Board of Trustees Meeting

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022 VILLAGE HALL BOARD ROOM CALL TO ORDER: President Hofeld called the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Hofeld led trustees in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Clerk Marilyn Thomas called the roll. Those present were Village President Richard Hofeld, Trustee Karen Washington, Trustee Vivian Harris-Jones, Trustee Jay Heiferman and Trustee Lauren Roman. Trustee Lisa Purcell and Trustee Cece Belue were absent. President Hofeld introduced staff present: Village Manager Napoleon Haney and Attorney Christopher Cummings. MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of July 26, 2022, were presented. There were no comments or corrections. A motion was made by Trustee Washington and seconded by Trustee Heiferman to approve the minutes as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Washington, Harris-Jones, Heiferman and President Hofeld. NAYS – None. Trustee Roman abstained. Motion carried. CLAIMS LIST: The Claims List in the amount of $662,126.18 was presented. There were no questions from the Trustees. A motion was made by Trustee Washington and seconded by Trustee Heiferman to approve the Claims List as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Washington, Harris-Jones, Heiferman and Roman and President Hofeld. NAYS –None. Motion carried. President Hofeld said two items totaled 50 percent of the Claims List: $240,233.48 for the August payment for employee insurance; $93,453.15 to Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District. HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE: President Hofeld invited anyone in the audience to discuss any item not on the agenda. Zataunia Taitt asked for help in getting police to recognize her claim that she is a victim of identity theft. She said someone stole her identity and conducted fraud on her by taking over her property in Homewood. She is trying to get an eviction notice overturned. Ms. Taitt has spoken with Manager Haney already. When she appeared before the Board, she was advised to get an attorney to help her with her claims. There is nothing the Village can do to assist her. A delegation from Homewood School District 153 shared information about an upcoming Nov. 8 tax referendum to raise the foundation level for the district by an estimated $38 a month. The district’s foundation level hasn’t been raised in 30 years. Board President Shelly Marks said failing to raise the rate would force the district to make substantial cuts that would diminish the quality of schools. The district already sold bonds in 2011 and 2016. The tax revenue would also eliminate the board’s need to constantly go to voters for a bond sale. Superintendent Scott McAlister said the additional money would also give the district revenue it could use to update the three school buildings that date to the 1950s and 1960s. It would also give the district a financial cushion. Mike Dickover is heading up the support group for the referendum. He asked anyone interested in supporting the school referendum to join the group. Ms. Marks asked the board for a resolution that would support the referendum. President Hofeld said her request would be taken under advisement. Omnibus Vote: The board was asked to consider a motion to pass, approve, authorize, accept, or award the following items: A. Reappointments/Appearance Commission/Economic Development Committee: Approve the reappointments of John Zander to the Appearance Commission for a three-year term ending on August 9, 2025; Terry Keigher to the Economic Development Committee for a two-year term ending on August 9, 2024; and, Craig Schmidt to the Economic Development Committee for a two-year term ending on August 9, 2024. B. MC-1063/Tobacco Retailer License/Standards, Classes, and Limits: Pass an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to set standards for the review of tobacco license applications, create two separate classes of tobacco licenses (class 1 and class 2), and limit the allowed number of tobacco licenses in the Village to 17 class 1 licenses and one class 2 license. Any new licenses will be approved by the Village Board. C. M-2226/Tobacco Retailer License/Fee Schedule Revision: Pass an ordinance amending the “Business License” section of the Fee Schedule as it pertains to tobacco retailer license fees; establishing the fee for a Class 1 Tobacco Retailer License at $600 and the fee for a Class 2 Tobacco Retailer License at $1,200. A motion was made by Trustee Roman and seconded by Trustee Washington to approve the Omnibus Report as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Washington, Harris-Jones, Heiferman and Roman and President Hofeld. NAYS –None. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: MC-1064/Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment/Places of Public Assembly. The board deferred action on this item. GENERAL BOARD DISCUSSION: Trustee Heiferman reminded everyone to watch for school children as schools reopen this month. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Trustee Roman and seconded by Trustee Washington to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Thomas Village Clerk