Barrington Area Council of Governments

Minutes of September 25, 2007
Barrington Area Council of Governments Executive Board Meeting
at the Village Offices of Barrington.

Members present were K. Darch, Barrington; R. Abboud, Barrington Hills; G. Dawson, Barrington Township; D. Nelson, Cuba Township; S. Gifford, Deer Park; K. Richardson, Lake Barrington; B. Sauer, N. Barrington; and F. Munao, South Barrington.  Member absent:  Tower Lakes.  Staff present were: J. Agnoletti and L. Peterson.  Others present:  B. Battle, L. Jernigan, J. Trotter, J. Peterson, J. Schaefer, and J. Abbate.

The Board meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dawson at 7:07 P.M.  

Minutes

Minutes of the September 25, 2007 meeting were distributed with the packet.  Gifford moved and Darch seconded to approve the Minutes of the September 25, 2007 meeting.  Peterson noted “Dawson” should replace “Gifford” in the sentence “The Board meeting was called to order…”  Gifford amended the motion for the correction.  Amended motion passed unanimously.  Munao entered the meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

The September 2007 Treasurer’s Report was distributed with the packet.  Motion to approve the September 25, 2007 Treasurer’s Report was unanimously approved by roll call vote following a motion by Gifford and second by Sauer.

Public Comment/Community Reports

CUSD 220:  Board President Brian Battle reported all of the elementary and middle schools met the No Child Left Behind requirements.  The high school did not meet all of the criteria for math and reading.  The high school plan which includes adding programs for targeted students was presented and can be viewed on the high school station.  The district is looking at attendance boundaries to reduce class sizes at Sunny Hill.  Battle distributed and gave highlights on Barrington High School’s high ranking in the Chicago Magazine article regarding area high schools.  Dawson noted there was an article in the Daily Herald that conflicts with some of the information given in the magazine article.

BADC:  Jim Peterson noted the Barrington Area Development Council’s desire to work with BACOG in the future.  He gave highlights about the organization that helped form BACOG over 35 years ago.  Jack Schaefer invited BACOG members to participate in and identify new leadership talents to attend the BADC Leadership Academy on November 10^th.  He gave details on the event and encouraged representation by all communities.

Halloween Hours

Draft press release was distributed with the packet.  Agnoletti stated that though one community has a different schedule the press release was being considered as is for consistency.  Nelson moved and Abboud seconded to accept the hours in the press release.  Motion passed unanimously.

Legislative Committee Report

Abboud reported on the committee meeting held prior to the board meeting.  After discussion with the Illinois Municipal League, the resolution that was presented at the last board meeting was split into two separate resolutions addressing 1) disconnection, and 2) the planning authority for the 1-1/2 mile jurisdictional boundary.  He reviewed strategy and noted all BACOG villages are at risk under existing law.  The IML indicated support for the resolution.

Report on EJ&E Railroad Sale News Item

Darch stated a Crain Business article (included in packet) indicated the EJ&E is being sold to Canadian National.  There is a concern for increased freight traffic along the rail line.  She contacted a Canadian National rep who said municipalities along the line will be notified if they purchase EJ&E.  As of this date, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) had not received a filing.  BACOG staff is monitoring the STB site for a filing.  She spoke about the standards for grade separation and CMAP’s concern for the sale’s potential impact on the Star Line.  Richardson entered the meeting.  Discussion was held on the possibility of increased freight and passenger rail traffic from the sale and the Star Line and the possible impacts for the area.

Presentation:  Affordable Housing & Employer-Assisted Housing

Richardson, a board member of the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), noted the organization brings civic and business leaders together to address public policies and to advocate on key regional issues for the metropolitan Chicago region.  He gave highlights on the organization and its history.  Lillian Jernigan of MPC gave a PowerPoint presentation on employer assisted housing (EAH).  She showed national trends and presented a chart on local housing and rental prices and wages needed to meet affordability thresholds.  Discussion was held on the source and figures presented in the chart of local housing costs and the applicability of this program.  Options and examples for an EAH program were presented.   Joanna Trotter of MPC explained how inter-jurisdicational cooperation could be used to provide EAH within a 15 mile region of an employer.  Agnoletti noted how EAH may be a tool to meet Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act (AHPAA) requirements and this was a reason for the presentation.  She noted the statutory amendment to the AHPAA for a regional aspect resulted from an initiative by

BACOG, NWMC and IML in 2005.  Richardson differentiated the Employer Assisted Housing, which is voluntary, from the AHPAA, which is state mandated.  He noted that the EAH can be a regional solution to alleviate traffic and bring people closer to work.

Director’s and Committee Reports

Agnoletti distributed her report and highlighted the following:

• BACOG Social Dinner – November 3rd:  Agnoletti thanked Darch for her assistance in planning the event.  After discussion, the board came to a consensus to list $45 per person on the invitation.  Certain members asked to be invoiced for their attendees.  The board confirmed that invitations will be limited to CEOs, administrators, board of trustees, clerks and spouses.
• BAGIS Update – the ftp site is expanded and fully updated.  Data can be downloaded.
• Legislative Issues
• Legislative Breakfast:  Scheduled for November 30^th.  All BACOG officials will be invited.  Invitations are forthcoming.
• Water Resources Initiative – Counties and CMAP are conducting meetings.
• Staff Networking – Administrators’ roundtable was held on September 10^th.
• Programs/Workshops:  BACOG officials will receive invitations to the following programs.
• University of Illinois Extension Service “Legislative Update” teleconference is on October 25^th at 3:30 pm.
• What’s Your Development Plan?  BACOG is hosting this interactive program presented by the Metropolitan Planning Council on January 29, 2008.

• Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle:  Agnoletti extended a special thank you to ZRFM in Crystal Lake for their continuing professional assistance to BACOG.  She noted the services they have donated to the COG.
• Next Executive Board meeting is on October 23^rd at the Village of Deer Park Vehe Farm.  Plan Commissioners, trustees and officials are invited to join the board for “Bring an Official Night”.  A presentation and discussion will be given by Randall Blankenhorn, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), on the regional comprehensive plan for metropolitan area.

Presidents’ and Supervisors’ Reports

Cuba Township:  Nelson announced the Township is hosting its Fall Festival on October 6^th from noon- 4pm at the Grove property next to Township Hall.

Barrington Hills:  Abboud reported the shed behind village hall and the road work and drainage programs were completed.  He noted there was a large discrepancy between the bids for the work versus initial estimates.

Barrington:  Darch indicated the Barrington High School Homecoming game is this Friday.  She invited BACOG members to also inform her of their legislative issues for consideration by Northwest Municipal Conference.  (She is the Chairperson of their Legislative Committee.) 

North Barrington:  Sauer reported the village is investigating ecological upgrades for Flint Creek by establishing an environmental easement to manage and care for the creek from where it enters to where it exits the village.  The village does not plan to take or convey property.  Sauer asked members for information regarding environmental protection ordinances.

Lake Barrington:  Richardson indicated the Northpointe Fieldhouse was approved and will break ground soon.  The village has contacted CUSD 220 regarding property near there.  The village bought a farm property to preserve as open space.   

Deer Park:  Gifford announced Crate and Barrel, the Apple Store and a prototype AT&T store opened.  He invited members to the village’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration being held this coming Saturday from 1 – 5 pm at Vehe Farm.

South Barrington:  No report.

Barrington Township:  Dawson gave details regarding the February 9, 2008 Have a Heart Food Drive that is co-sponsored with Cuba Township.  He asked members to place the information in their respective newsletters.

Adjournment

The Executive Board meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m. after a motion by Abboud and second by Nelson.  Motion passed unanimously.