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 Monday, February 14, 2022 7:00 PM Remote I. Call to Order Village President Scaman called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. She authorized a statement be read providing that the meeting is being held remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines and that it is not prudent to have people present at the Village Board's regular meeting location due to public health concerns related to that pandemic. II. Roll Call Village Trustee Enyia arrived to the meeting at 7:02 P.M. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla arrived to the meeting at 7:03 P.M. Present: 7- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla Absent: 0 III. Agenda Approval It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee Robinson, to approve the Agenda. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 IV. Non-Agenda Public Comment Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following Non-Agenda Public Comments aloud: Sarah Avendaño: Sarah Avendaño submitted their public comment expressing their concern over the proposed plan to implement a Flock camera surveillance system which they believe will disproportionately harm our Black and Brown neighbors. They feel strongly that this surveillance Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 system is not aligned with the Welcoming Village ordinance, if not technically than certainly in spirit, and asked the Board to take more time to consider this, have an in-depth public discourse, and use a Racial Equity Impact framework to shape all plans. Brynne Hovde: Brynne Hovde submitted their public comment expressing their concern for the process and plans surrounding the Flock camera surveillance system and by implementing the system we are opening a surveillance box that will be difficult to close, and may not actually address the true worries of my neighbors. They asked the Board to have a robust public discussion and leverage a Racial Equity Impact framework when deciding how we move forward with these plans. Cassandra West: Cassandra West submitted their public comment expressing their concern over the proposed plan to implement a Flock camera surveillance system. They understand the worry and concern about increased crime, but we must seek humane solutions that don’t further harms through privacy violations. A Concerned Citizen: A Concerned Citizen submitted their public comment regarding Wynn Lacey, a Board of Health member, and their decision to not get the covid vaccine. They believe it is wrong to put such pressure on someone who doesn’t want this experimental shot. Elle Morton, Anne McNamee Keels, Erin Sowers, and Suzanne Feeney: Elle Morton, Anne McNamee Keels, Erin Sowers, and Suzanne Feeney submitted a joint public comment to request the Board have a thorough discussion using a Racial Equity Impact framework before moving forward on plans for the Flock camera surveillance system. It is unclear to them why the Flock cameras are being rushed through at this time and without the data and discussion that should be a priority for this board. Daniel Espinosa Krehbiel and Kelley Ford: Daniel Espinosa Krehbiel and Kelley Ford submitted their public comment expressing their disappointment that the Board is moving forward with the Flock police cameras without having done a racial equity impact assessment and a fiscal assessment of the financial cost to the village. They feel Oak Park already spends an enormous amount on policing which has only made life for Black and Brown youth in Oak Park harder and more unfair. They feel we deserve to live in a place where our son and other children of color aren't targeted and criminalized by the local government. Kris Stokes: Kris Stokes submitted their pubic comment in opposition to automated license plate readers (APLR) in Oak Park. Using ALPR Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 cameras to track and surveil anyone who visits, passes through, or lives in Oak Park is not in line with our Welcoming Village Ordinance, and is not how they want their community to be. Laura & Scott Sakiyama, Krissy Baker, Elizabeth Jarpe-Ratner, Julia Howland & Jon Tottleben: Laura & Scott Sakiyama, Krissy Baker, Elizabeth Jarpe-Ratner, Julia Howland & Jon Tottleben submitted their joint public comment expressing concerns about the Flock surveillance camera system that is soon to be installed in their neighborhood and believe the Village Board and residents of Oak Park should engage in a robust assessment regarding this surveillance system prior to implementation. Madhurima Chakraborty: Madhurima Chakraborty submitted their public comment in opposition to adding automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in Oak Park. Using ALPR cameras to track and surveil anyone who visits, passes through, or lives in Oak Park is not in line with our Welcoming Village Ordinance, and is not how they want their community to be. Meghan Paulas: Meghan Paulas submitted their public comment regarding being at a boiling point nationally, and internationally. People are disagreeing passionately with a strong sense of animosity, and the simmering animosity appears directed at COVID-related protections. They ask the leaders of our community to stay committed to our shared Oak Park values, and encourage the Board to think of ways we can heal and get through this together. Amy Butler: Amy Butler submitted their public comment questioning the rush to implement a surveillance system in Oak Park prior to the consultants finishing their assessment work. Emily Neumann: Emily Neumann submitted their public comment asking the Board to deepen and expand your understanding and alternatives to Flock cameras before launching them in our community. These relatively new devices and technology have complex implications for the safety and privacy of residents- especially Black and Brown residents of Oak Park. Implementing a technology that protects property at the cost of people’s safety and privacy should not be considered a viable solution. Jim Schwartz: Jim Schwartz submitted their public comment in opposition to the installation of license plate reading cameras in southwest Oak Park. They do not see evidence that installing license plate readers will decrease crime, and will instead increase the degree to which all of us are under surveillance without providing any increase in actual safety. Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 Megan Hovde: Megan Hovde submitted their public comment expressing their concern that the Flock camera surveillance system is not a solution to the recent crime concerns in South Oak Park. They do not support a surveillance system that will exacerbate the disproportionate targeting of Black and Brown Oak Park residents by police and other law enforcement.They support, instead, the exploration of non-policing solutions to impact potential crime before it happens. Michelle Major: Michelle Major submitted their public comment expressing concern over the Police Department’s plan to install Flock cameras in the Village and urged the Board to reconsider the installation of these cameras. Molly Sackler and Jason Wulkowicz: Molly Sackler and Jason Wulkowicz submitted their public comment expressing their shock to learn that the Oak Park police are encouraging residents to call and report the license plates of drivers they deem to be driving recklessly. They added they are appalled that the village wants to implement the Flock camera surveillance system in Oak Park when there is no hard evidence that surveillance systems such as Flock prevent or solve criminal activity. Yoko Terretta: Yoko Terretta submitted their public comment expressing their concern regarding the Flock surveillance system, aka an automated license plate reader, that the Village is working toward implementing. They implored the Board to question the implementation of a technology that could cost all citizens a lot more than it seems it can deliver as a crime fighting solution. Marlis J. Saleh: Marlis J. Saleh submitted their public comment regarding Wynn Lacey, a Board of Health member, and their decision to not get the covid vaccine. They believe she has no business being on the Board of Health and asked the Board to remove her from the commission. Rich Fobes: Rich Fobes submitted their public comment regarding the illegality of mask mandates, exclusion from school, and the vaccination and testing of staff. It is past time for this Board to respect the statute and abandon all illegal mandates and practices immediately and requested to drop all mask mandates now. The following person read their Non-Agenda Public Comment aloud: Gail Galivan: Gail Galivan spoke their public comment regarding a $1,000.00 reward to businesses that comply with the null and void Oak Park Health Department/ Cook County mandates. They then commented on the omittion of information regarding lipids in Covid-19 vaccines. Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 Village Clerk Waters then continued to read the following Non-Agenda Public Comments aloud: Karen Thomas: Karen Thomas submitted their public comment in opposition to the village's mandate to provide proof of vaccination status stating there is absolutely no science behind them, they're hurting local businesses, and they're discriminatory. They added the Board should be ashamed to consider the termination of Wynne Lacey from the Board of Health based on their decision to not get the covid vaccine. John Duffy: John Duffy submitted their public comment on the proposed Flock license plate surveillance adoption by the police department. They urged the Board to conduct a full vetting of how this technology will impact our community, its values, and its vision and a path to be a welcoming, racially just, and safe environment for all before permitting any new forms of public surveillance in Oak Park. V. Regular Agenda A. ID 22-33 Discussion and Review of the Village’s Parking System Interim Village Manager Lisa Shelley introduced the Item. Director of Development Customer Services, Tammie Grossman, then gave background and a general overview of the Item. She introduced Sean Keane, Parking and Mobility Services Manager, who presented on the Parking Study Session: Overview of the Parking System. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on the cost incurred to the parking fund for the fiber project rather than it coming out of the Capital Improvement Fund. Director Grossman responded whenever a capital cost is directly attributable to a parking structure, the parking fund will cover that cost. All of the garages use fiber communication tools for the parking equipment, so the cost incurred was the parking facility's portion of the expense. Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification on the financial position of the Parking Fund. Manager Keane responded it depends on the revenue and if the revenues return to the pre-pandemic levels. Using 2019 as a baseline while continuing to plan out the future capital improvements are the two factors that need to be considered. Village Trustee Taglia added the way it looks is these are money-losing businesses - we are not earning enough revenue to off set the costs. We have to look at how to adjust that. Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification if the goal for this fund is to pay for itself, and if so, why? Director Grossman responded the past Board direction was for the Parking Fund to be self-sustaining. Village Trustee Robinson requested clarification on why vehicle permits and parking citations are not funneled into the Parking Fund. Manager Keane responded parking citations are a function of parking enforcement, which is a function of the police department, which falls within the General Fund. Additionally, vehicle licenses are essentially classified as an annual tax rather than a user fee, so that goes into the General Fund. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on what is the $6 Million dollar transfer from the Parking Fund to other funds. Manager Keane responded it is a non-cash audit adjustment. Director Grossman added they would get clarification from Chief Financial Officer Steve Drazner. Village Trustee Parakkat commented the General Fund is more funded by residents, and the Parking Fund is residents plus non-residents. If the Parking Fund is not self-sustaining, we would be subsidizing the fund from the General Fund. The source of revenue for the General Fund is real estate tax, which is a burden on the resident. If we are subsidizing the Parking Fund with the General Fund, ultimately the burden of how to pay for it is still going to come from the resident population of Oak Park. Village Trustee Taglia commented that as a business an Enterprise Fund should cover their costs and he would like to see the Parking Fund be self-sustaining. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla supported Trustee Taglia's comment, but expressed concerns that the burden of that would then fall on low and middle income residents. Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on why the fund never has been self-sustaining. Director Grossman responded in 2019 there was a $2Million dollar surplus. There was a plan to do a rate study in 2020 to discuss parking fees, but those discussions were put on hold due to the pandemic. The pandemic also impacted parking revenue. Village Trustee Taglia suggested to reevaluate the 90 minutes of free parking in the garages, which was implemented as a temporary measure. Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested the total amount Oak Park residents pay in permit fees per year. Village Trustee Parakkat requested the garage data by revenue category and an estimate on the lost revenue based on the categories to help determine the impact of changing the amount of time allotted for free parking versus paid. Village Trustees then provided some direction to staff: Village Trustee Taglia stated understanding and quantifying what the normal defect is for the parking fund on an annual basis in important. He supports a Pay by Plate/ metered parking fee revision, and reducing the free parking time allotment from 90 minutes to 60, and maybe even 45 minutes, and requested some quantifiable data on any revisions. He does not support revisions to the quarterly or annual parking permit fees. He would like more information on the reduced parking fees for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Village Trustee Parakkat would like to see the entire parking program simplified. He supports revisions to Pay by Plate/ metered parking so the fund is more sustainable. He supports reducing the allotted time for free parking but requested more data on what the impacts would be to the deficit picture overall. He requested more information on how much revenue the quarterly and annual parking fees contribute to the parking fund before providing direction on that. Village Trustee Robinson is in support of the points made. She added they should also be looking at expenses for the lots the village rents and would like more information on the rental fees and usage for the lots (lease fees versus permits). Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested more information on how much are residents who are renters are subsidizing the debt payments on the parking lots - how much are lower and middle income people subsidizing those payments and how much revenue is generated from residents that have to pay to park on the street. She supports reducing the 90 minute allotment of free parking to 45 minutes, and the Pay by Plate/ metered parking revisions as the system seems overly complicated and would like to see more simplicity to the parking system. Village Trustee Buchanan supports Pay by Plate/ metered parking revisions and moving from the 90 minutes to 60 minutes. She does not want to see the quarterly and annual parking permit fees in creased. She supports the Housing Choice Voucher Program. She does not believe this Village of Oak Park Page 7 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 is a self-sustaining fund and should be looked at as more of a public service to the community. Village Trustee Enyia supports most of the points made. He does not want to see an increase in quarterly and annual permits, and believes the Parking Fund is always going to be a deficit, but would like to figure out how to keep the deficit low. Village President Scaman agreed with the majority of the comments. She supports a Pay by Plate/ metered parking fee revision, and reducing the free parking time allotment from 90 minutes to 60, and supports the reduced parking fees for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. She does not support revisions to the quarterly or annual parking permit fees. She does support raising the metered fees in the areas that are not tied to residential renters or owners. Sean Keane, Parking and Mobility Services Manager, then presented on the Parking Study Session: Parking Pilot Program Recommendations. Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on if there is any correlation between parking permit fees and rentals. Director Grossman said there are a number of studies regarding transportation and housing costs, but staff does not have that data specific to Oak Park. Ron Burke, Chair of the Transportation Commission, added the Transportation Commission supports staff's recommendations. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on why the recommendation does not include expanding the number of overnight permits. Director Grossman responded there doesn't seem to be a need to increase overnight parking. Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification on parking zones and the proposed changes to them. Manager Keane responded the parking zones have been in existence for a long time and were drawn based on housing density and parking needs among other things. Current conversations have been around if they are still appropriate or should they be reevaluated. Chair Burke added the result of their recommendation will be an increase in street frontage that overnight parkers can utilize. Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification on the possibility to Village of Oak Park Page 8 Printed on 2/23/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022 opening all streets in the village to parking on one side of the street. Director Grossman responded they did look at that option at the beginning of the parking pilot program, but there were concerns with the width of the street and dealing with snow removal and leaf collection. Staff can revisit this conversation at the Board's direction. Village Trustee Taglia would like to get more input from the community. There was general consensus of support from the Village Trustees to extend time and implement a dynamic fee structure for pay-by-plate parking and to simplify and standardize daytime restrictions. The Village Trustees would like to continue the discussions around modifying the overnight parking program and garner feedback from the community. Village President Scaman commented she is not looking to add more cars when they are trying to encourage people to use other modes of transportation. Village Trustee Buchanan responded to previous non-agenda public comments made regarding vaccine disinformation and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and there should be no inference of the raw data reported to VAERS and a causality with the covid vaccine. VI. Adjourn It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla, to adjourn. The motion was approved. The meeting adjourned at 10:04 P.M., Monday, February 14, 2022. Respectfully Submitted, Deputy Clerk DeViller AYES: 7- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 Village of Oak Park Page 9 Printed on 2/23/2022