Village of Homer Glen
14933 South Founders Crossing
Homer Glen, Illinois 60491
June 24, 2014
Board of Trustees
Board Meeting
Village Board Room
14917 South Founders Crossing
Homer Glen, IL
Village Board of Trustees
Board Meeting
June 24, 2014
A. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order on June 24, 2014 by Mayor Jim Daley at 7:31 p.m. in the Village Board Room,
14917 South Founders Crossing, Homer Glen.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present at 7:31 p.m. were Mayor Jim Daley, Trustees Mike Costa, Marcia DeVivo, Tedd Kagianas, Sharon
Sweas and George Yukich. Trustee Sabo arrived at 7:35 p.m. All remained present throughout the meeting.
Also present on behalf of the Village were Village Clerk Gale Skrobuton, Village Manager Cameron Davis,
Development Services Director Mike Salamowicz, Assistant to the Village Manager-Planning and Zoning Erin
Venard, Finance Director John Sawyers and Village Attorney Mark Sterk.
A quorum was established.
D. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
Trustee Sweas asked if the two (2) items listed under New Business, (Hire a Firm to Perform an
Environmental Assessment of the Woodbine Property and Expand and Update the Village’s Current
Comprehensive Park Rules and Regulations) could be discussed separately. Mayor Daley stated that these
two (2) items will be discussed separately.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. April 22, 2014 - Village Board Meeting
Trustee Costa made a motion to approve the Board Minutes from April 22, 2014; second by Trustee Sweas.
Voice Vote:
Ayes: (5) Trustees DeVivo, Kagianas, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (1) Trustee Sabo
Motion carried.
F. RECOGNITION
1. Village Receives Tree City USA Growth Award
Mayor Daley stated that Recognition of the Tree City USA Growth Award will be presented when Trustee
Sabo arrives at tonight’s Board meeting.
G. SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Trustee DeVivo made a motion to approve the Accounts Payable for the period May 29, 2014 to June 25, 2014
in the amount of $1,385,898.11; second by Trustee Costa.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (5) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (1) Trustee Sabo
The Mayor did not vote
Motion carried.
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H. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND OTHER OFFICERS
1. Mayor Daley reported on the items listed below.
. On June 18th, Lisa Radogno, the daughter of Senator Christine Radogno, sadly passed away at the age
of 31. Lisa Radogno worked for seven (7) years in D.C. as an executive assistant in Senator Mark Kirk’s
Capitol Hill office. She is described by those who knew her as a generous, fun-loving and a terrific
person. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Radogno family during this very difficult time.
. The Illinois Department of Transportation recently created a new traffic safety initiative designed to provide
responders with medical information for persons involved in vehicle crashes. Participants in this voluntary
program are given a yellow dot decal for their vehicle’s rear window and a corresponding yellow folder for
their glove compartment. The yellow dot serves as an indicator to public safety personnel that the yellow
folder, containing important medical information about the motorist, may be found in the vehicles glove
compartment. Having this information on hand will allow first responders to make more informed decisions
regarding emergency medical treatment. The Yellow IDOT Program packets are free and can be found in
the lobby of the Village Hall.
. On June 18th, the Village opened bids for the second phase of the Village 2014 Stormwater Drainage
Improvement Program. This project will involve the reconstruction of existing detention ponds in the
Meadowview and Derby Meadows subdivisions. Of the two (2) bids received, Copenhaver Construction
submitted the low bid, in the approximate amount of $298,000.00. Staff will be bringing this proposal
before the Board in an upcoming meeting.
. On June 18, the Homer Highway Department opened bids for the 2014 Roadway Paving Program. Of
the seven (7) bids received, PT Ferro was the apparent low bidder, in the approximate amount of
$1,231,000.00. The bid was significantly below the estimated cost of the project and even below the 2013
costs. As a result, the Board will be discussing, later in the meeting, the option of adding additional roads
from several of the Non-LOC subdivisions to possibly be completed as a part of the 2014 Roadway Paving
Program.
. During the Workshop portion of this evening’s meeting, representatives from Houseal Lavigne Associates
will present the preliminary draft of the 159th Street Corridor Planning Study they developed. After the
presentation of the preliminary draft, Houseal Lavigne will answer questions from the Village Board.
Once the Final Draft is prepared, the Village will post a notice for a public hearing of the study. The
public hearing process will allow for additional feedback and further revisions, if necessary. A copy of the
preliminary draft plan has been on the Village’s website for the public to review. The last step in the
process will be a final presentation to the Village Board for adoption.
. The Mayor congratulated Homer Glen native Carlyn Bradarich who was crowned Miss Iowa this year and
went on to represent the State of Iowa in the Miss USA pageant earlier this month. Carlyn was the fifth
runner-up in the competition and was found to be a viewer favorite. Mayor Daley noted that Carlyn’s
father is on Homer Glen’s Plan Commission.
Trustee Sabo arrived at 7:37 p.m.
2. Trustees
a. Trustee Costa – No Report
b. Trustee Yukich reported on the item listed below.
