Monthly Meeting Minutes

GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 8, 2021
The regular meeting was called to order by Supervisor Murday at 7:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
In attendance were Trustees Newton, Standish, Wagner, Dietz, Supervisor Murday, Commissioner Hilliard, Assessor Bushong, & Clerk Coffey.
Trustee Dietz had a question regarding minutes prior to approving. Process explanation was given.
There was a motion to approve the minutes as submitted from the regular meeting held Feb. 8, 2021 by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Standish. Voice vote: Motion carried.
PLANNING COMMISSION
● Approval of Jim Wayman as Planning Chair & add Mark Sarkisian to PC. Both gentlemen in attendance, and happy to serve their community. Brings the PC to 5 members, including the Chair.
● There was a motion to name Jim Wayman as Chair & add Mark Sarkisian as member by Trustee Standish with a second by Trustee Dietz. Voice vote: Motion carried.
Murday reporting
● 40 acre parcel subdividing into 2.5 acre lots, was to meet, miscommunication, did not happen. Will find out more.
● Company using Gateway name looking to put Mobile Home Park south of Steger east of 45. Matter on Land Use pre-application agenda in WC. Dietz monitoring, if it were to go forward would need Map Amendment & Special Use Permit. Existing Gateway has own water & tap into Frankfort sewer. Frankfort can bring sewer south of Steger but states if they supply infrastructure, they will require pre-annexation agreement. Frankfort’s Ordinance states if there is a pre-annexation agreement with us, must comply with building codes & specifications. Conflict there with density of MHP. Frankfort to keep us in loop. County directed developer to contact GG. Gateway property manager contacted, heard someone was using their name, Gateway has no involvement with property south of Steger and does not know who is approaching
County, thinks someone is using the name, asked that we let her know if we find out. County & Village think it is “Gateway”.
● Spoke with attorney of applicant (Manhattan-Monee) requesting SUP for Industrial Use on AG zoned property. Told them they have to come before PC & Board, and comply with requirements (publish in Vedette, post placards, public hearing etc). Time frame looks like heard in May, our position advisory, hope County will take our advice, but County has final say. Becker: Will Parker go to County P&Z then PC? Murday: No, hearing for County subsequent to hearing in Twp.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
Past Operations
● Cold patched & spray patched roads (more maintenance after snow)
● 12 loads stone (Est 168 tons) hauled & spread throughout township
● Dragged all gravel roads, too early to grade
● 3 snow events - Feb. 8, Mar. 8, total 13.4” Season total 39.8” higher than normal
● In house truck & equipment repair
● Replace axle on plow truck, brake chamber replaced, 2 lights & serpentine belt for 6405, various plow maintenance
● Updated equipment list for Will County EMA (qualifies us for reimbursement if used in an Emergency via FEMA)
● Replace 2 signs
● Added “No Outlet” sign on Majestic Dr. (requested, MapQuest says road goes through)
● 1 mailbox post replaced
● Restocked salt supply
Present Operations
● Spray patched tar & chip roads
● Plow damage clean up throughout township
● Employee handbook
● Jones repair, 1 truck fuel delivery problem
● Preventive maintenance trucks, wing bolts x 2, leaking plow cylinders
● Remodeling office
Future Operations
● Widen box culvert on 104th
● Hard surface roads planned for 2021 - Pauling from Whispering Prairie to 45, 104th north of Pauling quarter mile, Prairie Schooner & Wagon Wheel roads are scheduled to be repaved with letting on April 21st & deadline for completion of June 31st (MFT & Illinois First money)
● Replace cross culvert on 80th south of Dralle (spring 2021)
● 104th south of Manhattan-Monee, working to increase shoulder & decrease slope of ditch with Will County Engineers, this now is a hazard
Questions: Schultz questions 277 south east side on 88th, pond with no guard rail or berm, think it’s dangerous. Been there 1-2 years. Hilliard: I’ll check it out. Striggow: How much MFT funds available for what you want to do? Hilliard: About
71,000 Illinois First Funds, 24,000 left over. Strange part, had to bid out before thought about doing. Iroquois Paving estimated about 74,000, PT Ferro estimated about 180,000, totally off. I called Will County Engineers they said closer to
about 70,000. I have enough money, has to be done, road is going to pieces. Once comes through with bids (June 31st) I can cover it, confident enough in budget, even if came on high side, these other projects too. Striggow: We have enough in Motor Fuel? Hilliard: No, MFT & Illinois First (which runs 3 years) we did Links Edge, Whispering Prairie, & Canterbury 5 depleted pretty well. Murday: Grateful to Jim & crew during those storms GGT was head & shoulders above the others, he also fixed an issue for a resident with property damage in the Twp not caused by his crew. Cantone: Twp installed “No Outlet” sign on Majestic, can it be moved so I don’t have to look at it out my front window everyday? Hilliard: Shouldn’t be a problem, plans to meet homeowner tomorrow.
ASSESSOR’S REPORT
On-going, standard Assessor tasks/projects
● Began working on commercial property education & commercial assessments as needed
● Soft appeal submissions are in process of being analyzed & assessed values reduced if justified
● Attended TOI class on Township Budget Process February 25th
● Attended Land Use group call regarding new 63 acre mobile home development for GGT. School District 207U is concerned about number of children who may reside in this development Assessment values published in local papers, Follow-up from Feb. 8, meeting
● Each year, Will County SOA office publishes each township’s assessed values, which is statutory for the county. Green Garden Twp AV’s have always been published in the Farmer’s Weekly
● At the Feb. 8th meeting, Supervisor Murday asked that Assessor request from SOA future publications be printed in the Vedette, versus Farmer’s Weekly since that is the township’s preferred publication.  Contacted SOA office & made request. The decision of which publication assessed values are published in is strictly made by the Supervisor of Assessments, Rhonda Novak, who chooses to have this published
in the Farmer’s Weekly until further notice.
COVID-19 considerations change tax payments - Reminder
● Will County board voted to change the tax payments from 2 payments (typically June & Sept) per year to 4 payments (June, Aug, Sept, & Nov). At this time this COVID relief will only apply to the 2021 collection period.
Soft appeal - now open until May 15, 2021 - Reminder
● If a GGT taxpayer feels their assessment value is not accurate, they can file a soft appeal by completing the form posted on the GGT website. Complete instructions are also posted.
Assessor’s Budget 2021-2022
Bushong: Concerns regarding budget, do you want me to hold back until the end or now? Murday: Can address when we do budget.
Murday: Comments I heard or read about MHP, senior, 55 & older placate explosion of children at Peotone schools, whether true or not, with varying comments. Bushong: It was asked to see HOA contract regarding grandparents etc, don’t know what contract will be right now.  Wagner: Question for Chris Russell, been here 40+ years, always published assessment values in Russell, why stopped?  Russell: Not GG, do most around here, don’t think Wilton & GG. Wagner: Do you want GG? Russell: Yes, my
understanding historically is (in 50’s or 60’s) my Dad or Grandfather, Pat Cleary, & other papers in the area decided who was getting what and that’s the way it’s been since. Wagner: Makes sense to put all GG info in our local paper. Bushong: Chris would also give us a link to put on website. Murday: We’ll keep fighting.
TRUSTEE’S REPORT
Cherie Newton: GGT received $10,000 grant from Co. for Food Pantry. After much research, we have Jackson Creek Church & Helping Hands in Peotone, both serving our community. Working with administrator of the Fund, we will fairly split $5,000 to each. Up to Food Pantry if they want cash which may take longer to receive or submit receipts for immediate reimbursement. With board approval tonite I can let Bronner Group know of recipients & amounts, we sign off, they transfer funds. This is a blessing.
● There was a motion for GGT to direct Cares Act Funds to be split evenly between Jackson Creek & Helping Hands by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Dietz. Voice vote: Motion carried.
Newton: Spoke with Judy Ogalla, shared COVID vaccination center coming to eastern WC, location to be announced soon, hope to be up & running in about a month. Details to follow on website. Also, Cannabis tax dollars to Co., the County Board working toward reparation restitution with these tax dollars. Focus on fair, equitable, & inclusive to WC residents. Land Use did visit “smoke shop” by school, no marijuana or THC, told only sell nicotine based products. No ordinance in WC about selling nicotine products near a school. Wagner: Are they thinking of changing that? How close can a nicotine shop be near a school? Dietz: It’s 331ft. from school, spoke with Robin Tyda, only licensing on tobacco & liquor, this considered retail sales for paraphernalia. Don’t regulate retail sales on C-4. Ordinance on cannabis paraphernalia should be listed & apply to that, but it doesn’t. Murday: Look to address or change ordinance, can’t believe it’s not a topic.
Striggow: Isn’t nicotine considered tobacco? Need a license to sell? No license was displayed that I saw, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Murday: County been there & knows, sounds like in conformity, best effort is to change ordinance, may be hard.
Murday: Contacted by lady from Governor’s State doing initiative on behalf of supporting Veterans, wants to talk about things being done for Veterans & if she could use website.
Murday: Not sure how yet, but maybe a “Police Blotter” regarding any activity in GGT to be put on website to benefit residents. Russell: Public relation person sends weekly. Murday: Can they send just for GG? Russell: Contact Kathy at Sheriff Dept.
