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Residents, mostly on the Village’s west side, who received bills reflecting a retroactive water rate increase should see a credit on their next billing.
The village audit and finance committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend the government offer about $43,000 in credits to homeowners and businesses affected by the retroactive increase.
Because the Village bills in 3 cycles, with a third of residents in each cycle, some residents may not have received their bills yet, and the commission is recommending that the Board make the rates effective Jan 1st billing, in order to give residents adequate notice of the increase approved September 19th.
It will be up to the Village Board to approve the credits at the next meeting of the Board on Oct 16th.
However, a $3 fee for garbage collection will remain on the bills, although it was supposed to be removed.
“The reasons for the fee still exist,” Village Manger Craig Anderson said. “Fuel costs are at the same level, and the collection companies still have to pay for environmental permits.”
Trustee Paul Humpfer, who is also the chairman of the Audit and Finance Commission, said they will look at removing the fee in the future and replacing it with an increase in resident’s property taxes.
Over the past several days, I’ve been trying to find out more about what really went on “behind-the-scenes” of Autumn Fest.
But, despite having received a good deal of information, I began to wonder something … if more time was taken to get to the bottom of this, what should the consequences be?
I mean, how serious is this, really, in the context of everything going on in the Village?
So what that the Trustees didn’t get official invites in their packets?! Perhaps in the future there should be no expectation to either send or receive written invites to such events. After all, the Board was made aware of the event, given specific details about the event, and it was a Village coordinated event. Hopefully eliminating written invites in the future, we can make sure that no one’s feelings get hurt if there is misunderstandings or miscues that occur.
And, is it really a big deal that Trustees Sigwalt and Teeter participated in the parade, but didn’t pay the $10 participant fee?
Community pride and desire to be involved should have compelled everyone on the Board to participate appropriately. That some didn’t speaks more about their true feelings, but do any of these things require disciplinary action? Nope.
So what the heck is the Board doing wasting more time at meetings arguing about it?
The same goes for this talk of disciplinary action over private conversations. One should wonder what Trustee Sigwalt’s plan is to monitor all conversations — emails, phone calls, letters, or even conversations around the dinner table — of the Village President and the Trustees; or any of the Village staff for that matter? But, the idea is so preposterous that it shouldn’t be raised again.
Now, let’s start dealing with the real business of the Village!
Apologies to all for not getting this out sooner, but there was quite a bit to report on, and I also apologize for the length of this. I hope the amount of information provided makes it worth it.
Now, I’m a bit puzzled at why Trustees were so against going into Executive Session to obtain information from IRMA before making any final decisions on other business. From the look of his reaction, Attorney Rhodes was not pleased either, coming just short of shaking his head when the Trustees voted not to immediately move to Executive Session.
I’m sorry if this sounds like another slight against these trustees but they are just too damn willing to charge the hill without even determining if it is covered in land mines.
Anyway …
As was mentioned yesterday afternoon, Paul Lanspa addressed the Board about the water rate increase that the Board previously approved. You can read his own comments on the water rate increase thread, but basically said that he doesn’t mind paying the higher prices for his water and sewer, yet he thinks we should have notified the residents before putting the new rates on the October bill. He questioned the Board on the increase being retroactive. President Sarto suggested that they revisit this and try and do it in a more equitable way. He asked that Manager Anderson, Attorney Rhodes and Trustee Humpfer and Lisa Happ take another look at this to make it right.
A few folks were asked to sit down when they attempted to use public comments to attack a member of the Board or the audience.
Bob Sperlazzo was asked to sit down when he attempted to bring an email exchange between him and Sarto before the Board. He tried to get a member of the Board to appeal the ruling, but that went no where.
Gloria VanCleave was also directed to sit down after she began to attack resident, Paul Calusinski.
On actual matters of business being considered by the Village:
- the Board passed the amendment to the Vehicles and Traffic ordinance, adding a $250 administrative fee by what I thought was a 6-1 vote (Ben Lefebvre‘s report,mentioned 5-2, but it will be corrected. He stated that in addition to Trustee Ramirez-Sliwinski, Trustee Teeter also voted against it, but Teeter voted to approve it). It might have been a bit of a shock to some that Sarto voted for it. Sarto did clarify his position about unlicensed drivers, stating his support for an Illinois law presently under consideration in the General Assembly to provide driving certificate to illegal immigrants. (Folks can read previous statements from me on this issue here and here.)
- President Sarto also stated that he had a few more candidates to interview for consideration of appointment to the Carpentersville Improvement Committee (aka “code patrol”), so that item was basically passed by.
