MINUTES

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

VILLAGE OF VERNON HILLS

FEBRUARY 15, 2000

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE: President Pro-Tem Cashman called the meeting to order at 8:45 p.m. The following Trustees were present: Black, Cashman, Hebda, Koch, Ryg. President Byrne and Trustee Henley were absent.

Also present were Manager Allison, Assistant Manager Kalmar, Finance Director/Treasurer Nakrin, Acting Chief Kincaid, Building Commissioner Gerth, Public Works Director Laudenslager, Corporation Counsel Kenny and Deputy Village Clerk Pelletier.

1. APPROVAL OF 2/01/2000 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES. (Delayed)

2. GROSSE POINTE PARK IMPROVEMENTS.

Assistant Manager Kalmar introduced Park District Director Larry DeGraaf, who in turn introduced Park Board Member Carol Hendricks and 3D Design Studio Representative, Dan Dalziel. Mr. DeGraaf presented plans for completion of the next phase of the park (prepared by 3D Design Studio, Grayslake, IL. dated 1/12/2000). The plans require a special use permit for the improvements. The park project was first developed in 1996 with 3 baseball fields, a playground and parking lot. The next phase of completion was to add 2 tennis courts, 1/2 court basketball site, tot playground (2-5 years of age), teen playground (12-15 years of age), open play field, shelter and the 8 foot wide asphalt path. Completion of washrooms and removal of port-o-potties would be done after baseball season. A large parking lot would be developed in the ComEd ROW, which would remove parking on the street. Park District was negotiating a lease agreement with ComEd.

Trustee Cashman requested the 1/2 court basketball site be located away from Grosse Pointe Parkway towards the inner part of park. Mr. Dalziel stated the parking lot would be one-way only with parking stalls at a 45-degree angle. Public Works Director Laudenslager had concerns with the closeness of the trail to Tennis Lane. The bike trail would begin at Westmoreland Drive and proceed north to Route 45. The bike trail location at Tennis Lane was to be rectified by the March 7th meeting. Trustee Cashman inquired what amount of monies had been budgeted for project and Mr. DeGraaf stated $550,000 was budgeted and grant monies had been applied for.

Trustee Black inquired about the use of auto barriers at Westmoreland Drive. Mr. Laudenslager responded that they had been installed to keep fly dumping from happening to the ComEd ROW. Mr. DeGraaf stated the Park District would be responsible to keeping the area clean and grass mowed for twenty years after the agreement with ComEd was completed.

Mr. DeGraaf stated the teen playground would have no swings or slides. It would be made up of semi-competitive equipment and would be located near the 1/2 court basketball site.

Trustee Ryg was impressed by the input by Julie Wheeler in putting together a survey of residents as to what they would like to have at the park. Trustee Ryg stated the use of ComEd ROW was needed to connect areas of the village. Motion by Trustee Ryg, second by Trustee Black to approve the Special Use Permit and Final Site and Landscaping Plans. Roll call vote:

AYES: 5-Ryg, Black, Cashman, Hebda, Koch

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 1-Henley

Motion declared carried.

3. ADOPTION OF BUDGETARY SYSTEM.

Finance Director/Treasurer stated in effort to streamline the budgetary system, Manager Allison and he were recommending the conversion from the Appropriation Ordinance method to the Budgetary Ordinance method. The Appropriation System is heavily inflated to allow for unforeseen circumstances. The appropriation method budget does not have to be adopted until 90 days after the fiscal year has begun. The Budget system would have to be approved by April 30th and transfers would have to be approved by the designated budget officer. The budget system would allow for more flexibility. Manager Allison would be named as the budget officer and would be granted authority to make transfers from budget line items for specific purchases up to $5,000. All transfer from contingency will continue to require Board approval, as will transfers over $5,000. With the budget system, the budget would have to be approved by April 30th.