Bill Wagner: Projects people talking about, things like parks, rideshare, & tornado warning system. If wanted done in next 12 months, need to see what we can afford & put in budget for those. Still need to get together with Jane & Assessor’s Budget. Murday: Part of Assessors Report & Old Business, use of Town Hall. It’s been cleaned, bathrooms cleaned, & open back up to residents. Spoke with Bill regarding parking lot (rain tracks in dirt) once we know about Manhattan-Monee Rd. perhaps pave lot. Drive activity to this building, HOA wants to use for meetings, girl scouts, boy scouts, etc. Will start working on Budget, then bring to Board for discussion. Bill to do legwork.
Russ Standish: Murday: Weather alert map with tornado sirens & range sent to Russ. Standish: Were you contacted from...Murday: Have not reached out to state rep or governing bodies in this regard. Wait until after election to speak to other elected officials. Standish: Worried about whether we have to move Town Hall, can’t wreck it, it’s a LandMark. Are we going to move it to land near Pauling? Up in the air, thought she would have contacted. Murday: We’ll keep in contact with Co.
Ralph Dietz: Murday: Ralph point person with Land Use, put ourselves on mailing list for LU Subcommittee & Co. Board, we get Agenda (quite lengthy). Ralph goes through looking for things affecting GG. Dietz: Variance for maximum accessory bldg. area 3,000 to 3,775 on Prairie Schooner passed by WC Planning & Zoning. Had a good lawyer. Wagner: A variance? Dietz: 775ft, Frankfort usually turns down everything. Wagner: Maybe we would too, if we knew. They don’t come to us. Dietz: 10 other spots, all 2.5 acres over there, might have HOA. Jim knows about, asked for culvert for Pole bldg. so didn’t go over septic. Murday: To Bill & Ralph’s point on variances, should have put under Old Business, last meeting Bill suggested writing letter to Co. officials with desire to be more invested in notice process, notice of what is happening. I drafted letter on behalf of GGT, suggesting after election, elected officials of GG meet with WC to discuss. Now we receive Map Amendments & SUP, not variances. Our position is notification of anything. Like this Illinois Grow shop, no one knew. Any additions or changes to letter welcomed. Can discuss at next meeting.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
Murday: Audited Annual Financial statement completed & filed. Current with state everything on file. Addressing something on social media regarding Penny Massat and improprieties with the handling of finances of GG. Asked Steve Weber (accountant) to quote. He agreed. Asked if anything he saw in our audit, yes, it was not a forensic audit, or managerial audit, but was an audit we have to do & file with Co. & State. Anything causing concern? Or make you believe we ought to do anything like that? His answer was no & I want record to reflect. Feel for Penny Massat & things said, taken out of context. People don’t deal with facts. Hope social media stream implication criminal activity posts what our accountant who filed our audited financial statements said.
Murday: Jim, Jane, & I attended TOI Budgeting Continued Education course. Insurance application submitted through TOIRMA effective June1st. Additional things may be added, 95% Road District equipment, Township has Town Hall & some personal effects.
NEW BUSINESS
Vote to approve Agenda for Annual Meeting
Correction of typo by Clerk Coffey from August to April.
● There was a motion to adopt Agenda for Annual Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Newton. Voice vote: Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion re Assessor’s Budget
Murday: Bill & I met to discuss, we had questions. Table Assessor’s Budget so Bill can work with Jane on the budget.
Bushong: (Forgot in her report) Can Sue attach my Assessor’s Report to minutes so it’s clear & get info there? Murday: My recollection is they don’t like doing that, in fact we want to talk about the minutes. Like to truncate them a little more,
says they don’t like quotes in there. If it is permitted, no issues with you doing that. Newton: Can we put on website under monthly tab, Assessor’s Report, doesn’t have to be within minutes. Bushong: Regarding Assessor’s Budget, confused on how to proceed. Submitted budget in Jan. answered questions from Board. At Feb. meeting it was on Agenda to vote on. Under impression from last month's meeting we were voting this month, still not voting. Confused about additional questions. As of Apr. 1, no budget, do I still keep incurring expenses? Will those be paid monthly as normal? Murday: Yes, don’t have budget in place, most Twp’s don’t know what Levy is yet, in April we vote on what is continuing appropriations, gives Twp ability to continue to operate until budget in place in June. Bushong: Possibly squash some concerns, 2
reasons budget is higher this year & why money was left & not spent. COVID, Assessor’s education & travel for education due to cancellations there is money left over. I am required to make that up, accomplish this year. Salary is the other, only
used small portion this year because I don’t have a place to put employees. Used Jackson Twp. for comparison in the past, close to GG. We are heavier in residential, industrial. Their Assessor is part time (25-30 hours a week) paid a little more, also has 2 employees (1 in assessor business for 10-15 yrs) working 25-30 hours a week, they run the office. The Assessor works from home most times, they do the legwork. This is important, I will never get everything equalized & caught up without some help. Do we want to be caught up & efficient? The Assessor’s Office brings in 90-95% of the Townships revenue. Very important role I take seriously. I have put in office proposals going back to Jim Nolan. Murday: These conversations, I want you to have with Bill. These are meritorious comments. My concern raised with Bill was budget went from 34,000 to 43,000 now want 63,000 coupled with salary puts you at 100,000. Levy is 230, almost half what Twp. gets, increased at exponential rate. When Co. did your work it cost 28,000-30,000. JoAnn did it, wasn’t that
salary or budget. I want sound discussion to be had. Raise your comments with Bill, so we don’t take this time up. Bushong: The leftover money not spent by Assessor’s Office, where does it go? Wagner: Back into total budget for Twp, for next fiscal year, not a carryover. Bushong: Should it be used to help fund going forward? Wagner: We will get together, discuss outside this meeting for a resolution. Bushong: Will we openly discuss what you & I discuss to the Board?  Murday: Subcommittee to work out reaching solution/compromise. For the Board to approve 63,000 when it was 43,000 and 16,000 spent, you say COVID, you bought PPE, computer, so you could work during COVID, now you say you couldn’t do anything because of COVID. Bushong: I did not say that. Murday: Sit down with someone who has done the
budget for years. Bushong: Agree, need to understand budget better. Has been mistakes in this budget, even reflecting Assessor budget that isn’t filed correctly. Apologies, concerned that it is wrong. Wagner: See if we can work out rather
than here, try and answer ourselves. Bushong: Regarding Levy, levy filed in Dec. the total dollar amount is correct but the line item amounts are not, do we need to refile? Does it affect my budget? Does it affect the Levy? Dietz: My question too,
the Levy & Appropriations line items don’t match, does it matter? Wagner: Levy extremely high level, very global. Dietz: Actual totals match, all the stuff in between, subtotals don’t match anything. Wagner: Right. Dietz: Contractual services,
Assessor’s budget was 0, on levy says 2,200. Commodities: 9,000 on Assessor budget 5,000 way off, then mix everything up & come up with 42,000 total. Wagner: That’s where Jane & I will get together & come up with conclusion for chart of accounts. In future, funnel up to what Levy items are. Levy to disseminate down to chart of accounts, know how to budget & account for expenses. Every expense should be line item on budget. Need to start articulating what we need, like any business. Funnel up to director. Murday: Process I put in place, intend to follow so not bogged down with 2 hr. Meetings, hope for agreement, this not place for negotiations.
CARES Relief Reimbursement
Murday: Received reimbursement check from Co. payable to Road District. Will see what issue is. Bushong: Reimbursement money, can I use in 2021? Where does that go? Discussion over discrepancy as to where reimbursement funds should be allocated. Taken up with Bill later.
Use of Town Hall
Murday: Already talked about. Thanks Denise Bettenhausen, did remarkable job, proud to let people in here.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Schultz: Any chance of getting Co. Board member here so we can ask what they do & don’t do? Murday: If elected, I expect to spend a lot of time at Co. with folks that represent us. Absolutely something we should do. Striggow: You mentioned bookkeeper & new auditing firm, are you waiting until after election? Murday: Yes, Striggow: Assessor-Trustee thing going on here, Assessor & all the Trustees have to listen to what’s going on, grateful to Bill, but every Trustee should. Murday: When it comes here all Trustees will. Not going to negotiate budgets. Striggow: I think all should be there. Murday: Worry about Open Meetings Act. Striggow: Don’t know if you worry about that. Murday: I do, this is way we will progress. If you don’t like it, don’t vote for me.  Chiocca: Think you’re doing a great job Don.
There was a motion to adjourn the meeting by Trustee Standish with a second by Trustee Newton. Voice vote: Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Coffey, Clerk

GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 8, 2021
The regular meeting was called to order by Supervisor Murday at 7:00 p.m. with the ability to connect via conference call.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call
In attendance were Trustees Standish, Dietz, Wagner, Newton, Supervisor Murday, Assessor Bushong, Clerk Coffey, and Commissioner Hilliard left before meeting started to clear roads.
There was a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held January 11, 2021 as submitted by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Newton. Voice vote: Motion carried.
