South Cook News

Village of Flossmoor Board of Trustees met May 6

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:34 pm.  

Village Clerk LoGalbo took roll.  

PRESENT: Mayor Nelson, Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros 

ALSO PRESENT: Village Manager Bridget Wachtel; Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue; Fire Chief Bob Kopec; Acting Chief of Police Keith Taylor; Police Commander Tim Filkins; Director of Public Works John Brunke; Director of Building & Zoning Scott Bugner; Finance Director Ann Novoa; Community Engagement Manager Stephanie Wright; Assistant to the Village Manager/ Communications Manager Nicole Castagna; Village Attorney Kathi Orr; 130 community members, media, and others.  

Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order. She requested that everyone pause to recognize that May 6th is Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mayor Nelson also noted that May is Jewish American History Month and  that the Village appreciates all of the work that our Jewish neighbors and friends do to volunteer throughout  the Village all year long. She requested a moment of silence in commemoration of the six million Jewish people who died during the Holocaust.  

Mayor Nelson reminded everyone that the Village Board meeting was being streamed via Zoom for the convenience of those unable to attend the meeting in person. She noted that public comment on agenda and non-agenda items would be welcome at the beginning of the meeting agenda, and that public commenters who signed up to speak would be called from the list they signed in on. Mayor Nelson asked that speakers  observe the Village’s public comment policy of introducing themselves, acting with decorum, addressing  their comments to the public body and not directly to a member of staff, and limiting their comments to five minutes per person for a maximum of thirty minutes of public comment time. She noted that the room was packed and would try to get comment from as many additional speakers as possible in that time frame. 

Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board: 

Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board on an Agenda Item & Non-Agenda Item (It should be noted that in reporting these comments, the Village has not researched the accuracy of any  comments.):  

Flossmoor resident Belgee Faulkner’s comments, in summary, were regarding him being a fifteen-year resident of Polly Lane, his family’s residency in the Heather Hill neighborhood for forty-eight years, his experiences with flooding in the Heather Hill neighborhood and surrounding area, and that he understands  the desire to move forward with the Village’s plans for mitigation of same. He asserted that the number one goal should be the safety of children at all costs and was in favor of an underground detention basin. 

Flossmoor resident Pam Bartusiewicz’s comments, in summary, were regarding issues, damages, and expenses thatresidents and business owners have experienced in past floodings in the Village of Flossmoor. She discussed being a twenty-four-year resident and experiencing flooding related issues, negative experiences with insurance companies related to the same, the September 2019 heavy rain event in the Village of Flossmoor, and she implored the current Village Board to take action with flooding mitigation efforts.  

Flossmoor resident Saleem Siddiqui’s comments, in summary, were regarding him being a fifteen-year resident and the issue of the water detention basin being built in the Heather Hill neighborhood. He discussed the dangers of a water detention basin being built near a school, and studies that show that children are attracted to bodies of water, particularly children with developmental disabilities like autism. Siddiqui acknowledged that the Board wants to solve flooding issues in the Village, but that they have to  consider the risk of children dying if the basin is built.  

Flossmoor resident Lillie Lacey’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being a twenty-year resident  and that she was in favor of the water detention basin. She described watching children in the neighborhood having to wade in the water up to their knees and not knowing how to get home. She discussed how previous Village Boards did not take action, that Flossmoor has an inadequate sewer system, that she had overhead sewers that were still inadequate, and the continued flooding she has experienced in her basement and property. Lacey also discussed being empathetic for the safety of children, but that there would be safety protocols in place and that the parents’ property and well-being has to be considered, too.  

Flossmoor resident Joan Donahue’s comments, in summary, were regarding flooding on her property and other areas of Flossmoor, her gratefulness for the Village taking action with phase one of the flood mitigation projects, and that they need to move forward with phase two of the project. 

Flossmoor resident Donna Ramsey’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being a fifteen resident of the Heather Hill neighborhood, that she requested Mayor Nelson to meet with residents about the issue, which she did, and that the Village Board consider pursuing an underground detention basin for the flood  mitigation instead of the above-ground option for reasons such as the children, standing water, and the fence.  

Flossmoor resident Stephen Ramsey’s comments, in summary, were regarding him agreeing with his wife’s points, that no one wants to see their neighbors being flooded out or children being put at risk, and that there are better solutions that the Village Board should explore even if they cost more money. He encouraged a pause in the process for the Village and residents to pursue additional revenue sources for the higher cost, safer options. He noted that Flossmoor was 100 years old, and that the community should work together to find win-win solutions for all of those involved.  

