Village of Mokena Board of Trustees met October 14

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Dec 7, 2019

Village of Mokena Board of Trustees met Oct. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Board of Trustees and members of the audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL/ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

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

Joseph E. Budzyn

Jillian Hersted

George Metanias

Jim Richmond

Joe Siwinski

Absent: Debbie Engler

Also present were: Clerk Melissa Martini; Village Administrator John Tomasoski; Finance Director Barb Damron; Assistant Village Administrator Kirk Zoellner; Police Chief Steve Vaccaro; Public Works Director Lou Tiberi; Civil Engineer Dan Peloquin; Building and Planning Director Matt Ziska; Community/Economic Development Director Alan Zordan; and Village Attorney Carl Buck.

DISCOVER MOKENA

N/A

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Clerk Martini presented the Community Calendar.

PUBLIC COMMENT

N/A

CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Siwinski left the room.

Village Administrator John Tomasoski presented six (6) items on the Consent Agenda for Board approval. These items are strictly administrative in nature.

a. Motion to enter into an agreement for the provision of services with the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, and to authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute same.

b. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2019-O-033, an Ordinance pertaining to the classification and number of Liquor Licenses issued in the Village of Mokena; and to authorize the Village President and Village Clerk to execute same

c. Motion to approve an $849.68 Downtown Sign Grant, as depicted on Exhibit “A” for the property located at 11124 Front Street.

d. Motion to accept the recommendations of the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee, thereby approving the front façade improvements, light fixtures, and signage, as depicted on the attached Exhibit “B” for the property located at 11028 Front Street. Motion to approve a $2,705.11 Downtown Façade Improvement Grant, for the building elevations, light fixtures and signs as depicted on Exhibit “B” for the property located at 11028 Front Street.

e. Motion to accept the recommendation of the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee, thereby approving the site, landscape and photometric plans, light fixtures, and building elevations as depicted on the attached exhibits, for the property located at 19133 S. 104th Avenue.

f. Motion to approve minutes from the September 23, 2019 Board Meeting and Work Session.

Trustee Richmond made a motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 6 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) as depicted in the October 10, 2019 Request for Board Action prepared by the Village Administrator. Trustee Metanias seconded.

AYES: (4) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (2) Engler, Siwinski

Motion carried

Trustee Siwinski returned to the room.

FINANCE REPORT

Finance Director Barb Damron presented the accounts payable list for October totaling $1,343,716.29. She highlighted the following invoices to be paid.

• $ 216,601.70 Austin Tyler Const. – FY 20 Road Maintenance Program

• $ 77,069.35 J&J Newell Concrete – FY 20 Sidewalk Program

• $ 46,767.20 Village of Oak Lawn – Lake Water Debt.

Trustee Metanias made a motion to approve the monthly accounts payable in the amount of $1,343,716.29. Trustee Siwinski seconded.

AYES: (5) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond, Siwinski

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Engler

Motion carried

PRESENTATIONS/APPOINTMENTS/PROCLAMATIONS

Appointment of Dawndria Mercado to CSO Position

Chief Vaccaro presented the appointment of Dawndria Mercado to the position of Community Service Officer.

The retirement of Elizabeth Arelano left a vacancy for a Community Service Officer (CSO), and the third CSO position has been vacant since the departure of Bennett Scott in 2015.

These CSO positions were advertised internally with no interest. They were subsequently advertised in the local media, with several applicants. Following interviews of qualified applicants, Miss Dawndria Mercado is recommended to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of CSO Arelano. Police Department Staff has conducted a background check.

Miss Mercado currently works as an auxiliary officer for the Tinley Park Police Department. She attends Joliet Junior College and is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.

Trustee Richmond made a motion to approve the appointment of Dawndria Mercado to the position of Part-time Community Service Officer at a CSO Step 7 effective October 15, 2019. Trustee Siwinski seconded.

AYES: (5) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond, Siwinski

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Engler

Motion carried

Appointment of Susie Stringham to Plan Commission

Mayor Fleischer presented the appointment of Susie Stringham to the Planning Commission. Over the past few months, the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals has seen the resignations of both Stan Lukas and Dan Ray. These two vacancies need to be filled so that these groups can continue to function as intended.

