Will County Gazette

The village of Mokena Board of Trustees met Sept. 12 to approve 3rd Annual Our Fallen Hero 5K Run/Walk.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

"The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees is located at 11004 Carpenter St, Mokena, IL 60448."

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR SESSION

11004 Carpenter Street, Mokena, Illinois 60448

Session #017 September 12, 2016

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Frank Fleischer called the Regular Session of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Frank Fleischer, the Board of Trustees and members of the audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

Clerk Patt called the roll and the following Trustees were present:

Jim Richmond Joseph E. Budzyn John Mazzorana George Metanias Debbie Engler

Absent: Joe Siwinski

Also present were: Village Clerk Patricia Patt; Village Administrator John Tomasoski; Finance Director Barb Damron; Village Engineer Paul Pearson; Community/Economic Development Director Alan Zordan; Assistant Public Works Director Mark Detloff; Police Chief Steve Vaccaro; Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner and Village Attorney Steve White

DISCOVER MOKENA

Amanda Toppen presented information on Our Fallen Hero 5k Run/Walk in memory of PFC Aaron Toppen.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Clerk Patt presented the Community Calendar.

CONSENT AGENDA

Village Administrator John Tomasoski presented (8) items on the Consent Agenda for Board approval. These items are strictly administrative in nature.

a. Motion to grant approval to conduct the 3rd Annual Our Fallen Hero 5K Run/Walk in memory of PFC Aaron Toppen Saturday, September 24, 2016, and to authorize the use of Municipal/Village resources for event coordination. b. Motion to permit Trick or Treating within the Village of Mokena between 3pm and

7pm on Monday, October 31, 2016. c. Motion to grant approval to Boy Scout Troop #40 to conduct door-to-door ticket sales for its 26th annual spaghetti dinner throughout the Village of Mokena from September 12 through October 29, 2016. d. Motion to grant approval to the Mokena Lions Club to conduct their annual Candy

Days fundraising event at local businesses within the Village of Mokena. e. Motion to adopt Resolution Number 2016-R-005, a resolution pertaining to the Will County Emergency Telephone System Board 9-1-1 Surcharge Reallocation Grant Program, and to authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute the same. f. Motion to approve the development plans for Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen as depicted on the attached exhibits for the property located at 19814 LaGrange Road. g. Motion to approve minutes from the August 15, 2016 Work Session. h. Motion to approve minutes from the August 22, 2016 Board Meetings.

Trustee Mazzorana made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 5 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) as depicted in the September 8, 2016 request for Board Action prepared by the Village Administrator. Trustee Metanias seconded.

AYES: (5) Richmond, Mazzorana, Budzyn, Engler, Metanias NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Siwinski Motion carried

Mayor Fleischer apologized for not announcing earlier that Trustee Siwinski is not feeling well and will not be attending tonight’s meeting.

FINANCE REPORT

Finance Director Barb Damron presented the accounts payable list for September totaling $1,871,745.83. She highlighted the following invoices to be paid.

• $ 73,710.00 – Gaskill & Walton Construction – Centrifuge Filter Installation –

22%

• $268,000.00 – GEA ME US Inc. – Centrifuge Filter – 80%

• $563,659.54 – PT Ferro Construction – FY 17 Street Maintenance Program –

79%

• $149,653.90 – Rush Truck Centers of IL – 2017 International Plow Truck

Trustee Engler made a motion to approve the monthly accounts payable in the amount of $1,871,745.83. Trustee Richmond seconded.

AYES: (5) Richmond, Mazzorana, Budzyn, Engler, Metanias NAYS: (0) Absent: (1) Siwinski Motion carried

PRESENTATIONS/APPOINTMENTS/PROCLAMATIONS

Clerk Patt read a proclamation for the Mokena Community Library commemorating their 50th anniversary.

Dr. Theodorou thanked the Village Board for their support.

Mayor Fleischer expressed his appreciation for the library and thanked the Board and staff for their work on behalf of Mokena.

Mayor Fleischer and library employee Luke Surdel discussed technology services/options available for patrons at the library.

Mayor Fleischer presented a proclamation for Constitution Week for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

PRE-SCHEDULED PROPOSALS/PRESENTATIONS AND VISITORS

Jim Hogan, Commander of Mokena’s William Martin VFW Post 725, presented the Post’s plans to refurbish the 1942 3” Anti-Tank Gun currently located on Pioneer cemetery grounds.

Joe Werner, representing the Veteran’s Garage, provided historical information and technical details for removal and refurbishment of the cannon.

