HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/24/1990 COW minutes MINUTES
COMMH'rEE OF THE WHOLE
JULY 24, 1990
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m_ Presem at the meeting were:
Mayor Gerald L Farley; Trustees Ralph Arthur, Timothy Corcoran, Leo Floros,
George Van Geem and Theodore Wattenberg. Absent from the meeting was:
Trustee Mark Bnsse. Also present at the meeting were: Village Manager John
Fulton Dixon, Assistant Village Manager John Burg, Village Attorney Everette
Hill; Public Works Director Herb Weeks, Finance Director David Jepson, Cable
Television Administrator Cheryl Pasalic, Terry Hodnil~ of Greeley and Hnnsen,
Executive Director of SWANCC William Abolt, Chamber President Dennis
Saviano, three members of the press and five persons in the audience.
The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of June 26, 1990 were
accepted and filed.
tH. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ~ : ·
Dick Bachhuber, a member of the Recycling Commission, suggested that the
Commission should be renamed the Waste Control Commission and that the
responsibilities should be broadened. Mayor Farley asked Mr. Bachhuber to bring
this matter to the attention of the Recycling Commission Chairman and to put this
request in writing.
Chsmber President Dennis Saviano thanked the Village for the contribution to
Hometown Days. He also said the Chamber has a Task Force to involve
businesses in recycling, The first target area is Kensington Business Center with
Randhurst and other areas to follow.
IV. PROPOSED TRANSFER STATION
William Abolt, Executive Director of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook
Count~, was on hand to explain the proposed transfer station at the intersection
of Des Plalnes. River Road and Central Road. The Committee was very
enthusiastic about the proposal, especially the two flood control reservoirs. The
Committee unanimously endorsed the proposed transfer station.
V. DISCUSSION ON PURCHASE OF CITIZENS UTILITIES SYSTEM
Village Manager Dixon introduced the discussion on the purchase of the Citizens
Utilities System. The system would cost approximately $15 million. Additional
expenses to upgrade the system could increase the total to $20 million. The
Committee chscussed a report with revenue estimates and the financial implications
of a $15 mdlion Bond Issue. In response to a question, Village Manager Dixon
said Citizens would probably fight the acquisition and condemnation expenses
could reach $$00,000.
Mr. Dixon recommended proceeding with further studies by Greeley and Hansen
to obtain firmer cost estimates.
Tervj Hodnik, of Greeley and Hansen, gave an overview of what the proposed
studies would include.
The Committee asked various questions about the probosed acquisition such as
water quality, required improvements, and possible acquisition of Lake Michigan
water by Citizens by, way of an interconnect with Glenview.
Don Weibel indicated that if these preliminary costs are correct, he felt the
majority of the people in the Citizens Utilities ,area would be in favor of
purchasing the system.
Mayor Farley and Trustees Van Geem and Floros were reluctant to spend
approximately $40,000 on further studies until a Public Hearing shows residents
of the affected area support the acquisition.
Trustees Arthur, Corcoran and Wattenberg felt these studies were necessary to
provide more accurate cost estimates and important information about the system.
Since these studies would be required for a Bond Issue, in the interest of saving
time, they felt the studies should be done now.
, Since there was a deadlock, Mayor Farley said this issue will be discussed at the
nex~ Cornmlttee of the Whole meeting when Trustee Busse is present.
Mayor Farley requested a Public Hearing for Wednesday, September 19 or
sometime that week at River Trails Junior High to allow residents in the Citizens
Utilities area to express their opimons.
VI. LIOUOR ORDINANCE CHANGI~..~
Village Attorney Hill explained the two proposed nmendments. One requires that
an appeal of the Liquor Commissioner's decision shall be made to the CLrcmt
Court. The other allows the Village to post a nouce of violation 24 hours before
commencement of any suspension or revocation.
Village AUomey Hill war/ed thai th~ State' Liquor: Comrni,-sion may give us a
battle on thi~ one. However, the State L/quor Commksion has done a poor job
It is time tO return to local controL
on
some
app~aiso
Trustee Wattenber~ agreed with the notice of violation He disagreed with the
appeal to Circuit Court because he feeh the Courts are overburdened and he sees
no problem with the current arr_~n~ement, lie asked si;af£ i;o use t;he
resources of l:he l~a~IC for addlt~i.ona], research on i:h/.$ issue.
Trustee Van Geem also did not see a problem and felt there is no need for an
appeal to go to Circuit,Court. He also asked why we need to put up a notice of
violation. The penalt7 is clos_ing of the establishment. Why notify patrons?
Village Attorney Hill said some owners have posted misleading signs such as,
"Closed for Repairs." A sign would assist in enforcing the suspension. For
example, at a convenient store, the sign would let customers know the store
c~nnot sell liquor for a period of time. I,
Trustee Van Geem asked if other towns have this notice of violation requirement.
Village Manager Dixon said Hoffman Estates has had this Ordinance for ten
years. Village Attorney Hill said Palatine has a similar law. Trustee Corcoran
said Chicago posts a violation notice.
Trustee Floros asked if the Village posts signs for Health Code violations. Villag~
Manager Dixon said yes.
Mayor Farley and Trustees Arthur, Corcoran and Floros were in favor of a first
reading of this Ordinance on August 7. Trustees Van Geem and Wattenberg
were opposed.
VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:40 p.m., Trustee Arthur moved, seconded by Trustee Van Geem to go into
Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations and acquisition of property. Motion
carried unanimously.
At 10'.24 p.m., the Committee reconvened into regular session. No aedon was
taken on any matters discussed in the Executive Session. At 10:.2~ p.m., Trnstee
Van Ge. em moved, seconded by Trustee Arthur to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carded nnunlnlously.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN P. BURG
JPB/r~w A~istant Village Manager