McHenry County Blog

Even though it is a bit late, here is what Lakewood Village President told residents right before the election in which she was unopposed for a second term:

From the President

Dear Neighbors:

Spring is traditionally a busy time for municipal government, and this year is no exception. We continue to be encouraged by the interest shown in our community by both the residential builders and businesses. Following is a summary of projects and activities that may be of interest to you:

Village Hall/Police Department

Lakewood Village site plan proposed by consultants who seem not to be in the game anymore.

As reported in the previous newsletter, there has been steady progress in the movement towards a new Village Hall/Police Station.

Specifically, there is agreement among the Board of Trustees that

• there is a need
• property already owned by the Village of Lakewood on Haligus Road is the appropriate site for a new facility
• the present is a good time to build in terms of borrowing and construction costs
• any debt instrument issued for the project will not allow taxes to be levied to pay for it

After consultation with several builders and developers, we have determined that the next step in the process is to begin due diligence on both properties (Haligus Road and the current site).

Due diligence includes such steps as t

• taking soil borings
• performing topographical surveys
• completing a wetland delineation

Once this information has been obtained, we will work with a number of builders/developers to obtain a more definitive (and we hope lower) project cost.

If we determine that the project is affordable, we will choose the type of development process (i.e. cost/plus, design/build, construction management, etc.) that will be the most effective for this project.

Thank you to everyone who has provided input based on previous articles. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any one of us for further information regarding this project.

Committees

Lakewood’s new signs were encouraged by the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Several years ago, a number of committees were formed to allow for citizen input, including:

• Parks and Recreation
• Economic Development
• RedTail Golf Club
• Special Service Area (SSA) #1

These committees have provided a great deal of assistance by taking on such projects as design of the new entryway signs, prioritization of bike paths throughout the community, oversight of our first annual Celebrate Lakewood event, a feasibility study for a new clubhouse, and a new approach toward restoring the long term health of the Turnberry Lakes system. With the completion of these tasks, however, the Board of Trustees has undertaken a review (with the input of committee members) of the committees and made the following changes.

The Parks and Recreation Committee has been eliminated. Residents with an interest in this area will be encouraged to participate in a variety of ways through the Crystal Lake Park District.

The Economic Development and RedTail Golf Club Committees have been combined into a new Community Development Committee.

No changes have been made to the SSA #1 Committee. Volunteers are needed to serve on all three remaining committees.

Please contact me if you have questions about committee assignments.

Celebrate Lakewood

Our first event was such a success that we’ve decided to have it again!

Please set aside Sunday, June 9 for the Second Annual Celebrate Lakewood event!

The newly configured Community Development Committee is already hard at work and hopes to add several new features, including live music and “bounce houses” for children.

While the Village of Lakewood will underwrite most of the costs for the event, the Community Development Committee is seeking sponsors for some of the new features. Checks can be made payable to the Village of Lakewood.

Sponsorship levels include:

• Bronze $100
• Silver $250
• Gold $500

Volunteers are also needed to help on the day of the event. Please contact Village Hall at (815) 459-3025 or info@village.lakewood.il.us for further information about volunteering or sponsorship opportunities. We will even recognize you or your business in a future newsletter!

Spring Elections

The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 9. For the Village of Lakewood, there are no contested elections. Four positions were open, including Village President and three Trustees. Three incumbents chose to run, including Gene Furey, Jeff Iden and myself.

Due to work commitments, Trustee John Burton chose not to run again. We extend our sincere appreciation to him for all of his efforts during the past four years, including his oversight of the Parks and Recreation Committee and efforts toward Crystal Lake. Beverly Thomas, a resident of the East Side, has stepped forward to serve as a Trustee and has already been regularly attending meetings and reviewing Board packet materials. We thank her for her willingness to serve in this capacity.

While there is not a contested election within our community, there are some important local elections. I encourage you to make yourself aware of the issues, the candidates and participate in the upcoming election. Key dates include:

• March 25 – Early voting begins
• April 6 – Early voting ends
• April 9 – Election

Please call the McHenry County Clerk’s Office at (815) 334-4242 if you have additional questions regarding the spring election.

