Peoria Standard

Village of Sugar Grove Village Board met Nov. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. Call to Order

President Michels called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

President Michels stated that due to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, he has determined that an in-person meeting is not prudent or practical and, therefore, tonight’s meeting was being held remotely.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

President Michels asked Trustee Herron to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll Call

The Village Board meeting was held via GoToWebinar. With the exception of President Michels and Trustee Koch who were in the Board Room at Village Hall, all other attendees noted below participated remotely.

Present: 7 President Sean Michels, Trustee Ted Koch, Trustee Jen Konen, Trustee Heidi Lendi, Trustee Ryan Walter, Trustee Sean Herron, Trustee Rick Montalto

Absent: 0

Also Present:

Attorney Julien, Public Works Director Speciale, Police Chief Rollins, Community Development Director Magdziarz, Finance Director Anastasia, Public Works Deputy Director Merkel, Village Engineer Michele Piotrowski, and Senior Management Analyst/Village Clerk Murphy

4. Public Hearing

a. 2020 Proposed Tax Levy Process

President Michels opened the Public Hearing for the 2020 Proposed Tax Levy.

Director Anastasia explained that the Village must pass the Tax Levy Ordinance and file the Ordinance with the County Clerk’s office no later than Tuesday, December 31, 2020. During the beginning of the following calendar year, the County Clerk’s office calculates the tax extension. Since the Village and similar taxing bodies are not in a position to precisely estimate new growth, a consistent means of developing the tax levy is to increase the prior year levy by an overinflated amount. The taxing bodies do this because if a taxing body’s assumption on growth is too low, the taxing body loses the revenue increase related to those properties forever. During the tax extension process, the County will then decrease the proposed levies to the maximum amount allowed under the Property Tax Limitation Act, which provides that operating levy increases cannot exceed the Consumer Price Index increase for the prior calendar year, plus new growth. New growth consists of annexations of property and new building activity. For the 2020 tax levy, the CPI is 2.3%. He explained that the actual levy amount extended and collected should be approximately 2.87% above last year’s levy extension.

Mary Baker, via the public comment email address, expressed her opposition to an increase in the property tax levy.

Kevin Rick, via the public comment email address, expressed his opposition to an increase in the property tax levy.

Stephen Halm, via the public comment email address, expressed his opposition to an increase in the property tax levy.

5. Appointments and Presentation

None

6. Public Comments on Items Scheduled for Action

Julie Warpinski, of the Rosewood event development on Prairie, commented that her business planning was delayed due to COVID, but that she is excited to get the process moving again. She described the current plan for the business. She was glad to see the ordinance to allow for event venues being considered tonight and commented that she would like to see the trash pick-up timeline extended to the next business day and would like a change to the condition for hours of operation to include holidays.

7. Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Trustee Koch, seconded by Trustee Montalto, to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE: 6 Koch, Montalto, Herron, Konen, Lendi, Walter

Nays: 0 None

Absent: 0 None

a. Approval: Minutes of the November 3, 2020 Village Board Meeting

b. Approval: Vouchers

c. Approval: Treasurer’s Report

8. General Business

a. Ordinance: Amending Title 11, Zoning Regulations (Event Venue)

A motion was made by Trustee Montalto, seconded by Trustee Herron, to approve an ordinance amending Title 11, Zoning Regulations to add “event venue” as a Special Use in the E-1 zoning district subject to changing condition for trash pick-up to next business day; and, changing condition for hours of operation to include holidays, all subject to attorney review. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE: 6 Montalto, Herron, Walter, Koch, Konen, Lendi

Nays: 0 None

Absent: 0 None

Director Magdziarz presented a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to add “event venue” as a Special Use in the E-1 zoning district, along with additional standards and criteria for the use as previously discussed at the October 6, 2020 Village Board meeting. Since that discussion, staff made changes to the proposed ordinance regarding location, parking, street cleaning, and ingress/egress. The Village Board considered the garbage collection schedule and holiday hours as presented during Public Comments and determined to amend the ordinance to accommodate more time for garbage collection and include hours of operation during the holidays.

9. Discussion Items

a. 2021 Road Program

Chris Ott from EEI provided an overview of the road program history, current road conditions and the 2021 Road Program recommendation, the total proposed cost of which, including engineering, is estimated at $586,394. Board discussion ensued and consensus was reached to move forward with the program as presented. An engineering services agreement will come back for approval at the next board meeting.

