Lake County Gazette

Village of Wadsworth Board met August 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call to Order: President Ryback called the meeting of the Village Board of Trustees to order at 6:00 pm.

Pledge of Allegiance: President Ryback led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: In attendance were Village President Glenn Ryback, Village Trustees Ben Dolan, Geralyn Hansen, Ken Harvey, Robert Hayden, Doug Jacobs and James Zegar, Village Clerk Evelyn Hoselton, Village Administrator Moses Amidei and Village Attorney Kurt Asprooth.

Special Business: A Resolution and a Plaque were presented to Mr. Chris Bock, our current Plumbing Inspector. Ryback read aloud from the Resolution which expressed appreciation for 45 years with the Village of Wadsworth, although Chris recalled closer to 50 years of service as a Village Trustee, a Plan Commissioner and a Building Inspector.

A motion was made by Harvey, seconded by Dolan, to approve the Resolution as read for his many years of service to the Village of Wadsworth.

Roll call vote: Ayes-Dolan, Hansen, Harvey, Hayden, Jacobs and Ryback. Nays-none. Motion carried unanimously. Resolution 2017-272.

The existing Conditional Use Permit for the High Hills Stables at 38115 Cashmore Road was discussed. Attorney Christine Fisher spoke for the stables, providing an overview of what has led to a code violation problem. She noted the facility manager presumed the stable property was governed by agriculture or farm zoning rules and that a roof structure constructed between two existing stable buildings for the purpose of keeping rainfall off a loaded hay wagon was not required. This new system provided shelter for a larger inventory of hay bales to be kept on-site, eliminating many multiple trips for smaller quantities obtained in the past. Trustees stated that the owners were familiar with the Conditional Use granted to the stable business several years ago and should have informed their new facility manager who recently came to them from local farms. Trustee Harvey suggested assessing a penalty and Trustee Zegar believed one thousand dollars would be an appropriate amount for the violation. Trustee Dolan did not believe a find should be assessed. Further discussion followed. The facility manager will provide building plans from Menards, which is where the posts, roof structure and hurricane anchors were purchased.

Public Comment: Susan Zingle resides across the street from High Hills Stables and offered her firm support for continued operations at the business, noting that they made accommodations for her horses when construction repairs were required on her own barn. She has noticed less traffic on the street with fewer trips needed for hay delivery and indicated that High Hills were always good neighbors.

Mildred Corder resides next door to the Stables and identified significant dust being generated from the outdoor riding ring during periods of little rainfall. She asked that increased efforts to minimize dust by watering the area be implemented. The facility manager noted that he will work to improve the watering system to reduce dust.

Assessor’s Report: Assessor Jerome Behrens provided a brief update on information residents will find on recently mailed “blue cards.” He noted that Newport Township has the lowest valuation increase in Lake County at 3.5%, being number 17 of 18 townships. He encouraged residents to contact him prior to the deadline of August 28 if they believe information on the blue cards needs correction.

Establish Consent Agenda: A motion was made by Dolan, seconded by Hayden, to establish a consent agenda for the following items:

a. Approval of the July 18, 2017 Village Board meeting minutes.

b. Approval of July 18, 2017 Bills to be Paid Report in the amount of $57,443.41.

c. Motion to Approve Issuance of a Special Use Permit Liquor License for the Savanna House Restaurant to be used in conjunction with the Village’s September 16, 2017 Fall Festival Event.

d. Adoption of a Resolution Honoring Patrick Callahan for his 2.5 years of Service to the Village of Wadsworth as an Electrical Inspector.

e. Adoption of an Ordinance amending a Conditional Use Permit for High Hill Stables at 38115 Cashmore Road.

Voice vote: Ayes-all Nays-none Motion carried.

Approval of Consent Agenda: A motion was made by Jacob, seconded by Dolan, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Roll call vote: Ayes all, Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution #2017-273-Item D and Ordinance #2017-1018 Item E.

Discussion of Removed Items: There were no removed items.

Old Business: There was no Old Business.

New Business: Administrator Amidei reported on previous statistics submitted by the Lake County Sheriff for the traffic enforcement program of June and July which concluded on July 31. The Sheriff has offered to continue the program for an additional period at the same cost to monitor traffic in the area. Discussion followed, with Trustees generally being satisfied with the results.

A motion was made by Dolan, seconded by Hansen, to continue the program for an additional 60 days through September 30.

Roll call vote: Ayes Dolan, Hansen, Harvey, Hayden, Jacobs. Nay--Zegar. Motion carried.

Attorney Asprooth discussed a separation agreement with the Administrative Clerk. The agreement included a one-time lump-sum payment less any taxable deductions which was effective July 28, 2017. Brief discussion followed.

