Sebby indicated that the Public Works Committee had met Tuesday and |
discussed the closing of the St. Charles and Grace Intersection. He indicated that there |
had also been a prior meeting on the subject held on the 7th. Some residents were |
concerned about cut through traffic at Moran Water Park. One citizen from |
unincoporated Lombard came looking for the Village to install a sidewalk . He said that |
there were several items recommended by the Comittee on tonight's agenda. |
Transportation & Safety Committee-Trustee Rick Soderstrom, |
Chairperson |
Trustee Rick Soderstrom said that the next meeting will be held on September 9th. At |
that time the Committee will review a report from Police Deputy Chief Cuny regarding |
the speeding incident program enhanced enforcement. |
Community Promotion & Tourism Committee-President William J. |
Mueller, Chairperson |
President William J. Mueller said that the Committee had not met. The next meeting will |
be held on September 19 at 4:00 p.m. |
Village Clerk- Suzan L. Kramer
Village Clerk Suzan L. Kramer reported that the Board of Local Improvments met today |
at 1:00 p.m. and at the meeting BOLI approved the following items of business: |
For SA213, West/Windsor/ Woodland: a payout of $13,049.91 |
For SA 214 A & B, Harrison/Pleasant: a payout of $7,890.00 |
For SA216, Ahrens/School/Norton/Highridge/Wilson: payouts totalling $457, 318.65 amd |
a change order reflecting an increase of $6,889.80. |
For SA217, Lombard Lagoon: approved a payout of $3,106.25 and recommended |
approval of a contract with Associated Property Counselors, Ltd. in the amount of |
$42,5000 for appraisal services. |
Dave Dratnol, Village Engineer, presented the results of the meeting with Illinois |
American Water Company as it pertains to Special Assessment 217. We may be |
bringing this topic forward for further discussion at a later date. |
The next BOLI meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m. |
Village Manager/Village Board Comments
Village Manager William Lichter introduced the new Police Chief, Ray Byrne, who had |
served on the Police force in Downers Grove for 22 years. He is a graduate of |
Northwestern University and obtained his Law degree from DePaul University, |
completed the FBI Academy and has served for 10 years as a Village Trustee in |
Woodridge. |
Mr. Lichter announced that there would be a Public Information meeting regarding North |
Avenue held on Wednesday, August 28th at 7:30 p.m. |
Trustee DeStephano announced the opening of a new business in Downtown Lombard. |
The Treasure Shop, a gift Boutique, is called is located at 10 S. Park. She urged |
residents to please stop in and browse or buy and support the Downtown. |
Trustee Tross announced that he was now in compliance, his dumpster is gone. He |
also said that on the September agenda, the Board will discuss no left turns at Route 53 |
President Mueller added that IDOT is working on their report, that they had met with |
Lombard and Glen Ellyn and will contact us with their decisions. He said that Lombard |
should receive the report in time for that agenda. |
020384
It was moved by Trustee DeStephano, seconded by Trustee Tross, that this |
matter be waived of first reading and passed on second reading under |
suspension of the rules. The motion carried by the following vote: |
Aye:
Village President Willliam J. Mueller, Trustee Joan DeStephano, Trustee |
Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen Koenig, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and |
Trustee Rick Soderstrom |
6 -
Nay:
Trustee Steven Sebby
1 -
Enactment No: Ordinances 5174, 517 |
It was moved by Trustee DeStephano, seconded by Trustee Tross, to waive first |
reading, pass on second reading under suspension of the rules. The motion |
carried by the following vote: |
Aye:
Trustee Joan DeStephano, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen |
Koenig, Trustee Steven Sebby, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and Trustee |
Rick Soderstrom |
6 -
020387
It was moved by Trustee Florey, seconded by Trustee Sebby, that this matter be |
passed on second reading. The motion carried by the following vote: |
Aye:
Trustee Joan DeStephano, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen |
Koenig, Trustee Steven Sebby, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and Trustee |
Rick Soderstrom |
6 -
Enactment No: Ordinance 5178 Text |
Public Hearing
020501
The Public Hearing was introduced by President Mueller who turned the hearing over to |
Village Attorney Thomas P. Bayer. Attorney Bayer opened the hearing at 7:31 and |
explained the petition which was the subject of the Public Hearing and told the audience |
that the purpose of the hearing was to hear public comment for or against the petition. |
He asked that anyone wishing to comment come to the microphone on his left. There |
being no one wishing to speak, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:33 pm. |
Enactment No: Public Hearing 613 S |
VIII
Consent Agenda
It was moved by Trustee Sebby, seconded by Trustee Florey, to pass the Consent |
Agenda, to suspend the rules, waive first reading and pass on second reading, |
waive competitive bidding and award contracts approve and adopt resolutions as |
