Board of Trustees Regular Meeting 1225 Cedar Lane Northbrook, IL 60062 www.northbrook.il.us ~ Minutes ~ Debbie Ford (847) 272-5050 x 4221 Tuesday, January 11, 2011 7:30 PM Board Room 1. ROLL CALL Attendee Name Title Status Arrived James Karagianis Trustee Present A.C. Buehler Trustee Present Michael Scolaro Trustee Present Todd Heller Trustee Present Kathryn Ciesla Trustee Present Kati Spaniak Trustee Present Sandra Frum Village President Present 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Frum asked for a moment of silence in memory of U.S. District Judge John Roll and Christina Taylor Greene, and the others killed in addition to the 13 others recently injured in Arizona. She highlighted a special hope for the complete recovery of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. 3. MINUTES APPROVAL A. Motion To: Review and Approval of the Regular Board Meeting Minutes from December 14, 2010. APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Todd Heller, Trustee 4. HEAR FROM AUDIENCE President Frum invited comments from members of the audience regarding any matter not on the agenda for this meeting. Mr. Bruce Paul, 1707 Maple Avenue, came forward to discuss the proposed installation of speed bumps on Church Street between Shermer and Walters. He was opposed to the installation of the speed bumps. He understood the concerns of the public but felt that the speeding problem was a problem throughout the Village. Trustee Heller mentioned that this topic would be discussed at a future Public Works Committee meeting. President Frum clarified that there had been no discussion about this Board of Trustees Page 1 Printed 3/27/2011
topic as yet and no decision had been made. There were no further comments from the audience. 5. MANAGER S REPORT Manager Nahrstadt announced that the new Village website was up and running. Assistant Manager Kiraly stated that the new website was live as of January 10. The web address was the same: www.northbrook.il.us <http://www.northbrook.il.us>. He indicated that a staff committee headed up by Management Analyst Kendal Dean and Communications Manager Cheryl Fayne-dePersio, along with special assistance from IT Manager Rich Kramer, worked exceptionally hard to get this site up and running. Also, the early input from the Communications and Legislation Committee allowed for very helpful direction for staff as they moved forward with this project. Mr. Kiraly also thanked the residents and others from the community who provided feedback and assistance through their participation on several focus groups. Management Analyst Dean walked through several areas on the website. Some key areas were that the website was compatible with all smart phones, that there was an e-notification icon to allow users to receive updates, and she noted the section for the most recent minutes and events. Beginning in February, the website would be promoted in the Village Newsletter. President Frum thanked the Staff, Board Members and citizens who worked on the project. 6. WARRANT LIST Review and Approval of Payments to be Made Per Listing Dated December 1 - December 31, 2010 Michael Scolaro, Trustee Review of Frontage Deposit Refund List Dated December 22, 2010 Michael Scolaro, Trustee 7. PRESIDENT S REPORT President Frum reported that there were ninety-four (94) water main breaks in 2010, twentyfive in December alone. In comparison, only seventy (70) occurred in 2009. There was 19.5 of snow in December 2010 as compared to 6.5 in December 2009. She reported that there were openings on the Senior Services Commission and Youth Services Commission. In addition, the Community Relations Commission was considering a community forum and one topic of discussion under consideration was civil discourse. She stated the Village Manager would speak with them on topics and ideas. Board of Trustees Page 2 Printed 3/27/2011
