Will County Gazette

Village of Frankfort Committee of the Whole met Nov. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Keith Ogle called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Village Administration Building, 432 W. Nebraska Street, Frankfort, Illinois.

ROLL CALL

Village Clerk Katie Schubert called the roll. In attendance were Mayor Keith Ogle, Clerk Katie Schubert, Trustees Adam Borrelli, Michael Leddin, Maura Rigoni, and Dan Rossi. Staff in attendance included Village Administrator Rob Piscia, Asst. Administrator John Burica, Police Chief Leanne Chelepis, Deputy Clerk Theresa Cork, Director of Community and Economic Development Michael Schwarz, Supt. Terry Kestel, and Event Coordinator Sue Lynchey. Trustee Gene Savaria was absent.

Clerk Schubert announced a quorum of the public body was physically present.

REQUEST FOR ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE

Village Clerk Katie Schubert reported she received a request from Trustee Jessica Petrow to electronically attend this evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

After being duly identified via a video and audio platform, Trustee Petrow stated she is unable to physically attend the meeting because of employment-related travel.

Mayor Ogle entertained a motion from the floor to permit Trustee Petrow to attend the meeting electronically.

Trustee Rigoni moved, seconded by Trustee Rossi, to approve electronic attendance by Trustee Petrow.

Clerk Schubert called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Leddin, Rigoni, and Rossi. Nays: None. Absent: Trustee Savaria. The motion carried.

In attendance via electronic conferencing: Trustee Jessica Petrow.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (OCTOBER 11, 2023)

Trustee Rigoni moved, seconded by Trustee Borrelli, to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of October 11, 2023, as presented.

Clerk Schubert called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Leddin, Rigoni, and Petrow. Nays: None. Abstain: Trustee Rossi. Absent: Trustee Savaria. The motion carried.

PALURI RESIDENCE SPORTS COURT: 700 IRON GATE COURT

Director Schwarz reported applicant and property owner, Kishore Paluri, filed an application for a Special Use Permit for a 1,181 square foot pickleball court in the rear of his home located at 700 Iron Gate Court within the Iron Gate Estates Subdivision. He stated the Village amended the Zoning Ordinance Table of Permitted and Special Uses in 2022 which identifies residential sports courts that are 650 square feet or less as a permitted-by-right use, and a residential sports court that exceeds 650 square feet as a use that requires a special use approval in the R-2 Single-Family Residential District. Director Schwarz noted there has not been any granting of a sports court exceeding 650 square feet since the revision.

At the September 28, 2023 public hearing on the project, the Plan Commission forwarded a split 4-3 recommendation to the Village Board to approve the Special Use Permit request. Some notable concerns expressed by the Plan Commission included size, noise, visibility, and potential stray balls onto Colorado Avenue. Due to the split vote, the request is presented to the Committee of the Whole for feedback prior to formal consideration at a Village Board meeting.

Mr. Paluri approached the podium and answered questions from the board members regarding the proposed use. He stated that they intend to use the court for personal, recreational purposes only and the property is still under the 40% impervious lot coverage. He felt having a pickleball court in the backyard is similar to having a pool in regard to noise and would consume less water resources.

Members discussed the proposed sports court and shared similar concerns expressed by the Plan Commission. Members felt the size and noise from the pickleball court could diminish the enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity. Members noted the Plan Commission and Village Board spent considerable time drafting the recently adopted regulations regarding residential sports court and did not support setting a precedent exceeding 650 square feet.

Mayor Ogle called for a motion from the floor to place the Special Use Permit request on a Village Board agenda for formal consideration. There was no motion, therefore the application is denied.

Mr. Paluri voiced his frustration for the lengthy application process and hoped the Village Board is consistent with future requests regarding sports courts.

THRIFT HOME & RESTORATION (THE BRIDGE TEEN CENTER): 21420 S. HARLEM AVENUE

Director Schwarz reported the Plan Commission conducted a public hearing on October 26, 2023 and subsequently recommended approval of each of the application requests related to the proposed Thrift Home & Restoration project within the vacant office building located at 21420 S. Harlem Avenue, including a Special Use Permit for indoor retail sales of goods, between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet in the B-4 Office District; a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development; a Preliminary and Final PUD Development Plan; and a Preliminary and Final Plat of Resubdivision, all of which being subject to certain conditions. Director Schwarz noted the overall subject property includes Lots 5 and 6 in the Georgetown Square Subdivision and Lots 97 and 98 in the Georgetown Subdivision 1st Addition. He further noted the professional building was constructed in 1992 and never occupied. The interior space was never completed, and the building has a gravel floor. Director Schwarz stated the applicants desire to rehabilitate and renovate the existing 9,196 sq. ft. unfinished building and re-pave and expand the associated unfinished parking lots for the operation of a retail thrift store.

