City of Wood Dale City Council Met Feb. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING (via Zoom teleconference) in accordance Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order regarding COVID-19:
Mayor Nunzio Pulice, in accordance with the Meeting Notice for a Zoom Teleconference Meeting, called the Regular City Council Meeting to Order at 7:30 p.m. Pursuant to the updated Illinois Attorney General Guidance to Public Bodies on the Open Meetings Act during the COVID-19 Pandemic, dated July 2, 2020, Aldermen and Elected Officials of the City of Wood Dale may participate in Public Meetings of the City without being physically present, in compliance with the established conditions.
II. ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were:
Present: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Absent: Alderman R. Wesley
Also Present: Mayor Pulice, City Clerk Curiale, Treasurer Porch, City Manager Mermuys, Police Chief Vesta, Legal Counsel Bond, Finance Director Wilson, Public Works Director Lange, AICP/CD Director Cage, Management Analysis Kate Buggy
Whereupon the Mayor declared a quorum present.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Alderman E. Wesley made a motion, seconded by Alderman Susmarski, to approve the Regular City Council Minutes of January 21, 2021. When the question was put, a roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Ayes: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Nays: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
V. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
i. Citizens to be Heard
None
ii. Written Communiqués of Citizens to Be Heard
a. June Hanna sent a letter thanking both the Police and Fire Departments who put their lives on the line to protect our citizens for their efforts enhancing Wood Dale and protecting its Residents and for helping her last week.
b. Kathleen Donofrio sent a letter thanking the Police and Fire Departments and Elected Officials for assisting her family with a sendoff parade for her, and thankful for the wonderful community. She was deployed CPT, US Army.
VI. MAYOR’S REPORT
None
VII. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Mermuys reported:
i. The Wood Dale City Hall will be opening as a warming center this weekend and into next week. A reverse 9-1-1 will be issued.
ii. The Budget Meeting at Committee is going to be February 25, 2021, and pending continued positive data on the COVID-19 situation from DuPage County, the Budget Meeting could be held in person.
VIII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Omnibus Vote
i. A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Wood Dale and HR Green for Professional Services for the Veteran’s Memorial Landscaping
Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $30,000
ii. A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Wood Dale and LRS CleanSweep, Inc. for the Citywide Street Sweeping Program (3-Years) in an Amount Not to Exceed $180,000
iii. A Resolution Authorizing Change Order No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement Between the City of Wood Dale and Baxter & Woodman for the FY 2021/2022 Capital Road Program in the Amount of $39,500
The Mayor questioned if there were any objections to the Consent Agenda of Items 1 through 3. Hearing none and on a motion by Alderman E. Wesley, seconded by Alderman Susmarski, to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. When the question was put, a roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Ayes: Aldermen Catalano, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Jakab temporarily out at 7:39 pm, reentered after roll call at 7:41 pm
Whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried, approving the following items:
i. A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Wood Dale and HR Green for Professional Services for the Veteran’s Memorial Landscaping
Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $30,000
ii. A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Wood Dale and LRS CleanSweep, Inc. for the Citywide Street Sweeping Program (3-Years) in an Amount Not to Exceed $180,000
iii. A Resolution Authorizing Change Order No. 2 to the Professional Services Agreement Between the City of Wood Dale and Baxter & Woodman for the FY 2021/2022 Capital Road Program in the Amount of $39,500
On a motion by Alderman E. Wesley, seconded by Alderman Susmarski, to approve the individual Items on the Consent Agenda, including Items 1 through 3. When the question was put, a roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Ayes: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Nays: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
IX. COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS
A. Planning, Zoning and Building Committee
No report
B. Public Health, Safety, Judiciary and Ethics Committee
No report
C. Public Works Committee
No report
D. Finance and Administration Committee
i. An Ordinance Adjusting the City of Wood Dale Master Fee Schedule
On a motion by Alderman Woods, seconded by Alderman Susmarski, to approve The Fee Schedule As Presented with Two (2) Changes: 1) Ordinance, Section 4, Effective Date August 1, 2021 and 2) Add $5.00 to Section 7.821A Of Fixed Costs As Presented on the Schedule
Director Wilson presented information showing the drop in water consumption over the past few years has resulted in revenue that has not been enough to cover the debt service payments for the Treatment Plant and to properly sustain the System, thus there is a need for the rates to be increased, which has not occurred for a number of years.
