Grundy Reporter

Maine Township Board met Aug. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Board Members Present: Supervisor Morask, Clerk Gialamas, Assessor Moylan Krey, Highway Commissioner Kazmierczak, Trustees Jones, Carrabotta, McKenzie and Sweeney

Other in attendance: See the sign in sheets attached on the back of the minutes.

Supervisor Morask opened the regular Board meeting after adjourning the Amended Maine Township General Town Fund Budget Hearing at 7:55 p.m. and before opening the Amended Maine Township Road District Fund Budget Hearing at 8:10 p.m. for the presentation of winners of National Night Out Poster Contest.

Agenda Item: National Night Out Poster Contest Winners presentation

Supervisor Morask Motion to convene the regular Board meeting at 7:57 p.m. for the Agenda Item #8-National Night Out Poster Contest Winners presentation.

Trustee Jones Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Clerk Gialamas stated that the National Night Out had to be canceled due to the weather conditions.

He recognized all the winner of the Poster Contest. The winners received trophies and target gift cards.

Clerk Gialamas stated that National Night Out committee also would like to recognize two volunteers, Louise Friedenson and David Cowin for 25 years of service.

Supervisor Morask thanked Clerk Gialamas, the National Night Out committee and its volunteers for their hard work.

Supervisor Morask called the meeting to order at 8:42 p.m., Clerk Gialamas led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the roll.

Agenda Item: Approval of Minutes of July 24, 2018 Bill Pay Review

Supervisor Morask Motion to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the July 24, 2018 Bill Pay Review.

Trustee Sweeney Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Approval of Minutes of July 24, 2018 Board Meeting

Supervisor Morask Motion to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the July 24, 2018 Board Meeting.

Trustee Jones Second.

Trustee Sweeney presented the Addendum with motion that was not reflected in the July 24th meeting minutes, regarding providing bonuses instead of salary increases and cost of living adjustments.

Trustee Sweeney Motion to amend the meeting minutes to include Trustee Sweeney’s Addendum to the July 24th Board meeting minutes.

Trustee Carrabotta Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion caried.

Agenda Item: Approval of Minutes of August 6, 2018 Special Board Meeting

Trustee Sweeney Motion to waive the reading and approve the minutes of the

August 6, 2018 Special Board Meeting.

Trustee McKenzie Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Abstain

Trustee Jones Abstain

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Public Participation

Many of Maine Township residents commented on both topics, the sexual harassment allegations and the amended General Town Fund budget. The names of residents are: Kristina Keller, Donna Adam, Lidia Siluch-Fiducci, Mary Jo Marchetta, Kelly Schaefer, Steven Yasell, Laura Grodin, Colt Moylan, Diane Carrabotta, Linda Slipke, Marty Moylan-State Representative and Ginger Pennington. See video at 3:31.

Agenda Item: Approval of General Assistance Expenditures

Payrolls dated July 27, 2018, August 10, 2018 and August 24, 2018 and General Assistance checks #51449 through check #51504 in the amount of $71,601.92.

Supervisor Morask Motion to approve.

Trustee Sweeney Second

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Approval of Road District Expenditures

Payrolls dated July 27, 2018, August 10, 2018 and August 24, 2018 and Road District checks #20505 through check #20549 in the amount of $107,808.30.

Supervisor Morask Motion to approve.

Trustee Carrabotta Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Approval of General Town Fund Expenditures

Payrolls dated July 27, 2018, August 10, 2018 and August 24, 2018 and General Town Fund checks #56137 through check #56213 in the amount of $332,995.29.

See video at 41:59.

Supervisor Morask Motion to approve General Town Fund checks presented and with holding back invoice #65695/3 for $10,920.00 from the check #56152 payable to Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush.

Supervisor Morask stated that in her opinion the invoice should be separated from the original bill and it is not appropriate that Trustee Jones and Trustee Carrabotta vote on the invoice #65695/3 regarding sexual harassment.