Please be certain to carefully read the front page of the newsletter as we welcome our newest business, Tres Chic Boutique, and highlight some upcoming activities at Crosspoint Lutheran Church.
As always, I encourage you to contact me or any of our officials listed on the back cover with questions regarding any of the projects highlighted in the newsletter or that you might read about elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Erin
Village President

A press release from the Republican Party candidate for Grafton Township Assessor, Al Zielinski:

Alan Zielinski, Republican nominee for Grafton Township Assessor, announces major endorsements.

Al Zielinski has new signs with the symbol of the Republican Party.

VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD, IL (March 25, 2013) – Alan Zielinski, Republican nominee for Grafton Township Assessor, is pleased and grateful to announce two major endorsements.

Representative Michael Tryon, 66th District, Illinois House of Representatives, had these comments:

“It’s refreshing to see a seasoned businessman wanting to apply those proven skills in office thereby making life easier for my constituents.

“Alan’s three decades of valuation expertise and even deeper senior management experience will be a welcome asset in my district.

“I’m especially intrigued with Al’s proposed Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights and will give it the review and deliberation that type of innovative legislation deserves,”

Village of Lakewood President Erin Smith said,

“On April 9, we will choose a new Grafton Township assessor.

“This is a very important role because assessments are the basis for the property taxes we pay and the current system is flawed. Alan Zielinski is the only candidate with the credentials and experience to raise the bar.

“As a certified appraiser, Al is held to a higher standard than the property code requires. His ambitious goals include improving the transparency and accountability of the assessor’s office, establishing a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights and enhancing accuracy so we can reduce and eventually eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming appeals.

“I strongly encourage Grafton Township residents to review Al’s website at www.Al-for-Assessor.com.

“I have carefully reviewed the qualifications and experience of both candidates and am confident Alan Zielinski is the most qualified candidate for Grafton Township Assessor. He has my endorsement and my vote.”

Also endorsing Zielinski is Grafton Township Republican Party Chairman Tom Poznanski, who is also the GOP candidate for Grafton Township Assessor.

For more information, please visit the candidate’s web site at www.Al-for-Assessor.com

= = = = =
Zielinski is running against Independent Terra Jensen.

Lakewood Village Board meets on the topic of a new Village Board.

I asked Lakewood Village President Erin Smith what was up on the public-private partnership to build a new village hall.

Her answer:

“Not much yet.

“We decided to slow things down to do more thorough research.

“We directed staff to begin the process of soil borings, etc. that are required before we can solicit a more realistic proposal.

“We are getting bids on this work and will vote on this step at our first meeting in February.”

I asked about the status of the public-private partnership and got this reply:

“Yes, we will consider the concept proposed by the consortium, but we will also consider more traditional approaches using local builders based on resident feedback.

“We deferred this discussion until after the site discovery work is completed.

“We have slowed things down a bit to provide additional opportunities for public input.”

A press release from McHenry County College Board candidate Mike Smith is below, but let me remind candidates that if they would like to share their thoughts and/or background, such information should be emailed to calskinner2@gmail.com.

Mike Smith Running for Community College Board

Mike Smith

“I genuinely believe that MCC, as an institution should be the pride of McHenry County, and I look forward to contributing to the reshaping of a positive image of the college within the community,” Smith wrote.

“I recognize, as I enter the fourth year of my volunteer service to the College on the foundation board, that MCC addresses an extensive number of interests as diverse as the County itself, and it is imperative that it’s leadership understands the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders, from the students, to the faculty, administration and the taxpayers in order successfully govern.

“I believe that I can play an active role as a steward of the institution through participation in legislative advocacy for MCC, intelligent policy development and being a prudent fiduciary in the oversight of the college budget, and would consider it a privilege to serve the community and this college that I am so passionate about in that capacity.”

Mike is a 25 year resident of McHenry County, and currently serves as the President and Executive Committee Chairman of the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation Board of Directors.

