One resident made remarks during public comment regarding the condition of a property at the corner of Braeburn and Spring Creek Roads, which can be heard here.
The board then spent roughly twenty minutes reviewing the minutes from their prior meeting. Most of the discussion related to how detailed the minutes should be, since audio recordings are kept in perpetuity as backup for details of what transpired in any given meeting, but it seems some (or one board member) prefers their statements be as detailed as possible in the minutes as can be heard here.
Moving on to Finance and approval of the monthly bills, discussion revealed legal and managerial expenses related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests were high again. Oakwood Farm, LLC and Barrington Hills Farm contributed to the increased expenditures again last month coming in well over $9,000.
Additionally, a former member of the board also added to the legal financial burden with his requests for Open Meetings Act (OMA) investigations filed with the Illinois Attorney General’s office. When the response to his first request did not meet with his satisfaction, he apparently filed an appeal, further adding to our legal expenses.
Citing this and other instances, attorney Patrick Bond was then asked by Trustee Konicek at what point the requestor might be required to pay for the expense rather than the taxpayer being saddled with the outlay. Konicek’s questions and Bond’s responses can be heard here.
Later in the meeting the board took up a recommendation for amended codes from the Heritage & Environs Committee (HEC) pertaining to how trash must be contained in their “Refuse Lid Ordinance (RLO).” Their recommendation would require all refuse to be placed in containers with hinged lids. Failure to comply will result in a fine of $50.
The intention of the HEC proposal was to alleviate trash being strewn along Village roads when plastic garbage bags either fail or animals tear into them before pickup. A copy of their proposal can be viewed here.
Trustee Gohl motioned to approve the proposed HEC ordinance. When asked how it would be enforced, Gohl stated, “Well, you have obviously the trash Nazi running up and down the road,” as can be heard here.
After some discussion, board members decided to survey residents prior to moving forward, and they tabled the proposal to a later meeting. The recording of the full discussion of the HEC proposal can be heard here.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for October 24th.