Special meeting

Special Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees.

Video available here.

Minutes – Shields Township Board of TrusteesSpecial Meeting June 21, 2022 ______________________________________________________________________________
STATE OF ILLINOIS, )Lake County, )Town of Shields )THE TOWN BOARD OF SHIELDS TOWNSHIP held a special board meeting in person and byZoom on June 21, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.
PRESENT
 Tammy Bryan ClerkBrady Andersen Town TrusteeKathryn Walker-Eich Town TrusteeDavid Weil Town TrusteeJeff Urso Town TrusteeI.
 
Meeting Called to Order
Clerk Bryan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.II.
 
Roll Call
 – Also in attendance – former Assessor Scott Helton* and Attorney Mark Kimzey***The Township Board approved an agreement with Mr. Helton to fill the vacancy in the Office of theTownship Assessor as an independent contractor at this Special Board Meeting.**The Township Board confirmed the appointment of Mr. Kimzey’s firm, Airdo Werwas, LLC, asTownship Attorney at the Rescheduled Board Meeting on June 30, 2022.III.
 
Clerk Bryan –
Given the resignation of the Township Supervisor effective June 13, 2022, we need toappoint a Chairman Pro Tem to preside over this Special Board Meeting. Is there a motion to appoint aChairman Pro Tem to preside over this Special Board Meeting?
Trustee Walker
-
Eich –
I move to appoint Trustee Jeff Urso as Chairman Pro Tem for this June 21, 2022Special Board Meeting
Trustee Weil –
I second the motion
Clerk Bryan –
I will now call the roll on the Motion to Appoint Trustee Jeff Urso as Chairman Pro Temto preside over this Special Board Meeting. Passes with a roll call vote 4-0. The motion carries and TrusteeUrso was appointed as Chairman Pro Tem to preside over this June 21, 2022 Special Board Meeting.IV.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 – Chairman Pro Tem Urso opened the meeting with the Pledge of AllegianceV.
 
New Business – Acceptance of Resignation of Township Supervisor
SS.

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2a.
 
The first item of New Business is Acceptance of Township Supervisor. As Clerk Bryannoted earlier, Heather Kerr resigned from the Office of Township Supervisor, effectiveimmediately, on June 13, 2022. b.
 
The Chairman Pro Tem sought a motion to accept Ms. Kerr’s resignation. Motion ismade by Trustee Walker-Eich, the motion is second by Trustee Andersen. Motion passeswith a roll call vote 4-0.c.
 
The motion carries, and Heather Kerr’s resignation from the Office of TownshipSupervisor, effective June 13, 2022, was accepted.VI.
 
Appointment of Deputy Township Supervisor
a.
 
The next item of New Business is appointment of Deputy Township Supervisor.
 
The Township Code provides that in the event of a vacancy in the Office of TownshipSupervisor until vacancy is filled. The Chairman Pro Tem sought a motion to appoint aTrustee as Deputy Supervisor.
Trustee Walker-Eich –
I move to appoint Trustee Urso as Deputy Township Supervisor pursuant to Subsection (b-5) of Section 60-5 of the Township Code until the vacancy inthe Office of Township is filled. Supervisor. Trustee Weil second the motion. b.
 
The motion is made by Trustee Walker-Eich, seconded by Trustee Weil. Passes with aroll call vote 4-0.VII.
 
Approval of Independent Contractor Agreement to Address Vacancy in Office of Township Assessor
a.
 
The final item of New Business is Approval of Independent Contractor Agreement toaddress Vacancy in the Office of Township Assessor.
 
On May 19, 2022, the Board accepted the resignation of Scott Helton from the Office ofTownship Assessor.The Property Tax Code provides that the Board may fill the vacancy by contracting witha qualified person to do the assessing at a cost no greater than the maximum salary forthe Township Assessor.Until such time as this Board has found a qualified, suitable replacement, the formerAssessor, Scott Helton, has agreed, given the resignation of the former Supervisor, to perform the duties of the Township Assessor as an independent contractor. Mr. Heltonis qualified for the position and has many years of experience as the Shields TownshipAssessor.What is before us this afternoon is a year-to-year agreement to govern the relationship between Mr. Helton and the Township.Therefore, the Deputy Supervisor sought a motion:1.
 
To Approve the Independent Contractor Agreement between Mr. Heltonand Shields Township as presented; And.
 
32.
 
To authorize the Deputy Supervisor and the Clerk to sign and attest,respectively, the Agreement on behalf of the Township.3.
 
