HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/11/2005 COW minutes
MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 11, 2005
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m., in the Village Board Room of Village Hall,
50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were:
Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, John Korn, Michaele Skowron and Michael
Zade!. Absent from the meeting was: Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer. Staff members
present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David
Strahl, Village Attorney Everette Hill and Attorney Kathy Henn from Klein, Thorpe and
Jenkins.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from September 27, 2005. A Motion was made by Trustee Korn
and Seconded by Trustee Corcoran to approve the Minutes. A revision was requested
on page five regarding the title of the India Engineering Center. The Minutes were
approved with the revision. Trustee Zadel abstained.
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
None.
IV. CONSIDER CREATION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PROGRAM
Village Attorney Hill stated this item is being brought forward for consideration due to
the continuous delays that occur through utilizing the Cook County Court system. He
stated these continuances have impacted the staff and its ability to effectuate
compliance in a reasonable timeframe. He stated the Village, through its Home Rule
powers, has the opportunity to create an alternative due process venue for disposition of
Housing Court issues, nuisance abatement issues, property maintenance issues and
local Ordinance violations. He stated the process is already in place in Park Ridge and
they are seeing very positive results.
Attorney Kathy Henn spoke. She stated the Park Ridge system has been in place
since March of 2005 and they started with a smaller call in terms of the types of cases
that are brought forward and are in the process of considering further additions. She
stated there are two separate calls on one day with the housing cases on one call and
the other violations heard on the second call. She stated fines are typically higher
through this process because Courts have been reluctant to issue fines in the past. She
stated the success of fines relies on getting the maximum fine and then offering a
reduction in the fine once compliance is obtained while the Court system typically does
not actually fine the offender until extensive continuations and possible compliance. She
stated this system allows for a maximum continuance period of only 60 days, thereby,
putting less of a burden on staff fpr re-inspections.
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She stated the adjudicator in Park Ridge is paid approximately $150 an hour and works
three to four hours per month with all paperwork necessary for the process being
handled internally by Park Ridge staff.
General comments from Village Board members included the following items:
There was a discussion regarding the tickets and how the tickets are required to be in
proper format. It was also discussed there may still be collection issues but there are
opportunities to place judgments against properties and may still need to go to Court for
ultimate compliance. However, such a Court proceeding is just a review of the record
and not a complete appeal of the actual event.
Consensus of the Village Board was to move forward with this system and
suggest a minimal number of items be considered for the call and determine
success with reports back to the Village Board. Staff anticipates getting the final
details worked out for the process to the Village Board prior to December 31,
2005.
V. REVIEW OF APPENDIX A OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
Village Attorney Everette Hill stated this Ordinance consolidates all fines and fees in a
central location for better tracking and corrected several Code mistakes where items had
been duplicated or not addressed clearly within the body of the Code. He stated there
are no substantial changes to the language and only minor codifications to some of the
fines.
The Village Board reviewed the Chapters individually during discussion and it was
suggested that the connection fee be modified from $412.50 to $425.
Consensus of the Village Board was to proceed with this Ordinance for
consideration at the October 18 Village Board meeting.
VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
Village Manager Janonis stated that October 16 will be the last Farmers' Market
for the season.
VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the Committee of the Whole
adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
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CLOSED SESSION W
cancelled.
d Session was -;-.... _ \ c-:- /
The Close ~ ~~
DAVID STf~.AH; Manager
Assistant Vlllag
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