Ms. Stringham works at the Stringham Insurance Agency, Ltd, which is one of Downtown Mokena’s longest running businesses. Ms. Stringham resides at 10610 Willow Avenue and is available to serve on the committee immediately. Economic and Community Development Director Alan Zordan and the Mayor both interviewed Ms. Stringham and provided her with an overview of the duties and obligations of the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals members. Upon concluding these interviews, Ms. Stringham expressed her eagerness to serve.

Mayor Fleischer stated that he believes that Ms. Stringham would be a fine addition to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and recommended that the Village Board appoint her as presented below.

Trustee Metanias made a motion to appoint Susie Stringham to the Planning Commission and as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals, effective immediately for a term to expire on June 30, 2020. Trustee Siwinski seconded.

AYES: (5) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond, Siwinski

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Engler

Motion carried

Appointment of Jeffrey Tuminello to the Plan Commission

Trustee Siwinski made a motion table item 8c. Trustee Richmond seconded.

AYES: (5) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond, Siwinski

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Engler

Motion carried

PUBLIC HEARINGS N/A

PRE-SCHEDULED PROPOSALS/PRESENTATIONS AND VISITORS N/A

OLD BUSINESS Recreational Cannabis

Village Administrator John Tomasoski provided a presentation on recreational marijuana.

Trustee Richmond made a motion to approve Village of Mokena Ordinance No. 2019-O- 034, prohibiting cannabis business establishments in the Village of Mokena pursuant to Title 3, Chapter 19 of the Village of Mokena Code of Ordinances. Trustee Siwinski seconded.

Mayor Fleischer spoke about an editorial in the Mokena Messenger that incorrectly stated that the Mokena Board did not allow for public debate on the issue of recreational marijuana. He explained that the editorial was factually wrong because the meeting referenced in the editorial was a work session and was conducted as required by the Open Meetings Act.

He stated that the Board conducts work sessions for the discussion of issues that range from zoning decisions, to economic development, to issues like recreational cannabis sales. Interested parties routinely participate in those discussions such as in the work session where a representative from Mokena’s medical cannabis dispensary provided the Board information to consider.

He feels the Messenger was wrong when they stated that the Board did not provide proper notice or did not provide the public with a chance to comment on the topic.

He further stated that the editorial urges members of the public to speak in favor of allowing recreational cannabis to be sold in Mokena. He feels that the editorial incorrectly recited the facts regarding the public notice and opportunity to be heard for the sole purpose of promoting the sale of recreational cannabis in Mokena, not because the Board did anything wrong.

He stated that the editorial promotes recreational cannabis sales solely on the basis of the revenue that might be generated. During the work session, the Village’s fiscal management by current and previous Boards was discussed. Due to proper financial management, Mokena is in a position to not have to sell federally illegal Schedule I drugs to make up budget deficits. As an example, the Village is currently improving its wastewater treatment plant with money saved over time so that the Village does not have to take on a loan. He stated that is that it is not all about the money – it is about the quality of life in the Village of Mokena. The careful and cautious methodology employed by the Village might not be exciting, but it is effective and has served this community well for many generations.

He explained that the State will receive more than 90% of the revenue from recreational cannabis sales but municipalities incur 100% of the cost of the impact.

He welcomes spirited debate and stated that our form government means we may not always agree but to say that this Board did something wrong is not correct and cannot be ignored. He reiterated that there was a public work session where the issue was discussed and the work session was held in accordance to the law.

AYES: (5) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond, Siwinski

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Engler

Motion carried

Mayor Fleischer stressed the Board does not want recreational cannabis sold in the Village of Mokena. He also stated that Will County may vote to approve recreational cannabis sales and requested that staff send a letter to the County requesting that sales of cannabis not be allowed within two miles of the Village of Mokena.

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS

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

Administrator Tomasoski stated that Metra and the Village of Mokena have partnered with the United States Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration to conduct a full-scale training exercise at Hickory Creek Metra station. on Saturday, October 26th.

Mr. Tomasoski provided details on the upcoming LED Streetlight program.

TRUSTEE’S COMMENTS

Trustee Siwinski asked if the timing on the traffic signal for the northbound turn lane at 191st Street/LaGrange Road could be checked.

CLERK’S COMMENTS

N/A

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Fleischer conveyed his condolences to the family of Bobbie Noonan and spoke about her many accomplishments.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Siwinski made a motion to adjourn the Regular Session at 7:32 p.m. Trustee Richmond seconded.

AYES: (5) Budzyn, Hersted, Metanias, Richmond, Siwinski

NAYS: (0)

Absent: (1) Engler