Will County Gazette

Village of Channahon Board of Trustees met Aug. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

VP Moorman Schumacher called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with Trustees Greco, Host, Perinar, Scaggs and Slocum present.

Also present were Village Administrator Thomas Durkin, Director of Community Development and Information Systems Mike Petrick, Finance Director Heather Wagonblott, Director of Public Works Ed Dolezal, Chief of Police Adam Bogart, Village Attorney David Silvennan and Village Clerk Kristin Hall.

VP Moonnan Schumacher informed everyone present that anyone who speaks at the meeting shall be deemed to have given his/her consent to the recording of their likeness and speech. This meeting is being recorded.

VILLAGE PRESIDENT

Discussion - Appointment of Assistant Village Administrator

VP Moorman Schumacher stated as you all know we have considered Mike Petrick for this position and he has accepted our offer. We do have it on the agenda for Executive Session tonight if anyone wants to go but she is guessing that we don't need to go into Executive Session. This item will be taken up at the Board Meeting.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

Discussion - An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territory to the Corporate Limits of the Village of Channahon, Will and Grundy Counties, Illinois (P.I.N. 03-13-400-003-0000 and a portion of 03-13-400-011 -0000) - 1st Read

Durkin stated on August 14, 2024, the village closed on the purchase as previously authorized by the Village Board of the approximately 87.5 acres located NW of the intersection of US Rt. 6 and Bell Road known as the Brannick property. The attached ordinance annexes the property into the Village limits of the Village of Channahon. The zoning of the property upon annexation will be R-1 Single Family Residence, which is the zoning category automatically assigned statutorily upon annexation. The owner is keeping approximately 10 acres at the comer of Route 6 and Bell Road. The Village's purchase contains the property where the house was town down a few years back, as well as the existing house on the property.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that it is her understanding that the existing house also needs to be demolished.

Durkin stated yes and we are in the process of getting some prices from demolition companies. Trustee Slocum asked if the 10 acres was also annexed.

Durkin stated that no, it is not. It would remain unincorporated at this point. This was part of the discussions that we had with them prior to the purchase.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that it can't be annexed anywhere else, it is completely surrounded by us.

Petrick stated that it could be forced annexed ifwe chose to do that, but it is probably best to let is set for an annexation agreement to be applicable when somebody develops it for a use in the future.

Discussion - Approve Purchase of Additional Holiday Lighting

Durkin stated that included· in the FY 2024/2025 approved budget is the enhancement of the holiday lighting at the Village Hall .through the purchase of a second dimensional holiday display and additional holiday lighting as follows. The total budgeted.amount is $16,300:

• 1 - 9' 3D Giant Santa Hat $9,250

      ♦ (recurring cost - $850)

• Lighting- Navajo Drive from parking lot entrance to current lighting

   ■ Hedges only · $1,980

      ♦ (recurring cost - $850)

• Lighting - Navajo Drive, between police parking and roundabout

   ■ Hedges $1,800

   ■ 9 Multi-stem trees (truiik:s, and canopies) $3,240

      ♦ (recurring cost - $2,875)

Total initial purchase price $16,270

Durkin stated as he indicated to a majority of the board members individually last week, we did need to purchase the dimensional display in order to ensure its availability to the Village. The manufacturer would not hold the item and guarantee its availability. The amount of the purchase was under the threshold of the authority to purchase by the Village Administrator of$10,000 so this item has been secured. The remaining additional lighting as proposed totals $7,020. The current recurring yearly expenses for the installation, takedown, maintenance and storage of existing holiday lighting including the Christmas tree, ornament dimensional display and all current lighting is $21,595.· The recurring cost with the addition of the above decorations will place the recurring expenses at $26, 1 70 beginning in the 2025 holiday season.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Presentation and Discussion - Village Branding - a5 Branding & Digital . Petrick stated at the previqus Village Board meeting the topic of Village Branding and logo design was discussed. After the issuance of an RFP, reviews of submittals by staff, and interviews of applicants, staff is recommending a5 Branding & Digital to be considered by the board to accomplish the task. a5 Branding & Digital will give a presentation on their qualifications and methods to accomplish the task and then will be available for questions and discussion. Formal acceptance of the proposal will be presented to the Board ofTmstees for consideration at a future meeting, following any suggested modifications by the board.

John Harris and Juliane Allen from a5 Branding & Digital gave a presented their proposal to the Board. The presentation went over the scope requested in the RFP and provided options for consideration.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that we want something unique and identifiable to the Village of Channahon. She asked how a5 goes about differentiating us from our neighbors.

Mr. Harris stated that's one of the things that they do well is differentiating each of their clients. Outreach engagement is really important to that process. Really listening to people. This gives aS a perception of how people view the community. We have talked about this before but they could do a perception study outside of the community to really understand what is the level of awareness, recognition, knowledge and understanding of the community. That really sets the tone for understanding what we are going to show you through a number of choices.

Trustee Slocum asked how aS approaches this process when we are not where we are going yet. For example, our Town Center, we own it, but it has not been developed yet. He asked how they take that into account; our geographic location with the interstates, our natural resources with the towpath and the natural rivers, will there be a logo with that in mind. We don't know if something is going tO' eventually be built in Town Center that could be our landmark. How does that work when a town isn't yet where they are going to be?

