Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 5:30pm
 
AGENDA

1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker
4. Approval of Bills
5. Reports

1. Supervisor
2. Trustees
3. Assessor's Office
4. Community Service Committee
5. Road & Bridge Committee

1. Old Business
2. New Business

1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of March 14, 2024
2. Approval of FY2024 Tentative Budget & Appropriation Ordinance
3. Appointment of Trustees to Arden Shores North Fire Protection District
4. Appointment of Trustees to Arden Shores South Fire Protection District

1. Executive Session
2. Adjournment

 
 
Serving our communities since 1850

​Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Special Meeting of the Roads Commission Committee  
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10:00a.m.
 
 
AGENDA

1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Approval of October 19, 2023 Roads Committee Meeting Minutes
3. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker
4. Comments from the Supervisor
5. New Business

1. Discussion & Recommendation of overgrowth on Right of Way
2. Discussion & Recommendation Forest View Paving & Drainage
3. Discussion & Recommendation Juneway Terrace Drainage
4. Foster Avenue Drainage Culvert Pipe Collapse

1. Old Business

1. Update on Plow Truck
2. Update on Starbucks
3. Update on Camera System for Road District Building

1. Non-Agenda Items
2. Adjournment 

 
 
 
 
Serving our communities since 1850

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Annual Meeting of the Township of Shields
Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Election & Oath of Office for Moderator
4. Approval of Annual Town Meeting Agenda
5. Public Comment
6. Acceptance of Minutes of 2023 Annual Town Meeting
7. Presentation of Supervisor’s Annual Financial Report
8. Certification of Accounts by Trustees
9. Resolution to Delegate Authority to Town Board to Purchase, Sell, and Lease Property
10. Resolution to Set Hour of Special Town Meetings for 6:30 p.m.
11. Resolution to Set Hour for Next Annual Town Meeting for 6:30 p.m.
12. Adjournment 

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Notice of Rescheduled Meeting of Shields Township Board of Trustees

Notice is hereby given that a Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees scheduled for Thursday, March 21, 2024, has been rescheduled. The Township Board will convene on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., at the Shields Township Offices, 906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, for the purpose of considering the following agenda:
​
AGENDA

1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker
4. Approval of Bills
5. Reports

1. Supervisor
2. Trustees
3. Assessor's Office
4. Community Service Committee
5. Road & Bridge Committee

1. Old Business
2. New Business

1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of February 15, 2024
2. Approval of Annual Town Meeting
3. Consideration of Paid Leave for All Workers Act Implementation
4. Discussion of Arden Shores North and South Fire Protection Districts

1. Executive Session
2. Adjournment

 
Serving our communities since 1850

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
 
Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees
Thursday March 14th, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
STATE OF ILLINOIS  )
LAKE COUNTY          )           ss.
TOWN OF SHIELDS  )
 
THE TOWN BOARD OF SHIELDS TOWNSHIP held its Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday March 14th, 2024, at 5:30 pm.
 
PRESENT:
Vanessa Grum                       Clerk
Jeff Urso                                 Supervisor
Michael Machnicki               Town Trustee
David Weil                              Town Trustee (Joined meeting at 5:53 PM)
Brady Andersen                     Town Trustee
 
ABSENT:
Matt Garrity                             Town Trustee
Lisette Rothing                        Deputy Clerk
 