Trustee Jones said that she is willing to abstain and Trustee Carrabotta stated that he won’t abstain from voting.

Attorney Krafthefer opinion and discussion followed.

Supervisor Morask Motion to approve General Town Fund expenditures and Ancel,

Glink bills with the exception at this time of invoice #65695/3 in the amount of $10,920.00.

Trustee Jones Second.

Trustee Carrabotta Motion to amend the previous motion and delete from this motion reference of non-payment of invoice #65695/3 to include all the invoices presented.

Trustee Sweeney Second.

After lengthy discussion the vote was called.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask No

Trustee Jones No

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Trustee Carrabotta Motion to approve General Town Fund checks #56137 through check #56213 in the amount of $332,995.29.

Trustee Sweeney Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask No

Trustee Jones No

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Old Business, Discussion/Questions Attorneys Report

Transcripts/FOIAs Requests

Supervisor Morask stated that the detailed transcripts can be ordered for an additional $300 per person. She suggested ordering all transcripts since we have numerous FOIAs requesting the transcripts.

She added that it is the right and economic thing to do.

Supervisor Morask Motion to order the outstanding transcripts regarding sexual harassment.

Trustee Jones Second.

Discussion and questions.

Trustee McKenzie Motion to amend the previous motion to order the transcripts and to post them on the website for transparency.

Trustee Carrabotta Second.

Supervisor Morask pointed out that the transcripts need to be redacted for the personal information.

Trustee McKenzie Motion to amend the amended motion to direct Ancel Glink to redact any personal or private information that might be in the transcripts.

Trustee Carrabotta Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Trustee McKenzie Motion to vote on amended motion.

Trustee Carrabotta Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Morask stated that we have a few FOIA requests involved emails, depositions and correspondence that have to be answered by tomorrow.

Supervisor Morask asked the Board for agreement to release all the emails and directions how to deal with current FOIA requests that cannot be answered at this time.

Attorney Krafthefer clarified that the Township received FOIA requests for emails between Board members and Ancel Glink Law Firm and between Board members and Board members. She added that they are public records and they will have to be released but also determine whether they are the subject to attorney-client privileges.

Attorney Krafthefer suggested disclosing the ones that are public records and not disclose the ones that are exempt. Supervisor Morask stated the Board could waive any privilege if any were subject and requested this be clarified and decided tonight. Trustee McKenzie stated she thought hardly any would invoke any privilege. Attorney Krafthefer stated no vote needed because FOIA exemptions are governed by statute. Supervisor Morask stated she had sought further board direction/clarification or vote to avoid any future problems or PAC complaints, and from all comments that the board made. The FOIA committee would be in charge of release of the emails.

Supervisor Morask stated that the Agenda Item: Requested corrections/redaction will be discussed in the future.

Trustee Sweeney questioned why the names on FOIA requests that are posted on our website are redacted.

Supervisor Morask explained that only private citizens names were redacted due to the chilling effect and it was suggested by our prior attorney pursuant to a PAC opinion.

Trustee Carrabotta requested that only addresses and emails be redacted.

Agenda Item: Old Business, Procedures and Policies as previously submitted and tabled.

Supervisor Morask Motion to table the Old Business agenda item: Procedures and Policies as previously submitted and tabled.

Trustee Jones Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Morask Motion to table the New Business agenda items: Proposed Policy/Procedure for Board & Staff requests of Attorney legal time, and Proposed Policy/Procedure for directing Staff to call a Special Board meeting.

Trustee Sweeney Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: New Business, Resolution of the Maine Township Highway Commissioner to sell Surplus or Dispose of Vehicles & Equipment, No. 2018-RB-2

Supervisor Morask Motion to pass and waive the reading of the Resolution 2018-RB2, to Sell or Dispose of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment.

Trustee Jones Second.

Highway Commissioner Kazmierczak explained the purpose of this resolution stating that there are several items and equipment that he would like to dispose at auction and possibly make a profit.