needed for the following items and as read by the Clerk on the Consent Agenda. |
The motion carried by the following vote: |
Aye:
Trustee Joan DeStephano, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen |
Koenig, Trustee Steven Sebby, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and Trustee |
Rick Soderstrom |
6 -
020489
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
020490
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
020495
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
020497
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
020498
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
020505
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
020484
This Matter was passed on first reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ordinance 5188 600 W |
020486
This Matter was withdrawn on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: 404 East North Avenu |
020487
This Matter was waived of first reading and passed on second reading under |
suspension of the rules on the Consent Agenda. |
Enactment No: Ordinance 5179 Text |
020491
This Matter was passed on first reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ordinance 5189 113 E |
020493
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 41-03 FY |
020496
This Matter was waived of first reading and passed on second reading under |
suspension of the rules on the Consent Agenda. |
Enactment No: Ordinance 5180 Billi |
020503
This Matter was waived of first reading and passed on second reading under |
suspension of the rules on the Consent Agenda. |
Enactment No: Ordinance 5181 613 S |
020507
This Matter was passed on first reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ords. 5190-5193 18W5 |
020313
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 42-03 999 |
020314
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 43-03 170 |
020475
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 44-03 FY |
020499
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Plat of Easement at |
020500
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 45-03 205 |
020504
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 46-03 111 |
020506
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 47-03 638 |
020509
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 48-03 Sou |
020510
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 49-03 Tre |
020511
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 50-03 201 |
020512
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 51-03 Nor |
020515
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 52-03 Add |
020517
This Matter was adopted on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Resolution 53-03 Nor |
020388
This Matter was passed on second reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ord inance 5182 Amen |
020425
This Matter was passed on second reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ordinance 5183 220 |
020445
This Matter was passed on second reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ordinance 5184 Trees |
020457
This Matter was passed on second reading on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Ordiance 5185 Villag |
020508
This Matter was approved on the Consent Agenda.
Enactment No: Water & Sewer Syste |
IX
Agenda Items for Separate Action
020513
President Mueller introduced the subject of the DuPage Theater Business Plan and |
stated that public comment will be heard after reports are given. He said that the Board |
would then vote to accept the plan, or not. He noted that the Ad Hoc Committee had |
been extended until the September 19th meeting. President Mueller thanked John |
Egan, who could not be at the meeting and announced that Co-Chair Virginia Lippig |
would report. |
Ms. Lippig, 425 W. Ash, reported on the Business Plan of the DuPage Theater. Ms. |
Lippig said that she recently found out that President Mueller was the one who asked |
Big Idea to gift the DuPage Theater to the Village of Lombard, as he did not want the |
Theater destroyed. She reported that on November 16, 2000 the Board adopted the |
Resolution establishing the DuPage Theater and Shops Ad Hoc Committee. She |
introduced the members of the Committee: John Egan, who has worked very hard. She |
thanked him on behalf of the Committee. Mark Barry who worked on Publicity, Doug |
Christensen Publicity and upkeep of the Theater. She went on to introduced Laura |
Fitzpatrick who worked on Grant writing. Ms. Lippig said that Laura and Ellen Balsamo |
had applied for 300 grants and asked Ms. Balsamo to comment on the progress. |
Ms. Balsamo remarked that some replies to the grant requests are still outstanding such |
as the "Save America's Treasures" Grant, to which they applied for a million-dollar grant |
to save the Theater. She added that they had also applied for a matching grant for a |
million dollars for the "Tours of Attraction" Grant through the Bureau of Tourism. She |
said that they have been given one million dollars in State of Illinois funds through a |
Department of Commerce and Community Affairs grant which Senator Pate Philip |
helped us to secure. |
Ms. Lippig then introduced Committee member Marge Neely, saying that she had |
worked on Fund raising and the Business Plan and David Poirrer, who had worked on |
