Trustees Make Quick Work of Village Agenda

Village of Glenview trustees met for just under 30 minutes Tuesday, June 21 ahead of a .

Before getting the warning at about 8 p.m., officials unanimously approved the application of state prevailing wage laws on local construction projects -- but not without some discussion.

According to a resolution, the law requires public entities establish prevailing wages for certain laborers, workers, and mechanics. The act requires that contractors and subcontractors pay workers covered under the law to be paid hourly cash wages plus fringe benefits set by the state department of labor. 

Administrative Services Director Amy Ahner said the village complies with the law every year and it "continues to have a negative impact on our budget. It's estimated that we may see costs increase for public works projects in the order of 10 to 30 percent," she added.

Village staff will prepare a more thorough analysis of additional costs to the 2012 budget project, Ahner said.

While trustees voiced their cooperation with the law, they had objections to the impact of the act on the budget.

Trustee Paul Detlefs said implementing the law for a previous tree planting project cost the village $50,000 more that it would have originally.

"I certainly understand it's our obligation to comply, but I'd certainly question whether this act is in the general public interest," Detlefs said, referring to a section of the resolution that stated, "WHEREAS, the corporate authorities have determined that it is in the public interest to comply with the mandates of the Prevailing Wage Act."

The other trustees agreed and the statement was changed to, "Whereas the corporate authority has determined the village is obligated to comply with the Prevailing Wage Act."

In other business, the trustees approved minor changes to stormwater ordinance in the village.

The original ordinance was passed in 2008, with modifications in 2010, and has been successful, but officials unanimously approved the following changes:

• Expansion of neighbor notification process - would give staff the ability to notify neighbors about any new project if the project is proposed in an area of known drainage issues, as determined by inspection and
• As-builts of substantial additions and all new single-family residences - would require of submittal of as-builts for additions adding 400 square feet or more of impervious surface or any new single-family residence.