Community Capsules
By Paul DelGuidice
For The Villa Park Independent
The Villa Park Board of Trustees meeting held on Monday, Feb. 13 began with a presentation by the Community Pride Commission (CPC). Carol Davis of the CPC handed out Holiday Decorating Awards. Clara and Gregory Billing of N. Princeton Ave. and their grandson Logan Thompson accepted the plaque of recognition for this year’s award. The next meeting of the CPC will take place on Feb. 28, 2016 in Village Hall. All are welcome.
• Village President Deborah Bullwinkel announced that, starting on Thursday, March 2, residents who have garbage pick-up on Friday will be switched to a Thursday schedule for garbage and recycling pick up. This is due to Roy Strom, Inc. getting another residential customer. Residents with any questions can call Roy Strom directly at 708-344-5000.
• Bullwinkel also reminded residents that holiday lights need to be removed by March 27. Bullwinkel also said residents can drop off electronics for recycling at the Village garage located at 20 W. Home Ave. The drop off is open from 9 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of every month. An ID showing Villa Park residency is required and only one tube-TV is allowed. March 18 is the next date for drop off.
• During the Formal Agenda portion, the Board approved nine items listed under the consent agenda including:
a) The Village Bill Listing dated Feb. 13, 2017 in the amount of $991,769.
b) Minutes from the Village Committee of the Whole meeting for Jan. 23, 2017.
c) Minutes from the Village Formal board meeting for Jan. 23, 2017.
d) Minutes from the Public Hearing for Jan. 23, 2017.
e) A Resolution approving the purchase of a 2017 Ford F-450 crew-cab two-wheel drive truck with utility body for the Public Works Dept. The vehicle being replaced is nie years old and in poor condition. The cost of the new truck is $46,100 and will be purchased from Landmark Ford, Inc. under the State of Illinois Purchase Program.
f) A Resolution authorizing a lease agreement with T&D Coffee, LTD. The lease is for five years at $130 per month. (See story on pg. 1 of this issue).
g) A Resolution disclaiming interest in property along Roosevelt Rd. This was needed so the Illinois Dept. of Transportation can move forward with legal action to secure property for the Roosevelt Rd. construction project near South Villa Ave.
h) A Resolution accepting a proposal from Russ’s Plumbing and Sewer of Addison for installation of a storm sewer on North Iowa Ave. in the amount of $28,329. The installation is needed due to flooding and icy conditions over the past several years between Plymouth Street and Sunset Drive.
i) An Ordinance authorizing and providing for issuance of general obligation (G.O.) refunding bonds, series 2017. The aggregate principal amount of $3,010,000 is for refunding other outstanding debt. This is part of the TIF 3 debt certificate refunding, a need that has arisen because the TIF district has not generated enough revenue to pay the existing bond interest.
The Board voted unanimously on a First and Final Reading of an Ordinance to amend the Village’s liquor licenses regulations to be consistent with the State of Illinois Liquor Control Act. The Ordinance adopts the ‘100-foot rule’ that requires establishments selling liquor to be located greater than 100 feet from schools. The new Ordinance also eliminates liquor license application references to mortuary and game rooms because those restrictions are already in the Village’s game room licensing regulations.
• The Board tabled a vote on an Ordinance regulating small cell wireless telecommunication facilities. According to Village staff, the Ordinance is needed to update the existing 2007 Ordinance and bring it up to date with the Illinois Municipal League model ordinance.
• During Public Comments on non-agenda items resident Dorothy Tam addressed the Board. She is opening a retail store at 108. E. St. Charles Rd. to sell metaphysical items such as crystals, candles, tarot cards, and astrology charts. Tam also wishes to offer psychic readings, palm, and tarot card readings but these items are not addressed by Village Code. So people who do want readings may want to look into psychic text in the meantime as this waits to be reviewed.
According to Community Development Director Patrick Grill, any business use not listed in the Code is prohibited. Grill suggested that Tam seek guidance from the Board of Trustees. The process would then go to Planning & Zoning Commission for consideration, a public hearing would also be scheduled and ultimately, a Board of Trustees vote would be required.
Trustee Chris Aiello cited the catch-all retail use language in the Code and asked if Tam’s business would be covered under that language. According to Village Attorney James Binninger, the Board can move forward with a text amendment or ask the applicant to go through the Planning & Zoning process. Binninger added that some communities do not permit psychic/card readings and some communities allow them as a special use.
The Board took a vote to see if this type of business use should be permitted in Villa Park. The Board rejected such uses by a vote of 6 to 1.