Mr. Harris stated yes, to all ofthe above. The brand has to represent where you've been, where . you are and where you are· going. It has to be inspirational, aspirational and perspirational. The lo go and brand have to incorporate all three of those. If aS is hired, they will do a walking tour and a driving tour with .all of you, as well as the outreach engagement listed, and we will spend some time looking at what is- planned for the community. Flexibility is built into it as there be adjustments to the brand, 5 or }0. years down the road. They will also be thinking through what the next phase will be.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that the outside perspective is interesting to see how our neighbors view us. That is a really interesting perspective to bring into it. The last time we talked it was mentioned about generating 50-100 taglines. How do you generate taglines and sift through them?

Mr. Harris stated that is why that outreach engagement is so important. It is going to help us get a real feel for how the people view the community and the taglines that would work. Taglines could be variations on a theme .. They start with 50-100 and then we start to organize them in categories. They look at how it fits, how it reflects you, how it could be viewed today and how it could be viewed in the future. Ifs important to note, that it doesn't mean that "Where the Waters meet" goes away. Ifthafs what we leam from you and the community; that it's important because it is part of the history of the cmmnunity, they will look to find a way to incorporate that.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that we have talked about the stone look that is on our sighs. She has stated that whell' someone comes in Channahon, she wants them to know they are in Channahon from one end to the other.· Having that cut limestone, boulder look, is important for continuity throughout town.

Mr. Harris stated that aesthetic materials are imp01tant, especially within communities' boundaries. It can be challenging to know that you are in the community or if you've moved through it quickly. Visual cues are important in the gateway and way-finding signage. They have enough experience to know how to create a unifying theme.

Trustee Scaggs stated that his questions will be more about how much it will cost to convert the police and public works vehicles, as well as the way-finding signs we put up around town. He would like to know more about these costs.

Trustee Slocum asked what are the costs they've seen for other communities to fully implement this a logo change, knowing it is not going to be done overnight.

Mr. Harris stated that itis a wide range. If your signs look good, we are never the ones that come in and say, re-do it all. It can be budgeted over 2, 3 or 4 years and we will work with you to figure out the right plan and the right budget.

Petrick stated that just for numbers, the last two vehicles that he had graphics put on, were $250 each.

Trustee Scaggs stated.for the polioe vehicles, we get new ones, every four years so we could implement it. He stated that it is the public works trucks that may be expensive.

Durkin stated that you would do the same thing and rotate them in.

Dolezal stated that there isn't much on them, they are just decals.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that Trustee Perinar brought up an interesting perspective with the Village being so integrated with the Park District, maybe incorporating aspects of the log into each entity could be a possibility.

Mr. Harris stated absolutely, bringing them in early on and making them part of the process, would make a lot of sense. It could be typography, it could be colors or it could be materials.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Presentation - Investment Pedormance Report by Sawyer Falduto Asset Management, LLC

Wagonblott stated managing Partner, Tom Sawyer, from Sawyer Falduto will present the Village's most recent Monthly Investment Performance Report as of July 31, 2024. The document has been included in the board packet for review. The Village opened the investment account with Charles Schwab, managed by Sawyer Falduto, in June 2022. Shortly after the investment account was established, Mr. Sawyer attended the February 20, 2023 board meeting giving a status update to the Village Board. Mr. Sawyer is here tonight to give the Village Board another update on the Village's investment activity over the last year or so. Mr. Sawyer will give an update on theVillage's investment account activity from June 2022 through July 2024 and will be happy to answer any questions the Village Board may have.

Tom Sawyer, from Sawyer Falduto Asset Management, LLC, gave a detailed presentation to the Board regarding the status of the Village's investment account.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Bogart stated he had no formal items for discussion. On the consent agenda at the Board Meeting, we do have an IGA that we entered into with the City of Chicago, via ILEAS, for coverage of the DNC, if the Board has any questions.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that the DNC started today and we have two officers up there.

Bogart stated that the Village insurance provider looked over it the Village and its officers are covered while they are there working at the DNC.

Trustee Scaggs stated did they supplies rides or we were responsible for getting there. Bogart stated it was a little bit of both.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

: Discussion -A Resolution Authodzing Vacation of a Public Utility and Drainage Easement . Dolezal stated the owner oflots 39 & 40 in the Deer Ridge Subdivision are requesting the vacation of a previously established-Public Utility and Drainage Easement for the purpose of constructing a new residence across, both lots. Village approval will be contingent upon letters of acceptance from affected utility companies.

VP Moorman Schumacher asked who else has rights.

Dolezal stated that it is .all the franchise utilities; ComEd, AT&T, NiCor and Comcast. Trustee Slocum asked if the vacation impacts any of the neighbors.

Dolezal stated no.

Trustee Scaggs stated tlrnt he has a question for the Village Attorney. This is one of his subdivision, at one time. With his name is on the plat, can he vote on this.

Attorney Silvem1an stated yes, as long as there are no further financial interests in the property. Trnstee Scaggs stated he had no financial interests in the property.

COMMUNICATIONS

PUBLIC COMMENT

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Appointment, Employment, Dismissal, Compensation, Discipline and Performance of an Employee of the Village of Channahon.

VP Moorman Schumacher stated that we did have Executive Session but there is no need to go into it.

The Committee of the Whole was adjourned at 6:51 p.m.

https://www.channahon.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08192024-606