McHenry Times

Village of Lakewood Village Board met Oct. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Village Zoom Board Meeting was called to order by President Stephan at 7:00 p.m. Present were Trustees Augustine, Berman, Odom, and Ulrich. Trustee Eddy was absent. Also present via Zoom were Chief Administrative Officer Jeannine Smith, Village Attorney Brandy Quance, Village Clerk Janice Hansen. In total, there were less than 20 people participating including the Village Board, staff and members of the public.

President Stephan accepted the resignation of Trustee Byan Younge effective October 3, 2020. He has returned his Village property.

President Stephan remarked that he would like to clear up some rumors and get some truths out there that I feel are very important to the Village moving forward.

Last October 1st in 2019 we had our first Strategic Planning Session. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses), session was held to identify our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. May 21, 2019 we had our second meeting that summarized the first meeting. One of our biggest problems we all agreed on was the need to improve communication and customer service and we would need to hire a marketing service contractor. Covid happened and everything was put on hold. With things getting back to a new normal, we are bidding that service out. To build a better Lakewood we cannot achieve this without residents input and improving communication is a key, as well as debunking false accusations and other information that is wrongfully out there. Take the re-engineering of Hampshire Lane. Communication was an issue and required several Town Hall type meetings to inform all residents on a new way of moving surface water. Recently, he has been approached by residents that are excited about a new splash pad park but want information. We are going to have several Town Hall Meetings on the final concept of the park that will also require communication because at the end of they day, the residents are going to chose what goes into this park. Just last week the Village had a record amount of brush pick. Many of the residents are home with Covid, which is probably a factor. Brush pick up is going to run into next week and again, we need effective ways to get this information out. There are many great things going on in the Village that residents need to be aware of also. There are a lot of great things going on in the Village that residents need to be aware of. Just this afternoon there was a meeting with the Lazar brothers, their attorneys, and HR Green and I am proud to say the travel center is moving full speed ahead. They will be grading through the winter and plan on opening in the summer of 2021. This is great news tax wise. President Stephan wanted to comment on one last thing. The resurfacing on our large streets is coming to completion. The President wants the residents to know that we are building streets that are going to last a long time. That entails a lot of grading between where the street leaves off and the residents property still has to be filled with dirt, graded and reseeded. This will be done next week.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Tricia Babischkin of 8404 Trevino Way commented that over the past months the residents have been asking questions and I’m concerned over the lack of complete answers: 1. Last meeting I asked about the use of the unprecedented revenues expected from RedTail; but I got a lecture on profits which you can not possibly know what they are until the financials are completed that have both complete revenues and complete expenses applied. So, I ask, what’s the plan to repay the general fund for the nearly $300K swing in the balance for the RedTail cash account. 2. The residents have been asking about spending money without having a budget item. While Phil, you haven’t answered residents, you told the Northwest Herald that you can spend whatever, whenever and just change the budget. That’s pretty much against 50 ILCS 330/3, the code requiring amendments to the budget to spend money not previously budgeted. When will the mid-year budget review be conducted? 3. While speaking about the budget, why is the building department still losing money from what seems to be the lack of a review of the permit fees to cover the costs of the HR Green contract that was just renewed without competitive bids? Why is that not on a board agenda yet it was promised in November of last year? 4. When the Berman Investigation concluded, our CAO promised training of staff then has that occurred? What will that training consist of? 5. What’s the update on the irrigation well for RedTail? In July’s meeting we were told that the test well was going to be drilled that week I was out there walking and saw nothing being constructed near the pump house? Where are we with that project? 6. The residents have been asking about the roles and responsibilities of both our Finance Director and our Treasurer with regard to the financials. Since there have been no Treasurer’s Reports in any board packets, has the board received any Treasurer Reports as per 30 ILCS 15/1? If you have, how has this report been distributed? What does our Treasurer do for her $400 per month? 7. Why do we still not have an Ethics Commission? It is required in our Village Code and if anyone has something to report who would they be able to go? This lack seems like something that should have been corrected long ago, likely well before I mentioned it in May’s Board meeting? The residents are asking you questions. It’s past time you start fully answering them.

Judy Minsley of 436 Wiltshire Lane remarked that she would like to thank you for holding another Zoom meeting, and to thank President Stephan and those Trustees who answered resident’s questions during the last meeting, as it seemed to open a door to better communication, as President Stephan indicated is your goal. I would like to focus my comments on how to improve communication without frivolously wasting our tax dollars on what I saw in the Request for Proposal. We have an in-depth website and a Facebook page that post occasional updates, although the Request for Proposal says five, residents do receive three seasonal flyers in the mail, and the Police Department sends valuable public service announcement and emergency alerts via Textcaster. The website used to have a tab to request e-mail updates that I actually checked twice, but never received anything and it’s no longer an option. I’d like to point out that some residents don’t use Facebook, and many are still unaware of the website updates, and, like President Stephan mentioned, many were left wondering why the brush pickup abruptly stopped last week. You could vastly improve communication by sending out texts or emails, or simply advising everyone in the next newsletter where to find future updates, and sign up for the Police Department Textcaster, we don’t need a marketing firm for that. I was stunned to read the RFP suggesting print, digital and radio marketing throughout the state. For a Village of 4,000 residents including children and maybe 1500 homes, in a 5 square mile radius? Not even RedTail needs statewide marketing. So my first question, which I hope you’ll answer later even though the RFP isn’t on tonight’s agenda, is: Who is it you’re trying to communicate with and how do you justify spending our tax dollars on an expensive statewide marketing program instead of just using existing means of communicating easily handled by Village Hall staff? This leads me to another communication matter I’ve been bringing up for months, and that’s your failure to even acknowledge the petition signed by over 200 residents. Because CAO Smith and President Stephan work directly with the Board, the petition requested an independent investigation of the many serious employee complaints…. President Stephan stated that Ms. Minsley’s three minutes are up. He thanked her for her comments.