Director Schwarz reported that one of the requested modifications/exceptions from Village ordinances that the applicant is seeking as part of the proposed PUD is an exception to allow a waiver of the required public improvement for a multi-use bike path along the frontage of the property along Harlem Avenue due to both financial and engineering/topographic constraints. He noted the subject property has 935.29 feet of frontage along Harlem Avenue consisting of a drainage ditch and a box culvert that goes underneath Harlem Avenue in Cook County. Director Schwarz reported the other main exception includes waiving or delaying initial installation of the required transition yard landscaping along the west and south property lines.

Director Schwarz sought Committee discussion and feedback on the topic of the multi-use path and transition yard landscaping requirements related to the project prior to formal consideration by the Village Board.

Members discussed the project and in particular the exceptions to allow a waiver of the required multi-use bike path along the frontage of the property along Harlem Avenue and a waiver or delayed installation of the required landscape screening along the west and south property lines. Members voiced their overall support of the project as well as concerns for potentially encumbering the Village and future taxpayers by waiving the required multi-use path.

Director Schwarz went on to explain that per the Village’s Landscaping Regulations, the required landscaping in transitional yards is a minimum of a 25-foot-wide landscaped screen consisting of a minimum of 125 plants per 100 linear feet of frontage measured along the length of a common boundary and includes a landscape berm of no less than 3 feet in height unless it is determined to conflict with natural or proposed drainage ways.

Applicants Rob and Priscilla Steinmetz, and project architect Patrick McCarty, Jr., were in the audience. Mr. McCarty approached the podium and answered questions from the members regarding the exceptions. He stated the multi-use bike path would be a major undertaking due to both financial and engineering/topographic constraints. Mr. McCarty further stated that the project engineer and the Village’s consulting engineer felt a berm could present drainage concerns.

Members felt it was important to uphold Village regulations relating to the transitional yard as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the existing utilities and drainage. Members suggested a compromise regarding the transitional screening to install landscaping along the property line with gaps. Members were in consensus to allow a postponement of the required multi-use bike path that would delay the construction or cash-in-lieu payment for the path until such time that within one year of the adjacent undeveloped property to the north being developed and issued a Certificate of Occupancy.

Following discussion, Trustee Leddin moved, seconded by Trustee Rossi, to support the request to postpone the required multi-use bike path and for the applicants to work with the engineers and landscape architect to look further at creating an alternative landscape plan to include a berm with gaps.

Clerk Schubert called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Leddin, Petrow, and Rossi. Nays: None. Absent: Trustee Savaria. The motion carried.

Trustee Petrow departed the meeting at 6:35 P.M. following the discussion of the Thrift Home & Restoration project.

WOLF ROAD STP RESURFACING PROJECT - GRANT APPLICATION

Supt. Kestel reported the Will County Governmental League is accepting funding applications for surface transportation projects for the Federal Fiscal Year 2025-2029. He noted the deadline for submitting projects is December 4, 2023. If awarded, the project would be funded 80% Federal Share and 20% Local Match.

Supt. Kestel stated staff and Robinson Engineering identified resurfacing/repairing Wolf Road from Route 30 to Laraway Road as the project to be submitted for the grant application. In order to obligate federal funding of local highway improvements, the Village is required, under WCGL policies, to pass a resolution acknowledging that the Village has sufficient funds for the local share of the cost of the improvements. Supt. Kestel further stated this project will include a portion of the Village of Mokena’s section of Wolf Road and only one agency can apply for the grant. He noted Frankfort will take the lead on this application since Frankfort controls the majority of the road.

Trustee Borrelli moved, seconded by Trustee Rossi, to forward a recommendation to the Village Board to adopt a Resolution for the acknowledgement of future local match funds for the Wolf Road STP Resurfacing Project. A voice vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion carried.

PROPOSED 2024 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Event Coordinator Sue Lynchey presented the Village’s Calendar of Events for 2024. She noted the “Spring on the Green” event sponsored by the Frankfort Park District was removed from the calendar this year at their request.

