COD Votes to De-Annex While Village Begins Enforcing Local Ordinances on Campus

officials voted Wednesday night to sever ties with the , while village officials are set to begin enforcing local ordinances and codes at the community college today, Dec. 1. 

At COD's board of trustees meeting on Wednesday, the group voted to give college President Robert Breuder the authority "to take all action necessary to disconnect the College from the Village," according to the college website. 

If granted de-annexation COD would try to become part of unincorporated DuPage County, said Joe Moore, COD’s vice president of external relations.

The relationship between the COD and the Village of Glen Ellyn has been strained for months as the two sides disagreed over various issues, .  

Earlier this month DuPage County Circuit Court the college may be subject to village building inspections, permitting and approvals.

And the village set a Dec. 1 deadline before enforcing those codes.

On Tuesday, Village President Mark Pfefferman sent a letter to the COD board of trustees with a list of three options the school could take, including re-signing the 2007 Intergovernmental Agreement, or proceed with de-annexation and become subject to the local ordinances.

“The Village is open to options, but the December 1, 2011 date for fulfilling its statutory obligations by enforcement of ordinances that pass the judge's three-part test needs to stand until an Intergovernmental Agreement is signed or the regrettable act of de-annexation occurs. The choice is the College's,” Pfefferman wrote in his letter.

Hours before the COD meeting Pfefferman said he hoped the school would sign the intergovernmental agreement, saying it would be best for both parties and the taxpayers.

That did not happen and the board voted to pursue de-annexation. 

Moore said the relationship between COD and the village had soured and severing ties was the best choice for the school, the village and the taxpayers. 

“There’s been a great deal of acrimony dealing with the village over the past few years…the relationship is irretrievable broken and de-annexing will provide a new opportunity for a relationship,” Moore said.

Since the board approved de-annexation, they will have to petition the village or go through the courts.

Pfefferman said the village would not fight de-annexation, but believes it is the wrong choice with a negative impact for the taxpayers. He added that a vote for de-annexation sends the wrong message.

“If you do not like the rules, you leave, even after you've gone to court three times and been ruled against each time,” Pfefferman said.

Moore said he did not believe severing ties with Glen Ellyn would have a negative financial impact on the school.

COD does owe the Village of Glen Ellyn $34,960.59 in inspection fees, according to a Nov. 23 letter sent by Village Manager Mark Franz to Breuder. In that letter Franz also recommended signing a new intergovernmental agreement.

Since COD opted to terminate its relationship with the village, school officials will have to find a new provider for water, sewer, electric and utility services, Moore said.

Pfefferman said losing COD as a customer would have a negative impact on the village, but said they could continue providing the school with its utility needs at a the rate they provide other unincorporated entities.