PLANNING COMMISSION - Murday: Nothing currently, nothing for February & March. Will speak of Land Use issues in Trustee’s Report. Schultz: Did Planning Commission have prior notice of selling marijuana next to school here? Murday: PC & Township did not receive notice. Marijuana is not sold there, they sell appliances used to smoke it, not a dispensary. They sell oils & soil to grow it but no marijauna. I visited the establishment, owner states no intention to become a dispensary. They are a “Vape Store”. Murday called County, Land Use confirmed it is appropriately zoned & no business license needed, also asked about proximity to school. Land Use didn’t even know they were there. Land Use referred us to Executive Office, Dietz to follow up in his report. Schultz: Type of people using will be trouble.
Agenda Change
ASSESSOR’S REPORT -
On-going, standard Assessor task/projects
● Appraiser, Real Estate, attorney, County & resident requests.
● Visited new construction sites to apply assessed values as soon as occupancy is complete
● Data entry into PAMS system: property record card information, sales, permits, appeals, photos, exemption paperwork, correspondence, new construction drawings & inquiries into PAMS
● Setup local networking with PAMS so both laptops can access the same PAMS database. Data Entry assistant is now able to work concurrently with the Assessor (more efficient)
● Submitted April 2021 - March 2022 budget to Board for review & questions ahead of time. Answered budget questions from both Trustees Newton & Dietz.
Assessment Values published in local papers
● Each year, Will County SOA office publishes each township’s assessed values, which is a statutory requirement for the County.
➢ Green Garden Township AV’s have always been published in the Farmer’s Weekly.
➢ Due to Covid & lack of advertisements, Farmer’s Weekly publication is no longer printing the number of papers & are no longer mailing out the papers as they have done in the past. Only those with paid subscriptions will continue to receive this publication. There are limited locations around Will County where residents can pick up a copy of the paper. Farmers Weekly plans on developing a website where residents can access their published information in the future.  Discussion regarding the Peotone Vedette & areas it serves. Also discussed was Will County using other publications, not serving our area. Murday: Let’s find out from Chris Russell the Vedette’s reach. M. Coffey: Vedette serves the Peotone School District area & should be our main publication. You can live in Florida & receive the Vedette. Wagner: We
advertise the Vedette as our Township paper. Newton: Land Use to start in March placing legal notices in the Vedette. Murday: Whatever publication Land Use was using was not serving eastern Will Co. Planning Com. & Township always used Vedette. Coffey: Will Co. Treasurer’s Office uses Vedette for certain publications. Bushong: I’ll go back & discuss with SOA.
Covid-19 considerations change tax payments
● Will County board voted to change the tax payments from 2 payments (typically June & September) per year to 4 payments (June, August, September & November). At this time this Covid-19 relief will only apply to the 2021 collection period.
● While this change in collection options may be welcomed by many taxpayers, our taxing bodies will also be affected since some disbursements may be delayed.
Soft Appeal - now open until May 15, 2021
● If a Green Garden Twp. taxpayer feels their assessment value is not accurate, they can file a soft appeal by simply completing the form posted on the GGT website. Complete instructions are also posted. This provides the taxpayer an easy method of working with the Township Assessor directly in determining whether or not their assessed value should be changed. Additional copies are available in the back of the
Town Hall.
New home construction permit increase in GGT over 10 years
● New home construction permits have increased roughly 10 times over the last 10 years, although the Assessor office staff has remained the same.
● Similar increases have also occurred with all construction permits (pole buildings, home additions, detached garages, etc).
● New construction takes a considerable amount of time & resources for the Assessor’s office to effectively assess & maintain. This is in addition to all of the other tasks which the Assessor’s office is responsible for.
21,737 square foot home being built in GGT
● One of the largest homes in GGT is under construction in Five Oaks subdivision. Building cost is estiemated at 2.5 million & is designed by Savarino Design Construction.
A couple informational opportunities
● For the board, TOI is offering a 4 hour class on “The Township Budget Process” on February 25th. You can sign up on the TOI website.
● For all residents, “Moving Will County” through Land Use is offering a virtual public workshop on February 24th at 6pm. For more information, go to movingwillcounty.org. Murday: Thanks Jane for all her work.
Agenda Change (Murday: Apologizes, skipped Highway report)
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT - Commissioner Hilliard out with his crew clearing roads, Trustee Wagner reads report.
Past Operations
● Pothole repair
● Inventory street signs throughout township
● Remodeled bathroom
● Restocked salt supply
● 5 snow events - Jan 30, 31 - 12.7” total for 2020-2021 26.4”
● Replace 2’ section off exhaust pipe
● Replaced heated mirror
● Completed OSHA 300A report for Road District
● Picked up large amount of debris near Scheer Rd
➢ Please report any illegal dumping
Present Operations
● Remodeling office
● Employee handbook
● Repairing trucks from snow plowing work
➢ Wing bolts x 3
Future Operations
● Restock salt supply
● Hard surface roads planned for 2021
➢ Pauling from Whispering Prairie to Rt 45
➢ 104th north of Pauling quarter mile
➢ Prairie Schooner & Wagon Wheel rds are scheduled to be repaved with letting on April 21st and deadline of completion June 31st. (Illinois First Dollars)
➢ Replace cross culvert on 80th Ave south of Dralle Rd. (spring 2021)
● 104th south of Manhattan-Monee
➢ Working to increase shoulder & decrease slope of ditch with Will County Engineers
Murday: Hilliard & crew have done an incredible job clearing roads
TRUSTEE’S REPORT - Murday: Moving forward to become active Township body, responsive to residents.
Trustee Newton - Social services / Website:
● Website through TOI (cheapest when we started) no bells or whistles. Working on cleaning up what we have. Archive tab has old minutes & agendas. Currents are easily accessible.
● Added Will County Covid information to website, please contact me with any suggestions for the website.
● Helping Hands Food Pantry asked to be put on website, they serve Peotone School District residents (including GGT) if you reside in the School District, Helping Hands is available to you. They have been doing for a few years, also provide backpacks for school aged children up to 8th grade with school supplies requested by teachers.
● Jackson Creek Church is another food pantry located in GGT, you go & pick up (did not see residency requirements). Left a message for them after viewing their website (have not heard back yet).
● County giving each Twp $10,000 for food pantry, separate & apart from other “Cares Act” expense reimbursements. My thought, split money in half, $5,000 to each food pantry. Murday: No decision needs to be made before 3-31-21. Asks if anyone knows of another food pantry. Resident responds: That is Church we donate to. Murday: Federal Government provided money on county level, county earmarked $10,000 for Twp. We can direct it, they have also told us it does not have to be used for just food, may be used to defer other costs. Direct money best we can for those in GGT. Striggow: Perishables? Murday: All types, county wants receipts to show for people in need.
Trustee Wagner - Finances / Budgets:
● Starting budget process, printed this year's Levy & last year's expenses. I’ll hand these off to you to peruse over the next month.
Murday: Mandated by statute to have budget done by end of June. Asked Bill to prepare template for open discussions, gather input from residents. Also, on agenda we put “vote” on Assessor Budget tonight, we will not be doing that. Reread the statute, no need for us to vote tonight, requires Assessor present to board (which she did this evening). Her budget subsumed into Twp budget. Assessor Budget will be voted on in March. Bill & I met for discussion, Assessor to start process, if there is a dispute between Assessor & Board of what Assessor budget should be, either party can seek intervention by judge or court. Leaving time for guidance given by court/judge. By time we are passing Twp budget, Assessor budget would be finalized.
Trustee Standish - Public Safety/Town Hall:
● Don & I met with Jeffrey Ryba ( Braniff Communication) regarding tornado sirens. Monee uses, talked to TJ, he budgets $3,500 a yr for each siren. Spoke with Jeff about cost & maintenance. Cost is $23,049 per unit installed, and figures we need 5 with overlapping from other communities. Distance heard is 1 ½ miles. Placement of units discussed.
● Called Christina at IDOT they said they are putting turn lanes in at this intersection (Center & Manhattan-Monee). They are to get in touch with Twp in next 2 months, wanted to start project by year's end. Said this building is Historical Landmark, told her if road widened it would take parking off 1 side, she said with the Historical Building we may get grant, doesn’t cost Twp if Historical Building needs to be moved, done by grant.
● Sirens would have to go on other side of street not to interfere with moving Town Hall
● Price prohibited at $120,000 or so. Jeff to see if we can get grants for sirens. Wait to hear from IDOT & Jeff.
Murday: $130,000 of our budget is not something that could be done, we get a hold of our Representative Anthony DeLuca & Federal Reps where to find funding for this. Public safety main concern. Jeff to provide map where Monee, Manhattan, University Park & Frankfort sirens are & where they bleed into GG. He will help find funding, but our Reps are going to want to talk to us. 18-24 month project before you see anything. Nothing done until we find out how many needed & funding. We have materials, welcome sharing for those interested. Flanagan: Single source provider or go for bid? Murday: Depending on funding, government might have requirements. Have to find cost before shopping around. Murday: Activation of the sirens now are through Will County within new Sheriff’s Office. We are responsible for
maintenance, so there is cost. Wagner: Do we know how much we would need to budget annually? Standish: Monee budgets $3,500 per siren, but only uses $1,500. Murday: Solar is more expensive. Power to the units also needs to be looked at. Proximity to school may be an advantage. Murday: (Land Use) Contacted Land Use regarding our entitlement to know what is going on in our Twp. I registered to receive the Land Use subcommittee & County Board agendas. Still think Co should reach out to us. Land Use agenda 150 pages, asked Ralph to peruse Land Use & Co Board agendas to look for anything relating to GGT.
