1995-01-16 - Village Board Regular Meeting - Minutes 9628
1/16/95
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF
THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
50 RAUPP BOULEVARD, BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS ON MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1995
CALL TO ORDER
President Mathias called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. Those present stood
and pledged allegiance to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Roll call indicated the following present: President Mathias; Trustees
Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman. Trustee Hendricks was absent.
Also present were: William Balling, Village Manager; William Raysa, Village
Attorney; Lee Szymborski, Assistant Village Manager; William Brimm, Finance
Director; Robert Pfeil, Village Planner; and Joseph Tenerelli, Village Treasurer.
WARRANT #782
Mr. Tenerelli read Warrant #782. Moved by Marienthal, seconded by Reid, to
approve Warrant #782 in the amount of $1,356,923.71 authorizing payment of bills
listed. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 4 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
VACANT: 1
Motion declared carried.
OATH OF OFFICE - TRUSTEE MOONS
President Mathias officiated as Gerard Moons took the oath of office and was
sworn in as Village Trustee.
Trustee Moons was congratulated by the audience and the Board, after which he
took his place at the dias.
AREA CRIME STATISTICS
President Mathias read a report on area crime statistics which highlighted
Buffalo Grove as having one of the lowest crime rates in the northwest suburbs;
he congratulated Chief McCann and the Police Department for the fine efforts they
put forth for the Village.
SMAC REPORT CARD
President Mathias read a commendation awarded by the Suburban Mayors Action
Coalition designating the following legislators as Champions of Local Government:
State Senators David Barkhausen, Martin Butler, and William Peterson; State
Representatives Verna Clayton, Lee Daniels, Lauren Beth Gash, Carolyn Krause, and
Bernard Pederson. Senators Barkhausen and Butler and Representative Gash were
present and President Mathias presented their commendations to them.
L'ELEGANTE RESTAURANT
Trustee Rubin presented an update on L'Elegante, stating that the Chamber and
Rotary luncheons held there received rave reviews.
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MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The Village Clerk reviewed the candidates who had filed petitions to run for
office in the April 4, 1995 Municipal Election; she urged residents to observe
these candidates and be prepared to vote in the election.
TAX CAP LEGISLATION
Mr. Balling reviewed and explained the proposed tax cap legislation now being
considered in Springfield, details of which are contained in his memo to the
Board of January 12, 1995.
Trustee Reid stated that he is upset that people in Springfield are going to try
to tell the Village how to run its local finances; Buffalo Grove has been doing
a good job fiscally, and has been able to reduce it's tax levy for the last ten
years; he does not believe the tax cap is a solution to the problem.
President Mathias read the letter which he sent to House Speaker Lee Daniels on
January 13, 1995, a copy of which is attached to this document as Exhibit A.
Senators Barkhausen and Butler, and Representative Gash commented on the proposed
tax cap legislation and their views on same; they also commented on unfunded
mandate legislation.
President Mathias thanked the legislators for their comments and for attending
tonight's meeting.
ORDINANCE #95-8 - CORPORATE PURPOSE BONDS
Moved by Braiman, seconded by Reid, to pass Ordinance #95-8, approving Corporate
Purpose General Obligation Bonds - Series 1995. Upon roll call, Trustees voted
as follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
MANAGEMENT REPORT
Mr. Balling noted the submission of the Management Report for the month of
December; there were no questions on same.
PUBLIC HEARING - STERLING CREEK
President Mathias re-opened the Public Hearing at 8:20 P.M. , continued from
January 9, 1995.
President Mathias asked if there were any comments to be added; there were none.
At 8:21 P.M. , President Mathias continued the Public Hearing until the ordinances
`•/ are considered later on in the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING - INDECK
President Mathias opened the Public Hearing at 8:21 P.M. , at which time he read
from the Notice of Public Hearing published in the Daily Herald on December 31,
1994.
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President Mathias swore in Mark Hopkins and Douglas Mosser, Architects, Otis
Associates; Gregory Trapani, Trapani Construction Company; and Arnold Becker,
Indeck, to give testimony.
Mr. Hopkins presented an overview of the project, details of which are contained
in Mr. Pfeil's memo to Mr. Balling of January 13, 1995; he referred to the
following exhibits:
Exhibit B - Landscape Development Plan
Exhibit E - Temporary Bank Plan
Exhibit F - Temporary Bank Facility Elevation
Exhibit I - Bank Modular
Mr. Hopkins stated that the bank is an individual entity, not part of a bank
chain.
