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1967-01-25 - Village Board Regular Meeting - Minutes 998 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, COUNTIES OF COOK AND LAKE, ILLINOIS, HELD WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1967, AT THE MUNICIPAL SERVICE CENTER, 150 N. RAUPP BLVD. , BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS. The meeting was called to order at approximately 8:30 P.M. All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Clerk called the roll and the following were found present: President Farrington; Trustees Huxhold, Weiskopf, Marsh, Wilhelm, Lewis Trustee Palmer resigned. Trustee Weiskopf read MFT Warrant #13 . It was moved by Trustee Weiskopf and seconded by Trustee Lewis that MFT Warrant #13 in the amount of $33 , 231.29 be approved for payment. On roll call the motion carried unanimously. President Farrington then recognized Chief Page who stood and stated he would like to submit his resignation. He stated the effective date to be February 1st, or as close to that date as clearing the administrative work that is involved is completed. He cited working conditions and apathy shown towards the Department by the Board of Trustees making his position intolerable as reasons. He stated he wished to submit Henry Lambert' s resignation at the same time. President Farrington stated pending Board ratifi- cation, he would accept the resignation. Mr. Robert McKenzie of 458 Glendale then rose to address the Board. Having been recognized by the Chair, Mr. McKenzie read a petition asking that Chief Page ' s services be retained and that proper insurance be provided for the men and further that a Police Commission be formed. He then presented signed petitions to President Farrington. President Farrington stated that at quick perusal there are approximately 406 signatures which is certainly a testi- monial to Chief Page and while what has taken place tonight can never be construed as pleasant, there is a letter indicating that he does want to resign. V 999 Trustee Wilhelm moved that the Board confirm the acceptance of the resignation of Chief Page. Trustee Weiskopf seconded the motion. Trustee Marsh then stated he wished to explain some of what has been happening during the past few weeks which perhaps should have come sooner. He stated that the Committee and the Department decided unanimously that a Board of Police and Fire Commissioners would be the most acceptable way to bridge the gap between the Board and the Department; however, statutory requirements are such that in a Village where the official population is under 5,000 the proposition must be submitted to a referendum. He stated that second phase discussed was hospitalization for the full time employees. He stated one plan was discussed briefly and three other companies are to submit proposals to be discussed. He stated, however, that the officers are fully insured under workman' s compensation, general liability, they are insured for false arrest, etc. Mr. Marsh stated he is gratified to see people interested in the Police Department rather than the apathy the people have shown when the men of the Department are trying to uphold the law. Mr. Page then stated that Mr. Lambert' s resignation is due to not receiving compensation when he was injured in the eye in December of 1965 . Mr. Marsh stated that Mr. Lambert is receiving the compensation which is due him, 75% of his wages . Chief Page then stated that each and every man has been told there was 100% coverage. Mr. Marsh stated this was not true and while Trustee Marsh was explaining the insurance coverage, Mr. Page turned and stated "Come on, boys" following which all members of the Police Department followed Mr. Page out of the door. (Lt. Walker was the only member that did not leave.) Following, President Farrington stated he wished to make several comments . He stated to the best of his knowledge, no one has ever been denied funds or hospital bills as a 1000 result of an injury sustained while on duty. He stated when the members come to the Department they are screened by the Police & Traffic Committee which may or may not do the job intended. However, they are told the job is not an easy one and may at times conflict with their regular employment and certainly things will come up which do not always satisfy and meet with approval. Nevertheless, they are acting on behalf of a Village which does not at times have money. President Farrington stated that never has there been sufficient money in the general fund or any fund to take care of what seems to be the necessary table of organization. This Village was cut out from a corn field, and everything comes from scratch. Total revenues are $70,000 .00 . He stated there are some very fortunate people who make this amount to support a family of two. He stated never to his knowledge has a promise been made to hire another man at a given date since our ability to acquire revenue at a given date is unknown. He stated for that reason the reserves were called upon to do a greater job. He stated the job was not intended to be an easy one. President Farrington stated that for some time the Chief and the Village President, primarily, in addition, the Board in general, have been at odds but he will not go into the reasons since the damage has been done. He stated at no time has the Chief been accused of not working hard. If we go back far enough, he was overworked and it is unfortunate but there is no way out unless a utility tax is imposed. He stated it grieves him because something has to be done and because of disagreement between the Chief and the Board the entire Department has walked out. He stated even if all six of the Board members were wrong, it is unfair to the Village for the Department to walk out. Trustee Huxhold then stated that he is in complete agree- ment with what President Farrington has said. He stated l ) it is