1. 2. 3. Supervisor Anderson called the May 13, 2008 Board meeting to order at 7:42 p.m. at the Community Center. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Clerk Johansen called the roll with Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas and Stutesman present. Trustee Kupar was absent. Trustee Judy arrived later.
4. Reports:
Sheriff – Wasco Substation Community Policing – Lt. Kramer: Lt. Kramer stated there has been a rise in door to door solicitor complaints and complaints about noise from dirt bikes. Crimes and car crashes don’t seem to be an issue now. Ninety hard copy and 100 warning tickets were given by the Kane County Sheriff, mainly on Routes 64 and 47 which are roads with the most crashes. The new jail will be substantially completed by the end of May. The Sheriff’s National Night Out Against Crime will be the first week of August and will feature the SWAT, bomb, and dog units for the public to meet. It will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the evening and may be at the new jail. More info.to follow. The Sheriff’s new web site is www.kanesheriff.com See sex offender watch which tells you if a sex offender lives near you. Also see crime trends and Neighborhood Watch. Curfew for youth under 17 is 11:00 p.m. during the week, and 12:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Kane County Sheriff will have a click it or ticket drive from May 16th. to June 1st., and a couple DUI patrols during the summer. Fatal car crashes went down 20% recently. The Sheriff believes this is because of the new requirement that youth practice more driving with their parents.
Highway Commissioner – Sam Gallucci: Absent. The written report stated snowplows and spreader boxes were taken off trucks and put in storage so spring road work could begin; all trucks were certified by annual inspection; brush pick-up was completed on the north side of Route 64; Stop signs were checked on a weekly basis in Campton Township and The Village of Campton Hills, and damaged or missing ones replaced; road patrol was done throughout Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills for drainage problems, pot holes, and culvert permits; potholes were repaired with cold patch throughout Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills; tree branches hanging over roadways throughout Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills were cut back; trees throughout Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills that were storm damaged were cut and chipped; intersections in Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills were swept on a weekly basis; lawn damage throughout Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills was repaired with dirt and seed; maintenance on township vehicles and equipment continued; and storm drains in the Fox Mill and Fox Creek subdivisions were cleaned out.
Assessor – Alan D. Rottmann: Assessor Rottmann stated tax bills are up, he got lots of calls. He is reviewing assessments to see if they can be adjusted. He looks at sales of existing homes now. Sales are slow. Taxes are paid a year in arrears. This years 2008 tax bill is for the value of the house last year in 2007. His review of assessments in 2008 will be for the value this year, which will be paid next year in 2009.
Solid Waste District – Greg VanZandt: Absent.
Staff Update on Open Space – Jack Shouba: Botanist Shouba stated at Corron Farm the spring burn and volunteer workdays have enhanced a woodland with many beautiful wildflowers. Volunteers continue to remove wild chervil, burdock, and garlic mustard. The Forest Preserve is constructing an entrance to the Meisner-Corron Forest Preserve across from Corron Farm which makes it possible now to construct our entrance directly across from theirs. At the Headwaters Rob Linke made a map of the Motz addition showing soils and elevation. A comparison of 1939 and 2007 aerial photos shows little change. Huddleston identified a possible wetland restoration area. Encroachment continues to be an issue. At Harley Woods we hired Witness Tree Native Landscapes for brush clearing and removal of aggressive weed species. They will use $1,500 remaining from our $2,000 grant. They recommend burning in the fall or spring. Rob Linke made a map showing the various parcels as they were in 1939 and as they are today. This shows soil types that will help us plan our restoration. There could be wetland restoration there too. At Anderson Park the prairie flowers are blooming along with thistles and other weeds. Volunteers are beginning to weed and mulch the prairie gardens. The monthly volunteer workday along with a potluck picnic was moved from Corron Farm to Anderson Park this month. At the Headwaters and Poynor Park the Illinois EPA will pay for cleanup of unauthorized dumps. This includes old farm equipment and bricks at the Headwaters that was there for a long time, and more recent concrete, clippings, and dirt at Poynor. We are planning a meeting with neighbors of Poynor Park, Harley Woods, and Anderson Park on May 29th at the Community Center to acquaint them with our plans, ask for their cooperation, and give people a chance to ask questions, make comments and provide suggestions. This will be followed by two more meetings, one in June, and one in July.
Village of Campton Hills – Patsy Smith: Village of Campton Hills President Patsy Smith stated the one year anniversary celebration of our village will take place this Sunday May 18th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Campton Township Community Center. The Evening Prairie subdivision has had a stormwater drainage problem for years around the flood prone Nancy Lane pond. The Village proposes a special service area (SSA) for this neighborhood to fix the problem. The SSA would allow the Village to pay the residents half of the County’s estimated total cost of $232,000 through the sale of municipal bonds. The affected residents would then pay to retire the $116,000 in municipal bonds with those receiving the most acreage benefit bearing more of the burden. The County would pay the other $116,000 for the total cost of $232,000. This divides the cost between the homeowners and the County, with the Village helping enable the process along the way. At 8:00 p.m. on June 3rd there will be a meeting of the affected residents at the Community Center at which all possible alternatives will be discussed by Kane County, and the affected residents will then have 60 days to accept or reject the SSA. If 51% reject it that stops the cost sharing agreement. If it is rejected it is likely there will need to be a special assessment, and the County could withdraw its cost sharing participation. Also there are 18 septic systems at risk and the Kane County Health Department could condemn homes as a result. Then litigation would result as neighbor sues neighbor. Regarding disconnections, on June 16 the judge will hear whether issues at law that are common to different petitions can be heard first.