President Michels asked that Queensgate Drive by Merril Road/Windstone entrance be evaluated for inclusion in the road program.

10. Reports

a. Staff

President Michels stated that Director Anastasia will present the Six Month Budget update at the next meeting.

Trustee Montalto reported that the Public Works crew did a great job with the tree trimming in Mallard Point.

Trustee Konen reported that she received a comment from a resident that the median at Bliss and 47 is presenting problems and is dangerous. Director Speciale reported that he had also received a concern and is reviewing the situation with the County as Bliss Road is a county road. A delineator has been placed at the nose of the median.

Chief Rollins reported that the new police vehicle is now in service. The vehicle is outfitted with “ghost” markings.

Director Speciale reported that Bliss and 47 is substantially completed and was a successful improvement. Traffic signal timing is controlled by IDOT and is interconnected with Galena/47 and Cross/47. The 2020 Road Program is complete although there are still outstanding landscaping issues to be addressed in the spring. The Prairie Road realignment has been completed and the quiet zone approval and institution should be complete by end of the year. Public Works reports that staff, trucks and salt are ready to go winter operations.

Director Anastasia reported that Village Attorney Julien led the Village-wide sexual harassment training recently for all Village employees as annually required. Fraudulent unemployment claims are being filed for Village employees. Director Anastasia warned that it is not just a Village of Sugar Grove issue, but a widespread issue around COVID. He reminded residents that due to the way the calendar falls this year, the last days for yard waste collection will be split between weeks. For residents with a Tuesday collection day, the last day for yard waste pick-up will be November 24. The last day for those with Monday collection will be November 30.

Director Magdziarz reported that the permit for Metronet has been issued. A preconstruction conference was held with the industrial building at 470 Heartland; earth work should start shortly. He has spoken with an individual interested in the Prairie Grove property at the southwest corner of Galena and 47 who is now under contract to purchase the property. The individual has stated that he is excited to move forward with the project and has a handful of national businesses interested in locating at the site. Prairie Point, the assisted living facility on Park Avenue, is still making progress and the building will be open in the future.

Chief Rollins reported that residents should file a police report on unemployment scams. He also reported the Sgt. Durham is currently attending Staff and Command training, a 10 week training course that provides invaluable skills to supervisory staff. Police officers recently completed quarterly range training. The sterilization equipment approved at the last board meeting has been purchased and put to use. The PD is working with Kaneland on A.L.I.C.E (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training.

Village Engineer Piotrowski reported that there is a standstill with IDOT on the signal at Park and 47 and staff is researching options. President Michels stated that he has spoken with Senator Oberweis about receiving a grant for the project. Administrator Eichelberger is working with a contact in the governor’s office and will follow-up now that the election is over.

b. Trustees

Trustee Konen stated that with the review of the Comprehensive Plan coming up, she brought up with the Economic Development Corporation that she would be interested in adding an economic development staff member or a consultant to pursue economic development opportunities for the Village. Director Magdziarz reported that after speaking with CMAP, the Comprehensive Plan project may not start until February.

Trustee Lendi stated that Girl Scouts will be selling cookies again this season.

Trustee Montalto stated his support for Staff and Command training and its value to police supervisors. Groovin’ in the Grove plans are moving forward. Concerts will be held the third Thursday of the month for summer 2021 – June 17, July 15 and August 19.

Trustee Walter encouraged all Trustees and the community to educate each other that the Village is only 5% of the total local tax bill.

c. President

President Michels asked Director Speciale if Public Works would evaluate changing out light heads to LED for next year. He stated that he was looking forward to the budget presentation next meeting as he is not in favor of a property tax increase at this time.

11. Public Comments

Rebecca Sabo, in attendance online, asked Chief Rollins for additional police monitoring on Galena Blvd close to the bridge in the morning and afternoon as she has witnessed dump trucks racing toward Orchard.

12. Airport Report

None

13. Closed Session

None

14. Adjournment

A motion was made by Trustee Koch, seconded by Trustee Montalto, to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees at 7:25 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote:

AYE: 6 Koch, Montalto, Lendi, Herron, Walter, Konen

Nays: 0 None

Absent: 0 None

https://www.sugargroveil.gov/download/Minutes/2020/11172020.pdf