1. 2. 3. The November 11, 2008 Board meeting was called to order by Supervisor Anderson at 7:33 p.m. at the Community Center. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Supervisor Anderson asked everyone present to remain standing for a moment of silence in respect for our veterans. Clerk Johansen called the roll with Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman present. Trustee Judy was absent.
4. Reports:
Sheriff – Wasco Substation Community Policing – Lt. Kramer: Absent.
Highway Commissioner – Sam Gallucci: Commissioner Gallucci stated brush pick-up was completed on the north and south sides of Route 64 in Campton Township, and the Village of Campton Hills in Campton and Plato Townships; the road crew continued to repair potholes with cold patch throughout Campton Township and the Village of Campton Hills; continued to patrol roads throughout the Township and Village for drainage problems, pot holes, and culvert permits; swept intersections in the Township and Village on a weekly basis; checked all Stop signs on a weekly basis in the Township and Village, and replaced damaged or missing ones; asphalted two driveway aprons on Old LaFox Rd., one in Kings Mill subdivision, and one on Far View Rd.; repainted yellow centerlines on Old LaFox, Old Burlington, Town Hall, Swanberg, Brown, and Anderson Roads; began and completed road and drainage projects that consisted of digging out culvert ends, culvert opening, replacing culverts, catch basins, dirt, gravel, and shaping ditches for installing matting, rip/rap and 3” to 4” drain tiles on Old LaFox Rd., Pouley Rd., Echo Valley Ln., and Kings Mill Dr.; trimmed trees on Reed Road for the Village of Lily Lake; certified trucks by annual inspection; and continued maintenance on township vehicles and equipment. The plows are on our trucks and they are full of salt for winter. Some municipalities are paying as much as $120.00 a ton for salt. We are paying only $40.00 a ton because we ordered in plenty of time before the price went up. We will be using treated salt for roadways to melt snow and ice that doesn’t harm cars or the environment. (he passed around a sample in a jar that was the color of molasses) It takes rust off instead of causing it, and it stays on the roadway instead of running off to the side. It works to minus 35 degrees while chloride salt only works to minus 5 degrees.
Assessor – Alan D. Rottmann: Assessor Rottmann stated the appeal filing period is over. October 20 was the deadline for filing appeals. He put through 400 assessment appeals on his own, and he has 200 Board of Appeals hearings beginning tomorrow. In nine out of ten he has reached agreement. He actually encouraged people to file appeals this year because of declining property values. Next year the County will have to agree with him that property values are declining because they will have to leave 2005 values out of the average. The township will not receive less money because property values are going down.
Solid Waste District – Becky Lamb: Solid Waste District Chairperson Lamb stated we had good representation for recycling at our National Night Out. We had a booth at the Village of Campton Hills Harvest Farm Fest. Campton Township is one of the highest in recycling (30%) but we still need to waste less. A change in pick up days will begin in January. They will cut down the days in our community from four to three. The change will be in the Campton Township Newsletter and Waste Management will send a letter. There will be no increase in rates next year.
Staff Update on Open Space – Jack Shouba: Absent.
Village of Campton Hills – Patsy Smith: Village of Campton Hills President Smith stated we need suggestions on how to bring the community together again after the recent election. She thinks a Community Development Committee could be created that would include both sides. It would need to be separate from the Village because of the Open Meetings Act.
Village of Campton Hills Police – written report: None.
Supervisor – Neal Anderson: Supervisor Anderson stated congratulations to the Village of Campton Hills on their success in the recent referendum. He is pleased to report the walking path from Fox Creek to school has been installed in cooperation between the School District and Campton Township. This will encourage children to walk to school in a safe manner and is an asset to the community as we see a trend in healthier lifestyles established. The split rail fence is almost finished at Poynor Park and we will be preparing for the grand opening next spring. Thank you to everyone that made Prairie Fest such a great success. Three hundred people attended. A special token of appreciation was given to Denise Morgan and a tree planted in her honor at the farm for her many hours of volunteerism. Now that the election is over we need to start the mending process and bring our area back into a community.