Ideas for New Events:

• 60423 Summer Kickoff – June 2 (in conjunction with Community Showcase/Country Market)

• Octoberfest –Partnership(s) TBD - tentative date October 11 or 12

• Ghost Stories on the Green – (Library Partnership) – Friday, October 25 (evening)

• Christkindl Weekend (Chamber Partnership) – Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15.

Proposed New Walk/Run:

• Joseph Flankowski Memorial 5K for Colon Cancer Awareness – Saturday, March 9, or March 16.

Special Events 2024

Fire & Ice Winter Social Saturday, February 3

Bubbly & Chocolate Walk (Chamber) Sunday, February 25

Student Government Day Monday, March 18

Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 20

Country Market Sundays April 21 – October 27

State of the Village Luncheon (Chamber) Wednesday, April 24

Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 27

Community Showcase (Chamber) Sunday, June 2

Cruisin’ Frankfort (Frankfort Car Club) Mondays, June 3 – September 30

Fridays on the Green (Frankfort Library) June 7, 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 25

Art on the Green (FAA) Sunday, June 9

Movies on the Green Tuesdays, June 11, July 9, August 13

Concerts on the Green (Chamber) Sundays, June 16 – August 25

Get Hooked on Frankfort Fishing Derby Saturday, June 22

Fourth of July Fireworks Tuesday, July 4

Bluegrass Fest Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14

Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, August 6

Fall Fest (Chamber) August 30 – September 2

Senior Breakfast Wednesday, September 18

Wine & Ale Walk (Chamber) Sunday, September 29

Scary at the Prairie 5K Saturday, October 19

Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 26

Veterans Day Concert (HCMS) Thursday, November 7, or November 14

Lighting of the Green Thursday, December 5

Midnight Madness (Chamber) Friday, December 13

Reindeer on the Green Saturday, December 14

Run/Walks 2024

LW Foundation Half Marathon/10K Saturday, May 4

Patrick Mizwicki Strive for 5 5K Saturday, June 1

Park District Short Run on a Long Day 5K Wednesday, June 19

Mayor Ogle opened the floor for discussion and invited trustee comments on the proposed calendar for the upcoming year.

Members voiced their support of the Calendar of Events for 2024, and acknowledged the footprint for some of the events may be modified due to the new development at 11 N. White Street and the proposed new parking lots in downtown Frankfort.

Following discussion, Trustee Rigoni moved, seconded by Trustee Borrelli, to approve the Village of Frankfort 2024 Calendar of Events as presented. A voice vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

o Paid Leave for All Workers Act (Public Act 102-1143)

Asst. Administrator Burica reported Governor Pritzker signed into law the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. He noted the Act becomes effective January 1, 2024 and mandates employers provide up to 40 hours of paid leave during a 12-month period for many types of employees in Illinois. He stated the IML has provided model ordinances for municipalities and recommends adoption of said ordinance prior to January 1, 2024. Asst. Administrator Burica noted the Village has an existing policy that meets or provides the minimum amount of leave required by the Act. He further noted the IML is actively supporting legislation to exempt municipalities and postpone the effective date of the Act. The model ordinance will be presented at a future Village Board meeting unless legislation is passed exempting municipalities, or the effective date is postponed.

o Approved Court Order - 709 Tanglewood Lane

Administrator Piscia reported staff held a bid opening this morning to identify associated demolition and site restoration costs for the single-family structure located at 709 Tanglewood Lane, following the approved court order which was issued on October 16. A total of five bids were submitted for the project. The lowest bidder was Lagestee Land Management, in the amount of $28,665. He noted a request for re-payment and/or lien will be provided to the court immediately following completion of this project.

o Proposed Downtown Parking Lots

Administrator Piscia provided an update regarding the parking lots proposed for downtown Frankfort. He noted Robinson Engineering is still working on the design in connection with the proposed parking lots. He anticipates bid notices in January/February 2024 for the parking lot improvements. Administrator Piscia further noted the Village has not received formal grant notification from Senator Hasting’s office for the parking lots.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Georgetown Subdivision residents, Joe and Sheryl Feminis, were in the audience and spoke before the Village Board expressing their desire for the installation of a berm and a higher percentage of the plant material to be evergreen as part of the Thrift Home & Restoration development project.

ADJOURNMENT

Hearing no further business, Trustee Borrelli moved, seconded by Trustee Rigoni, to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting of Wednesday, November 8, 2023. A voice vote was taken. All were in favor. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:12 P.M.

https://cms9files.revize.com/frankfortil/2023-11-08-cow-min.pdf