February Regular Board Meeting

February 16, 2023, 6:30pm: Regular Meeting of the Trustees

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MINUTES

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​Minutes – Shields Township Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting February 16, 2023
­­­­­­­­_________________________________________________________________________
STATE OF ILLINOIS, )
Lake County,            )
Town of Shields       )
 
            THE TOWN BOARD OF SHIELDS TOWNSHIP held its regular monthly meeting on February 16, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
 
PRESENT      
                        Tammy Bryan              Clerk   
                        Brady Andersen            Town Trustee  
                        Kathryn Walker-Eich    Town Trustee
                        David Weil                   Town Trustee
                        Jeff Urso                      Supervisor
                        Matt Garrity                  Town Trustee
 

1. Meeting Called to Order & Roll Call Supervisor Urso called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance – Deputy Supervisor Urso opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of Bills
   1. Town Fund expenses approval $21,828.75. Trustee Walker-Eich motioned to approve, second Trustee Weil, passed by 5-0 on a roll call vote. 
   2. General Assistance expenses approval $1,297.78 Trustee Andersen motioned to approve, second Trustee Walker-Eich, passed by 5-0 roll call vote.
   3. Road & Bridge expenses approval $12,993.25. Trustee Garrity motion to approve, second Trustee Andersen, passed by 5-0 on a roll call vote.
4. Reports –
   1. Supervisors Report – Elevator update, is being worked on, shortly, promised March 1, 2023 for completion, hopefully by next meeting it shall be working again. Thank you everyone.
      1. Old bills from 2021 – missed Pace bill and take care of and will pop up in the board packets. An oversight.
   2. Assessor Helton – No report tonight
   3. Community Service Committee Report – no report tonight
   4. Road & Bridge Committee Report –
      1. Flooding concerns on Safford and Talbot – Dan Rogers – drainage project Foster Ave, working with Mrs. Ahl with legwork with the grant, waiting on bids to come in by 28th. One of the engineering firms is working a construction build with that. Ms. Ahl and Dan Rogers will work with and selecting the plant material and will bring the board the proposals and recommendations to accept and complete the drainage repair to get done early summer, with money, Birch Ave.
      2. Supervisor Urso and Roads Manager Beak met with county to finish paving in August 2023, prior to completion of drainage project.
      3. Have update next month
      4. Road committee, waiting to hear back from Starbucks, it’s in engineering, waiting to get support with county, there is flooding issues with the neighbors that is to get corrected
      5. Basil, working on this the next month or two, entail Army Corps. of Engineering 2024 project.
      6. Winter update, haven’t a lot of salt use. We have stockpiled the minimum, and what we don’t use can keep until next year.
      7. Bike path, get elected officials to meeting to secure state and federal funding, engineering was done years ago.
      8. Thanks again to Roads Manager Rob, all tree trimming is done, low and dangerous were taken out. Only took out 1 mailbox, contractor replaced the next day.
      9. Mowing bid, did the math, how long it takes Roads Manager Rob mowing the parcels that belong to the township, at least 2 full days. We can mow every other week during the season, 19-21k costs. Sent out bid packets, Jacobs 3 year contract – 9.5k-10, Fleck landscape 3 years $7,358 per year. Next month road committee is requesting to approve Fleck Landscape, to place it on the agenda.
         1. Trustee Walker-Eich question regarding locale of landscaping businesses under consideration– Fleck is Wheeling, Jacobs is in Shields Township.
      10. ComEd line down today, Road Manager Rob noticed, on Safford & Adelphia, fire department came out and ComEd repaired the line
      11. Road Manager Rob will be going out 4 am for final plowing
      12. At corner Adelphia & Talbot, built the last couple of years, when it was built there were 2 vacant lots, there was a slope, the county allowed them to build a 4 foot concrete wall, they put 3 4-inch holes and sump discharge that goes into a vacant lot and flows to other residents homes, especially through to Ms. Aldridge and Ms. Malinowski. Residents require sandbags year round, this should have been dealt with then. The board should not provide a culvert permit to the vacant property, Ms. Malinowski and Ms. Aldridge will lose their homes.
      13. Ms. Malinowski – lives on Safford in Shields Township. Supervisor Urso – she does not want the neighbor to issue a culvert permit due to the flooding in the neighbor area. Contacted Lake County and contractors and spent thousands of their own money for this issue.