. The Homer Community Festival will be held this Thursday, June 26th through Sunday, June 29th.
Fireworks are scheduled for Thursday night, with a rain date of Friday.
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c. Trustee Sabo reported on the items listed below.
. The Stargazing event was held at Homer Township’s Trantina Farm on June 20th between 9 and 11 p.m.
even though rain was predicted. Nine (9) viewing stations were set up by the astronomers from the
Kankakee Area StarGazers, the Naperville Astronomical Association and the South West Astronomy
Observers Group. Approximately 100 adults, children and high school students enjoyed learning about
and viewing the night sky. There were many questions about sky glow from surrounding areas and the
growing concerns of light pollution. On behalf of the Environment Committee, Trustee Sabo extended
their appreciation to Will County School District 92, Homer Township, Gale Skrobuton and Homer
Glen EMA for assisting in making Stargazing a successful outreach program once again. The next
Stargazing event for 2014 is scheduled for October 17th from 8 to 10 p.m.
. The International Dark Sky Association has announced that Beverly Shores, Indiana has been named
the World’s Seventh International Dark Sky Community in their efforts to protect the nighttime
environment. Residents have long been concerned about the effects of excess artificial light at night.
. On May 28th the Village of Homer Glen wrote a letter to Bruce Gould, Director of Transportation at
Will County regarding Homer Glen’s position of not being in favor of the “middle alignment” for the
Caton Farm and Bruce Road SRA. Mr. Gould responded on June 5th that Homer Glen could request a
meeting with the Transportation Corridor Committee (TCC) by providing possible meeting dates. On
June 19th the Village responded that the Village Board is looking into potential dates to provide Mr.
Gould for a new meeting of the TCC Committee.
d. Trustee Kagianas reported on the item listed below.
. The Community and Economic Development Committee discussed organizing visits to Homer Glen
businesses for retention and growth. The CED Committee is seeking to understand the hardships our
businesses are facing in today’s environment on day to day operations and expenses. The CED
Committee wishes to continue working to support the positive atmosphere for businesses to grow and
thrive. The dates of these visits will be announced in the future. The CED Committee has continued to
discuss Regulatory Climate Balanced Index Score Cards. This score card is to create a tool of
measurement as it relates to required procedures related to the cost to develop and execute the opening
a new business and homeownership as benchmarked from similar sized municipalities from across the
country. The information and values that the CED Committee receives will set forth a procedure of
local laws, ordinances and an environment for all of us to thrive and grow economically. Trustee
Kagianas reported that this score card is already going national and the Community and Economic
Development Committee will be obtaining as much information as possible and try to execute it as
positively as possible in Homer Glen.
d. Trustee Sweas reported on the item listed below.
. Homer Harvest Days will take place on September 6th and 7th at the Trantina Farm on 151st Street.
The Committee is looking for vendors and demonstrators that can be incorporated into a historic or
Harvest Days theme. Further information is available at www.homerharvestdays.com.
f. Trustee DeVivo reported on the items listed below.
. The Parks and Recreation Committee is planning the Erin Hills Park dedication for July 19th at
11:00 a.m. Ice cream will be served and Frisbees will be given away. The new Erin Hills Park is an
excellent example of how the Village of Homer Glen can combine active and passive recreation for the
enjoyment of the entire community. The park is surrounded by wetlands, trails, ponds with a lookout to
nature, a putting green, swings and other play equipment and a small pavilion which sits on permeable
pavers. Trustee DeVivo invited everyone to attend this event.
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. The Parks and Recreation Committee has formed a subcommittee to review the Village’s current Park
Rules and Regulations which were adopted in ordinance form on June 26, 2012. These rules will be
specific to developing the Woodbine property. Even though the Committee will not need to have these
completed rules for the Woodbine park property until early 2015, the Committee wanted to get started.
Trustee DeVivo stated that she will let everyone know when the subcommittee plans to meet and they
will be looking for input from the Village Board.
. The Parks and Recreation Committee discussed the road trip made earlier in June to the Ty Warner Park
in Westmont. The Committee reviewed the pictures taken by Village Staff and compared the amenities
at this park with the recommendations made by residents over the last several meetings held on the
Woodbine park property to see if we were on the right track. Trustee DeVivo thanked the residents for
their patience over the years as the Village works towards developing a Community Park for the entire
community to enjoy.
3. Finance Director Sawyers Treasurer’s report into the record with ending balances as of May 31, 2014.
General Fund
Motor Fuel Tax Fund
Park Fund
Debt Service Fund
Capital Project Fund
$ 4,388,390.92
$ 2,226,302.73
$ 2,404,924.10
$ 535,129.85
$22,353,650.31
4. Village Clerk – No Report
5. Village Attorney Sterk reported on the item listed below.
. Attorney Sterk reported that a draft on proposed amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance to provide
for the regulation of dangerous and vicious dogs has been completed and forwarded to Chief Building
Official Joe Baber for his review. Once Mr. Baber completes his review, Attorney Sterk will provide a
memo to the Village Board detailing the changes to the ordinance.
