1984-05-29 - Village Board Committee of the Whole - Minutes SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS, HELD MONDAY, MAY 29, 1984,
AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 50 RAUPP BOULEVARD, BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS.
President Clayton called the meeting to order at 7:37 P.M. Those present were:
President Clayton; Trustees Stone, O'Reilly, Hartstein, Glover, Reid. Trustee
Marienthal was absent. Also present were: William Balling, Village Manager;
William Raysa, Village Attorney; James Doyle, Assistant Village Manager; William
Brimm, Finance Director; and James Truesdell, Village Planner.
TITLE XIX
President Clayton read an opening statement with the purpose of tonight's meeting,
regarding Title XIX. The Board then moved to a "Roundtable Discussion". Those
members from the school, park and library districts in attendance were as follows:
Dr. Ronald Crates, Superintendent School District #102; Dr. Milton Herzog, Super-
intendent School District #125; Kenneth Swanson, Indian Trails Library; Susan
Mikalauskis, Indian Trails Library Trustee; Lynn Butler, Vernon Library District;
Donald Sheppard, Buffalo Grove Park District Trustee; William Schwebke, Buffalo
Grove Park District Trustee; Dr. David Willard, Superintendent School District
#96; Valerie Lubecke, School District #96 Board; Barbara Cohen, School District
#96 Board; and Mark Spivak, School District #96 Board. Mr. Balling then reviewed
the history of Title XIX; written documents by staff detailing Title XIX and
tonight's meeting are on file in the Clerk's office.
Mr. Raysa introduced Mr. Marvin Glink, City Attorney for the City of Naperville,
who wrote the Naperville Donation Ordinance, after which Buffalo Grove's similar
ordinance was modeled. Mr. Glink reviewed the history of the Naperville ordinance,
and the events which led up to the passage of same; the main point made by Mr.
Glink was that the money donated by a developer must be used on items which are
specifically and uniquely attributable to that development.
Dr. Willard asked about a situation where developer money was used to purchase a
new high school, but students from that particular development might never attend
that high school; Mr. Glink replied that the boundaries should be changed to avoid
that situation.
Dr. Crates asked about a situation where the district where it was determined to
lease space rather than build another school; Mr. Glink stated that it is his
opinion that the funds not be used for operational expenses. Dr. Crates asked
about a situation where land is donated as an elementary site, and there is no
need for same, but there is a need for a larger site for a high school; Mr. Glink
and Mr. Raysa stated that they would be allowed to dispose of the site, as the
school code permits, by selling it at a public auction, providing there are no
restrictions on the deed.
Mr. Glink stated that Naperville gets an annual report from each of the districts
which details their use of donated funds for that year. In answer to a question
regarding funds being used for expansion, Mr. Glink stated that he has trouble
with donated funds going into the general operational budget. Mr. Raysa stated
that the basic intent of the ordinance was for land and capital acquisition.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MAY 29, 1984
PAGE TWO
Dr. Herzog stated that their district is very happy with the ordinance as it now
stands; the ordinance has served their needs, and they have used the funds for the
purposes intended in the ordinance; if the donation were to be lowered, they would
get more students, and less money, and it would be a hardship on the district. Mr.
Clink noted that, in the Naperville ordinance, if donated cash is not used for its
intended purpose within a certain period of time, it reverts back to the builder.
Mr. Raysa thanked Mr. Glink for attending tonight's meeting.
President Clayton declared a recess from 8:58 P.M. to 9:10 P.M.
Mr. Truesdell reviewed his memo to Mr. Balling of May 22, 1984 regarding the
administration of developer donation funds; he then answered questions from the
Board and district representatives regarding same. There was then discussion
regarding the library donation, since most other communities do not require same,
as to whether this donation should be dropped, or if other communities should be
encouraged to initiate a library donation. Discussion was also held regarding the
tax lag being part of the impetus for passing the donation ordinance. Mr. Raysa
was asked whether, if the library donation were dropped, there would be any
repercussions from developers that had already given a library donation; he stated
that he does not think anyone would be responsible for funds already used pursuant
to the ordinance. It was noted that the needs of the library are unique, because
their major capital expense is for books, rather than building needs.
Mr. Raysa referred to a memo which he directed to the Board on September 10, 1979;
he pointed out that there has to be a correlation between the actual need generated
by a new subdivision and the use of the donated money.
President Clayton then turned the discussion toward the Park District; she stated
that a concern of the Board is the acquisition of a large, central park, and asked
the Park District when they think that they will be in a position to give the
Board some direction along those lines.
