McHenry Times

Village of Lakewood Village Board met Aug. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Village Board Meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by President Stephan at RedTail Golf Club. Present were Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, and Ulrich. Trustee Younge was absent. Also present were Chief Administrative Officer Jeannine Smith; Village Clerk Janice Hansen; Village Attorney Michael Smoron; Business Analyst Sue Villie; and Golf Manager Candidate Kenny Goodwin.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: At 6:03 p.m., Trustee Ulrich, seconded by Trustee Eddy, moved to enter into Executive Session. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Younge. Motion declared carried.

Discussion ensued regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the Village, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine validity.

Trustee Ulrich, seconded by Trustee Eddy, moved to exit Executive Session. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Younge. Motion declared carried. The Executive Session adjourned at 6:31 p.m. and returned to the Regular Village Board Meeting.

REPORTS AND/OR ACTIONS FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

The Regular Village Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Stephan at RedTail Golf Club. Present were Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, and Ulrich. Trustee Younge was absent. Also present were Chief Administrative Officer Jeannine Smith; Village Clerk Janice Hansen; Village Attorney Michael Smoron; Chief of Police Todd Richardson; Business Analyst Sue Villie; Water/Wastewater Operator Gary Zickuhr; and many members of the public.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Frank Abbinanti of 7805 Loch Glen commented that he lives in a good neighborhood with too many restrictions. The condition of his lake is extremely poor, water levels are very low. He loves to fish on his lake and due to the water condition, the fish are particularly thin. What is the Village going to do about this situation?

Marty Barski of 7713 Loch Glen has lived within the Village for 18 years and his lake is at the lowest he has ever seen. He cannot use his pontoon boat.

Mike Fisher of 9332 Beaver Pond lives on Lake #3 and commented that his lake is also very low.

President Stephan commented that he is well aware of Turnberry Lake levels. They are down about 18 inches, and the fish are stressed and pale in color. The Turnberry Country Club has not been complying with the water transfer agreement from 2005 that pumps water into the Turnberry Lakes 2, 3, and 4 that provide water for RedTail irrigation causing the lake levels to drop and cause Lake #4 be become extremely low. Environmental Aquatic Management called the Village to comment on the condition of Lake #4 being extremely low and they could not treat the Lakes because of the dissolved oxygen levels were too low and that a fish kill was possible. The Turnberry Country Club did have a fish kill from pumping their lakes too low.

President Stephan advised the Board that because of EAM’s concerns, he directed Staff to fill Lake #4 from a Village hydrant using a dechlorinating device to protect the aquatic life and vegetation. President Stephan asked the Board if they supported this action and all Board members agreed. This emergency measure was taken as the cost of cleaning a fish kill, restocking fish amongst other things would have been far more costly. President Stephan also polled the Village Trustees about drilling a well to water RedTail Golf Course and no longer rely on the aging transfer system. It is estimated to cost between $30,000 and $50,000 and would be charged to RedTail Golf Club. All Trustees agreed to move forward with this plan.

President Stephan received text from Mike Murray, a resident living on Lake #4, who could not attend the meeting. “Phil I wanted to reach out and thank you and the entire board for quickly fixing what could have turned into an ugly situation for the residents on lake 4. Your quick action saved the day for all of us and we are all super grateful. I hate to imagine what may have happened had you guys not been involved. We look forward to working together to find a long term solution that limits/removes the impact that Turnberry golf course and Sonny have had on our community, home values and wildlife that are such a big part of our community. Thanks again.”

CONSENT AGENDA: The following were considered and enacted on a single motion by Trustee Augustine, seconded by Trustee Ulrich:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 23, 2019 Regular Village Board Meeting; July 23, 2019 Executive Session Minutes; August 5, 2019 Special Village Board Meeting Minutes; and August 5, 2019 Special Executive Session Minutes

APPROVAL OF BILL LISTS: Accounts Payable Pre-Paid Invoices for July, 2019 in the Amount of $97,245.87; Accounts Payable Invoices Dated August 14, 2019 in the Amount of $209,248.06; Debit Card Activity for June, 2019 in the Amount of $2,247.11; RedTail Golf Club Debit Card Activity for June, 2019 in the Amount of $2,575.84; RedTail Checking Accounts Payable for June, 2019 in the Amount of $6,453.84

APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Village Financial Statements for the Periods May 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019; RedTail Golf Club Financial Statements for the Periods May 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019; Lake Patrol Financial Statements for the Periods May 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019; Village financial Statements for the Periods May 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019; Redtail Golf Club Financial Statements for the Periods May 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019; and Lake Patrol Financial Statements for the Periods May 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019

Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Younge. Motion declared carried.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None

Oath of Office Administered to Jeffrey Winters as Sergeant of Police by Village Attorney

Michael Smoron

Oath of Office Administered to Edgard Pluviose, Junior as Police Officer by Village Attorney Michael Smoron

Chief of Police Todd Richardson is confident that Sergeant Winters is more than capable to lead the Lakewood Police Department. He is someone that can always be counted on. Chief Richardson presented Sergeant Winters his old chevrons which is a Police tradition.

Chief Richardson commented that he has worked with Officer Pluviose in Crystal Lake and he is a solid guy. Chief Richardson pinned Officer Pluviose’s Police badge.

DIRECTION REGARDING STRUCTURE OF 2010A AND 2010B BOND REFUNDING COUNCIL: This agenda item was deferred from the July 23, 2019 Board Meeting so that the Board members could review the presented materials more thoroughly. This will reissue approximately $8 million of tax-exempt bank qualified general obligation alternate revenue bonds in 2019 to refund its outstanding Taxable General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010A (Build America Bonds), and its General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2010B.

Water/Wastewater Operator Gary Zickuhr presented a brief power point explaining the need to restore Well #5 usages within the Village. A few Trustees had toured the Well #5 facilities during the week. This facility was built in 2001 and the water has always had methane and milky water. For $900,000 this well can have the impurities removed and become a very useful well to the Village. Funding for this project may be added to the bond refunding process.

Trustee Ulrich, seconded by Trustee Berman, moved to have Chief Administrative Officer Jeannine Smith proceed with obtaining Bond Council for the refunding of the Village’s 2010A and 2010B Bonds. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Younge. Motion declared carried.

REPORTS: Chief Administrative Officer Jeannine Smith encouraged all Board Members to attend the Town Hall Meeting with Senator Don DeWitte on August 14, 2019 at RedTail Golf Club.

She also mentioned RedTail Rocks concert on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at RedTail Golf Club. Trustees will be “celebrity” guests to serve beverages at the beer tent.

President Stephan commented that since the radar sign was installed on Lake Avenue, the average speed for July has been reduced from 38 mph to 30 mph. He thanked Officer Wiegel for all his assistance.

President Stephan stated that a letter had gone out to lot owners informing them of the Village’s moratorium regarding impact fees. A letter will go out to local Realtors.

President Stephan mentioned that RedTail revenues were up.

Chief Richardson thanked the Village Board for allowing him to fill vacant officer positions in an immediate manner.

With nothing further to discuss, Trustee Odom, seconded by Trustee Augustine, moved to adjourn the Village Board Meeting. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Eddy, Odom, Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Younge. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.

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