1994-04-11 - Village Board Committee of the Whole - Minutes MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD
OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS HELD IN
THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 50 RAUPP BOULEVARD, BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS
ON MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1994
CALL TO ORDER
The Village Clerk 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: Trustees Marienthal, Reid, Kahn,
Rubin, Braiman, and Hendricks. President Mathias was absent.
Also present were: William Balling, Village Manager; William Raysa, Village
Attorney; Lee Szymborski, Assistant Village Manager; Phil Versten, Administrative
Assistant; Police Chief McCann; and Joseph Tenerelli, Village Treasurer.
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN
Moved by Reid, seconded by Rubin, to appoint Trustee Marienthal as Temporary
Chairman for tonight's meeting. Upon voice vote, the motion was unanimously
declared carried.
PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS
Mr. Balling reported on the latest property tax assessments.
POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
ftd Commander Tom Fitzgerald of Amvets Post 255 explained the Special Commendation
and Officer of the Year awards presented by the Amvets each year.
Commander Fitzgerald read a brief biography of Officer Steve Husak, who then came
forward and was presented with a plaque by Commander Fitzgerald and was
congratulated by the audience and the Board.
Commander Fitzgerald then read a summation of Corporal Kristiansen's education
and career. Corporal Kristiansen then came forward to be presented with his
plaque, after which he was congratulated by the audience and the Board.
GUN CONTROL
Temporary Chairman Marienthal presented a background on this subject; he stated
that he had received several articles from Hal Thompson, resident, which he is
going to ask the Village Manager to copy and distribute to the Board; he also
received a call from Steve Wernkoff stating that he did not wish the Board to
vote in favor of any type of gun control.
Mr. Balling reviewed the survey results taken of the Board after the last meeting
on this subject, February 14, 1994.
Andrew Litkowiak, 330 Dogwood, an FFL holder, commented on the term "assault
weapon"; he stated that firearms dealers are not a problem anywhere in the
country; he stated that criminals do not buy guns from gun dealers, but get them
on the black market; dealers are allowed to sell out of the trunk of their cars
at a licensed gun show; a member of the Police Department stated that he did not
remember any arrests or problems with firearms dealers in the Village.
Beverly Rosenstein, representing the National Council of Jewish Women, stated
that her organization does support gun control; she commended the Board for
willing to make the community safer; everyone is safer when the number of guns
on the street is lessened; the Second Amendment was intended for the militia to
bear firearms; there is no such thing an individual right to own a gun; she also
commented on the definition of an assault weapon.
�••/ Bob Brown, 15 Whitehall Court, a marksmanship instructor, stated that he has
never had an accident; there should be education for gun owners, rather than
restriction; the majority of gun owners do not kill and have high morals;
criminals should be locked up.
Rob Sherman, Box 7410, stated that he does not like guns; he noted that 50 people
in the City of Chicago were shot over the week-end, and he would support the ban
on the sale and possession of guns - in the City of Chicago; the people of
Buffalo Grove are law-abiding citizens; the civil rights of law-abiding citizens
should not be violated; when you take guns way from the people, the government
can take the rights away from the people; the Board should adopt a resolution to
encourage legislators to enact legislation which stiffens the penalties for
displaying a weapon during the commitment of a crime, and for shooting someone.
Hal Thompson, stated that guns are a part of society, and urged the Board to
consider instituting a safety program.
Lou Eisenberg, 1213 Franklin Lane, a licensed Federal Firearms dealer, commented
on the Second Amendment, which makes sure that no government can ever rise up
against the people; the militia is defined as able-bodied males over the ages of
17 years old.
A resident of 429 Hazelwood Terrace stated that the proposed legislation sounds
to him like unilateral disarmament.
A resident of 420 Checker Drive stated that she was astounded that there are 18
gun dealers selling out of their homes in this community.
A resident of 401 Caren Drive stated that gun legislation would make a gun owner
a criminal; the City of Chicago had a record number of murders in March; these
murders were not committed by people whose guns were registered; he asked how the
Board intends to enforce this legislation.
Trustee Braiman stated that he was hopeful that there could have been a draft
proposal prepared from the survey of the Board that was conducted; he would now
ask that staff prepare a draft ordinance incorporating those results.
There was discussion regarding the formation of a committee to define what type
of weapons should be banned, as well as the definition of "assault weapon".
Trustee Reid stated that he is very concerned about the idea that legislation in
Springfield pre-empting Home Rule communities from making their own decisions is
an inappropriate action on behalf of the State Legislature; he asked that the
Board should draft a resolution expressing our position on that issue; a local
municipality is in a much better position to make a decision for that community;
"assault weapons" are subject to interpretation; he is concerned that AFT will
continue to issue licenses regardless of any local ordinances; he thinks that the
Village needs to have some regulation with regard to gun dealers operating out
of their homes; he thinks it would be appropriate to require a local license; he
believes a public hearing should be held, such as is held when a resident wants
to operate a home day care; he is concerned that there is a resident
manufacturing ammunition.
Trustee Braiman agrees with the idea of sending a resolution to Springfield
regarding Home Rule; he agrees that the Village should come up with some sort of
safety education program.
Moved by Reid, seconded by Hendricks, to table discussion of this topic until
staff has had an opportunity to research these questions and bring material back
to the Board at a future meeting.
Mr. Balling again commented on the survey results.
Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
•/ AYES: 3 - Marienthal,Reid, Hendricks
NAYS: 3 - Kahn, Rubin, Braiman
Moved by Kahn, seconded by Braiman, that staff should draft an ordinance
incorporating the results of the survey, i.e. the banning of firearm sales in
residential and commercial districts, the sale and/or possession of yet to be
defined assault weapons; the manufacture of ammunition for resale be studied; and
that some type of firearm education be investigated. Upon roll call, Trustees
voted as follows:
AYES: 5 - Marienthal, Reid, Kahn, Rubin, Braiman
NAYS: 1 - Hendricks
Motion declared carried.
Trustee Kahn also asked that the possibility of parental responsibility be
investigated.
Staff will notify interested parties advising them of the date that this will
next be discussed.
Moved by Reid, seconded by Kahn, to draft a resolution expressing the Village's
dissatisfaction with the move in Springfield to pre-empt Home Rule communities
from having a position in this issue. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 6 - Marienthal, Reid, Kahn, Rubin, Braiman, Hendricks
NAYS: 0 - None
Motion declared carried.
It was determined that the Board needs to have something specific to discuss.
EXECUTIVE MEETING
Moved by Braiman, seconded by Kahn, to move to Executive Meeting to discuss
Litigation. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:
AYES: 6 - Marienthal, Reid, Kahn, Rubin, Braiman, Hendricks
NAYS: 0 - None
Motion declared carried.
The Board moved to Executive Meeting from 9:08 P.M. until 9:38 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Reid, seconded by Rubin, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, the
motion was unanimously declared carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 P.M.
214
Ja . Sirabian, Village Clerk