CUBA TOWNSHIP REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
28000 W. Cuba Road
Supervisor Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Trustee Svacha led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call: David Nelson, Supervisor; Don Griffith, Trustee; Art Rice, Trustee; Roberta Svacha, Trustee.
Also present: Priscilla Rose, Clerk; Rebecca Tonigan, Assessor; Tom Gooch, Highway Commissioner; Tim Murray, Township attorney;
Public Comment
There was no public comment
Approval of minutes
Adoption of levies
Gooch responded that he would like to see the levies passed at this meeting so that he could begin work on his budget. More discussion took place regarding the ramifications of a decreased levy and the budgeting process. Gooch added that he felt a reduction in the levy was in order and was a good message to send to the taxpayers. Gooch concluded that a reduction in the levy results in reductions on property tax bills, but this is separate from a reduction in the budget.
A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee
Svacha to pass the General Town levy in the amount of $878,777.00.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee Rice to
pass the General Town IMRF levy in the amount of $50,000.00
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried
The General Town levy ordinance 09-O-04 total amount is $928,777.00
A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee
Griffith to pass the Road and Bridge levy in the amount of $263,633.00.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Rice and seconded by Trustee Griffith
to pass the Road and Bridge IMRF levy in the amount of $87,700.00
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.
The Road and Bridge levy ordinance 09-O-05 total amount is $351,333.00.
Adopt and pass gravel tax resolution 09-R-03
Gooch told the board that he is reducing the gravel tax rate from .135 to
.13 which will result in a decrease to tax payers. It is not possible to
determine the exact dollar amount at this time as the Township EAV is not yet
determined and this number is required to complete the extension.
Griffith asked about the estimate requested at the October board meeting regarding flooding issues in the Flynn Creek Drive neighbor. He asked where the money to address that problem and similar problems in the Township would come from.
Gooch replied that he has an estimate from GeWalt Hamilton and was able to negotiate a very good figure because of the large amount of work he gives the firm. Gooch felt that if the Township does chose to help with the problem that the funding should come from General Town. Griffith and Rose felt that the result of the special October meeting was that the Township would help the property owners with information, not finances.
A motion was made by Trustee Rice and seconded by Trustee Griffith
to adopt the Gravel Tax Resolution 09-R-03.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.
Adopt and pass Highway Commissioner salary resolution 09-R-04
A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Svacha to
adopt resolution 09-R-4 Highway Commissioner salary resolution.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried.
Assessor’s report
Tonigan told the board the hearings are going well. She will have the final EAV
figure in December. She invited the board into the office at some time during
the receipt of blue cards, hearings and at tax bill time to observe the process.
She added that tax bills may be mailed late this May because of the volume of
hearings at Lake County. She continued that she has been able to settle many
cases without going to hearing. The Garlands’ hearing will be in the next
week. Tonigan excused herself from the meeting at 8:00 pm.
Highway Commissioner’s report
Gooch told the board that paving is finished for the season. He will be
receiving a grant from IDOT of $335,000 to repave the portion of Cuba Road in
front of the office. He will repave the Township parking lot in the spring. 8000
feet of storm drain was installed this season including 200 manholes. From
another grant, he received funding to install a generator at the farmhouse. In
the spring, Old Barrington Road will be paved. He continued that salt prices
have decreased this winter. With the recent acquisition of a portion of Lake
Zurich Road, the Cuba Township Road District has 170 miles of road.
Census proclamation
A revised copy of the proclamation was distributed. A motion was made by
Trustee Rice and seconded by Trustee Griffith to approve the census proclamation
as presented.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- yes; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes.
Supervisor’s Report
Nelson confirmed to the board that there will be a special township meeting
on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 9:00am. The purpose of the meeting is to meet
candidates for the trustee vacancy.
Nelson added that work with the No Child Left Insideinitiative continues and they are looking for a project to partner with Cuba Township.
The TRAC committee has met recently with the STB’s new chairman. Barrington and Aurora are the only 2 remaining communities that have not agreed on a mitigation settlement with CN. The STB has told CN that more money is needed for settlement. Nelson felt that CN is trying very hard to reach a settlement with Barrington.
Open Meetings Act changes- Tim Murray
Murray addressed the board and distributed literature regarding the changes
to the law which are effective January 1, 2010. He encouraged all to read the
literature. He highlighted two changes in the law: 1. The creation of a public
access counselor who will serve in the office of the Illinois Attorney General.
This person will handle any challenges to the law. 2. The creation of a FOIA
officer in each office. Rose offered to serve in that capacity with Tonigan as a
possible alternate in her absence. Murray told the board that the Township could
be held liable for any violations of the new law. Other aspects and nuances of
the new law were reviewed and discussed. Murray told the board that part of the
law contains changes to the reasons a public body can enter into executive
session.
BACOG report
Nelson reminded the board of the BACOG dinner on Saturday, November 14,
2009. He continued that the foreclosure bill has passed and is now in Governor
Quinn’s office. He told the board that the BACOG’s legislative platform is
being finalized.
Health insurance review
Nelson told the board that he and Trustee Griffith will be meeting with an
individual who represents self-insured health insurance plans. He will report to
the board after this meeting.
Fall Festival update
Nelson thanked everyone for their work on the Fall Festival. The board felt
that it is an important event and should be held next year.
Newsletter update
Rose reminded the board that the next newsletter deadline is December 15,
2009. She will be getting a quote from another printer for printing the
newsletter.
Have a Heart Food Drive update
Nelson told the board that several board members and office staff will not
be in town for the February 13, 2010 food drive. He has approached Barrington
Township about changing the date to February 6, 2010. Gene Dawson, Supervisor of
Barrington Township, has expressed a desire to use the original date.
Approval of bills
A motion was made by Trustee Svacha and seconded by Trustee Rice to approve
the bills in the amount of $364,090.65, check nos. 23236 through 23420.
Roll call: Griffith- yes; Rice- no; Svacha- yes; Nelson- yes. Motion carried
New business
Rice asked about the GeWalt Hamilton quote for the residents of Flynn Creek
Drive. Nelson will forward the quote to John Goodwin who lives on the road.
Griffith and Rice reconfirmed that they did not feel that the Township should be
funding the project as the problem is on private property.
Old Business
Griffith told the board that the PACE bus program will continue as it
currently exists through 2010. Barrington Township is in agreement with this
situation. Research will continue regarding other possible means of senior
transportation. This information will be included in the next newsletter.
It was decided to include information on the Township’s levy reduction in the next newsletter.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Trustee Griffith and seconded by Trustee Svacha to
adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Priscilla H. Rose
Clerk