Audio recordings from the May 23rd monthly meeting of the Village Board of Trustees are available for review on the Village website. To access the menu of edited recordings by agenda topic, click here.
Two residents made public comments at the beginning of the two hour and fifteen minute meeting. Both comments were related to the board’s agenda item to discuss the Target Shooting Ordinance, and those can be heard here.
The Finance report lasted over half an hour, with few noteworthy actions or revelations to report. Most of the banter seemed to be from some members of the board who like to hear themselves talk. A perfect example of this was Trustee Gohl’s questioning of a legal bill for ten (10) dollars.
To improve productivity during future financial discussions, it was suggested that trustees provide questions on specific invoices via email to the village treasurer in advance of the meetings so that immediate answers can be provided regarding the nature of specific invoices. The recording of the full finance report can be heard here.
The Roads & Bridges report revealed that the Cuba Road Bridge reconstruction project is not only delayed, but it is now over budget. Dan Strahan, Village Engineer, of Gewalt Hamilton introduced an amendment to the original resolution for the cost overrun, but when asked how much it was going to be, Strahan did not have an immediate answer for the trustees he sought approval from.
When asked what caused the increase in costs, Strahan stated it was due to the improper relocation of utility lines that led to the delays in construction (which we’ve reported on previously). Strahan was questioned, primarily by Trustee Konicek-Hannigan, as to who was responsible for the misplaced utility lines.
The engineer indicated that AT&T, Comcast, ComEd and Nicor determine the location of the new lines based on the plans for the new bridge. However it brings into question why Gewalt Hamilton did not inspect that the work was properly done last fall before Cuba Road was closed and the existing bridge removed. It also makes one wonder how all four utilities followed the engineering plans and somehow put their lines in the wrong place.
It was only with the assistance of the village clerk and others present was it was then determined that Village’s share of the bridge cost overrun will be over $23,000 (IDOT is funding 80% of the costs of the bridge reconstruction). Given little choice, considering the bridge must be completed, the board approved the resolution, with only Trustee Gohl voting no, and Trustee Harrington abstaining. The recording of this discussion can be heard here.
Trustees then approved the 2016 Roads Program (heard here) with the addition of a portion of River Road slated for next year, as a result of lower asphalt prices available this year.
Also, a draft of a request for proposal for engineering services (seen here) was distributed by President McLaughlin for review by the board. Once comments and changes have been submitted, it will be sent out for bid later this year. Considering we may be facing another bridge issue on Old Hart Road, perhaps emphasis on bridge projects related to utility relocation expertise should be placed as a high qualification.
The discussion of the Target Shooting Ordinance revealed there are a total of five permits currently active in the Village. One is held by the Barrington Hills Country Club for limited skeet shooting and four have been issued to private residences — one of which seems to have become a problem with some neighbors. That discussion can be heard here.
The Building & Zoning report revealed that a new proposed text amendment to horse boarding codes was submitted in May. President McLaughlin described what he hoped the process would be for review by various Village bodies as can be heard here.
Attorney Patrick Bond informed the board that the Cook County State’s Attorney determined that their budget process did not violate the Open Meetings Act as a member of the prior administration had alleged. Bond’s comments can be heard here, and he indicated that another complaint, presumably from the same source, was forthcoming.
The meeting ended with President McLaughlin making re-appointments to the Heritage & Environs Committee, and an update on improving the Village’s website using outside professional resources. The administration report can be heard here.
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