LISLE TOWNSHIP

DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

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 Patti Voras

Trustee Vito Modica

Trustee Robert Klaeren

Trustee Michael Tams

Clerk Richard Tarulis

Present Electronically:

None

Absent: 

None

Others Present:

Jim Vondran

Tom O’Shaughnessy 

 Elizabeth Martinez

Mike Loftus

Mike Skarr

Bob Longacre

Michael Urso

Jim Healy

2.         Public Comments:  None.

3.         Approval of Minutes:  Motion by Trustee Tams to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2009 Town Board meeting.  Second by Trustee Voras.  Voice vote, all in favor, motion passed.

4.         Discussion of 501 (c)(3) concerns:  Supervisor Clarke introduced Liz Martinez and Mike Loftus, Board members, and Mike Skarr, President, of the Friends of Lisle Township.  They are here to discuss concerns with the foundation.  Mr. Skarr suggested that the Township and Friends prepare a memorandum of understanding to outline the relationship and expectations of both groups, including responsibilities and costs.  Trustee Modica noted that we must have a procedure for the Town Board to approve any expenditures of public funds prior to the payment being made.  Trustee Voras noted the letter from Attorney Monson gave us several options.  Ms. Martinez presented the Board with a check for $530 to reimburse the Township for a computer that the Foundation bought that was billed to the Township.  Trustee Modica will be a liason to the Foundation for preparing a joint memorandum of understanding.

5.         Preliminary discussion of tax levy for next year:  Supervisor Clarke noted that the tentative tax levy increase is 4.9%, but that under the tax cap we should only receive .1% (one-tenth of one percent) increase next year.  The draft levy will be mailed to each Trustee prior to the October meeting, for discussion then.  The levy ordinance should be adopted in November, so that we don’t wait until the last scheduled meeting possible, in case something interferes with that meeting.

6.         Report of Township Supervisor:  Supervisor Clarke introduced Deputy Mike Urso, our liaison from the Sheriff’s Department.   Deputy Urso gave a brief report on current issues in the Township, and noted that the SWAP program is operating again if the Township needs a van full of workers for a labor-intensive public project. 

Supervisor Clarke noted that all programs are running smoothly, and the staff are beginning to prepare for holiday events already. 

7.         Reports of Township Officers:  Highway Commissioner Dow reported that his new building is done, and all improvements are completed.  Trustees are invited to visit anytime.  Mr. Dow is working on a new leaf pickup program, because last year the snow fell before the leaves and the trucks were needed for plowing, so leaf pickup went into February this year.  The extra cost was probably $30,000.  He is considering requiring residents to bag leaves after Thanksgiving, and having a waste hauler pickup the bags.  The Village of Lisle only picks up leaves until Thanksgiving also.

            Assessor Trowbridge had no report. 

8.         Other Business:  Clerk Tarulis noted that the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act were recently amended, and it took almost an hour just to read the new laws.  He suggested that the Township attempt to put more documents online, in order to reduce the number of FOIA requests.  Clerk Tarulis also recently wrote a proposed law to exempt a unit of local government from having to register as a political committee if it spends over $3,000 disseminating factual information about a referendum, as required by a recent court case.  Representative Connelly is considering sponsoring the bill in the House.  Clerk Tarulis will re-send a draft policy for attending meetings by telephone, for discussion at next month’s meeting. 

Mr. Jim Healy reported that he is working on the fall newsletter, and will include articles about the Foundation, census, and all Township departments.  He is planning on using only spot-coloring in order to reduce costs.  

9.         Audit of Expenditures:

            Motion by Trustee Klaeren 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                               $  35,752.76

            General Assistance Fund           $    9,059.66

            Road & Bridge Fund                $180,877.16

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

Roll Call Vote:

Ayes: Voras, Modica, Klaeren, Tams, Clarke

Nays:  None

Absent:  None (Motion Passed.)

10.       Motion to Adjourn:  Motion to adjourn by Trustee Voras, second by Trustee Modica.  Voice vote, all in favor, motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                    Richard J. Tarulis

                                                                                    Township Clerk

**  Next regular meeting Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at the Lisle Township office **