He is entering his fourth year of volunteer service for the organization, having served as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman of the organization prior to his current role as President.

Mike is also currently serving in a volunteer capacity for the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s office, having been appointed to serve on the Citizen’s Panel for the First Offender Program in McHenry County when the program originated in 2010. The First Offender Program provides accepted candidates, who have been charged with a first-time, non-violent felony, the opportunity to prevent that felony charge/conviction from being permanently entered onto their record.

Mike’s professional career in Financial Services originated in 1985, and he has worked with corporate retirement plans throughout his 26 year career as a Registered Investment Advisor, Management Consultant and Defined Contribution Plan administrative service provider. He had extensive stints with Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and the Management Consulting arm of Ernst & Young before becoming President of Plexus Financial Services, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm and Broker/Dealer with offices in Deer Park, Illinois and Dallas, Texas.

Plexus Financial Services, LLC, focuses on Financial Advisory and Co-Fiduciary services to Corporate Retirement Plans (Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit, Non-Qualified and ESOP plans).

He holds an MBA from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University in Chicago, and a BA in Management from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. He has industry designations as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), an Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst (AIFA), and an Accredited Retirement Plan Consultant (ARPC), while carrying multiple Securities Industry licenses (Series 7, 24, and 66).

Mike and his wife of 26 years, Erin, reside in the Village of Lakewood, and have 4 children, Brittani, Morgan, Rachel and Keith.

Erin Smith

Incumbent Lakewood Village President Erin Smith and two incumbent trustees filed for re-election on the first day of filing.

The two incumbent Trustees are

Gene Furey

Jeff Iden

• Gene Furey
• Jeff Iden

For the third open Board seat, Beverly Thomas has filed.

Filing is open until the close of business on December 26th.

Those thinking about running need to file a Statement of Economic Interest with the County Clerk and attach it with a staple to one’s petitions and Statement of Candidacy. And, be sure to number the pages.

The final part of Lakewood Village President Ern Smith’s winter newsletter follows:

Electrical Aggregation

Despite “Vote No” signs in the area opposing the bulk buying of electricity supervised by municipal governments, Lakewood and Crystal Lake residents voted in favor.

In the spring of 2012, our residents approved a referendum [results for all such referendums at link] by the widest margin in McHenry County to implement a municipal aggregation program for electricity.

Our results were better than hoped for, as we were able to secure some of the lowest electrical generation rates in the state of Illinois at less than half of the rate from ComEd.

We estimated that this program would save our residents between $300 and $350 annually.

However, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has initiated rulemaking that will negatively impact current and future municipal aggregation programs.

The ICC has chosen to undertake this process even though the General Assembly made it clear when it passed the enabling legislation that the ICC has no authority to regulate municipal aggregation programs.

The Village of Lakewood has chosen to work with 83 other communities as a part of a coalition to maintain our existing municipal aggregation program and fight the overreach of the ICC.

You can help us by contacting the following officials to express your support for the existing municipal aggregation program that you chose via a referendum:

• ICC Chairman Doug Scott at (800) 524-0795
• State Senator Pamela Althoff at (815) 455-8284
• State Representative Michael Tryon at (815) 455-8284

New Business

I am very pleased to announce the opening of our newest business at Lakewood Commons – Tres Chic Boutique. It is a full service salon that will offer a wide range of services in a beautiful setting. The opening is tentatively scheduled for February 1, so please check our website regularly as the date approaches and be prepared to help support our newest business.

With this upcoming opening, only four of the original thirteen units at Lakewood Commons remain vacant. The owner is in the midst of installing a new sign that will help identify businesses, which is one of the most frequent requests we hear. In addition, a successful entrepreneur (who currently has two businesses) would like to open a Mexican restaurant in two of the remaining four units. However, much of his capital is tied up in his existing businesses, so he is seeking opportunities for investors or other loan programs. Please contact Village Manager Catherine Peterson directly for further information. Remember – our residents are our greatest resource!

