The village of Mokena Board of Trustees met Dec. 12 to cancel work sessions.
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 #023 December 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.
Mayor Fleischer requested a moment of silence for all police officers that have lost their lives in the line of duty.
ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Clerk Patt called the roll and the following Trustees were present:
Jim Richmond John Mazzorana George Metanias Joseph Siwinski Debbie Engler Joseph E. Budzyn
Also present were: Village Clerk Patricia Patt; Village Administrator John Tomasoski; Finance Director Barb Damron; Village Engineer Paul Pearson; Public Works Director Lou Tiberi; Police Chief Steve Vaccaro; Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner; Community/Economic Development Director Alan Zordan and Village Attorney Steve White.
DISCOVER MOKENA
Ron Angle presented information on his company, Angle Drone Solutions. His company provides drone photography and 3D mapping servies to the real estate and agricultural markets.
Trustee Metanias questioned the distance capability of drones.
Mr. Angle responded that drones can fly 400 feet high. Legally, he is required to keep drones within line of sight.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Clerk Patt presented the Community Calendar.
CONSENT AGENDA
Village Administrator John Tomasoski presented (5) items on the Consent Agenda for Board approval. These items are strictly administrative in nature.
a. Motion to cancel the regularly scheduled Mokena Village Board work session of Monday, December 19, 2016 and the regularly scheduled Village Board meeting of December 27, 2016. b. Motion to approve a resolution 2016-R-010 honoring Mr. Ed Paesel’s years of service with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association. c. Motion to accept the recommendations of the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committees, thereby approving the development plans as depicted on the attached exhibits for the property located at 19175 S. LaGrange Road. d. Motion to approve minutes from the November 21, 2016 Work Session. e. Motion to approve minutes from the November 28, 2016 Board Meeting.
Trustee Mazzorana made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 5 (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) as depicted in the December 8, 2016 request for Board Action prepared by the Village Administrator. Trustee Siwinski seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0)
Absent: (0) Motion carried
Trustee Mazzorana commented that he was glad to see Wendy’s remodel on the consent agenda. With the new construction that will be starting across the street, this will tie in and spruce up that area.
FINANCE REPORT
Finance Director Barb Damron presented the accounts payable list for December totaling $1,001,236.21. She highlighted the following invoices to be paid.
• $178,200.00 – Gaskill & Walton Construction – Centrifuge Filter
• $152,270.12 – John Deere Shared Services – Wheel Loader
Trustee Engler made a motion to approve the monthly accounts payable in the amount of $1,001,236.21. Trustee Metanias seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0) Absent: (0) Motion carried
PRESENTATIONS/APPOINTMENTS/PROCLAMATIONS
Chief Vaccaro presented newly appointed Commander Randal Stumpf to the Board and audience and provided information on his employment history, duties and leadership training.
Commander Stumpf thanked the Board for appointing him as Commander.
PRE-SCHEDULED PROPOSALS/PRESENTATIONS AND VISITORS
N/A
OLD BUSINESS
2016 Property Tax Levy Finance Director Barb Damron presented the 2016 Tax Levy. She stated that because the recommended increase is below 5% for the 2016 Levy, a public hearing is not required.
She explained the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) for non-home rule taxing districts. PTELL does not “cap” individual property assessments but it is designed to limit the increase in property tax extensions (total taxes billed) for non- home rule taxing districts. It also slows the growth of property tax revenues to taxing districts when property values are increasing faster than the rate of inflation. The annual tax increase under PTELL is limited to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, the CPI for this year is.7%.
Based on the Village Board’s direction to levy for new growth only, staff is recommending an increase in the aggregate or operating (corporate, special purposes, and pension) levy of $45,326 or an overall increase of 2.44% over the 2015 levy
The total estimated levy for 2016 would be $1,899,793. The estimated total EAV is $753,354,787.
Based on this levy amount and EAV, the tax rate would be approximately.2522/$100 of EAV which is below the 2015 rate of.2597/$100.
The 2016 tax if estimated to yield an additional $45,326 in revenue of which $41,125 is needed to cover the increase in pension and retirement obligations.
Finance Director Damron compared Mokena’s municipal tax rate to other Will County community rates. She stated that some communities do provide property tax rebates that range from 25% to 75% (on the municipal portion). The process used for the rebate also varies depending on non-home rule or home rule status. However, the property owner does have to pay the full rate prior to the rebate.
She explained that if a non-home rule community is rebating property taxes, they must provide rebates to all taxpayers. Home-rule communities have the option to only rebate to property owners that meet certain qualifications based on a completed application.
When comparing the Village’s total tax rate and tax bill (which includes all of the taxing districts) to other Will County municipalities, the Village is in the lower 33%. When compared to the average of these communities, Mokena is below the average. Comparing a $300,000 Mokena home with a comparable home in neighboring New Lenox, the taxes on the Mokena home are still lower even with the rebate on the New Lenox home. On the total tax bill, the Village only receives $260.00.
The Village only receives approximately 4% of the overall tax bill. The majority or 63% of the tax bill goes to the various school districts. The remaining 33% is divided amongst the other taxing districts including the library, park, Will County, Frankfort Township, forest preserve and fire district.