5. Approval of Minutes:
a. Board Meeting October 14, 2008: T. Stutesman moved the minutes of October 14, 2008 be approved. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. Clerk Johansen suggested two amendments which were to add Neal Anderson to the blank line at the top for chairperson, and change Open Space Fund to Park and Recreational Fund in the motion to approve line under agenda item 10. c. Park and Recreational Fund. J. Kupar moved the amendments be adopted. T. Stutesman seconded the motion. In a voice vote on the amendments Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed and the amendments were adopted. In a voice vote on the motion, as amended, Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion, as amended, passed.
6. Citizens Comments: Campton Township’s County Board Representative Barb Wojnicki said she attended Campton Township’s Prairie Fest and was very proud of it. Clerk Johansen stated petition packets are available at Town Hall for anyone who is interested in running in the Consolidated Election of April 7, 2009 for township office. For Independent candidates there is a minimum of 218 petition signatures required, and a maximum of 348 signatures allowed. The filing period is from January 20, 2009 to January 26, 2009 at Town Hall on 4N498 Town Hall Road, St. Charles (Campton Hills). The hours of filing are 8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p.m. January 20, 2009, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. January 21, 2009 through January 23, 2009, and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. January 26, 2009.
7. Planning Commission:
a. Headwaters Proposal to the West: Plan Commission Chairman Morgan stated he had a meeting about the border of our Motz Headwaters area with the Shodeen development. This is part of Elburn so their discussion with us was a courtesy. He commented on the part of their development near us. They want to know what the connection between their development and our open space is. He thinks a 30 foot buffer with walking path along the area of the development next to our open space to discourage dumping of yard waste, and an understanding so their residents have no issue with our prairie burns. Their lots are 60’ X 120’ or a fifth to sixth of an acre. In June they accepted the concept plan and all staff review is due to be done in December. Per Administrator Glas the question is do we want a connection or not? Do we want a road stub now? N. Anderson stated if we say we don’t want a road stub they will fill in stubs with houses. J. Kupar stated the precedent is from Sunset Villa with approving pedestrian access and denying motorized access into the Headwaters. Their detention basins could impact our wetlands. If we can demonstrate detention basins have an adverse impact on our wetlands Army Corps will step in. N. Anderson stated let’s revisit that. J. Kupar stated the model will show if there is an adverse impact. N. Anderson stated we should request any water that comes into our area be filtered. Per J. Kupar let’s do a review with the model and see where the water is going. Per Administrator Glas we can fence this before the houses get there. Chairman Morgan can discuss the road stub and parking lot if the Board agrees, and ask if the developer will pay for the model study. C. Boissonnas stated he wants the area fenced with one access point for pedestrians only. He doesn’t want to agree to a road stub or trail now. He supports what J. Kupar said in regard to water and the use of the model. He thanks Plan Commission Chairman Jim Morgan and Plan Commission Secretary Denise Morgan for their work. J. Morgan stated the Board should address the water issues. J. Kupar requested our engineer meet with their engineer. J. Morgan stated he would focus on the connection between the properties, and he would come back to the Board before agreement. J. Kupar stated he will contact the Corps of Engineers. He needs a copy of their permit and wetland maps.