- Also, the Board discussed an overnight parking ban, voting 4-3 to direct Village staff to look into amending the current ban to bring back to the Board at a later date. It was suggested that only residents, with a valid Village vehicle sticker, be allowed to park on streets overnight. I’ll give my $0.02 on that next week, but will probably make it a “what’s your view” this weekend to see what you all think about it.
And, finally … again, I apologize for the length …
Trustee Sigwalt attempted to bring back the issue of changing the censure rules to cover emails, whether sent as a private citizen or as Village President. It basically went nowhere. She wanted the rules to apply whether sent from one’s personal computer to another individual or as Village President. Attorney Rhodes stated that such would be a First Amendment, Free Speech violation.
I’m going to hold off from reporting more on this because I would like to see if the Board will provide clarification of their positions on this issue before I post more.
Oh, and Sarto also read a proclamation of “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”.
Then … came Executive Session … which we are not privy to, of course.
Looking at tonight’s Village Board meeting agenda …
Ordinance Amending the Carpentersville Municipal Code, Title 10, “Vehicles and Traffic” Providing Regulations for the Seizure and Impoundment of Motor Vehicles
As I understand it, the proposed amendment would add a $250 administrative fee for the return of any impounded vehicle. Otherwise, there appears to basically be no changes to when police would tow a vehicle.
Reports in recent weeks, and even as recently as today, led me to believe that the Village would be expanding the towing situations. That does not appear to be the case, however.
In light of that, I don’t really see a problem with adding the administrative fee. It is quite correct that other municipalities have enacted similar ordinances, but they have not expanded towing to cover situations that are not part of present ordinance and law. Waukegan did try, but it resulted in an illegal seizure lawsuit that was found in favor of the plaintiff — though being appealed.
I still don’t like the another item that’s on the agenda, involving the “Improvement Committee”. While work continues to be done on this front by Village staff, driving around the Village one sees improvement and better code compliance. And, the details of how this “committee” would work are unclear, as is any necessary oversight. It’s just a bad idea.
Other items are pretty innocuous and routine.
Trustee Sigwalt is at it again, continuing to publicly throw negative jabs at President Sarto. This time it is simply because he would like the Board to have more information from lawyers for the Village’s insurance carrier about ordinances presently being considered for passage in the Village, particularly in the wake of a $30 million lawsuit recently filed against the Village.
“I don’t believe we have to consult with IRMA” over the impounding proposal, Trustee Judith Sigwalt said. “Other communities have done this successfully. President Sarto just likes to make everything difficult. He tries to make more out of them than they are.”
Apparently, she already knows it all.
Or does she? Folks may recall a few months ago when the Village was considering an English-only ordinance. Sigwalt, and political ally Trustee Paul Humpfer, did not take the time to determine what kind of difficulties such an ordinance would place on staff’s ability to do their jobs and comply with state and federal regulations. Only after heads of the major Village departments stepped up to provide information that would have otherwise not been considered did Sigwalt and Humpfer relent to accepting a non-binding resolution.
In this case, some “other communities” have gotten sued when attempting to expand the situations in which vehicles would be towed. In light of that, meeting with IRMA lawyers seems like a very good idea.
“It’s prudent for us to hold off on this until we at least talk to our attorneys on what we should or should not do at this point,” Sarto said. “To stir that pot anymore would be foolish.”
Trustee Sigwalt, along with the rest of the Board, needs to take more time to gather information — like they do in other, more professional, municipalities — and ensure that that information is shared with the Board and residents to enable better, more informed decisions. It is also rushing into things without all the information and available alternatives that has put the Village at risk in the lawsuit.
On a related note, there are those who have taken issue with my criticism of Trustee Sigwalt (and Trustee Humpfer). In response, I asked them to defend the actions of these two trustees in those situations of which I’ve been critical, and provide examples of the positive effects those actions had on the community. To date, no defense or examples have been provided.
In the end, I believe the actions of Trustee Sigwalt over the past 8 years necessitates this information be pointed out to residents in order that the Village can rise above the problems that have resulted. These actions and negativity have actually held the Village back in periods when other, smaller towns have worked successfully to prosper.
A lot of opinions have been shared here over the past few weeks, and I’m appreciative of even those from outside the Village of Carpentersville who have contributed. But, one of the things that I wanted to have this blog be from the outset was an exchange of facts and information.
I, myself, have gotten caught up in just the regular back and forth banter that sharing opinions can invite.
I think we can do better, however.
I’d really like to see this be a vehicle of information that Village staff, residents and Board can use to help them make better decisions — to break the cycle that has been too long a staple of Carpentersville politics and government.
This blog has taken the time to show that those on the Board who are often making the loudest calls for “civility” or “respect” and whatnot, are actually some of the worst offenders. I think we’re all on a level playing field now. Hopefully everyone will step off their pedestals (except me, of course! 🙂 ) and come back down to listen to the fact and information that citizens can provide.
