CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES - May 9, 2017 Acting Mayor Veenbaas called the Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: ROLL CALL: Present: Cannon, Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas Absent: Judd Staff Members Present: City Manager Barry Krumstok, Deputy City Clerk Ginny Cotugno, Assistant to the City Manager Lori Ciezak, Community Development Director Valerie Dehner, Finance Director Melissa Gallagher, Fire Chief Scott Franzgrote, Police Chief John Nowacki, Public Works Director Fred Vogt, City Attorney Jim Macholl Acting Mayor Veenbaas read the following statement: MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE ARE REMINDED THAT THESE PROCEEDINGS ARE BEING VIDEO TAPED FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE BROADCAST OVER THE CITY S CABLE TELEVISION CHANNEL. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES Acting Mayor Veenbaas: The first item on the agenda this evening is a motion to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2017 Committee-of-the Whole Meeting and the April 25, 2017 Council Meeting. Is there a motion? Alderman D Astice made the motion and it has been seconded by Alderman Majikes. Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions to the minutes? Seeing none, the question is shall the minutes be approved. All those in favor say aye; those opposed say nay. The ayes have it and the minutes are approved. MOTION TO DEVIATE: None MAYOR'S REPORT Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Since today is my last day as Acting Mayor I would like to personally thank the citizens of Rolling Meadows for their faith in me over the past 6 months. I also want to thank the City Council for their advice and help and many others including Linda Ballantine of the Chamber of Commerce for her help in creating a positive environment for Rolling Meadows businesses, a great partnership with the City of Rolling Meadows which will continue. I want to thank Tom Rooney, although he is not here tonight, he did text me earlier for his friendship and his advice. I want to thank you personally to the City staff,
May 9, 2017 Page - 2 including all departments and employees. A special thanks goes out to Barry Krumstok for training a new mayor. Tonight is also a special night for two residents joining the council as alderman for the first time and the swearing-in of one of our alderman as our new Mayor, but lastly today is also the departure of Brad Judd, although he is not here this evening. I would just like to say that Brad, the alderman of the 4 th Ward, after 8 years of dedicated service to the City of Rolling Meadows, I want to give him as a token of our appreciation a round of applause please. Thank you for that token of appreciation. For me it has been a great humbling experience to serve our City as an Acting Mayor. I realize, again, why myself and my family have chosen to live here for over 20 years. My thanks and the best to you all. Thank you. WARD REPORTS Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Are their Ward Reports this evening? Mr. Prejna Ward 2: Alderman Prejna: Just a couple, I do want to thank the City as they re continuing their challenge with what we have with potholes in the City. I also want to thank the Rolling Meadows Police Department, members of Crime Stoppers, last Saturday they had an event they held in the East Park Apartments complex. I just want you to know that our Chief can out cook anybody else when it comes to hamburgers. We had 400 burgers that we cooked for the residents. It was a great time that everyone came together and I just want to thank all the staff that took time out on a Saturday because I believe we had 20 different organizations that had tables there representing everyone from Harper College to Rolling Meadows High School and to other City organizations, so thank you guys, a shout out. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Thank you Mr. Prejna. Are there any other Ward Reports this evening? I see none. MEETING OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FOR 20 MINUTES: Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Moving forward this evening the meeting is open to the public for 20 minutes and I see we have three signatories on the sign in sheet, so the council is now open to members of this audience for 20 minutes to address the City Council on matters that are on the agenda or regarding other issues. Starting first with Kaye Lange, please come to the microphone. Thank you. Kaye Lange: Hi, my name is Kaye Lange and I m representing Northwest Maids. You may know us better as McMaid at 4300 Lincoln Avenue here in Rolling Meadows. I moved to Rolling Meadows in 1967 and started my business in Rolling Meadows in 1982. I ve seen a lot of changes in 35 years. Some good, some not so good. The recent decree by the Cook County Board is a big not good burden on businesses in Rolling Meadows. I already pay more than they recommend for minimum wage, but I disagree with their authority to demand it. The sick pay demand is a different story. As a small business having to pay 5 sick days would mean something else would have to go. It might be raises, vacation pay, giving to charity or community organizations. We currently do free house cleaning for women going through cancer treatment and I would hate to have to cut that program back to give 5 sick days to people that most usually aren t sick taking their sick days. As government has increased taxes across the board from payroll taxes to income taxes to the big one, property taxes, making a profit has become more difficult and I think as we all know profit is not a four letter word, so all of this is to say businesses in Rolling Meadows do not need another government unit putting another financial burden or a set of regulations on us. We have enough wage and hour rules from the US