Trustee Dietz - Land Use:
● 7608 W Monee-Manhattan Rd resident of 24 acre parcel zoned A-1 running a concrete pumper cleaning business out of his pole building, at all hours. Neighbors have complained to Will County Code Enforcement and he has been cited many times & was being taken to court by Will County. Recently, WC has passed the new A-1 amendment adding an I-1 with a Special Use Permit to the mix & the resident’s lawyers are in the process of trying to get this. As of February nothing has happened. Four subdivisions affected as well as 50 ton trucks down our roads approved for 8 ton, in spring 5 ton. There was an accident, County close to putting him in University Park until all of this came about. Still trying for Special Use Permit.
Murday: Ralph referring to last meeting regarding A-1 to I-1 with Special Use. County Board approved in Dec. Industrial usage on Ag zoned, wanted to remain Ag zone with SUP. Appears this individual is attempting. We may revisit, still address & stay on top of.
● 9208 W Stuenkel Rd resident of 5.71 acres zoned A-1 and have permits to build a house & barn on the property. The house 4 bedroom, 4.25 bath & 3 car garage-extended. The barn has 2 large overhead doors designed for Ag equipment. The complainant says the resident will store semis for other than Ag use in the barn. If this turns out to be the case Code Enforcement will need to be informed & they will take the appropriate action. Murday: County said owner not doing anything now, but if used for improper purposes, notify them & Code Enforcement will get involved. Wagner: How did they not make him rezone to get building permit? Dietz: Who knows. Wagner: They should have made him rezone before permit.
● 9255 W Stuenkel Rd. resident of two 5 acre parcels zoned E-2 that were permitted by Will County to be combined into 1 PIN#, so they now have one 10 acre parcel zoned E-2. The property has 1 existing home & are in phase 1 of building a private/personal horse barn & riding arena. The complainant is concerned about an over abundance of horses on the property. According to Will County's new updated ordinance under E-2, they are entitled to 1 horse per animal/unit. Somewhere between 5 and 8 because of the existing house (approx).
● 24129 S Center Rd. resident of 10.42 acres is having flooding issues on the southwest corner of his property where a 5 foot culvert pipe goes west under Center Rd. As it exits Center Rd., it goes into a culvert filled with vegetation & should continue in a southwesterly direction under the 24018 S Center Rd. driveway of a pole barn. The owner of this pole barn has installed a 16” culvert pipe & raised it 3 feet and expanded his driveway footprint with much gravel shavings, so the water is trapped in this location. Center Rd is a County road, so Code Enforcement was notified 1-19-21 all emails were forwarded.
● Dralle Rd & 104th Ave property, dumping of yard waste. Sheriff will not stop trucks, and will not use scales. Tim Anderson of Will County & Jim Hilliard are aware. Murday: Discussed before, did they till into farm? Have they done this? Dietz: Still there. Striggow: I have some info on this, go through Department of Natural Resources, that body has a meeting on Wednesday. I have a form request
needing to be filled out by Road Commissioner, requesting particular problem here. I have the form, maybe take a look at & write something up tonight. I’ll make sure it gets to the right people.
● 26924 S 88th Ave. resident have 6.12 acres zoned residential. They have a neighbor who has been playing loud music in his pole barn for a year and a half. They have called Sheriff 5 times on the record & had incidents 41 times. They have met the neighbor in the street (due to covid) with a Sheriff’s Deputy as mediator, to resolve this to no avail. I contacted Code Enforcement at the end of January to investigate.
● 9504 W Manhattan-Monee Rd. leased space to Illinois Grow Supply. If this is a dispensary, according to the ordinance it cannot be located within 1000 feet of the property line of a pre-existing school. Illinois Grow Supply’s business is located 331 feet from the school. I contacted Robin Tyda at Will County, and I’m waiting for a reply. Murday: We’ll continue to push. Prepare ourselves for anything to come about regarding growers due to Ag area. Thanks all Trustees for all their work. Striggow: Two concerns, regarding Vape Store on Christensen property, remember when
they wanted to put a “Carry-out Pizza” place, that was denied because of next to a grade school. Now we could sneak a store in here doing whatever they do. Another surprising part, family member of building owner is on the School Board. When they objected to Enrico’s Pizza trying to get in. Totally wrong.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
● Penny Massat (for years did books for Road District & Township) has decided to move on. In process of moving bookkeeping functions, need to talk with Hilliard. Suggests his secretary of 25 yrs (Clerk for Planning Commission), my thought for replacing Penny. Would be paid hourly.
● Accountant has asked that we find someone else to handle our accounting. There is a firm I have used for last 10 yrs., professionally & personally. They have met & spoke with Steve Weber (current accountant) to see if we can’t get things going, we are behind in filing with state. This is second accounting firm to tell us to seek help elsewhere. I would like to use a firm I know & trust. They will make a proposal to be discussed at next meeting. Want it known changes happening with accounting functions. 2021 to have everything at keystroke, monthly financial reports done by accountants so Trustees can see exactly where things are. Schultz: The woman that works for you & you’re Supervisor, is that conflict of interest? Murday: No, no financial gain, not related to me. No different than anybody off street. I know I can trust her. Penny’s ways of doing things are not current, need somebody to fix this. In time, if Board not happy, then we’ll change. No conflict. Newton: Are we going to vote on her? Murday: No, she would be budgeted in, like Penny. Newton: Interview her? Murday: If people want to, they may. Newton: Want to make sure we follow protocol. Striggow: Thought you were going to be hands on coming in? Thought
those were duties of the Supervisor, Treasurer of Twp., anybody can delegate someone to do. Thought you were gonna do, maybe I misunderstood or misread. Still think Supervisor ought to be doing books. Think the Duties & Responsibilities state that’s your job. Murday: Ultimately it is, if Supervisor role is to collect bills, pay them, & not delegate, I disagree. Buck stops at Supervisor’s desk, but to think you don’t have someone to do that for you...Striggow: Not sure Twp. should pay that. Flanagan: Take money from Supervisors wages if he’s not going to do work he’s supposed to do. You just got a $2,000 raise, a raise in Supervisor’s fee, so if you’re going to subcontract the services, why doesn’t that come out of that line item? Why is there more money being spent for accounting services than only other service to County? How much do we spend for accounting services in Twp? Murday: Not sure what was budgeted for last year, wasn’t part of that process. It was $1,500 for a 4 year term going forward, not some annual increase. $12,000, so $1,000 a month (Supervisor salary). In past month spent 60 hours doing Supervisor work. Tell me if you’re getting your bang for the buck. You are. The prior budgets had budgeted amounts for bookkeeping, this is not some new budgeted amount. This has been there & it will be less than what it was before, not an additional strain. I will counter with not an additional expense. People will say you’re making $12,000 a year, I want people to understand, I’m not doing this for the money. I do this because I care about the Twp. Don’t insult me by saying this $12,000 is some largesse being given to me, when you don’t know what a Supervisor does. When you know, then you can say something. As for bookkeeping, yes, I said I would be hands on. Hands on to me
doesn’t mean writing checks, means I know where it’s coming in from & where it’s going from. Buck stops at my desk. Something wrong, I assume responsibility. I don’t take that to mean, I’m doing administrative work. Wagner: Any other Corporation, CFO, & Treasurer are not the ones who write the checks & take receipts. Someone else does bookkeeping. Striggow: We’re not a corporation. Wagner: Difference between CFO, treasurer & bookkeeping, he’s hiring someone to do bookkeeping for him. Flanagan: If it makes it more accurate & more professional, I agree to subcontract. Point being
made, 2 time divorcee (accounting firms) not always partner the problem, second CPA firm terminating relationship with us. Is this a good time to stop and have full financial audit & managerial audit before going forward, not making mistake with 3rd wife? Is it time to stop, get full audit by a firm that’s not going to be ongoing firm we use next? That would be money well spent, have to figure out not only financial audit but managerial audit, as to why we are being asked to leave as clients of a firm. Murday: My first, not 2 time divorcee (newly appointed), still married to whom we do business with. New firm isn't going to take until they get their arms around it. They will perform audit you speak of because they won’t
take anything until they know it’s solid,or they won’t take. They will get all our books & make sure we are where we should be. Someone I know & trust, bookkeeping also someone I know & trust. Nothing that happens behind closed doors, all
checks written seen by every Trustee. Everybody sees everything. If there is an issue, someone may raise. Not bringing in someone I don’t know. Flanagan: Point I was making, should there be additional service at this time for managerial/financial audit? New firms don’t automatically do an audit just to take on new clients, that doesn’t happen. To say it does, that is just false. Is this the time for the Board to stop & reflect as to why have we been asked 2 times to find someone else? Is there something internal we need to change? If no, great. If yes, than address the changes. Seems to be a good time to have someone check our managerial & financial practices, tell us everything is ok. We got fired twice, but it’s ok we got it sorted, third guy going to fix all. Wagner: Who does that? Flanagan: Any accounting firm will provide service, but you have to contact them specifically for that. They don’t automatically audit a new client. You have to ask for. Wagner: Do you have someone in mind for Twp government? Flanagan: Nobody in mind, not speaking for someone with specific interests other than the townships. Supervisor would have to seek out (named 2 acct. firm examples). Wagner: Can’t help but think that’s what Don is doing. We know there’s a problem, 2 accountants have fired us. Flanagan: Do we
know what the problem is? Wagner: Isn’t that what Don’s working towards? Murday: We’re making the change, clearly an issue. We’re bringing in somebody who’s going to look at everything, common sense business. Flanagan: Accounting firms do not automatically audit every new client. Murday: This firm is. Flanagan: So, that’s an additional contract? Dietz: Did firm give specific reason for leaving? Murday: My guess, we are not big enough for work we’re asking them to do. Dietz: They haven’t told us specifically? Murday: What they’re doing, is not doing our work as quickly as we need them to, effectively telling us, go elsewhere. By those actions, we say, time to move on. When they say “We’re not doing your work” what option do you have? Dietz: Makes good sense to deal with people you know & trust, with accountability &
openness. I agree with Supervisor. Murday: Able to have them come in for questions. If there are problems, they are professionally obligated to tell us. As for bookkeeping, I’m not going to be grabbing checks & writing to people, I’m not
doing it. Nor do I think it’s in my job description, will delegate to someone I know & trust. Markedly cheaper than what we had in past. Save money, get automated, get where we need to be. Move forward with new firm, all new, “changing of the
guard.” Bushong: Cost of new firm? Murday: Not with the firm yet. My assistant is $25 an hour, 8-10 hours, don’t know, she may work for Road District as well. If factored in, 50% of what we’ve been paying in past. New people, automated, &
save money. Standish: Nobody looking over our shoulder, Nolan said after last audit everything was right. Nothing wrong, nothing to hide, all out in front now. Dietz: Weber the auditor, you guys give him the figures, he only gets what in this case
Nolan gives him, he’s only given what you want him to have. Murday: Weber subcontracts out to accountants, hires accountants to do the work & signs off on the audit. Dietz: Did Nolan just give him all the figures, assume they’re right?
