VILLAGE OF WORTH

MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING

HELD April 3, 2007

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

ROLL CALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

FIREFIGHTER JIM ALLISON PRESENTATION

 

 

AUDIT PRESENTATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTORNEY DELORT FAREWELL

 

 

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLERK’S REPORT

 

TRUSTEE’S REPORT

Trustee Alcala

Police & Fire

Life Safety Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee Keller

Public Works

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee Rhein

Golf Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee Hartz

Building & Zoning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee Werner

Financing & Licensing

Bill List

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trustee Adamski

Beautification Committee

Worth Days Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

President Guzdziol called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

 

Roll call indicated that the following trustees were present: Becky Alcala, Randy Keller, Mary Rhein, Sally Hartz, Kevin Werner and Barb Adamski. Also in attendance at the meeting were Village Clerk Bonnie Price, Attorney Mat Delort, Building Commissioner Bruce Zartler, Finance Director Barb Maziarek, Village Engineer Cortney Koening and Police Chief Pat O’Connor and Fire Chief David Hopkins.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

President Guzdziol read the press release of Firefighter Allison finding the abandoned baby at the firehouse and presented a certificate of excellence to him.

 

John George and Steve Gress of McGladrey & Pullen gave an overview of the financial statements.  Attorney Delort questioned what is due to the pension funds from the Village.  Trustee Werner questioned if $238,754 is more or less than last year for the pension funds?  Attorney Delort stated the amount is typically more each year.  Trustee Rhein questioned the figures used for what is budgeted and actual, the overtime salaries for police and fire are incorrect.  John George stated these numbers are based on allocation of line items and the cost to reallocate the figures is substantial and too time consuming but the basic totals of the budget are in line.  Trustee Rhein stated this is the latest that the audit is being presented, John George stated there were allocation problems within the funds.

 

Trustee Alcala made a motion seconded by Trustee Adamski to recess the board meeting. A voice vote followed. Motion carried.

 

Resident Dan Feltz asked President Guzdziol why Amvets was turned down for a liquor license last year at 113th and Harlem? Mr. Feltz questioned why is there a liquor license to give out now. Mr. Feltz stated Lode Drive has been unfinished for over eight months. Mr. Feltz stated that there is a shortage of parking spaces at the strip mall where Oh Boy is.

 

Resident Dee Woods asked President Guzdziol why Lieutenant Knolmayer had over 185 hours between

January 2 - March 26, 2007. President Guzdziol stated that

the other detective was off because his wife was sick.

 

Dee stated that one of our trustees stated that we Palos Heights had numerous bank robberies, Dee called Palos Heights and was told all that they had three and all were solved.  Dee asked if we had solved our armed robberies?

 

Resident Jack McGrath inquired on the working hours for residential contractors in the Village of Worth. Building Commissioner Zartler stated 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Mr. McGrath stated the bobcat is out there until 11 p.m. and work begins at 5 a.m., there is stone all over the sidewalk and easement and no tickets have been issued.

 

Resident Jack McGrath stated he read that there have been no break-ins in Worth and that is untrue, his brother’s house next door was broken in to.  Are the houses being broken into?  President Guzdziol stated he feels safe in Worth.  Mr. McGrath stated there is crime in this town

 

Resident Nick Stathopoulos stated a tree fell on a transformer and the electric was interrupted, who can he sue?  President Guzdziol stated Mr. Stathopoulos should contact ComEd.  Mr. Stathopoulos inquired whose responsibility to trim a tree that is on private property.  Mr. Stathopoulos if Public Works is going to clean out the ditches that are blocked so the standing water will not breed mosquitoes.

 

Resident Joanne Roberts questioned why President Guzdziol is disrespectful to people who are asking questions.  President Guzdziol stated he doesn’t want the meeting to become political.  Ms. Roberts stated President Guzdziol asks for questions and comments during the meeting and then treats residents like fifth graders and that is rude.