clean up and parking. |
She then introduced Ellen Balsamo, Assistant to the Village Manager and mentioned |
that Village employee Carol Bauer had been very helpful and that Joelyn Kott had done |
publicity. She said that all that they have done for the Committee, they do in addition to |
their own jobs. She noted that people would not imagine the amount of work that they |
and the Committee had done. She said that the Committee had been charged with |
development of a physical plan by securing an Architect familiar with restorations. She |
said that Doug Christensen had also worked on this. She said that the Architect they |
had secured was Daniel P. Coffey. Ms. Lippig said that the DuPage Theater is on the |
United States Register of Historical Places and therefore must be restored within |
Federal guidelines. |
Enactment No: DuPage Theatre & Sho |
Ms. Lippig said the the next task the Committee had been charged with was the |
Business Plan, to show how the Theater could be restored and become an economically |
viable cultural arts center, that had been done by done by Dulcie Gilmore. The last |
phase is the development of a financial plan. The Committee has met 3-4 times a week |
and have performed about 8,000 volunteer hours. She also said that they had held |
Theater Tours every Saturday. The Committee had set up subcommittees including |
Restoration, Operations, Fund Raising and Publicity. |
Ms. Lippig then introduced Mr. Andrew Tiffen of Daniel P. Coffee who reviewed the |
architectural plans and process. He stated that the direction that had been given was to |
work with what we had. He said that this plan represents an austere approach taken to |
preserve the historical features of the Building. He displayed the building plans pointing |
out that entrances will remain, showed new walls that would be constructed and that the |
Theater will be ADA accessible. He pointed out that they would increase the |
functionality by adding more bathrooms and said that the retail area would remain as it |
is. He said that there is now no room for behind the scene activities, dressing rooms or |
storage. The addition of the a space for these activities could be phased in. |
Mr. Tiffin explained that the atmospheric features such as the stars and the lighting |
would be restored. He said that the stage was too shallow so they have designed a |
thrust configured three-tier stage, and said that when the thrust is in use, seating would |
be reduced. Above the shops would be open space for commercial lease space or |
additional performance areas. He said that the plans call for the addition of an elevator. |
Mr. Tiffin also said that much of the work would be invisible such as electrical. He |
mentioned that his firm had also recommended some potential functions such as |
entertainment type retail space and restaurants with the remainder devoted to parking. |
Ms. Lippig continued, introducing Fred Solari. She said that Mr. Solari had been invited |
to talk briefly about the Business Plan. He spoke of his experience in the theater |
business and the restoration of the Anthenaeum Theater and managing it as a not for |
profit corporation. He said that is the type of corporation the DuPage Theater should be. |
He said that there would be profits but the money goes back into the business. He said |
that his theater makes money and has sometimes had a surplus of $300,000. Their |
typical year nets profit of $50,000 and this project should be a modest operation with the |
right controls and a modest plan. He said that it would only be a 700-seat theater and |
with the thrust stage it would have 500 seats. He said it would not house Broadway |
shows, but typical community based performances, perhaps silent movie festivals and |
barbershop quartets. |
Ms. Lippig continued with an explanation of the differences between being a renter or |
presenter. She said that they would either rent the Theater to other groups or put on the |
performances. Renters, who would cover all expenses, would pay user fees of $625.00 |
and all risk is borne by the user. The Facilities Manager would oversee the events. A |
presenter bears all the costs and losses. She pointed out that they could make more |
money with a very successful performance as presenters. |
Ms. Lippig said that the Friends of the DuPage recently held a Birthday party for the |
Theater's 74th birthday. There was a good turn out. Volunteers help clean the Theater |
on a regular basis. She reminisced about taking her children to the Theater. She said |
that the McKays have allowed free publicity in their paper each week. She said that the |
Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Grant of one hundred and twenty five |
thousand dollars, through Lee Daniels' office, paid for the Architect and Business Plan. |
She said that This Old House might consider taking the Theater on as a project. |
Ms Lippig said that many political leaders have endorsed the DuPage Theater and |
Shops restoration project such as Representative Lee Daniels, Senator Pate Philip, |
Senator Dan Cronin, Congressman Henry Hyde, Senator Peter Roskam, |
Representative Bob Biggins, County Board Chair Robert Schillerstrom, and County |
Board Trustee Patrick O'Shea. She told the Board that the Committee's job is complete |
