Kankakee Times

Village of Bourbonnais Board of Trustees met Sept. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER

Meeting called to order at 5:30 PM by Village President Paul Schore

Procedural: A. Pledge of Allegiance

Procedural: B. Roll Call - Village Clerk Brian Simeur

Members present: Mayor Paul Schore, Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini. Also in attendance, Treasurer Ron Riebe, Attorney Patrick Dunn and Administrator Michael Van Mill

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Action, Minutes: A. Regular Board Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2024

Motion by Trustee Rick Fischer, second by Trustee Randy King to approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2024, as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

Mayor Schore requested the Board move up item #18 Public Comments due to the large size of crowd in attendance. There were no objections from the Trustees.

18. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Procedural: A. Public Comments

> Mayor Schore addressed 70+ residents in attendance regarding a Social Media post made by Darrel from Outrage of Kankakee over the weekend about the Cigna Building on North Convent Street being rezoned to house immigrants.

> Mayor Schore explained a local developer has a contract to purchase this building and has some multi-use thoughts for this project. The developer's idea includes a strip plaza on the front of the existing building, which would have retail space units of 2,000-4,000 sf. Potentially he would like to have an out-building in the northwest corner of the property for more retail space, and on the backside of the first floor he talked about having 1,500 sf apartments built. He would also like to have some type of warehousing on the rear of the property for the businesses to use. The developer met with him to discuss his ideas, and Mayor Schore explained the application process that would need to be taken by the developer to change the zoning for the building which is currently commercial use, to a residential and industrial use which would have to be brought to the Planning Commission for consideration.

> Mayor Schore continued to explain the Planning Commission would decide after the application is completed, which includes notifying the adjacent property owners, and a notice would be posted on the property for a public hearing regarding a request to change the zoning. Then it would be presented at a Board Committee meeting and then the full Village Board would vote to concur or not concur with the Planning Commission's recommendation, or the Board could send it back for further review.

> Mayor Schore stated there have been no plans brought forward to the Planning Commission Board to date, and there has been no discussion with the Board regarding this change of zoning request. There has been chatter on Social Media that this is a done deal, which it is not. Rumors stated this is going to be a housing project for illegal aliens and Gotion's headquarters, and other false rumors that were posted by Outrage. Mayor Schore stated Social Media is a dangerous place to get news, a lot of people get misled. Mayor Schore addressed other rumors that were said about doubling the size of the Village and stated that is untrue.

> Approximately 30 residents spoke for one hour and fifteen minutes regarding their concerns about this building. These comments included: not changing the zoning from commercial to residential at the site, questioned the use for the second floor of this building, asked Trustees to state if they would approve this zoning change, stated there is an election that will be held April 1, 2025, property taxes too high, if the Gotion EV plant plans to house illegal alien workers, there aren't enough resources to educate the children if it's a housing project, a concern regarding vaccinating immigrants if they get bused in, and if immigrants will be dropped off to live in that building if it becomes residential.

> A resident addressed and thanked the Village Board for completing the walking path at Liberty School making it safe for children to walk and ride their bikes to school from nearby neighborhoods.

> Conversations continued from residents regarding the fear of losing property value of their homes if the zoning changes, residents on fixed incomes are finding it hard to afford living due to utility increases from property taxes, Aqua and Nicor. There are trust concerns because of what happened in the Village of Manteno - allowing Gotion EV to buy property when residents were against it. It was asked if there are any connections to the Chinese communist party, if the federal government plans to fund this property, it was stated they do not want residential mixed use buildings, and they don't want any more apartment buildings to be built in the Village area. It was asked if this change in zoning could be put on a referendum to let the voters decide. Requested what the next steps will be and that residents get notified. Questions were asked about what happened with other development projects such as Redwood rental units, property by Arby's for affordable housing, and Belson Scrap & Steel special use zoning case. Resident requested an explanation of the special use process with the Planning Commission and if those meetings and a Public Hearing can be put on Social Media and included in the Village's monthly newsletter. Residents questioned in the past if zoning changes have occurred going from Commercial to Residential zoning in the Village of Bourbonnais, and they asked for transparency and open communication on this building project and others regarding zoning changes.

> Trustees commented they had no knowledge of these rumors and learned through Social Media about this development project and reminded the residents information is available on our website for any upcoming Committee and Board meeting agendas and minutes from previous meetings. They have the best interest of the community because it is their home too.

3. CORRESPONDENCE - None

4. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONS AND ADVISORY BOARDS - None

5. BIDS AND QUOTES - None

6. FINANCE COMMITTEE - Trustee Rick Fischer, Chair

Action, Accounts Payable: A. Finance Committee - Consideration of the September 3, 2024 Accounts Payable

Motion by Trustee Rick Fischer, second by Trustee Bruce Greenlee to approve the general and special fund bill list, as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

Action, Ordinance: B. ORDINANCE NO. 24-2466 - An Ordinance Approving an Agreement with Economic Development Resources, LLC for Technical Services and Assistance Regarding North Convent Business District Expansion (FIRST READING)

> Following the first reading by Clerk Simeur, Mr. Van Mill explained this is an agreement to assist the Village with expanding the existing Business District on Mooney Drive, we have prospective developments in that area and would like to include those in this North Convent Business District.

Action, Ordinance: C. ORDINANCE NO. 24-2467 - An Ordinance Approving an Agreement with Economic Development Resources, LLC for Technical Services and Assistance Regarding Consolidation of Three Business Districts (FIRST READING)

> Following the first reading by Clerk Simeur, Mr. Van Mill explained this is an agreement to assist the Village with combining the three Business Districts that we currently have in the Village. This includes the original Business District by the interchange, we have the North Convent Street Business District and the Main Street Business District. By merging these Business Districts, it helps streamline our bookkeeping and allows us greater flexibility to use the funds that are generated on projects in the Village.

7. ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE - Trustee Angie Serafini, Chair

Information: A. Administration Committee

> Trustee Serafini announced upcoming events:

> Lunchtime Bites & Beats - will occur on Festival Street every Wednesday now through September 25 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, enjoy lunch from Food Trucks as well as live acoustic set from local performers.

> Free Yoga on the Green is back - Limber Mind & Body Wellness is offering Back to School Booster with Chelsea this Saturday, September 7th at 8:30 AM.

> Movie on the Green - will be on Saturday, September 14 at The Grove. Food Trucks will be available for purchase starting at 6:00 PM and our featured film "If" will begin at 7:00 PM, don't forget your blankets and lawn chairs.

> Fridays @ 5 - our next event is Friday, September 13 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM, enjoy live music from "The Way Down Wanderers" and delicious food trucks outdoors.

8. COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE - Trustee Jeff Keast, Chair

Action, Resolution: A. RESOLUTION NO. 24-1577 - A Resolution Approving the Execution of an Easement Agreement Concerning a Walking Path from Patriot Way to Liberty Intermediate School for Safe and Efficient Travel for Students to Get To and From School Between Bourbonnais Elementary School District No. 53 and the Village of Bourbonnais

Motion by Trustee Jeff Keast, second by Trustee Randy King to read Resolution 24-1577 by title only. Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

Following the reading by Clerk Simeur, Attorney Patrick Dunn stated in order to build this path BESD #53 needed an easement from the Village of Bourbonnais and this Agreement grants them that easement along with assigning responsibility for maintenance and liability for the path.

Motion by Trustee Jeff Keast, second by Trustee Randy King to adopt Resolution 24-1577. Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

Action, Ordinance: B. ORDINANCE NO. 24-2464 - An Ordinance Disconnecting Certain Property Owned by Martin Rentals CJM, LLC from the Village of Bourbonnais (FIRST READING)

> Following the first reading by Clerk Simeur, Administrator Van Mill explained this Ordinance is the result of a petition filed by Martin Rentals to disconnect property from the Village of Bourbonnais. The property is located on the west side of Cypress Street approximately 3/4 of a mile north of Bourbonnais Parkway. The parcel contains 71.73 acres, and it is in agricultural production. Pursuant to the updated Boundary Agreement with Manteno, which was passed earlier this year, the Village of Bourbonnais would grant the disconnect in return for Manteno taking over jurisdictional transfer and maintenance of Cypress Street all the way down to Bourbonnais Parkway. We had significant modifications of the Boundary Agreement from the original one (passed 20 years ago) which gave us the entire Route 45 corridor going up to 7000 North Road.

Action, Ordinance: C. ORDINANCE NO. 24-2465 - An Ordinance Amending Section 11-36 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Bourbonnais Regarding Smoke Detector Inspections (FIRST READING)

> Following the first reading by Clerk Simeur, Administrator Van Mill explained this will clean up of a section for our Code with regards to smoke detector inspections and when properties go up regarding sewer billing that we no longer have. This Code will now have the correct smoke detector inspection fee of $50 that is charged by the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District.

Information: D. Community & Economic Development Committee

> Trustee Keast gave an update from the Building Department:

> New home permits are at 13 this year, versus 9 last year. Valuation for the 13 homes has doubled compared to the 9 homes from last year.

> Permits are at $11M in valuations for a total of 821 permits (not including homes) issued so far this year compared to 726 last year.

9. POLICE COMMITTEE - Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Chair

Information: A. Police Committee

> Commander Sztuba informed us we will have two swearing ins for our two new Patrol Officers at the next Regular Board meeting.

> Trustee Greenlee thanked Deputy Chief Anderson for the bi-weekly reports that are very comprehensive with a lot of comparisons and statistics.

10. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE - Trustee Randy King, Chair

Information: A. Public Works Committee

> Trustee King read the report from Superintendent Terry Memenga:

> MFT Road Maintenance project is complete.

> Separate drainage repairs were completed this year and certain restoration work will be finished this fall.

> Hayes Park Pickleball project - pouring concrete is on-going and expect this to be completed by the end of the week. Concrete will need to cured for not less than 30 days if temperatures hold 55 degrees or above. The surface treatment will happen in October or in the spring.

> All park playgrounds were updated with fresh mulch.

> Road striping was completed for the year in partnership with Kankakee County Highway Department.

> We still expect to complete sidewalk repairs when the concrete crew has completed the Pickleball project.

11. UTILITY COMMITTEE - Trustee Jack Littrell, Chair

Information: A. Utility Committee

> Trustee Littrell reminded residents that due to the Labor Day Holiday garbage will be picked up one day later this week.

12. COMMITTEE MEETING SET

Committee Meeting Set: A. Set Committee Meetings - Calendars

> Finance Committee meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 4:30 PM

13. VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - Michael Van Mill - None

14. VILLAGE ATTORNEY'S REPORT - Patrick Dunn - None

15. VILLAGE PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Paul Schore - None

16. NEW BUSINESS - None

17. OLD BUSINESS - None

18. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Moved up to the beginning of the meeting.

19. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Not applicable.

20. ADJOURNMENT

Action, Procedural: A. Adjournment Time

Motion by Trustee Jack Littrell, second by Trustee Jeff Keast to adjourn the Regular Board meeting at 7:08 PM.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Randy King, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/vobil/Board.nsf/files/D93LW4587B43/$file/2024-09-03%20Regular%20Board%20Meeting%20Minutes%20for%20Approval.pdf