Village of Lombard Legistar System

President Mueller stated that the action of removing these matters from the Consent

Agenda was to afford discussion as it was his understanding that all items would be

discussed at a Committee of the Whole before voting takes place. President Mueller

strongly opposed changing the status of elected officials to full-time employees of the

Village in order to qualify for the benefits of health insurance and retirement benefits.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Jaugilas.

Trustee Jaugilas expressed his deep concern and disappointment that this issue was

not opened up to the public for discussion. He stated his belief that compensation

should only be enough to prevent loss on the part of an elected official, but his prime

concern and disappointment is in the failure to bring this properly before the public.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Kufrin.

Trustee Kufrin indicated his belief that this proposition has been around for some time

now and he is prepared to second a motion if one of the sponsoring Trustees wished to

make it.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Tross.

Trustee Tross stated he appreciated Trustee Jaugilas’s views and indicated he had

conversation with Trustee Jaugilas that afternoon. He stated, "likewise copies of the

revisions had been circulated and concurrence went around and individual suggestions

were incorporated" Trustee Tross also stated " I wish to personally suggest while this

effects all elected officials the Clerk was not brought into the discussion. For that I want

to apologize to the Clerk, but I felt this type of legislation and as the author with

co-sponsor, Trustee Schaffer, it was appropriate to leave it. Trustee Tross personally

thanked President Mueller while he realized President Mueller had an inkling about this

and held reservations like Trustee Jaugilas had, he appreciated the President’s

constructive criticisms and wanted to thank him for it. Relative to the items which

Trustee Jaugilas brought forth, Trustee Tross stated there were considerations to the

words used in the IMRF Resolution, to which the Board is beholden to. The use of the

word "may" was used. Trustee Tross further commented regarding his awareness at

Trustee Jaugilas concerns with benefits and those items which appear to be expensive

perks. He reviewed specific comments from media articles regarding the costs of the

health coverage and indicated the cost of all Board members would be $19,200 per year

at today’s costs. He explained that certain specific health concerns are not covered.

Trustee Tross indicated his concern with inability to resolve the differences held by

himself and Trustee Jaugilas caused perhaps by a lack of communication or lack of

time. He believed that with more time it could be done. Trustee Tross also indicated

that he had re-conferred with the other Board members and he believed that every

member agreed that, "inching this item whether it be a 120% raise, I think it was Trustee

Kufrin who said it best, ‘120% of what is what?’, we are not out of the realm. This is

talking about the new millennium and I believe that we will or may hear public comment

relative to it. How critical it will be I cannot imagine." Trustee Tross further indicated he

had talked to a few constituents in his district and some from other districts. He stated

he had received no phone calls. When explaining the issue, those with whom he spoke

responded with "that’s it?- You have a full time commitment!" Trustee Tross did not like

to use the word job as it infers that you are compensated to that extent. He

complimented all of the Board members for having just such a time commitment.

It was moved by Trustee Tross, seconded by Trustee Kufrin Jr.. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Trustee Ralph Borgatell, Trustee Richard J. Tross, Trustee David N.

Schaffer, Trustee Frank M. Gatz Sr. and Trustee Paul Kufrin Jr.

Call for the question was proposed by Trustee Borgatell, Trustee Tross stated that it

was an unfair request at this time and asked that Trustee Borgatell rescind his call for

the question in order to allow for more discussion. Trustee Borgatell agreed to do so.

President Mueller recognized Clerk Gerhardt.

Clerk Gerhardt expressed a deep sense of betrayal based on: (1) The Trustees'

violation of the spirit and intent of the Illinois State Open Meetings Act to avoid public

input; (2) The apparent attempt to change from government by citizens who simply

desire to serve their community to verging on professional politicians status with

financial motivation, reimbursement higher than most DuPage municipalities and who

would have full-time employment status; and (3) violating our own policy of staying at

the fifty percentile level of DuPage County municipalities regarding general salary status

by jumping to the second highest in the County.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Borgatell.

Trustee Borgatell reminded everyone that he would not personally benefit unless he is

re-elected in the year 2001. He said on basic concepts he had to agree with the Madam

Clerk. He stated "the point is this is something that is going to happen sooner or later.

