D. Committee of the Whole

APPROVED VILLAGE OF LAKE ZURICH SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS MAY 21, 2008 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Tolomei at 7:00 p.m. He explained that this meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meetings Act in the event that more than one trustee chose to attend, and that minutes would be taken for the public record. He provided background information about the meetings with the homeowners association that was begun by former Mayor Jim Krischke and said the intent was for an informal discussion about concerns and suggestions for the subdivisions represented. Present –Mayor Tolomei, Trustee Craig Taylor (Woodlands), Loretta Peterson, Deb Kruk, and Mariusz Luczkiewicz, (Old Mill Grove), Kathy Kozlowski (Lucerne), Sandy Dickerhofe (LZ Pines), Teri Pytel (Orchards), Dana Swanson (Mohawk Point), Caryl Fancher (Red Bridge Farm), Jamie Maravich (Robertson Neighborhood), Catherine Skorra-Hagee (Chestnut Corners), Jeff Halen (Willow Ponds), and Jim Tarbet (Cedar Creek). GENERAL DISCUSSION WITH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS AND REPRESENATIVES ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES: Mayor Tolomei went around the table and invited each person present to speak if they desired. Dana Swanson had comments about the proposed purchase of the EJ&E Railroad by the Canadian National Railroad and asked for an update that was provided by Mayor Tolomei. He listed various groups of organized opposition and discussed his participation in recent meetings. He said Trustee Johnson is involved in the opposition of the CN purchase and would welcome comments and suggestions. Loretta Peterson provided additional information. Brief discussion followed on methods of opposition and sources of information. Ms. Swanson asked when the necessary road repairs in her neighborhood would take place. Mayor Tolomei said due to financial restraints, the Village is not proceeding with its street maintenance program as in the past. He is working with staff to review problem areas and consider steps that can be taken for urgent repairs. Finances will be regularly reviewed as the year progresses to see if maintenance projects can be scheduled. Carol Fancher said her concerns were related to needed road repairs. Her neighborhood looks forward to the opening of Staples Park after the improvements are completed. She asked for an update on the downtown. Special Committee of the Whole Minutes, May 21, 2008 2 Mayor Tolomei provided an update on the downtown development. The Board of Trustees approved an agreement on May 19, 2008, with Equity Services Group, LLC (ESG) for planning and other services related to revisions to the downtown Lake Zurich Master Plan. Mr. Smith of ESG agreed not to move forward with the proposed Nestlerest development at least until some development of the downtown has taken place because he realizes he must establish good faith. The planning firm of Torti Gallas will begin work immediately and have a completed plan within four months. Mr. Smith will have the exclusive right to develop in the downtown until January 2009. He further elaborated on the terms of the agreement. Teri Pytel said she is working with the Village arborist to get a tree in the Orchards. The railroad issue is a high priority in her subdivision. Katherine Hagee said Chestnut Corners did not have an actual home owners association but collects fees to maintain the entryway and for electricity. She asked if matching funds are available to build a small brick pillar at the subdivision entryway and submitted a plan to Mayor Tolomei. He will discuss this with Administrator Vitas. Sandy Dickerhofe said she lives in a new subdivision and wanted to be sure that the mosquito abatement company is aware that they are now incorporated. She asked for an update on the Village’s mosquito abatement plan that Mayor Tolomei provided. He will review the budget to see what funding was allocated for abatement. Ms. Dickerhofe also asked why the Hummel development on Midlothian Road seemed to stop. Mayor Tolomei responded that the fees are paid up and he suspects the stoppage is related to the market and will resume. He will check with staff to see if the permits are due to expire. Ms. Dickerhofe asked what the status was for Uncle T’s. Mayor Tolomei said the building was inhabitable except for the welding company. Jeff Halen said he lives in an 18-home subdivision. He asked for an update on road repairs and said there seemed to be a longer delay in Village mowing and landscaping at Zurites Park and nearby public property. Mayor Tolomei will check with staff on both items. Deb Kruk said her issue was street maintenance. They have been waiting for five years to have the roads repaired in her subdivision. Mayor Tolomei again addressed the financial concerns that tabled the scheduled street maintenance program this year. He supports enacting a local sales tax increase that would collect money from non residents in effect doubling the money it cost residents. Ms. Kruk asked if anything could be done to improve the condition and appearance of the fences along Route 22. Mayor Tolomei said several ideas had been discussed. He will follow up with staff to get an estimate on the previous suggestion to install bushes along the right-of-way. He understands that any solution could be complicated and involve approvals from IDOT and possibly establishing a special service area but would like to begin by getting an estimate for bushes. Special Committee of the Whole Minutes, May 21, 2008 3 Ms. Peterson recapped the request from Frank Johnstone at a previous meeting to have a brick wall installed along Route 22 as he saw in Lincolnshire. She said she saw a brick retaining wall of varied height when she traveled into Lincolnshire on Route 22. Kathy Kozlowski said there were no specific concerns in her subdivision at this time. She invited everyone to attend the grand reopening of Paulus Park and the spray ground on May 24. Jim Tarbet had comments regarding the fence issue on Route 22 and said he personally would probably not be interested in having a fence on his property because he has a landscaped barrier. He said the main concerns in his subdivision were the trees removed by Ela Township for their new Township Hall and the development of the Cummings and Cedar Hill nursery properties. Mayor Tolomei said the Cummings property will remain residential and the Cedar Hill property is an active project currently being discussed. Teri Pytel asked for an update on the hotel, the former K-Mart building, and former Omega Restaurant property. Mayor Tolomei said the hotel is proceeding, there are no proposals for the K-Mart property, and Omega will not reopen but a bank is interested in the property. He thanked the residents for coming to the meeting and said he would schedule another homeowners meeting. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Submitted by: Approved: 5/27/08