Murday: Assume he gave them what they would need. Whatever they gave him in past, is what they had. Looking at someone fresh to look where we are & where we need to go. Dietz: Conflict concerns, maybe a good time to call our Twp attorney and let him decide if there’s conflict, you’re bringing in both parties. I’m trusting my reputation on yours. Wagner: Accountant doesn’t do audit, funnelled to someone else, accountant will file AFR & do all annual stuff for us. Dietz: To Cherie’s point, we don’t vote, we are relying on Don’s expertise, knowing all these people. We could interview them, but you’d (Don) have to recuse yourself, you brought it, you can’t vote on it. Let’s say there’s a tie, who decides? Murday: I don’t know why I couldn’t vote? Dietz: Because you’re bringing them in. Murday: Anytime anyone goes into an organization, elected or not, they bring in people they know & trust. If they don’t perform that’s when you can say “I don’t think we should do this”. There’s a level of trust, checks & balances that exist. Budget time, monies being spent and monthly you see what they do, you see the checks & monies going forth, you sign a voucher. We can discuss & bring them in, no problem with that. Do we interview Road District employees? No.
NEW BUSINESS -
Correspondence with Will County Land Use Notification
● Wagner: County Board to address issue, maybe pass ordinance that they have to (if townships want) to notify township of Special Use Permits, Zoning changes, & Variances. In regards to Special Use Permits & Zoning changes it is their policy, but not an ordinance. Need to address with County Board members, if a township is willing to hear these cases, an ordinance ought to provide us that right. Newton: Contact Moustis & Ogalla. Murday: We would like notification to us if an issue arises concerning property within our boundaries. Put together something formally & get to County. If those are the recipients it needs to go to, then so be it. I’m more than willing to prepare for Board to review.
Wifi/Internet for Town Hall
● Murday: Also leads into, (b-CARES relief Reimbursement in Old Business) Covid $10,000 reimbursement receipts needed to be submitted by Jan. 27th. Jane incurred about $1,600-$1,700 reimbursement submitted. County encouraged us to put it to use. As a township, I purchased a Twp. computer, printer, monitor, & laptop for bookkeeper (Kim or someone else). All expenses already reimbursed by County. Wifi also would have been covered. XL Broadband cannot provide, signal blockage (not an option) Comcast proposal (haven’t looked at yet) $115 to get service to here, about
$130 monthly for service. We’ll still try for CARES Act reimbursement if able. Thought a year's worth would be covered. Still in the works.
OLD BUSINESS -
Vote on Assessor’s Budget (No vote, discussed in Trustees Report under Trustee Wagner) Assessor Bushong presents brief discussion regarding budget.
● Assessor Bushong: Last year budgeted $43,000 for software, staff, continuing education, etc. As of today used a little over 40% of that, partially due to Covid. Budget established, but not able to attend a lot of continued education (cancelled), will have to take more this coming year. Desperately need staff, we are not at same point as 15 years ago. Board has deemed “part-time” job. I cannot keep up with workload. 50-60 hrs. a week,especially during appeals. Hesitant with budget due to Covid, no way of knowing. Desperate to hire someone, I work out of my home & can’t have people there. I would prefer an office, someone 25-30 hrs. a week, data entry, of course I would help, let me do assessing. Worked it all out (for budget), shooting for $63,000 with anticipation of accruing more costs if hiring, I have provisions for them. Certainly won’t spend if not needed. This year is almost over, only spent 40%. But if I need things, like another laptop or class, I have to have ability to buy it. Assessor’s Office is the revenue job for the Twp., frankly the least funded. Needs to be looked at seriously. Any questions? Striggow: Wouldn’t laptop be under “Cares?” Bushong: I was the one that started that with Covid CARES. Murday: $1688 was reimbursed to her. We did a good job of exhausting money there, we needed to act & I acted. Wagner: Currently have 2 laptops, network computer, & printer. Bushong: The $100 printer I was initially given is dying, I need a printer, a special scanner (compatible with PAMS). I’m using some of my own personal stuff at home. A lot has to do with where Assessor’s office is going to be. Wagner: How many homes a year need to be assessed? Bushong: Not sure what you’re asking, we have some 3,000 some odd parcels. Wagner: New homes? For first time. Bushong: Increases every year, just homes, no commercial or other structures, 20-22 homes every year, increasing yearly. Takes a long time to go out there, drawings, measurements, put in system, all programs. We are extremely behind in field checks, majority of our properties haven’t been field checked in 15-20 years. Those are to be done every 4 years. Wagner: How many properties total? Bushong: Over 3,000, tremendous task. Resident asks: What is a field check? Bushong: Make sure measurements correct, look
for other structures, maybe cement driveway, other things to make sure everyone is assessed fairly.
Murday: In March, fresher more focused look at Jane's budget & questions as well. Wagner: You may need to lower, our Levy is only at $32,000 I think. Striggow: What did County charge us when we had to use them? Bushong: A little less than $30,000, but they didn’t do everything. No measurements, drawings, or photographs, I’m still backtracking there.
Use of Town Hall
● Murday: Bottom line, Town Hall is filthy & we need to do something. It needs to be used by people in this community. Needs cleaning, bathrooms taken care of. Want residents to understand this is their building & they should be able to use. I was asked if girl scouts could meet there? We are going to open back up for people to use. We will get someone to clean, fix bathrooms & first change locks. Make it a place where people want to come. Dietz: Handicap accessible? Needs work, is it worth it? Murday: We’ll figure it out, see what state has planned with the road. Striggow: No one maintains? Murday: No. Striggow: I know someone. Wagner: Someone who has done in past? Striggow: Yes. Murday: Apologizes for time & thanks the Board for their hard work & willingness to be proactive.
There was a motion to adjourn the meeting by Trustee Dietz with a second by Trustee Standish.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Coffey, Clerk

GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2021
The regular meeting was called to order via conference call by Supervisor Murday at 7:01 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call
In attendance were Trustees Wagner, Newton, Standish, Dietz, Supervisor Murday, Assessor Bushong, Commissioner Hilliard, and Clerk Coffey.