8. Old Business – Presentation and Discussion for Action: None.
9. New Business – Presentation and Discussion for Action:
a. Discuss and Act Upon Resolution to Set Elected Officials Salary 2009 – 2012: T. Stutesman moved the Board discuss Trustee, Assessor, Highway Commissioner, and Clerk salaries first. The motion was seconded by J. Kupar. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed. J. Kupar stated let’s keep the Trustee pay the same. That is $100 for the first meeting of the month, and $50 for the second meeting of the month, if there is one. C. Boissonnas and T. Stutesman agreed. Assessor Rottmann stated by law township assessors salaries lag behind other elected officials salaries by eight months. This means assessor’s salaries are set for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. He has verified that the adjoining township to the south (Blackberry Township) is increasing the assessor’s salary to $69,000 in 2010, $71,000 in 2011, $73,000 in 2012, and $75,000 in 2013. The adjoining township to the north (Plato Township) is increasing the Assessor’s salary by a little more than 5% annually. After reviewing this information he respectfully requests the Board increase the Assessor position’s salary by 5% annually during the next term. T. Stutesman stated he agrees costs go up by inflation. C. Boissonnas stated a cost of living adjustment is basic. The problem is how do we figure out how it will be next year. His guess is inflation will be 5%. After that it’s hard to know, so lets keep the costs down a little. He supports a 5% increase the first year and 3.5% each year after that. T. Stutesman stated what Assessor Rottmann suggests is in line with what we see happening around us. J. Kupar stated by law we have to set salaries for all four years. He thinks 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% increases over the next four year term. T. Stutesman stated he agrees. It should be 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% over the next four years. N. Anderson stated he suggests we forgo a raise the first year and do the increases after that. C. Boissonnas stated he agrees with T. Stutesman and J. Kupar. The increases should be 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% over the next term. Highway Commissioner Gallucci stated the Campton Township Highway Commissioner has more miles of roadway to maintain then any of the other 16 Kane County Highway Commissioners. With the mileage he has, and the agreement with Campton Hills to maintain part of Plato Township roads, he suggests a 5% increase annually during the next term. It’s not him getting a raise. It’s whoever is elected the next term. J. Kupar stated Commissioner Gallucci is doing a great job. He has heard nothing but compliments about the Highway Commissioner. He would like to see 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% increases over the next term. C. Boissonnas stated he agrees. Both the Assessor and Highway Commissioner should be the same. A 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% increase for next term. T. Stutesman stated look at the money he saved us on salt. He concurs. A 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% increase for next term. N. Anderson stated he still has the same concerns but he goes along. Clerk Johansen stated he leaves it up to the Board to decide about an increase. C. Boissonnas stated he applies the same reasoning as to the first two cases. A 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% annual increase for each of the next four years. T. Stutesman agreed. It’s a 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% increase for next term. J. Kupar stated he agreed on 4%, 4%, 5%, and 5% increases next term. N. Anderson stated that’s the consensus. J. Kupar stated he would donate this years Trustee salary back to the Township. N. Anderson stated we are up to Supervisor. Do we leave the Road District Treasurer salary the same? Answer was yes all around. N. Anderson stated he doesn’t see any change in Supervisor salary. He supervises staff and spends time developing properties. Campton Hills will look to Campton Township to maintain the parks they bring us. The Supervisor is also the Road District Treasurer that is responsible for millions of dollars in assets. He doesn’t see open space getting any easier then it is now. The Supervisor salary should be raised a small amount or not at all. C. Boissonnas asked what do you do now that you did not do five years ago? N. Anderson stated the salary was raised four years ago because of open space. We hired an Open Space Coordinator eight years ago and the Supervisor and staff took over his functions when he left. C. Boissonnas stated the issue for him is what’s happening in the future with the open space program. What he doesn’t understand is how it will change over time as the open space program winds down because we run out of money. J. Kupar stated in the first term we passed the first bond issue. The Supervisor had to do negotiations and it took a lot of his time. That’s why the increase in 2004 with the first and second bond issues. But we have only 6.9 million left now and that’s only one or two pieces of property left to buy. Now the open space program is winding down and we are going into a phase of development and maintenance. N. Anderson stated he doesn’t see the job being any less work. For example he met this morning with some parties in regard to a property purchase. He did the first four years of open space for $14,000, and that was raised to $30,000 for the second term. It’s a slap in the face to lower