MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:00 PM
Moraine Township Office
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 4:07 PM by Supervisor Barnes and upon roll call the following members were present: Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno, Cynthia Plouché, and Jeff Zaluda. Also Present: Chief Deputy Assessor Trish Lenzini and Clerk Ellen Gussin.
Approval of Minutes
The Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2007 were approved as corrected: PADS Crisis Services, Inc. is the correct name of one of the guest agencies, and Trustee Plouché’s name was spelled incorrectly on page 2.
Approval of Bills
Trustee Plouché moved, seconded by Trustee Zaluda, approval of the bills. Upon roll call, motion carried.
Public Comment
None
Budget 2008 Discussion
Expenses for the Township’s transportation program for the first nine months of the fiscal year total about $84,000 with 50% of Paula Peddle’s salary charged to the program; this translates to about $112,000 annually. In actuality more of Paula’s time is spent on the program, and Supervisor Barnes asked the Board for their views on whether the transportation program should be funded by the General Assistance Fund or the Town Fund. Board consensus was to allocate the program to the Town Fund.
Supervisor Barnes asked for the Board’s input on the possibility of relocating the Township offices and whether purchase of a building is something that should be considered. Assessor Koukos was to have shared his views, but was delayed at tax appeal hearings. The Township’s current office space requires significant changes, including enlargement of the Assessor’s side, repair of the heating system, and a change in the circular staircase at the south end. We have been operating on a month-to-month basis with the landlord and discussions about a long-term lease including what may be available in the way of improvements has not occurred yet. The Board agreed on several next steps:
1. Discuss the space needs and long-term possibilities with the landlord;
2. Visit the building which is for sale at 3500 Western in north Highland Park to better evaluate the potential of its use for the Township and the possibility of making a bid for its purchase;
3. Investigate any other available real estate with a broker.
Assessor’s Report
None
Supervisor’s Report
None, beyond the discussion of budget above
Committee Reports
No updates
Old Business
Trustee Gamson reported that the Grant Committee will not change its policy this coming year concerning sectarian organizations requesting grants from the Township. More lead time would be necessary to announce a change well before the applications for grant requests are made available on-line.
The Board discussed the distribution of holiday gifts by the Township last month, when its operation of the Phyllis Santullano Holiday Gift Drive, formerly organized by others within the community, culminated in a most-successful event. Approximately 650 needy children received gifts and 130 food baskets were given to needy families. The months of planning and coordination with individuals, schools, and other organizations throughout community resulted in a most satisfying drive. Several improvements were noted for next year. Seniors gifts were delivered to their buildings, and extra toys were donated to a church in Waukegan. Trustee Moreno voiced some concerns, which were addressed by Supervisor Barnes and Trustee Gamson, who both pointed out the fairness in the rules applied. Trustee Zaluda commented that the instructions for donors were very clear and helpful.
New Business
Supervisor Barnes shared with the Board a suggestion she received to approach the City of Highland Park concerning the possibility of the City giving the Township the $25,000 it budgets for social service grants because the Township has developed an extensive and comprehensive process which reaches out for community input. The Human Relations Commission has allocated those dollars on behalf of the City in the past. Supervisor Barnes will pursue with Mayor Belsky.
Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Plouché, the meeting be adjourned at 5:50 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin
Moraine Township Clerk
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