Minutes of January 24, 2006
Barrington Area Council of Governments Executive Board
at the Village Offices of Barrington.
Members present were K. Darch, Barrington; R. G. Abboud, Barrington Hills; S. Gifford, Deer Park; J. VonderHaar, Lake Barrington; D. Nelson, Cuba Township; G. Dawson, Barrington Township; F. Munao, South Barrington; L. Kuskowski, Tower Lakes; and B. Sauer, North Barrington. Staff present were: J. Agnoletti and L. Peterson. Others present: C. Kosner, R. Wareye, P. Rose, T. Mikosz, C. Madding and S. Maravel.
The Board meeting was called to order by Chairperson Munao at 7:40 P.M.
Minutes
Gifford moved and Nelson seconded the motion to approve the Minutes of the November 22, 2005 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer's Report
The board came to the consensus to approve the December and January Treasurer's Reports in one motion and vote. Abboud moved and Gifford seconded the motion to ratify the December Treasurer's Report and to approve the January 24, 2006 Treasurer's Report. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
Public Comment/Community Reports
No comments or reports.
New Generations
Priscilla Rose, President of New Generations adult board and Theresa Mikosz, Executive Director, gave a presentation on New Generations, an organization that provides safe social activities and service opportunities. They reviewed the history, structure, past and future activities and service projects. Rose and Mikosz announced the opening of a new teen center located at 121 S. Hough St, Barrington and highlighted the amenities offered to area teens. Nelson commended the adult and teen boards for their efforts in getting the teen center and mentioned there is a need for funding for future operation of the center. Board members asked the teen board members in attendance about the center and organization. Agnoletti noted New Generation gives back to the community and recently had a bake sale to raise money for the Community Drug Prevention Coalition parent survey project. Various BACOG members offered the use of their respective facilities for future activities.
Ancillary Benefit Plan Summary
Kosner recounted past efforts to examine umbrella health coverage for BACOG members and opportunities for ancillary lines. She reported that she and Wareye were only able to meet with five of nine member entities regarding the ancillary lines. They found that though there was strong interest at the board level, there was not significant staff level interest to change or add to current coverage. Wareye stated some villages could experience a significant decrease in costs and a rise in benefits if providers were switched. He advised that BACOG standardize the benefits offerings between member governments in order to make the group more attractive to insurance providers. Agnoletti reported only one member submitted information to the Village of Barrington regarding the IPBC insurance policy and only one to the township benefits consultant recommended by Dawson that were looking into the self-funded insurance pool.
BACOG 2006 Legislative Platform
Agnoletti stated the 2006 Legislative Platform being provided in the packet and offered for adoption is slightly revised from the platform recommended at the November 2006 meeting. Abboud moved and Dawson seconded the motion to adopt the BACOG 2006 Legislative Platform. Motion passed with Munao abstaining from the vote due to his board having approved the original version. Abboud spoke about and discussion was held on the need for flexibility for the most effective use of the platform and in cases where Agnoletti or another lobbyist working on behalf of BACOG needs to work within a restricted time restraint to take action on behalf of BACOG. Munao stated consideration should be given towards whether certain legislation will cause harm to a member village in those cases.
BACOG Office Lease
Agnoletti distributed a memo regarding the lease in the packet. She reported BACOG has been renting office space at below market rates from BAHS, that the proposed new space is within market rates, and is a good fit for BACOG needs. A motion authorizing the Executive Director to negotiate and enter into a lease contract for offices at 118 Applebee Street in Barrington, for a lease period of up to three years, and at an approximate cost of $1,350 plus utilities was made by Sauer and seconded by Gifford. Discussion was held and suggestions made regarding ADA compliance at the new location. Agnoletti will have the attorney review the issue.
Presidents' and Supervisors' Reports
Barrington: Darch reported the village is excited about the new teen center and thanked David Nelson for his work with New Generations and the teen center. A clothing store and a wine shop has opened at Cook Street Plaza. Francesca's Restaurant is opening in March. CVS is opening soon. An Events Committee and Communication Committee were formed. The village is having a branding campaign, "Barrington - A Great Place to Live, Work & Play". She will be participating in the NWMC Emergency Operation Plan Subcommittee with Chief Arie and she noted there is an opportunity for BACOG to work with Barrington on this topic.
Barrington Hills: Abboud reported the village is working on a Surface and Groundwater Conservation District in response to the Governor's executive order on groundwater research. He reported on the Duda property cases and the Stables of Barrington development. The Communication Committee will be generating a newsletter. The village is also working on branding to promote the values and lifestyle in Barrington Hills and BACOG area. The village is investigating an automated camera-mounted radar and ticketing system. Sauer suggested it might be of interest to other BACOG members. Abboud will have the Barrington Hills Police Chief prepare an information packet for BACOG.