Alderman E. Wesley added this is to pay back the loan for the Treatment Plant.
Alderman Messina inquired raising the rate as step increases to try to minimize the impact on Residents because of Covid-19.
After further discussion, Mayor Pulice stated a Motion had already been made, unless the Motioner wanted to change it. Alderman Woods declined changing the Motion.
Mayor Pulice and Alderman Woods reiterated that history and modeling show the rates need to be raised as the consumption usage has gone down over the years, otherwise some water projects need to be pushed back or eliminated. The rates can be revisited later and re-evaluated.
Alderman Catalano inquired how much money would be saved if some of the projects were rolled back such as Backyard 50/50, Skunk Removal, Generator, Rain Barrel, the streetlights, Apron Parkway, Senior Cutting Grass, and the Façade Program.
Mayor Pulice responded around $150,000 and Director Wilson went over the budgeted amounts, explaining none of these Projects are part of the Water Fund.
Mayor Pulice, Aldermen Woods, Sorrentino and E. Wesley emphasized that it has come to the point that a decision has to be made, a rate increase has been delayed for years, the water and storm water projects need to be completed, and money must be set aside for water maintenance issues and to do necessary work on the other Treatment Plant.
Alderman Jakab asked for information and status on some of the water projects and about halting the rates in August if the Pandemic takes a downturn. Director Wilson gave an update on the water projects and responded rates could be halted if it went back on the Agenda and there are 5 votes, but the downside is continuing the cycle of the past 5-6 years.
Alderman Messina asked for information on how much is in arrears from the past 3 years in overdue accounts verses how much has been collected.
Attorney Bond explained the City is working closely with the Clerk’s Office and the Finance Department and notices are being sent out promptly, installment payment arrangements have been made for some delinquent Account Holders. The actual water usage and sewer charges are collected in full, the bulk of the rest of the delinquency is interest and late charges that are compound each month. Mayor Pulice asked Director Wilson show how much is water and sewage verses late charges, interest and the cost of collecting.
Director Wilson will put the information together.
When the question was put, a roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: Aldermen Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Nays: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab and Messina
Whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
X. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Airport Noise Committee
No report
B. Stormwater Commission Report:
No report
XI. APPROVAL OF LIST OF BILLS: February 4, 2021 - - $1,161,512.65
On a motion by Alderman Woods, seconded by Alderman E. Wesley, to approve the February 4, 2021 payment of the List of Bills, for the total amount of $1,161,512.65 for the following:
• General Fund $ 193,932.37
• Road & Bridge Fund $ 396.09
• Motor Fuel Tax Fund $ 3,726.96
• Tourism Fund $ -
• Narcotics Fund $ 1,400.00
• TIF District #1 300,000.00
• TIF District #2 $ -
• Capital Projects Fund $ 244,851.12
• Land Acquisition Fund $ -
• Commuter Parking Lot Fund $ 1,545.99
• Sanitation Fund $ 139,810.29
• Water & Sewer Fund $ 275,849.83
• CERF $ -
• Special Service Area Fund $ -
Total of all Funds: $ 1,161,512.65
Total Number of Checks: 56
When the question was put a roll call vote was taken with the following results: Ayes: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Nays: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
XII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Alderman Susmarski, seconded by Alderman Sorrentino, to adjourn the Regular Meeting of February 4, 2021 to go to Executive Session to discuss Land Acquisition [Pursuant to 5ILCS120/2(c)(5)]. When the question was put, a roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Ayes: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Nays: None
XIII. ITEMS TO BE REFERRED
None
XIV. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION ONLY
None
XV. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Alderman Susmarski, seconded by Alderman Sorrentino, to adjourn the Regular Meeting of February 4, 2021 to go to Executive Session to discuss Land Acquisition [Pursuant to 5ILCS120/2(c)(5)]. When the question was put, a roll call vote was taken with the following results:
Ayes: Aldermen Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Sorrentino, Susmarski, E. Wesley and Woods
Nays: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
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