Board of Trustees Meeting

The regular meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow shall be held at the Village Hall, One Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hollow, Illinois on the first and third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m., unless stated otherwise. The schedule can be found on the Village Trustees Page.

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Minutes: November 19, 2018

The regular meeting of the Sleepy Hollow Corporate Authorities was called to order at 7:32 p.m. at the Sleepy Hollow Village Hall.  Board members in attendance were President Stephan Pickett and Trustees Dennis Fudala, Thomas Merkel and Jeff Seiler. Trustee Scott Finney, Joe Nemec and Donald Ziemba were absent.  Also present were Police Chief James Linane, Directorof Finance Henry Mionskowski and Public Works Director Kyle Killinger.

MINUTES

Seiler moved with a second by Merkel to approve the Village Board Meeting Minutes of November 5, 2018.  With President Pickett voting aye, the motion was passed unanimously.

PRESIDENT

President Pickett recommended amending the agenda to move NEW BUSINESS to the start of the meeting to allow for a representative of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce to present its Citizen of the Year award to Norine Olson.  On motion by trustee Merkel with a second by Seiler, the motion was approved unanimously and the award was presented to Norine Olson for her unwavering and valued service to the village as Village Clerk. Upon receiving the award the entire audience gave Norine a heart felt ovation for her service.

President Pickett announced that the employees of the Village have requested being allowed to take all of 12/24/2018 and 12/31/2018 off in observance of Christmas and News Year Eve.  Presently, village employees are given ½ day off for each holiday.  President Pickett requested the board approve the employees’ request so after discussion by the board members present as to how the additional half days would be treated(available time off, vacation, sick days, etc.,) Trustee Seiler moved with a second from Fudala to approve the employees to take off the additional time.  With President Pickett voting, the motion passed unanimously.

Pickett reported the office closure on 12/24/2018 will have an effect on the Village compliance with Illinois Election Law and the timeline for filing objections to candidate nomination papers.  12/24/2018 is the last day for the filing of objections and with the office closure the last day will now be continued to the close of business on 12/26/2018.

President Pickett reported receipt of OMA Request for Review – 2018 PAC 55553 filed at the request of Trustee Merkel.  Trustee Merkel alleges the Board of Trustees violated the Open Meetings Act on or about September 5, 2018 for actions taken on three matters.

CLERK

No report.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

No report

ATTORNEY

No report.

ENGINEER

President Pickett reported on behalf of the Village Engineer the receipt and review of Draft Pros/Ledcor Request for Permit for installation of 3380’Fiber Optic Conduit on the ROW on Higgins Road, Sleepy Hollow Road and Thorobred Lane.  The Village Engineer noted several issues and concerns in his report which was forwarded to Draft Pros/Ledcor for their review and comment. Discussions with Draft Pros/Ledcor will continue so that all of the Village Engineer’s issues have been addressed.  Pickett stated the board will be apprised on the continuing discussions.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Seiler moved with a second from Merkel to approve the accounts payable of November 5, 2018 in the amount of $96,886.88.  Aye:  Fudala, Merkel and Seiler.  President Pickett voted Aye so the motion passed.  Nay: None.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Lynn Hayes addressed the board regarding the continuing nuisance coyote visits to her yard.She inquired as to the activities of the board and again requested the board take actions to dispatch the coyote. President Pickett explained the village does not control the forest preserve nor does it have authority to come on to private property to shoot coyotes.  After further spirited discussion resident Hayes was informed that she could hire a trapper at her expense to remove the nuisance coyote but that if the animal was aggressive to her and posed an immediate threat she should contact the police. Resident Hayes voiced her displeasure with the actions of the board.

PARKS, ROADS AND STREETS

No report

FINANCE

No report

WATER AND SEWER

Director Killinger spoke regarding his recommendation on the purchase of a new Neptune handheld GPS unit by the Village.  This is a similar unit to that presently inuse by the Village of Gilberts. Upon motion by Trustee Seiler with a second by Fudala, the board authorized a not-to- exceed expenditure of $9500.00 for the purchase.  With President Pickett casting an Aye vote, the motion to approve the purchase was passed unanimously.

POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

The Police Department’s Current Activity 2018 report was distributed to the board for its review and comment. Chief Linane presented a request for authority to purchase four (4)conducted energy units (Tasers). The total cost without training costs is$7,640.00.  Chief Linane reported that the insurance carrier for the village agreed to contribute $2261 toward the cost and the balance would be paid out of the DUI and Drug Enforcement Fund resulting in no out-of-pocket cost to the Village. On motion by Trustee Fudala with a second from Merkel the motion carried unanimously with President Picket casting aye for the fourth vote.

Next, Chief Linane presented two articles for publication in the Legend.  The first article will announce the establishment of the Frontline Public Safety Solutions project.  This project has four modules:  Vacation Watches, Pet Management, Parking Permission and At Risk Residents. The second article will announce the creation of a “Let’s Meet” location at the Village Hall which will provide a safe internet purchase/exchange location.  This will be a 24/7 video monitored location.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL

On behalf of Trustee Nemec President Pickett reported to the board on the continuing investigation into the nuisance coyote issue brought to the board’s attention by resident Hayes.  Pickett reported Nemec received an email from a research biologist with the Urban Coyote Project with suggestions for controlling incidents of coyote/human confrontations.  This information was forwarded for publication on the village web site. Pickett also reported on the creation coyote reporting log and database which will be managed by the Village Police Department.

BUILDING AND ZONING ENFORCEMENT

No Report

OLD BUSINESS

President Pickett brought to the board’s attention an issue arising from ComEd Work Permit 2382.  ComEd was seeking Village approval to conduct repair work on Hazel Court. While the original request was dated August 17, 2018, the request was misplaced and/or lost thereby preventing a timely review by the board.  ComEd served Notification to Perform Work Ref2382 with a start date on 10/31/2018 which was between board meetings.  To meet ComEd’s timeline, President Pickett had the Village Engineer review the Request. The Engineer noted certain issues/concerns with the request and prepared an analysis thereof.  ComEd was advised that the Request as approved conditioned on compliance with the analysis prepared by the Village Engineer.  At the request of President Pickett, Trustee Fudala made a motion with a second from Seiler to ratify the actions taken to conditionally approve the ComEd Request.  The motion to ratify was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

Seiler moved with a second from Fudala to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m.  By vote voice the motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony Mills

Village Clerk