May 9, 2017 Page - 3 Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Labor, the IDES, Illinois Department of Employment and Security, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Illinois Workmen s Comp Board. Most of the municipalities surrounding Rolling Meadows have opted out of this ordinance as is the right. Arlington Heights, Barrington, Mt. Prospect, Schaumburg, Wheeling, just to name a few. To protect the wellbeing of businesses in Rolling Meadows, which enhances the wellbeing of all of Rolling Meadows, and to help protect commercial property values in Rolling Meadows so that businesses aren t forced to move across 53 into Arlington Heights, I ask you to vote to opt out of the Cook County minimum wage and sick leave ordinance and regulations. Thank out. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Thank you very much for your comment. Next on deck is J. L. Moore. J. L. Moore: Good evening Council. I want to thank you for the opportunity to be here this evening to share my comments with you. I am a small business owner for 13 years in Rolling Meadows and I employ approximately 30 employees. As Kaye so eloquently stated I m here on the same issue of the sick pay benefit that you do have to make a decision for. The business that I run is not a high end margin business. I do pay above minimum wage, perhaps 20, 30% above minimum wage because I do want to treat my employees fairly. We went through the great recession in 2008. I had a hard time finding employees because the government made a decision to extend unemployment benefits and so people simply sat around and didn t look for employment when I was desperate for employees. Every time we give people things they take it and I m not saying people shouldn t be entitled to sick pay, but there are a lot of people that don t require sick pay who will take it because it s available. Just like two years of unemployment was available and they took it. I m asking you to opt out. I do contribute to our community here in Rolling Meadows. I donate space and utilities to a local food pantry at my expense so I m not against trying to provide for people, but I want to provide for people because it s my decision not because I m forced to make that decision as a business owner. So I d like to thank you very much and I do want to make an additional comment. The Food Pantry does service about 60 to 80 people every Saturday so we are making a major contribution to this community. Thank you. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Thank you very much for your comments and also thank you for helping out our community with your food donation and what have you. Thank you. Next is Linda Ballantine. Linda Ballantine: Good evening Mayor and Aldermen. I m here for the same reason with the two Cook County ordinances. The Cook County minimum wage increase and the mandatory 5 day paid leave for parttime employees will have a negative impact on small businesses, overall job growth, and economic development. Let me start with small businesses who make up 90% or more of private sector employers in the State of Illinois. They are owners, not corporate presidents or CEO s of Fortune 1000 companies. These owners live either in our community or in other collar communities. They have risked their savings to start a business or purchase a franchise, secured bank loans or second mortgages and/or borrowed from family and friends. These two County ordinances do not address the needs and concerns of small businesses who will be hurt the most as they survive on the slimmest of margins as is. They do not have the budgets and financial resources to sustain continual operational increases. Overall job growth, businesses in general cannot continually raise prices and still maintain their customer base. In lieu of raising prices on goods and services they will need to respond by either eliminating jobs, leaving positions open, reducing the number of work hours, and/or cutting back or eliminating other benefits. This results in stagnant job growth. Promoting economic development, it has been difficult at best to try and attract retailers, restaurants, and other independent businesses to our community to fill vacant property like the former Dominick s Shopping Center site, and large vacant spaces like the former Sam s Club to mention just a few. Just think how much more difficult, if not impossible, this will be when we have no competitive edge left with this double whammy from
