MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, January 26, 2006 7:30 PM
Highwood City Hall, Council Chambers

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
January 26, 2006

The meeting was called to order at 7:36 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; Clerk Ellen Gussin; Director General Assistance Tracy Coleman; Janet Freed and Judy Johnston, community members.

Approval of Minutes
Trustee Zaluda moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2006. Motion carried.

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

Public Comment
None

Supervisor's Report
Bid notice was published for the landscaping of the cemetery properties within the township. Sealed bids are expected.
Lake County Health Dept. is broadcasting an Elders Radio Show. The host of the show and the health department has approached the township to purchase CDs of the show for distribution to the community. Supervisor Barnes thought it was not the best expenditure of township dollars, and the Board concurred.

Volunteer Pool has been in to work downstairs in the food pantry and clothing closet.

Township has been asked to speak to the Italian Women's Prosperity Group on March 30 at 8 PM at the Highwood Recreation Center. No one from the Board can attend that date but Supervisor Barnes and Trustee Zaluda are willing to do on another date.

The North Shore Estates in Highwood has been sold and will be converted to condominiums on a gradual timetable, allowing current residents a longer period that may have been expected for relocation. The units will likely remain service-sector-appropriate in terms of pricing for potential buyers.

There will be a special meeting to begin work on the budget at 3 PM on Thursday, February 9, preceding the next Board Meeting.

Assessor's Report
The Assessor's Office Budget has been submitted to Supervisor Barnes.

Assessor Koukos will be speaking at North Shore Congregation Beth El Men's Club on Sunday, February 12. Supervisor Barnes will be speaking to the Men's Club at the end of February.

Tax appeal process is progressing. Assessor Koukos has been trying to find part timers to assist with the excessive work load, but when the workers are not familiar with the community it makes it quite difficult to find the appropriate comparables. Therefore, he thinks the majority of the workload will be completed with the present staff. County is handling all appeals for condos and commercial properties.

Board of Review has stated that it is going to review all lakefront properties--120 parcels in all. Letters have been sent to these owners, and the Lake County Board is going to be addressing the issue as well.

A Leasehold meeting chaired by State Senator Susan Garrett will be held at 1 PM on January 30th at the Highland Park City Hall to consider the Fort Sheridan property.

Committee Reports
Grant Committee -- Trustee Gamson reviewed the Grant Program Guidelines & Review Process form as well as the Grant Application. Changes suggested and agreed upon by the Board will be incorporated into the documents which will be posted tomorrow on the township website and in a press release. A press release was sent out earlier this week, and further circulated with citizen Grant Committee member (advisor) Janet Freed's help to the United Way of Highland Park-Highwood agencies and all Welfare Council members. See attached copy of each form. [Caution! This PDF form was replaced in 2007!] The Board congratulated Trustee Gamson for her efforts on this program.

Transportation-- Trustee Plouché reported on the regional meeting attended with Trustee Gamson last week; the group is continuing to explore how to best go about addressing transportation needs within the county. Supervisor Barnes on behalf of the township has contracted with PACE to rent a van for $260 per month. We will be hiring a driver and use the van for township transportation needs, including taking people beyond township borders for medical appointments. Supervisor Barnes, at Mayor Belsky's suggestion, hopes to secure additional funding for the program from the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park, on which he serves; and to obtain storage for the van from the City of Highland Park. Township officials will be going to the various senior housing buildings to explain the new Moraine Township Door-to-Door subsidized transportation options and RTA passes. A letter will be sent to those who have used the taxi program in the past regarding the changes.

Food Pantry -- Trustee Moreno reported on the excellent help she has had from citizen Jan Kaufman who has received a thank-you letter from the township.

Human Relations Commission Liaison --Trustee Plouché reported that the commission is looking for additional opportunities to address in the post-Katrina environment. Collaboration with the township is ongoing. Nominations for Character Counts due before next week.

Old Business
Trustee Zaluda suggested we need to continue to publicize the food pantry to dispel the type of message generated by letters to the editor such as the one on the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program which suggested a dearth of sources for people needing food and groceries.

New Business
Trustee Gamson expressed interest in whether issues with day laborers crop up in Moraine Township and how they might be addressed. Tracy Coleman and Margoth Moreno responded that these issues are not too prevalent.

Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Zaluda moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 PM. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin, Moraine Township Clerk

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