MINUTES
Moraine Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, February 22, 2007 7:30 PM
Highwood City Hall, Council Chambers
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
February 22, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:38 PM by Supervisor Mari Barnes, and upon roll call the following members were present: Trustees Bryna Gamson, Margoth Moreno and Cynthia Plouché. Also Present: Assessor Peter Koukos; Director General Assistance Tracy Coleman; community members Janet Freed, Donna Elrod; Ginny Anderson and Jim Ryan. Trustee Jeff Zaluda and Clerk Ellen Gussin were absent.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 8, 2007 stand approved as written.
Agency Presentations
Opportunity, Inc -- President Jim Ryan spoke about Opportunity, Inc., which provides employment services for persons with various disabilities. He thanked the township for their past support of 10 years and use of Opportunity’s services. Opportunity currently has 45 clients employed in their workforce (reduced from a high of 200) of which 13 are Township residents. A former medical-assembly workshop has been outsourced to other countries. A new division, Opportunity Secured Data Destruction (OSDD), shreds confidential documents for businesses as well as private citizens. Opportunity has set up collection points, which are announced periodically, across the North Shore for this service.
Links -- Director Ginny Anderson explained Links, a not-for-profit social service agency supporting adolescents by providing them with resources to make informed decisions about their health and sexuality. Recently, the age limit was raised to 25 in order to extend medical coverage to women in need. Links has been in operation for 34 years, and its clinics provide counseling and medical treatment. They provided 186 units of service to Moraine Township residents (of which 181 were female recipients and 5 male) this past year. Agency services include health clinics for men and women, Pride Youth (LGBT/for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and questioning youth), and Community Education. Last year Links made 121 presentations in Moraine Township on various health subjects reaching 2078 youth and 178 adults. Because the Evanston Board of Health is discontinuing clinical services, Links will be stepping up their services to provide HIV testing at a cost of $28 per kit. Discussion concerning possible networking with the Highland Park Health Clinic ensued. When asked by Supervisor Barnes whether transportation is an issue, Ginny affirmed that it is a problem for many of their clients.
Approval of Bills
Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Plouché, approval of the bills. Upon roll call, motion carried.
Public Comment
None
Budget Hearing
Supervisor Barnes called for public testimony on the 2007-2008 Township Budget; hearing none, Trustee Gamson moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, to close the Budget Hearing. Motion carried.
Adoption of Budget
Supervisor Barnes explained the minor changes that had been made to the Budget and presented to the Board prior to tonight’s meeting. Trustee Gamson questioned whether the $100,000 pledge by the former Township Supervisor to the Community Family Center was reflected in the budget and/or whether funds are available, due to the recent development concerning a possible Red Oak School site for the Center. Supervisor Barnes responded that the funds when needed would come from reserves. Trustee Gamson moved, second by Trustee Plouché, that the Budget be adopted. Upon roll call the motion carried.
Assessor’s Report
Assessor Koukos reported that he will be attending most Board of Review meetings concerning property tax appeals. He is also meeting next week with the Assessors from Shields and West Deerfield Townships, primarily to insure equity on both sides of Township boundaries. In discussion with the Board, Assessor Koukos suggested that this could be a first step in realigning Township boundaries in a more efficient manner.
Supervisor’s Report
Supervisor Barnes had nothing further to add.
Committee Reports
Food Pantry – Trustee Moreno reported all stock is well-organized in adequate amounts.
Grant Committee – Trustee Gamson reported the Committee met most productively on February 12. The next committee meeting is March 12, and Trustee Gamson predicted they will be ready to present recommendations at the March 22 Board meeting.
Human Relations Commission – Trustee Plouché reported on the excellent meeting held February 8. Pillar and Humanitarian Awards will be presented at an April 12 ceremony.
Transportation – Trustee Gamson reported that the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee met and rehashed the survey that PACE is conducting. Plans for the Township’s new van are in the works.
Old Business
Trustee Gamson reported that the Township’s website will no longer be hosted without cost because the Highland Park Library has elected to discontinue the service.
New Business
None
Adjournment
With no further business to conduct, Trustee Plouché moved, seconded by Trustee Moreno, the meeting be adjourned at 8:51 PM. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________
Ellen S. Gussin, Moraine Township Clerk, with the very-much-appreciated help of Tracy Coleman in Clerk Gussin’s absence
Return to Monthly Agenda & Minutes of the Township
Return to Home Page
Go to Minutes Archive (prior to 2007)
