HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/13/1996 CS minutes
MAYOR
GERALD L. FARLEY
TRUSTEES
GEORGE A. CLOWES
TIMOTHY J. CORCORAN
RICHARD N. HENDRICKS
PAUL WM. HOEFERT
MICHAELE W. SKOWRON
IRVANA K. WILKS
VILLAGE MANAGER
MICHAEL E. JANONIS
VILLAGE CLERK
CAROL A. FIELDS
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Village of Mount: Prospect:
100 South Emerson Street
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
Phone: 708 / 392-6000
Fax: 708 / 392-6022
TOO: 708 / 392-6064
MINUTES
CLOSED SESSION
FEBRUARY 13, 1996
The Closed Session was called to order at 10:05 p.m., in the conference room of the
Senior Citizens' Center, 50 South Emerson Street, for the purpose of discussing Potential
Litigation. Present at the Closed Session were: Trustees George Clowes, Timothy
Corcoran, Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, Michaele Skowron, and Irvana Wilks. Absent
from the Closed Session was Mayor Gerald Farley. Also present were: Village Manager
Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl and Finance Director David
Jepson.
Village Board members reviewed Minutes of the Closed Session from the February 6,
1996 meeting. On a Motion by Trustee Hoefert and Seconded by Trustee Clowes, the
Minutes were approved by a roll call vote with Trustee Wilks abstaining.
Potential Litigation
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Village Manager Michael Janonis provided Board members with an update of Board
options in regard to Fire Pension Board action granting certain retroactive benefits without
retroactive contributions. Mr. Janonis reported that Special Counsel Terry Barnicle did
not feel that the Village's position would be injured if checks covering the new benefits
were released to retirees as long as a disclaimer letter was included. He felt that this
would protect the Village if it chose to seek a declaratory judgment from the Department
of Insurance, as well as if the Board sought a return of the benefits from individual
retirees.
Mr. Janonis also reported that Department of Insurance Deputy Director Tom Jones had
agreed to a meeting which was set for Wednesday, February 14, 1996. Mr. Janonis and
Mr. Jepson felt that it was necessary to meet with Mr. Jones prior to pressing the Village's
concerns with the Director of the Department of Insurance.
Based upon discussion among Board members, it was determined that staff should meet
with Mr. Jones to press the Village's concerns and depending on the outcome of the
meeting, steps should be taken to release the questioned benefit checks accompanied
by a letter notifying retirees that the Village would continue to seek clarification of the
Department of Insurance ruling and might also seek return of the additional benefit
monies.
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Litigation
Trustee Hoefert again raised concerns regarding Metra's and Prospect Heights' response
to Mount Prospect concerns over the siting of the Metra Commuter Station. Trustee
Hoefert felt that the Village should consider seeking some kind of legal restraining order
in order to prevent further construction at the site. His reasoning was that as more
monies were expended, it would increasingly difficult for Mount Prospect to press for the
relocation of the site. He felt if substantial sums of money had been expended, a Judge
might be reluctant to act.
Mr. Janonis informed Board members the basic legal requirements for securing a
temporary restraining order. Mr. Janonis felt the Village would have a heavy burden to
carry. He also informed Board members that a meeting had been set for Tuesday,
February 27 at which time Metra would be presenting a mitigation plan for consideration.
Mr. Janonis suggested that the Village Board hold off on any legal action until it had an
opportunity to review the mitigation plan.
Discussion among Board members resulted in a concurrence that any legal action should
wait until a mitigation plan had been proffered. However, there was growing sentiment
on the Board that some type of legal action might be necessary in order to get Metra's
and Prospect Heights' attention.
Staff was directed to report back to the Village Board any new developments.
There was a Motion by Trustee Skowron and Seconded by Trustee Wilks to come out of
Closed Session. On a Roll Call vote of Trustees George Clowes, Timothy Corcoran,
Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, Michaele Skowron and Irvana Wilks, all voted to adjourn
Closed Session meeting at 10:56 p.m.
No action was taken or further business discussed. On a Motion by Trustee Hoefert and
Seconded by Trustee Skowron, the Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at
10:58 p.m.
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