Village Board

May 13, 2021 Village Board Meeting VILLAGE OF HUNTLEY VILLAGE BOARD May 13, 2021 MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER: A meeting of the Village Board of the Village of Huntley was called to order on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex, Village Board Room, 10987 Main St., Huntley, Illinois 60142. ATTENDANCE: PRESENT: Mayor Charles Sass; Trustees: Ronda Goldman, Tim Hoeft, Niko Kanakaris, Harry Leopold, John Piwko and JR Westberg. ABSENT: None IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager David Johnson, Deputy Village Manager Lisa Armour, Management Assistant Barbara Read, Village Clerk Rita McMahon, Deputy Chief Mike Klunk, Deputy Chief Todd Fulton, Director of Public Works and Engineering Timothy Farrell, Director of Development Services Charles Nordman, Director of Finance Cathy Haley, Director of Human Resources Chrissy Hoover, and Village Attorney John Cowlin. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Sass led the Pledge of Allegiance. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: a) Proclamation – National Police Week, May 9-15, 2021 Mayor Sass read the following proclamation: Honoring the Huntley Police Department and Law Enforcement Personnel Nationwide National Police Week, May 9 – May 15, 2021 WHEREAS, there are more than 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the Village of Huntley Police Department; WHEREAS, since the first recorded death in 1791, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty; WHEREAS, the men and women of the Huntley Police Department have made the commitment to provide upstanding and unequaled dedication in serving and protecting Huntley residents, businesses and visitors; WHEREAS, the Huntley Police Department sponsors community events and services such as Bike Huntley, National Night Out, Citizen Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch, and L.E.A.D. the Way just to name a few; and WHEREAS, the mission statement of the Village of Huntley Police Department states “With crime prevention and law enforcement as our cornerstone, the Huntley Police Department is committed to providing professional service through a well-trained staff working with the community and other departments and agencies to maintain a safe, friendly village”. 1  May 13, 2021 Village Board Meeting NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees, I Village President Charles H. Sass, hereby request all residents to publicly salute the service of law enforcement officers in our great community and in all communities across the nation. Deputy Chief Klunk accepted the certificate on behalf of the Police Department and the Village Board for their support of the Police Department. b) Proclamation – National Public Works Week, May 16-22, 2021 Mayor Sass read the following proclamation: Village of Huntley National Public Works Week Proclamation May 16-22, 2021 WHEREAS, public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of the Village of Huntley; and, WHEREAS, these infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who are engineers, managers and employees at all levels of government and the private sector, who are responsible for rebuilding, improving and protecting our nation’s transportation, water supply, water treatment and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens; and, WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders and children in the Village of Huntley to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities; and, WHEREAS, the year 2021 marks the 61st annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association so be it now, RESOLVED I, Charles Sass, Village President do hereby designate the week May 16 – 22, 2021 as National Public Works Week; I urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, safety, and quality of life. Director of Public Works and Engineering Timothy Farrell thanked the Village Board and stated that everyone in the Department, do enjoy providing the services to the Community and accepted the certificate on behalf of the Public Works and Engineering Department. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chief Scott Ravagnie, Huntley Fire Protection District, on behalf of himself, the Board of Trustees and the District presented Mayor Sass with a plaque for his 20 years of service. Mayor Sass thanked Chief Ravagnie. Superintendent Scott Rowe, Huntley Community School District 158, thanked Mayor Sass and Trustee Piwko for their years of service. Dr. Rowe thanked the Mayor for sticking to standards set forth for the community and by doing so resulted in an extremely strong School District by holding the standards at the 2  May 13, 2021 Village Board Meeting highest level which has contributed to the School District’s financial stability. Small acts of strong leadership is why the community is strong today. Dr. Rowe thanked the Mayor for his time and leadership on behalf of the School District. Mayor Sass thanked Dr. Rowe. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION: a) Consideration – Approval of the April 22, 2021 Village Board Meeting and April 22, 2021 Liquor Commission Hearing Minutes Mayor Sass reported that everyone was in attendance at the meetings. A MOTION was made to approve the April 22, 2021 Village Board Meeting and April 22, 2021 Liquor Commission Hearing Minutes. MOTION: Trustee Leopold SECOND: Trustee Piwko AYES: Trustees: Goldman, Hoeft, Kanakaris, Leopold, Piwko, and Westberg NAYS: None ABSENT: None The motion carried: 6-0-0 b) Consideration – Approval of the May 13, 2021 Bill List in the amount of $398,726.08 Mayor Sass reported that $78,624.48, or 19.8% of the Bills List total is allocated to the sum of the reimbursement for the Façade Improvement Reimbursement Grant, and budgeted project expenditures: • $52,700.00, payment to Sternberg Lighting for the 2021 Streetlight Replacement Program - Del Webb Boulevard & Hemmer Road. • $15,924.48, payment to Patrick Engineering Inc. for invoice 12 for Engineering Services for the Kreutzer Road Phase I Project. • $10,000.00, payment to the American Legion of Huntley for the Façade Improvement Reimbursement Program Grant which was approved by the Village Board on April 8, 2021. Mayor Sass asked if the Village Board had any comments or questions; there were none. A MOTION was made to approve the May 13, 2021 Bill List in the amount of $398,726.08. MOTION: Trustee Kanakaris SECOND: Trustee Goldman AYES: Trustees: Goldman, Hoeft, Kanakaris, Leopold, Piwko, and Westberg NAYS: None ABSENT: None The motion carried: 6-0-0 RECOGNITION OF TRUSTEE PIWKO: Trustee Westberg complimented Trustee Piwko on his 14 years of public service and stated that he has done Huntley proud. Trustee Westberg stated that Trustee Piwko was instrumental in many projects and that his work on bike paths was second to none. Trustee Westberg stated that while they didn’t always agree, they always found a way to work together; diversity makes a good Board; communication and putting in the 3  May 13, 2021 Village Board Meeting work for our residents is what counts. Trustee Westberg thanked Trustee Piwko for his service and wished him the best in his future endeavors. Trustee Piwko thanked Trustee Westberg. Trustee Leopold thanked Trustee Piwko for his service and all he did for the Village; he stated he was a good Board member with good thoughts that turned into realities for the Village. Trustee Leopold also thanked Mayor Sass and stated that they didn’t get off to a good start in 2001 but since then while they had different approaches they see things just about the same way. Trustee Leopold stated that there is no one on the Board that has the interests of the community of Huntley more at heart than Mayor Sass. Trustee Goldman thanked Trustee Piwko for being her mentor when she was a new trustee eight (8) years ago and she appreciates everything that he did. Trustee Goldman stated that Trustee Piwko is honorable, trustworthy, and read every single item in the packet before the meetings and she will miss him and appreciates everything he did for the Village of Huntley and hopes that there is something that can use his services as well as the Village did. Trustee Piwko thanked Trustee Goldman. Trustee Hoeft thanked Trustee Piwko for teaching him the ropes when he was new to the Village Board. Trustee Hoeft said that they didn’t always agree but always came together as a Board for the best of community. Trustee Hoeft wished him well in his future endeavors and thanked him for his service. Trustee Hoeft thanked Mayor Sass for bringing him onto the Zoning and Planning Commission in 2011 and then six (6) years on the Village Board. Trustee Hoeft stated that he echoes Trustee Leopold’s thought that there is no one in this community with more heart and he appreciates all that Mayor Sass has done for the Village over the last 24 years. Mayor Sass stated that he got to meet Trustee Piwko when the County was working on widening Algonquin Road and put him on the Plan Commission then in 2007 appointed him to the Village Board when there was an opening. Mayor Sass presented Trustee Piwko with a gift which read: John Piwko Village Trustee – thank you for your dedication, commitment and countless hours of service to the Huntley community. Village Manager Dave Johnson echoed many of the comments already made and stated that Trustee Piwko is a true public servant who put in thousands of hours giving back to the community. He was always helping: farmers markets, CPA, directing traffic, CERT, as well as being Santa. Village Manager Johnson stated that on behalf of Staff he cannot thank him enough for his service. Mayor Sass asked if Trustee Piwko wanted to say a few words. Trustee Piwko read the following statement: So normally I don’t say much but tonight is an exception. 20 years ago this July we moved to Huntley. Nice town of 5700 people. Today we’re pushing 30,000. For those that don’t know we lost our first house to the county who decided that it was in the way of the Algonquin Road widening. It was during that process that I first met Chuck Sass and the late Carl Tomaso. We received much support from them during that fight, one that we lost. It was after that I decided that I wanted to give back to the community. So, I submitted my resume and soon thereafter Mayor Sass made his second-best decision which was to appoint me to the Planning Commission. About a year or so later Mayor Sass made his best decision ever and appointed me to the Village Board to fill an open position. That was a little over 14 years ago. I remember my first official meeting with Carl Tomaso. He told me that I would become a great trustee. He said ‘always remember to think about what the residents would want you to do and vote that way’. That’s something I’ve always done for the past 14 years. I’m very proud of what I accomplished. The downtown 4  May 13, 2021 Village Board Meeting revitalization which I feel responsible in getting started. I’m also very proud of the walkability in town, all the way down