6. Task Force Chairperson(s) – No Report
7. Public Safety Officials
. Chief Building Official Joe Baber reported that he sent the Village Board and staff an email about the
unique request the Village received for a music video to be filmed in Homer Glen on Sunday, June 29th on
Venetian Court. Mr. Baber stated that he will be on site for a briefing before the production begins.
Residents in the area have signed off and are aware of the filming of the music video. The video is being
filmed by a Homer Glen resident who has previously done professional videos.
. Meijer has received their approval from the State Fire Marshall to operate their gas station and will have
their final inspection with the Health Department tomorrow. Meijer should be opening the gas station and
convenience store within the next week.
8. Village Manager Davis reported on the items listed below.
. Jewel-Osco will be holding their Grand Reopening on Wednesday, June 25th at 8:00 a.m. Jewel-Osco has
made facility improvements since taking over the former Dominick’s store. Mayor Daley will be attending
the Grand Reopening and everyone is invited to attend.
. Meijer Gas Station and Convenience Store is targeting their opening for Thursday, June 26th or Friday June
27th. Manager Davis encouraged everyone to visit the new gas station.
. As the Mayor had mentioned in his report, information on IDOT’s Yellow Dot program for public safety is
available at the Village Hall and at the desk at the entry door to the Village Board Room.
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. Manager Davis introduced Hugh O’Hara, Director of Planning and Programming from the Will County
Governmental League. Mr. O’Hara is available to answer any questions from the Village Board regarding
Electric Aggregation that will be considered for Board approval later in the meeting.
. Manager Davis thanked all the Festival Committee for planning the upcoming Homer Community Festival
and also the volunteers and Village Staff who have been involved in making this event a success in the
past years.
RECOGNITION
1. Village Receives Tree City USA Growth Award
Mayor Daley announced that the Village of Homer Glen, who has been a member of Tree City USA for five
(5) years, has been awarded the Tree City USA Growth Award by the Arbor Day Foundation. This award is
given to recognize higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities. The Growth
Award highlights innovative programs and projects and increased commitment of resources for urban
forestry. The achievement of this award signifies the Village’s ongoing commitment to preserve, protect and
enhance our community’s quality of life. The Mayor thanked Environment Committee Chair Trustee
Margaret Sabo and Environment Committee members Cynthia Rataj, Kathy Kudla, Bob Moses, Randy
Juras, Trustee Sharon Sweas and Gary White for their hard work and dedication to safeguarding the
Village’s natural resources. The Mayor also thanked the Homer Highway Department and Commissioner
Mike DeVivo for all the hard work they do in maintaining the Village’s public tree stock. Mayor Daley
presented Trustee Sabo and Commissioner DeVivo with the Tree City USA Growth Award.
I. PUBLIC COMMENT
1. John Reynolds, owner of Sign-O-Rama, 226 N. Bolingbrook Drive, Bolingbrook, stated that he would
welcome any questions from the Village Board regarding the proposed amendment to the Village’s Signage
Regulations to allow “Dimensional Surface Signs.
2. John Kooi, 12056 Venetian Way, voiced his concern that some residents have been receiving threatening
phone calls from people stating that they are from the IRS. Mr. Kooi asked if the Village could remind
residents that these phone calls are part of a scam operation.
Mayor Daley stated that this story was reported as part of a Channel 2 News Report on current scam phone
calls being made. The Mayor noted that he spoke with his accountant who verified that that the IRS does not
conduct business over the phone or through email.
Trustee Kagianas stated that States Attorney Lisa Madigan also reported on this practice and her office is
investigating these types of scam phone calls.
3. William Sokolis, 13240 W. 167th Street, stated that he will answer any questions form the Village Board
regarding his variance requests that the Board will be considering for approval later in the meeting.
4. Lynn McGary, 14104 Garavogue, spoke on behalf of the Homer Township Chamber of Commerce, and
stated that the Chamber of Commerce supports the amendment to the sign ordinance allowing Dimensional
Surface Signs. Mrs. McGary stated that Homer Glen businesses have been considering the use of the
Dimensional Surface Signs instead of individual channel letter signs as a way to save money and still present
a quality image on the outside of their business. Mrs. McGary stated that Chamber of Commerce members
believe that the Village needs to show support to the businesses in Homer Glen by approving this
amendment to the sign ordinance allowing dimensional surface signs.
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J. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Ordinance No. 14-032 – An Ordinance Declaring Three (3) Dell PC’s as Surplus Property and
Authorizing the Village Manager to Dispose of the Equipment.
2. Motion to Approve the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s FY 2015 Local Contribution
Request for $231.86.
3. Ordinance No. 14-033 – An Ordinance Adopting the Required Prevailing Wage Standards in the
Village of Homer Glen, Will County, Illinois.
