Barrington Area Council of Governments

Minutes of May 22, 2007
Barrington Area Council of Governments Executive Board
at the Village Offices of Barrington Hills.

Members present were G. Dawson, Barrington Township; S. Gifford, Deer Park; D. Nelson, Cuba Township; F. Munao, South Barrington; and K. Leitner, Tower Lakes. Members absent: Barrington, Lake Barrington, and North Barrington. Staff present were: J. Agnoletti and L. Peterson. Others present: R. Schlossberg, B. Battle, and J. Abbate.

The Board meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gifford at 7:14 P.M.

Minutes

Abboud moved and Nelson seconded to approve the Minutes of the April 24, 2007 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

Motion to approve the May 22, 2007 Treasurer’s Report was approved by roll call vote following a motion by Nelson and second by Abboud.

CUSD 220: Board President Brian Battle stated the school board wants to renew efforts for communications with the villages and townships to keep them apprised of the school district. He noted BHS Principal Tom Leonard is the new superintendent and reported on the following: school board membership and officers, past and future referenda, achievements, boundaries and Enrollment Monitoring Committee work, and legislation. Discussion was held on the lack of communication with local governments and residents. Battle talked about the property tax revenue system impacts on school district budget. Battle reiterated the board’s desire to work with local government officials. Gifford concluded by inviting the school board to work with BACOG members.

AT&T Project Lightspeed

Agnoletti was informed AT&T is approaching BACOG communities again and recalled the board’s previous discussion about working with AT&T collectively. AT&T previously informed Agnoletti they plan to build in the BACOG area soon. Agnoletti invited attorney Ruth Alderman Schlossberg of Zukowski, Rogers, Flood and McArdle to explain the firm’s recent work. The firm has been negotiating with AT&T on behalf of several municipalities in the McHenry County area, and she noted the terms of the agreement versus the amended HB1500 currently before the state legislature. The agreement should be available in the next month and could be used by municipalities wishing to proceed with AT&T before the legislation is concluded. Schlossberg offered her firm’s availability for counsel if any member is negotiating with AT&T. Abboud commended Schlossberg’s and ZRFM’s work.

Proposed Schedule of BACOG Executive Board Meetings 2007-08

The proposed schedule was distributed with the packet. Motion to accept the proposed FY07-08 BACOG Meeting Schedule made by Nelson and seconded by Dawson. Motion passed unanimously.

Report of the Nominations Committee

Nominations Committee member Gifford reported that Dawson was nominated for Chairperson and Richardson for Vice Chairperson of BACOG for FY 07-08. Motion to accept the nominations and elect Dawson as Chairperson and Richardson as Vice Chairperon for FY 07-08 made by Abboud and seconded by Leitner. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Revised Policy on Assessments for BACOG Members

The proposed revised Policy on Assessments was distributed prior to the board meeting. Motion to adopt the revised Policy on Assessments made by Nelson and seconded by Abboud. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

Report of the Finance Committee

Annual Audit – Letter of Engagement: Recommendation by the Finance Committee of Randall Gross & Co. to conduct the audit for year ending June 30, 2007. Peterson reported Randall Gross & Co has been conducting the audit for many years and that their fees for services are lower than other firms. Last year the Village of Barrington examined including BACOG with their audit to reduce costs but the fees were still substantially higher. Motion to direct the Executive Director to enter into a contract with Randall Gross & Co. to conduct the audit for the year ending June 30, 2007, made by Dawson and seconded by Abboud. Motion passed unanimously after roll call vote.

Introduction of Budget FY 2007-08: Agnoletti distributed a memo outlining the options for the GIS Analyst position and reviewed the recommendation of the Finance Committee to submit the proposed budget with an option to hire the GIS Analyst on a full time basis under Plan/Option B of the memo. Agnoletti noted the new option was developed to respond to financial concerns of two members. Discussion was held on the proposed options to hire the GIS Analyst. Motion to incorporate Plan B in the proposed FY07-08 budget made by Abboud and seconded by Leitner. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.

Motion to accept the proposed budget and refer to respective member boards made by Leitner and seconded by Dawson. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Peterson distributed the proposed budget with assessment schedule. Members were asked to review the budget with their respective boards and take whatever action is deemed appropriate; budget adoption is scheduled for the June BACOG Board meeting. A copy will be emailed to members and administrators.

Agnoletti reviewed her memo (distributed with packet) outlining the recommendations of the committee. The committee recommended: a budget for FY07-08 of $18,000; continue to work with the firm of Ruekert-Mielke for next year’s BAGIS program; add a renewal provision to the existing contract that can be exercised as of July 1, 2007; and to change the effective date of the renewed contract to begin July 1^st 2007 in order to re-align the BAGIS program to the BACOG fiscal year. Agnoletti explained the committee agreed to an additional payment for value added to the project, with $1,800 from this fiscal year and $2,000 to next year’s contract. The committee unanimously endorsed the concept of a full-time GIS position in the BACOG office. Motion to authorize the Executive Director to negotiate the terms of a renewal agreement for the BAGIS program in FY2007-08, and to enter into such agreement on or after July 1^st, 2007, contingent upon approval of the BACOG 2007-08 budget, for an amount not to exceed $14,000 for BAGIS and IMS services and training made by Leitner and seconded by Nelson. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Presidents’ and Supervisors’ Reports

Cuba Township: No report

Tower Lakes: No report

Deer Park: Gifford reported a mixed used development of two buildings by the Century Theaters was reviewed. He noted the new retail that is coming to the Deer Park Town Center. The preview of the renovated barn on Vehe Farm was well attended. The first board meeting there is set for June. The barn can be rented for events and he reviewed the upcoming events and uses of the barn.

Barrington Hills: Abboud distributed and reported on a press release regarding the village’s implementation of the CTY-Connect rapid calling system.

South Barrington: Munao reported construction has begun on the Arboretum retail center. People are beginning to move into the Woods.

Barrington Township: No report.

Director's Report/Committee Reports

Agnoletti distributed a written report and asked members if it would be useful to them with their boards. Members indicated in the positive; Agnoletti noted she will continue to distribute a written report in the future and asked members to distribute the report to their boards on an on-going basis. She gave the following highlights:

Legislative Report: Agnoletti distributed the report that outlines legislation BACOG is tracking and highlights activity.

Lobby Day: Three village presidents traveled to Springfield with Agnoletti on May 2^nd.

Legislation: Agnoletti reviewed status of legislation and legislative activity, noting BACOG will be listed on an IML document as opposing SB1296 Civil Procedure.

BAGIS and IMS Memo dated May 9, 2007: The memo was distributed several weeks ago in response to concerns with the proposed budget. She suggested members share the report with their respective boards.

Groundwater Study: Two students will be doing work for the study this summer. A graduate student is determining the water budget of the shallow groundwater system for his graduate thesis, and a student from Turkey will research public policy for groundwater protection.

GIS Committee: Submit comments and feedback regarding the IMS to Agnoletti.

Flint Creek Partnership: The BACOG GIS Analyst is assisting with the open space inventory and the Analyst may do the inventory for the entire BACOG area if the full-time position is approved.

Barrington Hills Conservation Trust: Agnoletti is still waiting for comprehensive plans from a few members to share with BHCT.

Gifford thanked Agnoletti and Pokorny for giving a presentation on BAGIS and the groundwater project at his board meeting. He noted his village board expressed understanding the importance of both programs. Agnoletti offered giving the presentation at any members’ meeting.

Adjournment of Executive Board Meeting

There was no Executive Session. The Executive Board meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. after a motion by Leitner and second by Nelson. Motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted by: