At a recent meeting, the Gurnee Village Board approved an amendment to the Tax Sharing Agreement between Gurnee and the Lake County Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE GURNEE VILLAGE BOARD
GURNEE VILLAGE HALL
MAY 2, 2016
Call to Order
Mayor Kovarik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Other Officials in Attendance
Patrick Muetz, Village Administrator; David Ziegler, Assistant Village Administrator/Community Development Director; Joe Menges, serving as Village Attorney in Bryan Winter’s absence; Brian Gosnell, Finance Director; Christine Palmieri, Director of Human Resources; Tom Rigwood, Director of Public Works; Fred Friedl, Fire Chief; Kevin Woodside, Police Chief; Willie Meyer Deputy Police Chief; Ellen Dean, Economic Development Director, Jack Linehan, Assistant to the Administrator
Roll Call
PRESENT: 6- Hood, Wilson, Ross, Garner, Thorstenson, Balmes
ABSENT: 0- Noon
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Kovarik led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
B. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Trustee Balmes, seconded by Trustee Garner to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Roll call,
AYE: 6- Hood, Wilson, Ross, Garner, Thorstenson, Balmes
NAY: 0- None
ABSENT: 0- None
Motion Carried.
C. CONSENT AGENDA / OMNIBUS VOTE
The Village Administrator read the consent agenda for an omnibus vote as follows:
1. Approval of the minutes from the April 18, 2016 and April 25, 2016 Village Board meetings.
2. Approval of granting a Temporary Class 9 Liquor License to Gurnee School District 56 for its “End of the Year Celebration” to be held on June 3, 2016 at the Viking Park Dance Hall.
3. Approval of fireworks permit for Six Flags Great America – shoot dates of May 28, and May 29, 2016 - display to be launched from southwest corner of the property.
4. Approval of Payroll for period ending April 16, 2016 in the amount of $722,867.65.
5. Approval of Payroll Transfer Journal for period ending April 16,
2016 in the amount of $713,757.60.
6. Approval of Bills for the period ending May 2, 2016 in the amount of $1,460,686.52.
It was moved by Trustee Garner, seconded by Trustee Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda for an omnibus vote as read.
Roll call,
AYE: 6- Hood, Wilson, Ross, Garner, Thorstenson, Balmes
NAY: 0- None
ABSENT: 0- None
Motion Carried.
D. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
1. Presentation of Gurnee Teacher of the Year awards:
· Aprilanne Lynch – Gurnee School District 56
· Tamara Graham – Woodland School District 50
· Patsy Thompson – Warren Township High School District 121
Dr. Hutton, Gurnee School District 56 Superintendent, introduced and spoke briefly about Aprilanne Lynch.
Dr. Swoboda, Woodland School District 50 Superintendent, introduced and spoke briefly about Tamara Graham.
Dr. Ahlgrim, Warren Township High School District 121 Superintendent, introduced and spoke briefly about Patsy Thompson.
Mayor Kovarik and Donald Henderson presented each teacher and administrator with a plaque. In recognition of their achievements, Mr. Henderson also presented each recipient with a $1,000 check from the Donald Henderson Foundation.
2. Approval of staff appointments and advisory board members as recommended by Mayor Kovarik.
Village Staff:
Village Administrator: Patrick Muetz
Community Dev. Dir./ Asst. Village Administrator: David Ziegler
Village Engineer: Scott Drabicki
Public Works Director: Tom Rigwood
Police Chief: Kevin Woodside
Fire Chief/ ESDA Director: Fred Friedl
Finance Director: Brian Gosnell
Treasurer: Patrick Muetz
IMRF Agent: Brian Gosnell
Budget Officer: Patrick Muetz
Village Attorney: Bryan Winter
Deputy Village Clerk: Donna Dallas
Planning and Zoning Board:
Board Chairman – Term Expiring 4/30/18 Jim Sula
Board Member – Term Expiring 4/30/18 Edwin Paff
Board Member – Term Expiring 4/30/18 Brian Baugh
Civil Service Commission:
Commissioner – Term Expiring 4/30/19 Diane Summers
Ethics Commission:
Commissioner – Term Expiring 4/30/19 Robert Monahan
Police Pension Board:
Board Member – Term Expiring 4/30/18 Mike Amrozowicz
Fire Pension Board:
Board Member – Term Expiring 4/30/18 Ed Conarchy
Administrative Hearing Officer:
Term Expiring 4/30/17 Yolanda Torrez
It was moved by Trustee Balmes, seconded by Trustee Ross to approve of staff appointments and advisory board members as recommended by Mayor Kovarik.
Roll call,
AYE: 6- Hood, Wilson, Ross, Garner, Thorstenson, Balmes
NAY: 0- None
ABSENT: 0- None
Motion Carried.
3. Approval of Proclamation designating May 2016 as “Building Safety Month” in the Village of Gurnee.
Mayor Kovarik read proclamation into record.
It was moved by Trustee Thorstenson, seconded by Trustee Balmes to approve of Proclamation designating May 2016 as “Building Safety Month” in the Village of Gurnee.
Voice Vote: ALL AYE: Motion Carried
4. Approval of Proclamation designating May 15 - 21, 2016 as “National Police Week” in the Village of Gurnee.
Mayor Kovarik read proclamation into record.
It was moved by Trustee Garner, seconded by Trustee Thorstenson to approve of Proclamation designating May 15 - 21, 2016 as “National Police Week” in the Village of Gurnee.
Voice Vote: ALL AYE: Motion Carried
5. Approval of Proclamation designating May 15 - 21, 2016 as “National Public Works Week” in the Village of Gurnee.
Mayor Kovarik read proclamation into record.