There was a motion to approve the minutes as submitted from the regular meeting/budget hearing held December 14, 2020 by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Newton. Voice vote: Motion carried 5-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION - Nothing on agenda in December or January. Nothing in regard to February.  Collin Duesing from Will County Land Use on the phone after being contacted by Trustee Dietz. Trustee Dietz questions County’s new A-1 Special Use Text Amendment that went into effect Dec. 2020. Dietz was given history behind and with Mr. Duesing”s approval brings to the Board a pending case with Code Enforcement.  resident has attorney, Planning Commission was not contacted. Case will affect 4 surrounding subdivisions & Road District if the gentleman decides to drive 50 ton trucks on our main roads. Dietz: Appreciate Collin being here and explaining basic history & how this transpired. This will affect all A-1 property owners who want to add outside storage, why they want to add construction sales is beyond me. Duesing: Recommends bringing this up in Trustee reports to keep agenda clean. Murday: It’s ok we are in Planning Commission. Duesing: Late 2019 few County Board members concerned, County seeing several cases where I-1 encroaching into ag
areas, perception over past 10 years. Ten cases request I-1 in A-1 or A-2 really not that much activity, but did notice 4 cases coming about outdoor storage or construction sales & service (people who own a plumbing contractors operation & store plumbing supplies in barn). Some County Board members wanted entirely new
zoning districts to accommodate this ag friendly industrial use. Some felt too extreme, let’s see what we actually see in construction sales & service and outdoor storage, just look at that separately. Is it similar & consistent with items already Special Use with A-1. Like a landscaping business, you can’t run a landscape
business, you can have a nursery (ag) but if you’re trimming trees & cutting grass, it requires a Special Use.  murday: In the case pending (Dietz referring to) did resident apply for Special Use? Duesing: (after looking) they have not filed yet. Murday: Are Map Amendments & Special Use statutorily required to come before the
township. Duesing: Not necessarily, a policy by County should receive township consideration, but not statutory. Murday: Any pending dates on this case? Dietz: Possibly February asking for Special Use & Map Amendment. Wagner: Suggests all Special Use & Map Amendments come before township as a matter of policy if not by statute. Duesing: Suggests sending letter to Barb Peterson stating this case has not received township consideration, more than likely they would “table” until County gets your feedback. Striggow: Concerned these things are happening too often, stating the township finds out after it is too late in most cases. Thanks the Board for being on top of this one, stating there is a breakdown in communication,
disappointed when the rules change, policies change & political changes affect what goes on in our backyard.  This needs to be corrected. Duesing: It is the applicant's responsibility to contact township, the County does not have the resources to make those communications. We do make staff notes if contacted, that the applicant did not reach out to you. Striggow: A note does not solve the problem, things in our backyard do not affect Joliet. Totally unfair to the people in our area getting stuck with something because a statute is not dictating we be notified. Wagner: In the past, we have always been notified, all policies do not have to be addressed in statute, that’s why they are policies and not statutes. Not being sent to us is a decision by County, in the past they have notified, why not now? Duesing: No idea. Dietz: Discusses when population exceeds a certain number some of the requirements for letting people know things are dropped. Murday to contact Land Use. Wagner suggests letter to County putting on notice we want notification. Address of
property: 7608 Monee-Manhattan Rd. Brian Parker running concrete pumper trucks out of property. Murday: To notify County Special Use & Map Amendments to be heard regardless of statute, update at next meeting. Duesing: Contact Planner Lisa Napoles. Tomorrow, Land Use Development Committee discussing updates to livestock & residential districts section of our zoning ordinance; anyone may attend on Webex at 10:30. Dietz to attend, Duesing will send materials sent to the County Board members. Questions may be sent to: planning@willcountylanduse.com (goes directly to Duesing). Mr. Duesing is thanked.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT -
Past Operations
● Truck repair
➢ Two trucks back from service (1) Dump Hydraulic cylinder rebuilt, (2) Power steering leak & front brakes repaired
● Cut shoulders throughout township (removing excess dirt to allow water to flow off the road into the ditches)
● Snow stakes placed throughout township
● Filled one salt shed
● Constructed a box for chip truck
● Replaced 2 stop signs that were knocked down
● Replaced hydraulic line on Combo, repaired forks on loader, & replaced plow cylinder (in house)
● Bruns west of Harlem - dead tree cut down & removed
● Demoed Skid Steer - A770
● 3 snow events 12-29, 1-1, 1-3, salted x5 used 104 man hours
● Removed concrete waste pile from Road District yard
● Repaired 1 mailbox from snow event
● Chainsaw maintenance
● Removed brush & trees from township property so farmer can farm
Present Operations
● Demoing skid steer (Caterpillar) & compiling bids to upgrade equipment
● Developing an Employee Handbook
● Pothole repair
● Straighten bent culverts
● Inventory street signs throughout township
Future Operations
● Hard surface roads planned for 2021
➢ Pauling from Whispering Prairie to 45
➢ 104th North of Pauling quarter mile
● Remodel Road District Office (with road district employees)
● Replace cross culvert on 80th Ave south of Dralle (spring 2021)
● 104th South of Manhattan-Monee
➢ Working to increase shoulder & decrease slope of ditch with County Engineers
Questions: Striggow: Update on 104th & Dralle garbage being dumped? Hilliard: Not since last meeting, called police to try to get overweight stopped for hauling, they said won’t stop hauling for Ag. Talked to Land Use, they will monitor & basically Tim from recycling said they were in compliance with what they are doing now. I
disagree, haven’t got anywhere further. Activity not as much there either. Striggow: Smart farmer would never put all that bull…. on anybody’s field and work it in thinking you’re doing the right thing. Takes a dummy to convince someone that doesn’t know anything to pass this off as better for the ground. Absolute false
statement. Farmers there are “No-tillers” and to pass this off as recycling, don’t understand. Peotone had a problem with farmer EPA & permits had to jump through hoops, up here they can get away with it, not adding up. I think they are passing the buck & do not want them to do that to Jim. Murday: In my conversation with
Land Use, I will raise this issue too. Will talk with Stiggow tomorrow. Many thanks to Hilliard & crew for snow removal.
ASSESSOR’S REPORT - Murday: Disseminated Board members budget for current year due to Covid, some movement within the budget, I don’t believe any need for us to pass anything for you to move from 1 area to another, as long as it is within your budget. Do appreciate you letting Trustees know. My request of you, for this fiscal year: What was budgeted, what was spent, & for upcoming fiscal year what needs to be budgeted for those particular areas. So we could see actual expenditures & what the request is for new fiscal. Bushong: Already laid out. Bushong proceeds with her report. On-going, standard Assessor tasks/projects
● Appraiser, Real Estate, attorney, county & resident requests
● Visited new construction sites to apply assessed values as soon as occupancy is complete
● Data entry into PAMS: property record card info, sales, permits, appeals, photos, exemption
paperwork, correspondence, new construction drawings & inquiries
● Purchased 2nd laptop & submitted 2nd PAMS license invoice for payment. Delays in shipments due to Covid demands. Will load all in January (by end of month)
● Began working on 2021-2022 Assessor budget, due by end of January 2021
● Submit final 2020 Covid related expenses to Supervisor
● Attended (virtually) the Will County SOA-TA annual meeting to discuss upcoming 2021 anticipated assessment related changes, timelines & instructions
● Requested increase of contents insurance coverage through TOIRMA for Assessor’s office contents to $5000 in the event of loss. Previously the Assessor's office was not automated, so the amount of content coverage was far less. FYI - Laptops need to be insured under Inland Marine coverage since they are portable (roughly $30-$35 increase per year) update in Apr.
➢ Provided TOIRMA content insurance policy to Supervisor, Road Commissioner, &
Trustees for review of additional township content insurance
Green Garden Township Assessor Statistics - 2020
● Total number and value of Exemptions: 1895 parcels = $10,647,104
➢ Total number of General Homestead Exemptions: 1344 parcels = $8,054,950
➢ Total number of Senior Citizen Exemptions: 378 parcels = $1,888,567
➢ Total number of Senior Freeze Exemptions: 108 parcels = $235,191
➢ Total number of Disability Persons Exemptions: 26 parcels = $52,000
➢ Total number of Disabled Veterans Exemptions: 17 parcels = $20,000
● Type of properties & assessed values (based on property class):
2314 parcels = $187,586,362
➢ Farm Land with buildings: 403 parcels = $39,939,421
➢ Farm Land without buildings: 367 parcels = $3,183,821
➢ Residential Vacant land: 376 parcels = $6,005,821
➢ Residential with homes: 1,019 parcels = $131,763,812
➢ Commercial: 23 parcels = $5,527,576
➢ Industrial: 34 parcels = $374,648
➢ Exempt (no taxes paid): 16 parcels = $0
Exempt properties in Green Garden Township - Follow-up from December 2020 meeting
● Emailed Supervisor, Trustees & Road Commissioner on Jan. 10, 2021 detailed information on all properties within GGT which are not currently taxed
Housing Market Update for end of 2020 (per Redfin) - residential homes
● The median home price increased 13% year over year
● Pending home sales were up 38% year over year
● New listings of homes for sale were up 7% from a year earlier
● Active listings (# of homes listed for sale) fell 32% for an all-time low
● 38% of homes that went under contract had an accepted offer within the first 2 weeks on the market, well above the 25% rate during the same period 1 year ago
● For the week of January 7, 30 year mortgage rates fell to another new record low of 2.65%
Bushong thanks Board for input regarding this year's budget. Also, thanks Sue Coffey for providing the Assessor’s office additional (used) file cabinets, and Sue’s husband & Road District employees for assisting with moving these heavy & large items. Stating this will save the Assessor’s office $ by not having to purchase
these items in the future.
Questions: Wagner: Anyone know who farms the 72 acres on Kuse (owned by Frankfort Township)? We pay taxes on the farmland we own & farm. Striggow: I will find out & get info to Bill. Wagner: If someone is paying to farm it, it should be taxed.
TRUSTEE’S REPORT - Wagner: This ties into discussion with Land Use, I think variances, special use permits & map amendments need to be implemented into their ordinance. Also, implement a statute on 300 yd.
