Will County Gazette

Village of Frankfort Committee of the Whole met Oct. 9.

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, October 9, 2024, 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 Michael Leddin, Maura Rigoni, Dan Rossi, and Gene Savaria. Staff in attendance included Village Administrator Rob Piscia, Police Chief Leanne Chelepis, Deputy Clerk Theresa Cork, and Finance Director Jenni Booth. Also in attendance was Lauterbach and Amen, LLP representative Matt Beran.

Trustee Jessica Petrow attended via electronic attendance.

Trustee Borrelli arrived at 5:33 p.m., following approval of the minutes.

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.

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

Trustee Savaria moved, seconded by Trustee Leddin, to approve electronic attendance by Trustee Petrow.

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

Village Clerk Katie Schubert called the roll following approval of electronic attendance. In attendance were Mayor Keith Ogle, Clerk Katie Schubert, Trustees Michael Leddin, Jessica Petrow (electronic attendance), Maura Rigoni, Dan Rossi, Gene Savaria. Absent: Trustee Adam Borrelli.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES (SEPTEMBER 11, 2024)

Trustee Rigoni moved, seconded by Trustee Savaria, to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of September 11, 2024, as presented.

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

FISCAL YEAR 2024 AUDIT PRESENTATION

Lauterbach & Amen, LLP representative, Matt Beran, expressed his thanks to Finance Director Jenni Booth and staff for their work and providing a well-prepared audit package. Mr. Beran reported the Village has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the last 35 consecutive years, from fiscal year 1989 to 2023, and it is anticipated that this document will also receive that award.

Mr. Beran presented a high-level view of the Village's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Management Letter from Lauterbach & Amen for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024. He stated that the report includes an unmodified ("clean") opinion on the Village's financial statements. He stated the Village remains in a strong financial position. He then provided a few key financial highlights of the report, including:

• The Village's overall net position increased by 4.1 % as a result of this fiscal year's operations. Net position of governmental activities increased by $1,743,108 or 1.4%. Net position of business-type activities increased by $7,723,299 or 7.2%. These positive changes in net position will fund future capital projects included in the Village's long-term plan.

• The assets/deferred outflows of the Village exceeded its liabilities/deferred inflows at the close of this year by $240,788,103 (net position). Of this amount, $60,882,033 (unrestricted net position) may be used to meet the Village's ongoing obligations to citizens and creditors.

• The Police Pension Fund's plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of total pension liability increased to 66.38% in fiscal year 2024 from 63.46% in fiscal year 2023.

• The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) increased its plan fiduciary net position as a percentage of the total pension liability from 88.92% in fiscal year 2023 to 94.062% in fiscal year 2024.

Mr. Beran concluded by providing an overview of the Management Letter and answered questions from the committee members.

Following presentation and discussion, Trustee Leddin moved, seconded by Trustee Rossi, to forward a recommendation to the Village Board to accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024.

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

AUDITING SERVICES ENGAGEMENT LETTER

Director Booth presented a Letter of Engagement from Lauterbach & Amen, LLP for professional auditing services for the next five fiscal years. She reported the firm has performed the Village's audit for the past ten fiscal years (FY2015 - FY2024) and due to the high quality of services received, staff recommends entering into another five-year contract with Lauterbach & Amen. Director Booth noted the contract may be terminated by either party with written notice by the first of the year for the upcoming audit.

A summary of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP fees is listed in the table below:

Trustee Savaria moved, seconded by Trustee Borrelli, to forward a recommendation to the Village Bord to award a five-year auditing services contract to Lauterbach & Amen, as presented.

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

2024 TAX LEVY

Director Booth presented an overview of the tax levy for 2024. She reported the total property tax levy extension for 2023 was $3,722,520 ($3,713,116 capped and $9,404 non-capped) which resulted in a rate of .3167 (.3159 capped and .0008 non-capped) for Frankfort taxpayers.

Director Booth then explained the information used when calculating the tax for 2024. She reported preliminary Equalized Assessed Valuation (EA V) from the Will County Assessor showed an overall increase of approximately 12.5% ( approximately 11 % for existing property and 1.5% for new growth). Director Booth further reported the Village was given a new property estimate of$17,972,098 by the county. She stated the County Clerk's Office reported CPI of3.4%. and the estimated EAV including new growth is $1,323,105,185. Director Booth went on to explain that the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) must be considered as scenarios are calculated, noting taxing districts are limited to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

Director Booth advised committee members that all the levy scenarios include the Police Pension Fund's recommended levy amount of $1,561,611. She noted the Village is still waiting for the statutorily mandated minimum contribution from the Illinois Police Officers' Pension Investment Fund. She noted that if this amount if higher than the amount listed above, the line items of the levy will be modified to include the higher Police Pension levy request, but the overall levy amount would remain the same. Director Booth also provided a Will County Historical Property Tax Information worksheet which highlighted Village levy rates for years 2007 through 2023.

