President and Board of Trustees

123 Madison Street Village of Oak Park Oak Park, Illinois 60302 www.oak-park.us Meeting Minutes President and Board of Trustees Friday, June 30, 2017 5:00 PM Village Hall I. Call to Order Village President Abu-Taleb called the Meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. II. Roll Call Present: 4- Village Trustee Taglia, Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Boutet, and Village Trustee Andrews By Phone: 1- Village Trustee Moroney Absent: 2- Village Trustee Button, and Village Trustee Tucker III. Agenda Approval It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia, to approve the Agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Village Manager Pavlicek noted that Village Trustee Moroney was attending the meeting by phone pursuant to the Village's electronic attendance policy. IV. Non-Agenda Public Comment There was no Non-Agenda public comment. V. Regular Agenda A. ORD 17-232 Setting July 10, 2017 as the Date for Village Board Discussion of the Cook County Minimum Wage and Sick Leave Ordinances and Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 (“Administration”), Article 6 (“Finance Department”) by Adding a New Section 2-6-21 (“Conflicts with Cook County Minimum Wage and Sick Leave Ordinances”) Opting Out of the Cook County Ordinances Until July 11, 2017 Village Manager Pavlicek commented that this meeting was called in order to discuss a request received from the business community on Wednesday seeking a 90-day opt out from the Cook County Minimum Wage and Sick Leave Ordinance in order to allow for a community conversation. Staff has prepared an ordinance that would allow that for a 10-day period in order for the full Board to be present to discuss it on July 10. Catharine Schutzius. Ms. Schutzius is a 24-year resident of Oak Park and has worked supporting hourly paid workers in their fight for justice at work. She discussed how this increase would affect these workers. She encouraged the Board to do the right thing. Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 7/18/2017 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes June 30, 2017 Molly Sackler. Ms. Sackler is a former employee of the Oak Park Housing Center and discussed how devastating it was to not be able to help minimum wage workers find housing. Angela Larson. Ms. Larson spoke about the Community Relations Commission's work regarding adoption of a living wage. Oak Park residents value income diversity as much as racial diversity. Fran Sullivan. Ms. Sullivan has lived in Oak Park for over 60 years. With all of the progressive things that the Village has done, she can't believe that Oak Park didn't take the lead on this issue before the county did. She urged the Board to vote no. Valerie De Priest. Ms. De Priest sang a song about the history of Oak Park. John Duffy. Mr. Duffy spoke about his career as an educator and Oak Park's commitment to social justice and diversity. Caren Van Slyke. Ms. Van Slyke, a small business owner, stated that it couldn't have been at the request of the business community to discuss this Item. She supports a living wage; when employees prosper so do businesses. Richard Meyer. Mr. Meyer commented that he will not patronize restaurants that are not paying their workers minimum wage. Keia Giles, representing Black Workers Matter. Ms. Giles spoke for those who cannot be present regarding fair treatment in the workplace. Ron Baiman. Mr. Baiman expressed outrage that this is happening. He discussed the Living Wage Ordinance. Peter Creticos. Mr. Creticos stated that political stunts do not shock him. The action taken today should have been dealt with months ago. He urged the Board to vote no. Johnny Westmoreland. Mr. Westmoreland asked who can survive on $8.25 per hour. Michael Leinartas. Mr. Leinartas expressed dismay that the Board would take this action on such short notice, on the Friday of a holiday weekend, without the full Board present. He discussed results of the recent non-binding state referendum regarding changing the minimum wage to $10 per hour. He urged the Board to consider the lives of those struggling to live here. Jill and Brent Showalter. The Showalters own four small businesses in town and support the minimum wage. Ms. Showalter stated that business are only as strong as their great employees. Mr. Showalter commented that they prepared for the wage change and were pressured by the Chamber of Commerce to attend meetings to discuss this. It is the Chamber of Commerce behind this, not small businesses. Kimberly Chapman. Ms. Chapman makes $8.75 per hour and discussed her financial situation. She asked the Board to support their petition to not opt out of the ordinance. Rev. Dora White Merritt. Rev. Merritt's family has lived in Oak Park for five generations. She believes in fairness and the right to a quality life. She asked the Board to vote no and not destroy Oak Park's reputation. Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 7/18/2017 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes June 30, 2017 James Pfluecke. Mr. Pfluecke is a member of The People's Lobby, who worked to pass the county ordinance. As a formal retail worker, he has been to work sick and believes sick leave is important. He asked the Board not to opt out. Daniel Lauber. Mr. Lauber is a former Village Planner for Oak Park. He expressed distress that this meeting is even being held and commented about a conflict of interest for three Board members. This ordinance does not establish a living wage but is a gradual increase towards one. He asked the Board to reject the item on tonight's agenda. Henry Fulkerson. Mr. Fulkerson moved to Oak Park because it is a progressive community. He and his neighbors are ashamed and angry that this is happening in Oak Park. There is overwhelming support from the community to not opt out of the Cook County ordinance and they are committed to supporting small local businesses. Rev. C.J. Hawking. Rev. Hawking noted that in the play "Hamilton", the hero died in a senseless duel. She stated that Oak Park has been placed in a senseless duel. She urged the Board to follow Evanston and Berwyn and do not opt out. Tom Broderick. Mr. Broderick discussed the Living Wage Ordinance that he worked on. He asked the Board members who would be impacted by this to abstain. David Kelm. Mr. Kelm has trouble understanding how the Board would consider opting out of a minimum wage ordinance when what they should be considering a living wage ordinance. Kent Dean. Mr. Dean commented that the Village Board acts directly contrary to the very clearly expressed wishes of their constituents and voters. The County Ordinance passed in October. This meeting looks like a manufactured crisis in order to slip it past the public. Adam Paradis. Mr. Paradis stated that this is a matter of principle. The workers create the wealth. He asked the Board to vote no. Rachel Weaver. Ms. Weaver and her husband own The Book Table in Oak Park. The letter from the Chamber of Commerce does not speak for them. They pay their employees a living wage and offer health insurance. She commented that Berwyn and Chicago, which is over 50% of their border, did not opt out. Better pay attracts better employees and more customers. Cate Readling. Ms. Readling stated that not opting out is the smartest thing that Oak Park can do. She respects Cathy Yen and believes the Chamber of Commerce is an important group; she asked what the Village is going to do to help support local businesses. Stephanie Socall. Ms. Socall thanked Village Trustee Tucker for being supportive of the Cook County law. She is not interested in supporting businesses that do not offer paid sick time and the modest wage increase proposed. Etta Worthington. Ms. Worthington stated that since October, many people have believed that they would be getting a raise, thinking that it would make a difference. She asked the Board if they can take that away in good conscience. Terry Grace. Mr. Grace loves Oak Park's values, such as embracing diversity and treating people with respect. The people who work in Oak Park cannot afford to live in Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 7/18/2017 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes June 30, 2017 Oak Park. Economic diversity is slipping away. He spoke about life on the economic edge and how this increase will make their lives easier. Steven Ashby. Mr. Ashby stated that if tonight's vote goes against workers' rights, no one will believe Board members who say they love Oak Park, the residents and the workers and that this is a pro-business vote. Voting yes is voting for poverty. Jason Girard. Mr. Girard is a lifelong Oak Parker and his family has a history of supporting progressive values. He spoke poorly of the Chamber of Commerce. Doug Wyman. Mr. Wyman helped work for previous historical progressive movements. He noted that starting pay at his business is $15 per hour plus bonus in addition to health insurance and sick days. It would be to a business's advantage to pay employees $15 per hour, as they will not need to be replaced. Michelle Vanderlaan. Ms. Vanderlaan owns two local businesses and is one of the most competitive paying employers in the area. This issue is very complicated and affects a lot of people. The business owners play a big part in this and should collectively work together but were not included in the dialogue. Cathy Yen, representing the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce. Ms.Yen stated the some business owners are ready for tomorrow, some will need some help. Those that need help have struggled to have their voices heard. This meeting should've happened months ago. The request was to have a constructive conversation with all seven Board Members. Kayla Minor. Ms. Minor works at Coldstone Creamery and makes minimum wage. She is unable to save any money towards school. Michael Sincox. Mr. Sincox works at Jimmy Johns and makes minimum wage. He is expecting a child in three weeks and cannot raise a child on that. Mary Dungy. Ms. Dungy is the breadwinner for her family. She is a social worker and struggles to pay her bills, and cannot imagine how it would be to raise children at $8.25 per hour. Asking workers to get by on that is not the Oak Park that she moved to. John Tulley. Mr. Tulley is a doctor and addressed the sick leave issue. He has told