2019 515 Adelphia a home built, they expressed concerns 100 foot retaining wall, to the county. Their concerns were dismissed by the County and Shields Township. Since that date, have more issues, standing water constant, during the 10 year flood events, you cannot tell a drainage ditch exists. 1/5/23, the vacant lot was sold to build, due to past experience of the previous lot, the drainage issues are not going to be addressed prior to being developed, again. The house will be under water if this will proceed. Both have reached out to Lake County, regarding the sale of 818 Talbot, Mr. Wagner at Lake County, asking board to investigate and evaluate Talbot and Safford Ave, and the culvert for storm-water conveyance, keep impacted residents with status updates. Contact 515 Adelphia and 818 Talbot to address drainage issues. There are 5 vacant lots, do not allow to build, until the drainage issues have been addressed before any proceedings. Thank you board for creating the various committees, with Dan Rogers and the Road committee and have stepped up to the plate.
Heather Aldridge – Karen Malinowski – she has been helping getting sump pumps to neighbors. Lost many pine trees, and cracked foundations and losing more trees, it’s everyone on Safford and Talbot are all getting hit by the flooding. Safford and Birch, this is getting worse, Mr. Rogers help has been huge.
Janice Ahl – major flooding issue, the water flows from Waukegan Road to Route 41, all of Lake County are dealing with this. It wasn’t designed to handle property grading, plants, and grass. Lake County Stormwater Management is trying to teach people that they cannot send the water to the neighbor and are aware of the issue. Long term, get a grant to study the whole water area to make recommendations on short and long term fixes. As residents we can try to not send water to the neighbor, plant a native garden, their roots are a very long and absorb the water. She put in a rain garden on Burris last year, also a Bios wail and takes the rainwater and help absorb the rainwater.
Lake County Stormwater management has great information on their website.
Board to make contact with who owns the wall or the county, 3 pipes and sump discharge to reroute – might get a portion of the water down Talbot Ave. instead of to Ms. Malinowski
Reinforce Karen’s comments for the folks on Safford, have had flooding everywhere I lived. Bios wale did work. Hydrology expert – there are small and short term solutions, how to get immediate relief without hydrology expert, need expert opinion. We did see some USGS maps, and with the lots Ms. Ahl took over, we fighting with nature. My ground is saturated all the time. If there is any water diversion from one resident to another is against the law. The foundation is sunken and has taken on water over the last year.
Supervisor Urso states we should go with Lake County Stormwater management advice on how to proceed. The LCSM recommends the Board take action to contact regarding the drainage issue instead of the resident seeking assistance. We shall call and email to get assistance.
 
Trustees Report – Trustee Garrity – has to leave at 745 tonight, I want to make a quick note on 7b, amazing office and highway staff, I am not prepared to vote on anything, and we need to get multiple bids in order to move forward.
Trustee Walker-Eich – I want to support Dan Rogers and the direction Jeff will need, at this time, I don’t know if voting on anything further for roads and division, I would like a lot more discussion.