As always, I encourage you to contact me or any of our officials with questions regarding any of the projects highlighted in the newsletter or that you might read about elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Erin

Erin Smith

This in a continuation of the the winter newsletter from Lakewood Village President Erin Smith.

Bicycle Path for Lakewood Road and Lake Avenue

Our residents have consistently identified the construction of bicycle paths along major arterial streets as a priority for our community.

This is a significant financial challenge, because the cost to retrofit an existing roadway with bicycle paths is much higher than to build them simultaneously.

Staff was successful in obtaining a nearly $425,000 grant to build the path along Huntley Road, and it has been very well received by residents.

Lakewood Road runs north-south through the village.

After having three grant requests for a Lakewood Road bicycle path rejected by several agencies, I am very pleased to report that staff has successfully secured a grant in an amount of approximately $1.4M that will pay for the repaving of Lakewood Road from Haligus Road to Ackman Road, along with the installation of bicycle paths (similar to those installed along Huntley Road) along the roadway.

Bike paths like this are on both sides of Huntley Road.  In the future, similar paths will be built on Lake Avenue from Huntley Road to the Crystal Lake-Lakewood Village limits, plus on both sides of Lakewood Road.

In addition, staff secured an additional grant in an amount of approximately $400,000 to pay for repaving of Lake Avenue from Huntley Road to our western boundary at Village Hall, along with the installation of bicycle paths.

This new path will connect to the recently completed Huntley Road bicycle path.

In total, staff obtained approximately in $1.8M in grant funds that will both repave existing roads and install bicycle paths along major arterial streets. Construction cannot begin until 2016, but the engineering work will be budgeted in the upcoming fiscal year. This is a significant achievement for a small community with an annual roadway budget of approximately $250,000.

More tomorrow.

Erin Smith

Following is the winter newsletter from Lakewood Village President Erin Smith:

From the President

Dear Neighbors:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we want to extend our very best wishes for a joyous holiday season to each of you and your families.

There are a number of issues and projects which merit mention, and these are summarized below:

Village Hall

Lakewood Village Hall

Several months ago, the Village was approached by a consortium of firms which work to create efficiencies via public – private partnerships. They proposed such a partnership to build a new Village Hall/Police Station. All of the work proposed in the initial phase of evaluation was to be performed at no cost and no risk or obligation to the Village, so we chose to proceed. There were five basic components to this evaluation, including:

Demonstrate Need – While there was anecdotal evidence that a new Village Hall and Police Station is needed, this analysis revealed

• the full extent of non-compliance. Issues range from non-compliance with building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• no secured or confidential location for information or meetings; and
• a lack of a meeting space for the Board of Trustees.

Most importantly, however, the existing building does not maintain the necessary separation between the two critical government functions – Administration and Police – which creates an unsafe environment for residents and staff. Within the Police Department, there are not separate holding rooms for adults and juveniles; there is no separate waiting area for victims; the evidence room is not compliant; etc.

There is agreement among the Board of Trustees that a new Village Hall/Police Station is needed.

Existing Site – The existing site is simply not large enough to support an expansion of the current facility. This begs the question – what should be done with the existing site? Four possible scenarios have been discussed at a very preliminary level:

• open space;
• two single family lots of approximately ½ acre each;
• a small multi unit condo building; and
• a restaurant.

If the Board of Trustees chooses to move forward, a market analysis or sounding would be conducted by the consortium to help determine the feasibility of each of these uses as well as the highest and best use from a financial perspective.

Simply stated, the current site is too valuable for a municipal building.

Any proceeds from the sale or lease of the land would be used to offset a portion of the costs of a new facility.

New Site– Two sites were evaluated for the new location of a Village Hall/Police Station.

First cut of a site plan for a new Village Hall at Haligus Road south of the sewage treatment plant.