Attorney Krafthefer stated that Highway Commissioner can sign his resolution and it doesn’t have to be vote on.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Officials’ Reports

For more detailed Officials’ reports see video at 1:46:08.

The Elected Officials voiced their opinions and shared their view points and perspective of the alleged sexual harassment subject.

Trustee Sweeney commented that Representative Moylan was inappropriate in his call for resignations of Elected Officials that were allowing for due process.

Trustee Carrabotta stated that even though the National Night Out did not happened this year, he appreciates a “thank you” letter from Clerk Gialamas thanking him for donating gift certificates. He commented about the importance that local people and law enforcement of Maine Township have a good relationship which is a purpose of having National Night Out.

Trustee Carrabotta stated that he attended the Niles National Night Out and it was a great event.

Supervisor Morask reported that Gemini School is under construction and the Board of Election asked to hold November 6th Election polling place #70 in the Maine Township Town Hall. Supervisor Morask suggested closing the building on this day due to a large number of residents voting during election. She asked for Trustees input on this subject.

All Elected Officials agreed to close the building on November 6th for Election.

Highway Commissioner Kazmierczak expressed his disappointment that his amended budget was not approved. He explained why he needed his budget to be approved and stated that he won’t stop repairing equipment if there is a need to and his department has to function as the government unit.

Assessor Moylan Krey reported that her office experienced a significant volume of people due to the Cook County Board of Review opened for filing appeals from August 1st through August 30th. In preparation for the appeals Assessor Moylan Krey held two outreach programs sessions with staff and Commissioner Patlak. One was held in the Maine Township Town Hall on August 2nd and the second was held in the Des Plaines City Hall on August 8th.

Assessor Moylan Krey stated that the “Property After Death Workshop” is scheduled for September 13th at Maine Township Town Hall has an overwhelming response. She thanked Marie Dachniwsky and her MaineStreamer’s staff for advertising this event.

Agenda Item: Attorney’s Report

None.

Agenda Item: Administrator’s Report

None.

Agenda Item: Closed Session, Review of February 12, 2018 and May 22, 2018 Closed Session Minutes

Supervisor Morask Motion to go to Closed Session to review minutes of February 12, 2018 and May 22, 2018 Closed Session.

Trustee McKenzie Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta No

Trustee Sweeney No

Motion carried.

Agenda Item: Possible Approval of Closed Session Minutes of February 12, 2018 and May 22, 2018

The Board re-convened in Open Session at 11:25 p.m.

Supervisor Morask Motion to re-convene in Open Session.

Trustee Jones Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Trustee Carrabotta Motion to table approving the minutes of February 12, 2018

Closed Session meeting due to Trustees request of reviewing the tape of said meeting.

Trustee Sweeney Second.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask Yes

Trustee Jones Yes

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Supervisor Morask stated that she requested listening to the tape of May 22nd Closed Session meeting and to make a vote to release minutes with the verbatim transcript that she would provide.

Trustee Carrabotta Motion to table approving the minutes of May 22, 2018 Closed Session meeting due to Trustees request of reviewing the tape of said meeting.

Trustee McKenzie Second.

Supervisor Morask stated that in her opinion it was important to release these minutes as soon as possible for transparency.

Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows:

Supervisor Morask No

Trustee Jones No

Trustee McKenzie Yes

Trustee Carrabotta Yes

Trustee Sweeney Yes

Motion carried.

Trustee Sweeney commented that the verbatim transcript was not provided and there was nothing to vote on.

Supervisor Morask stated she had offered to get it from her office.

Trustee Sweeney stated that Supervisor Morask had stated the verbatim was not complete.

Supervisor Morask stated approximately 3 words were missing and reiterated that she had requested the board to listen themselves to the 7 minutes tape.

Agenda Item: Adjournment

Supervisor Morask Motion to adjourn.

Trustee Carrabotta Second.

All in favor.

Motion carried on a voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:27 p.m.

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