 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call: Supervisor Urso called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance: Supervisor Urso led the meeting with the pledge of Allegiance at 5:31 pm.
3. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker: None.
4. Approval of Bills:
   1. Town Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the town fund for $53,181.64. Trustee Machnicki motioned to approve, and Trustee Andersen seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
   2. GA Fund: None.
   3. Road & Bridge Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the Road and Bridge fund for $6,017.81. Trustee Machnicki motioned to approve, and Trustee Andersen seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
5. Reports:
   1. Supervisor: Supervisor Urso addressed the allegation of Ben Miller who asserted that a crime was committed by illegally dumping in Lake Bluff Open Lands. Supervisor Urso stated that he drove out there to check and determined the chip clippings were not blocking any entrances. Supervisor Urso stated that Mr. Miller has cost the taxpayers a lot of money via FOIA requests. Supervisor Urso stated that he has begun a review process to check on our partnership moving forward with Lake Bluff Open Lands including the property referred to as Lake Geneveive and will follow up over the next few months. Supervisor Urso invited up Mr. Dan Rogers and asked him if it is common practice to put chip clippings by Lake Geneveive. He asked Mr. Rogers if, to his knowledge, has Rob or anyone but yourself put anything on this property. Mr. Rogers responded by explaining that Roger’s Nursery has never dumped anything at Lake Geneveive and that he is very upset to be accused of a crime. The chip clippings were dumped up there to be used for patchwork. Mr. Miller asked if he may respond, and Supervisor Urso reminded him that the public comment section of the meeting has now closed.
   2. Trustees: No report.
   3. Assessor's Office: No report.
   4. Community Service Committee: No report.
   5. Road & Bridge Committee: Mr. Dan Rogers gave a report stating that he recently dealt with a water main break that was taken care of. He is working with an engineering firm to mitigate flooding long term and will put together a plan and report to share with the board. The paving proposal is currently being developed for Forestview.
6. Old Business: None.
7. New Business: Supervisor Urso motions to move agenda item D from New Business up to be discussed first. Trustee Machnicki seconds the motion and all approve.
   1. Discussion of Arden Shores North and South Fire Protection Districts: This was moved up to item “a” from item “d”. Supervisor Urso explains that our board is in charge of appointing board of trustees for these districts and that this has been missed over the last 30 years. He thanks the people who have done this work during that time. Supervisor Urso states that the Shields Township Board of Trustees will begin a process to appoint someone to these roles and will take experience into consideration. This opportunity will be put on website and information will be sent in the mail. Supervisor Urso states that the goal of the Shields Township Board is for next month’s meeting to appoint someone to this role. One person will be appointed at 3, 2, and one year so every year moving forward we will appoint another person so there is overlap and consistency to allow for a learning curve. Jeff suggests consolidating the North and South Fire Protection Districts. More discussion ensued regarding the consolidation process:
      1. This idea would be put on a referendum in November to consolidate districts
      2. Attorney Kimzey (via phone)– states there could be negotiations prior to the decision happening.
      3. Supervisor Urso invites gentlemen present (Walt Sloan and Bill Nordeen) to speak on this issue:
         1. It is Supervisor Urso’s opinion that PETEL should not apply to paper districts. Walt Sloan, attorney explains there would be another referendum needed to increase taxes. He explains that it could be put on the November ballet to raise your tax above 5% than what it currently is at – it would be a percentage and there is a limit.
         2. Carl Kitzerow shared another option; if the district was dissolved and merged, would they automatically have to go with that tax rate? The answer from the attorney is yes. The township will do what they can to get the questions answered that they have.
         3. Carl and Jeff can plan a meeting with Sloan and Nordeen to assist with the process.
         4. Bill Nordeen asked if the attorney would help with the process. Supervisor Urso clarifies that they could not have him do the work, but if they did the paperwork, he could help approve and guide them.
         5. Supervisor Urso reiterates that the first step will be to appoint who is on the board during next month’s Shields Township Board of Trustees Meeting. He states that current board members need to apply and express interest.
   2. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of February 15, 2024:  Supervisor Urso moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of February 15th, 2024. Trustee Machnicki motioned to approve, and Trustee Andersen seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
   3. Approval of Annual Town Meeting: Supervisor Urso explains that the second Tuesday of April (the 9th) at 6:30, we will hold a Town Meeting. The attorney is happy to answer questions about the agenda.  Vanessa Grum, The Shields township Clerk, will have to be present. Trustee Machnicki motions to approve The Annual Town Meeting, Trustee Andersen seconded the motion and Clerk Grum took roll call. All approved.
   4. Consideration of Paid Leave for All Workers Act Implementation: January 1st, 2024, the state of Illinois passed a law across all businesses that for all 40 hours worked, you get 1 hour paid time off up to 40 hours. If they already offer paid time off, we can absorb. We have two options in the packet:
      1. Option 1: Amended vacation policy reducing by one week – nothing changes for the staff, but they just label one of the weeks that already had as vacation time.
      2. Option 2: For those that did not have time off which includes temporary staff members, we now have to give it to them.
      3. Supervisor Urso moves to approve both. Trustee Andersen motions to approve and Trustee Machnicki seconds the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
8. Executive Session: None.
9. Adjournment: Supervisor Urso moves to adjorn the meeting. Trustee Weil motions to adjourn the meeting and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 5:57 pm.