Director Booth presented six property tax levy scenarios for committee consideration and discussion:

Mayor Ogle opened the floor for comments regarding the 2024 tax levy. Committee members discussed the six scenarios presented. Following discussion, it was the consensus of the committee to recommend property tax levy scenario 4.

Trustee Borrelli moved, seconded by Trustee Rigoni, to forward a recommendation to the Village Board to set the 2024 tax levy extension at $3,892,232.

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

Trustee Borrelli moved, seconded by Trustee Rigoni, to forward a recommendation to the Village Board to adopt a resolution directing the Will County Clerk to make reductions in the corporate, IMRF, social security, or police protection line items due to the limitations of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, subject to additional review by the Village.

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

VILLAGE OF FRANKFORT CODE OF ORDINANCES AMENDMENT: OFF-ROAD RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND ELECTRIC ASSIST BICYCLE

Chief Chelepis presented amendments to the municipal code pertaining to the regulations for off road recreational vehicles and electric assist bicycles. She recommended eliminating Chapter 97: Off-Road Recreational Vehicles from the municipal code, stating that it is outdated and conflicts with another ordinance. Additionally, she recommended amending Chapter 74: Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Certain Other Vehicles, to implement regulations for Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle use. She noted electric-assist bicycles are currently not allowed in the Village and the proposed amendment to the Traffic Code will provide regulations to ensure the safe operation of bicycle use. Chief Chelepis noted Class 2 and Class 3 low-speed electric bicycles will remain unlawful in the Village. This proposed amendment would align the Village's regulations with those of the Will County Forest Preserve, particularly for areas like the Old Plank Road Trail, which falls under both jurisdictions, providing consistency for residents, visitors, and law enforcement.

Following discussion, Trustee Borrelli moved, seconded by Trustee Savaria, to forward a recommendation to the Village Board to remove Chapter 97: Off-Road Recreational Vehicles from the Village of Frankfort Code of Ordinances.

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

Trustee Rossi moved, seconded by Trustee Savaria, to forward a recommendation to the Village Board to amend Chapter 74: Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Certain Other Vehicles of the Village of Frankfort Code of Ordinances, to add provisions for the regulation of electric-assist bicycles.

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

Staff noted that they will provide information regarding the regulations for low-speed electric bicycles on social media following approval by the Village Board.

NWC WHITE & EL WOOD STREET - CONSIDERATION TO DECLARE PROPERTY SURPLUS

Administrator Piscia reported that currently there are no active project proposals for the Village owned parcel located at the northwest comer of Elwood and White Street. He sought direction from the committee members regarding their interest in declaring the property surplus.

Committee members discussed the Village-owned parcel in relationship to the recently constructed parking lots and the new development in the Historic District. While members expressed interest in declaring the property surplus for development, they agreed that it would be best to wait for a formal proposal before proceeding. Members emphasized the need to determine the highest and best use of this key downtown site.

KANSAS STREET - DISCUSSION

The seasonal closure of Kansas Street for outdoor dining has been well received since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, discussions have begun on whether a temporary or permanent closure of the street is in the best interest of the community. Administrator Piscia stated that he confirmed with the Village's carrier that Class III protective barricades and proper signage are required for any temporary street closures. Mayor Ogle stated that he would investigate creating an ad hoc advisory committee to gather community feedback and provide recommendations to the Village Board on ways to improve the aesthetics of a temporary street closure.

Additionally, members expressed interest in revisiting traffic patterns in the downtown area, specifically considering the possibility of changing Oak Street from one-way southbound to one way northbound or two-way traffic. They also supported looking at the overall footprint of the downtown business district to enhance traffic flow.

OTHER BUSINESS

Trustee Borrelli asked about the status of the Copper Creek Development (former Borg Warner property). Administrator Piscia noted that staff is still waiting for the revised site plans from the developer and Robinson Engineering is looking at different scenarios for Locust Street improvements associated with the project.

Clerk Schubert departed the meeting at 6:45 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Resident Kirk Nissen stated that he did not support the permanent closure of Kansas Street, and he voiced his support of the committee's decision to not surplus the Village-owned property at the NWC of Elwood and White Street at this time.

ADJOURNMENT

Hearing no further business, Mayor Ogle called for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Borrelli moved, seconded by Trustee Savaria, to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting of Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Deputy Clerk Cork called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Leddin, Petrow, Rigoni, Rossi, and Savaria. Nays: None. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:49 P.M.

https://cms9files.revize.com/frankfortil/XC60SCAN_20241106152952.pdf