May 9, 2017 Page - 4 the County. Business taxes in Illinois and Cook County in particular are one of the highest in the nation. As states compete to attract businesses, likewise surrounding counties in Illinois compete to get businesses to relocate to their area with offers of lower taxes and other amenities. Collar communities within Cook are already at a competitive disadvantage with many industries dealing in higher operational costs when trying to attract businesses and retain them. These Cook County ordinances and others like them are not the solution in sustaining a healthy business environment, job growth, or overall economic development in our collar communities including Rolling Meadows. Cook County and the State need to refocus their attention and priorities on a functional operating budget, fiscal responsibility, accountability, maintaining needed services, and restoring a healthy business climate instead of using their elected positions to eliminate or cut critical services and create even more unfunded mandates and anti-business legislation that is not warranted or acceptable. Thank you very much. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Thank you Linda. Thank you for coming and helping us tonight as we explore and we ll take a very, very important vote on this very, very important subject for the City as well as the County. Acting Mayor Veenbaas closed the floor. ORDINANCES IN FOR 2 ND READING: A. Ordinance No. 17-13 / Amend Meijer Planned Development, 1301 Meijer Drive (2 nd Reading) Acting Mayor Veenbaas read the background on the ordinance. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Is there a motion to adopt this Ordinance? Alderman Cannon made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman D Astice. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall the ordinance be adopted? The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Cannon, Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas The ordinance was adopted. B. Ordinance No. 17-14 / Approve Sign Appeal for Plum Grove Jr. High School, 2600 S. Plum Grove Road (2 nd Reading) Acting Mayor Veenbaas read the background on the ordinance. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Is there a motion to adopt this Ordinance? Alderman D Astice made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman Cannon. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall the ordinance be adopted? The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Cannon, Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas
May 9, 2017 Page - 5 The ordinance was adopted. C. Ordinance No. 17-15 / Amend Liquor Code to Approve Application for Class D Liquor License Portillo s (2 nd Reading) Acting Mayor Veenbaas read the background on the ordinance. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Is there a motion to adopt this Ordinance? Alderman Prejna made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman Banger. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall the ordinance be adopted? The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Cannon, Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas The ordinance was adopted. D. Ordinance No. 17-16 / Opt-Out of Cook County Minimum Wage and Sick Leave Mandates (2 nd Reading) Acting Mayor Veenbaas read the background on the ordinance. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Is there a motion to adopt this Ordinance? Alderman Majikes made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman D Astice. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall the ordinance be adopted? The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Cannon, Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas The ordinance was adopted. RESOLUTION: E. Resolution No. 17-R-54 / Approve Salary Increase of City Manager Acting Mayor Veenbaas read the background on the resolution. Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Is there a motion to adopt this resolution? Alderman Majikes made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman Prejna. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall the resolution be adopted? The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas NAYS: Cannon
May 9, 2017 Page - 6 The resolution was adopted. OLD BUSINESS: F. MOTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF BILLS ON WARRANT 5-9-17 Acting Mayor Veenbaas: The next item of business is a motion to approve the Warrant from 5/9/17 as presented by the Finance Department. Is there a motion to approve the warrant? Alderman Cannon made the motion and it has been seconded by Alderman Prejna. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall the warrant be approved? The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Cannon, Prejna, Majikes, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas The warrant was approved. MOTION TO DEVIATE: Acting Mayor Veenbaas: Do I have a motion to deviate from the agenda to swear-in the Mayor and Council Members? Alderman D Astice made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman Majikes. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of deviating from the agenda please signify by saying aye; those opposed say nay. The ayes have it and we will now deviate from the agenda. Acting Mayor Veenbaas swore in Mayor Len Prejna. Mayor Len Prejna swore in Aldermen Jerry Hill, Joe Gallo, and John D Astice. MAYOR PREJNA CALLED THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER. Will the Clerk please call the roll? PRESENT: Cannon, Hill, Majikes, Gallo, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas ABSENT: 0 CONSENT ORDINANCES: G. Ordinance / Appoint Delegates for JAWA 2017 (1 st Reading) H. Ordinance / Amend Liquor Code to Approve Application for Class A2 Liquor License Los 2 Amigos (1 st Reading) Mayor Prejna: The next item on the agenda is the Consent Ordinances in for 1 st Reading. It consists of two items, Items G and H. Does any alderman wish to remove an item from the Consent Agenda for Ordinances?