Trustee Cashman inquired if there would be a cap on the amounts being transferred and how would it be tracked. Mr. Nakrin stated the transfers would have to be Board approved. Trustee Ryg stated there would be great accountability to revenue sources. President and Trustee grants would be more specific. Request for monies of the Board could be consistent. Mr. Allison stated the budget could be amended during the year. Corporate Counsel to amend verbiage of ordinance for transfer up to $5,000 between 2 accounts within a given fund within a fiscal year.

Mr. Nakrin stated the Budget would be distributed by February 29th and begin the budget discussions by March 21st. The April 4th and 11th meetings would be used to continue discussions and if needed a special meeting could be held on March 14th. Motion by Trustee Ryg, second by Trustee Black to pass and approve Ordinance 2000-20 Creating the Officer of Budget Officer for the Village of Vernon Hills as amended. Roll call vote:

AYES: 5-Black, Cashman, Hebda, Koch, Ryg

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 1-Henley

Motion declared carried.

4. 2000 ZONING MAP.

The 2000-01 Zoning Map was presented for approval. Noted changes prior to approval were the zoning of the following: R-1 zoning for the Wisconsin Central track area; R-1 zoning for bus company; Lake Harvey zoning; Clavey parcel and parcel zoned COS near the Fire Station; PIB zoning for the high school; Vernon Hills Athletic Complex zoning after transfer to PIB; and parcel at Sanctuary Point. Motion by Trustee Hebda, second by Trustee Black to approve 2000-01 Zoning Map as amended. Roll call vote:

AYES: 5-Cashman, Hebda, Koch, Ryg, Black

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 1-Henley

Motion declared carried.

5. TRAFFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.

Public Works Director stated the Traffic Advisory Committee had met on January 19th and presented their concerns and recommendations to the Board to review.

A. Review site distance and landscaping at intersection of Gregg's Pkwy & Sycamore/Cyprus. The TAC recommended the site distance in relation to the landscape plantings be reviewed because westbound vehicles could not see turning vehicles or pedestrians in the intersection. When are the completions of the sidewalks to be done?

B. Review Zale plans and/or request crosswalk at the above intersection. Should Zale stripe the crosswalk across Gregg's Parkway? What additional signage could be added for the crosswalk?

C. Establish a timeframe/threshold for sidewalks to be installed in new subdivisions in Gregg's Landing. When should the sidewalks be completed? More information would be needed from staff.

D. Investigation for installation of right-turn lanes from Route 83. The TAC recommended the village proceed with preliminary investigation and engineering to determine feasibility and cost for the three locations on Route 83 for reduction lanes for right-turns from Route 83.

Trustee Cashman inquired whose jurisdiction Route 83 was for turn lanes. Mr. Laudenslager stated IDOT would not be in favor of such lanes.

Trustee Ryg inquired if there would be an impact to the wetlands. Mr. Laudenslager responded that each entrance had problems. Signage, ponds, wetland and floodplain areas could be affected. Trustee Ryg inquired if residents would have concerns of losing land behind their homes to a reduction lane.

Trustee Koch inquired what the cost of the study would run and Mr. Laudenslager estimated the consulting costs would be approximately $10,000 to study all three locations.

Trustee Cashman inquired what the state would require if Indian Valley Golf Course was be developed. Mr. Laudenslager responded that the state would most likely require entrance to that development be at the Grosse Pointe Blvd. intersection.

Trustee Black inquired what the number of accidents had occurred and Acting Chief Kincaid responded not many. The Lake County Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction of Route 83, which is located in Long Grove. Staff was to pursue on the recommendations by TAC for Gregg's Landing. The Route 83 study could be done in the next fiscal year. Feedback from IDOT would be needed for Route 83 study.

5. ADJOURNMENT.

Motion by Trustee Black, second by Trustee Ryg to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call vote:

AYES: 5-Koch, Ryg, Black, Cashman, Hebda

NAYS: 0-None

ABSENT: 1-Henley

Motion declared carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

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Linda Pelletier, Deputy Village Clerk Roger L. Byrne, Village President