Village of Antioch Board of Trustees Committee of the Whole met March 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gartner called the March 8, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:40 pm at the Antioch Municipal Building located at 874 Main Street, Antioch, IL and via Zoom.
II. ROLL CALL
Roll call indicated the following Trustees were present: Pierce, Macek, Pedersen, Bluthardt, Burman and Dominiak*. Also present were Mayor Gartner, Attorney Vasselli, Administrator Keim and Clerk Romine.
*indicates attendance via Zoom
III. Absent Trustees Wishing to Attend Remotely
There were no objections to Trustee Dominiak attending remotely.
IV. Approval of the February 22, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes as presented Trustee Pedersen moved, seconded by Trustee Bluthardt, to approve the February 22, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes as presented. Upon roll call, the vote was:
YES: 6: Pierce, Macek, Pedersen, Bluthardt, Burman and Dominiak.
NO: 0.
ABSENT: 0.
THE MOTION CARRIED.
V. Mayoral Report
No report.
Citizens Wishing to Address the Board
Comments will be taken during the specific agenda items to be discussed.
VI. Regular Business
1. Discussion regarding the future downtown park property located at Main and Depot – Administrator Keim introduced Mr. Andy Dogan who presented the updated renderings for the building to be located at the park. He provided updates with respect to the site plan and the building itself. He discussed the number of tables that will fit within the sheltered area while keeping in compliance with ADA requirements. He presented the interior layout and exterior components as well as images in the context of surrounding buildings and areas.
Trustee Macek asked if the brick could be cleaned easily if vandalized. Mr. Dogan responded that they specify a graffiti-resistant sealer in their bid specs.
Trustee Pedersen loves all of the pictures and is excited to move forward.
Trustee Bluthardt asked how much walkway there is between the building and the bridge. Mr. Dogan replied that the roof structure is an overhang, but there is approximately 10 feet from the columns on the south side to where the bridge starts. He said it is tight, but would recommend flaring out the bridge to accommodate and more thoughtful sidewalk design.
Trustee Burman appreciates the detail and agrees that it flows and is cohesive.
Trustee Dominiak thinks it looks great and asked if there was an opportunity to enclose the overhang, to which Mr. Dogan responded there is a way to enclose the covered part of the pavilion with insulated panels and glass on a temporary basis. He added that it can be added at a later time or could be placed in the package as an alternate bid. The goal is to make it as flexible as possible.
Ms. Mary McWilliams said she is still anxious to see how the plan will coordinate with the other main buildings at the corner. She provided comments on her thoughts related to the building, bathrooms, and the elevation of the pavilion.
Mr. Dogan said the next meeting will include updated imagery and surrounding context, and a comprehensive update to hopefully get a consensus that it is the scope of the project to be put out to bid. The current plan is to be out to bid the 20th of April and approve at 2nd meeting in May.
Trustee Pierce commented on surrounding shrubbery and the possibility for decreased visibility. Mr. Dogan added the challenges and concerns with respect to elevating the pavilion. Trustee Pierce commented on the potential for skateboarders to use the ramps and elevation as a skate park. Mr. Dogan discussed the possibility of a temporary elevation for the pavilion.
2. Discussion on community crime concerns and response strategies – Chief Guttschow discussed recent concerning incidents over the past year with car burglaries and trends of crime in the area. He reviewed the safety rating of Antioch vs national and state crime rates. He discussed staffing levels and the addition of officers and filling of vacancies. Chief Guttschow presented indexed crime data and a breakdown of crimes. He urged residents to stick to the 9pm routine in order to help prevent crimes of opportunity. Chief Guttschow discussed operational changes the police department is considering in order to address these crimes. He asked the board to make a policy decision on whether or not license plate readers (LPR) will be considered for the Antioch community. He discussed the geography of the village, and added costs for each entry point into the Village. Chief Guttschow discussed the advantages and disadvantages of license plate readers for the Antioch community. He summarized with actions the community can take to help in reporting and reducing crimes of opportunity.
Trustee Pierce asked for a breakdown of the numbers into domestic incidents, which are sometimes the most dangerous. Chief Guttschow said there are additional indexed crimes which may give the impression of higher crime rates and are almost always pre-existing relationship disputes. They discussed resources available to the police department. Trustee Pierce asked if real time monitoring will be needed with the need for additional staffing. Chief Guttschow responded that Chicago has invested much money in technology, and it’s not decreasing their crime rates.