that amount. It’s what the office does. C. Boissonnas stated we are talking about what will happen, not what happened in the past. The leadership the Supervisor is doing on open space will be declining over time and he wonders if the salary should be adjusted to reflect that. When you eliminate the highest Supervisor’s pay in the County and the lowest Supervisor’s pay in the County, the average comes in around $25,000. At the same time it’s not fair to give others raises and not the Supervisor, so he would adjust the base down $2000 each year, and tack on whatever raise the others got each year. When you do that you get $32,012 for 2009, $31,212 for 2010, $30,673 for 2011, and $30,107 for 2012. J. Kupar asked the Supervisor to explain his duties and what he is working on. N. Anderson stated he doesn’t have to tell the Board what he does, and that he doesn’t answer to the Board, and that he answers to no one. He doesn’t see the job changing. J. Kupar stated without another bond issue he doesn’t see it. T. Stutesman stated he doesn’t know if the open space job is less in four years. Seven million left is still a lot of money. He doesn’t like the idea of taking money away from somebody. He doesn’t want to cause ill will. N. Anderson asked what’s the consensus. T. Stutesman stated your letter offers to freeze your salary over the next four years. I think that’s fine. He thinks there is going to be equal work. He just doesn’t know what it will be. N. Anderson asked how much did I save you in realtor fees. C. Boissonnas asked are we giving direction for the future on the assumption this will be just as big a job as now. The change is not significant enough to be worth fighting over. So what do you propose specifically. N. Anderson stated no raise. T. Stutesman stated I see no reason to demotivate someone for a couple thousand dollars pay reduction. Maintain the Supervisor’s salary as it is over the next four years. T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the Resolution Setting Elected Officials Salaries 2009 – 2013. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion.
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | ||
| Assessor | $67,960 | $70,680 | $74,210 | $77,920 | |
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | ||
| Highway Commissioner | $65,340 | $67,960 | $71,360 | $74,920 | |
| Supervisor | $32,786 | $32,786 | $32,786 | $32,786 | |
| Clerk | $11,360 | $11,820 | $12,410 | $13,030 | |
| Trustees: | $100 for the first meeting each month, and $50 for the second meeting of the month when there is one, through the four year term. | ||||
On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Boissonnas and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Kupar voted no. The Resolution passed.
b. Discuss and Act Upon Use of House off Route 38 – HCA: Administrator Glas stated this is the farm house on the Motz open space we recently purchased. It was built in 1855. We can see if a not for profit group could use it. We cannot accept rent for it but they could pay utilities. The windows were recently replaced. Would the Board consider it as a care taker house. T. Stutesman stated one consideration could be if Lazarus house could use additional housing. Administrator Glas stated we are trying to avoid paying for utilities. The house is clean. She thinks zoning is agriculture. We just got it Monday. J. Kupar asked if he should check with N.I.U. to see if they could use it. T. Stutesman moved the Board table agenda item 9. b. J. Kupar seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion 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 Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed.
b. Open Space Fund: J. Kupar moved the Board approve the claims and demands on the Open Space Fund. T. Stutesman seconded the motion. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed.
c. Park and Recreational Fund: Nothing.
11. Executive Session – Land Acquisition and Review Executive Session Minutes, Review Whether to Open Executive Session Minutes, Review Whether to Destroy Audio Tape Minutes Older then 18 Months: T. Stutesman moved the Board go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition, reviewing Executive Session minutes, reviewing whether to open Executive Session minutes, and reviewing whether to destroy audio tape minutes older then 18 months. The motion was seconded by C. Boissonnas. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed and Executive Session began at 10:45 p.m.
12. New Business – Approve Executive Session Minutes, Approve Whether to Open Executive Session Minutes, Approve Whether to Destroy Audio Tape Minutes Older then 18 Months: Supervisor Anderson reconvened the regular session. T. Stutesman moved the Board approve the Executive Session minutes of September 9, 2008, and October 14, 2008. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed. T. Stutesman moved the Board finds the need for confidentiality still exists for closed Executive Session minutes and that they remain closed. J. Kupar seconded the motion. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Boissonnas voted no. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed. J. Kupar moved audio tape minutes older then 18 months be destroyed. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed.
13. Adjournment: T. Stutesman moved the Board adjourn the meeting. C. Boissonnas seconded the motion. In a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Kupar, Boissonnas, and Stutesman voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 11:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard Johansen
Clerk