MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, January 24, 2008 7:30 PM
Highwood City Hall, Council Chambers
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
January 24, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 7:37 PM, and upon roll call the following members were present: Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno, Cynthia Plouché, Jeffery Zaluda; and Supervisor Mari Barnes. Also Present: Tracy Coleman, Janet Freed, Charles Barnes, Fred Seff, Jan Leahy, and Pam Feinberg. Clerk Ellen Gussin and Assessor Peter Koukos were absent.
Approval of Minutes
The Regular Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2008 stand approved as written.
Approval of Bills
Trustee Moreno moved, seconded by Trustee Gamson, approval of the bills. Upon roll call, motion carried.
Public Comment
None
Agency Presentations
Career Resource Center (CRC) -- Representatives Jan Leahy and Fred Seff addressed the Board. CRC is a re-employment agency for individuals who are under-employed, unemployed or out of work. The CRC has been serving residents since 1990. This past year they have served nearly 1,000 individuals of which 8% were Moraine Township residents. Among clients there are 39 from Highland Park, 11 from Highwood and 49 from Deerfield of which 44% are woman and 66% men; average age is 50 and over. CRC offers interview training, computer lab, resume writing, practice interviews, monthly educational sessions and an advisory session. There is a one time fee of $100.
Tri-Con Day Care -- Executive Director Pam Feinberg addressed the Board. Tri-Con supports three programs. The first is an all day program for children ages 3-5. Hours are 8am. - 5:30 pm. The second is an After Kindergarten program with 10-12 children being bused to the center until 5:30 pm. The third is a summer program for K-to First grade transitional. Currently there are 35 children, 15 from Highwood, 14 from Highland Park and 6 who live outside the Township but whose parents are employed within the Township. 83% of the children enrolled reside in the Township; all are subsidized either through State funding or scholarships.
Assessor’s Report
None
Supervisor’s Report
Supervisor Barnes reported on the completion of the 2007 Phyllis Santullano Holiday Drive with special recognition to the community for there immense cooperation and support.
A plaque was awarded to Moraine Township and shared with the Board -- the 2007 Senior Transportation award for an outstanding program serving senior citizens.
The Township transportation program received a grant of $35,000 from the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park for the next fiscal year starting April 1, 2008, reduced from last year’s grant of $60,000. The Township will now need to fund the shortfall, and the Board discussed potentially applying to other foundations for additional funds such as the ENH Foundation.
The Emergency Response Committee is still in draft stage and there is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Update on progress will be reported at next Township meeting.
Supervisor Barnes asked our cameraman Anthony Lucente to come up in front of the camera to be recognized and thanked for his services of filming and editing the Township Board meetings this past year.
Committee Reports
Food Pantry – Trustee Moreno commented that the pantry is well organized but needing replenishment.
Transportation – Trustee Gamson attended the annual meeting at which legislators are updated on senior issues in Lake County. At that meeting, Rep. Kathy Ryg reported in detail about the legislature's recent vote on transit funding. It is hoped that, when the same bill passes in the Senate, the included tax increases of .25 in each of the collar counties will be returned to those counties (like Lake) for use in improving local transit and roads, according to plans laid out by groups like the LCCTSC of which we are a member; and that senior fares will be determined under the Circuit Breaker guidelines, to provide uniformity in transportation access throughout the state.
Grants – Trustee Gamson reported that one Grant Advisory Committee member just resigned, Helen Dombrow, and that because of the additional health issues of two other members, they are searching for at least one new member. Grant applications are due on February 1, and the committee will begin their discussion at the end of the month.
Old Business
None
New Business
Supervisor Barnes received a packet from the City of Highland Park asking the Township to sign on to the Green Initiatives Alliance with other municipalities and taxing bodies. Supervisor Barnes moved to approve, and motion carried.
Trustee Zaluda reminded viewers that the month of February is Highland Park High Schools Charity Drive.
Trustee Gamson congratulated the staff for the exemplary effort during the Phyllis Santullano Drive.
Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Zaluda, the meeting be adjourned at 8:49 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Ellen S. Gussin,
Moraine Township Clerk
with sincere appreciation to Tracy Coleman for taking the minutes in her absence
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