Village of Elwood Village Board met May 5
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees, Village of Elwood, at 7:00 PM, was called to order by Village President Doug Jenco.
Role Call
Present: Village Board President Doug Jenco, Village Board Trustees: Darryl Lab, Ron Schmidt, Jodie Bertucci, Tricia Maas, Michael Varman, and Kendy Elberson
Also, Present: Village Administrator/Village Clerk Julie Friebele, Police Chief Fred Hayes, Attorney Jordan Kielian, and Village Engineer Rich Gallas
The Meeting Opened with the Pledge to the Flag
Presentations and Public Hearings
Oath of Office – Village President and Village Trustees
The Consolidated Election was held on April 6, 2021. As a result of the election, Village Clerk Julie Friebele administered the oath of office to the following elected officials.
• Doug Jenco – Village President 4-year term
• Jodie Bertucci – Village Trustee 4-year term
• Kendy Elberson – Village Trustee 4-year term
• Ron Schmidt – Village Trustee 4-year term
Public Comments – Pertaining to Agenda Items
Members of the audience did not have public comments pertaining to agenda items.
Consent Agenda
A motion was made by Trustee Schmidt to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
Presentation of Minutes – April 7, 2021
Presentation of Bills – Paid Invoice Report March 27, 2021 through April 6, 2021 in the amount of $75,888.43.
Presentation of Bills – Paid Invoice Report April 8, 2021 through April 23, 2021 in the amount of $38,789.51.
Presentation of Bills – Unpaid Invoice Report in the amount of $87,416.65.
Trustee Varman seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
Administration – Village Administrator Julie Friebele
March 2021 Financial Report
The March 2021 Financial Report prepared by Finance Director Robbie Day was presented to the Village Board for review. The report represents the Village of Elwood’s year to date revenues, expenses, and end of the month fund cash balances. The financial report was also reviewed by the Finance Committee during the meeting held on April 27, 2021.
Police Chief Employment Agreement
Chief Fred Hayes has been Elwood’s Police Chief since 2012. We admire the Chief’s strong work ethic and his personal integrity. He is professional, meticulous, highly trained, intelligent, reliable, and dependable. During his tenure, Fred has demonstrated consistent professional fulfillment of his duties as Elwood’s Police Chief. Chief Hayes is a valuable asset to the Village. The proposed Employment Agreement would extend the services of Chief Hayes until May 1, 2025. A motion was made by Trustee Schmidt to approve the Police Chief Employment Agreement. Trustee Varman seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
Baxter & Woodman Professional Agreement for Village Engineering Services
Since September 2016, Baxter & Woodman has been providing part-time Village Engineering services to the Village, to provide general engineering services, development review, attendance at Village Board and staff meetings as requested, participation in the weekly Public Works meeting, and assistance to Village Staff as needed. This is a yearly contract, matching the Village’s fiscal year, and the current contract terminated on April 30, 2021. We are seeking a renewal of this contract to continue these services for the next fiscal year. The rates will remain the same and the Village can cancel this agreement at any time. Services will be billed on an hourly-rate basis, with the Village receiving a discounted rate for all work paid for by the Village. Developer-funded work will be charged at a regular hourly rate. A motion was made by Trustee Elberson to approve the Baxter & Woodman Professional Agreement. Trustee Varman seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
Police Department – Chief Fred Hayes
During the Month of March 2021
The Elwood Police Department responded to 495 calls for service. For more details concerning the types of calls, residents can visit the Village of Elwood website.
Police officers issued a total of 330 citations:
• Local Citations (O.V.) 4
• State Citations 204
• Overweight Violations (22)
• Monthly Total 208
• 2021 Year to Date Total 682
Arrest Report Summary:
• Traffic Arrests 10
• Warrant Arrests 0
• Criminal 1
• Monthly Total 11
• Year to Date Total 65
OFFICER CLASS DATE Hours ALL OFFICERS OBTAINED 4 HOURS OF ONLINE INSTRUCTION FROM COURTSMART
Total Training Hours: 32
Authorization to Hire Two (2) Full Time Police Officers
The police department’s organizational structure is budgeted for FY2021/22 at 11 sworn police officers, which includes a Chief, 2 Sergeants, and 8 patrol officers. The department currently has three (3) full-time vacancies due to the resignations of former-Officer Ethan Anderson, Officer Nick Vandal, and Sergeant Andrew Anderson.
Therefore, the department recognizes the need to hire two (2) full-time police officers as soon as practical. Applications for the position of patrol officer were sought through contacts with various law enforcement agencies in Will County, posted on social media, and a 30-Day posting placed on the International Associations of Chiefs of Police (ICAP) Discover Policing website. Additionally, the department used nationally acclaimed Stanard and Associates, INC., a human resource consulting firm specializing in employee surveys and testing and assessment systems. Based on a review of the scientific literature related to pre-employment applications and consultation with legal professionals, ApplyToServe.com was created to help agencies collect pertinent and legitimate pre employment information about prospective employees. By using ApplyToServe.com, public safety agencies can collect applications without the hassle of managing the numerous documents and enormous amounts of information typically involved in such a process. All applicants for the position of police officer were required to comply with all state laws requiring certification standards promulgated by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB).