NEW BUSINESS

Refurbishment of Historical Military Hardware at Pioneer Cemetery Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner presented a request from Mokena’s William Martin VFW Post 725 to remove, refurbish, and re-install on concrete slab in its current location the 1942 3” Anti-Tank Gun presently located in Pioneer Memorial Cemetery.

The VFW is seeking to temporarily remove and refurbish a 1942 3” Anti-Tank Gun (commonly referred to as a cannon) located on the cemetery grounds. Once restored, the VFW plans to move the cannon back to cemetery grounds, but not before first installing a concrete slab in the location where the cannon has historically been situated. (The purpose of the concrete slab is to establish an impervious surface upon which the cannon can rest without being subjected to forces of weathering which might otherwise accelerate its deterioration.)

William Martin VFW Post 725 has historically been a very strong supporter of Pioneer Cemetery and efforts to preserve and maintain it. The cemetery contains the remains of some of Mokena’s earliest settlers and founding fathers, among them Charles Denny, one of only four Revolutionary War veterans buried in Will County. Every Memorial Day, the Post formally honors at Pioneer Cemetery all those Mokena soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, making the cemetery an annual focal point and center of media attention. In staff’s opinion, recent efforts to upgrade the condition of the cemetery—which also draws notice by way of its prominent location in the center of the community along Wolf Road—cannot help but be boosted by the VFW’s refurbishment of the cannon.

Because the VFW’s proposed plans to remove, refurbish, and replace the cannon currently located in Pioneer Cemetery appear to present no threat to possible future designation of the cemetery as a county landmark, and because the VFW’s efforts will contribute positively towards the goal of preserving and maintaining the historical and modern-day significance of the cemetery, Village staff is recommending the Board authorize approval of the Post’s plans.

Trustee Mazzorana made a motion to authorize William Martin VFW Post 725 to remove, refurbish and re-install on concrete slab in its current location the 1942 3” Anti- Tank Gun presently located in Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. Trustee Metanias seconded.

AYES: (5) Richmond, Mazzorana, Budzyn, Engler, Metanias NAYS: (0) Absent: (1) Siwinski Motion carried

Mayor Fleischer requested Doug Heathcock introduce the members of the Historical Society present at the meeting.

Mayor Fleischer requested Dr. Theodorou introduce representatives from the Library.

Jim Hogan introduced representatives of the VFW.

Trustee Mazzorana thanked staff for taking care of the maintenance of the cemetery. He also thanked Carmen Smallwood, Phyllis Karpola and Char Hoffman for initiating the maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

N/A

OLD BUSINESS

Right of Way Use Agreement – Crown Castle Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner presented a public way use agreement with Crown Castle NG Central, LLC allowing the owner, operator, and maintainer of infrastructure that allows cell phones to operate and to install fiber optic cable in portions of Mokena’s public right-of-way.

Crown Castle is primarily seeking to install the fiber optic cable to accommodate potential development of “small cell” sites in the area. One such small cell site that will directly benefit from Crown Castle’s proposed installation will be a Verizon Wireless site near the Hickory Creek Metra station. The Village Board approved a lease arrangement with Verizon for that site earlier this year.

The vast majority of Crown Castle’s fiber is proposed to be installed on existing ComEd poles (Crown Castle has an existing private agreement with ComEd allowing it to attach its infrastructure to ComEd poles). A much smaller portion of fiber is proposed to be buried underground between LaGrange Road and the Hickory Creek commuter parking lot.

Benefits to the Village of a public way use agreement with Crown Castle would include enhanced telecommunication capabilities for Mokena residents and facility (i.e., Hickory Creek Metra station) users, along with new revenue in the form of a 5% fee on gross revenues generated by Crown Castle’s leasing access to its fiber to other private companies.

The Village Board reviewed Crown Castle’s fiber installation plan and proposal at its August 22 work session, along with a proposed right-of-way use agreement between the Village and Crown Castle. At that time, the Board was generally agreeable to allowing Crown Castle to install fiber in Mokena’s right-of-way and supported moving forward with a formal agreement to solidify the arrangement.

Village staff is recommending the Board authorize the Village to enter into a formal right- of-way use agreement with Crown Castle this evening.

Trustee Engler made a motion to enter into a public way use agreement with Crown Castle NG Central, LLC, a Delaware limited company, and to authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute same. Trustee Metanias seconded.