Limitation for shooting, State statute allows Counties to implement a 300 yd. limitation. Will County has not done this. Bushong: A lot of us have experienced this, it is not the lot line, it is the house. Wagner: Correct, it’s 3 houses, 300 yards from 3 houses. 1 or 2 houses within 300 yds, you can still shoot according to State statute. County doesn’t have a statute on it. Rule does not apply in Will County. I think it should apply.
Newton: Wilton Township supervisor received $10,000 for food bank, her understanding was all townships received. Murday: We have not. Coffey: Believe it to be Cares money needing to be applied for. Murday: Deadline has not passed. Newton: Can we see about applying for Food Bank $10,000? Murday: If you are done, we can go to New Business & I will share how I would like to charge Trustees with certain
responsibilities. But yes, I would like you to follow up. Newton: FOIA request, Local Lab, publisher at Prairie State, asking for elected officials: start & end date, salaries, & email addresses. All info they can get on their own, I will forward this. Murday: Emails Cherie provided were general GG emails, not personal. Newton: Never heard back, easy request.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT - Nothing other than in New Business
NEW BUSINESS -
Approving 2021 Meeting Dates
● There was a motion to approve setting the 2021 meeting dates & times as submitted by Trustee Standish with a second by Trustee Dietz. Voice vote: Motion carried.
Cares Act Reimbursement - Murday: 3rd party vendor working with County, we have until Jan. 29, to submit up to $10,000 per township, about $1600 has been submitted by Assessor’s Office. I purchased a laptop for use for township, and plan on seeking reimbursement. Also, asked County if internet installation & zoom account can be covered, it can. Maybe, some of that may go to food bank, since we do not have a food bank, maybe partner with catholic charities or a food bank. Newton: Helping Hands in Peotone services Peotone School District, give back to our community.
Special Areas of Responsibilities for Trustees - Murday: My thoughts for current Trustees:
Bill Wagner
● Assume responsibility assisting me with preparation of Budget
● Assist with Road District & Assessor’s Office budget
● Research Exempt properties to see if any belong on tax roll, tapping into potential revenue
● Assist Supervisor on financial end of Township
Ralph Dietz
● Take lead with Land Use
● Be our main contact with County, take initiative to make sure County hears our concerns, currently lack of notice & knowledge.
● Share information with Supervisor & Trustees
Cherie Newton
● Website maintenance, more robust. Maybe include Covid related items (vaccinations & updates), Peotone Library & drive more activity to the website
● Social Services, seniors, food bank, etc. Find out what we can offer that we haven’t in the past
● Funding for above mentioned
Russ Standish (not running for another term)
● Public safety, relationship with law enforcement agency
● EPA issues (recent dumping)
● Tornado siren and funding for such things
Murday: Purpose not to give chores, as elected officials we need to be more proactive for the township.  Prepare reports & discuss at meetings. Hoping this is well received, think about it. Want residents to know who we are & what we do, just being more active.
Questions: Schultz: Stuenkel, 2 new facilities, not brought before the board. A big barn going in, and across the street from that a guy with a new home putting up garage to house semi’s in. Massat told him “you’re not going to run semi’s on the road.” Now, the garage is going up. I don’t know if he has a permit or not. Maybe
something for everyone to think about. Murday: Sounds like something for you to discuss with Dietz. Schultz: Across the street supposedly 50 stall barn & arena going in. Nobody heard about that & it’s almost done. Dietz: Do they go to highway commissioner? Schultz: Highway knows, driveway done without culvert was ok'd
because of rules. Is there enough acreage there to do this? Dietz & Schultz to discuss.
Assignment of Sectors - Murday: Separating 4 quadrants, let’s just digest what we have so far. Really just for residents of that quadrant to know their Trustee assigned to them (something for near future). Hopefully in the summer we will start to be more active here.
Use of Website - Murday: Already spoken of, Cherie, I don’t expect you to be “Web-master.” Looking to make website more robust, just looking in to.
Discussion on Budget - Murday: Jane, please send budget as soon as you can so we can vote at February meeting. Bushong: No problem.
Murday: Sue, can you get meeting minutes to me earlier? I use it as a checklist of things before the next meeting. Coffey: I will work on it.
OLD BUSINESS - None
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Murday: Comments welcome at all times. Thanks everyone for working with us via telephone. Expect to be back in February for an in person meeting. Masks & social distancing required. Thank you for attending.
There was a motion to adjourn the meeting by Supervisor Murday with a second by Trustee Standish. Voice
vote: Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Coffey, Clerk

GREEN GARDEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
LEVY HEARING
DECEMBER 14, 2020
The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Murday at 7:00 p.m. (Also open to conference call)
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
In physical attendance were Trustees Wagner, Newton, Standish, Dietz, Supervisor Murday, Commissioner Hilliard, and Clerk Coffey. Assessor Bushong present via conference call.
There was a motion to approve the from the regular meeting held November 9, 2020 as submitted by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Newton. Voice vote: Motion carried.
PLANNING COMMISSION - Supervisor Murday stated by statute he can not be Planning Chair, approached a couple of folks interested, they want time to think about it. Nothing on the agenda, nothing held in December, nothing for January. If something comes up, we will figure out how to handle it. Hope to have someone by January meeting.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT -
Past Operations
● 3 street lights repaired
● Signs: 2 relocated, 2 replaced, 2 repaired
● Moved tractors & various equipment to old shed for winter storage
● Branch & garbage pickup throughout township
● Prairie Creek cleanout - Bruns east of 88th
● 80th south of Dralle - creek cleaned out
● Completed cold patch to all township roads
● Completed 104th road preparation for winter, increased shoulder & added slope to ditch north of Pauling
● Sexual Harassment training completed for full time employees
● In house vehicle repair - brake job & lights replaced
● Vac Truck Service completed - Bruns tile flushed, tree roots removed. 3 truckloads of water 10,000 - 15,000 gallons was running good, may be a bad pitch
● Finished demo with patching machine - 3 roads will be tested to determine possible purchase of machine $15,000 - $20,000
● Laid shoulder stone on 104th north of Manhattan-Monee
Present Operations
● Truck Repair, 2 trucks outsourced for service
● Cutting shoulders throughout township - removing excess dirt to allow water flow off roads into ditches
● 104th south of Manhattan-Monee was surveyed by Will County Engineers
➢ Working to increase shoulder & decrease slope of ditch (may have to move utility lines)
● Demoed a new skid steer & compiling bids to upgrade equipment
● Snow stakes being placed throughout township
● Filled one salt shed & working on filling second one (salt from Frankfort)
Future Operations
● Hard surface roads planned for 2021
➢ Pauling from Whispering Prairie to 45
➢ 104th north of Pauling quarter mile
● Remodel Road District office (with road district employees) having 30 years construction
experience
● Replace cross culvert on 80th south of Dralle (spring 2021)
Questions - Murday: County or State puting additional asphalt along Monee-Manhattan? Hilliard: State project done with the culverts $2.2 million with the work. Murday: Do they plan to extend past Center (east)? Striggow: From here east is County. Murday: May follow up with County to see if they still have plans to widen intersection to include turn lanes (Center & Manhattan-Monee).
ASSESSOR’S REPORT -
TOI Virtual Conference
● Attended several township official educational classes offered by TOI in mid November. Very informative information. Recorded sessions should be available sometime in December.
On-Going, Standard Assessor work
● Appraiser, real estate, attorney, county & resident requests
● Visiting new construction sites to apply assessed values as soon as occupancy is complete
● Data entry into PAMS system: Property record card information, sales, permits, appeals, photos, exemption paperwork, correspondence, new construction drawings, and inquiries into PAMS
● Provided Supervisor report on future Assessor Office options
● Follow up work on open appeals
● Working with County SOA Office with field visits to many properties confirming if property is still being farmed.
● Necessary research for 2nd PC with 2 PAMS licenses
Statistic and General Information
● Reviewed all 0090 Tax Exempt properties (Tax Exempt properties do not pay property taxes)
● 18 totally Tax Exempt properties in GGT in 2020 with a total of 492.33 acres of tax exempt
land:
➢ 4 out of 5 cemetery properties are tax exempt - total of 6.83 acres
➢ 3 properties are owned by Green Garden Township - total of 10.45 acres
➢ 4 properties are owned by the Forest Preserve - total of 374.25 acres
➢ 1 school property - total of 5.5 acres
➢ 2 church properties - total of 16.31 acres
➢ 2 residential homes - owned by non-profit/church organizations - less than 3 acres total,
1 in Tuscan Hills and 1 on Dralle
➢ 1 large parcel owned by the Village of Frankfort on Kuse - total of 72.62 acres
➢ 1 property owned by the Frankfort Fire District - total of 5 acres
Assessor Bushong relates 2 residents compliment accurate meeting minutes.
Follow up on Frankfort property welcomes any info regarding. Wagner: Is the property being farmed? Bushong: Not that I can see. Doesn’t look farmed. Discussion on property & location on map. Paul Chiocca: Years ago Frankfort bought as they annexed further south, thought being some sort of sewage treatment facility. There was a big farm, used to be able to buy used truck parts, old gaits, cars, wagons, etc. Over 20 years ago, tore down old barn & house, behind Sabatino’s. Striggow: Thought sanitary idea started with the Martin
Subdivision. Murday: May touch base with Mayor Holland. Bushong: Tuscan Hills property- Christian Life Church founder (totally exempt). Murday: Someone runs a church & gets that? Bushong: They apply through the state, don’t know if I have anything to say on that. Murday: Let’s make sure it’s all ok, legit.
