CUBA TOWNSHIP REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
28000 W. Cuba Road
Barrington, IL 60010
Thursday, May 14, 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.

Installation of newly elected Cuba Township officials
Clerk Rose explained that Highway Commissioner Tom Gooch was installed the previous week in compliance with Illinois law that states that office must be installed within 5 days of receipt of certificate of election. Rose explained that she was installed the previous day and that the Cuba Township Assessor will not be installed until January 1, 2010.

Rose administered the oath of office to David Nelson, Supervisor, first and then gave of the oath of office to Donald Griffith, Richard Kosner, Arthur Rice and Roberta Svacha, Cuba Township trustees, collectively.

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

Also present: Priscilla Rose, Clerk; Tom Gooch, Highway Commissioner; Tim Murray, Township attorney; Tom Rowan; John Hipsky; Paul Heinze; Kathy Moran; Jim Moran; Tom Ryan; Sandra Ryan; Charlie Thalheimer.

Public comment
Charlie Thalheimer addressed the board on behalf of the Barrington Bicycle Club. He told the board that the 80 members of the club wish to adopt a road in the Township as an expression of community service and appreciation. He suggested that they would select a road within the Township and do garbage pick-up on the designated road twice yearly. Gooch said the Adopt a Road program was one of the first programs he started when he began as Highway Commissioner. He said that he would be happy to work with the club in providing collection bags, safety vests and other necessary equipment in addition to putting signage on the road indicating they have adopted it. Cuba Road was decided as the road the club would adopt.

Tim Ryan addressed the board regarding the replacement of a street lamp in his North Barrington neighborhood, Brook Forest. He indicated that the street light has been down for over 18 months as a result of a Cuba Township snow plow hitting it. He reported that it was replaced once and then knocked down again. The second time Ryan said that it was replaced in an unstable manner. He told the board that he has come to this board meeting to try to resolve this situation and have the street light back in place.

Gooch responded that he has followed the instructions given to him by the Village of North Barrington. An insurance claim was filed with the Township’s insurance company and Gooch stated that his relationship in the matter is with the Village of North Barrington and he is complying with instructions from the village. Gooch indicated that the light is on order from the manufacturer.

More discussion took place from residents Jim Moran, Sandra Ryan and Kathy Moran. Various points were made regarding the issue of street and stop signs and the installation of the light.

In response to a question from Griffith, Gooch confirmed that the light fixture was ordered approximately 30 days prior and that when it arrives it will be installed by Grove Electric. He added that any questions from residents regarding the situation should be addressed to Kathy Nelander at the Village of North Barrington.

Approval of minutes
A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Svacha to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2009 board meeting.
Discussion regarding Kosner’s intent to serve on the Senior Transportation committee on the second page of the minutes was reworded to state that Kosner will serve on the committee as an alternate as available.

The minutes approved as amended.

A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Kosner to approve the minutes of the April 9, 2009 public hearing. Motion carried.

White Memorial Cemetery managers- John Hipsky and Priscilla Rose
Rose addressed the board and said in response to letters to John Hipsky and Bill Rooney as to their intent to remain as White Memorial Cemetery managers, she has heard from Hipsky of his intent to remain on the board. She has had no reply from Rooney.

Rose continued that she and Hipsky have begun the procedures to identify grave sites that are empty and could therefore be sold. Hipsky told the board that he has contacted a man from University of Notre Dame that has 3 methods through which it can be determined if a burial has taken place in a specific grave site. With board approval the services can be performed this summer. Once identified as empty, Tim Murray, Township attorney will advise on the procedure to resell the lots. Hipsky and Rose confirmed that the approximate cost of this service- $4000- can be handled through the cemetery finances. No financial support is being requested from the Township.

A motion was made by Trustee Rice and seconded by Trustee Griffith for the White Cemetery Board of Managers to proceed with the process to identify empty grave sites at White Memorial Cemetery.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Kosner- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes.

SB 1827- IMRF Credit Transfer to Firefighter Pension
Rice questioned if this issue was a BACOG issue or an issue for the Village of Barrington.
He suggested that at a future meeting Janet Agnoletti, executive of BACOG, speak to the board regarding this issue and also on the BAGIS topic.

Griffith added that he felt this was not a Township issue. He said he felt it was an issue for the Village of Barrington.

Paul Heinze addressed the board and said he was speaking as an individual, not as a representative of the fire district. He said he felt the fire district has not been represented properly in this issue. He continued with other details of the relationship of the fire district and the Village of Barrington.

Tom Rowan added that there are many figures being used in the discussion of this topic and he’s not sure if any of the figures are accurate.

Heinze added that the main point of contention in this issue is whether 3 firefighters were employed as such by the Village of Barrington for a certain period of years. This period of time that is in question impacts the individuals’ IMRF pension and retirement date.

Rice reiterated that he did not feel this issue was the purview of the Township.