Flossmoor resident Kevin O’Donnell’s comments, in summary, were regarding him being a forty-one-year resident of the Heather Hill neighborhood and being concerned for his young grandson, who attends Heather Hill School, if the water detention basin is built. O’Donnell noted that he is empathetic to residents who have experienced flooding and that there should be a middle ground with regard to the solutions. He noted that it is a real consideration that kids would climb/get around the fences at the detention basin and  that the Village Board should pursue other options, such as an underground detention basin and/or sending  water to the Leavitt Park detention basin.  

Flossmoor resident Amy Inlander’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being a resident for approximately seventy years, Holocaust Remembrance Day and what it means in the big picture of things, and what division can do to the world, country, and Village. She noted that the community should work together and never allow history to repeat itself in a negative way. Inlander noted that in regard to the flooding, everyone’s message is essentially the same about working together.  

Flossmoor resident Patrick Keating’s comments, in summary, were regarding him being a twenty-four year resident in the Heather Hill neighborhood and his personal experience with the September 2019 flooding in the Village. Keating noted that in looking at the flooding mitigation plans, it does not seem to make sense from a cost-benefit ratio. He thanked the Board and Mayor Nelson for taking a pause with regard to the plans and acknowledged that everyone has been doing their best to solve the flooding issues. Keating discussed some of the alternative options to deal with the flooding, and past decisions made by the Board with regard to the detention basin.  

Flossmoor business owner Maureen Mader’s comments, in summary, were regarding her owning Dunning’s Market and being a Flossmoor resident for many years before moving to another town with a  three-hour round-trip commute. She noted how she loves Flossmoor and moved Dunning’s Market to  Flossmoor in 2018, and then the flooding event happened in September 2019 which impacted the businesses  downtown. She noted her own conflicted opinions on the issues of the detention basin. Mader discussed  how her son has autism, that she was sensitive to the safety issues of the detention basin, and that the  railroad tracks would have been more of a safety issue for him than a fenced in detention basin. She  discussed how there is a preschool next to Leavitt Park’s detention basin, which does not have a fence, and  that the flooding issues are not an us versus them/ Heather Hill versus business owners issue. Mader  discussed how the Village Board is tasked with solving the issue, including choosing the most fiscally  responsible option, and that it would be very difficult to come up with another six million dollars when the  Village has not been able to get the money together for twenty years to solve the flooding issues.  

Flossmoor resident Norvelle Merrill’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being a seventeen-year resident of the Heather Hill neighborhood with consistent flooding issues on her property. She stated that  she fully supports the proposed flooding detention basin and discussed how when the ‘Cadillac solution’ is  not affordable one does what they can instead of doing nothing. Merrill noted how grant money expires and can be challenging to obtain. She also discussed how she is a mother, as is Mayor Nelson and likely  most women in the room, and that they all care about children, but detention areas do not stay full of water,  they may not have water on school days, and there is also the railroad tracks that children can run across.  She asserted that the Village Board should take action on behalf of the entire community, and that she was  appalled about racial politics being brought into the matter.  

Flossmoor resident Barbara Karstrom’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being thankful for the  Board revisiting options for water detention areas in the community, and that there needs to be a consensus 

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MINUTES OF MAYOR NELSON AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF  THE VILLAGE OF FLOSSMOOR, ILLINOIS HELD ON MAY 6, 2024 

VILLAGE HALL MAY 6, 2024 7:30 PM 

about solving the entire problem and flooding of all properties. She discussed the north conveyance option in comparison to the detention basin option, exploring the sources of the water flooding the viaduct and  addressing them, and the measured impact of the Berry Lane pavers to see if they have influenced the  viaduct water levels during heavy rains. Karstrom also commented on the fact that the Heather Hill neighborhood already has two water detention areas that have standing water and inquired whether they  have been developed to their maximum effectiveness. She showed photos to the Village Board that depicted  the creek between Kathleen Lane and Alexander Crescent that feeds into the Highland Park detention area  and asserted that the creek is completely blocked and full of debris. She requested that the Board increase  and improve the functionality of the existing detention areas and examine underground storage options.  