TRUSTEE’S REPORT - None. Supervisor Murday has ideas for Trustee’s to be discussed in New Business.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT - Murday: Learned a lot in last couple months, replaced Trustee, salary review, caucus (no direct impact), levy, and appreciate all the help & guidance folks have given, from the Trustee’s sitting here, Jane & Jim as well. Feeling comfortable, thank you for the support and I thank the people who come out to the meetings.
NEW BUSINESS - Supervisor Murday gives description of how Levy process works. Green Garden recoops the taxes collected by Will County, Townships levy on taxes to have remitted. Mechanism used by Township to recover money County collects on our behalf (Township & Road District). Levy for April 1, 2021-March 31,2022. Moving forward, start to work on Budgets, with meaningful conversations with Trustees. This year relied on Bill Wagner & Penny Massat. Sue Coffey obtained from County assessment of what Levy could be.  Wagner computed his program and computation very close. If we increase by 5% or more, statute requires publication, hearing, & Truth in Taxation. Decided we would not levy for greater than 5%. Original Ordinance for the Township Levy tendered before the Trustees had a figure for Assessor that did not comport with the budget approved by the Board. Budget tendered was for $43,000 for Assessor. Original Levy Ordinance sent to Trustees earlier had $33,000 on the Ordinance, we are entertaining the one for $43,000. That is the only difference.
LEVY READING/VOTE
Supervisor Murday read Township Tax Levy Ordinance #TF-2020-02. Trustee Newton questions other line item changes. Murday: In order to increase Assessor,, needed to reduce other line items. Newton: What is the percentage? Murday: .047. Murday finished reading Ordinance starting with the Assessor line.
● There was a motion to pass Township Tax Levy Ordinance #TF-2020-02 by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Standish. Roll Call vote: Wagner, yes; Standish, yes; Newton, yes; Dietz, yes; Murday, yes. Motion carried. 5-0
Supervisor Murday gave brief discussion on Road District calculations, no mingling of Funds.
Supervisor Murday read the Road District Tax Levy Ordinance #RB-2020-02. Questions? Dietz: Budget is $1,162,000, Levy $896,000, what makes up the difference? Hilliard & Wagner: Carry over from previous year.  Dietz: Every year has a $300,000 carry over? Wagner: Not always, snow removal. Dietz: So, like a surplus if not a lot of snow? Hilliard: I don’t know how Bob carried over, I don’t plan on carrying over that much, but need to get through a winter to see what I’m up against, before making decision. Dietz: Just curious, don’t want you to get caught short. Murday: 2020-2021 beginning balance $302,000. Hilliard: 1 mile of road might be $100,000 to pave. Maybe Bob wanted to do 3 miles in 1 year, or for bigger project. Striggow: Did most categories go up that .47%? Murday: Across the board, thought being once we get fine eyed sum of Levy, start working on Budgets with discussions being held in meetings so people can see exactly when money is spent.
Striggow: Jim, did you have an active part in this Levy? Hilliard: Small part, still learning.
● There was a motion to pass Road District Tax Levy Ordinance #RB-2020-02 by Trustee
Standish with a second by Trustee Dietz. Roll Call vote: Standish, yes; Dietz, yes; Wagner, yes; Newton, yes; Murday, yes. Motion carried. 5-0.
Murday on the record thanking Bill Wagner for help guiding through. Feel next year I can do on my own, but knowing Bill is there will be advantageous.
Back in New Business:
Murday: Would like Board more engaged in community, not just a reactive body, but go out & be with residents. Four Trustees, 4 quadrants, each Trustee responsible for 1 quadrant. Being accessible to those residents, discussing water issues, neighbors doing things on properties that they shouldn’t, and annexation concerns. Murday: Dietz works with Hilliard and I on water issues, Newton is very involved with the Seniors. An assistance fund is there, let’s do things. Wagner with Land Use, a Trustee to communicate with Monee,
Frankfort, University Park & Manhattan, let's be more active. Some thoughts for the new year. Bushong: I concur, I speak with residents daily, great need for Senior Services, people ask what help is out there for them? Murday: Tell them help is on the way.
Murday: Not happy with the way the Town Hall is being maintained, he stated whole place was filthy, including the bathrooms. Not oblivious to future of the building, and maybe if Hilliard has time we can do something up here. Not forgotten Bushong needs an office4, maybe here, don’t know, but not forgotten. I know in the past someone was paid to maintain. Stating he was not proud. Also asking who has keys? Striggow: Change the
locks. Murday: No question. Striggow: Didn’t we have maintenance person? Murday: Don’t know. Striggow: I tried to rent, told we don’t rent, didn’t we used to? Coffey: I was contacted as well for a wedding shower. Jim Nolan (previous supervisor) said it wasn’t worth it. Murday: We will look at that. This is why I want to reach more people. If people need to go to Frankfort to solve our problems, we are not doing our jobs.
Schultz: Asked Hilliard about driveway going in, he was given bond. Asked what’s going in there? (Stuenkel between Center & 88th) he said horse barn. I asked around, 50 stall horse barn. Same old thing as by us, that shouldn’t be. Hilliard: Pretty sure person lives west of the pole barn. I don’t always get to see a site plan.  Striggow: If it comes to you, why doesn’t it get back to these guys (Board)? Murday: Maybe I will get as well, now having access to Township Supervisor’s emails. Now we only get notification of Map Amendments &
Special Use Permits, I have complained. Maybe meet with County. Depending how the property is zoned determines animal count. Coffey: That’s not what happened by Bobbi Schultz. Murday: Some “grandfathering” there. Murday to follow up for Schultz.
Hilliard: Another issue, not a road issue, 104th south of Dralle- dumping yard waste from Chicago. Probably 100-300 semi loads dumped there. Talked to County, talked to Land Use, Jim Anderson in charge of recycling, and the EPA. Basically, nothing they can do about it, allowed 20,000 tons of yard waste per acre. They say they’re going to grind up & put on 1 acre. Suggests Murday drive by there, it’s a shame. The owner & I have had words. Mike Coffey: How are the trucks getting in? Hilliard: They use roads. Coffey: How can they use the roads if not ag? Hilliard: Agriculture, police won’t stop delivery. Striggow: What about bond? There’s like 80,000 cubic yards of yard waste out there, and they’re beating up the roads. Hilliard: I can ask them.  Striggow: Don’t ask. Hilliard: I can ask, tell, but the police won’t stop them. Best I come up with is Tim Anderson to get the EPA involved. I want to protect the roads, but really concerned with all that ground & trash being dumped there. Sue Coffey: Didn’t Bob make them bond roads for that “whatever mite” (biosolids)?
Striggow: Yes. Hilliard: I don’t know if I have legal right to do that. We’d have to form an Ordinance. As for overweight trucks, I can tell her (the owner) but I’ve got Bill’s landscaping driving back & forth. So, what’s done for one would have to be for everybody. May have to draft Ordinance, which is a good idea. We have contractors like Werner, few others, may be licensed or bonded for a year. Some type of insurance. Murday:  This is what I was speaking of, let Trustees work with Hilliard & residents to find solution to problems. I will look at. Thank you Buddy & Jim for bringing to our attention.
OLD BUSINESS - Murday: 2 things. Met with Township accountant (Steve Weber) to address outstanding matters, did not file our AFR which was due a few months ago, he is getting after that & what Sue had mentioned about mistakes in her salary. He is looking into that as well. Told him I wanted both issues resolved by end of year. He said OK, I will keep up on that. We did cut check for Don Hellriegel for money owed for his service as Trustee, stopped by their home with check. Sue had been there earlier to deliver memorial stone pictured in the Vedette. Mrs. Hellriegel was very appreciative of everything, conveyed to her how much we miss Don.
Scott Bettenhausen on record submitting land rental checks. Murday: 3 checks: each for $3,192 totalling $9,576 for farm lease. Striggow: Does that go into earmarked fund or Town fund? Wagner: Park Fund.  Murday wishes all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, thanks for support, much appreciated. Bettenhausen: One last thing on farm leased land, wondering if Road District ou you to address. Neighbor burning in small group of trees on Park property, uses as dump burning ground. Cluster of trees where the previous owner was going to build house. Overgrown clearing neighbor using as burn pit. Murday: Has anyone spoken to him? Bettenhausen: No, my thought just clear brush & overgrown maples, and just farm through there. Coffey: Not the evergreens? Bettenhausen: Not the evergreens. Murday: Clear to farm? Bettenhausen: Section probably not bigger than this room. In past, Massat would help upgrade property, kinda leaning on Road District for help again. Few trees need stumps dug out, looking for approval. Murday: Are you willing to
do? Bettenhausen: Yes, if there’s a day Hilliard would have time with a couple of guys to help. Wagner: Would debris be pushed back on his property? Bettenhausen: No, just a burn pit. Not really garbage dump. We’re already paying to farm it. Hilliard agrees to work with Bettenhausen.
There was a motion to adjourn the meeting by Trustee Wagner with a second by Trustee Newton. Voice vote:  Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Coffey, Clerk