Village of Lombard Legistar System

Director of Community Development David Hulseberg gave a brief summary of the

storage facility, land bank parking, the detention achieved and the minimal impact on

noise/traffic. He also informed the Board that the petitioner had withdrawn item #2

regarding the sign variation.

Trustee Florey asked for clarification as to the appearance and number of building

involved.

Trustee Soderstrom asked about the seventeen parking spaces, with seven spaces

provided in the front and the remainder on the sides.

Mr. Hulseberg stated that the building is quite contained and Staff is comfortable with the

parking arrangement. If additional parking spaces are needed, they will be put in at

Staff's discretion and lighting will be added. He then went on to describe the entry

procedure.

Trustee Tross stated that there has been a long debate regarding this area, and the

Board of Trustees has in the past supported a retail venue in the past. As Safeguard is

not a retail establishment, he stated he will vote against this item.

Village Manger William Lichter reminded the Board that this was included in the Capital

Improvement Program (CIP), discussed in August, 2000.

Director of Public Works, Stan Rickard, explained that the purpose of the grant is to

require homeowners to prevent clear water discharge into sump pumps. Policy

regarding these grants became effective in May, 2000.

Trustee Tross complimented Staff on the time involved in investigating costs. He stated

the resolution should be specific that the amount should not exceed $45,000.00. His

concern was that repairs may be minimal, and inspections may cost more than repairs.

Trustee Destephano commented that she supports the program because it the reduces

costs to homeowners as the water will not have to go through Glenbard Wastewater and

it will reduce flooding by putting the water in backyards. If the pilot program is

successful, she feels it will be done in other neighborhoods in the Village.

Acting Police Chief Dillenkoffer described the Ordinance that would grant the Chief of

Police the authority to appoint the Deputy Chief position within the Lombard Police

Department. He stated that he feels it is important to have people on staff that support

the mission of Lombard. This would allow him the ability to form a strong management

team to move the Police Department in the direction that is needed.He was not seeking

to bring in outside personnel, but will bring in qualified people. He maintained that this

Ordinance would allow the Chief of Police to select from a larger pool of qualified

candidates.

Acting Chief Dillenkoffer stated that he is very proud of his staff at the Police

Department. He also shared with the Board that in August, 1999, state legislation was

passed so that non-home rule municipalities may give the authority to the Police Chief to

appoint the Deputy Chief position. He told the Board that this was passed with 58/0

support of the Senate, 116/0 in the House of Representatives and he also stated that

the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge supported this ordinance.

Brian Ferguson, 99 West Road, thinks it is a bad idea to offer the test to officers and

then change the rules.

Amy Frazier 143 W. Sunset, stated now is not the time to make dramatic changes in the

structure of the Police Department. It is a time for healing, team building, and

promoting trust where there was dissension. One of her concerns is the new Chief may

not be up to dealing with problems. Also, she was concerned that if the current process

is eliminated, it would cause further dissension and the promoted person would be set

up for failure. She stated that building walls does not solve problems and those outside

are still there and powerful. Public safety should be kept in mind.

Roy Newton, 235 E. Wilson, Fraternal Order of Police, Local #270, was concerned that

this measure could cause less promotions. He stated that the current testing process

has value and develops strong management personnel there should be a progressive

movement through the entire chain of command. He was not in favor of changing the

current testing process.

Trustee Tross asked Mr. Newton if this matter was brought before the Fraternal Order of

Police (FOP). Mr. Newton responded that he has talked to almost every member of the

FOP. Trustee Tross asked if Mr. Newton if he was speaking as an official representive

of the FOP.

Mr. Newton responded that he was an official representative.

Former Trustee David Schaffer, 941 Pinebrook Drive, stated his concern regarding the

unresolved issues that continue to exist in the Police Department. He feels that the

ordinance will facilitate favoritism. He feels the balance of power will be upset if this sort

of power is handed to one and only one person. He stated this ordinance would put all

the power in the hands of the Village Manager. Mr. Schaffer stressed the fact that all

officers are hired and fired by the Police and Fire Commission but the Acting Chief of

Police does not live in Lombard.

Mr. Schaffer commended President Mueller for his past views in regard to exemption of

the Deputy Chief position. Mr. Schaffer requested the Board to retain the current system

and not to relinquish control and allow corruption to enter into Lombard.

Trustee Tross congratulated Acting Chief Dillenkoffer on becoming the Chief of Police.

Trustee Tross stated that he was reminded of discussions regarding Battalion Chief with

the Fire Department. He stated his belief that Deputy Chief should be codified as second

in command.

Trustee Soderstrom stated that he does not believe the Deputy Chief position should be

exempt as there would be no checks and balances. He also stated that the timing of the

issue is terrible and it smacks of politics.

Trustee Florey agreed that this is a difficult issue. He expressed his belief that this is a

tool for the Chief to do his job and that a selection process will be used. He did not

agree that non-qualified candidates will be promoted.