AYES: (5) Richmond, Mazzorana, Budzyn, Engler, Metanias NAYS: (0) Absent: (1) Siwinski Motion carried

NEW BUSINESS Wolf Road Lift Station Controls Assistant Public Works Director Mark Detloff presented waiving the bidding requirement for the purchase of equipment and controls for Mokena’s Wolf Road lift station due to equipment standardization constraints and subsequently authorize their direct purchase from Metropolitan Pump Company for the total amount of $42,686.

The current equipment and controls that operate the Wolf Road lift station were installed in the late 1990s and have exhausted their useful life. Village staff is recommending this evening that new replacement control technology be purchased that will allow the lift station to operate at variable speeds which the current controls cannot support.

Purchasing controls and equipment directly from Metropolitan Pump Company will standardize equipment at the Wolf Road station, aligning it with other higher volume lift stations the Village operates. Because Metropolitan installed the original equipment at Wolf Road, all of their new components will work together with the remaining equipment that operates the station. This will consequently eliminate the need to retrofit or modify existing equipment. Purchasing equipment and controls from Metropolitan will additionally shorten delivery and installation schedules, allowing Village staff to complete project work within a much shorter window of time.

The $42,686 cost to purchase the required equipment and controls directly from Metropolitan is less than the budgeted amount of $50,000.

Trustee Engler made a motion to waive the bidding requirement pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/8- 9-1, due to manufacturer availability and the need to supply standardized equipment for the equipment and controls for the Wolf Road Lift Station and directly purchase them from Metropolitan Pump Company for the amount of $42,686.00 and to authorize the Public Works Director to execute the necessary contract documents. Trustee Metanias seconded.

AYES: (5) Richmond, Mazzorana, Budzyn, Engler, Metanias NAYS: (0) Absent: (1) Siwinski Motion carried

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mokena resident Jim Schlegel encouraged the Board and staff to participate in the 5K run/walk. He spoke about serving in Viet Nam and being a soldier. He also discussed public comments at Village meetings. He additionally spoke about civic engagement.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS

Administrator Tomasoski requested Community/Economic Development Director Alan Zordan to update the Board on development and business activities. Mr. Zordan provided an update on pending development projects, announced new businesses and highlighted businesses offering fall landscaping.

Administrator Tomasoski stated the street maintnenance program will be finishing up soon. There will be some inconvenience for motorists when concrete patching begins on Wolf Road and the road in front of Mindy’s. He requested patience and consideration as residents and motorists make their way through Mokena.

TRUSTEE’S COMMENTS

Trustee Budzyn encouraged everyone to participate and attend the Aaron Toppen 5K run and Boy Scout Troop 40 spaghetti dinner. He congratulated the library on their 50th anniversary. He would like to see additional recognition of Pioneer Cemetery in the future. He clarified his position with regard to Gas N Wash. He is opposed to using Village funds for a traffic signal and he is not in favor of a signal at this time.

Mayor Fleischer stated the Board is in agreement with Trustee Budzyn’s comments regarding Gas N Wash.

Trustee Mazzorana encouraged everyone to attend the Boy Scout spaghetti dinner. He commented on Ace Hardware and how well they appear to be doing. He also congratulated the library and commented on the range of programs they offer.

Trustee Metanias thanked former Mayor Joe Werner for all of his volunteer activities. He offered his condolences to the McCutcheon family on the loss of their father. He commented on the Food, Wine and Brew Fest. He congratulated all the Burros teams for a great season.

Trustee Engler offered her condolences to the McCutcheon family and commented on the Food, Wine and Brew Fest.

Trustee Richmond concurred with Trustee Budzyn with regard to a traffic signal for Gas N Wash. He commented on the Maker Faire and stated they are already working on next year’s event.

CLERK’S COMMENTS

Clerk Patt provided information regarding voter registration, voting options and the election packet for candidates for the April 4, 2017 election.

Jim Schlegel spoke about registering to vote on election day. Discussion ensured regarding requirements for voter registration.

Trustee Budzyn clarified that you also must be a U.S. citizen.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Fleischer offered his condolences to the McCutcheon family. He commented on the Food, Wine and Brew Fest. He spoke about the number of events in the Lincolnway area. He thanked Trustee Richmond for all of his work on the Maker Faire.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Mazzorana made a motion to adjourn the Regular Session at 8:15 p.m. Trustee Budzyn seconded.

AYES: (5) Richmond, Mazzorana, Budzyn, Engler, Metanias NAYS: (0) Absent: (1) Siwinski Motion carried

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________ Frank A. Fleischer, Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________ Patricia Patt, Village Clerk