1. Public Comments –
   1. David Cimarrosti – Homeowner for 55 years. Appoint Dan Rogers Road Commission, he knows the town and the problem area and not afraid of doing anything he works hard and does a good job, you could not ask for a better person to run that.
   2. Rob Wayne – Dan is a very good friend, we are customers and his family are clients. There is nobody like Dan, look what he did for you in 30 minutes, and he cares for this community. Shortly after I moved in, during his tenancy, there was a water main break, Dan was on that site 8pm until 8 am, the entire night to make sure this was completed accurately and completely.
   3. Gale Strenger-Wayne – In my years associated with the Township and never heard a road report more completely thorough, the relationship is the beauty of the township, friends in the audience, we will always have this in Knollwood, he cares so deeply about, we should retain Dan in the role he has. Dan has brought in grant dollars more than any and all combined. Outsourcing is a popular term, exactly – he has the contact with the community and depth of knowledge, should not outsource, for what he has done and not getting paid, is a reason he should be paid.
   4. Mark Wussow – I am also on the road commission, my expertise I have seen, the fact that there has been a lot of talk and not a lot of action, is comical, Dan spends 20 hours a week for free, road commissioners across the country get 85k plus benefits a year.
   5. Michael Rummell – I am not to speak for Dan. I speak for liability, there is a person acting as roads commissioner, the citizens deserve road commissioner, even temporarily for liability. Being a public official, you have a liability and I am concerned about that liability, you should choose someone to be it, the board knows.
   6. Richard Goshgarian – You are going to find offered testimony in favor of Dan Rogers, example of what he brings, the longer you put it off and subject to debate, you should be reasonable and make a decision soon. He’s the guy, when you talk about your bids being solicited, he is in the township, and you wanted Township. All the time I lived here, that brought negative words, only to grind an axe, previous boards, they come in and speak negatively and don’t offer solutions, if you throw it away, you are going to continue to deal with the same problems, I hope you see it.
   7. For 45 years, not going to find anybody more qualified or more love for the road district to get the job done. I hope you hire Dan to run the road district for us.
   8. Tammy Bryan – I endorse Dan for this position as he is a Township resident as well as a good personal friend. My decision, despite being a friend only comes from knowing all the good Dan has done for the Township over the years. He has provided his expertise and more grants for the Township than any other over the years.
   9. Janice Ahl – Get an engineering firm on retainer, grant writers, expert that has the training and knowledge in road maintenance looks at the bigger picture, maybe not a headcount, long term salary, and only a one person one skillset. If you have a contract with engineering firm. I have worked with Lake County in HR, if you are adding any headcount, you need a job description, tasks, education, experience and post that position at least 14 days and interview 3 candidates created for that job description, in order to make a decision. I don’t think you can appoint a person, so don’t open up to liability, we need more than one person who cares about the community.
   10. Robert Grum – I am writing to this Board regarding your consideration of Dan Rogers for the position of Township Road Commissioner. I have known Dan Rogers for over 20 years during my time as a Shields Township resident. During that time, I found him to be dedicated to his community and Shields Township. In his previous service as Road Commission he worked tirelessly to do all he could to serve the residents. Whatever the need he was there. He took the time and effort to seek out any and all grants or funding that was available to improve the roads and drainage. He used his business experience to serve effectively and efficiently. He is honest and hardworking in all he does. I don’t think you could find anyone more dedicated or knowledgeable to serve in that position.
   11. Fred Wacker – I understand there is an upcoming meeting at the township to consider Dan Rogers for help in managing certain roads in unincorporated area of the township. I would like to offer a strong vote of support for Dan. I got to work with him on matters of mutual interest during my terms as Village President in Lake Bluff. That was years ago, and I write to you know only as an area resident. Dan is honest and hardworking and he has truly given a lot to the local communities over many years. To me he represents a fine example of what dedication to public service looks like. Many thanks for your consideration, and thanks for all that you do for Shields Township.
   12. Jan Snobrich-It is my understanding that the volunteer chair of the Shields Township Road and Bridge Committee wishes to be paid as an employee for services he hopes to rend in the coming year on behalf of the township. I am surprised that our township would even consider hiring him given his past performances as elected official during 199-2001 and 2001-2005 terms. Once a government agency hires an individual, it becomes responsible for the work and actions of that individual provides on its behalf. Because of life’s circumstances, during this last year I have had to review and rid myself of some 25 plus years of mostly obsolete paperwork. Much of that paper concerned Shields Township happenings. The most important manuscripts and legal documents have been properly filed away in 4 of what was once 12 large boxes. They have been labeled for easy access if needed. One of the 4 boxes holds many briefs and other registers of legal proceedings initiated by Shields Township residents because of actions illegally filed against them during the 2001-2005 term and immediately after. Most notable are because of actions taken at the urging of the highway commissioner (township lost and taxpayers were forced to pay the costs of settlements), and an action filed by a Township personnel member against the Township because said “rights to privacy were denied” (thrown out of court-taxpayers ended up paying for the litigation). The last Road Districts commission was a licensed and well-trained engineer. He certainly gave the taxpayers their money’s worth in time and expertise. Shields Township needs a professional who really knows what to do in the course maintaining the unincorporated roads. Litigation is costly. Taxpayer money is levied on all township property to take care of township roads. It is not meant to pay lawyers to defend the incompetence of elected officials or employees who are affiliated with the township.