Flossmoor resident Crystal Clegget’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being a four-year resident, that her children attend Heather Hill school, and that children play on the grounds of the school, including in the marshy area. She noted that Flossmoor Baseball was also practicing on the school  grounds. Clegget commented on how there can be an inclusive solution for the community and not just  focus on one group of people or area. She questioned whether the detention basin would help the flooding  on other streets besides the Berry Lane area and requested that the Village look at alternative options. Clegget noted the concern for children’s safety with the detention basin, the constant strife and struggle with regard to the detention basin issue, and that the Village should have communicated better as she never  received a letter regarding the detention basin.  

Flossmoor resident Kate Thierry’s comments, in summary, were regarding her being an almost seven-year resident of the Heather Hill neighborhood, and that she was very nervous for the safety of her children and other children if the detention basin was built. She noted that she does not know if the detention basin will solve the flooding problem and that when she voted for a solution several years ago, she did not realize it was for a detention pond to be built behind her children’s school. Thierry discussed the loss of a friend’s relative who died in a drowning in a retention pond in Park Forest. She also noted that as a mental health professional, she could not imagine the conversation the community would be having if someone were to  pass.  

Flossmoor resident Jack Chan’s comments, in summary, were regarding him being a civil engineer, a  fourteen-year resident, and his support for the Heather Hill detention pond project. He discussed his support for detention pond areas in Flossmoor which actually needs more of them like newer communities have. Chan explained the need for the detention ponds to manage the stormwater runoff and prevent flooding and its associated risks. He also discussed the evaluation of whether to put a detention pond in a  location and balancing the risks associated with same, the Village taking an incremental step to address the flooding issues, and the increased costs of installing underground water storage. Chan also addressed the idea of conveyance and how, as a responsible community, we should manage the stormwater 

responsibly in a detention pond versus sending it downstream to our neighbors for them to deal with. He asked the village to address the concerns that have been expressed by residents, such as safety issues, and  said that there are certain designs that can be used to make the detention basin a safer facility. He also noted that it will be a dry bottom pond that will not hold water for a long time. 

Mayor Nelson thanked people for coming to the meeting and voicing their thoughts on the water detention  issue.  

Recognitions and Appointments:  

None.  

Mayor Nelson referred to the Consent Agenda (which encompassed Agenda Items 1-7):

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on April 15, 2024  

2. Presentation of Bills for Approval and Payment as Approved by the Finance Committee (May 6,   2024)  

3. Consideration of an Ordinance of the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois, Approving a Special   Use for a Before and After School Care and Tutoring Facility at 19509 Governor’s Highway  4. Consideration of an Agreement with Matthew O’Shea Consulting  

5. Consideration of an Agreement Renewal with Smith Dawson and Andrews  

6. Consideration of an Ordinance of the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois, Amending Chapter 103 of the Village of Flossmoor Municipal Code (Alcoholic Beverages – Bistro on Sterling) 

7. Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 23-24 for the Village of Flossmoor  

Mayor Nelson called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Trustee Mitros so moved,  seconded by Trustee Daggett.

Trustee Daggett requested that item #4 be pulled off of the Consent Agenda.  

Mayor Nelson called for a motion to approve items #1 - #3, and #5 - #7 of the Consent Agenda. Trustee Lofton so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll.  

Mayor Nelson called for a vote on Consent Agenda items #1 - #3, and #5- #7. Motion passed by a roll call vote.  

AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, and Mitros.  

ABSENT: Trustee Mustafa 

ABSTAIN: None  

NAYS: None  

Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #4 – Consideration of an Agreement with Matthew O’Shea Consulting. Mayor Nelson called for a motion for Approval of an Agreement with Matthew O’Shea  Consulting. Trustee Dagget so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll.  

Mayor Nelson called for a vote on Consent Agenda item #4. Motion passed by a roll call vote. AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, and Mitros.  

ABSENT: Trustee Mustafa 

ABSTAIN: None 

NAYS: None  

Trustee Daggett explained that since the Village was spending money to make money, he wanted to have a discussion about how the investment was going and the effectiveness of those efforts.  

Village Manager Bridget Wachtel stated that the Village has had a relationship with Matthew O’Shea Consulting since 2019 and the return on investment has been quite high. Since 2019, the Village has been able to obtain $2 million for capital improvements, $500,000.00 for the Flossmoor Road viaduct, another  $500,000.00 for viaduct improvements, $112,500.00 for roadway improvements that are going towards the Brumley Road reconstruction, $50,000.00 for infrastructure improvements, $37,000.00 remaining for the  Brookwood Bridge project which is completely funded by state grant monies, $25,000.00 for capital  infrastructure improvements, and most recently the Village was awarded $1.1 million ITEP Grant for the Central Business District improvements. She explained that the annual cost for O’Shea Consulting is about  $36,000.00 per year. Wachtel noted that without assistance from O’Shea Consulting, the Village would  likely not have been able to obtain as much grant funding. They have also helped position the Village’s  projects in front of various agencies so that they are aware of the Village’s infrastructure improvements, and they have helped make sure that the grant monies get re-appropriated every year in the State’s appropriation bill.  