Village of Campton Hills Police – written report: Village of Campton Hills President Patsy Smith gave the report stating car burglaries are up. These are crimes of opportunity. Keep your car doors locked and valuables out of sight.
Supervisor – Neal Anderson: Supervisor Anderson stated we had a good turnout for our Annual Town Meeting. Staff put together a wonderful power point update of our open space program. We recognized five volunteers. We have volunteer workdays on open space the second Saturday of every month. Check out our new website (www.camptontownship.com) for information on how to volunteer. Property owners who sold their property for open space were recognized at the Garfield Farm Annual Dinner last Friday. We are grateful they want to see their land saved for future generations. Spring is in full swing and park facilities are being used every day. We encourage everyone to follow park rules including not parking on Hunters Hill Drive.
5. Approval of Minutes:
a. Board Meeting April 3, 2008: T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the minutes of the meeting of April 3, 2008. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
6. Citizens’ Comments: Clerk Johansen stated in his capacity as Secretary of Township Officials of Kane County he took the minutes of the Ride in Kane Program at the last TOKC meeting. Since they are on our agenda for tonight he offers this brief summary of those minutes. Lynn O’Shea began as Director of the Association for Individual Development and the need was to get transportation for disabled people to get to jobs. Other then Dial a Ride there were no options then. Working with the County Board under Mike McCoy, they began a study that resulted in operationalizing a Para-transit Council, the members of which are townships, municipalities, Kane County, and DOT (the Department of Transportation). The County provided space but the program is not mandated. On February 16, 2008 they began giving non-fixed route curb to curb rides to seniors, the disabled, and low income populations in Kane County using smaller vehicles and buses. The Pace call center dispatches taxis, Pace lift equipped buses, and other service providers for demand-response, curb to curb transportation. This is more cost effective then fixed route and it includes 42 liveries available for dispatch from a centralized call center. To qualify there are two classes. One can pay and ride. The other is the elderly, disabled, or low income. Once the township registers the client, it is done with them because the client calls Pace after that. It may take 10 minutes per person to register them. For townships the cost comes out of the general fund, not general assistance. The township signs a commitment to spend X number of dollars, but it doesn’t spend the money unless it’s actually used. The federal government gives a matching grant and Pace administers the program. There are three fee structures but the sponsor (the township), decides which structure to use depending on the clients circumstances. Frequently it’s $3.00 for the first 10 miles and $1.50 a mile after that. The rider pays the driver when he gets on. A needed companion rides free. If gas prices go up the client charge can go up. Townships currently participating are Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Elgin, and Dundee. The Paratransit Council is currently trying to recruit townships and municipalities that are not currently participating in the program.
a. Team Chicago – Hudson Fortune, Director: Hudson Fortune, Director of the Team Chicago soccer association gave a presentation requesting the use of Anderson Park on weekday evenings for soccer practice. They are moving their teams from Batavia and would not want our fields when Tri-Cities is using them. They are a not for profit high-end soccer association with 16 kids on the national team. Some of the kids get scholarships for this. This would give residents here a high level program. They are willing to pay rent. They could help with the property across the road from Anderson Park. They are willing to invest money. They spent $27,000 to build a parking lot. In Naperville they have 30 teams. Here they suggest a few teams. Administrator Glas stated areas that are not used for games may be used for practice. There’s no agreement to sign because it’s open to anyone that shows up. Team Chicago is here to introduce themselves. Director Fortune asked for something in writing. They have a Board of Directors that meets monthly. In the future they would like a game field. Administrator Glas suggested the Board look at a practice field agreement. T. Stutesman stated we need a written agreement to show their liability insurance.
7. Planning Commission – Jim Morgan: Chairman Morgan stated the Plan Commission is short one member. He recommends Laurel Garza to fill the spot. She lives off Denker Road. Our Plan Commission is quiet but Lily Lake annexed the 220 acre Canada Corners subdivision which has been renamed Huntington Ridge. The Regional Plan Commission met and they are already trying to update the 2030 Plan. Kane County has already reached the population they projected for 10 years from now.