except for the balance of the funding. She said that Carolyn Kulie had been hired to |
lobby for the funds and that in May eight million dollars in funding was present and by |
June 15 it was gone due to State Budget cuts. She read a letter from Pate Philip |
dedicating one million dollars of State funds. She said he told them to come back for |
more money. She gave the details of donations thus far as thirty-two thousand in brick |
and mortar money fifty-eight thousand in soft money donations, three thousand, three |
hundred and fifty in pledges, one hundred and twenty-five thousand in grant money, one |
million in TIF funds and one million in State funding. She said that Congressman Hyde |
had written to the Department of the Interior, National Park Service for favorable |
consideration of the DuPage Theater grant request, She said that verification should be |
coming through in September. Ms. Lippig said Lombard is fortunate to have our State |
and Federal officials behind this project. She said that the Trustees need to make a |
decision and then the project can be set up as a 501C3 Corporation. She suggested it |
be called the DuPage Lilac Town Corporation. She said that the benefits of saving the |
Theater would be that it would draw people into the Downtown. People would come if it |
had a café, events, festivals and educational events. She said that it would increase |
tourism, increase economic development, preserve the Downtown area and increase |
property values. She concluded saying that the best reason for saving the Theater is |
that it will help Lombard to remain an exceptional community, rather than a strip mall, |
and said "Open the Theater and they will come". |
President Mueller called on Trustee Koenig to report on the Finance Committee's review |
of the Business Plan for feasibility. She gave a history of the 3 Committees meeting to |
review the plan. She said that the three committees had initially met in April and |
questions and concerns were brought forward. June 5th the three groups met and the |
Ad Hoc Committee brought in Fred Solari as a consultant and presented new figures, |
dated May 28th, which have now been updated again. The Committee was favorably |
influenced. The Committee met alone to review the figures on July 11, 2002. The plan |
dated the 28th of May had addressed many outstanding questions. The Committee was |
still concerned with DuPage Theater being a presenter rather than a renter and the risk |
involved, and whether income projections were reasonable. They also were concerned |
that the plan did not name who the principals in this project would be. She said that they |
had seen balance sheets for the Hinsdale and Crystal Lake as well as Mr. Solari's |
Anthenaeum. The Anthenaeum ran in the black, but the other two ran in the red without |
additional ongoing subsidies. |
The Committee also was concerned because the plan shows a profit only with parking |
fees and rental of retail space. They had concerns about the Theater not being |
successful and the Village's liability. She repeated the motion that had been made on |
the matter by the Finance Committee at their July 11, 2002 meeting as a motion "that |
the Ad Hoc Committee Column dated 5/28/02 of the Theater Plan Comparison |
Worksheet attached to the memo dated 6/12/02 from Ellen Balsamo appears to address |
revenue and expense, but the Theater should not be financially supported by the |
Village, operated by the Village, or expected to be subsidized in anyway by the Village, |
except for the revenue generated by the DuPage Theater site". She said that the |
general consensus of the Committee was that they did not have confidence in the |
figures and were concerned with the risks as presenters. |
Trustee Florey reported that the Economic Development Committee saw that the |
Business Plan had evolved but that the Committee had not been comfortable in |
endorsing the initial plan. They reviewed the plan section by section and it has now |
been revised by the Solari plan. He thanked David Hulseberg and the Committee |
members for their time and effort in coming up with a new plan. He presented a Power |
Point presentation (See attached presentation)He said that the Committee had taken a |
hard look at the plan and read statement from IIori 15 years not in favor changed his |
mind f they can get grants and operate as a rental he is now in favor and asked Board to |
endorse the project. |
President Mueller asked that each of the 25 speakers show respect for others and limit |
their speech. |
Penny Arnold, 527 E. Washington, read the language of a petition for a referendum |
which was being circulated. " Shall the Village of Lombard, County of DuPage, State of |
Illinois restore the DuPage Theater property and continue to provide Village support |
including the use of available tax revenues for the restoration and subsidization of the |
ongoing operation of the DuPage Theater?" She said that she is shocked that it asked if |
voters if they support the use of tax dollars and to continue to support the Theater. She |
asked why supporters would take this initiative while money is coming down from other |
sources. She also felt that the petition presents a misleading question. She said she is |