Reports of Committees, Commissions and Boards:  

None.  

Action Items:  

Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #8 – Discussion of Adopting No Mow May. Mayor Nelson called for a motion to Adopt No Mow May. Trustee Daggett so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll.  

Mayor Nelson noted that Trustee Daggett brought the No Mow May initiative to the Board’s attention.  

Trustee Daggett explained that after he broached the subject, he was contacted by two Village residents, including a certified master gardener who shared information with him about the effectiveness of No Mow May. The determination was that No Mow May does not have a huge positive effect, and that there are plantings that could be more helpful for the environment. Trustee Daggett was in favor of the ‘slow mow May’ option.  

Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue presented on the No Mow May initiative. He explained that No Mow May started in the UK around 2019 with the goal of helping the pollinator population, providing  shelter for ground animals and birds, and reducing air and noise pollution. There are challenges that other Villages have gone through and which master gardeners have addressed. The Village reached out to experts  at the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Bogue noted some of the challenges,  such as mowing the longer grass, damage to the grass, only providing temporary food sources for the  pollinators (versus sustained food sources), only providing temporary animal shelter, and properties having the type of grass that would be impactful for the initiative. Bogue discussed some alternatives such  as No Mow until Mother’s Day, not ticketing residents for long grass, or Slow Mow May (mowing less  frequently). He explained that Homewood is the only community on the Southland Green Committee participating in No Mow May. Bogue presented recommendations from staff, including mowing grass less  frequently and alternative sustainable approaches to helping pollinators.  

Trustee Daggett opined that the Village should go with the No Mow until Mother’s Day option.  

Trustee Driscoll explained that his neighbors and other residents who contacted him were not in support  of a No Mow May initiative, but that he was okay with a No Mow until Mother’s Day option.  

Trustee Lofton opined that his HOA would say “no” to No Mow May, as well as a family member who is allergic to bees. He liked the option of plantings and short cut grass was sufficient.  

Trustee Mitros was in favor of ‘Mow May’ and that the Village should do nothing other than encourage  residents to plant flowers.  

Trustee Bradley-Scott opined that she enjoys seeing the green lawns, and that a No Mow May would be laborious on staff to keep track of the status of lawns and did not think that the Village should pursue it.  

After some discussion among the Board, Village Attorney Kathi Orr explained what the Village Board  would be voting on.  

Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as presented. Motion failed by a roll call vote.

AYES: None  

ABSENT: Trustee Mustafa 

ABSTAIN: None  

NAYS: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, and Mitros.  

Director of Building & Zoning Scott Bugner explained that the Village gives leeway with compliance to long grass, including a warning violation notice prior to ticket writing. It was clarified that notices that  begin this week would not receive a ticket until after Mother’s Day, which would accomplish the Board’s objective.  

Bogue noted that the Village would put out communication to the public regarding the Village’s policy.  

Discussion Items:  

Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #9 – Discussion of the Flossmoor Road Viaduct Project and Heather Hill Detention Basin.  

Mayor Nelson explained that over the past several weeks, she had heard comments from residents both for and against the proposed Heather Hill detention basin and that the purpose of it is to help mitigate decades long flooding in the Village. She noted the differences in opinions on how to solve the issue, including the 4-3 vote by the Board of Trustees at the April 15, 2024, meeting and that as a civil engineer, when presented with a problem like flooding that impacts the entire community, it is imperative to find a viable solution. She explained that as Mayor, she wants the majority, if not all, of the elected officials and decision-makers to be able to confidently stand behind that solution. The current solution, which was previously approved  by the Board, was recommended and designed by Baxter and Woodman Consulting engineers, and the plan is the second phase of the project that was substantially completed on Berry Lane in 2022. The phase includes the construction of a large-scale storm sewer that would run from the Flossmoor Road viaduct to the proposed Heather Hill detention basin. Mayor Nelson explained that the goal of the project is to alleviate flooding in the Berry Lane project area and the Village’s downtown area, home to public services  and businesses. While already approved and ready to go to bid, she was concerned that the project had a 4-3 vote during the last Village Board meeting when it previously had full support. She also heard from residents about the project and decided to pause the next steps of the project in order to investigate potential alternatives. If an alternative solution had more Board support, she wanted the Village to pursue that option. Without the Board’s majority consensus on the direction of the project, the project would not move  forward.  