Trustee DeVivo made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda; second by Trustee Kagianas.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
K. LEGISLATION AND ACTION ITEMS
1. Motion to Approve an Extension of the Will Electric Aggregation Group’s Intergovernmental
Agreement of the Term of the Next Contract Agreed to with an Alternate Retail Electric Supplier,
which shall be for a Term Period of Not to Exceed Three (3) Years.
Trustee Yukich made a motion to approve an extension of the Intergovernmental Agreement; second by
Trustee Costa.
A representative from the Will County Government League was in the audience to answer questions. There
were no questions from the Board.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
2. Ordinance No. 14-034 – An Ordinance Granting a Variance to Permit a Reduction of the Required
First Floor Masonry Materials of an Accessory Structure and a Variance to Permit an Accessory
Structure to be Located Beyond the Front Wall of the Primary Structure of the Property Commonly
Known as 13240 W. 167th Street, Homer Glen, Illinois (Sokolis).
Trustee Sabo made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 14-034; second by Trustee Kagianas.
Trustee Sweas asked what Mr. Sokolis would be using the accessory structure for.
Mr. Sokolis stated that he would use the accessory structure for storage of items including his snowmobiles,
tractors, classic car, and the 2nd floor would be used for his woodworking projects.
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Trustee Sweas asked Mr. Sokolis if he was building this accessory structure himself.
Mr. Sokolis stated that the structure comes as a kit and he will be doing the construction.
Trustee Sabo asked Erin Venard, Assistant to the Village Manager-Planning and Zoning, what was the total
coverage of the house and barn on the property.
Ms. Venard stated that she would have to verify the exact number after subtracting the size of the barn, but
she believes the total coverage would be slightly less than 7.7%. Ms. Venard stated that the lot coverage for
the entire site is 20% and everything totals 7.7%. She noted that Mr. Sokolis is allowed to have 3.5% in
accessory structures and he only has 1.6%.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
3. Ordinance No. 14-035 – An Ordinance Approving a Text Amendment to Ordinance No. 08-048
Entitled “The Village of Homer Glen Zoning Ordinance” Amending the Signage Regulations to Allow
“Dimensional Surface Signs.
Trustee Kagianas made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 14-035; second by Trustee Sweas.
Trustee Sweas stated that she believes that the Village’s Sign Ordinance, as it stands, enhances the physical
appearance of this Village and gives us a unique character. The ordinance encourages sound practices with a
sense of appreciation for the visual environment. Trustee Sweas stated that she believes the wording on the
dimensional sign is too vague, as shown in samples in the Board packet, it is a molded plastic dimensional
sign with raised, multi-colored letters. Trustee Sweas distributed to the Village Board pictures of outdoor
commercial business signs that are allowed, by ordinance, in neighboring communities which does not
include dimensional signs, and she feels the outdoor signs shown in these picture provide a positive
economic climate. Trustee Sweas stated that while an individual channel letter outdoor sign may be a little
more expensive, it is an important investment for a commercial business. Trustee Sweas stated that she
opposes the proposed ordinance.
Trustee Kagianas stated that he believes the definition of the Village’s Outdoor Sign Ordinance is very
pragmatic with a forward approach to start off a business with some common sense. Trustee Kagianas noted
that over the years we will always see a visual change in the different signs on Homer Glen’s commercial
businesses as different techniques develop and he believes that the Village needs to be very forward
thinking, especially when it comes to our local businesses. Trustee Kagianas stated that the type of sign to
promote their business, as allowed by Village ordinance, should be left up to each business owner. Trustee
Kagianas noted that a local business, Total Look, asked Village staff if they could use an outdoor
dimensional surface sign and he believes that the outdoor dimensional sign that Total Look would like to
install on the outside of their business, and dimensional signs in general, is an attractive sign. Trustee
Kagianas encouraged the Village Board to adopt the text amendment allowing Dimensional Surface Signs.
Trustee Sweas voiced her concern that dimensional surface signs can cover many different types of molded
plastic and even though this may be a new look in signage, she does not feel it this type of sign is appropriate
because it is too variable and too open to interpretation.
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Trustee Yukich commented that he understands that commercial businesses want different looks and
different types of signage; however, he believes that if the municipality has an ordinance in place, that is
what the businesses should follow. Trustee Yukich commented that if the Village Board is constantly going
to change an ordinance for everyone who comes in with a different idea, then why have an ordinance?
Mayor Daley stated that he believes the purpose of an ordinance it to set guidelines, but times change, looks
change, new products are developed that are available to better advertise your business. In his opinion, the
Village Board is just amending an existing ordinance in order to keep up with new types of signage. Being
responsive to the needs of business. The Mayor noted that when you have ordinances they need to be
amended from time to time in order to fit what is going on in the real world. The owners of Total Look are
coming forward with a new look and it requires the Village to consider amending the current Sign Ordinance
for them to be able to use this type of newer, outdoor sign on their store front.
Trustee Costa stated that while Homer Glen is trying to grow our business community, franchise businesses
are currently using Bubble Signs for their outdoor signage. Trustee Costa asked if any franchise business
whose signature sign is a Bubble Sign wants to come into Homer Glen, are we going to tell them “no” they
can’t have their sign because we don’t allow that type of outdoor signage and they would have to come
before the Village Board for a variance. Trustee Costa commented that times and technology change and he
believes that amending the Sign Ordinance is the best thing to do for our business community.