confident that there is no proof that the Village would have to subsidize the Theater. |
She feels that the Ad Hoc Committee has really worked hard to make this project work. |
David Barry, 119 S. Stewart, spoke for saving the Theater as it is "part of the soul of the |
Village" and he would hate to see it go. As a Downtown business owner he said he has |
a vested interest and is interested in seeing that more people come into the Downtown. |
He thanked the Village for Cruise nights and activities to begin attracting people to the |
Downtown. |
Marty Burke, 245 W. Maple, said he supports the referendum imperative due to the |
Theater project being a divisive and controversial issue for years. He is against |
additional funds being expended and said that a referendum will once and for all |
determine the fate of the Theater. He said the decision should be made by the majority. |
Those who organized the petition want to determine that the Village is not doing |
something that very few people support. He said that people are tired of seeing a run |
down building. He said that a referendum is necessary to allow you to see what your |
constituents want. He concluded saying that this gives both sides the opportunity for |
education and what objection could you have to that. |
Bud Carlson, 62 N. Lincoln, said he appreciated all the work on this project. He asked |
the Village "what took you so long?" He went on to say that this old building has been |
boarded up a long time. He has heard that it is a unique building but outside it doesn't |
look good. An historic building should look good. It is the wrong place, it is the wrong |
size and it is on the wrong side of the tracks to fit in with the retail district. People have |
to park and walk to it. It won't help the other retail. The Theater is the wrong size, as |
most theaters are now smaller theaters. He said that this theater is not set up for |
performing arts but for movies, with the stage too small and needs additional equipment. |
He pointed out that Glen Ellyn has a small arts theater at much less cost. He doesn't |
think that the soul of Lombard is in that boarded up old building. He pointed out that a |
few grants out of 300 have been obtained and without total Village support, this will not |
fly. He reminded the audience that this project continues to be supported by staff time, |
which is tax funded. He concluded saying that it is time to move on. |
John Chopores, 1159 S. Grace said that he had two points to make. First he stated that |
Big Idea gave us a great gift. If we are going to do something we should do it right |
away. He thinks it is a prime location and it has potential. He has been reading local |
newspapers and things like "bloodbath" and other comments have been printed. He |
said that whatever happens with the Theater, neither side should look at it as if someone |
is plotting against them. He reminded the audience that both sides are sincere and |
have made good points. |
Patricia Demos, 4 Woodland Court, said that she is for the referendum and part of the |
petition group. She said that because people are receptive to being involved and many |
people she spoke to are happy to have a chance to have a voice. The people she |
spoke with wished her good luck and were happy to give their opinion on a referendum. |
Jim Devitt, 4 E Goeble, talked about the success of the birthday party and gave Laura |
Fitzpatrick a check for $400 from the Jaycees Dunk tank. He spoke of Schaumburg's |
Cultural Arts Center being very successful. He said that here in Lombard we already |
have the building, which is easy to get to because of the train. He mentioned that the |
Arcadia in St. Charles holds events every week. He feels we need the chance to have |
an Arts Center. He feels we need no more residential or retail or medical facilities here. |
He said he really feels this could work |
Steve Dittmore, 675 Rochelle Terrace, said that he had looked at the agenda for the |
vision of the Village and thinks that the DuPage Theater is an important part of that |
vision, a prime example of improving the quality of life. He said that it is important to |
have the kids be able to have activities there and that the Village needs to support and |
find time for this project. He asked others to keep in mind that the children do not have |
a vote. |
Mark Esposito, 63 N. Lincoln Avenue, said that citizens are concerned that DuPage |
Theater is not feasible. He said that the Lombardian is biased toward the Theater. He |
said that the Theater supporters have tried to say our reluctance to support the Theater |
reflects that we don't want culture. He is concerned that the project is not fiscally |
responsible and wants to know if the majority think that it is. He said he ran into |
opposition from his Trustee. He does not feel that this plan is concrete and that more |
business plans fail than succeed. He feels that the experts' opinions were disregarded. |
He also thinks that said it would take 5 years for the Theater to pay for itself. He said |
that since the Village Board seems to be deadlocked, and we need the referendum. |
Laura Fitzpatrick, 348 S. Lewis, said that as fundraising chair, she reported growing |
numbers of supporters who just walked in and gave checks andthat they found the |