 

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees
Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 5:30pm
AGENDA

1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker
4. Approval of Bills
5. Reports

1. Supervisor
2. Trustees
3. Assessor's Office
4. Community Service Committee
5. Road & Bridge Committee

1. Old Business
2. New Business

1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of January 18, 2024
2. Consideration of Staff Compensation

1. Office Staff
2. Road Staff

1. Consideration of Private Road at 500 block of Quassey Avenue in Knollwood

1. Executive Session
2. Adjournment

Serving our communities since 1850

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
 
Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees
Thursday February 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
STATE OF ILLINOIS  )
LAKE COUNTY          )           ss.
TOWN OF SHIELDS  )
 
THE TOWN BOARD OF SHIELDS TOWNSHIP held its Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday February 15, 2024 at 5:30 pm.
 
PRESENT:
Jeff Urso                                 Supervisor
Lisette Rothing                        Deputy Clerk
Brady Andersen                      Town Trustee
Michael Machnicki                  Town Trustee
David Weil                               Town Trustee
Matt Garrity                             Town Trustee
ABSENT:
Vanessa Grum                       Clerk
 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call - Supervisor Urso called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance - Supervisor Urso led the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 5:30 pm.
3. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker:

1. Janice Schnobrich – For the last 28 years of attending Shields Township meetings, Mrs. Schnobrich has found its leadership to be lacking in concern for its constituents. In recent years, she thinks there is a lack of ability to collect, file and store critical documents. However, believed its leadership has found a way to fund employees’ IMRF accounts monthly. Records seem to have been lost or destroyed by those managing the Township. Mrs. Schnobrich says the taxpayers have had to pay for the incompetence when the Township should protect the people’s tax dollars. In the very least, the situation seems disturbing. Mrs. Schnobrich said It appeared that managers of Shields Township have been operating outside of the laws.
2. Constantina Dina Papas – Said her family has been in Shields Township for over 50 years and they are the owners of Gus’ Grill. They keep hearing from other businesses and neighbors around them that there are plans in the works for Starbucks to change their parking lot and layout of their drive-thru. She believes if there are any plans in place, the families and business owners surrounding the property should be notified. She would like more transparency from the Township. Mrs. Papas realizes Starbucks was built in an area that does not quite fit so she understands if things need to be changed, however she does not want to be in the dark during the process.
3. Ben Miller – Said he is a Shields Township resident and works for Open Lands. Mr. Miller believes that residential yard waste is being illegally dumped into Lake Geneve by Mr. Rogers. Mr. Miller shows a picture of the area to the Board of Trustees and lets them know that the pile of wood chips in the picture needs to be addressed. Mr. Miller thinks Shields Township should call the Sherrif so that all parties involved are held accountable.
4. Alderman Carl Evans – Said he is extremely concerned by the amount of FOIA’s being directed towards the Township by the same people. These FOIA’s are costing the Township thousands of dollars in legal fees. The money that is being spent could be used somewhere else to benefit our community. Alderman Evans begs everyone to please try and start working with the Township instead of going against them. He stated that FOIA’s are not a joke or a game, there are real legitimate situations going on.
5. Rachel Rubino – Said she is the store manager of Walgreens. She is also hearing through neighboring businesses that there may be plans in the works to reconstruct the parking lot and layout of the Starbucks drive-thru. She would like to know what’s going on and is curious to hear about the construction plans if there are any.
6. Stephanie Victor – Stated that she is a Shields Township resident with a few concerns about the website and the Lease. Mrs. Victor wanted to know why video content has not been posted to the website and lets the Board know that there were a few errors that needed to be corrected on the website as well. Mrs. Victor also addressed the fact that she came to the Board a few months back with concerns about the Shields Township Lease and found the CAM (Common Area Maintenance) fees to be high. She asked the Township if they could provide her with a current lease.  

