Kates, Braun Take Seats On Winnetka Village Council

Three newly elected Winnetka trustees began their terms Tuesday night as the board thanked retiring trustees E. King Poor and Linda Pedian for their service.

Village President Tucker was also reseated after she took her oath of office.

Richard Kates, Jennifer Spinney and Arthur Braun took the oath of office after the previous board wrapped up its old business. The trustees passed resolutions thanking Poor and Pedian, and offered their personal gratitude.

Poor completed two terms as a village trustee and served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was also the village board's liaison to the Environmental and Forestry Commission, a body he helped create.

Village President Jessica Tucker said Poor approached the office of village trustee "with integrity, dignity and honor, an open mind and a farsighted approach."

"Trustee Poor is one of the great ones who really lived up to the office of village trustee in every way," she said.

Poor thanked village staff for its service and wished the new council good luck.

"May you be guided by the same spirit in finding common ground for the common good," Poor said.

Linda Pedian was absent from the meeting, but Tucker acknowledged her efforts by describing Pedian as "gracious, tireless" and generous.

"Linda,  I will miss all the hard work you do getting into the nitty gritty of the warrants and some of the proposals and the good questions you always came up with… in the spirit of wanting the village to prosper and trying to make the best judgments you could," Trustee William Johnson said.

Trustees also approved a change to the village liquor code that would allow the Winnetka Wine Shop to extend its hours and serve wine or beer with food at outside tables--provided the business applies for the license.

A contract was awarded to Western Utility Contractors in the amount of $140,392 for wire pulling. According to village staff, the contractor expressed reservations about the bid before the meeting but staff recommended its approval anyway.

Trustees also granted preliminary approval to the owners of 777 Locust St. to expand their property to the adjacent lot, 769 Locust St.