Village Board Meeting Update 11.13.2007

I haven't been posting my observations and notes from the village board meetings lately. I thought I'd start to catch up on these by starting with the latest one which was just this last Tuesday the 13th. This meeting had the potential of being an "ugly" one as some of the topics up for discussion where controversial.

The meeting started right on time (as the Mayor was watching the clock waiting for 7 pm to start) and one trustee (Trustee Bonds) was absent.

Immediately upon the start of the meeting the Mayor said that he was moving the Executive Session up from the end of the meeting to the beginning of the meeting. So as soon as we started the meeting all of the residents were left alone while the Mayor and trustees all left for the executive chamber. This executive session was labeled as a discussion of imminent litigation.

It was short as they all returned within 5 minutes. Public discussion was next on the agenda and there was quite a bit of discussion this evening. First the Mayor acknowledged that our State Representative was in attendance tonight: Sandy Cole and Lake County Board Member Bob Powers. Then Georgeann Duberstein mentioned that the Great Age Club was taking collections especially toiletries for Winchester House in Libertyville.

Then the real public discussion began when Georgeann's husband George brought up item number J-5 from the agenda (A Resolution Calling for an Advisory Referendum to Determine whether the Village should provide Retirement Benefits to Long-Time Employees.) He was asking the Mayor for permission to talk about this topic when it came up in the meeting instead of at the beginning before any discussion among the trustees had occurred. The Mayor said no that he should talk now.

George went on to say that this is not a resolution that the residents have filed and whether or not the village will provide this to it's employees but that it's a tax that the residents (as tax payers) will be required to pay for and shouldn't be worded as such in the agenda. The plan (through IMRF) as it's laid out now obligates the village to permanently remain in the program they've selected to provide retirement benefits to its employees. This plan also requires that in the first year that the villages contribution would be approximately $20,000 and that this was essentially an unfunded mandate as we will never know in advance how much it will cost the tax payers. George has put up a resolution for the spring ballot (the Mayor verified it will be on the ballot and that representatives from IMRF will be at the December Village Board Meeting.) He also states that a 457(b) retirement plan is much better and the Mayor responded with "We will have our say" meaning the trustees, village employees and himself will have the final word on this issue.

Georgeann then got up again and stated that a misnomer has occurred (which is basically what George said) in that the village isn't being obligated, it's the residents that will end up paying for this retirement plan. She read from the IMRF brochure saying "who guarantees employees pension? - the tax payer." She asked the Mayor and the board to please look at other options as the referendum as stated doesn't have other options.

Douglas Raul Williams stood up and said he concurs with Georgeann.

Kelly Hensley (Treasurer) asked the villages lawyer Dirk if the retirement plan would show up on each residents tax bill as a separate line item. He said no it would not, it would just be included in whatever amount the village needs each year unless the village defaults (goes bankrupt) in which case it would show up as a line item because then it would be solely the residents responsibility.

The Mayor also states that village has the hardest working staff in the state probably and are entitled to this - its about time we did this.

Georgeann responded saying that isn't the issue. To the trustees: if you, having been elected by us, truly feel this is the right plan to implement you are askew. In the corporate world nearly every company has moved away from pension plans and towards 401(k) plans instead which is what a 457(b) plan is (just for municipal employees.) With the IMRF plan the village is permanently obligated to remain with that plan, it's not transferable for the employee even after terminating their employment with the municipality. Please consider other options.

The Mayor states we are investigating the 457(b) plan - but again they are entitled to whatever decision they make. This was the end of public discussion.

The Mayor started his report saying that on Monday the 26th that Kelly Hensley, Debbie Bonds and himself would be discussing a new contract with Veolia and that hopefully they would complete those negotiations before the December meeting.

He also gave an update on the bike path along Hainesville Rd. For the Avon portion between Washington St and the ball fields the bidding opens on November 27th. So it will obviously be done next year and the other portion from the ball fields south to Walgreens would occur next year as well.

Kathy Metzler (Clerk) said she's working on the village newsletter and needs articles from the trustees by the 27th.

Debbie Bonds (trustee - not present) is spearheading a Santa visit to the Village Hall on December 8th.

Kelly Hensley (Treasurer) said the audit's start has been delayed and will begin on Thursday the 15th.

Jeff Gately (Public Works) said there are approximately 60 homes left to convert from the old water meter reading system to the new wireless system. Hopes to set up appointments and complete this task by Thanksgiving.

Jeff also stated that a maintenance plan is being developed for the air relief valves to avoid any further problems with the sewer mains going into the Fox Lake Treatment Facility.

Marcia McCutchan (Engineer) said in regards to the MFT (road repaving and improvement throughout the village and along E Big Horn Dr) that the contractor is having difficulty with the landscaping sub-contractor and are finding a new one and it will be done before Thanksgiving.

Mark Gottsacker (trustee -> Public Safety Coor.) Georgeann wants an article in the newsletter.

Kelly Hensley (Treasurer) said in regards to the Tax Levy: An overall increase of 5.6% which is not per homeowner, this is the overall increase. Public hearing in regards to this will be December 11 with (hopefully) ordinance approval that night at the village board meeting. (approved resolution # R07-11-39)

Set of three ordinances in response to AT&T trying to avoid paying fees associated with the delivery of video by claiming they aren't a "cable" company and that their video service isn't delivered over "cable" lines (it's over fiber.) Basically these bills re-phrase the ordinances to state that any video delivery, regardless of delivery method, must provide a certain level of service to their customers. And also that they are obligated to pay any fees associated with the delivery of video just as any other company must. Approved ordinance #'s 07-11-86, 07-11-87 & 07-11-88.

For the "big question" resolution regarding retirement benefits all trustees unanimously decided to not include this resolution on the spring ballot basically stating that they need to explore all their options before jumping in especially since the IMRF plan is permanent. The Mayor stated "note to Georgeann: we will be looking into the 457(b) plan."

End of meeting - cake time celebrating everyone's birthday for this year. Cake was from Lovin' Oven Cakery in Round Lake with whipped cream frosting.