Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Board of Trustees Council of the Whole met Jan. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Call to Order

The Council of the Whole Meeting of the New Lenox Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7: 01p.m. by Mayor Baldermann in the Council Chambers of the New Lenox Village Hall.

Roll Call

Upon Roll Call by the Clerk, the following members of the corporate authorities answered “Here” or “Present”:

Trustees Bowden, Smith, Butterfield, Finnegan and Mayor Baldermann

Absent – Trustees Madsen and Johnson

Quorum 

There being a sufficient number of members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.

Other Officials in Attendance

Also in attendance were Village Administrator Kurt Carroll, Village Clerk Laura Ruhl, Community Development Director/Assistant Administrator Robin Ellis, Village Engineer Will Nash, Building and Zoning Administrator Warren Rendleman, Public Works Director Brian Williams, Deputy Chief April DiSandro and Village Attorney Chris Spesia

Discussion Items

Mayor Baldermann requested that Item C (Gun Ranges and Gun Shops) be discussed first on the agenda because there were people in the audience that would like to speak.

Discussion of Gun Shops and Gun Ranges

Ms. Ellis stated that the in the past the Village has received inquiries from respective gun businesses. A few years ago the Village Code was amended for the storage and security of guns but the Zoning Ordinance from a permitted or Special Use standpoint gun shops or gun ranges are no specifically listed. We did receive an inquiry from somebody who is looking to in short term have gun sales and in the long term have a gun range. Ms. Ellis noted that she had contacted a couple of neighboring towns who had recently opened gun shop/ranges which are Special Uses.

The Village Board discussed and agreed they would like to see any gun ranges in Industrial Districts to be made of concrete construction. Staff will also look into amending the Village Code to allow a Special Use for gun sales in Commercial and Industrial Districts and a Special Use for a gun range in an Industrial District.

Discussion of Laraway Communication Center 

Mayor Baldermann and the Village Board discussed the proposed Laraway Communication Center which will become the Village’s future dispatch center. Recently the State passed a law mandating the consolidation of dispatch centers. Our current Lincoln Way Dispatch Center will be combined with EASTCOM dispatch center along with Romeoville and Will County. The new center would be housed in the new Public Safety building which is being built by Will County on Laraway Road, and would service all of the Police Departments, Fire Departments and Fire Districts currently served by the above-mentioned dispatch centers. The Mayor wanted to take time at a COW meeting to better inform and/or address any of the Boards concerns on this issue, before he sought the Village Boards approval. Ordinances approving the Intergovernmental Agreement and agreement will be brought to the next Village Board meeting.

Discussion of Requirements to Install Seed or Sod for New Residential Lots 

The Village received a complaint regarding a neighbor that has not yet installed see or sod after living in the home for a year. After researching the Village Code there is no clear requirement to seed or sod new residential lots. The Planning Department did some research of the surrounding town’s requirements. Based on the discussion Staff will put together a first read ordinance requiring residents to install seed/sod within six months of moving into a new construction home. She will also put together a fine structure for the Boards review.

Comments of Questions from the Floor

Mr. Walter asked if someone can open a gun range without selling firearms.

Board members said yes and went on to discuss gun ranges in other towns.

Adjournment

Motion to Adjourn the Meeting made by Trustee Bowden and seconded by Trustee Smith. Upon voice vote, the motion carried. The Council of the Whole Meeting of the Village of New Lenox Board of Trustees held on January 16, 2017 was adjourned at 7:49p.m.