   13. Richard Ruzich – I am writing to wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Dan Rogers to oversee and manage the unincorporated roads in the Knollwood and Arden Shores areas. I am aware of how important this position is and Mr. Rogers would bring a much-needed experience and ingenuity with a world class work ethic.
   14. Beake – I have worked for Shields Township for 26.5 years, some of those years with Dan Rogers. In that time we did projects together and some through grants obtained by Dan to keep the costs down.
   15. Terry Darraugh – I am writing in regard to creating a position to hand the responsibilities of the Road District. In my position as previous Supervisor I observed that it was too much for a part time person to handle both the Supervisors office and the Road District. I would love to see Dan Rogers hired. I have known Dan for many years and his extensive knowledge is appropriate for this job. His suggestion for example, as a single waste carrier to reduce the wear and tear on our streets, in turn saves taxpayers money. I believe Dan would be a valuable asset to the Township.
   16. Heather Aldridge – I’d like to take a moment to make the Shields Township Board of trustees aware of how much of an asset, acting Township Highway Supervisor Dan Rogers, has been and has done to support the neighborhood and the community. I would like to acknowledge Mr. Rogers work, what I am aware of, that he has done over the years, to help Shields Township residents. Mr. Rogers was the Township Highway Commissioner. He had applied for and secured road and drainage grants, secured public safety grants by increasing police patrols for the safety of our homes and businesses, repaired flooding from Talbot Avenue that come into neighbors’ homes, applied for and added traffic control signage to reduce unnecessary high traffic thru the residential side streets from Waukegan road and much more. I am aware of these issues that Mr. Rogers has tried to correct as I am not only a resident, but at that time, a deputy sheriff (since retired) and I have lived here for over 30 years. I understand Mr. Rogers is currently working with Starbucks engineers and Lake county Building Planning and Zoning to resolve ongoing dangerous traffic issues at North Avenue and Waukegan Road, which has been years in the waiting to be rectified. I know of a few people who have been concerned of the flooding occurring in other areas of the community and Mr. Rogers has done more than help as he gets out of hi trucks and assists any way he can. There has been an ongoing problem with commercial parking in areas which, not only blocks traffic, but, break up the asphalt roads, as well as overweight trucks and construction equipment which surpasses the allowed weight limit for our roads and are too heavy to drive on the side streets that further damage our streets or damage the newer, poorly laid asphalt streets our community just paid for. Such costs incurred would have been recovered by the responsible owner/contractors of the equipment, bonding insurance to insure repair to be made. This practice has gone by the wayside by the last few highway commissioners and the cost fell on us, the residents. Mr. Rogers is aware of issues such as these and is determined to correct the issues at hand. Recently, my neighbor, Karen Malinowski, and I reached out to Mr. Rogers for assistance and his expertise, as he has been a resident for over 50 years, regarding the water drainage/flooding and wanted his opinion when meeting with Lake County Storm Water Management and lake County Building and Zoning to find a solution to the flooding and drainage ditch erosion. Mr. Rogers, never hesitated and has been a wealth of information and assistance. Due to the upcoming weather predictions of rain in the forecast for the next week, Mr. Rogers reportedly contacted Lake County Building Planning and Zoning where he has arranged a meeting on February 14th, with a representative to be present to view the possible water surge on Talbot and Safford, including the submerged and flooding empty lots of 814 & 818 Talbot. His actions are a direct response to attempt to rectify a formidable flooding issue, otherwise we will lose our homes. I strongly request the board will take into full consideration to engage Mr. Rogers as Highway Supervisor for the Township. WE need him.
   17. John and Faith Favale – We have been residents of Knollwood since 1992. We have known Dan Rogers since we moved into our home and we believe he would do an outstanding job as Roads Commissioner. He is a no nonsense type of man and very diligent in attending to the task at hand. We are confident he would take the position with the seriousness that it deserves. We feel that it is advantageous that he was highway Commissioner in the early 2000’s. He is familiar with the inner workings of the system and he would be able to improve the state of the infrastructure in a very efficient manner.
   18. Fred and Judy Day- We recommend Dan to be strongly considered to hire for oversee and manage the roadways in Knollwood and Arden Shore. Dan has a very strong and impressive track record as a previous Highway Commissioner having made notable improvements in our community. He is a lifetime resident, he clearly knows and understands the needs of roadways, he did and can procure grant monies to enhance our community, he is a vocal advocate for sidewalks – a huge safety concern. He is loyal, hones and goes above and beyond.
   19. David and Dierdre Piccietti – Both of us would like to offer full support of Dan Rogers to be hired to maintain the roads in our township. Dan being a longtime resident of our neighborhood truly cares and wants what is best for it.
   20. Bob Barnes – Dan did an outstanding job in his capacity of Highway Commissioner. Let’s get things back the way it used to be. Dan is the type of man who will go out of his way to help anyone in need. Please put the most qualified lifelong resident Dan Rogers back into that position of managing our roads.
   21. Lynn Barnes – I feel Dan Rogers is the right man for the job. He cares about Knollwood and that is what we need. He has gotten grants in the past to fix our roads. The past road commissioners never did anything. When Dan was Commissioner Knollwood never looked better.
   22. Karen Malinowski
       1. Recommending Dan as a road commissioner, it is an elected position, applying for a part-time paid position, I think what Janice has said, HR requirements, to have someone such as Dan, and consulting and hiring an engineering firm, take what Jan and all residents have said if and when and should you create this position.