Trustee Siwinski inquired about the actual percentage of the tax bill for the other taxing districts.
Finance Director Damron provided the information.
On a home with a market value of $300,000 in 2015, the estimated cost to the property owner would be approximately $.07+/- or basically tax neutral.
Finance Director Damron summarized the 2016 tax levy.
• Tax neutral for local property owners
• Provides additional revenue for pensions and retirement obligations
• Overall EAV in the Village will increase by approximately $39.3 million
• Follows conservative fiscal philosophy of past Village Boards and the current Village Board.
Finance Director Damron explained the ordinances and resolution being voted on.
Trustee Engler made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2016-O-034, for the levying and collection of taxes for the Village of Mokena, Will County, Illinois for the 2016 taxing year and authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute the same. Trustee Metanias seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0) Absent: (0) Motion carried
Trustee Engler made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2016-R-011 regarding directions to the Will County Clerk for possible tax cap levy reductions for the Village of Mokena, Will County , Illinois and authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute the same. Trustee Metanias seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0) Absent: (0) Motion carried
Trustee Mazzorana made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2016-R-035 abating the tax hereto levied for the year 2016 to pay the principal of the interest on $3,160,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2009, of the Village of Mokena, Will County, Illinois and authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute the same. Trustee Siwinski seconded.
Trustee Mazzorana explained that in order to receive a good bond rate, the Board had to pledge general funds. As the income comes in, the tax is abated.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0)
Absent: (0) Motion carried
Trustee Engler made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2016-O-036 abating the tax hereto levied for the year 2016 to pay the principal of and interest on $6,890,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2012A of the Village of Mokena, Will County, Illinois and authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute the same. Trustee Metanias seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0) Absent: (0) Motion carried
Local Government Travel Expense Control Act Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner presented an ordinance in response to Public Act 099-0604 (known as the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act) that was enacted into law by the State this past July and goes into effect January 1, 2017.
The Board reviewed a draft ordinance at its November 14, 2016 work session.
P.A. 099-0604 places two new obligations on non-home rule units of local government, as follows:
1) To adopt by ordinance or resolution a local policy on travel expense reimbursement, and
2) To approve by roll call vote of the corporate authorities any expenses that exceed the maximum allowable reimbursement established by the local policy and for travel expenses of elected officials.
P.A. 099-0604 additionally prohibits any unit of local government from reimbursing any entertainment expense.
Mr. Zoellner stated that Mokena already budgets and manages travel expenses professionally. This ordinance will merely formalize the process. The Board already approves travel expenses every month by roll call vote.
Trustee Engler made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2016-O-037, an ordinance amending Title One of the Municipal Code of the Village of Mokena, Illinois and authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute same. Trustee Metanias seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0) Absent: (0) Motion carried
PUBLIC HEARINGS
N/A
NEW BUSINESS
N/A
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Village resident Julie Oost requested the Board consider adopting a residential rental property ordinance. She spoke about her personal experiences of living next door to a rental property. Ms. Oost has conducted research and discussed preferred aspects from rental property ordinances from other villages.
Mayor Fleischer asked if Ms. Oost would provide the names of the communities with a rental property ordinance to Administrator Tomasoski or Chief Vaccaro.
Administrator Tomasoski commented that a non-home rule community, such as Mokena, may not be able to pass an ordinance of this nature, but he would look into the matter and report back to the Board.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
Administrator Tomasoski requested Community/Economic Development Director Alan Zordan to update the Board on upcoming meetings, development and business activities. Mr. Zordan provided an update on pending development projects, announced new businesses and highlighted businesses to shop for holiday gifts.
Administrator Tomasoski congratulated Steve Brandy former DJ with WJOL for his new position with the Will County Health Department. He also wished the Board and residents a happy and safe holiday season.
TRUSTEE’S COMMENTS
Trustee Siwinski wished everyone a Happy Holiday and encouraged them to view the lights at the New Lenox Village Hall.
Trustee Budzyn wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Trustee Mazzorana wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He commented on letters of praise received from Mokena residents for the public works and police departments. He also mentioned that Mokena had a good year. He noted the new businesses, the increased housing starts and near completion of the EAB program.
Trustee Metanias wished everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He encouraged residents to shop Mokena.
Trustee Engler complimented public works crews for a job well done. She recently attended MIS’ DARE graduation. She also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Trustee Richmond wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and to please think of those less fortunate.
Trustee Mazzorana asked Trustee Richmond if he had information on the VFW’s star program.
Clerk Patt explained how the program worked.
CLERK’S COMMENTS
Clerk Patt wished everyone a Happy and Healthy holiday season.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Fleischer wished everyone a Happy New Year and encouraged people to utilize the safe ride program.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Siwinski made a motion to adjourn the Regular Session at 7:59 p.m. Trustee Mazzorana seconded.
AYES: (6) Richmond, Mazzorana, Metanias, Siwinski, Engler, Budzyn NAYS: (0) Absent: (0) Motion carried
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________ Frank A. Fleischer, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________ Patricia Patt, Village Clerk
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