Present: Trustees Dodd, Kurzman, Leonard, Wolf, Plunkett, President Bielinski
Absent: Trustee Sullivan Public Comment: Three audience members indicated that they wished to comment. The co-president of the League of Women Voters of Wilmette read a statement on behalf of the LWV-W about National Voter Registration Day and County Wage and Sick Time Ordinances. A resident read a statement about County Wage and Sick Time ordinances. After this statement, President Bielinski announced that in the upcoming issues of The Village Communicator, the entire President’s message is dedicated to the minimum wage issue: his opinion and recounting of what has occurred as well as his rationale for supporting the opt out. Next another resident read a statement about County Wage and Sick Time ordinances and several other concerns. The final statement was notable as the Village President interrupted the resident, initially to refute a statement the resident made about the Land Use Committee. After this initial interruption, the President continued questioning the resident, refuting details of the resident’s statement, reading emails that the resident had sent to a business in the community, and accusing the resident of harassing businesses and misrepresenting the Village’s actions. Approximately five minutes passed in this manner at which point Trustee Kurzman asked if he might interject. President Bielinski agreed and Trustee Kurzman stated that he “could not stand by idle while a resident was being treated in this manner while advocating to his beliefs”; that he was not comfortable with how the meeting was proceeding. President Bielinski acknowledged that the resident should be allowed to complete his statement. The resident completed the statement and then left the room. President Bielinski subsequently apologized for “losing his cool” and also offered a defense of his actions. At the time of the apology, the resident who had made the statement was no longer present. Trustee Kurzman requested removal of two items from the Land Use Consent Agenda: Item 3.5: Appointment of Land Use Committee as a Special Zoning Committee to review the Village Board vote requirements for Zoning Board of Appeals recommendations. Item 3.6: Introduction of Ordinance #2017-O-59 regarding technical amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. President Bielinski read each item to Trustee Kurzman and asked if he wanted that item removed from the consent agenda, Trustee Kurzman responded “please” to each; the items were removed. Consent Agenda minus the above mentioned items passed with all Trustees voting in favor. President Bielinski read a Proclamation declaring October National Domestic Violence Month. A resident read a statement regarding the work of Shalva, an agency that provides services related to domestic violence for the Jewish community in metropolitan Chicago. Significant Topics Discussed: There was a motion and second to approve Items 3.5 and 3.6. The floor was opened to Trustee Kurzman who stated he wanted to bring awareness to Items 3.5 and 3.6. Trustee Kurzman asked several questions about the purposes of the ordinances, looking for clarification and was answered by Lisa Roberts, Assistant Community Development Director, sitting in for Mr. Adler Community Development Director. 1) RE Item 3.5: Trustee Kurzman asked why it is necessary to expedite Zoning Board of Appeals matters. Ms Roberts replied that it was not the intent to expedite matters rather the issue is that Zoning Board member attendance has become a problem and it is often not possible to take a vote on items. Without a vote, the item then proceeds back to the Village Board without a positive recommendation which can be misinterpreted as a negative vote. There was discussion of this problem. Trustee Leonard noted that attendance is a problem; the Land Use Committee intends to discuss options for increasing attendance or possibly the way ZBA members are recruited. The Zoning Board of Appeals can only consider items based on existing zoning code; the Land Use Committee can evaluate the appropriateness of the Zoning Code itself. 2) RE Item 3.6 Trustee Kurzman asked why we need a special Zoning Committee. Counsel and Village Manager commented that any change to zoning code requires that there be a special zoning committee. Trustee Kurzman noted that it is concerning at a time when we are working to address storm water management, that we are becoming more lenient in our application of ordinances. He stated that more prudent Land Use will eventually be the only way we have left to handle storm water. Trustee Dodd stated that the technical amendments in this Ordinance represented more of a “cleaning up” of the zoning code including removing some contradictions in the code. Mr. Frenzer provided an overview of the Budget and thanked the Budget team. In answer to a Trustee’s question, he confirmed that nothing in the budget would preclude any of the stormwater options that the Board is currently considering. Future meetings at which the budget will be reviewed were publicized. Issues Referred to Other Committees or Organizations: N/A Other Items of Interest: 1. Next Budget Workshop: October 3, 7:00 pm 2. Finance Committee Meeting: November 13, Agenda: MInimum Wage/Earned Sick Time 3. Land Use Committee Meeting Votes: Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Consent agenda Dodd Y Kurzman Y Leonard Y Bielinski Y Wolf Y Sullivan Absent Plunkett Y Item 3.5 Y Y Y Y Y Absent Y Item 3.6 Y Y Y Y Y Absent Y Next Meeting of Village Board: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 Observer: Allyson Haut Meeting Length: 1 hour
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All Trustees were present. The purpose of the meeting was a 2017 Mid-Year Financial review and a 2018 Budget/Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Preview. Significant Topics Discussed: There were three main areas of discussion:
The first two hours of the meeting were spent discussing the General Fund. Village staff reviewed with the Board the General Fund revenues and expenses to-date and year-end projections. 2017 revenues are projected to be higher than budgeted while expenses are projected to be lower. Large variances in both areas were reviewed. The Board discussed whether any expenses could be moved up from future years into 2017 because of the projected surplus. There was also a discussion of the Villages reserves and what is the appropriate level to maintain. Preliminary projections for 2018 revenues and expenses were presented to the Board. The Board began a preliminary discussion of 2018 Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) and the Capital Equipment Replacement Fund. The Board also discussed the Village Road Program and projected roadway conditions through the next approximately 20 years based on the current roadway funding plan. Unfortunately, the observer had to leave after 2 hours and so missed discussion of the water and sewer funds, as well as a discussion of the tax levy, pensions, and solid waste fees. The meeting adjourned after 3.5 hours at approximately 10:30 pm. The presentation from the meeting can be found at: https://www.wilmette.com/wpfb-file/8-28-2017-mid-year-financial-review-and-cip-pdf/ The 2018-2027 Capital Improvement Program can be found at: https://www.wilmette.com/wpfb-file/2018-2027-cip-8-22-17-pdf/ Issues Referred to Other Committees or Organizations: N/A Observer: Kate Gjaja Meeting Length: 3.5 hours (Observer present 2 hrs) Next meeting: 2018 Budget presented on September 26, 2017 Other items of note:
Village of Wilmette Board of Trustees - June 27, 2017 Wilmette Village Board Votes to OPT-OUT of Cook County Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave: Tuesday night, members of the LWV-W attended the Village Board meeting at which an ordinance was considered to opt-out of the Cook County Ordinances for minimum wage increases and earned paid sick leave, scheduled to take effect on July 1st. LWV policy firmly supports programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families. Co-president Allyson Haut read a statement on behalf of the LWV-W (click here to read LWV-W Statement) and members of the League spoke during public comment, asking the Village Board not to opt out of minimum wage and sick leave requirements and instead to act for the welfare of workers in our community. Unfortunately, the Village Board voted 6-1 to opt out of complying with minimum wage ordinance (only Trustee Kurzman voted not to opt out) and 5-2 to opt out of complying with earned sick leave requirements (both Trustee Kurzman and Trustee Leonard voted not to opt out). As a result, employees in our Village will not benefit from the Cook County requirement of either an increase in minimum wage or the opportunity to accrue paid sick time as of July 1st. While the LWV-W is disappointed with the outcome, we commend the Wilmette community for the interest and passion it showed on this issue. Speakers with varying opinions addressed the Board and were treated with respect at all times. Without a doubt, the Village of Wilmette modeled civil public meeting behavior on Tuesday night. We thank all the LWV-W members who wrote letters to the Village Board over the past two weeks and an added thank you to those who took the time to attend the Village Board meeting. Democracy is not a spectator sport. The LWV-W will continue to support minimum wage increases and earned paid sick leave for workers in our Village. We trust that the Board will adhere to the stated plan to continue to study these issues in committee and have the Board reconsider in the near future. To be added to a list for future updates from the Village, send your request to Assistant Village Manager Mike Braiman, braimanm@wilmette.com Remarks at the June 27, 2017 Village Board Meeting by President Allyson Haut: My name is Allyson Haut, I live on Maple Avenue in Wilmette. I am the co-President of the League of Women Voters of Wilmette and am speaking on behalf of the League of Women Voters. Two weeks ago, the League of Women Voters asked you to remove from the consent agenda, the Village Ordinance to opt-out of the Cook County Minimum Wage and Earned Sick Time requirements, stating that it was necessary to immediately begin the examination and discussion of this ordinance. We thank the Board for sharing with the community, via the website, materials related to this matter over the past 10 days. We know you have heard from a lot of our members, many of whom feel quite strongly about this issue, some of whom are small business owners. The League of Women Voters, as do all residents of Wilmette, expect our Trustees to give proper time and attention to decision making, through unbiased, thorough research and analysis of variables relevant to the issues and policies. The amount of time that has been devoted to a thorough study of the issues before us tonight, does not strike the League as sufficient, and we are troubled by the process that has gotten us to this point. But, of greater importance, the League of Women Voters supports programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families. The League unequivocally supports the Cook County minimum wage and sick leave ordinances, which were also supported by almost 70% of Wilmette voters in the 2014 and 2016 general election referenda. These ordinances must be in place to create and maintain the proper environment for the businesses, the workers and the residents of our Village, now and in the future. While many of our wonderful Wilmette businesses may already pay above current minimum wage and provide sick leave, we must guarantee this for all, now and going forward. The League of Women Voters asks the Village of Wilmette - please do not opt out of complying with the Cook County ordinances. A living wage and earned paid sick time reflect the values of the wonderful community in which we live. Wilmette has been a leader on issues regarding the well being of the community; ordinances regarding smoking and coal tar based pavement sealants being two recent examples. Wilmette can and should be the community that is a leader among its peers on these issues. As always, we appreciate the time and effort the Trustees expend on behalf of the residents who elected you to serve, and thank you for this time tonight. Village of Wilmette Board of Trustees – July 11, 2017
Trustees Kurzman and Sullivan were not present. Significant Topics Discussed: During public comment opportunity at the beginning of the meeting, LWVW Co-President Allyson Haut reminded the Board of its stated intention at the last board meeting to study the minimum wage and sick leave issues. Allyson asked the Board to keep the community apprised of the status of the study. President Bielinski stated that the Village staff had already sent a request to Board members for instructions on what they should study. President Bielinski stated that in the coming weeks, the Village staff and Board will be revisiting the various options available to address sewer issues in the Village. All items on the consent agenda were approved by Trustees Dodd, Leonard, BIelinski, Wolf, and Plunkett. Issues Referred to Other Committees or Organizations: N/A Other Items of Interest: After the meeting, we discussed with President Bielinski that the LWVW Eyewitness/Observer Corps will also be observing meetings of other elected bodies including New Trier Township, the District 39 and 203 School Boards, Library Board, and Park District Board. Observers: Lisa Bragança, Georgia Gebhardt Meeting Length: 25 minutes Votes: Consent Agenda: Dodd Y Kurzman Absent Leonard Y Bielinski Y Wolf Y Sullivan Absent Plunkett Y Next meeting: July 25, 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting Other items of note: July 19, 7:30 p.m. Village Hall - Wilmette Zoning Board of Appeals July 29, 9-noon Centennial Park parking lot – Document Destruction Day |