patients to stay home from work and they will not because they will not get paid. It is also a public health issue. He is not so sure he wants to go to restaurants that don't give employees sick pay. Christian Chiakulas. Mr. Chiakulas initially ran for the school board but took his name off the ballot because he cannot afford to live in Oak Park anymore. He had to go a great distance to find a job that pays well enough to support him and his daughter. Oak Park workers deserve a raise. Bridget Early. Ms. Early is the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs for the Chicago Federation of Labor. She asked the Board to dismiss the temporary opt out. She knows that the Board understands the impact of paid sick leave and increasing the minimum wage. Zach Koutsky. Mr. Koutsky is the Legislative and Political Director of Local 881 United Food and Commercial Workers. He supports a decent living wage and the ability to take care for yourself or a loved one if you are sick. Through collective bargaining, his Union Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 7/18/2017 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes June 30, 2017 members are provided with good wages, sick leave and benefits. Not every worker has those advantages. Neal Waltmire. Mr. Waltmire works for SEIU Healthcare and spoke about their work. He is upset that human beings that do great work are not respected in this society and do not get the wages they deserve. Oak Park cannot support progressive values if they don't support workers. Leslie Roberts. Ms. Roberts discussed oppression. Keeping wages below a living wage is oppression. When employers do not pay a living wage, the employer benefits but the workers suffer. Aldo Reyes. Mr. Reyes read an article from the Denver Post stating that there is nowhere in the United States that a full-time minimum wage worker can afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment as well as other statistics regarding the cost of housing. The Board took a five minute recess. Village Trustee Moroney stated that he wanted to be there in person but was out of state. Village President Abu-Taleb stated that Village Trustees Button and Tucker would vote no if they were present. There is plenty of blame to go around regarding why this wasn't addressed earlier. He would support a uniform wage increase across the state; Cook County put the Village in a difficult position. After hearing tonight's public comment, and since the business community is not here other than a few speakers, he has decided not to take a vote tonight. Village Trustee Andrews read a statement from Village Trustee Button stating that she is disappointed that this meeting is happening, as she was proud of their initial decision to not opt out. She expressed support for the community. He also read a statement from Village Trustee Tucker stating that he has always been a huge advocate for Oak Park's small business community. However, he is also also a believer in the Cook County Minimum Wage and Sick Leave Ordinance. People who work an honest day's work deserve an honest day's pay. He urged his colleagues not to opt out. Village Trustee Andrews commented that it was a mistake to pull this from the agenda a few weeks ago. He feels that the Board has a lot of work to do to practice good government. He supports a living wage; businesses will have to adjust. His employees will always be paid above minimum wage. He also supports paid sick leave. Village Trustee Boutet thanked all for coming. She concurred with Village President Abu-Taleb regarding plenty of blame to go around. She expressed concern that Village Trustees Button and Tucker were not present and asked that the Board not discuss a topic in which she is passionate about in her absence. She is happy there will not be a vote but is not happy that she was not able to talk with the business community. She expressed support for the local businesses and discussed stickers in the windows that state they are a fair wage employer. Village Trustee Moroney stated that the last minute nature of this meeting was not planned but a desire to make sure the Board was doing the right thing for Oak Park. Paying people a decent wage is an Oak Park value and he is supportive of a national minimum wage increase. He urged residents to shop local. Village Trustee Taglia was upset when the item was pulled from the agenda originally. Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 7/18/2017 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes June 30, 2017 Public debate should not be on social media only. The primary place of debate is Council Chambers. Village President Abu-Taleb stated that it is important to remain respectful to one another even when we disagree. He commented that he has never made decisions based on what benefits his business, but the community as a whole. This Ordinance was withdrawn. VI. Adjourn It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Village Trustee Boutet, to adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 P.M., Friday, June 30, 2017. Respectfully Submitted, MaryAnn Schoenneman Deputy Village Clerk Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 7/18/2017