Will County Republican Caucus Committee met Aug. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Majority Whip Mike Fricilone called the meeting to order at 8:58 AM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status |
| Charles E. Maher | Majority Leader | Absent |
| Mike Fricilone | Majority Whip | Present |
| Jim Moustis | County Board Speaker | Present |
| Steve Balich | Member | Present |
| Darren Bennefield | Member | Present |
| Gloria Dollinger | Member | Late |
| Gretchen Fritz | Member | Absent |
| Donald Gould | Member | Present |
| Suzanne Hart | Member | Present |
| Tim Kraulidis | Member | Absent |
| Debbie Militello | Member | Present |
| Judy Ogalla | Member | Absent |
| Annette Parker | Member | Present |
| Cory Singer | Member | Absent |
| Ray Tuminello | Member | Late |
| Tom Weigel | Member | Present |
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Bennefield led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Republican Caucus - Regular Meeting - Jun 21, 2018 8:45 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Darren Bennefield, Member SECONDER: Steve Balich, Member AYES: Fricilone, Moustis, Balich, Bennefield, Gould, Hart, Militello, Parker, Weigel ABSENT: Maher, Dollinger, Fritz, Kraulidis, Ogalla, Singer, Tuminello
2. WC Republican Caucus - Regular Meeting - Jul 19, 2018 8:45 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Darren Bennefield, Member
SECONDER: Donald Gould, Member
AYES: Fricilone, Moustis, Balich, Bennefield, Gould, Hart, Militello, Parker, Weigel
ABSENT: Maher, Dollinger, Fritz, Kraulidis, Ogalla, Singer, Tuminello
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of County Board Agenda
Land Use & Development Committee: Mr. Weigel reviewed the zoning cases and Resolutions.
A brief discussion on wineries, craft brewing and distilling took place. Facilities can only sell what they make, nothing can be brought in. This new Ordinance eliminates the need to do a tour in order to sample product.
Mrs. Parker asked for an update on the Agritourism and why it is SUP and not right of use.
Mr. Radner replied Agritourism is a category of different agricultural uses beyond normal agricultural use. Agritainment is a category including pumpkin patches and Christmas tree sales. Those are limited in scope and the Board decided that is permitted by right, with permitting through our office for any building or zoning code item, whether it is temporary or permanent. It is limited in scope; it happens from September 1st to November 1st. The rural events category is new and is a permanent use that can be ongoing throughout the entire year. Agricultural areas can be located next to residential areas and we have Ag zoning in every township. In Plainfield Township there is one parcel zoned agricultural surrounded by residential. How would those residents feel if someone started using their property as a wedding venue and creating noise until the early hours of the morning? That is why an SUP is recommended; it comes before the Committee and the Board and you can look at it individually and add conditions for that area, the specific situation and for that use, you have the ability to control or deny.
Mr. Moustis stated we have small, less than 10 acres that have remained agricultural. Very often there are problems with those pieces being used for events that require an SUP. I think it is consistent with what we have done in agricultural zonings for special events. It should be a SUP because the surrounding neighbors should have some say whether they think it is appropriate.
Mrs. Dollinger arrived at this juncture.
Mr. Balich stated at Executive you mentioned when we approve items we need to look at the total effect of the project. We need to look at how it effects everything not just the isolated area, but the regional aspects.
Mr. Moustis stated we need to have a discussion, especially regarding infrastructure. When someone is proposing a development, we need to know if we have the infrastructure to support it. That could be part of the Agritourism. If venues are having hundreds of cars show up, is there infrastructure? We should take a better look at that. Should we start put more emphasis on supporting infrastructure?
Mr. Dubois stated that is something we can look at on a case by case basis, particularly when we have the internal pre-application meeting.
Mr. Moustis stated I thought in the past we required developments to do infrastructure improvements off their site. Of course, they would do it as part of the overall development. Are we still having the discussions; you are impacting Laraway Road and you have to do something to improve your intersection?
Mr. Dubois answered we do look at the overall impact of the project, particularly on the infrastructure side; something we do in coordination with the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Balich asked do we want the farmland in the County to be used for solar farms?
Mr. Moustis replied the farmers should be allowed to do what they want with their property. I don’t know if it is the highest and best use, but we don’t have an agricultural preservation policy.
Mr. Tuminello arrived at this juncture.
Mr. Weigel stated there is a truck facility on Gouger Road and the Highway Department gave them a permit for the road entry before it went to the Land Use Department. They allowed the truck facility to be there, without the zoning.