• The first was a privately held parcel off Huntley Road, with the idea of creating a mixed use town center. For a variety of reasons – acquisition costs, site development costs as a result of wetlands, and market forces— this site was taken out of consideration.
• Attention was then directed towards the site on Haligus Road currently owned by the Village (just south of the wastewater treatment plant). Since it is already owned by the Village, there are no acquisition costs. In addition, its topography is conducive to site development and has ample space for the creation of a future gathering place. For these reasons, the Board of Trustees is agreed that Haligus Road is the preferred site for a new Village Hall/Police Station.

New Facility – The architectural firm affiliated with the consortium has a strong background in public safety buildings and, after a series of meetings with staff, the consortium has determined that a Village Hall/Police Station would need to be approximately 9,000 sq feet and have a total cost of approximately $3.7M.

Financing – Given the Village’s AAA bond rating, the consultants estimate that the Village could issue debt certificates at an interest rate of between 2.5% and 3.0%. Debt certificates are different than General Obligation or Alternative Revenue bonds because taxes cannot be levied to pay for them.  [Revenue bonds were sold to finance the purchase of the golf club.  However, the Board at the time decided to guarantee payment with increased property taxes.  That led to approximately a $500 annual surcharge on Lakewood homes for twenty years.  The bonds were paid off last year and Lakewood taxes went down a lot this year.]

The Board of Trustees is absolutely committed to insuring that no new taxes will ever be imposed to pay for a new Village Hall/Police Station.

The decision currently before the Board of Trustees is whether to enter into an agreement to spend no less than $30,000 and no more than $50,000 to perform the studies needed to further refine the high level analysis conducted during the first phase. These studies would include such information as a topographical survey for the existing site (no such record currently exists), an environmental assessment of the Haligus Road site, soil borings, etc. All of this data would become the property of the Village of Lakewood. Detailed renderings of the facility would also be completed but would remain the property of the consortium unless the Village chooses to move forward with the project.

Prior to expending any funds, the Board of Trustees has directed the staff to conduct an analysis of existing revenue streams to identify the sources of funding for the annual payment needed to pay for such a facility. This report is expected to be completed after the New Year and will be discussed publicly at an upcoming meeting. Please review the meetings agendas that are posted online prior to a meeting or call Village Hall to determine the timing. As always, we are interested in feedback you have regarding any aspect of this project.

More tomorrow.

A consortium led by Draper and Kramer make another presentation to the Lakewood Village Board Tuesday night.

Draper & Kramer consortium members who are seeking to build a Lakewood Village Hall.  Front row from left: Nancy Kiernan – FCL Builders ,Rick Ehlert – BKV Group (architects); middle left: Spencer Skinner – BKV Group,Larry DiVito – Draper and Kramer and the construction manager whose name I did not catch; and back row: Wayne Pierce – Stern Brothers & Co and Nicholas Marrocco – Gateway Development Partners.

They were seeking approval to spend $30-50,000 to develop preliminary plans for a village hall and police station on ten acres owned by the Village on Haligus Road.

An estimated cost for the 9,000 to 10,000 square foot building was just under $3.8 million. The $30-50,000 Phase 1 expenditure would be out-of-pocket costs for preliminary plans for the Village Hall, evaluation of the site’s suitability, etc.

I have to admit I thought the Board had agreed in August to have a public meeting to explain the need for a new Village Hall, but it became obvious that my expectations for more citizen involvement didn’t materialize Tuesday night. I had hoped for an emailed notice to Village residents, but notice seems to have been limited to the agenda that I would not have looked at if I had not been given a “heads up” by a fellow resident.

The decision on approving the Phase 1 was put off pending an analysis of how the Village could pay off the approximately $200,000 per year. Village Administrator Catherine Peterson said she could not have it ready by the next Board meeting, but would sometime thereafter.

She thinks the Village will have to borrow about $3 million, counting on the Crystal Lake frontage where the current Village Hall sits to provide a million dollars.

These townhouses on North Harrison Street in Algonquin overlook the Fox River. Would something similar maximize the value of the land where the current Lakewood Village Hall is located?

It could either be bought by the Park District for open space, sold for residential use, even for townhouses as can be seen on North Harrison Street in Algonquin or used as a restaurant which would be the only one overlooking Crystal Lake.