May 9, 2017 Page - 7 Mayor Prejna read the background on the ordinances. Mayor Prejna: The question is shall both ordinances be move forward for 2 nd Reading. The Clerk will please call the roll. AYES: Cannon, Hill, Majikes, Gallo, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas ABSENT: 0 The ordinances were moved forward for 2 nd Reading. CONSENT RESOLUTIONS: I. Resolution No. 17-R-55 / Appoint Delegate and Alternate to National League of Cities 2017 J. Resolution No. 17-R-56 / Appoint Delegates for NWMC 2017 K. Resolution No. 17-R-57 / Appoint Delegates for SWANCC 2017 L. Resolution No. 17-R-58 / Award Contract for 2017 Paint Striping M. Resolution No. 17-R-59 / Award Contract for 2017 Thermoplastic Striping N. Resolution No. 17-R-60 / Award Contract for 2017 Pavement Rejuvenator - PRA O. Resolution No. 17-R-61 / Award Contract for 2017 Asphalt Purchase P. Resolution No. 17-R-62 / Award Contract for Purchase of New Carillon Engraved Pavers Q. Resolution No. 17-R-63 / Award Contract for Installation of Pavers R. Resolution No. 17-R-64 / Approve Change Order #1 for City Hall HVAC Improvements Mayor Prejna: The next item on the agenda is the Consent Resolutions. It consists of ten items, Items I through R. Does any alderman wish to remove an item from the Consent Agenda for Resolutions? Seeing none, the Chair declares it in order for one motion to consider all ten resolutions in one motion without debate. Is there such a motion? Alderman Cannon has made the motion and it has been seconded by Alderman Banger. The question is shall all ten resolutions be adopted. AYES: Cannon, Hill, Majikes, Gallo, Banger, D Astice, Veenbaas ABSENT: 0 The resolutions were adopted. OTHER BUSINESS & REPORTS: Mayor s Appointments: 1) Jerry Hill to the ad-hoc Vehicle Replacement Committee Mayor Prejna: Is there a motion to approve the appointment? Alderman Majikes made the motion and it was seconded by Alderman Veenbaas. Is there any discussion? Seeing none the question is shall this appointment be approved? All those in favor say aye; those opposed say nay. The ayes have it and the appointment is approved.
May 9, 2017 Page - 8 Mayor's Proclamations: 1) National Public Works Week Mayor Prejna read the proclamation. City Clerk: None City Staff Reports: 1) Community Items of Interest 1) Thank you to all those residents and friends of Rolling Meadows who participated in the May 4 th Rolling Meadows Community Events Foundation Fundraiser at Portillo s. 2) Thanks to Cook County, City Hall now has a prescription drug take-back box on the second floor. Residents and friends of Rolling Meadows can dispose of unwanted, expired and unused prescription drugs (pills only no sharps or liquids) anytime. For additional information or if you have a concern, please contact Chief John Nowacki at 847-394-8500. [Please remember that Public Works still can collect sharps at the 3900 Berdnick Street Building and at the Farmer & Food Truck Events Public Works can also collect batteries and prescription drugs]. 3) Clearbrook Jelly Belly Days are set for Friday, May 12 th and Saturday, May 13 th. This is the 28 th Annual Jelly Belly Days. 4) The Garden Club s Hometown Plant & Craft Sale is Saturday, May 13 th 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Public Works Building located at 3200 Central Road (William D. Ahrens Building). 5) The Historical Museum (3100 Central) will also be having an open house on Saturday, May 13 th during the Plant and Craft Sale (9 am to 2 pm). 6) Sprinkling ban begins May 15 th. To conserve water throughout the community, lawn sprinkling is prohibited between noon and 6 pm daily, and on consecutive days. 7) The 15 th Annual Dunkin Donuts Cop on Rooftop promotion will take place on Friday, May 19 th from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Dunkin Donuts located at 3350 Kirchoff Road. During this fundraiser, local Rolling Meadows Police Officers will be on the rooftop to heighten awareness and raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. Customers who make a donation will receive a coupon for a free donut (while supplies last). For a $5.00 donation a customer can receive a lapel pin (while supplies last). For every $10.00 donation received, the donor can obtain a Torch Run/Dunkin Donuts stainless steel coffee mug (while supplies last) and a coupon for a free coffee. For a $15.00 donation a customer can receive a T-Shirt (while supplies last). We hope that you will be able to attend this promotion on Friday, May 19 th and support Cop on a Rooftop that heightens awareness and raises money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please contact Detective Katsenios at 847-870-2693. 8) Pancake Breakfast Saturday, May 20 th 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Fire Chief Franzgrote and some members of the Rolling Meadows Fire Department will be doing the cooking for The Rolling