Note: Following the August 15, 2017 meeting, it was discovered that the above paragraph was incomplete. The Village Board will consider amended August 1, 2017 meeting minutes at their meeting on September 5, 2017. The above paragraph is proposed to read as follows:

Attorney Asprooth discussed a separation agreement with employee Janet Quint-Sine. Since Ms. Quint-Sine’s position was likely to be eliminated during the upcoming reorganization, the Village offered her a separation agreement. The separation agreement provides for a one time lump sum payment that totals just over $23,000, less any required withholdings and deductions. This payment was the equivalent of Ms. Quint-Sine’s salary through the end of this fiscal year. The effective date of Ms. Quint- Sine’s resignation under the Agreement is July 28, 2017. Brief discussion followed.

A motion was made by Harvey, seconded by Zegar, to authorize execution of the separation agreement.

Roll call vote: Ayes Dolan, Hansen, Harvey, Hayden, Zegar. Nay: Jacobs. Motion carried.

Amidei update the Board with information that Millburn, Cain and Company, the firm which conducts the annual audit, has merged with Eder, Casella and Company. They will begin the annual audit on July 24 at a proposed cost of $11,000.00.

A motion was made by Jacobs, seconded by Zegar, to accept the proposal of Eder, Casella & Company at a cost not to exceed $11,000 (reconfirming previous action, to acknowledge change in the name of the firm).

Roll call vote: Ayes Dolan, Hansen, Harvey, Hayden, Jacob. Nays-none. Motion carried

Village President’s Report: President Ryback did not present a report.

Village Attorney’s Report: Attorney Asprooth provided an answer to Trustee Jacob which arose at a previous meeting regarding a new published edition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Village Administrator Report: Administrator Amidei discussed the proposed Land and Lakes Wetlands project west of Route 41. A Village easement for the abandoned section of McCarthy Road in that area was apparently never recorded so a need to vacate the easement along the creek may not be necessary. Land and Lakes has offered a replacement easement to be located on higher ground for future utility improvements through their project that will not impact any wetland work.

Committee Reports: Finance: Trustee Harvey discussed a Certificate of Deposit with Goldman Sachs which will expire in the near future. After discussion, the funds will merely move to a cash account unless an interest rate of more than 1.5% can be found with another institution. Trustees ask to meet with the Village’s existing broker to discuss other investment options that may have better interest rates.

Public Service: Trustee Hansen is continuing with plans for the Concert in the Park to be held Saturday, September 16th.

Planning, Zoning & Plats: Trustee Zegar referenced the upcoming Wadsworth Pageant. He has learned that Angelique’s associate Pageant Director will not be continuing in her role. Without the help of longtime associate Sharon Bertrand, it is difficult for one person to organize and sponsor the entire event much less the fund-raising programs operated by the Queens. He suggested a small donation to the Pageant to keep it alive. Trustees agreed the girls do a fine job of representing the Village at numerous events. It was determined that Zegar will fund an amount within the discretionary limit of the adopted Village Budget. Trustee Zegar will update Angelique on the Board’s idea.

Ordinance: Trustee Hayden suggested an Ordinance Committee meeting would be needed if a fine was to be assessed for the High Hill Stables hay wagon weather-protection roof structure.

Road and Bridge: Trustee Dolan reported that Beach Park cannot plow any additional roadways for Wadsworth this winter. He is working with other area contractors for emergency back-up should a major snow event overwhelm our Public Works staff and both snowplow trucks. Regarding an additional 2017 Road Program for later this year, Dolan and the Village engineer have determined that roads planned for future resurfacing still have several years of life at this time. They believe that money will be better utilized by patching several areas that require attention now.

A motion was made by Dolan, seconded by Zegar, to approve a change order to the contract with Chicagoland Paving in an amount of $61,674 to perform road patching in numerous areas as directed by the Village Engineer’s findings.

Roll call vote: Ayes all, Nays none. Motion carried.

Dolan referenced two proposals for tree trimming and removal from Kinnucan and Bowline. This work will raise the tree canopy in right-of-ways for traffic safety. Brief discussion followed.

A motion was made by Dolan, seconded by Harvey, to accept the proposal of Bowline Tree Service dated July 13, 2017 in the proposed amount of $18,150 but to authorize only the expense of $7,000 to be determined by line item selection by the Village Administrator.

Roll call vote: Ayes all, Nays none. Motion carried.

Dolan also noted the Caroline Avenue Extension requiring tree clearing and excavation has begun.

Parks and Village Hall: Trustee Jacobs reported that all of the playground equipment pricing has arrived. The cost to replace everything (including new flooring) ranges from $251,000 to $266,000. He noted that equipment on some of the proposals are of a newer style, but basically the same equipment we presently have. More discussion followed regarding other projects where the funding might be better utilized. No action was taken.

Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm on a motion by Harvey, seconded by Dolan.

Voice vote: All Ayes. Nays – none. Motion carried.

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