Smith told the Board that there had been “preliminary inquires for a restaurant.” Such a use would providing not only real estate tax but sales tax revenue.

“We have to come up with $200,000 per year. Where are we going to get $200,000 a year?” Trustee Gene Furey wanted to know.

Gary Sexson, another Trustee, said, “I definitely understand the needs. They’re huge.

“I’m concerned that this [consortium] is the only game in town. I don’t want to approve it tonight. We need more discussion among ourselves…I need to chew on it.”

Proposed Lakewood Village site plan.  Not all of this conceptual plan for the ten acres the Village of Lakewood owns next to its Fire Station is included in the $4 million plan proposed Tuesday night. The amphitheater and gazebo at the back of the property are just to show what could be developed later. Click to enlarge.

Retiring Trustee John Burton wanted to know if the Red Tail Golf Course land had been considered.

It was not, Smith told him, because she didn’t think that residential area was and an “appropriate” location for a police station. [One would not that the current police station is in a residential neighborhood.]

“We directed them to look at two sites,” Smith said. The other was at an unidentified lot on Huntley Road.

“Three million dollars is well within the Village’s [ability to pay}," Burton observed.

Perhaps complicating the analysis is the uncertainty of the cost of fire protection in the future.

Peterson said the next agreement faced "very challenging discussions" with the Woodstock Fire Protection District.

Partially because of the purchase of a farm on the west side of Route 47 and the north-south jag of Route 176, the twenty years of payments would be lower in the beginning and increase when that purchase is completed.

The financial advisor from Stern Brothers estimated the interest rate would be from 2.5 to 3%. Lakewood has a Triple A bond rating.

Village President Erin Smith framed the issue like this:

"If you believe we need a new Village Hall, [do you think it would be useful to have this background information]? If you think we don’t need one, are we a real grown up town or not?”

She pointed out that the current Village Hall does not have a place for juveniles. In one instance a family who had been victimized by teen walked right past him in the lobby of the Village Hall. A violation of state law is involved.

Separating victims of domestic violence from those accused thereof is also a problem caused by the lack of space.

Trustee Carl Davis asked where the $30-50,000 would come from.

Administrator Peterson said it could be obtained either from reserves or even from the current budget, whose current revenue is running higher than expected.

“We have to talk about how much we want to spend,” Trustee Jeff Iden said. “We haven’t been given any number of what we can afford.”

Specific questions were made of the various line items in the tentative budget.

“We have a duty to squeeze your margins,” Smith told the members of the consortium.

Haligus Road was selected as a way to start a “Town Center” of the future, as Lakewood grows to the west.

A “We are here in the Village of Lakewood and things are going on here” approach.

A letter arrived in the mail today from Erin Smith.

She is the Village President of Lakewood, where I live.

I wondered if she was announcing she is running for re-election, thinking that I hadn’t written a story about that and all of the incumbent trustees but John Burton’s decision to do the same.

But, not.

It was an endorsement letter for McHenry County Board candidate and Chairman Ken Koehler.

Koehler worked with Lakewood on the SportsPlex, so the endorsement didn’t surprise me.

You can see the letter below:

The endorsement letter of Ken Koehler from Lakewood Village President Erin Smith.

Smith relates how Koehler has worked closely with Lakewood “on a variety of issues. She notes the county’s sound financial standing as opposed to those of state government.

I found the following interesting:

“As some people criticize Ken’s influence at the county, state and federal level, it is important to keep in mind that his influence has grown based on trust and credibility. And there is only one way to establish credibility–you do what you said you were going to to. Ken established credibility with his fellow board members and other elected officials by accomplishing the things we defined as priorities.”

Interesting to see how Koehler is viewed by an elected official who has worked with him.

Here’s the palm card that was inside the envelope:

The Ken Koehler palm card that was enclosed in Erin Smith’s envelope.

Here’s the back of the Koehler palm card:

Click to enlarge so you can read the small print on the back of Ken Koehler’s palm card.