McHenry Times

Village of Lake in the Hills Board of Trustees met June 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll call was answered by Trustees Ray Bogdanowski, Stephen Harlfinger, Suzanne Artinghelli, David McPhee, Bill Dustin and President Russ Ruzanski.

Motion to allow Trustee Bob Huckins to join remotely by phone was made by President Ruzanski and seconded by Trustee Harlfinger. Roll Call was answered by Trustee Suzanne Artinghelli, David McPhee, Trustee Bill Dustin, Trustee Ray Bogdanowski, Stephen Harlfinger.

Also present were Village Administrator Jennifer Clough, Director of Community Development Michael Brown, Police Chief David Brey, Director of Public Works Fred Mullard, Finance Director Shane Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation Laura Barron, Village Attorney Brad Stewart and Village Clerk Crystal Ulen.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ruzanski.

Presentation/Discussion – Chairman Jack Franks – Possible Consolidation of the Lake in the Hills Sanitary District under 55 ILCS 5/5-44

Introduction to the presentation was made by Village Administrator Jennifer Clough. Sanitary District overview was made by Finance Director Shane Johnson. The village report supports the County’s investigation on consolidation.

Trustee Harlfinger has spoken with both the Sanitary District and Mayor Sass of Huntley and they are interested in a conversation regarding the consolidation if it makes sense across the board for the Villages included, the Sanitary District and the residents.

Chairman Jack Franks agrees that it has to be collaborative process. Jack Franks gave a history of the tax issues in McHenry County and Illinois. McHenry County pays higher property taxes than 99.99% of Americans. Resolution at the county level was passed to reduce the tax levy by 10%. Chairman Franks explained the process of consolidating the Sanitary District. Trustee Harlfinger inquired about uncertainties of this consolidation. Chairman Franks said he only plans on bringing the consolidation to the County Board if the consolidation makes sense for all parties involved. He doesn’t anticipate the consolidation being completed, if approved by all parties, until November of 2018. Trustee Bogdanowski spoke on the advantage of the additional levy. Chairman Franks wants the permission of the board to go forward with the study. Trustee Dustin inquired about long term savings on the tax payers. Trustee McPhee was in agreement with doing due diligence. Chairman Franks said that a resolution on moving forward was not necessary. Trustee Bogdanowski suggested coming up with a letter instead of a resolution. Rick Forner from the LITH Sanitary District spoke of past meetings about the consolidation process. Trustee Harlfinger asked if the Sanitary District is on board with starting the audit and analysis. Mr. Forner asked if they could have a discussion with the Village, County Chairman, and the Sanitary District prior to sending Chairman Franks a letter to begin the process. Trustee McPhee asked about the date of the upcoming Strategic Planning Session. Jennifer Clough said that it should take place July or August. Shane Johnson agreed to sit down and talk prior to the Strategic Planning Session.

Public Comment on Agenda Items: none

Consent Agenda

A. Motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the May 23, 2017 Committee of the Whole meeting.

B. Motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the May 25, 2017 Village Board meeting.

Motion to approve Consent Agenda items A-B was made by Trustee Harlfinger and seconded by Trustee McPhee. On roll call vote, Trustees Artinghelli, Harlfinger, Huckins, Dustin, McPhee, and Bogdanowski voted Aye. No Nays. Motion carried.

Omnibus Agenda

A. Motion to waive the provisions of Section 43.09, “Noise” from 12:00pm until 11:59pm and suspend enforcement activities to allow the installation of temporary signage on Henry Lane for events being held by Club 400 on June 24, 2017 and July 18, 2017 at 3090 Henry Lane.

B. Motion to pass Ordinance 2017- ____, An Ordinance Establishing the Prevailing Wage Rates for the Village of Lake in the Hills.

C. Motion to approve the IDOT Resolution to appropriate $1,000.00 of additional MFT funds for the 2014 Jessie Road Bridge Construction Project.

D. Motion to approve Final Progress Payment for $20,969.19 to IDOT for work completed to date on the 2014 Jessie Road Bridge Construction.

E. Motion to accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Auditor’s Communication to the Board of Trustees, Managements Response Memorandum, Management Letter Required per Illinois Compiled Statutes, and the Police Pension Annual Financial Report all for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016.

F. Motion to authorize the Village Administrator to execute all contracts, applications, and other documents necessary to complete the July 1, 2017 renewal with BlueCross BlueShield for medical insurance, with MetLife for vision and life insurance, and with Wage Works for flexible spending account benefits; continue to offer the health insurance waiver program at $2,000 per year; and increase employee contributions for medical, dental, and vision insurance to 18% for employees enrolled in the PPO plan, 7% for employees enrolled in the HMO plan and 6% for employees enrolled in the HDHP/HAS plan.

Motion to approve the Omnibus Agenda items A – F was made by Trustee Harlfinger and seconded by Trustee McPhee. On roll call vote, Trustees Huckins, Dustin, Artinghelli, Bogdanowski, Harlfinger, and McPhee voted Aye. No Nays. Motion carried.

Approval of the Schedule of Bills:

Motion to approve the June 9, 2017 Schedule of Bills, funds totaling $ 162,330.15 was made by Trustee Bogdanowski and seconded by Trustee McPhee. On roll call vote, Trustees McPhee, Artinghelli, Bogdanowski, Huckins, Harlfinger, and Dustin voted Aye. No Nays. Motion carried.

Department Head Reports: Fred Mullard spoke of an incident at the airport. Michael Brown had an update on Speedway project.

Board of Trustee Reports: Trustee Bogdanowski; Sunset Fest is in full planning mode, volunteers are needed. Trustee Dustin; Ribfest is in planning mode, volunteers are also needed.

Village President Reports:

A. Proclamation – School District 300 – Gary Chester, Director of District Security

June 14, 2017 Gary Chester Day

Unfinished Business: none

New Business: none

Audience Participation: Bob Spooner, President of the Historical Society, announced that the Ford School restoration project is due for a grand opening for October 15, 2017. Laura Barron was given a tour. There are some projects that still need to be completed, it has been 5 years and besides minimal help from Public Works there have been no village funds spent on this project. He would like to build men’s and women’s bathrooms that are designed to look like 1920s outhouses, he discussed this possibility with Fred Mullard.

Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting of the Lake in the Hills Board of Trustees was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

http://www.lith.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/board_of_trustees/meeting/2921/2017-06-08_village_board_minutes.pdf