Glen Ellyn trustee: System is 'tainted'

Glen Ellyn's village board remained on edge and split Monday night over whether to hire Town Builder Studios to conduct a downtown strategic plan.

During a workshop meeting, village board members discussed the entire process that led up to the Dec. 19 decision to give Town Builder Studios the go-ahead to begin contract negotiations. Village officials also worked through a draft contract with Town Builder Studios President Jim Louthen throughout the night.

The study, which will cost $100,000, will highlight areas the village needs to focus on, including historic preservation, parking, retail and economic analysis.

During a meeting last month, Trustees Tim Armstrong, Pete Ladesic and Sara Lee supported Houseal Lavigne Associates, another firm based out of Naperville. However, Trustees Jim Comerford, Peter Norton and Michelle Thorsell were in favor of Town Builder Studios of West suburban Riverside to conduct the study.

President Vicky Hase cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of hiring Town Builder Studios, and that's when village staff was directed to begin contract negotiations with the group.

However, some trustees remained confused Monday night about several issues that led to the contract negotiations.

First was whether a volunteer consultant who participated in the village selection committee's decision had a conflict of interest. And second, whether it was necessary for Village President Vicky Hase to express her vote during a workshop meeting before Dec. 19 when the board was split over three consulting firms to conduct the study.

Hase attempted to close discussions about the process so far.

"This is all in the history," she said. "Three trustees and the village president have said we're going forward with Town Builder Studios."

But other trustees remained frustrated with the procedure.

"I will be a team player once and if a contract is executed, but I believe the system did not work for our residents," Lee said.

Trustee Ladesic agreed.

"I think this whole system was tainted," he said.

The village board may vote at Monday night's meeting on whether to hire Town Builder Studios to conduct the study.