Motion is made by Trustee Walker-Eich, the motion is seconded byTrustee Andersen. Passed with a roll call vote 4-0
 
VIII.
 
Public comments
:a.
 
Janice Schnobrich
 – In the Spring of 1996, I read an item in the Lake Forest whichstated Shields Township had raised salaries of all 8 elected officials by 30 to 40 percent.I was not familiar with Shields Township as a government unit and wondered what thatunit of government did. I became a regular meeting observer at the Lake Forest office onDeerpath Road and continued my attendance after the move to the Muir Avenue. I havean insatiable need to understand the workings of governments and other agencies whichhave direct impact on my life. I began to ask questions during Public Comment time. Iwas publicly bullied for doing so. I educated myself on FOIA requests and received muchsound advice from local attorneys. I requested audio and later video recordings of allmeetings. During public meetings Charles B. IV. (1995-2009) would periodically raisea handful of papers in his hand and loudly proclaim to all, I had cost the township a lotof money because FOIA requests had to be honored. This practice of berating me forrequesting information to which I was legally entitled continued through 2009, 2013,2017 and 2021 administrations. Both elected officials and township employees wereinvolved in the bullying.
 
Despite the harassment, I learned a lot. I found that Shields Township spent on a yearlyaverage, less than 1% of taxpayer funding on General Assistance Grants, the onemandated function required by Illinois Township Statutes, and less than 18% on non-mandated social services. The other 80% of Town Fund revenue went mostly to houseand support salaries with benefits to their employed workers. I also learned that thosemost in need of social services had been denied them due to geographical distance fromand lack of transportation to Shields Township office and aid workers. I have concludedthat it would be best to outsource most social services to Waukegan Township.
 
In 2016, I wrote a documented paper on Lake County Township Assessors who twicesued Lake County and the Chief Assessment Officer. At the request of CountyCommissioner, the Chief Assessment Office researched, compiled data, and reposted thatLake County taxpayers could receive a $4 million a year reduction in taxes paid if the 18Lake County Township Assessors officers were closed and duties performed by themwere transferred to the County. Taxpayer receipts were used to pay legal fees. Keri-LynKrafthefer was the attorney representing the Assessors. Both cases were judged to haveno merit.
 
 
4I found that Shields Township employees work less than 32 hours weekly, yet receivecompensation for a fulltime work. Payroll services are now outsourced, AssessmentServices are due to be outsourced. I have further concluded the taxpayers should nolonger be forced to pay for facilities to house very few Shields Township workers andofficials. An office space should be sought where necessary files can be kept and a personemployed to answer the phones and make the necessary appointments for those who wishto meet in person with the Supervisor or Assessor. Regular meetings of the Board could be held free of charge at the Village of Lake Bluff public facilities.
 
 b.
 
Alderman Evans -
Just a few questions. I am up here; I was reading some about stuff. Iam a native of North Chicago, I represent North Chicago and support North Chicagowhile were checking for more here
 
for North Chicago. We are, you know part of theShields Township and some people feel the city part of Shields, but after you understandthat we say I am glad David’s here. I hope to see you, but while I am up here. I want toask the board for a little information, if I can have whether, today or sometime this week.I want to see because so many things that have been happening in the Township. I wantto see for the past four year, the salaries, raises that the Township should give also wantto see who’s on a represent us more, not just here today, but throughout of any besides just for me. What you guys could do because I know it’s hard to get a temperature heretoday. Let’s hear whatever. But I also want to know how did you the get opponents. Howdid this boy? I don’t know what you got, but you had a person working from Florida thenyou pay from, I mean for two years, so everybody should know. Another question, issexual harassment and saying, because I am hearing and it’s in the newspaper. It’s insane.It’s in the newspaper about the sexual harassment. And is that settled, is that going on?Then there’s a rumor about whether this board is going to bring somebody back to gettheir IMRF. Don’t just because you know, somebody trying to make them happy. Letthem know if anybody is wrong with the court. Let me them know; they don’t need that.You don’t all that stuff that I thought Shields will be better than all this bad news. I meanI come down here. I work with a lot of people down here. It’s been good. I’ve talked toseveral people from this area from the late lovely North Lake Bluff and Knollwood. Itseems like everything is good but to find out the whole department, just walk out andleave people with the assessment and the people with tax bills. It just shows that nobodyreally cares. I hope the board cared enough to work with me and I work with everybody.You have to help this township program. So Ill teach everybody now. I’m here. Okay,guess who’s on board. She’s going and Scott, so when Kathy was on board, we allworked together, don’t have to be a certain party, just be honest and work fairly andaccomplish what needs to be accomplished.
 
