1961-12-07 - Village Board Regular Meeting - Minutesr -
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD
OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, COOK COUNTY,
ILLINOIS, HELD THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 1961, IN THE
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT PUBLIC SCHOOL IN BUFFALO GROVE, TTTTNOIS.
The President called the meeting to order at approximately 8:10 P.M.
The roll was called and the following were found present:
President Bunescu; Trustees Bochniak, Farrington, Huxhold, Frank, Weiskopf
and Gillen
Absent: None
Trustee Bochniak moved that the minutes of the previous regular meeting
held November 16, 1961, be approved as written. Trustee Farrington seconded
the motion. On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Bochniak, Farrington, Huxhold, Frank, Weiskopf, Gillen
NAYS: None
The Treasurer read his report covering the period from November let thru
November 31st, 1961, showing balance as of November 30, 1961 $14,327.27,
and motor fuel tax allotment of $13,374.23.
Trustee Bochniak read Warrant #46. Trustee Bochniak moved that Warrant #46
in the amount of $1,668.13 be approved for payment. Trustee Farrington
seconded the motion. On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Gillen, Woiskopf, Frank, Huxhold, Farrington, Bochniak.
NAYS: None
Police Magistrate Bauer was not present and there was no report.
Chief Barnett read the Police Report for the month of November, 1961.
Trustee Bochniak moved that the Treasurer be directed to redeem the $5000.00
Certificate of Deposit due to nature on December 12th and credit the interest
therefrom to the appropriate funds. Trustee Weiskopf seconded the motion.
On roll call the vote was as follows:
( I AYES: Trustees Huxhold, Farrington Bochniak, Frank, Weiskopf, Gillen
v NAYS: None
Trustee Bochniak moved that the Treasurer be authorized to acquire another
Certificate of Deposit in the amount of $5,000.00, for 120 days. Trustee
Farrington seconded the motion. On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Gillen, Weiskopf, Frank, Farrington, Huxhold, Bochniak
NAYS: None
Trustee Bochniak stated that because the 4th Thursday of the month was
Thanksgiving Day, the Finance Committee did not hold its official meeting
and he had no further report.
Trustee Gillen stated that the Public Relations Committee did not have a
meeting due to the Thanksgiving Holiday and he had no report.
Trustee Frank asked who is paying for the engraved invitations sent out to
the residents and signed by the Public Relations Committee. Trustee Gillen
stated he has submitted the bill and when it comes up for approval, the Board
will be asked to approve it. He stated this invitation was the Committee's
idea; that they felt it was a good one; and that it was done to try to get
the people to come to this meeting; and judging from the number present, it
was a good idea. The President read the bill for printing, addressing and
mailing the invitations, including postage, $70.31. Trustee Frank commented
that the Chairman had exercised poor judgment in issuing engraved invitations
to an open Board meeting where there are two newspapers in circulation in
the Village and when two circulars had been printed and distributed to the
residents announcing this meeting.
Mr. Venetianer, Building Commissioner, was called upon for a report. The
President stated that in view of a recent fire in the Village that this report
was timely. kr. Venetianer stated that there are a number of buildings in
the Village where violations of the building code exist, and that they con-
stitute a fire hazard. He stated this is particularly true of homes with
attached garages. He then read the number of violations by the various builders
in the Village. A discussion followed on correcting these violations. The
President directed the Building Commissioner to send out letters to the owners
of the buildings in which these violations occur.
The President read a proposed ordinance amending the Liquor Control Ordinance.
Trustee Bochniak moved that Ordinance No. 0-61-27, being an Ordinance amending
the Liquor Control Ordinance No. 0-60-12, be approved. Trustee Farrington
seconded the motion. On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Bochniak, Farrington, Huxhold, Gillen, Tiskopf and Frank
NAYS: None
The Village Clerk stated she would contact Country Service and arrange for
snow plowing for the coming winter.
Trustee Farrington spoke on the vehicle license fees; giving the reasons for
raising them from $3.00 to $7.50 last year; the surplus of vehicle tax money
now held by the Village; and the estimated expenditure of this fund for the
coming year. Based on this analysis, Trustee Farrington moved that the vehicle
tax for passenger automobiles be lowered to $5.00 per year. Trustee Bochniak
seconded the motion. Discussion followed. The roll was called and the vote
was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Huxhold, Farrington, Bochniak, Weiskopf, Gillen
NAYS: Trustee Frank
3 (77
dr. Raysa was directed to draft an amendment to the Vehicle Licensed Ordinance
setting the vehicle tax for passenger cars at $5.00 a year and $3.00 for a
half year.
Trustee Bochniak moved that the Board authorize the sale of vehicle stickers
through Ray's General Store. Trustee Gilleh seconded the motion. On roll
call the vote was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Gillen, Aeiskopf, Frank, Huxhold, Farrington, Bochniak
NAYS: None
Trustee Farrington moved that the 1962 vehicle stickers be put on sale
Saturday, December 9, 1961. Trustee Huxhold seconded the motion. On roll
call the vote was as follows:
AYES: Trustees Frank, Aeiskopf, Gillen, Bochniak, Farrington, Huxhold
NAYS: None
The President stated that the proposed 5% Utility Tax would now come up for
discussion, and that following discussion by the members of the Board, the
meeting would be open to the public. The President stated that the Board
has not proposed this tax. It was proposed to the Board by the Public Safety
Committee, of which he is Chairman. The President then read the report of
the Public Safety Committee, giving its reasons for proposing a Utility tax
to provide revenue for paying salaries to the policemen.