Assessor Tonigan joined the meeting at 8:25 pm

Adopt ordinance 09-02- General Town budget for fiscal 2009-2010
A motion was by Trustee Kosner and seconded by Trustee Griffith to adopt ordinance no. 09-02, General Town budget fiscal 2009-2010.
General Town Fund :                   $968,835.00
General Assistance Fund:               $23,400.00
IMRF Fund                                 $111,000.00
White Memorial Cemetery Fund    $22,600.00

Total Appropriations                 $1,125,835.00
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Kosner-yes; Rice- no; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.

Consideration and passage of:
                IMRF Resolution 09-01 allowing the purchase of up to four years of military active duty by a Cuba Township or Cuba Township Road District employee, at their sole expense

Griffith asked for clarification on the resolution confirming that there is no expense to the Township regarding this issue.

A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Svacha to adopt resolution no. 09-01 allowing the purchase of up to four years of military active duty by a Cuba Township or Cuba Township Road District employee, at their sole expense.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Kosner- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.

Review and update, if necessary, Community Room User Agreement
Kosner stated that he had requested this item be added to the agenda. He added that after review of the user agreement he is satisfied with its content.

Supervisor’s Report
Nelson told the board that he will be attending a General Assistance seminar on June 19, 2009 in Rockford, IL. He added that there is a TOI conference in Palatine on June 17, 2009. Anyone interested in attending should contact Nelson.

Nelson told the board that TOIRMA has suggested increased coverage for Cuba Township in 2 areas: Comprehensive general liability – current $5 million, increase to $10 million; public officials liability- current $3 million, increase to $5 million. Rose told the board that the recommendations came from TOIRMA based on the local demographics and claims. No decision is necessary until August. Nelson will provide more details at the June board meeting.

Griffith asked if there were other carriers. Tonigan added that TOIRMA said there were other carriers but the Townships would be in a higher risk pool with these carriers- with park districts, etc- which would increase the cost.

Gooch added that he felt TOIRMA was a good company and said they were easy to work with, especially in regards to workers’ compensation claims.

Griffith asked for more details on coverage and the proposed increases.

Kosner asked that written proposals be provided to the board in advance of any decision regarding the topic.

Nelson told the board that he has received a request from the Illinois State Treasurer’s office to hold a Cash Dash at the Township office. Representatives from the Treasurer’s office would be on hand to help individuals see if there is any unclaimed money being held by the State in their name. Kosner said he thought it would be a great public service. There is no cost to hold the one day event. The date will be determined. The consensus was to proceed with the event.

Nelson told the board that the Leave No Child Inside Program is looking for support from local governments. They would like the Township to pass a resolution in support of the effort. Nelson will provide the resolution for the June meeting.

Nelson told the board that Joyce Palmquist would like to get the senior transportation committee started. Rice said that he will participate, but no dates have been set yet for a meeting.

Relay for Life is June 7, 2009 at Barrington High School.

The next Emergency Preparedness meeting will be May 29, 2009 at 3:00 pm at the Township office.

BACOG report
Nelson reported that the last meeting had much discussion regarding the move of BACOG into the Village of Barrington building. It was decided that the BACOG office will remain in the present location. The VOB dues will drop to $30,000 for the next year. 2 representatives from each BACOG community will meet sometime in the fall to review the BACOG mission statement and review current member allocations and dues. There is a recommendation to not base the dues on population. There exists the possibility to have the Village of Inverness join BACOG. BACOG will be using $35,000 from reserves for this year’s budget.

Newsletter scheduling
The following dates were set as deadlines for newsletter article submission:

August 15 for the Fall 2009 newsletter
December 15 for the Winter 2010 newsletter

Fall Festival scheduling
The date of October 17, 2009 was set as the Fall Festival date.

Health insurance policy review
There was no comment on this topic this month

Highway Commissioner’s Report
Gooch told the board that currently full construction has begun regarding road work. He added that there is a significant amount of standing water in the area with many drainage problems. He suggested a study be conducted to review the problems. He suggested that Lake County Stormwater Management may have funds for the study.

Assessor’s report
Tonigan reported that her office has not received as many phone calls after tax bills were mailed as anticipated. She thanked everyone for their condolences on the death of her mother.

Approval of bills
A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee Kosner to approve the bills in the amount of $250,357.26, check nos. 22202 – 22364.
Roll call: Griffith-yes; Kosner- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.

New business
Murray told the board that he attended a Township Attorney’s conference on May 1, 2009 in Bloomington, IL. There was much discussion regarding the IMRF situation. Also discussed was the compliance problem with FOIA requests. Requirements on contract bidding were reviewed.

Kosner suggested that the Township’s mission statement be reviewed. He asked that this be a June agenda item. He also requested a standing procedure that anytime there is a proposal for funds over $1000 that a proposal be received in advance.

Nelson asked if the July board meeting date be rescheduled. This will be reviewed at the June 11, 2009 board meeting.

Old Business
There was no old business

Adjournment
A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee Kosner to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 pm. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Priscilla H. Rose
Clerk

Updated: 06/15/2009 URL: http://www.cubatownship.com/minutes/minutes051409.html