Rt 47 and along Algonquin Road, something I hope continues. I know Mayor Sass and I had our differences over the years but we always had the residents’ best interest in mind. That is something I hope the new board continues to do. I want to thank Dave, Lisa, Rita, Barb and the rest of the staff for all their help when I needed it. I’m proud to call you my friends. RECOGNITION OF MAYOR SASS: Trustee Westberg said that all good things must come to an end but they also say legacies live forever and that is what you are leaving behind, a legacy. Trustee Westberg said that Mayor Sass brought us from a population of 3,700 to a population of nearly 29,000 and noted the accomplishments of the Municipal Complex, the full interchange, the hospital and the countless things that he brought to the Village. Trustee Westberg also mentioned bringing life to those living out their golden years with Sun City; he kept his promise of “the country charm”. He thanked Mayor Sass for his dedication to Huntley, always working long hours; driving around to make sure the garbage trucks weren’t tearing up the roads. Trustee Westberg stated that everyone knows that Mayor Sass is not a tax and spend liberal. Trustee Westberg said that Mayor Sass has taught the Board that we can always make do with the funds we have in the budget. Trustee Westberg stated that they have full confidence that with Staff and the Board that they will also make the budget work. Trustee Westberg said that Mayor Sass is leaving a legacy and they will take it from here and thanked Mayor Sass. Trustee Goldman said that she will miss Mayor Sass terribly and will miss his jokes. Trustee Goldman stated that it started off tenuous but then settled in like an old marriage. She said it will be hard not to have Mayor Sass at the dais but things change and move forward. Village Clerk Rita McMahon reminisced about their 24 years working together and presented Mayor Sass with his gavel. Village Clerk McMahon also presented Mayor Sass with a photo of Mayor Sass’s water tower signed with well-wishes by the 90+ employees of the Village. Village Manager Dave Johnson noted the countless hours Mayor Sass worked behind the scenes for the betterment of the community. Village Manager Johnson spoke of when the Village went to surrounding communities and asked them to emulate Huntley by imposing impact and transition fees which has brought in almost $23M to the Community School District 158; $4.4M to the Huntley Park District; $1.6M to the Huntley Library; and, $3.6M to the Huntley Fire Protection District. Village Manager Johnson told Mayor Sass that he truly built this Village and put a foundation in place for the future and his legacy will live on forever and ensure that by naming a road after the Mayor. Village Manager Johnson stated that Kreutzer Road west will forever be known as Charles H. Sass Parkway. Mayor Sass said that it has been an honor and privilege to serve the great Village of Huntley; it’s the best place in McHenry County. Mayor Sass said that during his time he has had the opportunity to work with a lot of Trustees but they always had the best interest at heart for the people of Huntley and have always done a great job and thanked them. Mayor Sass thanked the outstanding staff they have had over the years and their dedication. Mayor Sass acknowledged the late village manager, Carl Tomaso and said they learned a lot from him. Mayor Sass stated with Carl’s untimely death the Village did not miss a beat with Carl’s student Dave Johnson taking over. Mayor Sass acknowledged Deputy Village Manager Lisa Armour taking over while Dave Johnson left and during the difficult time of Covid, Ms. Armour performed admirably. Mayor Sass thanked everyone and thanked his son, daughter-in-law and his four (4) grandchildren for attending the meeting. 5  May 13, 2021 Village Board Meeting ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE Village Clerk McMahon administered the Oath of Office: a) Trustee Ronda S. Goldman b) Trustee Mary Holzkopf c) Trustee JR Westberg d) Village President Timothy J. Hoeft VILLAGE MANAGER’S REPORT Trustee Westberg thanked Village Manager Johnson, the Police Department and Public Works Department for the outstanding job they did with the closure of Route 47 at the railroad tracks for repair. Village Manager Johnson stated that the railroad was so appreciative with the assistance they received that they bought both Public Works and the Police Department breakfast. Village Manager Johnson stated that everyone is happy to have the repair of the road and tracks completed. VILLAGE PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mayor Hoeft stated that he was humbled and honored to be able to serve the Village he grew up in, in this capacity. Mayor Hoeft stated that he could not do it without his wife and children, family and friends. Mayor Hoeft told Mayor Sass that he has looked up to him for quite a while and that Mayor Sass has showed him how to do the job to the best of his ability. Mayor Hoeft stated that they will continue with projects that Mayor Sass started and will be fiscally responsible with budgeting and thanked Mayor Sass for his 24 years of service. VILLAGE ATTORNEY’S REPORT: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further items to discuss, a MOTION was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. MOTION: Trustee Holzkopf SECOND: Trustee Leopold The Voice Vote noted all ayes and the motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Read Recording Secretary 6