Mr. Sheppard stated that he does not see too much of a relationship between a large
park and Title XIX; the Park District is looking forward to comments and direction
regarding a large park from their new director. Mr. Schwebke stated that the new
Director will begin on July 1, 1984. The new Director has had experience with both
State and Federal funding. The Park Board would love to have a large, central park,
but they are concerned with the funding for same; however, it may not be as far out
of reach as was thought before. Mr. Sheppard pointed out that the Park District
does need active use land rather than passive use land. Mr. Schwebke stated that
the Park District does have a concern about lakes and water management; he would
hope that the new Park District Director and Mr. Balling would meet and try to work
out an arrangement regarding the ordinance. Mr. Schwebke thinks that it is mostly
a matter of interpretation, and he does not see any problem with the ordinance as
it exists.
There was then discussion regarding getting the Park District involved in the
development process as the plan is being formulated. President Clayton stated that
it would be helpful for the Village to know where parks are needed, so that when a
developer approached the Village, Mr. Truesdell would know right away where to work
the parks into the plan.
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MAY 29, 1984
PAGE THREE
Trustee Hartstein stated that the parks do not necessarily have to be neighborhood
parks, and suggested that cash contributions be specifically earmarked toward a
major recreational park. Trustee Stone stated that he would like to see a large
community park developed in the Village, and he would like to see all money which
is donated put toward a large, central park. Mr. Sheppard stated that the Park
Board would like very much to do that, but he does not see any way in which that
would be economically possible. Mr. Balling pointed out that obtaining the land
is the critical concern at this point; there are only so many sites which would
qualify for the large, central park use. Trustee Stone stated that he does not
believe the entire sum must come out of one fund.
President Clayton stated that comments which she heard from the districts tonight
indicate that they are satisfied with the ordinance as it is written, and they do
not wish to have any changes made. President Clayton then asked the Trustees to
summarize comments and point out items which need to be discussed:
Trustee Stone: Take a close look with regard to the school districts in particular
as to how the money is being spent, and if it meets the intent of
the ordinance fully.
•
Trustee Reid: He agrees with Trustee Stone; the accountability factor must be
looked at; the Village must recognize that, by virtue of our
geography and our changing demographics, it is faced with declining
population in some districts, others that are expanding rapidly,
while others are remaining stable. He thinks there should be some
kind of an appeal process or a vehicle by which a developer can
realistically address the type of impact which will be created by
the development, and this should be written into the ordinance.
Trustee Hartstein: There should be a mechanism for some type of process where the
requirements may be waived, based upon certain circumstances; Mr.
Raysa would have to research this subject to see if the Village
may provide for this type of waiver.
Trustee O'Reilly: She thinks that the Village must look at the policy question of
whether or not to continue the library donation; she thinks the
school district portion of the ordinance must be tighter; she thinks
the Park District must look seriously at some percentage of revenues
to be locked into the acquisition of a central park; she thinks
there needs to be more accountability by all districts.
Trustee Glover: He is concerned with District #102 if the ordinance is tightened up;
he would like to see a method to fairly include District #102 in the
ordinance.
Trustee Hartstein: He does not think it is the Village's place to be determining
what is or is not the most appropriate use of the funds, as long
as it is meeting the intent of the ordinance.
`./ Trustee Glover: He thinks accountability sounds offensive, and would rather have
this referred to as an annual report.
Mrs. Lubecke stated that the variety of ways in which children impact a school
district should be addressed.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MAY 29, 1984
PAGE FOUR
President Clayton thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting, and stated
that the Village would notify the districts when these items are again on the agenda.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Mr. Balling introduced Peter Anderson from Arthur J. Gallagher & Company, the
Village's brokerage representative. Mr. Anderson pointed out to the Board the
reasons why they are recommending the change. Mr. Brimm reviewed his memo to Mr.
Balling of March 22, 1984 regarding Group Health Insurance Program Analysis; this
memo and the summary of the Village's insurance plan are on file in the Clerk's office.
There was then discussion regarding the benefits and the risks of the new program,
with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Brimm answering questions from the Board. Mr. Anderson
stated that it is his opinion that this quote is competitive; he also explained
how self-insurance works, and stated that he does not think self-insurance would
be in the best interest of the Village. It was requested by some Trustees that
there be other quotes obtained; Mr. Balling stated that staff would pursue that
request.
With regard to including bi-annual physical examinations in the coverage, Mr.
Anderson stated that it is very expensive, and he believes that the cost saving
is questionable. Mr. Balling stated that the concerns raised by the Board will be
investigated, and a report will be made to the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by O'Reilly, seconded by Hartstein, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote,
the motion was unanimously declared carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 P.M.
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Janet M. � Village Clerk