Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees met July 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The clerk called the roll and announced that the following were:
Present:
Harriet Rosenthal, Mayor
Robert Benton
Thomas Jester
Mary Oppenheim
William Seiden
Dan Shapiro
Barbara Struthers
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present was Village Manager Kent Street and Village Attorney Peter Coblentz.
Pledge Of Allegiance
Peter Coblentz lead those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval Of Minutes
Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the minutes from the June 19, 2017, Board of Trustees meeting.
Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Treasurer’s Report
Finance Director Eric Burk presented highlights from the May Treasurer’s Report. The non HomeRule sales tax was slightly lower than the same period last year. The food and beverage tax is meeting projections. The hotel tax and building permits were up from the same period last year.
The Village did not see any unexpected expenditures, but there were some large payments.
Bills And Payroll
Trustee Benton moved to approve the Bills and Payroll dated July 5, 2017. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Benton, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Shapiro, Struthers (6)
Nays: None (0)
Kates Bridge
Deputy Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob Philips reported the Kates Road Bridge can still be completed by the end of the season if construction begins within a month. If the construction does not begin in July, there will be some delays due to winter construction. Mr. Philips indicated if the construction does go into a second season, the Village would be responsible for the costs. Mr. Street believes opening the bridge sooner would be better for the Village. Mr. Philips noted there is a possibility for the bridge to open before completion, if the structure was in place but the paving work near the bridge is not complete.
Mayor Rosenthal has received a number of questions regarding why the bridge failed. Mr. Philips reported the State controls the specifications for bridge construction. The beams started to move causing cracks allowing water to get in. This reduced the load limit on the bridge. Mr. Philips indicated the new bridge will not be as susceptible to cracking as the existing bridge. Trustee Oppenheim noted when the bridge was initially built, the Village did not anticipate the amount of traffic. Trustee Benton added the posted truck weight limits were not enforced.
Public Comment
There was no public comment on non-agenda items.
Reports
Report And Recommendation Of The Plan Commission Re: A Class A Special Use For A My Health Dentistry Office Located In The 720 Waukegan Road Building, Unit D (Former Robert Vance Space) At The Shops At Deerfield Square (Crm Properties Group Ltd., And My Health Dentistry)
The Plan Commission held a Public Hearing on June 8, 2017, to consider the request for a Special Use to allow a dentist office at the Shops at Deerfield Square. A Special Use permit is required because the proposed use is a service use that would be located on the first floor. The Plan Commission voted 4-0 in favor of the request. Chris Siavelis with CRM Properties reported the proposed dentist office would take approximately 2,400 square feet. Mr. Siavelis provided an article in the Board packet about the need for internet-proof businesses. Mr. Siavelis believes this is a good use and meets a demand in the community.
Trustee Seiden moved to accept the report and recommendation of the Plan Commission. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion.
Andrew Marwick, 442 Kelburn, disagrees with the Plan Commission’s recommendation. When the shopping center was initially approved, the retail environment was different than today. He recognizes it is a tough retail market, especially with the number of vacant spaces, but does not believe a dental office would bring traffic to the shopping center. He believes the Village should look at the flaws of the center and should not approve any special uses until there is a comprehensive plan on what will happen with potential vacancies at Barnes and Noble and tearing down the former Biaggi’s. Mr. Marwick believes this should be a lifestyle center that would include residential.
Trustee Benton noted that the dentist office could bring more people to the downtown area. Mr. Siavelis noted if My Health Dentistry is approved, that wing of the center will be 100% leased. Trustee Oppenheim asked about the Barnes and Noble rumors. Mr. Siavelis explained there are no official announcements, but that can change anytime.
Ayes: Benton, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Shapiro, Struthers (6)
Nays: None (0)
Consent Agenda
There Were No Items On The Consent Agenda.
Old Business
Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Morals And Conduct”) Of The Municipal Code Of The Village Of Deerfield To Establish The Offense Of Light Nuisance Or Trespass To Residential Property – 1R
An Ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Deerfield to establish the offense of light nuisance or trespass to residential property. First Reading.
Assistant Village Manager Andrew Lichterman reported that the Municipal Code does not address light nuisance. Staff worked with the Village Attorney’s office to draft an ordinance to do so. Mr. Lichterman noted that staff can work on revisions if more robust guidelines are desired.