President Mathias asked if there were any other governmental agencies or members
of the audience who had any comments or questions; there were none.
In answer to a question from Trustee Marienthal, Mr. Hopkins stated that the
temporary facility should be removed within 30 days after the tenants are in the
main structure.
Trustee Reid stated that he believe the parking exclusion variance for the atrium
is totally appropriate; he believes staff should look at this so that it does not
have to be a variance in the future.
At 8:35 P.M. , President Mathias continued the Public Hearing until later on in
the agenda when the ordinances are considered.
QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
President Mathias asked if there were any questions from the audience; there were
none.
CONSENT AGENDA
President Mathias explained the Consent Agenda, stating that any member of the
audience or the Board could request that an item be removed for full discussion;
he read a synopsis of each item on the Consent Agenda. There were no requests
to remove any items from the Consent Agenda.
RESOLUTION #95-2 - Air Quality Bike Rack Program
Moved by Braiman, seconded by Reid, to Approve Resolution #95-2, A Joint
Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Congestion
Mitigation and Air Quality Bike Rack Program. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as
follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
RESOLUTION #95-3 - IL Hwy Code, Bike Rack Program
Moved by Braiman, seconded by Reid, to Approve Resolution #95-3, For Improvement
by Municipality Under the IL Highway Code as it concerns CMAQ Bike Rack Funds.
Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
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AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
APTAKISIC ROAD WATERMAIN PROJECT PARCEL 11
Moved by Braiman, seconded by Reid, to Approve an Easement Agreement - Aptakisic
`./ Road Watermain Project Parcel 11. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
ORDINANCE #95- 9 - STERLING CREEK ANNEXATION AGREEMENT
Moved by Marienthal, seconded by Rubin, approving an Annexation Agreement for the
Sterling Creek Subdivision, Weiland Road. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as
follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
ORDINANCE #95-10 - STERLING CREEK ANNEXATION
Moved by Marienthal, seconded by Reid, to pass Ordinance #95-10, annexing the
Sterling Creek Subdivision to the Village of Buffalo Grove. Upon roll call,
Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
ORDINANCE #95-11 - STERLING CREEK ZONING
Moved by Marienthal, seconded by Reid, to pass Ordinance #95-11, amending the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance as it pertains to the Sterling Creek Subdivision.
Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
President Mathias welcomed the Sterling Creek Subdivision to the Village of
Buffalo Grove; he closed the Public Hearing at 8:40 P.M.
ORDINANCE #95-12 - STONE CREEK ANNEXATION AGREEMENT
Moved by Marienthal, seconded by Reid, to pass Ordinance #95-12, approving an
Amendment to the Stone Creek Annexation Agreement and Approval of a Preliminary
Plan in the O&R District/Indeck, Inc. , IL Route 83 and Buffalo Grove Road
Trustee Moons commented on the Plan Commission discussion regarding the height
of the structure; there was no opposition from the community.
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Mr. Pfeil stated that the berming is on the landscape plan, and the developer has
also met with Cherbourg residents.
Mr. Hopkins stated that they have met with the Association, who is comfortable
with the plan; he reviewed the landscaping.
Trustee Braiman commended the developer for doing a good job of working with
surrounding residents.
Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows on the motion:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
President Mathias welcomed the developer to the Village; he closed the Public
Hearing at 8:48 P.M.
APTARISIC ROAD WATERMAIN IMPROVEMENT
Moved by Braiman, seconded by Rubin, to award bid for the Aptakisic Road
Watermain Improvement.
Mr. Balling explained the reason for the bid being lower than anticipated.
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Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Rubin, Braiman, Moons
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
WILKINS PROPERTY - PRAIRIE ROAD
Scott Inbinder, representing the developer, made a presentation, details of which
are contained in Mr. Pfeil's memo to Mr. Balling of January 12, 1995.
Rick Burton reviewed the details of the location.
Trustee Reid stated that he does not want to see the same situation occur with
the drainage as occurred with the Covington development; he has serious problems
with the variations being requested; he believes they are trying to put too many
lots into too small a space; he asked about the Fire Department input regarding
the smaller ROW.
Trustee Rubin stated that he concurs with comments made; he would like to see
more space in between the buildings.
President Mathias stated that, if the developer does want to proceed with
application, they should take into consideration the comments made tonight, or
they could request another pre-application conference.
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ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Reid, seconded by Braiman, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, the
motion was unanimously declared carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M.