May 9, 2017 Page - 9 Meadows Golden Years Council. The location for this event is at Park Central (3000 Central Road). There is a fee for this event. 9) Meadows Cruise Nights are back thanks to Meadows Christian Fellowship located at 2401 Kirchoff Road. The cruisers will be around from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday s starting May 26 th and going all the way through September 1 st. Please join the free family fun at 2401 Kirchoff Road. If you want additional information, please visit www.meadowscruisenights.com 10) May 26 th Veterans Dinner Veterans planning on attending this annual dinner should contact City Hall at 847-394-8500. Space is limited. 11) May 27 th Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony starts at 11:00 am on Kirchoff Road. 12) June 9 th 3 rd Annual Block Party to be conducted on Kirchoff Road from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Kirchoff Road will be closed from Meadows Drive to Oriole for the Party. Please plan on visiting. 13) June 12 th Flag Retirement Ceremony conducted by Boy Scout Troop 168 will commence at 7:00 pm at the Kimball Hill Park Fire Bowl/Pit. Anyone can bring flags to be retired or drop them off at City Hall and we will make sure they are brought over for the event. 2) Presentation of the May 16 th Committee-of-the-Whole Agenda Mr. Krumstok presented the May 16, 2017 Committee-of-the-Whole Agenda MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Mayor Prejna: Are there matters not on the agenda this evening? Alderman Banger Alderman Banger: I would be remiss if I didn t plug the Garden Club Plant Sale. Also, it s not on the write up but apparently there s going to be a bee guy there as an added attraction if you re stopping by. That s from 9:00 to 2:00 and it s not even going to be me. It s going to be my son. It s also the opening, the season opener for the Rolling Meadows Community Garden. I timed the two together so they can buy plants at the plant sale and bring them over to the Community Garden. Sadly this year the last frost will be the following weekend so hopefully people will buy stuff there, put them on their dining room table, and then plant them the following weekend, but those two things are going on for us on Saturday. Thank you. Mayor Prejna: Thank you Alderman Banger. Yes, Mr. Cannon sir. Alderman Cannon: I probably should have said this at the beginning of the meeting. More people were probably watching, but I wanted to remind residents in my Ward that live on Highland Drive, south of Highland, and all the people who live on Arlingdale west of Quentin that there s an organizational meeting for questions and answers about the major reconstruction that will start taking place on May 22 nd. We ask that all the residents get at least one member of their family there to listen to what Public Works has to say because it s going to be a very difficult couple of weeks, but a positive couple of weeks when it s all done. It s going to be a lot of major work. I think I ve knocked on probably 20, 25 doors. Most of the people are already concerned on how they are going to get in and out. I ve assured them that Fred and his staff would figure it
May 9, 2017 Page - 10 out one way or another, but I think it s really important that they show up at that meeting if they could. They ve all gotten notices I believe today. Mayor Prejna: And where is that meeting? Alderman Cannon: Its right here at City Hall in this Chamber at 6:00pm, Monday the 15 th. And that construction starts on May 22 nd. Thank you. Mayor Prejna: Any other items not on the agenda? Then I guess we ll ask for a motion to adjourn. ADJOURNMENT: Alderman Banger made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Alderman Hill. There being no further business, by unanimous consent the meeting adjourned. City Council meeting of May 9, 2017 adjourned at 8:37pm Respectfully submitted by: Ginny Cotugno, Deputy City Clerk May 9, 2017 Council Minutes will be approved by council on May 23, 2017. Ginny Cotugno, Deputy City Clerk