 
5
Deputy Supervisor Jeff Urso
-I will answer very soon about the Florida one. I wouldlike to address the sexual harassment: The board in 2021 was made aware, investigation by former attorney and the conclusion In February, was no sexual harassment. Some ofthe things that you have been seen in the newspapers is just that, it’s unfortunate. Makingstatements and talking without providing full context and I do hope in the coming sayswe can give you the full context. Thank you for asking. The raises for the last 4 years.Sure, you can FOIA all staff members’ salaries and etc. Sarah will provide and send.
 
c.
 
Sue Skowronski
 via Zoom – Yes, so I am sitting here listening to you guys, you shouldall should be ashamed. I have read everything reported about the assessor. And I cannot believe none of it is true. And then you can’t play nice in the sandbox. So, Mr. Heltonresigns because Heather Kerr didn’t, now he wants his money. So, he’s gonna be sittingon here until you get somebody else? I mean what kind of game are you playing with theresident of Shields Township? It is immature and pathetic, I have lived here for 30 years,and I have never seen it so bad. I’m done.
 
d.
 
Ms. McMillan –
I am from Shields Township. Now with the Assessor gone, who willhandle homestead exemption?
Deputy Supervisor Urso
 – We are fortunate enough to enter into a contract withAssessor Helton and get all those things addressed immediately, very soon. The Assessorwill be back to work tomorrow.
From the Audience
 – “Homesteads are already done. But if you have a seniorexemption, exception, make an appointment.”
 
e.
 
Penny – 
 How can you help? Is Mr. Helton still under investigation by the AttorneyGeneral? I am not sure the State’s Attorney’s Office has accepted this case yet.
Trustee Weil:
 What you saw in the paper that Scott had given a discount to Kathy, andthat actually didn’t happen. The Chief County Assessor said, “No, that never wentthrough.” And, the other piece of that was, it was not Trustee Walker -Eich who madethe request. It was community member closest to the water pump station that actuallysent in pictures—showing cracks in her house—and wanted something to be done because her house is ruined. And then, Scott asked the staff. “What do you think weshould do?” And, they said, “well, there’s a precedent for a ten percent discount of thevalue of your house.” It only lasts one year on the land. Only land, not the house, onlythe land. Scott asked, “What do you think we should do?” And, all three staff agreed andthey agreed to asked the Assessor of the County. And the County Assessor said, “why, Isuggest that you bring it before the Board of Review,” and that’s actually as far as itwent. Nothing actually happened. So, what where you heard in the paper was kind of ahalf-truth. there’s other information that you go, “oh, all right that actually makes sense
 
6Someone needs to let the residents know. So, there was no devaluation. So, the Board ofReview did not review it.
Penny –
Who’s the new attorney for the township? Mr. Kimzey identified himself.f.
 
Deputy Supervisor Urso – 
 Today the Board of trustees of Shields Township took amajor step toward restoring integrity, honesty and fiscal practices for the people of theTownship. The Board of Trustees is a part of a check on balance system of TownshipGovernment, one among other obligations. This volunteer board of Trustees reviews billsand operations. At the Board meeting in April three trustees and then the assessor calledon discouraged to resign due to issues with their leadership professional practices thatthe three trustees and assessor Helton. Unfortunately, in the response for the request tostep down. Ms. Kerr actually. So, I want to do, we recognize that Ms. Kerr caused a lotof confusion to our residents of our Township. These are over, the Board of Trusteeshired back Scott Helton, once again to serve the taxpayers the Township and operate theAssessor’s Office composed of true professionals. We look forward to the commitmentand continue to support and I’m sorry. We look forward to continuing support and wecommit ourselves to serve you. We want everyone here to know we want to be verytransparent, very open. We want to make sure questions are answered entirely informed.We are going to continue to work with all residents. And as for the other trustees, wehave had different opinions, but I think we all had talks together and even though wedon’t see eye to eye we all collectively agree to continue to do the best for the Township.So, this is a good time. I echo Trustee Weil’s thoughts. Just, thank you very much, sir.Appreciate all, thank you guys.IX.
 
Adjournment
 – The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. by Deputy Supervisor Urso, motion to adjourn by Trustee Weil, and second by Trustee Andersen, and passed unanimously by voice vote