Public Works Director John Brunke gave a presentation on the current project plans and three alternatives. He noted that in regard to the current plans, the detention basin should be dry approximately 99% of the time, filled with tall native grasses and plants and enclosed with secure fencing. The cost is approximately $7.8 million with nearly $4 million of it covered with grants already obtained. Brunke explained the protection levels and challenges with the current project. He discussed alternative number one, which was to direct staff to pursue $2.5 - $4.4 million to add underground storage to the proposed solution at Heather Hill Elementary School. Brunke explained the protection levels and challenges (i.e., additional funding, current grant monies, continued resident concerns) with alternative number one and noted that this option  would delay the project construction for at least another year.  

Brunke discussed alternative number two, which included considerations of sites that did not include the  Heather Hill Elementary School, such as underground storage at the South Commuter Lot or Flossmoor  Park with a pump station, estimated at $12 million. Brunke explained the protection levels and challenges (i.e. additional funding to build and maintain, less protection for Berry Lane project) with alternative number two. Option three would be to abandon the project and try to re-allocate already awarded grants. Engineering fees would be lost as well as potentially losing already awarded grant funds, and the flooding challenges would still remain. 

Village Manager Bridget Wachtel explained that all of the presented options had previously been identified and all cost more money, which the Village currently does not have covered. The Village would have to pursue additional grant funds to pursue any of the other presented alternative options which will take more  time and risk of the total project costing more. The second phase of street rehabilitation will be further delayed as well. Wachtel also addressed the issue of arbitrage in regard to the Village’s bond proceeds. Wachtel explained that the question before the Board was whether staff should continue as planned or  should staff pursue one of the alternative options in more detail.

Mayor Nelson noted that if the current project was delayed, other projects would be delayed as a result of same. She also posed questions to Brunke and Baxter & Woodman consulting engineer Matt Moffitt that  she had received from residents.  

Brunke explained that moving water to Leavitt Park was not an option since the water would be going way up hill from the viaduct, nor is it a big enough storage area. In regard to putting something in Highlands Park, that would require additional funding, and with it in a flood plain, it may not be a practical option. In regard to the blocked creek grates behind Alexander, that is private property where people dump material and where debris washes down. Public Works cleans the area several times per year, and they will clean it out again.  

Baxter & Woodman consulting engineer Matt Moffitt explained that in regard to not designing the Heather Hill detention basin for a one-hundred-year level storm, there is not enough room at the site to construct a detention basin large enough. Increasing the water flow via the north conveyance option would increase  the flood elevation at Butterfield Creek and cause additional flooding issues when there are already flooding issues for properties along that area. There would also be major permitting challenges if the Village chose to try and go that route. He also addressed the pursuit of a detention area at Flossmoor Country Club in relation to the north conveyance option and that the owners of the FCC did not want to participate in the project.  

Village Attorney Kathi Orr explained that the majority of the Flossmoor Country Club is not within the Village borders, so the Village has no right to try and condemn their property.  

Mayor Nelson noted that she approached the Flossmoor Country Club three times, including with incentives, for them to consider a detention area on their property. They declined to participate, which is  their right as private business owners.  

Mayor Nelson solicited the Board’s feedback and questions about the Flossmoor Road Viaduct Project and Heather Hill detention basin. 

Trustee Driscoll commented on residents' past complaints about flooding and asked various questions,such as an explanation of some of the terminology being used, the current proposed project at Heather Hill, and whether there could be a referendum for additional funding. 

Matt Moffitt explained that a detention pond is a dry bottom facility where water comes in, is detained, and  then goes away. A retention pond is a wet bottom facility where the water comes in and stays in the basin. The proposed Heather Hill project is a dry bottom detention basin where the water will drain down within  nine hours after a major flooding event. Moffitt also commented on the amount of grant sources and support that the Village obtained, the likes of which he had never seen before. In his opinion, because the Village has been so successful with grant funds to date, he thinks that the Village would have a more challenging time trying to obtain more grant funds.  

Brunke noted that water remains in Leavitt Park for about one day after a large rain event.

Village Attorney Kathi Orr addressed the issue of pursuing a referendum for additional funding for additional projects.  

