Township of Ela

The special board meeting focused primarily on the Lakes Reserve Water Expansion Project involving CLC Jawa and Lake Zurich. Discussions included an overview of CLC Jawa as a municipal water agency providing water to central Lake County communities. The engineering team detailed the routing selection process, emphasizing feasibility, constructibility, and stakeholder impact, noting the route selection shifted from Diamond Lake Road to Eagle Drive to avoid existing utilities, wetlands, and minimize impact on private property and traffic flow. Construction expectations were outlined, covering pre-construction activities like utility locating, the 6-foot wide, 8-foot deep trench excavation, installation of pipe with gravel backfill, installation of fire hydrants, pressurization testing, and final restoration with asphalt paving. Operational details discussed included adherence to Lake County noise ordinances for construction hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with potential Saturday work), maintaining access to primary roads and driveways (potentially using steel plates), and communication protocols involving resident engineers and notifications. A key concern addressed was the impact on private wells.

The Executive Session meeting was convened following the Regular Board Meeting to discuss personnel matters. The primary discussion involved the elimination of two part-time administrative coordinator positions and the creation of a new full-time office manager role, including deliberation on the necessity of the position and its corresponding compensation. The board unanimously approved the decision to create the new full-time position.

The meeting began with a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. A presentation was given by Olivia Steven, Government Grants and Outreach Manager at Clearbrook, detailing their services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential placements, day programs, therapies, and homebased services. Current service statistics for Ela Township clients were shared, along with a success story regarding independent living and employment for a client. Old business focused on the CLGO water project, including updates on resident questions, attorney review regarding mandatory tapping requirements for existing construction, and the publication of the March 4th agenda which includes a presentation and subsequent public comment session. New business addressed the fiscal year 2027 special agency grant application, with committee recommendations reviewed, including a decision regarding funding for PADS, a local homeless shelter, due to past negative feedback. There was also discussion regarding a forthcoming informal meeting with the village administrator from Lake Zurich concerning pipeline route negotiations affecting Eagle Drive and Diamond Lake properties, with subsequent planning for trustee attendance.

The meeting commenced with the pledge of allegiance, followed by no public comment offered. The consent agenda included the approval of the audit from December 2025. Monthly updates covered Assessor Barrington discovering significant underassessments on properties near the lake and initiating correction efforts for the 2027 reassessment. The Clerk mentioned communication from the Township attorney regarding past Executive Session minutes. Supervisor Wilhoit reported on community engagement, planned improvements for ADA compliance to potentially secure early voting status, and forthcoming scholarship applications. New business involved approving revisions to Intergovernmental Agreements with the Villages of Long Grove, Deer Park, and North Barrington. An Executive Session was held to discuss Personnel and Litigation matters before adjourning the meeting.

Key discussions included updates on the Youth and Senior Programs, noting that Summer registration for youth programs would use a new online database and that paper Senior newsletters would now incur a fee. Staffing needs were reviewed, specifically the requirement for board approval to change a part-time chef position to full-time due to increased meal service demand. Old business covered updates on building renovations for the Activity Room, necessary work on the generator by utility companies, and the planned rollout of the Community Pass registration software for summer camp registration, which will require waiver completion beforehand. The committee explored new business items such as developing a snow shovel removal referral program similar to one in Arlington Heights, updating Homework Club enrollment policies, securing a license for TherapyNotes software for the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), and researching vendors for a policy on Registered Sex Offenders. The committee also planned to investigate streaming service options for the Community Center.