1. Approval of Bills
   1. Town Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the Town Fund for $14,488.03. Trustee Machnicki motioned to approve and Trustee Garrity seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Rothing took roll call. All trustees were in favor and the motion passed.
   2. GA Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the General Assistance Fund for $358.84. Trustee Weil motioned to approve and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Rothing took roll call. All trustees were in favor and the motion passed.
   3. Road & Bridge Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the Road and Bridge Fund for $24,764.43. Trustee Machnicki motioned to approve and Trustee Anderson seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Rothing took roll call. All trustees were in favor and the motion passed.
2. Reports
   1. Supervisor – Supervisor Urso immediately addressed all resident concerns. First, he stated that he appreciated pointing out the errors on the website and they will get corrected immediately. We are also looking into finding a more current lease and if it’s something that we need to update in the near future we can look into doing that. As for the recorded meetings, Supervisor Urso has kindly asked the Community Services Committee to recommend to the Board new video equipment to record the meetings. The Board has not gotten that recommendation, but the committee has decided to record with the equipment they already had. Supervisor Urso was told a copy of the video would be sent to the staff to upload to the website and that has yet to be provided. Supervisor Urso addressed the Starbucks reconstruction concern and let all parties know that there are different agencies talking and working together to come up with a plan. Ultimately, all those plans will go through Lake County Building and Zoning. The Township does not have any say in making changes and plans of that nature. Once plans have been submitted to us then we can keep everyone aware, but right now nothing is set in stone.  Mrs. Papas of Gus’ Grill jumped in and stated that she has major concerns that a new layout will create more traffic and water mitigation problems in that area. Supervisor Urso continued his report and goes on to talk about the concern for hourly and salaried employees and whether they are required to punch in and out. He stated hourly employees punch in and out on a time clock or use timecards. Salaried employees work fixed schedules and record their time off. He reassures everyone that these practices are commonly used and lawful. Finally, Supervisor Urso addressed the number of FOIAs that keep getting submitted to the office. These FOIA’s are generally from the same people and some of which are on our committees. In January alone, the Township incurred over $10,850 in legal fees to respond to these FOIA’s. We would like to keep these bills down so that we can use the money elsewhere to help with other issues in our community. All Trustees were shocked to hear this news. Trustee Weil put into perspective how much money would be spent if we continued this process and it would not be good.    
   2. Trustees - None
   3. Assessor's Office - None
   4. Community Service Committee - None
   5. Road & Bridge Committee - None
3. Old Business - None
4. New Business
   1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of January 18, 2024 - Trustee Weil motioned to approve and Trustee Anderson seconded the motion. Deputy Clerk Rothing took roll call. All trustees were in favor and the motion passed.
   2. Consideration of Staff Compensation – Supervisor Urso double checked the Department of Labor website and found that the current COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) rate of 3.1% would be an appropriate CPI raise for all Shields Township employees.

1. Office Staff – Supervisor Urso seeks a motion to increase the office staff salary 3.1% starting March 1, 2024 which starts the next fiscal year. Trustee Garrity motioned to approve, and Trustee Anderson seconded the motion. All trustees were in favor and motion carried.
2. Road Staff - Supervisor Urso seeks a motion to increase the road staff salary 3.1% starting March 1, 2024 which starts the next fiscal year. Trustee Garrity motioned to approve, and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. All trustees were in favor and motion carried.
   1. Consideration of Private Road at 500 block of Quassey Avenue in Knollwood – Supervisor Urso talked about Shields Township taking over the private road at the end of Quassey Avenue but feels we are unable to do so just yet because the road was not paved to the specs that were given. Supervisor Urso calls up the owners of the paving company from Mundelein IL. to explain why the specs have not been met. They have an additional person on the phone named Tony who is the one who did the work. Tony stated that they were aware of the core sample and despite that they were willing to back up their work for at least 7 years. Tony put 4 inches of binder and 4 inches of asphalt and is sure the road will maintain. The asphalt company checked the road in 3 different spots and believed they had a good base. While the base was 8 inches it should have been 12 inches according to the specs that were given by Shields Township Roads Representative. The asphalt binder should have also been thicker. The Paving company assured Shields that the base was rolled all day long before any asphalt was put down. Office Staff Carl Kitzerow reads a letter on behalf of Dan Rogers, the road representative, and it stated that there will be serious ramifications if the road fails and we would have to redo the whole thing. None of the conditions were met. Supervisor Urso reiterates that the specs were given ahead of time and none of the needs were met. He stated Mr. Merrit is a good man trying to improve our community and thanked him for everything he does. Since Mr. Merrit deals with sports and Supervisor Urso runs sports bars, Supervisor Urso must recuse himself from the decision to take over the road as it is a conflict of interest.  Supervisor Urso turns to Trustee Machnicki and Trustee Weil for their opinions on the matter since they also work in contracting, construction and restoration. Trustee Weil thinks it would be a good Idea to get a second opinion on the core sample and Trustee Garrity chimed in and said the Burden of Proof is necessary and would be very good for this case. If they can get core samples from another company to present to the Board that would be ideal. (A lot of discussion ensued). The Board consensus is to deny the current core samples and get a second opinion. Mr. Merrit asked the Board what the consequence would be if another core sample was taken. Supervisor Urso stated that if the core sample comes back and follows the specs given by Shields Township in the first place, then we can accept the road. If this does not get handled properly and meet the specs, then it ultimately stays a private road. All trustees agree to get the second opinion before making any final decisions.