A motion was made by Trustee Maas to approve and authorize the appointment of Robert Wellen as a full time Police Officer to the Elwood Police Department. Trustee Varman seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Trustee Elberson to approve and authorize the appointment of Joshua Vancina as a full time Police Officer to the Elwood Police Department. Trustee Lab seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
Authorization to Hire a Full-Time Police Supervisor
The police department’s organizational structure is budgeted for FY2021/22 at 11 sworn police officers, which includes a Chief, 2 Sergeants, and 8 patrol officers. The department currently has one (1) full time Sergeant vacancy due to the March 25, 2021 resignation of former-Sergeant Andrew Anderson.
Supervisory positions are under the general direction of the Police Chief. The Sergeant position supervises and coordinates work activities of police officers or civilians on an assigned shift or division and performs specialized field and office police work in the Police Department. The Sergeant may assume the duties of Police Chief in his absence. The Sergeant provides direct line supervision of employees in assigned division; assigns; schedules and directs employees; supervises and trains police officers and instructs them in their duties; maintains discipline, ensures rules and procedures are followed; provides advice and assistance; investigates citizens and resolves grievances. A motion was made by Trustee Bertucci to approve and authorize the appointment of Marc Reid as a Police Sergeant to the Elwood Police Department. Trustee Maas seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
Public Works – Director of Public Works Larry Lohmar
No monthly report was submitted.
Village Administrator – Julie Friebele
We Continue To Work On Reducing Our 2010B Bond Debt
Bond Counsel is in the process of preparing the 2010B replacement bond that reduces the debt by $2.4mil and reduces the interest rate from 2.99% to 2.5%. The process should be complete within the next week. After that, we will continue negotiations to further reduce the Village’s bond debt.
Reopening the Village Hall to the Public
We are preparing to safely reopen the Village Hall that was closed a year ago due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Proposed Bridge Over Route 53
The Village stands firm regarding the opposition to the proposed bridge. We have been in contact with State, County, and Local Officials providing them opposition information from the Village residents and neighboring communities.
Village President – Doug Jenco
Village Staff
The Village staff's accomplishments are outstanding. We are a team working together for the betterment of the Village and I could not be more proud of all of them.
Proposed Bridge Over Route 53
There is a lot of propaganda out there regarding the proposed bridge and how it will alleviate the truck traffic. That is simply not true. We do not need one more truck out here and do not intend to stop fighting the proposed bridge. We will continue to do what we have to to protect Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and honor the heroes that are laid to rest there and their families that have given so much for their country. Midewin is another one of our national treasures in the same area that we are proud of and desire to protect.
Wescom 911 Appointment
WESCOM was formed in 1992 under the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of Illinois. It is a free-standing entity and a special unit of local government. WESCOM is governed by an Executive Board consisting of Mayors and Presidents of Fire Protection Districts or their designees. The Executive Board meets quarterly or as needed and sets policy for the organization. I am making the appointment of Kendy Elberson as a voting policymaker on the Wescom (Western Will County Communication Center) Executive Board representing the Village of Elwood. A motion was made by Trustee Lab to approve and confirm the appointment of Kendy Elberson as a voting policymaker on the Wescom (Western Will County Communication Center) Executive Board representing the Village of Elwood. Trustee Schmidt seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
On April 28, 2021, Commissioner Jake Fanning submitted his resignation letter to Village Clerk Julie Friebele, resigning from his seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Village President Doug Jenco is making the appointment of Michael Norton to fill the vacant seat. Mr. Norton desires to be more involved in the Elwood community. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are residents of and have called Elwood home for the past 24 years. Their four (4) children all graduated from Elwood Elementary Grade School. Brandon is serving his 10th year in the United States Air Force, Nathaniel is serving his 2nd year in the United States Army Reserve, Ashley resides in Elwood, and Marcus resides in Oklahoma City. A motion was made by Trustee Schmidt to approve and confirm the appointment Michael Norton to serve as a Commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Commission to an unexpired 4-year term. Trustee Elberson seconded the motion. A vote was called: Trustee Maas – yes, Trustee Varman – yes, Trustee Elberson – yes, Trustee Bertucci – yes, Trustee Schmidt – yes, Trustee Lab – yes. The motion carried.
Oath of Office
As a result of the appointment, Village Clerk Julie Friebele administered the oath of office to Michael Norton.
Other Business
Trustee Bertucci discussed the ownership and responsibility of the Wooded Cove Subdivision signs. The subdivision association was never formed. The staff will review if the subdivision signs are on the easement or on private property.
Trustee Bertucci noted that there had been an influx of truck traffic on Manhattan Road. Chief Hayes remarked that residents should call Elwood Police Department and the Will County Sheriffs Department when this happens.
Trustee Maas discussed that the modified hours regarding the Village Administration staff work out better for residents she spoke with. Opening the Village Hall a half-hour earlier is a benefit for folks on their way to work or to stop by after dropping their children off at school.
Trustee Maas talked about the culvert off of Laurel Drive. Director of Public Works Larry Lohmar is working on the problem.
Trustee Elberson discussed the Wooded Cove park fund. Village President Jenco noted that the new pavilion at Lloyd Erickson Park was built with the fund.
Public Comments
Members of the audience did not have public comments.
Closed Session
Closed session was not conducted.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Trustee Bertucci to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Schmidt seconded the motion. The Village Board all voted in favor of the motion. The motion carried.
http://www.villageofelwood.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05052021-625
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