Trustee Sabo stated that she believes signs define a business and if a sign is not inviting, people may feel that
they do not want to shop at that business. Trustee Sabo believes that existing channel letter signs have that
creativity to draw in customers. When you have a mix of different signage there is no direction or
cohesiveness. Trustee Sabo stated that when a business owner has a new idea and it comes before the
Village Board she believes that it causes an unfair standard and it is not fair to other long existing businesses.
A community is respected when it has rules in place and a business knows what to expect. Trustee Sabo
stated that while the dimensional signs may look cute and may show some comic relief, in her opinion, they
are not sophisticated and do not show up well at night. Trustee Sabo stated that she believes that sometimes
when we are business friendly we cause the opposite to happen and things become confused. Trustee Sabo
stated that these plastic dimensional surface signs are not a new idea and she does not believe these signs are
esthetically pleasing. Trustee Sabo stated that while she knows there is an investment in signage and the
investment in signage is for a good cause, she believes the Village Board should not amend the Outdoor Sign
Ordinance every time something new comes along. Trustee Sabo said that she is not in favor of this
ordinance.
Trustee DeVivo commented that she believe the dimensional surface signs look good, are creative and the
Village Board should be open to change in order to support our business community and encourage
economic development. She noted that this is an amendment and we did not rewrite the whole ordinance.
The Mayor stated that this text amendment is not for one individual business and the Village Board is being
asked to change the Outdoor Sign Ordinance that gives options for signage to other new businesses who
want to come into the Village. The Mayor noted that Total Look has not yet purchased or installed their new
outdoor sign, but simply brought a new concept to the Village for review. He support the ordinance which
he feels supports economic development.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (4) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas and Yukich
Nays: (2) Trustee Sabo and Sweas
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
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4. Motion to Authorize a Fourth Adult Mosquito Control Spraying in the Amount of $8,855.00 for 2014.
Trustee Costa made a motion to authorize the mosquito spraying: second by Trustee Sweas.
Manager Davis stated that the Village Staff needs to give Clark Mosquito about one (1) week notice before
the mosquito control spraying is schedule and staff is looking for the flexibility to do this later in the season.
Manager Davis noted that the spraying may not need to be done if the weather stays dry.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
5. Motion to Approve a Proclamation Designating Accessibility Awareness Week from July 20-July 26,
2014 in the Village of Homer Glen.
Trustee Costa made a motion to approve the Proclamation; second by Trustee Yukich.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
6. Ordinance No. 14-036 – An Ordinance Amending Section 1 of Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 10-001,
Entitled “An Ordinance Establishing Rules for the Conduct of Village Board Meetings in the Village
of Homer Glen, Will County, IL. It is understood that with the approval of the ordinance, the Village
Board will be holding their regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month
beginning September 1, 2014. It is further understood that the Village Board will not meet on
Wednesday, November 26th (day before Thanksgiving) and Wednesday, December 24th (Christmas
Eve) but will instead hold a special meeting of the Village Board on Tuesday, November 25th and
Tuesday, December 23rd.
Trustee Costa made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 14-036; second by Trustee Yukich.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
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7. Motion to Approve the Proposal from H.R. Green for Engineering Services Related to the
Development of the Park in the Goodings Grove Subdivision, for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of
$40,684.00. This includes $27,734.00 for the Base Proposal, in addition to $2,100.00 for Alternate
No. 1 – Electrical Engineering Design; $4,350.00 for Alternate No. 2 –Engineering Services, Street
Extension; and $6,500.00 for Alternate No. 3 – Construction Observation. It should be noted that
the OSLAD Grant awarded to the Village of Homer Glen included $45,130.85 for Architectural and
Engineering Design Fees.
Trustee DeVivo made a motion to approve the Proposal; second by Trustee Costa.
Trustee Sweas asked if H.R. Green put together the site development plans.
Manager Davis stated that there is a preliminary plan that went with the OSLAD Grant. H.R. Green will be
assisting Village staff and Parks and Recreation Chairperson DeVivo in turning that preliminary plan into a
final plan, just as they did with the Erin Hills Park. Manager Davis stated that the Park and Recreation
Committee recommended working with H.R. Green because of the excellent job they did when working with
the Village on the Erin Hills Park.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
8. Motion to Direct Staff to Include the Completion of the Final Roadway Lift on Unfinished Roads in the
Cypress Pointe, Glenview Walk and Windsor Court Subdivisions, as part of the 2014 Roadway Paving
Program, for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $350,000.00. It is understood that the Village will reimburse
the Homer Township Highway Department for this work, from the original $500,000.00 budgeted for
subdivision improvements for Non-LOC subdivisions, and that, after deducting $75,000.00 for work
previously approved by the Village Board in the Erin Hills, Unit 4D subdivision, $75,000.00 would
remain in the Non-LOC Subdivision Improvement line item (70-00-85-630) for future work.