Probably sooner because there is a different type of people coming up now. The have

altogether different outlooks on public service, and believe me, for many people who

have the talent and the desire to serve on a board like this, $5,000 a year is not money,

it’s a joke. The only thing it might do is put them in another tax bracket." Trustee

Borgatell then commented on the fiscal effect as only beginning in 1999 for only three

trustees. The other three Trustees, the President and Clerk would not be added until the

year 2001.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Kufrin

Trustee Kufrin offered his apology to Clerk Gerhardt but reiterated that the issue had

been discussed by Trustees in the past and again lately. He indicated his belief that this

compensation being considered was really a pittance. He stated "everybody today is

trying to tell you what their job is worth. When I said in the newspaper we are working

for $1.53 per and somebody says we are going to get a 120% increase I don't think

that’s betraying anybody. I think we have betrayed ourselves in the past by not being

recognized in a far different manner than we are." He expressed his regret that he

disagrees with Clerk Gerhardt and Trustee Jaugilas. Trustee Kufrin then called for the

question.

President Mueller again explained the reason he requested this item be removed from

the Consent Agenda to afford a full discussion. He said he appreciated the trustees’

interest in moving this issue along and he realized that if it was their desire to uphold the

call for the question he would be obligated by Robert’s Rules of Order to call for a vote

on their desire to stop discussion. He requested Trustee Kufrin to withdraw his call for

the question.

Trustee Kufrin explained that he thought the discussion was finished, that everyone had

spoken and he questioned how many times it was necessary to go around.

Motion Failed

President Mueller recognized Trustee Schaffer

Trustee Schaffer stated he believed this issue was "not about us, and certainly was not

an economic issue: He suggested that anyone would do much better (financially)

without the responsibility, the aggravation, the time commitment, etc. by taking a job at

Walmart, Burger King or McDonald’s." He stressed that it had been 10 years of status

quo. "This is not going overboard," said Trustee Schaffer. He viewed it as a fair and

reasonable request from his fellow board members.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Tross

Trustee Tross simply expressed his apologies to Trustee. Kufrin and his reason for not

supporting Trustee Kufrin’s call for the question. Again he explained his concerns for

the issue of public debate.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Gatz

Trustee Gatz stated that the only thing he wanted to say regarding the compensation

issue was that he had talked to several people. When he would explain that he had

been a Trustee for seven years and received only $2400 a year "they laughed and said

there must be something wrong with you. That amount hardly covers expenses".

Trustee Gatz expressed his belief that not too many people would have too much to say

about it as the increase was such a little bit.

President Mueller recognized Trustee Jaugilas

Trustee Jaugilas reiterated what he had previously expressed. He had no real quarrel

with a possible raise in the salary. "The $2400 a year I agree is probably too little". A

main concern of his was with certain details which were included . He believed that if

the Board members had brought the issue out in a more open manner they could have

come to some agreement regarding the details. It was his feeling that the Board had

done a disservice to the people by not having the issues before the public. He also

commented on the Board’s action of re-instituting the policy of having a first reading

unless the issue had an urgency involved. "Everyone is saying there's no urgency to it,

it isn’t going to take place yet, but here we have a request for waiver of first reading.

This all seems to be contradictory" stated Trustee Jaugilas.

President Mueller recognized Clerk Gerhardt

Clerk Gerhardt asked if any of the Trustees had ever served on another board in

Lombard, such as the Schools, Library or Park District. Trustee Kufrin spoke up and

said that he had served on the Park Board. Clerk Gerhardt asked what he had been

paid. Trustee Kufrin answered "nothing". Clerk Gerhardt responded"exactly my point".

She indicated that relative to other Boards in Lombard the Village elected officials were

doing quite well. She also stressed that the amount paid was never meant to be a

salary but to cover expenses. She agreed that $2400 is nominal and probably should

be raised but her concern was with the "principles involved", and that all other

volunteers in Lombard do it as a "service to their public".

President Mueller then stated that he often wished he could vote but at other times he

was glad he couldn’t. He again said "If I had the opportunity to vote tonight, I would

vote NO. I believe that this board is sending the wrong message to the people of

Lombard and to the employees of the Village. Madame Clerk call the roll on the motion

as made by Trustee Tross and seconded by Trustee Borgatell."

It was reported that representatives from the Village will be attending the

Intergovernmental Dinner.

Trustee Borgatell announced that the Mayors and Managers Students Night Dinner

would be on that same night. Manager Lichter informed the Board that Lombard would

be represented at that dinner by Assistant Manager, Anne Marie Gaura along with two

Glenbard East High School students.

Village Clerk Gerhardt reported on the 1998-1999 vehicle sticker which will feature the

1872 home of the Samuel K. Cromwell family.

David Davenport had been out of the Board Room at the time his name was called to

speak during Public Participation. President Mueller asked if the Board would waive the

rules and allow Mr. Davenport to speak now. The Board was in consensus.

David Davenport, 736 E. Division, spoke regarding an article he had seen in today's

Suburban Life paper. He was astonished at the audacity of the Village Board in not

allowing public involvement. He read comments from the Life's article and expressed

how upset he was.