a most difficult job to try and run the Village to v the satisfaction of everyone without the proper funds. He stated he is a homeowner in the Village and interested in the welfare just as anyone else. He stated he, too, could resign because he has a job and does not need the aggravation of trying to cope with the Village, but he is 1001 an elected official and is trying to do the best he can. He stated there is an election in April and he would hope that more people would come forward to work and see just what is involved in trying to run a Village. He stated the entire Village needs money--the Park, Fire Department, Administrative, etc. He stated he does not feel there has been animosity toward the Police Department; restrictions, yes, but not apathy. He stated he does not always like what his boss says and neither do other people like what their bosses say, but it is done. Trustee Marsh stated that he would like to make several comments which in no way should be construed as a defense, but his primary interest for the last 5 years has been the Police Department. He stated that he feels they have the best equipment for a Department of the size. He stated he regrets what has occurred; however, the Village owes the Reserves and the Police Department a debt it can never repay and the criticism of the public at times has been unbearable. He stated that he intends to see the refer- endum for the Police Commission go through. He stated that he hopes when the tempers have cooled, the men will return to again do their jobs . However, he asked that the public support not only the Police Department but the entire Village in getting what is needed to provide the necessary services for the Village. He stated the insurance coverage the men have is more than adequate. He stated because we cannot afford to do all does not mean we do not want to do it. The Clerk called the roll of the Motion to accept the resignation of Chief Page. The vote was as follows: AYES: Trustees Huxhold, Weiskopf, Marsh, Wilhelm, Lewis NAYS: NONE President Farrington then read the resignation of Henry Lambert. Pending Board approval, President Farrington accepted the resignation. Trustee Weiskopf moved the resignation be accepted. Trustee Lewis seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously on a roll call vote. ��'(:'/ 1002 President Farrington then read a letter dated January 18th from Henry E. Walker, stating he is submitting his resig- nation because of a promotion at his place of business requiring more of his time, thus he would be unable to give time to the Village. He asked that his resignation be effective February 1st. v Trustee Marsh stated Lt. Walker has spent countless hours working on the Police Department, and he would like to thank him publicly. He has been a member of the Department since 1960 . President Farrington stated he would accept the resignation pending Board approval and thanked Lt. Walker. Trustee Weiskopf moved to accept the resignation with regret. Trustee Wilhelm seconded the motion and it carried unani- mously. President Farrington then requested of Lt. Walker, that whatever members there are left, they get together with Frank Harth, if he is going to remain and come back to see what can be worked out. Mr. Alex Stasal of the audience then questioned whether the insurance difference of $40.00 was worth having the Depart- ment walk out for. Trustee Weiskopf explained the reasons for the 75% coverage rather than 100%. He stated that the man does not have to pay income tax on this as it is sick benefits; further, his expenses of going to and from work are cut down. He stated he felt it was a fair amount to keep the man' s status the same as if he were going to work; if 100% were paid the man would be making money. He stated it would be unfair to the taxpayers who are in the long run footing the bill. Trustee Huxhold stated that Mr. Lambert' s bill was not the entire reason for the problems. He stated to his know- ledge, the men have always been paid, even for time lost in court. The problem here was between the Chief and a Trustee, each thinking that they were in receipt of the substantiating bills and neither one having them. 1003 Mr. Marsh then stated that to straighten out the miscon- ceptions, when Mr. Lambert was injured, the Village immedi- ately had an insurance adjuster come out and talk with Mr. Lambert for a report. The Village then paid Mr. Lambert a sum of $100 .00 . He was to submit employer' s statements as to the amount of work that he had missed. He worked two jobs at the time and a decision had to be made as to whether the part time job should be taken into consideration. He stated he requested the substantiating employer ' s statements a minimum of three times during the course of the year and received them prior to the last Board meeting. He stated the Board approved paying the part time job also, and the Village Clerk has prepared the check for the balance of the amount due to Mr. Lambert. OLD BUSINESS President Farrington then stated that the Board is in receipt of plans for the redevelopment of Glen Grove area. Mr. Richard Weis took the floor and stated that he would briefly outline their intentions . He stated that there is a re- duction in the number of lots on the original presentation. They are requesting that the Board accept and act upon their request in the normal course of their business . He stated they expect to put up from 100 to 150 homes during 1967 starting about spring. He stated that they have pur- chased from Chicago Construction only the single family residential property and none of the multi of commercial property. They are asking for a reduction from 546 lots in Cook County to 491 lots. They will have a total of 1300 lots . Trustee Wilhelm moved the Board accept the revised preliminaries and forward them to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation. Trustee Marsh seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. President Farrington then stated he had received the re- vised cost figures from Mr. Raccuglia, the architect, on the municipal building. He estimates $191, 900 .00 and asked that his fee be increased from $8, 500 .00 to $9, 500 .00 . Trustee Wilhelm moved we increase the architect ' s fee from $8, 500.00 to $9, 500 .00 contingent on the outcome of the referendum and sale of bonds. Trustee Lewis seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 1004 Mr. Richard J. Brown then presented a letter of credit for Unit 3 in Cambridge Countryside. Mr. Hooper was to meet with Mr. Brown' s engineer to review the costs . President Farrington then stated that there have been replies received to the ad placed in the City Manager ' s publication and he would ask that a meeting be set up to go over the applications and determine how to deal with interviews, etc. Trustee Wilhelm moved that since this falls under hiring, the Board meet in executive session at a later date. Trustee Marsh seconded the motion. On roll call, the vote was as follows: AYES : Trustees Huxhold, Marsh, Wilhelm NAYS: Trustees Weiskopf, Lewis NEW BUSINESS President Farrington then stated we are in receipt of a petition for annexation from the Baptist Church. They have disconnected the one acre which was annexed to Wheeling with the Horcher property and now desire annexation to the Village. One acre is already within the Village. Trustee Marsh moved the Village Attorney prepare the necessary data for the notice of public hearing to be held on the 4th Wednesday in February at 7 :30 P.M. Trustee Weiskopf seconded the motion and it was unanimously carried. President Farrington then read Resolution R-67-3, being a resolution authorizing the Village Attorney to consult with a bonding firm for the purpose of seeking a bond market for the proposed general obligation bond issue for a municipal building and that the firm of Isham, Lincoln and Beale be employed to render the necessary opinion on the validity of the bonds. Trustee Marsh moved that Resolution R-67-3 be approved and the firm of Benjamin and Lang be designated as the firm to consult with. Trustee Huxhold seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. i ' ,:/ 1005 Mr. Hooper stated that Consoer Townsend representatives have stated they will have a report complete within 2 to 3 weeks on the Buffalo Utility Company. President Farrington then stated that earlier a statement had been made by a member of the audience that the bond issue would be defeated for the municipal building, and it may be; however, he stated the. Village is in dire need for a place to house the needed services . The Park is prac- tically nill, since the Fire Department have taken the garage and the patio will be converted for the Police Department. He stated the Building Department must be expanded and staffed fulltime as well as administrative. He stated the Village is confronted with problems and cannot put its head into the sand. He stated he hoped the people would not make up their minds until the scheduling is set forth because it can be set up so that the people moving in will also have to assume the obligation of retiring the village indebtedness . Trustee Wilhelm stated that the Fire Department has moved all of the Park equipment into a storage barn which will be rented from Mr. Wagner for $10 .00 a month. Delivery of the new truck is expected in March. Our new Civil Defense Director is desirous of meeting with the Board and the Lake County Civil Defense Director to discuss the proposed program. Attorney Mr. Raysa then stated that he had met with Harold Friedman and his attorney and they offered to permit the Village to use the holding pond as an ice skating rink but asks that he be provided with a hold harmless agreement and proper insurance certificates . Secondly, Mr. Sachs, who is representing the Utility Company and the plaintiffs in the suit against the Village has said that he would dismiss the action if the Village would write a letter stating that we do not intend to use the holding pond and we are not dumping raw sewage into the creek. 1006 Mr. Raysa stated of course the Village has never and would never dump raw sewage into the creek and since we, are not going to use the holding pond, he asked that the letter be sent so that the suit could be dismissed before the answer has to be submitted to the courts saving a lot of time and energy. Trustee Wilhelm then stated that the Engineer had sub- mitted plans and specifications for the bridge across the creek at Raupp at the Public Improvement Committee meeting. Various methods of improving the ditch on Buffalo Grove Road were also discussed. These have been given to the Board for their perusal. The plans for the bridge have been given to the Village Clerk. Trustee Wilhelm stated the Committee recommends the Board approve the construction of the bridge, funds to be gotten from MFT and Road & Bridge. In addition, he explained for the benefit of the audience that these funds cannot be used for any other purpose except maintenance of roads and bridges . The question was posed as to what can be done during the time of construction to get in and out of the park. Trustee Wilhelm stated he was going to contact Father Ballweber to see whether we could use his property on the temporary basis . Trustee Weiskopf stated the Finance Committee will put the Bridge on its agenda for recommendation to the Board. Trustee Wilhelm then moved that the Board authorize the payment of $17 .25 to Acme Heating for repair of the heater in the garage and the sum of $12 .00 for telephone. Trustee Marsh seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. U There being no further business and no questions from the audience, Trustee Wilhelm moved the meeting be adjourned. Trustee Marsh seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 441°) Village Clerk �,7` L.