Trustee Kagianas made a motion to direct Staff to include the completion of the final roadway lift on the
unfinished roads; second by Trustee Yukich.
The Mayor asked the Clerk to call the Roll:
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0) None
Absent: (0) None
The Mayor did not vote.
Motion carried.
L. WORKSHOP
1. Presentation of Preliminary Draft of the 159th Street Corridor Planning Study by Representatives
from Houseal Lavigne Associates.
Manager Davis introduced Nick Davis and Devon Lavigne from Houseal Lavigne. Manager Davis reminded
the Village Board that, after the presentation, he will need to know if the Village Board wants a Public
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Board Meeting
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Hearing at the Plan Commission level or if they would prefer to have a Public Hearing at the Village Board
level, regarding the final draft of this plan.
Nick Davis and Devon Lavigne presented the Preliminary Draft of the 159th Street Corridor Planning Study
to the Village Board which included revisions based on comments from the Village Board, Village Staff and
the public. The presentation included an explanation of the following: (1) Purpose of the Planning Study; (2)
Project Overview; and (3) Corridor Study Planning Process. Mr. Davis outlined the eight (8) subchapters
that are part of the Plan which include: (1) Introduction; (2) Market Conditions of the Corridor; (3) Land Use
and Development Plan; (4) Design and Development Guidelines; (5) Streetscape and Beautification Plan; (6)
Access and Transportation Plan; (7) Infrastructure and Utilities Plan; and (8) Economic Development and
Implementation Plan.
Mr. Davis stated that this Planning Study was drafted following a lot of community outreach, the Steering
Committee meeting that Houseal Lavigne hosted, key person interviews, and examination of all the existing
plans and studies that were relative to the 159th Street Corridor. Mr. Davis stated that one of the important
parts of the 159th Street Corridor Planning Study is for the Village to remain flexible when responding to
potential developments that would come into the Corridor. Mr. Davis stated that there are a lot of
advantages that can be taken along the Corridor to make sure that the Village is bringing in the investments
that they are looking for and encouraging the type of development that the Village wants to see.
Mayor Daley thanked Mr. Davis for his presentation and noted that the 159th Street Corridor Planning Study
is a guideline that gives the Village a lot of good ideas for the Corridor. The Mayor stated that he believes
it is obvious that once the Village gets beyond the entitlements we have on 159th Street none of this
development can happen without the Village extending sewer and water on 159th Street. Mayor Daley noted
that years ago the Village made an agreement with Will County for the sewer extension; however, to date,
the water extension hasn’t been addressed. The Mayor stated that we do know where the water line would
go, but the Village needs to approve a contract with a firm to start talking about the actual plans, the cost and
the time frame for completing the water extension project.
Trustee Sweas commented that she feels that most of the development concepts that Houseal Lavigne
showed in the 159th Corridor Planning Study look like a continuation of what Orland Park has been doing
west from La Grange Road.
Mr. Davis stated the developments shown in the plan are only for conceptual review and not necessarily the
types of developments that will be planned when the Village starts to apply the design guidelines or the Land
Use Plan.
Trustee DeVivo asked if there would be an advantage to the property owner if the Village rezoned some
additional properties along 159th Street.
Mr. Lavigne stated that he believes some developers might perceive that coming before the Village Board to
request a rezoning might be an impediment and if the property is already zoned in accordance with the Plan
then it is one less hurdle that the developer would have to go through. Mr. Lavigne commented that if the
Plan shows that a site is commercial, but it is currently zoned agriculture, he does not believe the developer
would ask for the property to be rezoned. To make it easier for the development community and to further
express the desire to see change within the Corridor, especially on some of these key sites, get the zoning in
line with the Plan makes it that much more enticing for economic development.
Mayor Daley stated that a number of these sites are not annexed into the Village at this point; however, as
the property owners want to annex into Homer Glen they will come forward with plans and the Village
Board will have a better opportunity to see what they want to do with their property.
Trustee Sabo asked if all of the individual suggestions the Village Board gave to Houseal Lavigne were
included in the current Preliminary Draft of the Planning Study.
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Mr. Lavigne stated that the Village Board’s suggestions are included throughout the document and they tried
to accommodate as much of the feedback from the Village Board, Village Staff and the public that they felt
were the best practices of their profession for the Homer Glen community.
Mr. Davis stated that Houseal Lavigne also changed several of the photos to show full cut off lights, as
required in the Village’s Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.
Trustee Sabo asked if Houseal Lavigne looked at the Village’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and tried to
include information from the Comprehensive Plan in the 159th Street Corridor Planning Study.
Mr. Lavigne stated that information from the Village’s Comprehensive Plan was used in preparing the
Corridor Planning Study. Mr. Lavigne noted that he is very familiar with the Village’s Plan as he helped to
prepare the Village’s Comprehensive Plan in 2001-2002, when he was with another firm. Mr. Lavigne
stated that Houseal Lavigne used every available planning document when preparing the Corridor Planning
Study to make this Corridor unique, make it a showpiece for the Village of Homer Glen and something that
the residents would be proud of going forward.