Theater breathtaking. She said that the friends of the DuPage number 750 people, |
donators 261 people with total of ninety-one thousand in donations. She said that the |
DuPage restoration is supported by the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, |
the Lombard Service League and the Lombard Arts Coalition. She said that they have |
garnered the support of over 2000 people in just a few months, and other endorsements |
from many. Ms. Fitzpatrick said that they plan to get another 1500 members by |
September. She feels these numbers are unheard of and they all hope to restore the |
most beautiful stage in the County. She urged those in attendance to pick up an |
application for membership. |
Kevin Fitzpatrick, 348 S. Lewis, reminded the audience that the Theater was a gift to the |
community. He said that Big Idea was held to stringent standards and were sensitive to |
public sentiment and gave the Theater as a gift to we, the people of Lombard. He |
expressed the opinion that a Referendum in the purest form is the voice of the people, |
the people's check against the system. He said that when citizens do initiate a |
referendum we should think it through, as it can be a no confidence vote for Elected |
Officials. Many Board, Village Commissions and Committee people are involved in this |
referendum effort and he feels that it is being done so that a decision would not have to |
be made. He feels that circulation of the petitions by connected officials is drawing |
negative comment and that some members here are compromising their positions. |
Brian Hilligoss, 34 W. Potomac, supports the referendum as it will give citizens the |
opportunity to vote for or against the restoration so they can state how they feel about |
this. He has contacted the Ad Hoc Committee and offered to volunteer his time to |
review the Business Plan or the Architectural Plans to help. He indicated that the |
Committee has not called him back. He said that he had been involved the in the |
redevelopment of Navy Pier. He stated that the first opportunity he had to voice his |
opinion was to sign the petition. He said he thinks that the Village should decide once |
and for all as a Community whether we want this. He said he felt the Theater would be |
in the red 3 to 5 years especially as presenters. In conclusion, he said show me the |
renters and that you have the eight-million dollars. |
Marilyn Jensby, 13 S. Edgewood, said that she values history and thinks we should |
save the Theater, she values culture so we should have an arts center. She values the |
businesses in Lombard and a Theater in the Downtown area should help. She said she |
is frightened because the owner would be the Village of Lombard and the Village should |
not own any business. She recommended that the Village review the Banbury proposal |
which proposed keeping the building as Theater and then we could have an arts center |
which would be a viable business in Lombard and taxpayers wouldn't have to worry how |
the Village will pay for it. She said there are way too many ifs. She concluded urging |
the Board to have Banbury buy the Theater. |
President Mueller reminded Ms. Jensby that the Banbury proposal was rejected |
because they wanted the land free would have built a new Theater and saved only the |
facade and it would have cost eight million dollars. |
Kurt Lentsch, 443 N. Edgewood, spoke thanking the President, Village Trustees, Village |
Staff, Distinguished Guests and fellow residents of Lombard for the opportunity to share |
his thoughts tonight regarding the DuPage Theatre Property. He said that he had |
recently had the opportunity to speak |
with a number of the Staff of the Village Government and see Committee Members in |
action, and said that the employees', elected officials' and volunteers' commitment and |
dedication to serving the Residents of Lombard has impressed him. He found the |
Board's handling of the Theater issue troubling. |
Mr. Lentsch said that he had watched the Village Board pass a Resolution for a |
Referendum at the August 17th, 2000 Board Meeting, which would have put a |
referendum on the November 7, 2000 ballot that stated simply "Do you support the |
Village of Lombard expending tax dollars to renovate the DuPage Theatre Property?" |
He said that after the Referendum was filed with the Board of Elections, the |
Village Board went back and repealed the Resolution at the September 7th, 2000 Board |
Meeting, which effectively killed that referendum. He stated that he felt that the Village |
Board did not want to hear from the Residents on this issue. He explained that he had |
followed this issue through the newspapers and Village Board Meetings for the past |
several years. |
He said the Village does owe Committee members gratitude, they have been dedicated. |
Since the issue of the present Citizens' Referendum has come up there have been |
threats of bloodbaths, lawsuits, unnecessary referenda and threats to future developers. |
He reminded everyone to remember that Character Counts. He said that the issue is |
not whether we need a cultural arts center, rather the issue of setting up another |
government subsidy. If the Theater is run as a not for profit, it will generate no property |
