MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, April 27, 2006 7:30 PM
Highwood City Hall, Council Chambers

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
April 27, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:37 PM, and upon roll call the following members were present: Supervisor Mari Barnes; Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno, Cynthia Plouché and Jeff Zaluda. Also Present: Assessor Peter Koukos; Chief Deputy Assessor Trish Lenzini; Clerk Ellen Gussin; Director General Assistance Tracy Coleman; Janet Freed, community member.

Supervisor Barnes introduced Anthony Lucente, producer, who will be taping our sessions tonight and in the future. Our meetings will be telecast every Tuesday evening at 5 PM and Friday evening at 7 PM.

Public Hearing on Budget
Roll call was taken; entire Board present. No one from the audience was present to testify or comment on budget. Motion to close the Public Hearing was made by Trustee Plouche and seconded by Trustee Moreno. Motion carried.

Budget Discussion
Assessor Koukos presented his Budget Revisions - see attached report.
Supervisor Barnes recommended the budget be increased to reflect the reduced membership rate at the new Park District Health Facility for all employees. Trustee Gamson corrected spelling of "maintenance." Trustee Zaluda moved, and Trustee Plouché seconded, that the budget be approved as amended. Upon roll call, motion carried.

Approval of Minutes
Supervisor Barnes asked for any corrections to the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 23 taken by Trustee Gamson in Clerk Gussin's absence. Minutes stand as submitted.

Approval of Bills
Trustee Zaluda moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, approval of the bills. Upon roll call, motion carried.

Public Comment
None

Assessor's Report
Chief Deputy Assessor Trish Lenzini reported that business is progressing smoothly in the Assessor's Office. This year, books will be closed on September 15, as compared to late October last year, which will make everything much more efficient. College students will be hired for the summer, and she is anticipating their service to be a tremendous help in completing the workload. College students typically inspect improvements via exterior view, with the possibility of some inside inspections. Trustee Zaluda questioned whether full-time employees vs. college students be assigned for any in-home visits. Supervisor Barnes asked about the riparian properties, and Assessor Koukos reported that all issues have been resolved by the County.

Supervisor's Report
Supervisor Barnes announced Moraine Township Volunteer Day on May 13, which seeks to enlist the support of as many community members as possible. The "Pantry Plants Garden Project" will begin at Woodridge Park at 10 AM. The Park District has set aside the 40x80 feet plot, and Anton's is donating the plants. All interested in helping are encouraged to call the township office. Continuing efforts to staff, cultivate, maintain and harvest will be managed by the township. Chief Deputy Assessor Lenzini suggested trying to get a student to complete an internship for this project.

Employee Manual drafted by us and submitted for review is still in the hands of our attorney, and Supervisor Barnes is disappointed that it has taken so long (seven weeks) to get his comments returned. She will follow up again, and hopefully have this for the next meeting.

This past Tuesday, the United Way of the North Shore, Highland Park-Highwood Chapter's Welfare Council met at the township and Supervisor Barnes spoke about the township and gave a tour of the offices and downstairs pantry and clothing closet. Janet Freed, Co-Chair of Welfare Council, expressed the fact that participants were most impressed with the new programs, especially transportation.

Tracy Coleman is working hard to complete Medicare D

The township received a solicitation to "adopt a Pace Shelter" with the township name on it, which would require a some minimal maintenance responsibilities. Supervisor Barnes will consider further with Tracy Coleman and advise of status at next meeting.

Supervisor Barnes announced that there has been good publicity for the new transportation program and the township's new van.

Committee Reports
Transportation We have received our new van from PACE and have hired two most capable drivers. In the month of April, we have been giving free rides as a transition from the taxi program to the new program. Launch of new program is May 1. Efforts will be made to coordinate with Charlotte Landsman at the Senior Center who will be looking at how to make the Senior Connector program more efficient. Township will also be meeting with the City of Highland Park. Coupon program is $3 off any ride, and residents will receive a 10-coupon book, free of charge, each month. Coupon qualification is 65 or disabled; coupons cannot be transferred and do not expire. Transportation hotline is 847-432-3000. Van program is $4 each way to be paid to the driver; trips go beyond the township borders. Caregivers may ride at no additional cost. The silver van has wheelchair capacity, and will soon have our name on it.

Human Relations Commission Report Trustee Plouché will be presenting a review of Moraine Township to the Commission.

Grant Process Trustee Gamson reported that five delightful people on the township's Citizen Advisory Committee on Grants met twice in April and have agreed on how to proceed. Wendi Ezgur was elected Chairman. Trustee Zaluda asked how many grants have been received and how much money has been requested. Trustee Gamson responded that there have been approximately 25 grant requests, with dollars requested totaling much above our allocation capability, which is to be expected. Committee will be evaluating and deciding on the most appropriate allocations, and will likely be ready to report and recommend grants to be awarded at the May meeting.

Township Design Elements We are encountering some problems with our new logo that are being worked out, to be used for signage on the van and other PR materials. Website hits are increasing each month.

Food Pantry We are expecting 63 postal trucks to deliver food donations to the township on May 13. Trustee Moreno will be recruiting needed help for assistance that afternoon at the office. Trustee Zaluda commented that the number of people served by the township was down in April and perhaps there is a better way to publicize the availability of our pantry and clothing. Tracy Coleman commented that multiple programs are available for clients, including the food stamp applications.

Clothing Closet Township is now taking summer donations. Question was raised as to whether people are moving from North Shore Estates in Highwood, and it was reported that occupancy has decreased some, which may impact township client numbers. Suggestion was made to have greater outreach to the community, churches and clergy.

Old Business
None

New Business
34th annual Senior Day will be held on June 14 at Independence Grove in Libertyville. We have engaged a bus for the event that will hold 55 individuals; will sponsor additional bus if needed. Township will be publicizing and taking sign-ups. Supervisors from around the County have discussed this picnic, agreeing that it is primarily an event of the Lake County Board.

Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Plouché, the meeting be adjourned at 8:34 PM. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin, Moraine Township Clerk

 

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