Barrington Area Council of Governments

Members present were K. Darch, Barrington; R. Abboud, Barrington Hills; D. Nelson, Cuba Township; S. Gifford, Deer Park; D. Raclaw, Lake Barrington; F. Munao, South Barrington; and K. Leitner, Tower Lakes. Members absent: Barrington Township and North Barrington. Staff present were: J. Agnoletti and L. Peterson. Others present: B. Reiner, T. Leonard, J. Arnett, B. Battle, and J. Abbate.

The Board meeting was called to order by Scott Gifford at 7:17 P.M.

Minutes

Minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting were distributed with the packet. Nelson moved and Abboud seconded to approve the Minutes of the January 22, 2008 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

The February 2008 Treasurer’s Report was distributed with the packet. Motion to approve the February 2008 Treasurer’s Report passed unanimously by roll call vote after a motion made by Abboud and second by Nelson.

Public Comments/Community Reports

· Beth Reiner - Resident of Barrington: Information provided Ms. Reiner regarding greenhouse gas emissions inventories, grant information and sample plans to reduce said gases were distributed with the packet as a follow up to her January presentation to the board. She distributed more information, briefed the board on the inventory process and noted the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) provides assistance in conducting the inventory. She made suggestions for funding and implementing an emissions inventory and a process to develop a plan to reduce emissions.

· CUSD 220: Superintendent Tom Leonard presented district highlights and introduced the district’s new Director of Communications, Jeff Arnett. Battle distributed a new “Collection of Housing Data” used for the demographic study and instructed board members to replace this document with the one that was distributed at last month’s meeting. He indicated the board is focusing on Map G for the attendance boundary changes and explained why it is being considered. Discussion was held on alternative ways to address school boundary issues. Battle distributed and reviewed a draft document on Impact Fees. He indicated the district’s desire to address impact fees more formally and that the district will develop the reports required by ordinance. Peterson will contact Dr. Leonard regarding the district’s request for documentation from two BACOG villages.

Heritage Corridor Program

Nancy Schumm-Burgess, Executive Director, announced the name of the conservation trust organization was changed to Barrington Area Conservation Trust (formerly known as the Barrington Hills Conservation Trust). She distributed information and explained a new program that will help preserve the rustic roads in the Barrington area by putting conservation easements along roadways to prevent the roads from being widened. She noted current area programs that are in place with the same objective. BACT is working with the Village of Barrington Hills to include rural roads in their comprehensive plan. Brinker Road is the test road for the program. Residents have been contacted and are supportive. Discussion was held on road ownership and application of the program to different ownership situations.

Information was distributed with the packet. Cuba Township Supervisor David Nelson mentioned Norval Stephens initiated the effort to create a Martin Luther King Jr. day of service. Cuba Township is conducting a day of service with high school students next year. He asked board members to consider a day of service and noted it would be up to each entity to decide what activity to do. Munao expressed his preference for this to be considered by each government instead of BACOG.

Integrated Management Plan for Fox River Watershed – Resolution

The proposed resolution was distributed with the packet. Agnoletti reviewed that Karen Ann Miller, President of the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP), and Jeff Mengler, member of FREP, gave presentations to the board at two different meetings. She read the change in resolution language to address BACOG concerns regarding conservation design, an ideal that FREP supports. She noted BACOG submitted its C2000 grants through FREP which evaluates how the proposal helps accomplish the plan. Motion to adopt Resolution 08-01: Resolution Endorsing the Integrated Management Plan for the Fox River Watershed in Illinois was made by Abboud and seconded by Nelson passed all ayes with South Barrington abstaining from the vote.