tax revenue for Village Schools, parks or the Library and the Village of Lombard would |
be subject to public liability. If sold, the property would generate tax dollars every year. |
Mr. Lentsch said that the current business plan shows profit but no marketing strategy |
which is key. He said that if you were to read only the local tabloid, you would think that |
there is overwhelming support and $91, 000 in donations, but 11 percent of the donation |
money was donated by one resident. He said that issues were emotional and personal |
not centered on the real issue. He said that he felt that the Village Board had lost the |
ability to make an objective vote on referendum and will support the results of the |
referendum as he would like the Board to do. |
John Merkle said that he is happy to have the right to vote; other countries don't. He |
said that he has watched the 18 month debate regarding the Theater. He has now gone |
door to door asking people to sign a petition as to whether the people should spend tax |
revenue on an ongoing basis. The feeling out there is majority would love to see this |
question on the ballot. Ninety percent favored the referendum. Two thought that the |
petition proponents were out to get rid of the Theater. Mr. Merkle asked the Board to |
give us a right to vote so the Board can find out how we feel. In conclusion, he asked |
registered voters, residents of Lombard to sign the petition. |
Mary Mae Meyer, 414 W. Windsor relates to the Theater as she said she is also aging |
and needs money. She has enjoyed the Theater and would be delighted to have the |
opportunity to vote on it and at the same time she is glad to see impassioned opinions |
because she feels that the best decisions can result from strong opposing views. She |
came tonight as a friend of the Theater, but also believes in the referendum. She says |
she has tried to follow this issue but she solves problems by reducing them into the |
smallest piece. She indicated that she has become confused by opponents and |
distracters. She needed a summary what this is all about. She is also concerned about |
the Village being the owner of a theater. She said the Village residents are We, the |
people and if economics don't balance it is upon us. In hard economic times she is hard |
pressed to justify the expenditure of any disposable income. She said that the theater |
should be a business, not operated by the Village. She asked the people to consider |
what happens if the Theater fails, saying that the subject needs to be addressed. She |
asked them to consider where the money would come from. She said the expenditure |
to cover the shortage would just be approved by the Board. She asked in conclusion, |
what recourse do we have if it fails. |
Jean Nolan, said that she has followed the saga for two decades and says that it is not |
an issue of supporting or not supporting the performing arts. She also said that she |
thanks the Committee for all of their work. She said that she is unsure if the Theater will |
be good for the economics of the Downtown. The movement is because citizens are |
concerned that after almost 3 years we are not closer to a resolution. She feels that |
since 2500 citizens thus far have made the response in favor of the referendum, it is a |
true cross section of the people. |
John Nolan, 406 W. Maple, complimented the Board for all that they do to make the |
town what it is. He said that on this issue he has a problem with their position. He |
explained that the wording of the petition is not inaccurate because TIF funds are really |
Lombard Tax revenue. He said to the Committee that he doesn't want to see their |
cause fail, but over the years he has felt that there are so many out there who do not |
share their vision. The Board owes it to the town to let the people vote on the issue and |
see how they feel. He apologized if he had offended any one. |
John Polcyn, 406 N. Edgewood said he moved in to Lombard 17 years ago and said |
that in that time he had heard only controversy about the DuPage Theater. He thinks |
that the only way to solve the debate is the referendum and to let the people decide. He |
said that the majority rules. |
Don Ryan, 756 S. Finley, thanked the Village Board and the Ad Hoc Committee for their |
efforts. He said that some Business plans make it and some don't; if the plan doesn't |
achieve the income it projects, where is this money coming from? He doesn't want his |
tax dollars to go for it. The wording is of the Referendum is just to say do you want the |
DuPage Theater and do you want your tax dollars spent for it. |
David Schaffer, 941 Pinebrook Drive, supports the theater, respects the right to do a |
referendum but said he feels that the question is not impartial. He questioned why the |
referendum was not done a year ago, before all the work went in to this project. He said |
therefore, he questions the source of this referendum. |
Joe Shores, 44 N. Lincoln, said he has become a little conflicted due to his recent |
education about the plan. He said that as whether it should be restored is secondary, |
that the more important issue is that the people should decide. If the people really want |
he will support them and support the project financially. He said that two years ago |
