CUBA TOWNSHIP REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
28000 W. Cuba Road
Barrington, IL 60010
Thursday, April 9, 2009; 7:00 pm

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Nelson. Trustee Svacha led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll call: David Nelson, Supervisor; Don Griffith, Trustee; Dick Kosner, Trustee; Arthur Rice, Trustee; Roberta Svacha, Trustee.

Also present: Priscilla Rose, Township Clerk; Tom Gooch, Township Highway Commissioner; Becci Tonigan, Township Assessor; Tim Murray- Township attorney; Kelly Mazeski; Joyce Palmquist- Barrington Area Council on Aging; Carol Kosner; Barb Murphy; Russ Warye; Martin and Jeanette Hedrich.

Public comment

Martin Hedrich addressed the board regarding an alley behind his property at 21025 N. Elizabeth Lane, Barrington, IL. He told the board that he had spoken with the Highway Commissioner in the fall of 2007 about having gravel spread in the alley and it has not yet been done. He would like to know if a codicil could be drawn up to permit Hedrick and his neighbors to use the alley.

Highway Commissioner Gooch replied that it would be a decision of the Cuba Township Road District to vacate the right-of-way, not a decision of the Town board. He continued that he sees no problem in vacating the property subject to the approval of the neighbor to the west of Hedrick. After further discussion between Gooch and Hedrick it was decided to pursue the matter of vacation after discussion with the neighbor to Hedrick’s west.

Claire Ryan, 404 Concord Lane, N, Barrington, and Jenny Powell, Crooked Lane, N. Barrington addressed the board regarding the Township’s food pantry. They stated that they volunteer in the pantry once a week and find it important personally to give back to the community through the pantry. They appreciate the service the pantry provides to the community and feel it provides notice to the community of the Township’s services.

Kosner thanked Ryan and Powell for their volunteer services in the pantry. Powell spoke to the board underscoring her appreciation of the pantry the opportunity it provides for herself and children to volunteer.

A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Svacha to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2009 board meeting. Motion carried.

Nelson thanked Palmquist, for attending the meeting and hoped that everyone had a chance to read an email from Palmquist which provided more details and information on the PACE program. Griffith asked if it was possible to contract with vehicles already existing at Lake Barrington Woods, The Garlands, Greencastle, Lake Barrington Woods and Good Shepherd Hospital for the purpose of senior transportation. Palmquist replied that she has made the inquiry and liability issues of each facility prohibit use of the vehicle outside of their own facility.

It was suggested that a joint committee with Barrington Township be formed to further investigate the topic of senior transportation. Kosner added that a clear mission statement and objective of what is to be accomplished be stated at the formation of the committee. Carol Kosner distributed a census of transportation services provided by other townships (see attached).

Trustee Rice will serve on the joint committee, as well as Griffith. Kosner will serve as an alternate committee member as his work schedule permits. Nelson will confirm with Barrington Township that they will be forming a committee for the same purpose and to set-up an initial meeting.

Kosner clarified that the changes that have been made at the March 11, 2009 board meeting were to increase the deductible to $500. He added that no other policy changes have been made to date.

Warye distributed an informational sheet containing rates for various aspects of pricing of the health insurance policy. (see attached) Discussion continued on the subject regarding various ways to effect change and cost savings. Warye suggested that the board set the budget for health insurance and then he can present pricing options to fit the budget.

Rice suggested that no decisions or changes be made at the current time, but that plenty of preparation time be permitted for the next year’s budget. Griffith suggested that health insurancebecome a standing agenda item.

Kosner asked about various aspects of the Township’s Medicare eligible employees. Warye distributed an additional hand-out to answer Medicare questions.

Nelson told the board that an Emergency Preparedness Meeting will be held at the Township office on April 10, 2009. The villages of North Barrington, Lake Barrington and Tower Lakes will be represented and staff from the Lake County Emergency Preparedness Department will attend.

Nelson distributed a sheet on the Career Center’s upcoming fundraiser.

Rose distributed a request that she has received for use of the Community Room. (see attached) She asked for the board’s direction on approval or denial of the request.

Discussion took place regarding the request. Rose pointed out that the applicant was not a Cuba Township resident and the group’s organization address is not in Cuba Township. Gooch added that continuous use of the room by a specific group might not be in keeping with the purpose of the Community Room.

A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Kosner to approve the application request from St. Paul’s Anglican Church for use of the Community Room every Sunday from 8 am to noon.

Roll call: Griffith- no; Kosner- no; Rice- no; Svacha- no; Nelson- no.

Rice reported that he had the BACOG minutes corrected to correct the statement that Cuba Township had approved the continuation of the PACE program.

He distributed literature from the No Child Left Insideprogram which made a presentation to BACOG.

Nelson added that there is a workshop on April 30, 2009 presented by BACOG for newly elected local officials.

This item was been tabled until the May 14, 2009 board meeting.

Gooch told the board that the Road District has begun putting in culverts and will begin to landscape the mulch lot for better street presence. He will use evergreens and deciduous trees at minimal cost. Mulch deliveries have begun. Gooch added that a dry stone wall that is on the Hurd property on Kelsey Road will be donated to the Road District from the Lake County Forest Preserves which owns the property. Gooch would like to see the stone wall reconstructed somewhere on Township property.

Tonigan told the board that the factor for next year should be just under 1%. She will be adjusting several assessments and field work has begun.

A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee Kosner to approve the bills in the amount of $208,446.86, check nos. 22058 – 22201.

Roll call: Griffith-yes; Kosner- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.

To return funds to Road Maintenance previously loaned General Town

And/or

To loan funds from General Town to Road Maintenance

Gooch told the board that as he had reported at earlier board meetings, the Road District would possibly need a transfer of funds from General Town to maintain a sufficient cash flow until money from property taxes was disbursed in late May/early June. He asked the board to consider the motions mentioned at this time.

A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Rice to transfer $100,000 from General Town reserves to the Road District.

Discussion regarding the motion took place. Nelson said that he felt a loan to the Road District would be appropriate, but would not support a transfer of funds. He recalled that when The Groveproperty was purchased by the Township, that the Road District contributed $100,000 which provided for a 100 year lease of the garage on the property by the Road District. He felt that since the Road District was using the farmhouse that a loan of $100,000 was in order, but not a transfer of funds.

Gooch replied that he felt at the time of the purchase of The Groveproperty, the $100,000 contributed by the Road District was a loan that at some point would be repaid by General Town.

More discussion continued regarding various aspects of The Grovepurchase and the Road District’s financial situation.

Roll call: Griffith- yes; Kosner- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha-no; Nelson- no. Motion carried.

Gooch told the board that he would be willing to have the Road District purchase the farmhouse.

A motion was made by Trustee Kosner and seconded by Trustee Rice to research the original details of the purchase of The Grove resume the discussion of this subject at a future board meeting.

Motion carried.

Rose told the board that she has sent letters to the White Cemetery Board of Managers, John Hipsky and Bill Rooney, asking for their intentions to remain the board. She has heard from Hipsky of his intent to remain on the board, but has not heard from Rooney. She added that she would like to begin work on identifying abandoned lots at the cemetery and moving forward with procedures to resell them.

A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee Kosner to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 pm. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Priscilla H. Rose
Clerk