Trustee DeStephano did not believe this will correct the organization problems within the

Police Department. She stated that she will be voting no.

Trustee Koenig stressed that the main objective must be to stabilize the Police

Department and try to promote some kind of stability as the current system is not

working well and strife exists. She stated that many members of the Police Department

are innocent bystanders in a difficult work situation. She did not wish to dismiss the

concerns of the Police Department. She also agreed that the Chief needs to be given

the tools to do his job. Trustee Koenig asked the members of the Police Department to

keep an open mind on this issue.

Trustee Sebby stated he has received numerous letters from anonymous writers on the

Police Department. He was impressed that he did receive a letter with the signatures of

11 police officers who felt strongly enough to voice an opinion and sign their name.

Trustee Sebby had previously spoken with both Acting Chief Dillenkoffer and Village

Manager Bill Lichter and realized that one of the primary concerns was the pay step

increments. Trustee Sebby said he believes that some people are "pouring salt into

election wounds." He commented that Lombard has had three chiefs over a twenty year

period and some senior management have been with the Village for twenty plus years.

He questioned some of the senior management have left their positions due to the

dissension within the ranks of the senior management that may have caused some of

these problems. Trustee Sebby also commented that the Police Department is a Union

organization which makes it easy for promotion and difficult for demotion.

He also shared that he feels that the Lombard Police Department and Fire Department

are among the best in the state.

Acting Chief Dillenkoffer stated that he was not suggesting that a patrol officer be made

a Deputy Chief. Only those with the rank of sergeant and above should be considered

for the position. He stated his belief that the exemption opens up a larger pool of

candidates from which a selection can be made.

Trustee Tross asked Attorney Tom Bayer when the rank of Deputy Chiefs were

grandfathered in 1982 from testing, what impact would that have to current chiefs.

Mr. Bayer stated that current deputy chiefs would not be subject to removal.

Trustee Tross then asked if a decision was made at a later time to again test.

Mr. Bayer responded that the Deputy Chief would then revert to Lieutenant, as statute

provides for reverting. The pay would revert back to previous pay level.

Mr. John Egan gave a presentation regarding the second official report of the DuPage

Theater and Shops Ad Hoc Committee. Due to the lateness of the hour, some members

of the committee had to leave.

Mr. Egan stated that all items continue to be on schedule. Fund raising, restoration

ideas, and plans are on schedule. He stated that the credit for being on schedule is due

to a beautifully functioning committee. He feels the group is functioning well as a team.

He stated the word used frequently by some, in regard to the theater is "gutted" He

admits damage has been done in the theater, but it is far from being gutted. He

addressed comments that he has heard that the theater cannot be restored. He stated

that this is not the case. The architect has been hired and the estimated cost for the

Theater is to be given to the Ad Hoc Committee on June 29, 2001. Shirts and pens are

being sold as a means of fundraising. Political figures at the Federal and State levels

have been contacted.

Mr. Egan asked for solid support from the Village Board and wishes them to speak up

with enthusiasm in support of the Theater. Mr. Egan wishes to raise $1,000,000.00 for

this project.

He shared with the Board that Fundraising will start in earnest in July. A visit to the

Theater is planned for the League of Preservation of American Historic Theaters. A

business consultant will be hired after interviews have been completed.

Mr. Egan spoke of the loss of drug stores, pharmacies, shoe stores, restaurants, and

department stores that have closed in recent years.

Trustee Tross asked if the finance report was prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee or

Staff. Trustee Tross requested that clarification is made between hard and soft

donations in future reports. He also expressed his hope that the Ad Hoc Committee will

be at the Taste of Lombard to sell shirts and buttons to promote their cause. Trustee

Tross stated that he believes all chances available should be given to save the Theater,

but he will not vote to allow more time after the January, 2002 Board Meeting. In support

of the Theater, Mr. Egan invited residents to upcoming events including August Cruise

Nights, September Swing Dance, and a pig roast in October.

Trustee Florey commended Mr Egan for all the time and effort involved by the

committee and himself. Trustee Florey hoped that donations and financial support

received might be broken down into the percentages of residents in favor of restoration.

Trustee Florey stated the old Board had promised one million dollars TIF money, and he

feels confident that the new board would also commit to TIF money.

Trustee Soderstrom stated that he cannot support the use of tax dollars in this endeavor

and will be voting present on the issue that evening.

Trustee DeStephano assured residents that this will not affect tax dollars or resident's

taxes.

Trustee Koenig explained TIF funding and is in support of the committee going to

businesses for donations.

Trustee Sebby stated that TIF money is for the downtown redevelopment which is what

the theater is.

Trustee Soderstrom expressed that the one million dollars of TIF money would indeed

be a use of tax dollars that could be used elsewhere.

Trustee Tross wanted to clarify that there is not, at this time, one million dollars of TIF

money available. Mr. Lichter stated that the money would be available at the end of the

TIF in 2005.