Trustee Shapiro would be in favor of a 30-day grace period before fines are enforced. Code Enforcement Supervisor Clint Case has visited the property and believes the homeowner with the sport court has made efforts to alleviate the issues. Mr. Coblentz noted the Village will not get involved unless a resident complains. Mr. Street believes the Village needs to measure the light to ensure Village standards have been met. Trustee Oppenheim would not want to see this Ordinance abused. She would like staff to demonstrate examples of acceptable foot candles. Trustee Struthers would like enforcement to have a lot of discretion on how to measure. Mr. Case noted he needs a benchmark number.
Mr. Lichterman stated the proposed Ordinance provides 90 days amortization for preexisting non-conforming light. If there is a repair, the light would need to conform.
This will stand as a First Reading of the Ordinance.
New Business
Authorization To Revise Village – Lcdot Traffic Signal Master Agreement
Mr. Philips reported that the traffic signal master agreement with Lake County outlines.
This revision goes along with the jurisdictional transfer of Deerfield Road and spells out the responsibilities of each party moving forward. Mr. Philips indicated Deerfield Road at Chestnut, Wilmot Road at Hackberry and Kates at Corporate 500 would still be owned and maintained by the Village.
Trustee Struthers questioned what would happen if a signal was damaged in an accident. Mr. Philips stated Lake County would be responsible for repairs and noted that they have an efficient system in place.
Trustee Shapiro moved to authorize the revision of the master agreement. Trustee Jester seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Benton, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Shapiro, Struthers (6)
Nays: None (0)
Ordinance O-17-17 Authorizing
A First Amendment To The Intergovernment Agreement Between The Village Of Deerfield And Lake County Re: Deerfield Road Jurisdictional Transfer
An Ordinance authorizing the first amendment to the intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Deerfield and Lake County regarding the jurisdictional transfer of Deerfield Road.
Mr. Philips reported the construction is nearing
completion. There are a few items to finish, including pavement grinding to make the surface smooth, minor landscaping and a minor punch list items. He estimates ten more days of work remain.
Trustee Jester inquired if the revisions allow the State or County to redesign the road from Wilmot Road to the railroad tracks. Mr. Philips explained Village concurrence would be required to widen the road. Mr. Street indicated the key advantage is the underpass is out of play.
Trustee Oppenheim moved to waive the First Reading of the Ordinance. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Benton, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Shapiro, Struthers (6)
Nays: None (0)
Trustee Oppenheim moved to adopt the Ordinance. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Benton, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Shapiro, Struthers (6)
Nays: None (0)
Approval Of Emergency Purchase For Police
Chief Sliozis reported that the air conditioner at the police station broke. The maintenance vendor stated it was not repairable and recommended replacing the entire unit.
Department Air Conditioning Unit
Trustee Shapiro moved to authorize the purchase of a new air conditioning unit for the police station in the amount of $24,700. Trustee Seiden seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Benton, Jester, Oppenheim, Seiden, Shapiro, Struthers (6)
Nays: None (0)
Discussion
Parade
Trustee Benton reported he spoke with people from Caterpillar during the parade. They are very impressed with the Village.
Family Days
Trustee Jester commended the Family Days Commission, volunteers and staff on the success of Family Days. It was a wonderful program and succeeded in keeping residents in the Village over the holiday. Mayor Rosenthal also thanked everyone.
Illegal Fireworks
Mayor Rosenthal received an email from a resident with a son that served two terms in Afghanistan and has PTSD. The illegal fireworks put the veteran man into distress. It is past July 4th, but next year the Village needs a huge campaign on how illegal fireworks affect some people.
Trustee In The Town
Trustee Seiden reported Trustee Struthers and Trustee Oppenheim would be available to answer Questions from residents at the July 15, 2017 Farmer’s Market.
Northwest Municipal Conference
Mayor Rosenthal thanked Mr. Street and the Trustees for their support of her as she assumed the top leadership position at the Northwest Municipal Conference.
Ribbon Cuttings
Mayor Rosenthal and Mr. Street attended the ribbon cutting for the new Riverwoods Village Hall. Mayor Rosenthal, several Trustees and staff attended a ribbon cutting at the new McAllister’s Deli. The restaurant was very busy and it was very impressive.
Kyla Guru
Mayor Rosenthal noted Kyla Guru will be at the Patty Turner Center on July 14 to teach residents how to protect their data and keep their credit cards safe.
Adjournment
There being no further business or discussion, Trustee Benton moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Shapiro seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
The next regular Board of Trustees meeting will take place on Monday, July 17, 2017, at 7:30 p.m.