before we went down this path, Trustee Tross suggested referendum, the referendum |
was denied due to a lack of information. He said that now we have the information and |
the last piece is to find out what the people want. He has trouble understanding why |
any one would oppose. He said that knowing how the people feel, some of you will be |
uncomfortable voting against their decision. He said he felt there were those who |
opposed the referendum because they don't care what the people want. Mr. Shore said |
that some are saying the language of the referendum is misleading, but he said that the |
Board could write a referendum to compromise. |
Mr. Shores also reminded those present that this subject should not be confrontational. |
The Board should care the most what the people want. He thinks that the reason the |
people disagree with the Board's action is not that they are mislead but that the Village |
is wrong. The objection that doing a referendum will turn into government by |
referendum it is not valid. He felt that a referendum is not an unprecedented act, but |
that a referendum is done when there is big, important, expensive or divisive issue. The |
DuPage Theater Project meets all of those criteria. He said that he has heard the |
comment that "I have been elected to make the hard decisions", but he said the elected |
should also be intelligent and above all care and hold in the highest regard the feelings |
of their citizens. |
He said that the Board could make the decision about the project tonight, but hopes that |
they leave the decision to the people. He thanked the people for the fact that they all |
had an opinion saying that he had contacted 100 people whether pro or con, they all |
wanted their say in this matter. In conclusion, he urged that everyone give the people a |
chance. |
Steve Spapperi, 526 N. Grace, thanked the Board and the Ad Hoc Committee for the |
time that they have put in to this project. He is with the Palatine Park District who owns |
a theater and it costs fifty thousand a year. He also said the City supports the |
Schaumburg Prairie Center. He said that theaters that are owned by the Villages are |
most successful. He has attended the Ad Hoc Committee and feels that they have been |
giving information that is skewed. He said that theater is a dying art. He feels that Fred |
Solari should have brought this information to light. He discussed the stage being so |
small you could not bring in any kind of touring company. He said he supports the |
referendum and allowing the community to have its say. |
Julie Sparks, 721 East South Broadway, said that she was born and raised in Lombard's |
music, dance, art and drama programs. She said that she has been entertained, |
enlightened and enraged by the DuPage Theater. She said that she is now an |
entertainer. She feels that we need to preserve and protect Lombard's natural cultural |
center, the DuPage Theater. To have this cultural background has made her performing |
career a success. She enjoyed performing at the Birthday party and was honored to |
perform on the DuPage Theater's side stage. She felt proud and optimistic with the |
opportunity to preserve the Theater. She said that she hopes that they make a decision |
whether for the theater or the referendum. |
Matt Turner, 222 N. Garfield, said Lombard's problem is that there is nothing to do |
except Cruise Nights. He recounted that he had seen his first movie as a child at the |
Theater and had been very entertained and it is very convenient. He asked that the |
people please consider bringing back the DuPage Theater. |
Pete Kramer, 228 E. Taylor, said he feels that the wording of the referendum is skewed |
and dooms the DuPage Theater. He said that the Business Plan showed that it would |
show a profit of fifty-seven thousand. He mentioned other programs that are subsidized |
and gave figures of twenty-five thousand for Cruise Nights, ninety-eight thousand for the |
Taste of Lombard and one-hundred thousand for the Peck House. |
Mr. Kramer said that the referendum will fail and there is no second chance. He said that |
the Theater should be viewed as another entertainment expense. |
He said that supporters of the DuPage are not trying to make the Theater a burden on |
the taxpayers, they are going for State and Federal money. He feels that the |
referendum will kill the theater. |
Doug Christensen, 301 W. Goebel, said that as a resident he is a strong supporter of |
the Theater. As a member of the Committee, he pointed out that the Ad Hoc Committee |
has done their job, they have saved the theater. He hopes that no matter what the |
outcome, they savor the Victory won with their long hard work. |
President Mueller thanked everyone for speaking |
X
Agenda Items for Discussion
XI
Executive Session
XII
Adjournment
It was moved by Trustee Soderstrom, seconded by Trustee Florey, that the |
Regular Meeting of the President and the Board of Trustees of August 15, 2002 be |
adjourned at 11:18 pm. The motion carried by the following vote: |
Aye:
Trustee Joan DeStephano, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee Karen |
Koenig, Trustee Steven Sebby, Trustee Kenneth M. Florey and Trustee |
Rick Soderstrom |
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