1. Executive Session - None
2. Adjournment – Supervisor Urso Adjourned the meeting at 6:19p.m.

 
Serving our communities since 1850

​Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
 
Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees
Thursday January 18, 2024, at 5:30p.m.
 
AGENDA
 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of Bills
4. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker
5. Reports

1. Supervisor
2. Trustees
3. Assessor's Office
4. Community Service Committee
5. Road & Bridge Committee

1. New Business

1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2023
2. Approval of Decennial Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2023
3. Ratification of Contract with GRA Accounting, Auditing & Consulting for 2023-2024

1. Old Business
2. Executive Session
3. Adjournment

 
 
 
 
Serving our communities since 1850

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
 
Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Board of Trustees
Thursday January 18th, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
STATE OF ILLINOIS  )
LAKE COUNTY          )           ss.
TOWN OF SHIELDS  )
 
THE TOWN BOARD OF SHIELDS TOWNSHIP held its Regular Monthly Meeting on Thursday January 18th, 2024 at 5:30 pm.
 
PRESENT:
                        Lisette Rothing                        Deputy Clerk
                        Vanessa Grum                       Clerk
Jeff Urso                                 Supervisor
Michael Machnicki                  Town Trustee
David Weil                               Town Trustee
Brady Andersen                      Town Trustee
 
ABSENT:
Matt Garrity                             Town Trustee
                       
 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call: Supervisor Urso called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance: Supervisor Urso led the meeting with the pledge of Allegiance at 5:30 pm.
3. Approval of Bills:
   1. Town Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the town fund for $72,240.64. Trustee Weil motioned to approve and Trustee Andersen seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
   2. GA Fund: None.
   3. Road & Bridge Fund: Supervisor Urso moved to approve the Road and Bridge fund for $15,990.56. Trustee Andersen motioned to approve and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
4. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker:
   1. Heather Meyers: Heather asked the board if they can explain the amended decorum rules for township board and committee meetings. Supervisor Urso responded that during public comment, no questions can be asked.
   2. Janice Schnobrich: Janice stated that she is getting tired of hearing about how we do not keep records of full-time employees. She has researched what other townships do and is going to go for a legal opinion next. Janice included a chart of all 18 Lake County Township offices researched with information including the town population, the number of hours the township office is open, the amount of full time and part time employees, the budget, and the procedure the township uses for monitoring time on the job.
   3. Scott Lilja: Scott lives in the Bayshore neighborhood. He wanted to come to the board regarding the property donation that was accepted during the November meeting last year. He presented a map showing what the property is. The other neighbors are in agreement that they don't want it to be public property because of privacy concerns. The property has been listed since 2016 and he attempted to buy the property and the broker was not able to contact the owner. He is wondering if there is any way to get it from the township. The property he is referring to is called Lake Genevieve. Scott states that himself and his neighbors agree that they want to make sure open lands isn’t going to take it over. Carl Kitzerow tells him to call the office to talk about option. Scott agrees and also states that part of the property is his backyard that he has been maintaining.
5. Reports:
   1. Supervisor: Supervisor Urso thanks Clerk Grum and trustee Machnicki for representing the township at the MLK event on Monday. He thank the Roads Team and TGF for dealing with the snow throughout town. He states that the speed humps were intact and the roads guys were pleasantly surprised with how well the snow removal went in regards to the speed humps.
   2. Trustees: No report.
   3. Assessor's Office: No report.
   4. Community Service Committee: No report.
   5. Road & Bridge Committee: Supervisor Urso explains that next month this committee is going to discuss a part of Quassey Ave. which was improved and make a recommendation to take it to the board.
6. New Business:
   1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of December 14th, 2023: Trustee Weil motioned to approve and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
   2. Approval of Decennial Committee Meeting Minutes of December 14th, 2023: Trustee Weil motioned to approve and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
   3. Ratification of Contract with GRA Accounting, Auditing & Consulting for 2023-2024: Trustee Machnicki motioned to ratify the contract for GRA not to exceed $8,800 and Trustee Andersen seconded the motion. Clerk Grum took roll call. All trustees were in favor and motion passed.
7. Old Business: None.
8. Executive Session: None.
9. Adjournment: Supervisor Urso moves to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Weil motions to adjourn the meeting and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 5:44 pm.