Ratification of 2008 BACOG Legislative Platform

Munao noted South Barrington approved the platform at its January meeting. Agnoletti reported the Legislative Committee met this evening and recommends changing the platform to align with rail coalition’s position to oppose the proposed acquisition of the EJ&E and to support complete mitigation if the purchase is approved. She distributed the proposed amended platform and read the new language. Motion to ratify the 2008 BACOG Legislative Platform as amended was made by Nelson and seconded by Abboud. Munao noted that he is basing his vote on his board’s adoption of a resolution opposing the rail purchase and approval of the platform. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Legislative Platform Issues

1. Resolution Urging the General Assembly to Stop Making Costly Benefit Improvements and Adopt Reforms that Protect Police and Fire Pensions: The document based on a model resolution developed by the IML was distributed with the packet. Agnoletti stated the IML developed an initiative to address burgeoning costs in public safety pensions. The initiative would not take benefits away but would address what is becoming a fiscal crisis to maintain proper funding levels and not increase benefits. She gave background on the issue and encouraged board members to review the resolution with their boards and said that adoption of the resolution could be considered by the BACOG board at a future meeting. Abboud noted Barrington Hills already passed a similar resolution. It was noted that resolutions adopted by councils of governments provide additional support towards legislation and that IML is seeking resolutions from both.
2. Report on Disconnection Initiative: Abboud reported for the Legislative Committee that BACOG and Barrington Hills are working to push forward this legislation. Sen. Althoff is sponsoring SB 2578, which is modified from last year’s bill. Agnoletti stated the Legislative Committee will be contacting other COGs and municipalities for additional support.

Impact Fees Staff Recommendation

Agnoletti said the recommendation is based on last month’s board discussion. Each village will be asked to consider making revisions to their impact fee ordinance to correct language regarding CPI adjustments to land values and to exempt senior housing from school impact fees to reduce risk to villages and school districts. Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle, the law firm that worked with the Impact Fee Committee to develop the BACOG Impact Fee Model Ordinance in 2002, will draft the changes for a cost not to exceed $1,000. After discussion, clarification was made that the CPI adjustments will be made to the original land appraisal values. Motion made by Munao and second by Leitner to allow Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle to draft the impact fee ordinance update at a cost not to exceed $1,000. The motion passed all ayes by roll call vote with Abboud abstaining.

Health Departments Update

Darch highlighted emergency response management efforts in regard to pharmaceutical distribution sites.

Director’s and Committee Reports

The draft report was distributed. Agnoletti mentioned the final report will be emailed by the end of the week and reported on the following:

• Affordable Housing Nominations: The Metropolitan Planning Council asked Agnoletti for nominations to the Affordable Housing Appeals Board following the January “What’s Your Development Plan” workshop given by MPC. Joe DiPino-North Barrington, Karen Daulton Lange-Lake Barrington; and Dan Spiess-Tower Lakes, were nominated by BACOG. Agnoletti noted the importance of having representation on the appeals board.
• EJ&E Acquisition – STB EIS Statement: Two copies of BACOG’s submission was mailed to each BACOG member
• Lobby Day: Is scheduled for March 5^th & 6^th in Springfield. All officials are invited.
• Legislative Activities
• Events
• February 23^rd Legislative Breakfast co-sponsored with LCML - good attendance from BACOG officials
• January 2008 Metropolitan Planning Council “What’s Your Development Plan” Workshop

· C2000 Grant - will be submitted February 29^th

· Letters of Support for ISGS - for vertical markers and continuation of geologic mapping

· Energy Grants - grant contact information contained in report

· Quintessential Barrington Magazine Article: The magazine is running an article on BACOG and will be taking a picture of the board at the March 18^th meeting.

Presidents’ and Supervisors’ Reports

Barrington Hills: Abboud reported the village is examining concerns regarding super-sized barns. The village is continuing its work on the Duda property issue and is setting up long term strategy for its road program. Discussion was held on the editorial board meetings regarding the proposed EJ&E purchase.

Tower Lakes, Deer Park, Cuba Township, Lake Barrington: No report

Barrington: Darch reported on efforts by the rail coalition.

Adjournment of Executive Board Meeting

The Executive Board meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m. after a motion by Nelson and second by Leitner. Motion passed unanimously.

Loretta Peterson
Secretary