Audio recordings from the January 25th regular monthly meeting of the Village Board have been posted to the Village website. President Pro-Tem Colleen Konicek Hannigan chaired most of the two-hour meeting which, for the second month in a row, had no comments from the public.
Trustee Bryan Croll’s finance report was the longest of those covered, and his item regarding pension obligation bonds was deferred until later in the meeting so that President McLaughlin could be present for the discussion.
During the Bills For Approval report, Trustee Gohl had a list of rather obscure questions on certain invoices, which Village Clerk Anna Paul addressed quite well. At one point, he asked even the police chief for an explanation of a bill related to a zoning inspection.
We must compliment Ms. Paul, since she seemed to be extremely prepared to provide answers regarding Bills For Approval, as well as detailed background for most other items on the agenda that evening. This is a refreshing change since Bob Kosin, Village Administrator, seems to always need to be coaxed so speak up on such matters.
Trustee Croll also reviewed expenses for 2015, compared to those of the prior fiscal year, and mentioned reductions in many areas. It should be noted that many of these cost reductions can be attributed to measures taken by the Board prior to his election, but his summary can be heard here.
During the Attorney’s Report, it was learned that Barrington District 220 is seeking amendments to zoning restrictions set forth in an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) from 2004 for their recently acquired property in Barrington Hills, between Hart and Old Hart Roads (a map can be viewed here). This, despite the fact that the district was aware of the zoning limits when they acquired the property, and they have no near-term plans for its use.
According to Village Attorney Patrick Bond’s report, the district wishes to have the ability to use the property for, “school purposes and elementary and high school use, related facilities. Elementary, middle and high school parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, athletic facilities, school related parking for school uses (not to include the storage of busses, trucks, maintenance vehicles or commercial vehicles) and administrative offices.”
Bond went on to say that such changes to the IGA would require changes to our existing Village Code, and that the district asked if Barrington Hills would consider the annexation of the property into the Village of Barrington. As one might expect, our board members were not receptive to any changes to the IGA without any input first from adjacent property owners on Old Hart Road.
The link to the full District 220 land use discussion recording can be accessed here.
President McLaughlin joined the meeting shortly after the attorney’s report, and discussion began on the deferred topic of the Police Pension Obligation Bond (PPOB) from the finance section of the meeting.
(It should be noted that last year the PPOB initiative was all but dismissed as an option, due to rising interest rates, but Trustee Croll had requested it be included on the January agenda so that he could make a statement on the matter.)
Croll began the discussion by reading a long prepared statement (heard here) that included the word “I” dozens of times, thus underscoring the fact he is the only member of the Finance Committee he was reporting on. Given the considerable number of financial professionals we have living in the Village, perhaps this committee should be expanded to three members in the future in order to provide discussion and consensus.
Additionally, his statement included many references to detailed financials, and was somewhat difficult to follow without a copy, which was not provided to his fellow board members for review in advance, nor even distributed before he read it at the meeting.
When, at one point during his discourse, President McLaughlin courteously asked him to repeat a statement, Croll indignantly retorted, “It can wait.” Thinking better of it, Croll repeated the sentence. When he was finished, McLaughlin thanked Croll for his accommodation, explaining he didn’t have a copy of the report to follow along with, to which Croll responded, “You can take notes.”
McLaughlin then provided a very candid perspective on the missed opportunity for residents to fully fund pensions for our police officers over two years ago at extremely favorable bond rates, as can be heard here. The Board then unanimously voted down pursuing bonds to fund the police pension.
Later, during the administration report, McLaughlin reviewed some of the recent activities of other taxing bodies, including the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District which is looking at switching its 911 dispatch services and possibly considering a third fire station. McLaughlin encouraged residents to get involved in these issues, or at least stay informed on developments, as can be heard here.
To access the full menu of edited recordings by topic from the entire meeting, click here.
All should listen to the dialogue concerning pension obligation and missed opportunity by VBH Board to obtain pension bond when Federal Discount Rate was at “0” percent.
While certain VBH BOT members decided to politicize the matter, VBH taxpayers lost the opportunity to save many Millions of Dollars over time. This was math and nothing else. President McLaughlin attempted to lead Board to water but could not force certain members to drink.
Knowing they blew it, we now get the “Raz Ma Taz” from VBH board member in charge of finance using a ROI timeline for other funds of less than 5 years.
THIS WAS A NO BRAINER! Let me go on record by saying that had I been elected to VBH Board, bonding over pension obligation would have received my vote and taxpayers would be richer for it.
Just another political football for pompous loud mouths who want to create disorder where there is none David. First it was the Heritage Fest. Next it was bringing on a new law firm with municipal and zoning law expertise. Then it was consolidating 911 dispatch before we were forced to go with a center not of our choosing by the state. Now it’s a muffed opportunity to save residents money on police pension funding after the finance chair dragged his feet since last spring.
Trustee Croll is doing just what he was elected to do. I don’t think it correct to compare his recommendation to the nonsense created by the last administration and their leftovers…….not the same. Clearly Trustee Croll is doing his job for the community – not the ‘village’. Read between the lines on that one.
I found the exchange between Trustee Croll and President McLaughlin, very symptomatic of some of the underlying issues which are plaguing our village. There is a power struggle between the political establishment, and those who are tired of this type of politics and back room dealings.
Croll’s retorts seem justified because their continues to be a climate of supporting political agendas and not residents. Although Croll’s approach could have been softer, I understand the frustration he feels about pandering to county agencies. President McLaughlin and Trustee Konicek also voted in favor of the MCCG, begging the question whose side are they really on? Why support it?
I think it’s clear. If the criticism was the previous administration, they had better start voting for this village, instead of what is in their best interest.
You need to listen to the MCCOG platform recording again. MCCOG only allows a yes/no vote on the plan AS IS with NO changes at all. Konicek amended her motion to include a contingency, which MCCOG will not include in their final platform.
This was a stroke of diplomatic genius on Konicek’s part since we basically declined to approve the platform as it was submitted without VOTING it down.
Amen Bailey Amen!