Board Meeting: Funds For Timber Trails, Local Accomplishments Honored

On a snowy Monday evening the Western Springs Board of Trustees met for their last meeting of 2010. The regular meeting was preceded by a Board of Local Improvements (BOLI) special meeting.

The motion to approve the disbursement requests #30 and #31 from the Village of Western Springs in the amounts of $136,837.36 and $49,134.35 for expenditures related to the Timber Trails Development passed unanimously during the BOLI meeting.

Village President William Rodeghier said, "These reimbursements would normally be paid from the Making and Levying Fund–which was a fund set up in the bond documents in connection with the Timber Trails development. That fund has been depleted over time and never been replenished. [It was found] necessary to borrow from the public improvement fund. That will be necessary in order to make this disbursement."

"The reason for the lack of funds in the making and levying fund is [that] from day one, that fund was never fully funded. The anticipation was that it would be funded over the life of the bonds over the build-out of the development," said Michael Jurusik, Village Attorney.

Jurusik went on to say, "At some point money will start flowing into this fund as taxes are paid and that will be used to credit these inter-fund transfers. For now we have adequate funds on hand to take care of this loan because we have adequate funds in the public improvement bucket to pay for these.

"The Village is not going to be out of pocket for handling this transaction, for handling this financing mechanism, on behalf of the development," Jurusik added.

Village Manager Patrick Higgins clarified still further, "I don't want the board to be confused by the word 'funded.' This is all inside the bond issuance. These are all funds within the original. These are not village operating funds."

The board then opened the Public Hearing Concerning the 2011 Operating Budget. By law, the Village must adopt an operating budget by the final meeting of the year.

Grace Turi, Director of Finance said, "The budget process proved to be very challenging this year... The poor housing market, record low interest rates, low consumer confidence directly affected the revenue flow that support our operations."

"The FY2011 Budget was set with a directive from the village manager to keep all proposed expenditures, outside of contractual obligations, flat," said Turi.

The budget will be available on the village's website.

Several other resolutions that passed concerned the upcoming construction for the water treatment plant among other items.

• a motion related to the design of the RO system
• a motion to award a bid to Joseph J. Henderson, Inc.
• a resolution regarding the engineering services for the time period of the construction work of the RO treatment plant
• a resolution for a standard form of agreement between owner and construction manager during construction of RO treatment plant
• an ordinance for a special events liquor license for St. John of the Cross Parish.
• a resolution approving the employment agreement of Patrick R. Higgins.

 No residents came forth to ask questions or voice concerns throughout the evening.

In other news, two resolutions were passed honoring local residents. John T. Madell was recognized for his chairmanship of the Water Study Group concerning the water production system.

Since 1995, in one form or another, Madell has been researching water production systems, water sourcing and treatment options for the Village, including Lake Michigan water, lime treatment, ion-exchange treatment and RO treatment.

The recommendations made by the Water Study Group were accepted by the Public Works and Water Committee and the Village Board. These included continuing to utilize the deep aquifer system, converting to a system, and rehabilitating the existing water plant in lieu of constructing a newer more expensive plant.

The Water Study Group conducted pilot tests, helped in the design of the RO treatment plant, and secured approval and loans from IEPA.

After accepting his plaque, Mr. Madell spoke briefly acknowledging the hard work from others. He said, "We all look forward to the first sip of reverse-osmosis water, and I understand it's very good for making beer too."

Vie Restaurant and Paul Virant, chef-owner, were honored for being awarded a Michelin Star in the Michelin Midwest Restaurant Guide.

Virant was also recognized for his focus on a seasonal menu, support of local family farmers and incorporation of fresh and local ingredients in the restaurant fare. His generous support of local charities such as the PTA and Taste of the Arts was also mentioned.

Rodeghier said that he's been told that a Michelin Star is not an easy thing to obtain. "They don't throw stars around like some critics in newspapers do. Very few restaurants ever obtain the status needed to be awarded a Michelin Star. We are certainly happy and proud that Mr. Virant has achieved such an accomplishment in our village."

Virant opened Vie in 2004. He appeared as a finalist on the popular television show Iron Chef in 2009. In 2007 he was named Best New Chef by Food and Wine Magazine.