Manager Davis stated that the next step, per the agreement, will be for Houseal Lavigne to prepare a final
draft and a Public Hearing will be held, either before the Plan Commission or the Village Board. After the
Public Hearing is held, the Final Draft would come back to the Village Board for approval.
Mayor Daley stated that the Village Board will be given more time to review the Preliminary Draft of the
159th Street Corridor Planning Study and forward their recommendations and comments to Village Manager
Cameron Davis.
Trustee Sabo noted that the Village Board had this Preliminary Draft for two (2) weeks and she agrees that
the Trustees should review the document and forward their comments to the Village Manager rather than
making a decision at tonight’s Board meeting. Trustee Sabo stated that she feels this is a very important
Plan and two (2) weeks is not enough time to go through it and she would like to extend the time to give the
Trustees an opportunity to hand in their comments.
Manager Davis stated that he feels a Final Draft needs be prepared because it is hard to promote it as a
finished document until we get to a Final Draft and then the public will only have to look at the documents
once. Manager Davis asked if the Village Board would want a Public Hearing on the 159th Street Corridor
Planning Study to be held at a Plan Commission meeting or, if they agreed with his recommendation, to have
the Public Hearing at the Village Board level.
The Village Board agreed that the Public Hearing should be held at a future Village Board meeting and that
Board members would forward their comments, about the draft, to the Village Manager.
M. OLD BUSINESS
There was no Old Business.
Mayor Daley commented that representatives from the Will Grundy Center for Independent Living were in
attendance and he requested that they join him for a picture in recognition of Accessibility Awareness Week.
Mayor Daley thanked the representatives for attending the meeting.
N. NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Daley stated that Trustees Sabo, Sweas and Yukich asked for the next two (2) items to be added to the
Board meeting’s agenda under New Business.
1. Discussion Regarding a Request to Hire a Firm to Perform an Environmental Assessment of the
Woodbine Property.
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The Mayor stated that he believes that the Environmental Assessment for the Woodbine property can be
easily included in the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) that the Village will send out for the development
of the park side on the Woodbine property, if the Village Board agrees.
Village Manager Davis stated that his last meeting with the architects regarding the proposed agreement,
before it goes to the Village attorney for review, is scheduled for tomorrow. Manager Davis stated that
after the Village Board approves the Agreement with the architectural firm he will continue to work on the
RFQ for Park Planning services. Manager Davis commented that when he was preparing the RFQ for
architectural services he took from his experience in his previous community, when they did architectural
projects. Manager Davis stated that he also got RFQ’s for architectural projects from neighboring
communities and he will be going through the same process for the RFQ for park planning services. It is
very common with Master Park Planning Services that the RFQ should include a survey of all the trees on
the property and their condition, if we need to look at stormwater and other things of that nature. Manager
Davis stated that firms who provide Park Planning Services often hire consultant partners, including a tree
expert to complete the tree survey or an engineering firm to look at the drainage on the property.
Trustee Sabo asked Manager Davis if he was recommending H.R. Green for the park planning.
Manager Davis stated that he was not making that recommendation because an RFQ will need to be
developed and a similar process to what we did for architectural services will need to be facilitated.
Manager Davis stated that he does not believe it would be as competitive as the architectural RFQ because
there are so many architectural firms compared to the number of park planning firms.
Trustee Sabo noted that there is a lot more to the Woodbine property than has been mentioned and she
questioned why the Village is narrowing the search to a park planning firm when there are so many firms
that do environmental assessments.
Manager Davis clarified that if the Village is going to do a Master Park Plan, communities often choose to
look at other parts of the property as a part of that Master Plan. Manager Davis stated that the Village could
independently hire a park planning company, a tree reviewer, an engineering firm, or a traffic expert;
however, what happens sometimes is everyone does not always work together. Manager Davis stated that
he believes that if the Village hires just one contractor, such as a park planning firm, there is more
coordination.
Mayor Daley stated that any firm that comes in with an RFQ will need to understand that the Village is
looking for clarity and multiple layers, which may involve bringing in multiple subcontractors whose
individual specialty is more designed for environmental, traffic flow, and balancing of the property, if that
is what is going to take place.
Trustee Sabo stated that her reason for recommending an environmental consultant is to have as much of a
comprehensive overview as possible, so the result is total and it is not just for certain sections or layers of
the Woodbine property. Trustee Sabo stated that she is just looking for an evaluation of this property in as
many different ways as possible.