It was moved by Trustee Ross, seconded by Trustee Garner to approve of Proclamation designating May 15 - 21, 2016 as “National Public Works Week” in the Village of Gurnee.
Voice Vote: ALL AYE: Motion Carried
E. REPORTS
1. Presentation by Youth Advisory Board of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Coalition - Public health efforts related to E-cigarette/vape use.
Members of the Lake County Health Department’s Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Coalition presented the following information to the Village Board via a PowerPoint presentation.
Electronic Smoking Device Policy Presentation
REALITY Illinois & The Youth Advisory Board of the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Coalition.
Overview of REALITY/YAB activities
• Explored the risks associated with electronic smoking devices
• Surveyed almost 600 community members
• Interviewed business owners and village trustees
• Attended meet and greets with community mayors
o Our goal today is to educate you about what we have
learned and to ask you to consider prohibiting the use
of electronic smoking devices in indoor public places.
Youth Usage Rates
• The use of electronic smoking devices has doubled among middle and high school students.
o Usage has surpassed that of traditional tobacco products.
• Most of these products contain nicotine.
o Causes addiction among youth and negatively affects brain chemistry.
• Youth are more sensitive to nicotine.
o May lead to use of traditional tobacco products.
• Use of these devices re-normalizes smoking and tobacco use.
• Tobacco use causes 480,000 premature deaths in the United States every year.
No Product Safety Standards
• Electronic smoking devices and e-liquids are not regulated
by the FDA.
• The levels of nicotine, additives, and flavorings are often
mislabeled or unknown.
• Electronic smoking devices’ emissions are harmful and include several chemicals that can cause cancer, eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.
• High increase in calls to poison control due to the ingestion
of e-liquid.
Enforcement Difficulties
• Prohibiting indoor use not only protects from exposure to secondhand vapor - but also prevents business owners and employees from uncomfortable interactions with customers.
• Some businesses have already restricted the use of electronic smoking devices (consistent with no smoking policy).
• These products are being used to ingest substances other
than nicotine.
• The odorless vapor makes it virtually impossible to detect
whether or not someone is using the device for illegal substances.
Current Regulation in Illinois
• Currently prohibited on all Illinois campuses of state-supported
institutions of higher education.
• Prohibited in indoor public places in 13 Illinois communities including:
• Arlington Heights
• Chicago
• Deerfield
• Evanston
• Naperville
• Oak Park
Community Opinion
• Surveys were taken concerning opinions from resident in Gurnee about the use of electronic cigarettes.
• Of those we surveyed from Gurnee:
• 74% consider the use of electronic smoking devices a problem in their community.
• 72% are concerned about the health effects of breathing in the vapor from electronic smoking devices.
• 69% would support a local ordinance prohibiting the use of electronic smoking devices in indoor public places (treating them the same as cigarettes).
The group concluded by stating they are truly interested in promoting a healthy and substance free lifestyle among their peers and believe it would be in the best interest of Gurnee to prohibit the use of electronic smoking devices indoors in public places.
Mr. Muetz said if the Village Board so desires, village staff will take a look the information provided and bring back an ordinance for consideration at a future meeting.
F. OLD BUSINESS
None.
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Ord. 2016 - 33 authorizing the execution of a
Second Amendment to the Tax Sharing Agreement between the Village of Gurnee and the Lake County Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.
Mr. Muetz said during the FY 16/17 budget process, the Village Board discussed increasing the percentage shared with VLC in order to boost marketing services for the Village. After much discussion, it was determined that increasing the percentage from 20% to 22.5% was feasible. This would equate to an additional $20-$25k annually for VLC. In addition to the services which VLC provides throughout the year the increased funding would specifically provide the following additional services to Gurnee:
Marketing Campaigns – minimum two per year – promotion of shopping/dining/special events to a regional audience
Collateral Distribution – maximum two per year – distribution of Village-produced brochures or rack cards via Tollway Oasis kiosk, Gurnee hotels, and other local venues.
Mr. Muetz said funding was included in the FY 16/17 Approved Budget to cover the increase. He concluded by saying Maureen Riedy, President of Visit Lake County, is in attendance to answer any questions.
Mayor Kovarik said this is a wise investment for the Village. She said we will get much more back than what we contribute.
Trustee Wilson asked if the digital ads are targeted outside of Illinois.
Ms. Riedy said the ads are not targeted outside Illinois but outside our immediate area and briefly explained.
Trustee Wilson asked what zip codes are visitors to Gurnee mainly coming from.
Ms. Riedy said the biggest target market is Chicago. She said they are close but they want to get away.
Trustee Wilson asked if they advertise outside of Illinois.
Ms. Riedy said it depends on the market but primary focus outside of Illinois is southern Wisconsin.
Trustee Balmes asked if the LPGA has reached out to the Visitors Bureau.
Ms. Riedy said she has met with them several times and secured hotel rooms for them. She said it will be a great event.
It was moved by Trustee Ross, seconded by Trustee Balmes to approve of Ord. 2016 - 33 authorizing the execution of a Second Amendment to the Tax Sharing Agreement between the Village of Gurnee and the Lake County Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.
Roll call,
AYE: 6- Hood, Wilson, Ross, Garner, Thorstenson, Balmes
NAY: 0- None
ABSENT: 0- None
Motion Carried.
Ms. Riedy thanked the Village of Gurnee for 30 years of support.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Closing Comments
None.
Adjournment
It was moved by Trustee Balmes, seconded by Trustee Garner to adjourn the meeting.
Voice Vote: ALL AYE: Motion Carried.
Mayor Kovarik adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m.
Andrew Harris,
Village Clerk
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