Mayor Nelson noted a recent news story about uncontrolled flooding in Texas where a child was swept away. She asked Moffitt to explain the difference between uncontrolled flooding and controlled flooding.  

Moffitt explained that the flooding mitigation project is not creating flooding – the purpose is to take the Village’s uncontrolled flooding and move it to a more controlled location. The uncontrolled flooding is at  the viaduct which is a major thoroughfare and business district, and is a significant safety concern. The Fire Department has publicly commented on how they have had to rescue people multiple times from the viaduct when there was flooding. Moving the water underground would be even safer, but it is also more expensive and would require money that the Village does not currently have. 

Trustee Lofton noted that he lives in area with three retention ponds that are full of water and one detention pond that he has never seen water in. Based on the voices he heard at the Village Board meeting, he understood that the Board needs to manage something for the Village as a whole to stop the flooding.  

Trustee Mitros noted the borrowing component of the project, past discussions of different options that  were not feasible, and opined on the the proposed option in Heather Hill as being one of the best options. He also opined on the alternatives. He discussed how the Village will continue to mitigate flooding in other areas of the Village whether the proposed project goes forward or not.  

Trustee Bradley-Scott noted that some of the residents said it best with how the Board wants to make the right decision for all the residents, not just one group and that the Board is trying to choose the best solution for all of Flossmoor. She also noted that the Board understands that time is of the essence and that there are constraints on the funding of the project. Trustee Bradley-Scott discussed some of the previous options that were discussed, the limitations of the same, and that the Heather Hill Elementary School area was not  the area of focus when they started the discussion of the project. She noted that she has heard from a lot of residents about how the Village Board arrived at the current project. She inquired whether there is a plan that could eliminate all flooding at the viaduct, what the proposed protections would provide, and the additional costs and funding for the alternative projects, including a possible referendum.  

Moffitt explained that there is no feasible option that would eliminate all flooding at the viaduct for a one hundred-year event with the alternatives considered and the state of the viaduct with different levels of flood water and protections.  

Mayor Nelson noted that staff put together information about previous storms that over the last 4.5 years, the Village has had eight 1–2-year storm events, three 2–10-year storm events, and one 44-year storm event.

Wachtel discussed the previous referendum initiative and the impact of the 2019 flooding on the scope of the referendum. She noted that staff would have to take a closer look at whether additional borrowing via referendum would be possible and what the impact to residents’ tax bills would look like. 

Trustee Daggett inquired about the engineering terminology for the storm events, inquired about  alternatives for the current plans and their protection levels, the possibility of a taller fence for the Heather Hill Elementary School, and the challenges of maintaining businesses in the downtown area if the flooding is not addressed.  

Moffitt explained that a ten-year storm would have a 10% chance of the storm happening in a given year, and a one-year flood has a 100% chance of happening in a given year.  

The Board discussed the option of building a taller fence and obtaining a variance for the same while  moving forward with the Heather Hill detention basin.  

Mayor Nelson discussed the previous 6-0 Board vote in favor of the detention basin project, related expenses and efforts undertaken thus far, and asked the Board of Trustees whether they were willing to  postpone the project and the associated risks.  

Trustee Bradley-Scott did not agree with how Mayor Nelson phrased the question to the Board, noted that  more discovery was available for the Board to review later and that the Board previously agreed to work on mitigating the flooding issue and not specifically addressed those efforts to involve the Heather Hill  detention basin.  

Trustees Lofton, Mitros, Dagget, and Driscoll were not in favor of postponing the project.  

Mayor Nelson requested that staff proceed with the project along with the direction of looking into additional fencing options.  

Other Business:  

Trustee Daggett made a statement to address accusations made in different forums about his character and  commitment to the community, the impact of the accusations on him and his family, and his assertion that he is not a racist.  

Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #10 – A Motion to go into Executive Session to Discuss the Employment of Specific Individuals, Property Acquisition and Litigation. Mayor Nelson called for a motion to go into Executive Session to Discuss the Employment of Specific Individuals. Trustee Daggett so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll and passed by a roll call vote.  

AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, and Mitros. 

ABSENT: Trustee Mustafa

ABSTAIN: None  

NAYS: None  

The Board entered executive session at 10:03 p.m.  

The Board returned to open session at 10:55 p.m.  

As there were no other items to discuss, Mayor Nelson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Mitros so moved, seconded by Trustee Lofton and passed by a voice vote.  

AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, and Mitros.  

ABSENT: Trustee Mustafa 

ABSTAIN: None  

NAYS: None 

The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 10:56 p.m.

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