Cub Scouts from Pack 450 led the Pledge of Allegiance for the Deerfield board of trustees' meeting Jan. 19 at Deerfield Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road.
Calling the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Mayor Harriet Rosenthal asked the clerk to perform roll call. Present were Alan Farkas, William Seiden, Dan Shapiro and Barbara Struthers. With only two trustees (Thomas Jester and Robert Nadler) absent, a quorum was achieved. Additional attendees included Village Manager Kent Street and Village Attorney Peter Coblentz.
Following the Pledge, the Cub Scouts introduced themselves and discussed their favorite parts of scouting. Den Master Lydia St. John announced the Pinewood Derby slated for Jan. 23.
Mayor Rosenthal reported that the community’s second annual “Give Where You Live” program generated a big crowd to create blankets, cards and letters for citizens in crisis. CJE Senior Life donated stuffed animals, and all items were successfully donated to local charities.
Director of Public Works and Engineering Barbara Little presented highlights from the departmental objectives report, including information about rehabilitation and drainage projects, reconstruction, street lighting upgrades, water meter replacement and tree maintenance.
The board approved minutes from its Jan. 4 meeting, bills and payroll. There were no public comments on non-agenda items.
Deputy Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob Phillips described the criteria for a proposed North Avenue sidewalk installation, including right-of-way measurements, connectivity issues and impact on the tree line, and relayed a generally unflattering community response. The board accepted the staff’s recommendation after hearing discussion.
In the consent agenda, an ordinance regarding a fence height was passed. During old business, a first reading of an ordinance for a Class C liquor license at the Deerfield Road Starbucks took place; Mayor Rosenthal stipulated that a second reading would be scheduled after an outside fence enclosure was considered by the Appearance Review Commission.
In new business, Management Analyst David Fitzgerald reported that the Family Days Parade will need a new, slightly longer route this year due to Deerfield Road reconstruction. After Family Days Parade Chair Judy Geuder reported that Deerfield High School is one of the few sites where floats and vehicles can be staged, the new route was approved.
Also in new business, a contract of up to $100,000 was awarded to Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. for Deerfield Road Phase III design in conjunction with Thomas Engineering, the construction engineer.
In discussion, Mayor Rosenthal recognized Deerfield for its prestigious rank as the best community in the Chicago region for family living, according to WalletHub, which considered 162 Illinois communities. The village was also named America’s 38th best suburb by Business Insider.
A business open house regarding the Deerfield Road project was set for Jan. 20.
The next regular board of trustees meeting was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
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