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 22, 2020 Regular Village Board Meeting

APPROVAL OF BILL LISTS: Accounts Payable Invoices Dated October 1, 2020 in the Amount of $32,799.10; Accounts Payable Prepaid Invoices for September 2020 in the Amount of $64,793.57; Accounts Payable Invoices Dated October 14, 2020 in the Amount of $151,229.44; Debit Card Activity for June, 2020 in the Amount of $2,141.08;

RedTail Golf Club Debit Card Activity for June, 2020 in the Amount of $429.51; and RedTail Manual Checking Account Activity for June, 2020 in the Amount of $8,059.85

APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Village Financial Statements for the Period May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020; RedTail Golf Club Financial Statements for the Period May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020; and Lake Patrol Financial Statements for the Period May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020

APPROVAL OF THE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD’S RECOMMENDED HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT HOURS FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2020, FROM 2 P.M. TO 7 P.M.

Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: Trustee Odom. Absent: Trustee Eddy. Motion declared.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA: None

APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020-22 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OR DSPOSAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD: President Stephan stated that the 1997 Sewer Jetter is no longer needed within the Public Works Department. We no longer need the Jetter because we have a Vactor truck. We sold it for $4,500.

Trustee Augustine, seconded by Trustee Berman, moved to approve Ordinance 2020-22. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Eddy. Motion declared.

APPROVAL OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD AND GRAFTON TOWNSHIP ROAD DISTRICT: Trustee Odom asked for more detail on this Agreement. CAO Smith commented that this Agreement is between the Village and Grafton Township Road District for the purchase of the 1997 Jetter. President Stephan remarked that the Ordinance approves the sale of the Jetter and this Agreement approves the sale to Grafton Township.

Trustee Ulrich, seconded by Trustee Augustine, moved to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the Village of Lakewood and Grafton Township Road District. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: Trustee Odom. Absent: Trustee Eddy. Motion declared.

President Stephan commented to Trustee Odom that she approved the sale but not the Agreement, it is one of the same. Trustee Odom said “correct”.

APPROVAL OF A RESIDENT’S EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL REQUEST: President Stephan stated that the Trustees received information regarding this agenda item individually since this is a sensitive matter.

Trustee Ulrich, seconded by Trustee Augustine, moved to approve a resident’s emotional support animal request. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Eddy. Motion declared.

REPORTS: CAO Smith commented that the Village’s Trick or Treat hours for Saturday, October 31, 2020, are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. President Stephan stated that we mirrored the City of Crystal Lakes hours.

Trustee Augustine commented that there are six new home constructions projects with an approximate total value of $3 million. He believes waiving the impact fees have gone a long way to benefit the Village.

Trustee Augustine remarked that Golf Manager Kenny Goodwin has increased RedTail golf leagues from 2 in 2019 to 4 in 2020 which is a 100% increase. Already there are 8 leagues signed up for 2021. Kudos to Golf Manager Kenny Goodwin and Golf Pro Jim Rafferty. He has spoke to a golf coach from one of the local high schools and they praised RedTail as great hosts.

President Stephan commented that RedTail has broken even with seven months remaining in the fiscal year. There is a golf outing in the plans with Turnberry Golf Club and RedTail Golf Club; 100 participants at each course and Turnberry Golf Club will take care of the food for the golfers.

Trustee Ulrich stated that the top golf simulators at Turnberry Golf Club are a wonderful benefit to golfers. A fun way to practice golf. Turnberry Golf Club is doing a great job as a local Lakewood business.

Trustee Odom asked for clarification regarding the Intergovernmental Agreement. She understands to approve the sale of the Jetter but not to whom it is being sold to. She asked if there were a number of bids for the sale of the Jetter. CAO Smith replied that this was a discussion with Grafton and the Village to sell them the Jetter. Public Works Director Gary Zichuhr replied that when surplus property is sold to the public sealed bids are in order. When something is sold to a municipality, there is a need for an intergovernmental agreement.

With nothing further to discuss, Trustee Ulrich, seconded by Trustee Augustine, moved to adjourn the meeting. Voting Aye: Trustees Augustine, Berman, Odom, and Ulrich. Voting Nay: None. Absent: Trustee Eddy. Motion declared. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

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