 

Resident Terry Lyman stated does the village have an ordinance regarding large trucks parking overnight?  President Guzdziol stated yes.  Ms. Layman stated a house across the street from the water tower has tow trucks parked there everyday along with the cars being stored there.  Chief O’Connor stated the police department can only ticket once every 24 hours and the officers are writing tickets regularly. 

 

Ms. Lyman stated there are currently 30 empty storefronts in the Village; the Village should concentrate on filling those vacancies instead of building another strip mall.  A nice family restaurant would be well received in the TIF District, the gateway to Worth.

 

President Guzdziol stated on the consent agenda is the approval of the agreement with Ehlers and Associates.  Trustee Keller questioned President Guzdziol on the expenditures to Ehlers year to date.  President Guzdziol stated he does not have that number in front of him.  Trustee Keller stated does the figure $5,500 sound correct?  Trustee Keller stated Ehlers only has 25 more hours to complete?  Trustee Werner stated he would like to add to the contract not to exceed $10,000.  Trustee Keller asked for this item to be stricken from the consent agenda and held for a separate vote.

 

President Guzdziol stated on the consent agenda is the PATSE bus “fair share” expenditure in the amount of $944.  Without any objection. This will remain on the consent agenda.

 

President Guzdziol stated he attend a Southwest Conference of Mayors meeting where they discussed hosting a ˝ marathon beginning at Palos Bank and Trust on May 4, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.

 

President Guzdziol stated Maria Pappas’ office sent a list of tax delinquent properties.  President Guzdziol stated there are currently 56 homes in Worth that are in danger of being placed on the docket for back taxes.  President Guzdziol stated he will leave the list for inspection.

 

President Guzdziol stated the Oak Park Avenue job from 107th to 111th Street will be put in the August or September letting.  Trustee Keller stated he would like to be kept in the loop with this project.  President Guzdziol stated he just received notification on this project.  Trustee Keller stated if the engineer received a call, he could have received a call.

 

President Guzdziol requested an executive session for the purpose of negotiations.

 

President Guzdziol stated he had a meeting with Wayne Demonbreun and Walsh Construction regarding 115th Street IDOT bridgework, Walsh Construction stated 115th Street will be closed April 6th and reopen the first week of June.  Trustee Rhein stated can Walsh Construction supply flaggers? 

 

No report.

 

 

Trustee Alcala stated there is a Life Safety Meeting on April 18, 2007 at the Village Hall.

 

Trustee Alcala stated the Fire House is receiving a new roof and should be completed by Friday.

 

Trustee Alcala stated the thermo-imaging camera has arrived and asked Chief Hopkins to demonstrate the camera.

 

Trustee Keller stated the water was tested in February and it is safe for consumption. 

 

Trustee Keller stated the Village had eight water main breaks.

 

Trustee Keller stated 111th and Depot has been prepped and will be repaired when the asphalt companies reopen.

 

Trustee Rhein stated Water’s Edge is open and the restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and the new menu will appear May 1st.  All green side bunkers are completed.  The golf course budget has been approved by Kemper and the Village Board should have the budget by Friday for review.  Steve Dell and Chris Patterson will give a budget presentation to the Village Board on April 24th.  Trustee Hartz inquired on student discounts for Water’s Edge.  Trustee Rhein stated she will look into this.

 

Trustee Hartz stated the REDB will have a hearing on April 5, 2007. 

 

Trustee Hartz stated Commissioner Zartler had some questions regarding sprinklers in the ordinance establishing regulations for residential condominiums conversions.  Trustee Hartz asked that this ordinance be stricken from the consent agenda until further review on April 24th.

 

 

Trustee Werner stated on the consent agenda is the approval for the bill list in the amount of $123,749.74.  Without any objection. This will remain on the consent agenda.  Trustee Rhein questioned an item on the bill list for North East Multi-Regional.  Chief O’Connor stated that item is the yearly assessment for the Training Board.