Mr. Dubois stated we do coordinate with the road authorities if there is a SUP, down to the building permit where we try to ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place and they have the appropriate permits to get access to the property. We try to address the issues.
Mr. Weigel continue reviewing the Ordinances.
A brief discussion took place regarding solar farms, the state lottery and building process.
Ms. Bluemer stated the issuance of permits for solar farms is a lottery system. Some get a preference, if all the subscribers are residents as opposed to having three large corporate subscribers. Getting residential subscribers for two megawatts is not easy and the industry is still trying to figure out how to get those type of subscribers. Your odds are probably in the neighborhood of 15%, not very high. Because this is a lottery system, it could turn out where none of them or all of them could be selected. It is determined by utility territory. In the ComEd territory 156 megawatts of solar will be incentivized for this first block program; there has been over two gigawatts of applications for incentives. That two gigawatt includes pre-applications which is what a developer will do before they approach a landowner. There are still lots of talk the program has oversubscribed and that is a huge cost to do business, if they are not selected. You will see some of it level out. They are putting in the applications so they can renew them and put in for block B, when that comes around. Next month I will be presenting a Solar Guide for Solar Farms. It will talk about the technology, safety and other major and legitimate concerns that the elected officials and our residents have.
Mr. Fricilone asked for a list to show where the solar farms have been approved.
Mrs. Dollinger suggested a map also.
Finance Committee: Mr. Fricilone reviewed the Resolution.
Public Works & Transportation Committee: Mr. Gould reviewed the Resolutions.
Mr. Ronaldson reviewed the Ordinance regarding Wireless Telecommunications in County Right of Way, giving us more authority over what they look like.
Judicial Committee: Mr. Bennefield reviewed the Resolution.
Public Health & Safety Committee: Mr. Gould reviewed the Resolution.
Legislative & Policy Committee: Mrs. Hart stated we have no Resolutions this month. I would like to move forward with looking at our priorities for next year. Our Federal lobbyist will be in town for the September meeting.
Capital Improvements Committee: No discussion.
Executive Committee: Mr. Moustis reviewed the Resolutions.
VI. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Militello stated I have an issue with recognizing Peoples Climate March and Rise for Climate Jobs and Justice Event. To me it says the whole board approves of this and I do not. If a Board Members wants to personally recognize it during the County Board Member Comment section; that is fine.
Mr. Balich indicated he was upset political issues are being put on the Proclamation list. This should not have ever been put on the agenda. I believe climate change is due to the water movement on earth. It is a political statement and it should be not a Proclamation.
Mr. Moustis stated this was not made clear at the Executive Committee. Mr. Maher had surgery and was out of the loop this month. I asked Mr. Brooks to explain the Proclamations and he did not talk specifically about this one. I think we are going to do a better job at the Executive Committee. I will go through the Proclamations one-by-one and if an explanation is not available it will not be put on. Last year we recognized NTSAD. It is a medical condition that afflicts children. I will mention there is an upcoming event if people would like to attend.
Mr. Tuminello asked for a copy of the Proclamation.
Mrs. Adams indicated it was not a Proclamation, but rather bullet points being read into the record.
Mr. Moustis stated if it is not an official proclamation, you can bring it up under your comments. Is it an actual Proclamation signed by the County Clerk and County Executive?
Mrs. Adams replied no, it is just like the one for NTSAD and Suicide Awareness; they are bullet points to recognize the event. It has always been listed under Proclamations. We can move these down to Comments by County Board Members.
Mr. Moustis stated we do not vote on these Proclamations. Any County Board Member can do this under their comments. This should be redirected to the County Board Comments portion.
Mr. Fricilone stated we started working on a policy and procedures for Proclamations. We need to tighten it up and follow it.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Tkac encouraged everyone, especially Capital Committee Members to visit the mock- up of the Courthouse behind the construction trailer. There is a very large, patterned glass section in the northwest corner of the first floor, the jury assembly area. It is frosted for aesthetic and security reasons. This is a long lead item and I would like everyone to see it and make comments.
VIII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT / ANNOUNCEMENTS
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
X. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn at 9:30 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Darren Bennefield, Member
SECONDER: Ray Tuminello, Member
AYES: Fricilone, Moustis, Balich, Bennefield, Dollinger, Gould, Hart, Militello, Parker, Tuminello, Weigel
ABSENT: Maher, Fritz, Kraulidis, Ogalla, Singer
https://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=3063&Inline=True
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