8. Old Business – Presentation and Discussion for Action: None.
9. New Business – Presentation and Discussion for Action: T. Stutesman moved agenda items a. and b. be reversed. The motion was seconded by K. Judy. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
b. Review and Act Upon Proposal for Honey Bees at Corron Farm – Mr. Sobel: Mr. Sobel spoke for the request of Mr. and Mrs. Sobel, beekeepers, to place their bee hives on Corron Farm. Beekeeping helps offset the decrease in wild bees that maintain our agricultural resources. He met Dave Corron there and they picked a good location for the hives. Bees go five miles to collect nectar. There is water in a nearby creek for the bees. He could teach bee keeping to kids and adults, and do a presentation at Prairie Fest. He could bottle honey and label it Corron Farm. Botanist Shouba stated we burn that area in late March, or the first half of April. How close can we get? Answer was smoke doesn’t bother them and they go five miles for pollen anyway. K. Judy moved that Jack Shouba and Mr. Sobel work together on location and other details to locate five bee hives at Corron Farm. The motion was seconded by T. Stutesman. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
a. Review and Act Upon Proposed Bond Issue – Speer Financial, Inc.: Dave Phillips of Speer Financial stated $8,195,000 of borrowing authority remains from the 2005 open space bond issue. The Township’s new equalized assessed valuation (EVA) of $849,673,451 when coupled with the retirement of debt by December 2007, limits our new borrowing capacity to $4,938,673 of the $8,195,000 remaining borrowing authority. The question is whether to issue the $4,938,673 of current bond authority this year, and the remainder of the $8,195,000 next year, or to wait for next year’s EAV to issue all of the remaining bond authority in one issue in 2009. All bonds must be issued by April 5, 2010 when the bond authorization sunsets. The question is two smaller bond issues, or one larger one? It may be cost effective to do two issues if there are properties that available now, to lock in low interest for a first issue now, or if there are grants available now. It may be cost effective to do one issue next year if we don’t need the funds now because we need to line up properties for next year, and to limit ourselves to one set of issuance costs. Administrator Glas stated there is no guarantee at the State of Illinois level that we can get matching grants now so staff would like to see one large issue in 2009. Assessor Rottmann stated that with new construction, Campton Township will hit the .03% increase in EAV by 2009 that is needed to increase our borrowing authority to the full $8,195,000 of borrowing authority remaining. Dave Phillips stated unless there is something pressing for acquisition or grants, he agrees with staff that we do one issue in 2009. If interest looks like it could be a problem, he will get in touch before. T. Stutesman moved the Board table review and act upon proposed bond issue. K. Judy seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
c. Review and Act Upon Presentation on Ride in Kane – Lynn O’Shea: Director O”Shea stated the Ride in Kane program provides transportation for seniors, disabled and low income people to go to work, the doctor, the store, etc. They use a centralized call center to dispatch service providers for demand-response, curb to curb transportation. When local governmental units agree to participate the federal government provides matching funds. Half is paid by federal grant, and half by the sponsoring local governmental unit, after the initial $3.00 is paid by the client. There is a larger number of governmental units participating today. They include Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Elgin, and Dundee townships; the cities of Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and Elgin; four municipalities in Dundee Township, the Village of Hampshire, and Kane County for marketing and PR. K. Judy stated we can put this on our website to determine if there is any interest. Director O’Shea stated churches and schools can tell you if there are seniors and disabled here that need this service now. K. Judy moved the Board put the Ride in Kane program on the Campton Township website to determine if there is interest. T. Stutesman seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
d. Review and Act Upon Resolution Establishing a Class II Truck Route: T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the Resolution establishing a Class II Truck Route. K. Judy seconded the motion. N. Anderson stated this needs further study. Lets move on to the next agenda item and table both of them for further study. T. Stutesman withdrew the motion. K. Judy withdrew the second of the motion.
e. Review and Act Upon Resolution Designation Anderson Road R2008-1: K. Judy moved the Board table agenda items 9. d. and e. T. Stutesman seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
f. Review and Act Upon Storage Building at Poynor Park: Village of Campton Hills President Patsy Smith stated she knows someone who has a shed for free if we want to move it. Township Administrator Glas presented a concept shed for storage of sports league’s equipment at Poynor Park. It has no heat, no electric, and each league would have its own storage area. The township would have lawn maintenance equipment there as well. There would be no storage of fertilizer or fuel. There is no money for this yet. We need to know if the concept passes. T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the concept of the storage building at Poynor Park as presented. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
g. Review and Act Upon Resolution for Corron Farm Disconnection: T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the Resolution Opposing Disconnection of Corron Farm from the Village of Campton Hills. K. Judy seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The Resolution passed.
10. Claims and Demands for Payment:
a. Town Fund: T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the claims and demands on the Town Fund. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
b. Open Space Fund: T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the claims and demands on the Open Space Fund. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed.
c, Park and Recreational Fund: None.
11. Executive Session – Land Acquisition and Review Executive Session Minutes, Review Whether to Open Executive Session Minutes: K. Judy moved the Board go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition but omitting the part of agenda item 11. stating review Executive Session minutes because there is no follow up agenda item for action on the review of Executive Session minutes, and omitting the part of agenda item 11. stating whether to open Executive Session minutes because that appears by mistake on this agenda. The motion was seconded by T. Stutesman. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed and Executive Session began at 10:10 p.m.
12. Adjournment: Supervisor Anderson reconvened the regular meeting. K. Judy moved the Board adjourn the meeting. T. Stutesman seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas, Stutesman, and Judy voted aye. Trustee Kupar was absent. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard Johansen
Clerk