8. CONSENT AGENDA Todd Heller, Trustee A. ORDINANCE NO. 2011-1 An Ordinance Granting a Special Permit for Operation of an Automotive Repair Shop with Outdoor Storage of Automobiles in the I-1 Restricted Industrial District (Auto Cars Imports, Ltd. - 1801 Holste Road) B. ORDINANCE NO. 2011-2 An Ordinance to Increase Number of Class B Liquor Licenses, and Reduce the Number of Class B-1 Liquor Licenses COMMITTEE REPORTS 9. PLANNING/ZONING A. ORDINANCE NO. 2011-3 An Ordinance Granting Special Permits for More Than One Principal Structure on a Single Zoning Lot and a Drive through Facility Accessory to a Depository Institution, Site Plan Approval and a Loading Space Variation (Willow North - 2370 Waukegan Road) (Plan Commission Docket No. 10-16) Trustee Karagianis reported that the Planning & Zoning Committee had met with the developers earlier in the evening and discussed the area to be developed in the future. Originally, the intent was to develop this parcel of land all at once. This was not possible at this time and the developer requested to move forward with the bank. The developers needed a special permit for the bank drive through. He stated that there was a unanimous recommendation to move the request forward with several changes. Attorney Elrod noted the two changes: the Committee had received correspondence from the applicant indicating a voluntary commitment to provide the Village with an annual donation of $10,000.00. The ordinance reflected the concept but the dollar amount was not listed. The dollar amount would be added to section 8-D-III. The Committee accepted this donation only in the event that there was a nonretail tax generating use as proposed for the building in Phase 1. The Committee also accepted a proposal for a covenant on the proposed area. The covenant would be added to Section 8-D- IV and would be documented as follows: a covenant reflecting the applicant s assurance that not more than Board of Trustees Page 3 Printed 3/27/2011
ten percent (10%) but in no event more than twenty percent (20%) of the space in the remaining phases of the development shall be used for non-retail tax generating purposes. Trustee Karagianis motioned, seconded by Trustee Heller, to approve the ordinance with the changes. On roll call, voting Aye were: Karagianis, Buehler, Scolaro, Heller, Ciesla, Spaniak and President Frum (7). Nay: None. The motion carried. Todd Heller, Trustee B. ORDINANCE NO. 2011-4 An Ordinance Granting a Special Permit Authorizing a Wall Sign in Excess of the District Height Limit of 20 Feet in the C-5 Commercial Boulevard and Techny Overlay Districts (840 Willow Road Verizon Wireless) Trustee Karagianis reported that the Plan Commission was a split vote for this item due to the absence of one member. The Architectural Control Commission reviewed the sign and made a reduction to the letter size. Trustee Karagianis asked for any comments regarding the sign. There no comments. Trustee Karagianis motioned, seconded by Trustee Buehler, to approve the ordinance as stated. On roll call, voting Aye were: Karagianis, Buehler, Scolaro, Heller, Ciesla, Spaniak and President Frum (7). Nay: None. The motion carried. A.C. Buehler, Trustee C. PCD-10-15: 400 Skokie Boulevard - TD Ameritrade: Staff Report and Board Review of Plan Commission and Architectural Control Commission Recommendations Trustee Karagianis reported that the Plan Commission recommended approval of PCD 10-15:400 Skokie Boulevard - TD Ameritrade. Planner Mitchell provided the Trustees with an update. When originally discussed, the Board commented that the structure was too close to existing building. The Architectural Control Commission reviewed the application and found that the site and building design were appropriate. The Commission requested that the applicant return for final material sample approval. The Plan Commission was concerned that the building was too close to the existing building and to Henrici Drive and requested that the applicant move the building further north and west. The applicant ultimately rotated the building 90 degrees with a glass façade fronting Skokie Boulevard. They did move some of the wall signs due to the changes and would maintain the landscaping plan. The Board of Trustees Page 4 Printed 3/27/2011
applicant now requested a 7.8% parking variation which would result in a reduction of 28 parking spaces from the Applicant s originally submitted plan. The Plan Commission recommended approval of the proposed application. Trustee Karagianis asked for comments from the Trustees. Trustee Scolaro and Karagianis commented that the structure was not very attractive. Trustee Karagianis, seconded by Trustee Heller, to direct Staff to prepare the documents. On voice vote, the motion carried. NO VOTE D. RESOLUTION NO. 2011-1 A Resolution Authorizing an Application to and an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) for a Planning Assistance Funding Grant Assistant Director Schoon provided an update on the resolution. Trustee Karagianis