Trustee Bochniak, Finance Chairman, was called upon and gave a financial
picture of the Village by the use of charts. These charts showed the break-
down of the 1960 real estate tax dollar and how it is distributed; the Village
revenue by source -- building permit fees, vehicle licenses, etc.; and the
expenditures of the Village and the cost of the Police Department.
Trustee Farrington stated that he is in favor of a police department and that
if circumstances allow, the police should be paid. He stated further that he
does not think the Village can afford it; that he does not believe in borrowing
money for this purpose, which in effect is what the utility tax would be;
that we are not in a high crime area; that the police department need not be
made up of professional policemen, and that he feels the police will not want
pay if the Village cannot afford it. Trustee Farrington wished to go on record
as saying he is opposed to paying a utility taxi that he feels we have a good
police department and will continue to have one.
Trustee Bochniak stated that he feels the salary schedule recommended by the
Safety Committee warrants grave consideration; that the Department would be
helped greatly if there were some sort of compensation for all members; that
the source of revenue most easily accessible is the utility tax, but that it
need not be levied at 5%. Be stated further that because of the Rescue Squad
that the Police Department could be reduced in size and that crossing guards
could be used during the day to handle the flow of traffic. He stated further
that this entire matter of the utility tax should be put to a referendum, and
that he is in favor of a utility tax if the people officially vote for it at
a referendum.
Trustee Weiskopf stated that we have a Village run on a volunteer basis and
he would like to see it continue this way, and that he is certain that most
of the people attending this meeting are against the tax. He stated further
that he is against the utility tax at 5%, but perhaps it could be levied at
2% or 3%; however, he stated he is against the tax so long as there are enough
volunteers to do the job.
Trustee Frank stated that this tremendous change of heart by the other members
of the Board on the Utility tax left him with very little to say, but that it
does show what will happen if the people do attend the Board meetings and voice
their opinion. He commended Trustee Bochniak on the tremendous job he had done
in compiling figures, making the graphs and in his presentation to the audience.
He stated that he is in favor of a police department, but commented that this
Board has not actually done too much for the police department in the way of
equipment, housing, etc.; that if money were found it could more wisely be
spent in hiring 1 or 2 full time policemen. He stated further that the Board
proposes to raise $12,000.00 with this 5% utility tax, but that this money
could be raised by issuing building permits; that 120 building permits would
be $12,000.00; that at the last Board meeting the Building Commissioner was
instructed not to issue any more permits, and that the Village would have an
adequate revenue if the Board would encourage its growth; that this growth was
necessary in order to induce business firms to come into its shopping center.
Trustee Frank stated he is against the Utility tax.
Trustee Frank's comments elicited a short, sharp discussion among the members
of the Board. President Bunescu stated the Village received a letter from
the Illinois State Water Board stating in effect that until such time as expansion
of the disposal plant has commenced and until the plant is operated by a
certificated operator, that the Illinois State muter Board will not issue a
permit for sewer rights. The President further stated that when this permit is
granted by the Illinois State Water Board, then the Village will issue building
permits. Trustee Frank asked if this is the only reason why building permits
are not being issued, and the President answered, yes.
Trustee Huxhold stated that the matter of the 5% Utility Tax was not voted on
at the last meeting and it was never intended to be voted upon. It was pro-
posed by the Safety Committee, and that he wants to hear from the people as to
what they really want.
Trustee Gillen stated he had no comments.
Chief Barnett was called upon and spoke in behalf of the police department;
the vast number of hours spent in a class room; the increased responsibilities
because of the growth of the village; the amount spent by each man to equip
himself; that a 3 man team is required nightly--one man to handle the radio
and 2 in the squad car; and that because of the time and expense involved, he
is in favor of paying the men.
The meeting was opened to the public and discussion followed by members of
the audience. The President was asked for clarification of the Safety
Committee's proposal. The President stated that three salary schedules were
proposed by the Safety Committee: (1) $100.00 a month for the Chief, $80.00
for 2 lieutenants; $60.00 for 3 sergeants; and $40.00 a month for the 4
patrolmen.
(2) $100.00 for the Chief; $75.00 for Lts.; $50.00 for sgts.; and $25.00 for
patrolmen. (3) $75.00 for the Chief; $60.00 for Lts.; $45.00 for sgts.; and
$30.00 for patrolmen.
Equipment and uniform allowance was discussed. It seemed the general opinion
of the audience that the volunteers should not have out-of-pocket expenses.
Insurance coverage was discussed and the President stated that this is in
process. The discussion continued with various members of the audience speaking
against the utility tax on the grounds that it would be an unfair assessment
since larger homes would be paying more than smaller homes; that the Village
itself was not large enough to warrant this expenditure; that we are in a low
crime area; that we have no industrial or commercial businesses; etc. Various
suggestions were made, such as running benefits, holding raffles, obtaining
donations or pledges to raise money to compensate the police force. A member
of the Rick Casares Pro Bowl stated that the bowling alley will donate $500.00
to a fund for uniforms, equipment, or whatever the Police Department chooses
to do with the money. The discussion continued.
The President summarized the discussion by stating that this is not the end
of the utility tax disbussion, but that the Board will be guided by the
opinions expressed by the audience.
Trustee Gillen stated he was very impressed with the comments and the turnout.
He stated that he did not wish to speak until he knew what the people wanted.
He stated that the proposal brought up by sufficient people that donations
would be a source of income should be considered, and that he mould like to
make the proposal that these people form a committee and go from door to door
and come back as a committee at the next Board meeting and tell us how much
they have raised.
Trustee Farrington moved that the meeting adjourn. Trustee Huxhold seconded
the motion and it was unanimously carried.
Village Clerk