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Village of Lake Bluff Board of Trustees met June 26.
Here is the minutes as provided by the board:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
Village President O’Hara called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Lake Bluff Village Hall Board
Room, and Village Clerk Joy Markee called the roll.
The following were present:
Village President: Kathleen O’Hara
Trustees: Barbara Ankenman
Steve Christensen
Mark Dewart
Eric Grenier
William Meyer
Aaron Towle
Also Present: Joy Markee, Village Clerk
Drew Irvin, Village Administrator
Ben Schuster, Assistant Village Attorney
Susan Griffin, Finance Director
Michael Croak, Building Codes Supervisor
Jeff Hansen, Village Engineer
David Belmonte, Police Chief
Jake Terlap, Public Works Superintendent
Glen Cole, Assistant to the Village Administrator (A to VA)
2. Pledge of Allegiance
President O’Hara led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Consideration of the Minutes
Trustee Christensen moved to approve the June 12, 2017 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes as
presented. Trustee Meyer seconded the motion. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
4. Non-Agenda Items and Visitors
President O’Hara stated the Village President and Board of Trustees allocate fifteen minutes for those
individuals who would like the opportunity to address the Village Board on any matter not listed on the
agenda. Each person addressing the Village Board of Trustees is asked to limit their comments to a
maximum of five (5) minutes.
There were no request to address the Board.
Village Board Sets the Order of the Meeting
There were no requests to change the order of the meeting.
5. Item #6A – Warrant Report for June 16-30, 2017
President O’Hara reported expenditure of Village funds for payment of invoices in the amount of
$124,096.04 for June 16-30, 2017.
As such, the total expenditures for this period is in the amount of $124,096.04.
As there were no questions from the Board, Trustee Dewart moved to approve the Warrant Report.
Trustee Grenier seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: (6) Ankenman, Christensen, Dewart, Grenier, Meyer and Towle
Nays: (0)
Absent: (0)
6. Item #7A – Village Administrator’s Report: An Informational Report
Regarding the PCZBAS Consideration of Short-Term Rental Regulations
Village Administrator Drew Irvin reported that in May 2017, the Committee-of-the-Whole (COW)
discussed and ultimately directed the Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals (PCZBA) to
study and propose regulations for short-term rentals in the Village as a special use. Since that time, the
PCZBA has conducted two public hearings and continued the public hearing until the July 19th regular
meeting. They have received voluminous public feedback provided in the packet. The PCZBA was given
60 days to consider the matter, but it has determined additional time is needed to continue reviewing the
matter and is seeking further direction from the Village Board.
President O’Hara recommended the Village Board review the June 21st PCZBA meeting materials before
making any further determination regarding short-term rentals.
Trustee Grenier commented he would like to have the PCZBA provide some formulation of what a
regulation would look like if the Village should move forward.
Trustee Meyer expressed his agreement with Trustee Grenier and said it would be wise to know the best
alternatives as opposed to a ban.
Trustee Dewart said he appreciate the PCZBA’s deliberation because it is important to the process.
Trustee Grenier said the comments received should filter into the consideration of the ban or how the
regulations should be formatted.
Village Administrator Irvin said the PCZBA meeting materials and minutes will be provided to the Village
Board prior to a future COW meeting.
7. Item #8 – Village Attorney’s Report
Assistant Village Attorney Ben Schuster had no report.
8. Item #9 – Village President’s Report
President O’Hara reported that longtime Village resident and ultimate Village Volunteer Tom Tincher
recently passed away and acknowledged his volunteerism throughout the Village which included serving
as Village Trustee, Village Clerk, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and as President of the Lake
Bluff History Museum. He organized holiday observations for Lake Bluff American Legion Post 510
(Memorial Day and Veteran Day Ceremonies) amongst his many other contributions to Lake Bluff.
President O’Hara reported on the rash of burglaries occurring in Lake Bluff. She stated there is nothing
more stressful than making the Village an easy target for undesirable elements to come into our town and
literally invade our space and safety.
