LISLE TOWNSHIP

DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 12, 2008

CALL TO ORDER:  The Regular Meeting of the Board of Town Trustees was called to order by Supervisor Clarke at 7:30 p.m., at the Lisle Township office, 4711 Indiana Avenue, Lisle, IL.

1.         Roll Call:

            Physically Present:

Supervisor Charles Clarke

Highway Commissioner Michael Dow

Assessor John Trowbridge

Trustee Sam Smith

Trustee Patti Voras

Trustee Vito Modica

Trustee Robert Klaeren

Clerk Richard Tarulis

Present Electronically:

None

Absent: 

None

Others Present:

Frank Pantaleo

Jim Healy

Susan Peterson

Lynda Rusher

Donna Schreiber

Jim Vondran

2.         Public Comments:  None.

3.            Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Trustee Smith to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2008 Town Board meeting.  Second by Trustee Klaeren.  Assessor Trowbridge noted that the vehicle allowance for the Assessor was to be taxable and included in IMRF.  Clerk Tarulis will update the minutes.  Motion to approve the minutes as amended by Trustee Klaeren.  Second by Trustee Smith.  Voice vote, all in favor, motion passed.

4.         IMRF Early Retirement Incentive Resolution:  Supervisor Clarke handed out an estimated cost savings calculation if the ERI Resolution is approved.  Two employees will likely retire, and be replaced by lower-paid new employees.  One replacement employee will be part time.  The estimated cost savings is approximately $306,500, and the cost of the ERI Program to the Township is approximately $161,000, for net savings of approx. $145,000 over the next 5 years.  Trustee Voras questioned why only a part-time employee would be hired.  Supervisor Clarke said the new employee would have less duties.  Mr. Clarke has potential new employees in mind, and they are willing to work under the cost-savings amounts.  Trustee Smith noted that all eligible employees would have the right to retire if the Program is adopted, and although they may indicate now that they do not intend to retire, they could change their minds.  Trustee Modica said he is concerned with the potential total liability to the Township if more employees chose to retire early.  The total potential cost is approx. $884,000.  Trustee Smith said in this economy the Township should rebate taxes to the taxpayers, not give bonuses to the staff.  Supervisor Clarke explained that rebates were complicated and had very high transaction costs, but that we could instead abate taxes until the levy is extended next year, assuming there were surplus funds.  Clerk Tarulis read the Whereas clauses from the ERI statute, which clearly stated that the policy behind the ERI Program is cost savings to the unit of government.  Trustee Modica asked if we could receive projected cost-savings if other employees chose to retire, and noted that this Board and ERI Resolution could not bind the next Supervisor to pay the salaries shown in the cost-savings calculations.  Trustee Voras said that the timing of the ERI Program is not good at this time, but that next year would be better.  Trustee Modica said he would support the ERI Program if there were more detailed cost savings estimates for all eligible employees

Motion by Trustee Voras to table the Resolution to authorize IMRF Early Retirement Incentive Program until the December meeting.  Second by Trustee Modica.  Voice vote, all in favor, motion passed. 

5.            Approval of Tax Levy Ordinance for Town Fund and General Assistance:  Supervisor Clarke noted that the proposed levy was handed out at last month’s meeting.  Trustee Voras asked which employees are paid from which fund.  Supervisor Clarke explained who and why each employee’s salary is in which fund.  Trustee Modica asked which capital improvements are contemplated.  Supervisor Clarke said the parking lot and building improvements, especially the Assessor’s building.  Trustee Voras asked about the transportation program.  Mr. Clarke explained that Ride DuPage is the same as last year, and the same amount that Naperville Township pays.  The program is mostly funded by the City of Naperville.

            Motion by Trustee Klaeren to approve the Tax Levy for the Town Fund as presented.  Second by Trustee Modica.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes:  Smith, Voras, Modica, Klaeren, Clarke

Nays:  None

Absent:  None (Motion Passed.)

            Motion by Trustee Klaeren to approve the Tax Levy for the General Assistance Fund as presented.  Second by Trustee Voras.

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes:  Smith, Voras, Modica, Klaeren, Clarke

Nays:  None

Absent:  None (Motion Passed.)

6.         Update on Refuse and Recycling Contract:  Supervisor Clarke reported that the clarifying information was received and the proposals were reviewed by himself, the recycling committee, and the township attorney.  It appears that Allied Waste is the lowest cost proposal, and includes stickers (at $2.45) and totes, with a senior discount, for a 3-year period.  The attorney is preparing Ordinances to approve the contract with Allied Waste and to prohibit all other waste haulers from operating within the Township.  The Ordinances should be ready by the December meeting, or else we may have a special meeting.

7.         Update on 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Application:  Supervisor Clarke reported that the IRS has approved the tax exempt status of the “Friends of Lisle Township.”  The tax exemption will allow us to be eligible for more donations to the food pantry, and more cash donations.  The foundation is accepting donations at this time.

8.         Report of Township Supervisor:  Supervisor Clarke reported that the alarm radio had to be replaced, but was under warranty.  All programs are very busy and running smoothly.  Mr. Clarke asked Jim Healy and Jim Vondran to update the Board also.  Mr. Healy said the applications for LiHeap, the heating assistance program, are booming.  Mr. Vondran said the food pantry usage is way up.  Over 600 people picked up perishables, such as bread and produce, in October.  182 people received non-perishable food in October.  These numbers are approximately 2.2 times the numbers from just last May, six months ago.  25 boxes of food were donated last Sunday from St. Joan of Arc church.  The Northern Illinois Food Bank will also donate and sell more food to the Township since the 501(c)(3) application is approved.  Approximately 90 families have signed up for gifts, and 200 families have signed up for food, for the Holiday Program.

9.         Reports of Township Officers:  Assessor Trowbridge reported that the lower level of his building was used as a polling place, and one of the election judges saw a mouse.

            Highway Commissioner Dow reported that the new building renovations are coming along, and the costs are less than projected.

10.       Other Business:  Trustee Smith suggested that we do a financial study to determine if there are any surplus funds that can be refunded to taxpayers.   

11.       Audit of Expenditures:

            Motion by Trustee Voras to audit expenditures.  Second by Trustee Modica.  Voice vote, all in favor, motion passed. 

The following total expenditures in each fund were reviewed:

            Town Fund                               $  45,612.01

            General Assistance Fund    $    8,885.94

            Road & Bridge Fund                $229,507.30

Motion by Trustee Klaeren to approve the audit of the expenditures.  Second by Trustee Modica. 

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes:  Smith, Voras, Modica, Klaeren, Clarke

Nays:  None

Absent:  None (Motion Passed.)

12.       Motion to Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn by Trustee Klaeren, second by Trustee Smith.  Voice vote, all in favor, motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                    Richard J. Tarulis

                                                                                    Township Clerk

* Next regular meeting Wed., December 10, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lisle Township office *