Trustee DeVivo distributed a brochure to the Village Board on the Long Run Creek Water Shed Plan that
was recently completed. Trustee DeVivo commented that in that plan, which is not yet out publically, but
can be found on www.longruncreek.com or org. Trustee DeVivo stated that the Plan includes an
assessment of every detention pond in the entire Water Shed and the Plan has a specific recommendation
for the Woodbine property. Trustee DeVivo stated that after reviewing the Water Shed Plan the Village
Board may find that the Village does not need to do an environmental study relating to stormwater
detention. All of the (185) detention ponds they have looked at and they know that the Woodbine property
was a prairie/wetland area. It is also known where the wetlands used to be and the Water Shed Plan
includes recommendations on how to recreate the wetland, restore it in its original area, which would
improve the water flow and the water quality, making it into a beautiful setting. Trustee DeVivo noted that
the wetlands are on the north end of the property. Trustee DeVivo stated that Applied Ecological Services
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is the restoration wetland company who wrote the Water Shed Plan, and they are willing to come in and talk
to the Village Board about the Water Shed Plan. Trustee DeVivo suggested that the Village Board might
want to consider hearing what Applied Ecological Services might have to say about the Woodbine property
before making a decision on hiring someone. Trustee DeVivo stated that we have already paid for the
Water Shed Plan through an IAPA grant and noted that Applied Ecological Services is preparing a
presentation for the Village Board and every other municipality who contributed and participated in this
Water Shed Plan.
Mayor Daley stated that he knows there has been a lot of work done on the Woodbine property on the
environmental side and he believes that the next logical step in the approach for a park on that property is to
identify someone who is qualified to be able to work with the Village, what are their fees, what is the
Village looking to have them assess and encompass this in the RFQ.
Trustee Sabo stated that, while she appreciates what Applied Ecological Services has done, the Village also
needs to have a complete assessment because it is not just about water issues.
Trustee Yukich voiced his concern about the flooding and stated that he wants to make sure that everyone
who lives around the Woodbine property is 100% secure. Trustee Yukich stated that, while he would like
Applied Ecological Services to give their entire presentation to the Village Board, he asked if in their
presentation they could focus particularly on the Woodbine property.
Mayor Daley stated that this is an excellent opportunity for the Village to solve any drainage problem that
exists on this large piece of property.
2. Discussion Regarding a Request to Expand and Update the Village’s Current Comprehensive Park
Rules and Regulations of the Village of Homer Glen (Existing Ordinance Number 12-032) to
Encompass Future Use of the Newly Acquired Woodbine Property.
Mayor Daley stated that, in his opinion, discussion on this Workshop item is very similar to the Board’s
discussion on hiring a firm to perform an Environmental Assessment of the Woodbine property.
Manager Davis noted that Trustee DeVivo’s Park and Recreation Committee has a subcommittee that
worked for months on the Comprehensive Park Rules and Regulations; however, it needs to be broadened
because of Village’s purchase of the Woodbine property. Manager Davis noted that Trustee DeVivo and
her Committee have toured larger parks in neighboring communities. Manager Davis stated that at last
night’s meeting the Parks and Recreation Committee Trustee DeVivo established another subcommittee and
she asked Manager Davis to get in touch with these neighboring communities to get their parks rules and
regulations and forward them to her subcommittee so they can start developing the expanded and updated
Village Comprehensive Park Rules and Regulations.
Trustee Sweas stated that she believes the Environment Committee should be working with the Parks and
Recreation Committee on some of the environmental issues on the future Woodbine park property, as she
believes that light and noise pollution should be addressed. Trustee Sweas suggested that, when the time
comes, the Environment Committee can also assist in determining regulations as to how the area could be
fully utilized in the future to keep it totally eco-friendly and to make sure there is no negative impact on
certain types of recreation that might impact the environment.
Mayor Daley stated that the first step is for the Village to put together a Park Planning RFQ of all the things
we would like to see addressed on the future Woodbine park property. Mayor Daley stated that a firm is not
going to be selected without convincing the Village Board that they are qualified to provide all the services
as defined in the RFQ.
Trustee Sabo stated that we want qualified people that will evaluate the total property; however, if the
Village puts together a list of things that we would like to see on the future Woodbine park property, other
items must be wanted at a future date that no one has thought of at this time.
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Manager Davis stated that whenever you do an RFQ there are always things that come up later and many
items that had not been brought up originally may often be brought up when conducting the interviews
worked into the agreement. Manager Davis stated that he is pulling together a Draft of the RFQ.
Trustee Sabo commented that when the assessment is done there are going to be some ideas that the
Village Board will need to address and there will be topics that the Board will want the Parks and
Recreation Committee to focus on. Trustee Sabo stated that she does not believe the Village Board will
know those things until the RFQ’s are submitted.
Mayor Daley asked Manager Davis to begin putting together an RFQ for the Park Planning and forward it
to the Village Board for their review and recommendations.
Trustee Sabo asked Manager Davis to define what the procedure is so the Village Board knows the time
schedule for the RFQ process.
O. ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Costa made a motion to adjourn the meeting; second by Trustee Yukich.
Voice Vote:
Ayes: (6) Trustees Costa, DeVivo, Kagianas, Sabo, Sweas and Yukich
Nays: (0) None
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0) None
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m.
_____________________________
Gale Skrobuton, Village Clerk
Approved at the Board of Trustees Meeting dated September 24, 2014
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