 
 
 Serving our communities since 1850
 

Shields Township
 
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
 
Notice of Rescheduled Meeting of
Shields Township Decennial Committee
 
Notice is hereby given that a Regular Meeting of the Shields Township Decennial Committee scheduled for Thursday, December 21, 2023, has been rescheduled. The Decennial Committee will convene on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 6:00p.m. at the Shields Township Offices, 906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044, for the purpose of considering the following agenda:
 
 
AGENDA
 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

 

1. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker

 

1. Review of Shields Township Social Service Grants

 

1. Discussion of Shields Township Social Service Grants

 

1. Survey of Residents in Attendance

 

1. Other Business

 

1. Adjournment

 
 

Serving our communities since 1850

Shields Township
906 W. Muir Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Decennial Committee Meeting of the Shields Township
Thursday December 14, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
STATE OF ILLINOIS  )
LAKE COUNTY          )           ss.
TOWN OF SHIELDS  )
 
THE TOWN BOARD OF SHIELDS TOWNSHIP held its Decennial Committee Meeting on Thursday December 14th, 2023 at 6:00 pm which was originally scheduled for Thursday, December 21, 2023.
PRESENT
           
Lisette Rothing                        Deputy Clerk
Vanessa Grum                       Clerk
Jeff Urso                                 Supervisor
Michael Machnicki                  Town Trustee
David Weil                               Town Trustee
Carl Kitzerow                          Committee Person
Kathy Blahunka                      Committee Person
 
ABSENT
           
Matt Garrity                             Town Trustee
Brady Andersen                      Town Trustee
Carl Evans                              Committee Person
 

1. Call to Order & Roll Call: Supervisor Urso called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
2. Public Comment – Three (3) minutes per speaker: There was no public comment.
3. Review & Discussion of Shields Township Social Service Grants: Supervisor Urso spoke about the following:
   1. Waukegan Township Center – Supervisor Jones presented and we are partnering with him for the use of the Senior Center for North Chicago residents of Shields Township.
   2. Dickenson Hall
   3. Mother’s Trust Foundation
   4. IGA with Waukegan changed our spending from $70,000 to $20,000; We used to spend the higher amount on a specific person’s salary and since we made this agreement, we now spend less. Supervisor Urso recognized Kathy Blahunka and Janice Schnobrich for doing the work to get this partnership going.
   5. Trustee Weil inquired about how the status of the snow removal assistance program. Deputy Clerk Rothing explained that this program is available to Shields Township residents over 65 who qualify under a certain income level. We have cleaned up the rules for this and we have gotten many applicants approved for this service. A possible next step would be to do this for grass cutting with similar criteria for same type of assistance. Trustee Weil commented that with global warming, maybe we won’t see so much snow.
   6. Supervisor Urso checked in with Deputy Clerk Rothing regarding the committee of efficiency and working with Waukegan township. Rothing stated that Shields Township has a great relationship with those at Waukegan Township and they have daily communications with social workers there so we can understand what they are providing for their residents.
   7. Supervisor Urso commented on some good 2024 goals:
      1. We should have a true packet with resources available to people who come through our doors here at Shields Township.
      2. Social services and food pantry information are all updated and put on the website.
      3. We should provide information on substance abuse support services.
      4. Clerk Grum added that we should consider translating pamphlets and/or making sure residents are able to access translation services.

 

1. Survey of Residents in Attendance: None.

 

1. Other Business: None.

 

1. Adjournment: Trustee Weil made the motion to adjourn and Trustee Machnicki seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 6:19 pm.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Serving our communities since 1850