So, can we stop the chit-chat and work together to help our Village government with a plan that can be workable for the entire community?
Yep … they’re still at it folks.
In light of the lawsuit, President Sarto directed staff to postpone work on a draft of a controversial ordinance viewed by many across the US as targeting immigrants. And, Sarto also said he would hold off on appointments to the “Improvement Committee”, which has also been seen in the community as focusing on one segment of the population.
Trustee’s Paul Humpfer and Judy Sigwalt didn’t like the action.
He is a village president, not a king. said Humpfer.
However, Sarto is the Chief Executive Officer of the Village. Per the Carpentersville Municipal Code:
The president shall be and shall have the powers and perform the duties of chief executive officer of the village, shall preside at all meetings of the board, and shall devote to the responsibilities of his or her office such time and endeavor as the faithful discharge thereof may require.
As such, he is not simply another member of the Board, or having merely the powers of Trustees.
That said, I believe it is a good idea to postpone the work and enactment of the ordinance and committee, particularly in light of the lawsuit that has been filed. While it would have been better for Sarto to bring this first to the Board if he did not mention to them that they remove it from the agenda, I believe it is the right and prudent to take this action.
However, even in absence of this being brought to the whole Board first, the Board should not vote to proceed with these things as a matter of political spite. No matter what we eventually learn of the facts of the lawsuit, the present situation in Carpentersville is demonstrative of bigotry and bias.
Leaders in this community are those that recognize that fact and stand up to to speak out and do something about it.
But, there are others simply come up with slogans and rhetoric to tell the people that they shouldn’t feel what they are feeling. Those are not leaders.
What have these trustees done to bridge the divide that exists in Carpentersville? People in the community feel targeted. What have they done to reach out to those people and put them at ease?
In September/October 2006, they came up with an ordinance that worried a lot of people.
What did they do to reassure those people? Said, “It’s not about race. It’s about what’s legal”. (Making attempts to change the law.) And, the told them they needed to learn English; which worried them — even those that spoke English — more.
And, what did they do to reassure them, then? Told them they were going to come gunning for “code violators”. Which made them and others — even those who kept their property looking pretty good — feel more worried.
And, what did they do to reassure them, then? They said “watch out! We’re going to modify the laws to come for your vehicles!”
They haven’t done one thing to try to ease people’s minds about what they are doing. Telling someone “It’s not about race” when there are impressions (real or not) of a pattern that it is about race, hasn’t done anything to put the community at ease.
Now, with a lawsuit pending that is zeroing in on that pattern, the Board shouldn’t forge ahead like cowboys trying to tame the wild west. They need to step back, save the town from bankruptcy and heal the wounds that people have in the community.
OK, we get it: Carpentersville’s trustees and village president do not get along. But, please. Can’t you all leave the sandbox, shovels and rattles at home? We’re all sick and tired of the petty bickering, the constant upheaval and the downright nasty behavior. When you show up at a board meeting, you’re there to do the work of the people, not to rant about one another. One frustrated observer likened the latest theatrics to a group therapy session. Therapy, actually, would be good. Just don’t do it on the taxpayer’s dime.
Good idea — and we are sick of the “petty bickering”. It is interesting to note, though, that when the Village President does something, they are certain to mention his name. But, when Trustee Sigwalt does it … well, that’s a different story, isn’t it?
Next, there were a number of people who were critical of a letter written by the Village President which mentioned potentially giving licenses (or driving certificates) to those in our country illegally. Finally, a letter that makes more sense than any of those:
Letters were published this week about Bill Sarto’s response to Chris Bailey’s column on unlicensed/uninsured drivers. Those letters offer examples of problems, but the writers failed to consider several factors.
These drivers are already on the road in spite of current laws punishing those without a license or insurance. Drivers without insurance are fined $1,000 and given a minimum three-month license suspension. While intended as a deterrent, it does not address the expense of accidents caused by these drivers.
Is towing additional vehicles an adequate solution? It should be obvious. If the cost to retrieve the vehicle is greater than its value, it will not be claimed. In all likelihood, the offender will be out on the road with another vehicle within hours. Though part of current law, threats fail to deter such drivers.
How shall our roads be made safer? The federal government is letting people into this country through “leaky borders” to provide businesses with cheap labor. Because they need to get to those jobs, allowing these drivers to obtain licenses and insurance could lessen both the problem of untrained drivers and of licensed and insured drivers having to foot the bill in accidents with them. This seems the purpose for Illinois considering such a measure. By considering the root of the problem, it intends to solve much more than does simply the threat of a fine and loss of one’s vehicle.
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