At the request of President O’Hara, Police Chief David Belmonte reported the burglaries are affecting the
entire Chicagoland area and read a list of the most recently affected communities. The common
denominator in each case was that cars were left unattended, unlocked and often with the keys in the
vehicle. Police Chief Belmonte stated vehicle burglaries in Lake Bluff have increased approximately 50%
from the previous year. In the past three weeks there were three vehicles stolen, in each case the keys
were left in the vehicle and he noted there have been a total of 27 stolen vehicles reported to date. The
Police Department have increased patrols, assigned extra officers to patrol residential areas during the
evening hours, and is working very diligently with other Police Departments to target the groups
committing the crimes. Police Chief Belmonte stated educating residents is the most efficient method to
stop thefts and a letter will be mailed to all residents reminding them to secure their valuables and lock
their vehicles.
President O’Hara asked everyone to please lock their vehicles to make the Village a safe community and
not attractive to outside elements.
Village Administrator Irvin reviewed the Village Board’s decision regarding short-term rentals for those
residents that just entered the meeting.
Ms. Julie Asbury (resident) asked the Village Board to view the June 21st PCZBA meeting video in its
entirety because short-term rentals are also discussed before the meeting adjourns.
9. Item #10, #11, #12, and #13 – Consent Agenda
President O’Hara introduced the following Consent Agenda items for consideration:
10. Correspondence Delivered in the June 9 and 16, 2017 Informational Reports;
11. Second Reading of An Ordinance Ascertaining the Prevailing Rate of Wages for Laborers,
Mechanics, and Other Workers for Lake Bluff Public Works Projects for 2017;
12. Second Reading of An Ordinance Amending Title I of the Municipal Code Regarding the
Comprehensive Fee; and
13. Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 5 of Title VI of the Lake Bluff Municipal
Code Regarding Stop Signs.
Trustee Meyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Trustee Ankenman seconded the motion. The
motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: (6) Christensen, Dewart, Grenier, Meyer, Towle, Ankenman
Nays: (0)
Absent: (0)
10. Item #14 – A Resolution Approving the Temporary Increase in the
Number of Authorized Positions (Police Officer)
President O’Hara reported on April 14, 2017 the Village Board of Trustees approved the Village Official
Pay Plan which includes the authorized salary ranges and number of regular full-time positions for the
FY2017-18 period. The October 31, 2017 retirement of Deputy Chief of Police Mike Hosking has
triggered a number of internal assessments which will result in the promotion of (i) a Sergeant to Deputy
Chief of Police and (ii) a Police Officer to Sergeant; consequently, the Village will need to fill the soon to
be vacated Police Officer position. Because the hiring, training and certification of a new Peace Officer
takes upwards of 6 months, the Village Administrator and Chief of Police recommend that the Village
Board authorize the temporary increase in the number of Police Officers by one for a period of
approximately 100 days. This action will also place the organization in the best position to get the new
Police Officers trained and on solo patrol in the shortest amount of time while we manage the transition
of new leadership and the pending year-long military deployment of one existing Police Officer.
As there were no comments from the Board, Trustee Dewart moved to adopt the resolution. Trustee Meyer
seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: (6) Dewart, Grenier, Meyer, Towle, Ankenman, Christensen
Nays: (0)
Absent: (0)
11. Item #15 – A Resolution Approving Final Plat of Subdivision for
Property Located at 339 East Center Avenue and 340 East Prospect
Avenue
President O’Hara reported Matthew and Lizbeth Stiltz currently own the property at 340 East Prospect
Avenue. In addition to the parcel fronting East Prospect Avenue that the home sits on, they also own a
parcel that is approximately 37’ wide that extends to East Center Avenue. Under current Village
ordinances the two parcels are considered one zoning lot as they are contiguous parcels under the same
ownership. She further reported the Stiltz desire to sell a portion of the parcel that fronts on East Center
Avenue to Christopher and Melissa Ackerson, who live and own the property located at 339 East Center
Avenue. This acquisition would increase the size of the Ackerson’s zoning lot, providing them the ability
to expand their home under the Village’s Zoning Ordinance.