stated that he was excited to make this recommendation and it was a lot of planning for not a lot of money, was timely, and could be a considered approach to the redevelopment of the downtown area. Trustee Scolaro commented that the Village should accept the funds but asked what the RTA s incentive for providing the funds might be. Trustee Spaniak agreed with Trustee Scolaro s comments and stated that Northbrook residents would agree that the downtown area was a problem. She disagreed with the previous expenditure for additional directional signage for the Metra parking lot. She was opposed to these expenses because she did not believe that there was a clearly articulated plan. She stated that the Village was throwing money on an ongoing problem. What she would like to do would be to look at creative ideas and discussion that would be a benefit to the community. She proposed that the funds be put on a private/public partnership and maybe the Village could offer financial incentive to potential businesses that could go in the vacant spaces. She was not in favor of the resolution. Trustee Ciesla commented that she would not have a problem committing the funds but asked what Plan B would be in the event that nothing happened. She said that no one wanted to throw away the funds but that maybe as a government, the Village could tell Metra to keep the funds and not raise their fares. She thought this would be another plan that would sit on the shelf. She would be voting against the resolution. Trustee Buehler commented that the in the past few years, the Village has asked Metra to work with them to improve the downtown area. This grant would give the Village a unique opportunity to work with Metra on what Northbrook would like surrounding the Metra tracks and he would vote in favor of the resolution. President Frum agreed with everyone that the Village had a plan but the plan tended to be the Board of Trustees Page 5 Printed 3/27/2011
same old plan. There has been no development even though there was a plan. She noted that one question she asked the downtown building owners was if there was a fault with the plan. Some agreed it was economic and whether or there were the economics for building what the community would like to see. She said it did make sense to do this and was in favor of the resolution. Trustee Heller commented that in reviewing the provided memorandum, Metra s interest was to increase the usage of the transit facilities such as the Metra station. This was not a plan to redevelop the downtown area. The funds would be for the RTA to increase usage of the transit facilities. As a sideline, there would be a benefit by bringing more people to Northbrook and thought it would be worth it to spend the funds although there were no guarantees. He asked if the Village was committed to the full amount of $25,000.00. Manager Nahrstadt stated that the contract could be terminated if there were concerns through the process and would be brought back to the Board for a decision. ADOPTED [5 TO 2] A.C. Buehler, Trustee Karagianis, Buehler, Scolaro, Heller, Frum NAYS: Kathryn Ciesla, Kati Spaniak 10. PUBLIC SAFETY No Report 11. ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE No Report 12. PUBLIC WORKS Trustee Heller, chair of the Public Works Committee, stated that there would be a Committee meeting to discuss Church Street and the speed tables on February 1 st at 7:00 p.m. 13. COMMUNICATIONS AND LEGISLATION Ciesla, chair of the Communications & Legislation Committee, stated that there would be a meeting to discuss Front Yard Gardens for February 8 th at 6:30 p.m. Trustee Ciesla commented that she looked at the website and thought it was great. A. Review and Approval of the Communications & Legislation Committee Meeting Minutes from November 9, 2010. 14. QUALITY OF LIFE No Report Board of Trustees Page 6 Printed 3/27/2011
15. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER Trustee Buehler introduced Cole, a local Boy Scout, from Troup 164 who attended this evenings meeting to receive his badge. 16. EXECUTIVE SESSION Trustee Heller moved, seconded by Trustee Scolaro, that the meeting be adjourned to an Executive Session to discuss potential litigation, personnel and collective bargaining. On roll call, voting Aye were: Karagianis, Buehler, Scolaro, Heller, Ciesla, Spaniak and President Frum (7). Nay: None (0). The motion carried. 17. ADJOURN Board of Trustees Page 7 Printed 3/27/2011