McHenry Times

The Lakewood Village Board met May 24.

The board consists of the village president and six trustees who are elected to serve staggered, four-year terms.

Here are the minutes of the meeting as provided by Lakewood:

The Village Board Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. at RedTail Golf Club by Village Clerk Janice Hansen. Trustee Santowski, seconded by Trustee Thomas, moved to appoint Trustee Davis as President Pro Tem in President Smith’s absence. Voice Vote: All Ayes.

Present were Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, Serwatka, and Thomas. Trustee Furey was absent. Also present were Village Manager Catherine Peterson; Village Clerk Janice Hansen; Village Attorney Michael Smoron; Village Treasurer George Roach; Deputy Village Manager Shannon Andrews; Chief of Police Leigh Rawson; and many members of the public.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Judy Minsley of 436 Wiltshire, a 28 year resident, commented on the Village’s natural setting, low crime rate, and regular police patrol. She expressed concern over open calls from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. She stated the cost savings as questionable and believes the Village Hall is serviceable.

John Schrauf of 7618 Bonnie Ridge believes Village safety is a primary responsibility of the Board. 24/7 police patrol is a natural deterrent to crime. He is concerned for Village businesses with no actual patrol from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is a low crime community, not a no crime community.

John O’Hara of 7619 Dairy is familiar with the Village Police Department. He questioned the consideration of hiring out Crystal Lake Police Department and believes $80,000 is wasteful.

Don Foster of 8408 Trevino Lane stated that most crime occurs in the middle of the night.

David Wege of 9575 Nicklaus Lane believes that some of the Board’s decisions are questionable. Safety and security are the well being of this community.

Amy Odom of 330 Warwick agreed with all of the resident’s comments and is concerned about resident safety.

CONSENT AGENDA: The following were considered and enacted on a single motion by Trustee Iden,nseconded by Trustee Santowski:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 10, 2016 Regular Village Board Meeting

APPROVAL OF BILL LISTS: Accounts Payable Dated April 30, 2016 in the Amount of $16,704.85; and Accounts Payable Dated May 25, 2016 in the Amount of $388,937.81

APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: None

Voting Aye: Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, and Serwatka. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Furey. Abstain: Trustee Thomas. Motion declared carried.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: None

APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 2016-12 - AN ORDINANCE APPROVING BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 2 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016: Village Treasurer George Roach commented that this Ordinance is initiated every fiscal year end to stay within Village appropriations for the year.

Trustee Iden, seconded by Trustee Thomas, moved to approve Ordinance No. 2016-12. Voting Aye: Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, Serwatka, and Thomas. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Furey.

Motion declared carried.

APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 2016-13 - AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OR DISPOSAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD:

Trustee Iden, seconded by Trustee Santowski, moved to approve Ordinance No. 2016-13. Voting Aye: Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, Serwatka, and Thomas. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Furey.

Motion declared carried.

APPROVAL OF A POLICE CALL SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE AND THE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD: Chief Rawson highlighted the Department’s two officer retirement staffing issues. Before hiring replacements, staff looked at options with neighboring Police Departments; county policing was not an option. The Village of Huntley does not share a border with the Village of Lakewood; Lake in the Hills would need additional staff to police our Village; Crystal Lake would be an easy transfer of services with both communities using SEECOM and no need for additional staffing. This would be a temporary solution to the Village police issues at a cost savings.

Trustee Santowski expressed concern over looking at every alternative for police protection and feels the Board owes to the residents to look at all options for formal considerations of part time officers.

Trustee Iden commented that public safety is the Village’s largest expense. Staff needs to consider the actual cost savings in not replacing these two full time officers. The Board needs to evaluate what the residents want. Trustee Iden is ok with the agreement but does not like the void of actual patrol from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Trustee Serwatka questioned the $80,000 for a 28 hour work week and the temporary nature of the agreement. He also believes that 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. timing is not good shift to have no actual police patrol.

Trustee Thomas believes that Village residents have high expectations of Village services. Funds are not available as in the past and public safety is the number one issue. She commented that there is a need for a new Village Hall/Police Department for safety reasons. She also expressed concern about the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. non-patrolling. Trustee Thomas has confidence in the Chief of Police and the Crystal Lake Police Department.

Trustee Davis mentioned that President Smith and Trustee Furey are in favor of this agreement. He stated that Chief Rawson has brought the Village Police Department professionalism to the next level. Staff has researched all options to move forward with police replacements in a timely fashion.

Don Foster of 8408 Trevino asked if this was an actual temporary staffing solution and if these positions were in the new budget. The Chief replied yes. Mr. Foster expressed concern over the Village’s liability.

Attorney Smoron replied there is a negligible risk.

Trustee Santowski moved to table this agenda item until more research could be provided. There was not second.

Trustee Iden, seconded by Trustee Thomas, moved to approve of a Police Call Services Agreement between the City of Crystal Lake and the Village of Lakewood. Voting Aye: None. Voting Nay: Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, Serwatka, and Thomas. Absent: Trustee Furey. Motion failed.

APPROVAL OF A RECOGNITION SIGN HONORING LENNY PETERSON FOR ACHIEVING FIRST PLACE IN THE IHSA INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING TOURNAMENT:

Trustee Iden, seconded by Trustee Thomas, moved to approve a recognition sign honoring Lenny Peterson for achieving first place in the IHSA Individual Wrestling Tournament. Voting Aye: Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, Serwatka, and Thomas. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Furey. Motion declared carried.

REPORTS: Trustee Serwaka received a call from a resident on Watson Circle regarding a berm near their home. Village Manager Catherine Peterson stated that the contractor will mend the pitch of the berm of easier mowing.

Trustee Davis thanked the residents for their patience with the east side project.

Trustee Iden reminded all to attend Celebrate Lakewood on June 5, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m.

Trustee Santowski commented that the Village’s electronic recycling center is open. Please bring any recyclable articles to Celebrate Lakewood for disposal.

Village Manager Catherine Peterson has been approached by residents at 5840 Highland Lane to add two garage bays and a pergola. This project will require an approximate 15 foot variance. The property backs up to unincorporated Crystal Lake. The Board of Trustees see no problem regarding this request.

With nothing further to discuss, Trustee Iden, seconded by Trustee Santowski, moved to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Trustees Davis, Iden, Santowski, Serwatka, and Thomas. Voting Nay: None.

Absent: Trustee Furey. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.