North Barrington: Sauer stated the village is examining road and bridge infrastructure. Baxter and Woodman is creating a long-term plan. An enforcement officer position is being created to make sure ordinances are being followed. Plans for Wynstone have been changed to include a residential/commercial mix which includes both multi and single family housing units.
Barrington Township: Dawson commended BACOG staff for their work with the CDPC. He spoke about the I-Safe internet safety seminar being conducted by the Barrington Inverness Police Dept. with help from the Barrington Junior Women's Club. He said the new Rotary Club and other participating clubs did an outstanding job providing food for 25 families during the holiday season.
South Barrington: Munao stated he attended NIMs sessions which is part of a requirement that is due in 2006. The village is experiencing a staff crunch and asked that if any members have staff they can lend to South Barrington to contact village hall.
Tower Lakes: Kuskowski reported the village approved a contribution in the amount of $250 to the CDPC.
Cuba Township: Nelson distributed and reviewed information regarding the Have a Heart Food Drive that is being held on February 11th. Donations are being accepted at Fire Station #1 located at the Barrington Public Safety Building and Fire Station #3 on Pepper Road in Lake Barrington. He attended the Disaster Preparedness meeting sponsored by the Healthier Barrington Project. Highway Commissioner Gooch is working with Lake Barrington to save the last one- room schoolhouse in Lake County that is located at Miller, Kelsey and River Roads. $75,000 is being raised through donations to move it to the Cuba Township office site.
Lake Barrington: Trustee VonderHaar reported Baxter & Woodman is working on a 7-year infrastructure plan. She asked if anyone had experience with MFT paperwork. Abboud and Sauer offered village staff assistance. The village is working with state and local agencies regarding Wagner Fen. Comcast is investigating a better way of broadcasting village meetings. The village is considering web-casting the meetings. Abboud noted Barrington Hills is making the same consideration. Barrington Hills and Lake Barrington are trying to get residents to sign up for emailed newsletters to reduce printing and delivery costs. Abboud suggested the two villages get together to discuss possible cost sharing. VonderHaar stated Lake Barrington is working with North Barrington to share economies of scale and is working with Cuba Township Highway Commissioner Gooch regarding roadwork. She said Lake Barrington is looking for opportunities to share costs with other municipalities. Abboud noted Barrington Hills is overhauling its facilities and to contact the village manager if another member is interested in cost sharing furniture and equipment.
Deer Park: Gifford reported the Vehe Farm renovation is ongoing. The proposed Red Seal development for 62 townhomes and 10 single family homes is with the Plan Commission. Land has been cleared at the Praedium site. He offered 76,000 cubic sq. yds. of free dirt available from that site.
Director's Report
Agnoletti reported the following:
- The February 28, 2006 BACOG Executive Board meeting is being held in Lake Barrington.
- BACOG staff will not be proceeding with investigation of health insurance opportunities due to lack of interest to proceed.
- The Community Drug Prevention Coalition (CDPC) is issuing a survey to area parents on their perceptions of teen drug and alcohol use. The Institute for Health Systems Research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine - Rockford is conducting the survey. She reported on funding needs and contribution commitments. Peterson mentioned Forrest Press donated printing services. Agnoletti stated Barrington Youth and Family Services is the group's fiscal agent. Since BACOG is the facilitator for the CDPC, she will be entering into a letter of understanding with UIC for the research consulting services on behalf of the coalition. The next coalition meeting is on February 9, 2006 from 3-5 pm at the Barrington Public Safety Building.
- Legislation
o Governor's Executive Order for Groundwater Research and Planning: She stated BACOG's position as being supportive of the initiative, wanting to be involved in the planning and wanting funding for research in this area. Other COGs and municipalities confirmed they were not involved in the development of the executive order. Agnoletti contacted several area county officials and state legislators regarding BACOG's position.
o Legislative Platform - Disconnection: Barrington Hills developed the language for SB2912, a bill that requires disconnection of a whole property to prevent piecemealing, that was submitted through BACOG to Senator Althoff.
- Land Use: Agnoletti is monitoring the Flint Creek and Poplar Creek Watershed groups. She would like to speak to Gifford about the Lower Des Plaines Watershed group. Abboud suggested BACOG form a Water or Environmental Committee.
- Planning Group: Lake County planning staff and the Village Manager and Planner for Lake Zurich gave a presentation on the Rt. 12 Corridor Planning Council. They may be requested to attend another meeting. The planning group is considering going through a similar process of examining aesthetics and to also include commercial development types and uses.
Committee Reports
Legislative Committee: Several committee members are driving to Springfield on January 31st to attend the Local Government Caucus meeting and to meet with legislators and contract lobbyists. She invited other board members to join the trip.
GIS Committee: Beginner training for BACOG member staff is set for February 15 & 16. Advanced training will be scheduled for March.
Water Resources Committee: The GIS technician is developing maps for the report.
Adjournment of Executive Board Meeting
The Executive Board meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. after a motion by Nelson and second by Kuskowski. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by:
Loretta Peterson |
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