President O’Hara reported the 2-lot Plat of Subdivision proposes to take a portion of the parcel and
combine it with the Ackerson’s existing parcel. The Ackersons have stated that they intend to further sell
the eastern portion of the land they are acquiring to the neighbor to the east, who would also like to expand
their home and may require additional land area to meet the Village’s Zoning Ordinance. If this future
transaction occurs, an additional subdivision application would be brought before the Village Board for
approval at that time. She further reported the subdivision is not required to be reviewed by the Joint Plan
Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals as it meets the criteria for an exemption under Section 11-6-
2(B) of the Subdivision Code. The subdivision does not create additional lots, reduce any lot to any area
smaller than required by the Lake Bluff Zoning Ordinance or create any nonconforming conditions under
the Zoning Ordinance.
As there were no comments from the Board, Trustee Grenier moved to adopt the resolution. Trustee Towle
seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: (6) Grenier, Meyer, Towle, Ankenman, Christensen and Dewart
Nays: (0)
Absent: (0)
12. Item #16 – A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement
with William A. Schelhas for Certain Services Relating to the
Recording and Broadcasting of Public Meetings
President O’Hara reported the Village of Lake Bluff and the City of Lake Forest (“City”) cooperate, by
way of their intergovernmental agreement, to provide for the operation of two public access television
channels. Currently, the Village contracts independently with a City employee, William “Bill” Schelhas
(“Contractor”), to record and produce each meeting held in Village Hall. She further reported due to
increasing costs and decreasing reported viewership the City, the Village and other peer communities
studied alternative service models. After a thorough review, the City has elected to procure all broadcast
related services through the Contractor and will cease providing those services to the Village under the
intergovernmental agreement. The parties anticipate that the City, the Village, and the Lake Bluff School
District will each enter into independent agreements with the Contractor to provide substantially the same
level of service as is provided to the agencies and the public today.
President O’Hara reported the Village currently pays approximately $35,000 annually to the Contractor
and the City combined for the services now proposed by the Contractor. The annual estimated cost of the
services provider agreement is:
Meeting Frequency Full FY Cost
Village Board of Trustees 20 meetings / year $4,400
Planning and Zoning 12 meetings / year $2,400
Historical Preservation 12 meetings / year $2,400
Architectural Board of Review 12 meetings / year $2,400
Sustainability and Community
Enhancement 12 meetings / year $2,400
Residential Building 12 meetings / year $2,400
Miscellaneous Hours (e.g. for channel) 4 hours / month $3,600
$19,600
As the agreement’s estimated annual cost approaches $20,000, the Village Administrator’s maximum
purchase authority, Staff requests the Board approve the agreement by resolution.
In response to a question from Trustee Christensen, Village Administrator Irvin stated cable channel 19
is provided as a consideration of the Comcast Franchise Agreement.
Trustee Ankenman inquired about the difference in cost. Village Administrator Irvin said the cost
difference can be attributed to the outsourcing of the work and fewer individuals actually doing the work.
As there were no comments from the Board, Trustee Ankenman moved to adopt the resolution. Trustee
Dewart seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: (6) Meyer, Towle, Ankenman, Christensen, Dewart and Grenier
Nays: (0)
Absent: (0)
13. Item #16 – Trustee’s Report
Trustee Dewart thanked the Village for their assistance with the Lake Bluff History Museum Auto Show
which was a successful event. He provided information on the event and raffle winner.
14. Item #18 – Consideration of the Minutes of the June 12, 2017 Executive
Session Meeting
Trustee Ankenman moved to approve the June 12, 2017 Executive Session Meeting Minutes as presented.
Trustee Grenier seconded the motion. The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: (6) Towle, Ankenman, Christensen, Dewart, Grenier and Towle
Nays: (0)
Absent: (0)
15. Item #19 – Adjournment
Trustee Grenier moved to adjourn the regular meeting. Trustee Meyer seconded the motion and the
motion passed on a unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
http://www.lakebluff.org/government/agendas-and-minutes?format=raw&task=download&fid=1441
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