 

Trustee Werner stated on the consent agenda is the approval of the March payroll in the amount of $450,121.15.  Without any objection. This will remain on the consent agenda.

 

Trustee Adamski stated on the consent agenda is the approval of the expenditure of $572 for 26 hanging planters.  Trustee Werner asked this item be stricken from the consent agenda and held for separate vote. 

 

Trustee Adamski stated on the consent agenda is the approval to sign the agreement with DJ Phil Lukacek.  Without any objection. This will remain on the consent agenda.

 

Attorney Delort stated on the consent agenda is approval of Ordinance #07-10 an ordinance rescinding a previous abatement of taxes levied for repayment of 1999B Series General Obligation Refunding Bonds.  Without any objection. This will remain on the consent agenda.

 

Attorney Delort thanked the Board and Village for the opportunity to serve Worth.

 

Trustee Adamski seconded by Trustee Hartz to establish the consent agenda. A voice vote followed. Motion carried.

 

Consent Agenda
April 3, 2007

 

r          Approve the minutes from March 20, 2007

r          Authorize the Village President to sign the amended agreement with Ehlers & Associates Inc

r          Approve the expenditure in the amount of $944 for “Fair Share” for Palos Area Transportation Service Stricken voted separately, motion passed

r          Approve the bill list in the amount of $123,749.74

r          Approve the March payroll in the amount of $450,121.15

r          Approve the expenditure of $572.00 for 26 hanging planters and $1,200.00 for special soil (Hotel Tax) Stricken voted separately, motion passed

r          Authorize Village President to sign the agreement with DJ Phil Lukacek

r          Approve Ordinance #07-11 An ordinance establishing regulations for residential condominium conversions - Stricken from the consent agenda

r          Approve Ordinance #07-10 An ordinance rescinding a previous abatement of taxes levied for repayment of 1999B Series General Obligation Refunding Bonds

 

Trustee Rhein seconded by Trustee Adamski to approve the consent agenda as adopted. A roll call vote followed. Ayes: Trustee Rhein, Hartz, Alcala, Keller, Werner, and Adamski Ayes (6). Nays: (0). Absent: (0) Motion carried.

 

Trustee Adamski made a motion seconded by Trustee Alcala to approve the expenditure of $572 for 26 hanging planters from the hotel tax.  A roll call vote followed. Ayes: Trustee Rhein, Hartz, Alcala, Keller, and Adamski Ayes (5). Nays: Werner (1) Absent: (0) Motion carried.

 

Trustee Adamski made a motion seconded Trustee Alcala to authorize the Village President to sign the agreement with Ehlers & Associates not to exceed $10,000 as amended.  A roll call vote followed. Ayes: Trustee Rhein, Hartz, Alcala, Werner, and Adamski Ayes (5). Nays: Keller (1) Absent: (0) Motion carried.

 

Resident Steve Werner questioned where the detour route for 115th and Ridgeland is planned when the road is closed.  President Guzdziol stated there won’t be any detours down side streets.

 

Dee Woods questioned when was the detective off for three months because his wife was sick.  Chief O’Connor stated Detective Ramos?  Ms. Woods stated yes. Chief O’Connor stated he would have to look at the time sheets.  Ms. Woods stated she has all of the payroll records and can’t recall seeing Detective Ramos being paid regular time and receiving overtime.  Ms. Woods stated President Guzdziol is asking the residents to pass a 1% sales tax increase when the additional money will only to go pay overtime in the police department.  President Guzdziol stated that money can only be used to pay off debt.

 

Trustee Alcala moved seconded by Trustee Hartz to adjourn to executive session at 9:13 p.m. for the purpose of negotiations.  A voice vote followed. Motion carried.

 

No Action taken.

 

Trustee Adamski moved seconded by Trustee Alcala to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:33 p.m.  A voice vote followed. Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Bonnie M. Price, CMC

Village Clerk