J t M. Sirabian, Village Clerk
4(
APPROVED BY ME THIS � DAY OF , 1995.
Vi age id
VILLAGE OF wuABPOF
BUFFALO-GROVE °e
Fifty Raupp Blvd. EXHIBIT A
Buffalo Grove.IL 60089-2196
Fax 708-459-7906
January 13, 1995
Sidney H.Mathias
Village President
708.459.2506
708-634.9435
Speaker Lee Daniels
300 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
SUBJECT: PROPOSED TAX CAP LEGISLATION
Dear Speaker Daniels:
I am writ;ng you with urgency to request that you please, please exclude all Home Rule
municipalities from any prospective tax cap legislation to be considered by the Illinois Legislature in
this session. Home Rule municipalities are not the cause of tax escalation in Illinois and, in fact,there
are many cases,including that of the Village of Buffalo Grove, where Home Rule municipalities have
acted extremely responsibly in the management of their tax and revenue policies. Those who drafted
the Illinois Constitution anticipated-both local control.andlocal accountability for municipal actions.
While Home Rule municipalities have acted responsibly over the years, it is necessary for good
government to have flexible financial options to deal with future issues and challenges. Ultimately,
local elected officials will be held responsible for their actions and will act wisely. Please consider
the important points accomplished by Buffalo Grove without the need for tax cap legislation.
Property Taxes
1. Tax rates have decreased annually in the Village of Buffalo Grove since 1984.
2. The actual tax levy requests, after tax abatements, have declined in Buffalo Grove for the tax
years 1992, 1993 and 1994 from each prior year. Property taxes used for municipal
operations have been reduced over that period. With tax caps, Buffalo Grove actually gets
penalized for acting responsibly!
3. Through our growth management policies,actual property tax extensions in the Cook County
portion of Buffalo Grove for tax year 1993 were lower than in tax year 1984. Within the
Lake County portion of Buffalo Grove, the average residential property tax payer paid less
in property taxes to the Village in 1993 than they did for the same property in tax year 1984,
a remarkable achievement!
4. The Village has managed its own levy with aggressive abatements wherever possible. In the
ten year period, tax year 1985-1994, the Village abated $20.1 million in tax supported levy
for debt, while extending only $13.4 million, slightly over 60%.
Debt Service Policies
1. The Village has used its debt prudently and would be at a true disadvantage if referendum
options needed to compete against other district financings, such as school facilities. We are
also fearful that unrestricted G.O. debt now enjoyed by municipalities would lead to more
extensive borrowing sources in the future.
2. By having a direct access to the debt markets with a tax base supported by General Obligation
debt,the Village has improved its overall credit rating to AA from Moody's Investors Service,
and Standard&Poors. Loss of clear issuance authority using General Obligation guarantees
will adversely affect our present excellent credit rating.
3. The Village has employed its General Obligation debt authority wisely, not only for municipal
projects, but also for worthwhile regional and joint agency projects, which include:
A. Construction of a United States Postal facility in Buffalo Grove(taxes fully abated).
B. Land improvement and construction for the Wisconsin Central Commuter Station
with Metra(partially abated).
C. Meeting the mandates required under the Americans With Disabilities Act in a timely
manner.
D. Participation with agencies such as the Illinois Department of Transportation, the
Cook County Highway Department, the Lake County Highway Department in
regional and street highway construction.
E. Recreational and open space preservation with the development of golf facilities.
F. Financing and implementation of the Northwest Water Commission and financial
planning for the debt structure of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County.
Illinois is not an active voter"initiative" state. For those states who rely on voter initiative,
the number of questions increasingly bombard an electorate frustrated with trying to understand the
impact of the issues upon them. Home Rule elected officials should continue to be both empowered
to make important decisions they were elected to make, and to be accountable to the voters for those
decisions. To assume that creating a system of popular referenda to approve municipal projects will
lead to accountable and effective municipal operations is naive.
I would conclude by saying that the Village has never gone to market with tax supported debt
ahead of any program, or to build reserves within the working cash fund or the revolving funds. This
is hardly a track record of irresponsibility. I would urge you to strongly reject any attempt to include
Home Rule illiflQj Illalpglit!GS W1rhjp la
r� �NSIS an im ortant issue which Y '1 lhllJ `IUII t� � Gl 1 1 I' p will
dramatically affect the future financial well being of my municipality and that of viable and credible
Home Rule units of government throughout the state.
Sincerely, '/
SID H. THIAS
Village President
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