Office Staff – Miss Rothing – recommend CPI, cost of living has gone up for everyone across the country 6.4 percent, my rec all FT current staff, Lis, Carl and Rob 64 raise effective march 1, every year we need to look at CPI, as to not leaving them behind as cost of living increases. This Township needs to adjust yearly, my recommendation, Ms. Rothing, has achieved deputy clerk, attended countless classes, Carl has and Miss Rothing does assessors and supervisors stuff daily, a true asset, one is always here in this building, Lisette is continued on her education and taking a GA summit, the staff came into an empty building with no training to running such a good office, a lot of compliments about Carl, Lissette is my go to, we get stuff done every day, thank you for you two. Supervisor Urso motion, second Trustee Walker-Eich discussion passed roll call vote 5-0.
Highway staff, Rob Beake, 26.5 years, the entire Knollwood and Arden shores, knows Rob, he is awesome and a fixture of this community, never missed a snow-day, always on point, 6.4% raise CPI 2023, Supervisor Urso motioned to the increase, Trustee Weil second, passed with a roll call vote 5-0.
Highway Staff, many eliminated and then rehired, some rehired, some sub out. I am grateful for the Road chair, since becoming and has dedicated his time and knowledge of this area, meeting with Stormwater Management, works daily with Rob. Working with the state with crossing no turn on red and summer projects, such speed calming devices. Tonight the committee would like to consider Dan, I have a conflict of interest, I rent from his Mothers Trust, it would not be ethical to do so, as I resident of Knollwood I do not think there would a better person for this position, motion for Dan, Trustee Weil motion, Trustee Garrity second, then discussion:
Trustee Garrity, there is no question he has done a Phenom job, I have seen as a trustee, need proper procedure in place, we definitely heard the comments tonight and come up with a right way to do it.
Trustee Weil- I second this opinion, I have not heard about this position, trying to find a process and protocol and legal and above board, if you want us to make wise decisions, we need a little time to think this through, we need a job description, not against by any means, we need time to put together.
Trustee Andersen, truly grateful for Dan’s efforts, lucky to have him on board of doing that, Ms. Ahl said, need to address proper due diligence and covering all the bases to fill the role with the right person, not that Dan is not.
Trustee Walker-Eich – I support you, also I have told you, and we have to do the procedure, 3 observations: Janice on legal and Mike on liability. I don’t care when we get to the point we get to. We need to get this quickly, engineering studies, 1099, global study, and tell us to the right order, not comfortable with insinuations and not given enough, HR and liability matters and what we need to do to get the flooding to stop in their homes. Every meeting we struggle with HR, difficulty for us, market level ads, job description, best efforts at hiring/selecting and interviewing, we need to do right away. Everything Terry’s letter said is true, the timing needs to be guided right away. We have to do it right and search the market widely, the community is hearing about these issues for the first time. We do not want to violate the open meetings act, not standing in your way, I have a ton of respect for you, have to go with a process. I am need a little more time, we have to beat the rainy season, right now, as Janice suggested, we need to know what the priorities are, urgent to get address, as well as the HR and Liability issues. I want to get it done.
Motion to table Weil, second Andersen.
S Urso, someone definitely needs to be on the roads, handling water issues and something comes up every day. Would it be appropriate, for this board to put out a job description?
Trustee Walker-Eich states we cannot afford any more HR noise
Set in motion, each trustee email me individually the process, then pick it up asap.
Motion roll call – Supervisor Urso abstain
 

1. Old Business - NA
2. New Business
   1. January 19, 2023 Regular Board Meeting minutes motion to approve Trustee Andersen, second by Trustee Weil, passed by roll call vote 4-0
   2. Approval of Resolution appointing Authorized Agent for IMRF Plan, motion to approve resolution Trustee Walker-Eich, second Trustee Andersen, passed by roll call vote 4-0

 

1. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. by Supervisor Urso, Trustee Weil motion to adjourn Trustee Andersen, and second by Trustee Weil.