Trustee Macek said he is a proponent of cameras because they help catch those responsible for the crimes. He said the cost of the license plate reader could be a shared cost, and recovered by money received from fines and warrants. Chief Guttschow commented on creative revenue mechanisms in order to fund these initiatives.
Trustee Pedersen is a proponent for cameras as well.
Trustee Bluthardt said the main job as elected officials is to ensure the public safety of residents and make sure the police department is getting the funding and support and resources needed to do their job. He said he reached out to the Mayor of Elmwood Park regarding their rebate program for personal camera systems which allow police access. Chief Guttschow added that the police don‘t have a direct link, but residents are required to provide location and view of the camera.
Trustee Burman has concerns about the crime in the community and thinks public safety is a main priority. She understands the benefit of the cameras, but does not feel that this is the right answer to the problem. She expressed concerns related to privacy, and her fear is to have a town that is severely monitored.
She thinks other options need to be considered before taking this step. She doesn’t see the benefits of LPR with stolen vehicles.
Trustee Dominiak commended Chief Guttschow on his presentation. She has concerns with cameras presenting the image that Antioch is unsafe, and is not sure an investment should be made at this time. She asked if there are priority locations where the LPRs could be implemented on a trial basis. Chief Guttschow responded that a priority location, based on data and investigations, would likely be on the east side of town, as well as the south. Trustee Dominiak asked for a priority list and recommendation. She added that the best prevention is getting the word out to residents regarding the 9pm routine. She summarized that the board needs to give the chief clear direction on what they want from him and his department in order to address both the perceived and real problems in the community.
Chief Guttschow discussed the memo issued to staff regarding a pursuit policy. Mayor Gartner discussed pursuit policies, and the need to protect and serve the community. He also urged residents to put people in office that will prosecute these crimes. He supports the Chief in what he thinks is in the best interest of the town, including any recommended camera programs.
Trustee Pierce said he will always fully support the police department in the legal enforcement of their duties.
Trustee Macek discussed privacy concerns, and asked how many communities currently have LPRs. Chief Guttschow responded a handful of communities are currently utilizing this resource. Trustee Macek discussed privacy in those communities, as well as the toll road, stating if they can see it, they can monitor it.
Trustee Burman said she may support a trial in that area, but she is not in favor of putting cameras everywhere. She discussed the training officers go through, and thinks we need to stop tying their hands and allow them to use their best judgment when performing their duties.
Chief Guttschow asked if the board would like to see funding for some kind of trail LPR incorporated into the budget. A majority of those present agreed on a trial period at an initial location.
3. Grant Writer Discussion – Mayor Gartner discussed the recommendation from Attorney Vasselli for a grant writer. He discussed the release of grant funding by the State of Illinois, and thinks it’s in the best interest of the Village to employ a grant writer. The cost is $125/hour, with an annual cap of $12,000.
Those present agreed to move forward with a grant writer.
Trustees discussed annual costs, responsiveness, other communities represented, and her experience.
Mayor Gartner asked if there were any objections to signing the contract and ratifying at the next meeting. There were no objections to the Mayor’s execution of the contract.
4. Discussion of Heron Harbor/Woodland Ridge resident health and environmental concerns regarding the lease agreement and installation of Chicago SMSA Limited Partnership Verizon Wireless 5g antenna equipment on the Water Tower located at 0 Bowles Road – Mr. Shannon Kramer, Heron Harbor resident, said 5g is an unknown, particularly within close ranges. His concern is its approval and installation without the community or HOA knowledge. He added his concerns related to decreased property value as well.
Mr. Matt Holmes, said the research is not out there yet, and there are too many unknowns. He discussed coverage of insurance claims and potential future issues that may arise from the tower.
Trustee Pierce read aloud an article from 2022. He discussed his research into a topic, and the time he takes to be educated on the decisions he makes. He presented his findings on the impacts of 5g to community health. He discussed the advancement of technology and the reluctance and fear to move forward with technology. He asked trustees to apologize for making comments that the board doesn’t care about the community and publicly retract their statements saying such. Trustee Pierce said he voted yes for 5g because he believes in the future and technology.
Trustee Macek discussed Facebook posts calling for violence. He said he understands resident concerns, but voted yes because it is regulated by the FCC, and said everyone can sign up to receive copies of the agenda and be informed on board discussions. He added that the signal currently there doesn’t work, but said they had no other option and wanted to improve cell service in the area.
Trustee Bluthardt said he appreciates the concerns and did look into this topic and research, and said there is not a fixed science on this topic. He agrees we need to do a better job of alerting the residents ahead of time. He asked Administrator Keim if he can ask Verizon to, at their expense, test ranges and distances.
Trustee Burman doesn’t appreciate being called a conspiracy theorist and said she presents facts. She read aloud a statement regarding Verizon wireless and warning their shareholders of risk. She understands the restriction placed on municipalities regarding the placement of 5g towers, and thinks more could have been done to warn residents. She discussed the FCC role in making communications function, but said they do not specialize on the health and effects of the technology. She said there is strong evidence that there are risks associated with this. She discussed the increase in waves being emitted since 1996, and said there were thousands of studies regarding EMF affecting the immune system, neurological, cognitive affects and more. Trustee Burman further discussed FCC and other studies regarding the affects of 5g and wireless technology, and said there are no industry backed studies, but 77% of studies done found significant effects. She said a village doesn’t have the money to fight the FCC or Verizon, but she doesn’t think it’s appropriate to ignore resident concerns. Trustee Burman feels this is a human rights violation, and said she had the same information available the last time this was considered.
Trustee Dominiak commended the fellow trustees on the work they did on this. She said she made a phone call to the Executive Director at the Lake County Health Department, who said they do not have a position on the impact of 5g, and it remains acceptable from the FDA so Lake County does not have a stance one way or the other. She added that we have been exposed to radiation for a long time, and a study from 1996 shows that it was known for a long time.
Mr. Kramer asked about the process for tower installations. Attorney Vasselli discussed FCC regulations, as well as zoning controls that may be in place.
Trustee Burman thanked the board for listening to the residents, and thanked the mayor for adding this to the agenda to allow for open discussion.
5. Budget Overview – Mayor Gartner introduced Senior Accountant Keith Kroll and discussed the draft budget and presentation provided to the board this evening.
Administrator Keim said tonight is intended as an overview, and this budget has approximately another 6 weeks to go.
Finance Director Torres discussed the budget and materials provided tonight, including general fund expenses and revenue by department. She discussed the police pension, and targeted revenues. She discussed licenses and permits and other revenues and their trends. Director Torres presented the budget by department and said revenues at this time are very close to expenses. She discussed expenses by category, and said the utility tax has been earmarked to be transferred into the capital fund. Director Torres reviewed proposed revenue trends, as well as a snapshot of the 23-24 budget. She highlighted income taxes trending upward, decreases in telephone utility tax, building permit revenues, additional positions (FT CSO, Assistant Administrator and Economic Development Coordinator). She urged the board not to use building permit fees to pay fixed costs such as personnel expenses. She said we are at a break-even point, and the general fund has a positive including expenses for the new positions. She advised that using money out the building permit revenues would put the Village in a deficit, and companies are laying off people in the private sector which will affect income and sales taxes. She said she has budgeted 23-24 very conservatively.
Director Torres reviewed the water and sewer enterprise fund including the current budget status, expected revenues and expenses. She added the decease in IMRF contributions as well. She also provided a snapshot of the current and proposed budget for the water and sewer fund.
Director Torres presented the Business District and TIF funds, and has only done mandatory budgeting requirements. She discussed the bond proceeds, which have been pledged with business district funds. She summarized other funds such as Depot Parking, MFT, Drug Seizure and other restricted funds.
Administrator Keim discussed the presented budget, restricted funds, pledged money, and projects recently completed and upcoming projects. He said they will use grant money first, bond money second and cash last, and this does not include properties or projects the board may be contemplating. Administrator Keim added that we will struggle to fund all of the projects on this page the way they are.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Personnel and Pending Litigation, Lease of Village Property, Collective Bargaining – The Mayor and Board of Trustees did not go into executive session.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further discussion, the Village Board of Trustees Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 10:22pm.
https://www.antioch.il.gov/download/Village%20Board%20Committees/Committee%20of%20the%20Whole/minutes/2023/03-08-23-COW-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
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