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, July 18, 2022 6:00 PM Remote I. Call to Order Village President Scaman called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 Present: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia Absent: 1- Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla III. Consideration of Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Collective Bargaining, Property Acquisition and Pending Litigation It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee Parakkat, to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) - Approval of Executive Session Minutes, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) - Pending Litigation, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) - the Purchase of Real Property for the Use of the Village and pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) - Collective Bargaining. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla IV. Adjourn Executive Session Meeting went into Recess at 6:06 P.M. V. Reconvene to Regular Meeting Meeting Reconvened at 7:01 P.M. VI. Roll Call Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 Present: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia Absent: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla VII. Agenda Approval President Scaman noted Items G and H are being moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda. It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee Buchanan, that the Agenda be approved as amended. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla VIII. Minutes A. ID 22-235 Motion to Approve Minutes from Special Remote Meeting of June 27, 2022 and Special Remote Meeting of July 11, 2022 of the Village Board. It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee Robinson, to approve the Minutes. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following Non-Agenda Public Comments aloud: Jeanine Smith: Jeanine Smith submitted their public comment asking the Board to put a noise ordinance on the agenda to curtail loud music and car horns in the Village. Kim and Dan Vulinovic: Kim and Dan Vulinovic submitted their public comment expressing their concerns regarding the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue. They feel this location has been ungoverned and looked upon as a place where any uncivic, criminal behavior is acceptable, and beg the Board to protect our community as well as our property values by closing the station. Laura Smith: Laura Smith submitted their public comment regarding the Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 ways their family has had to alter their daily routines in order to stay safe from the violent crime that happens regularly at the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue. They feel it is not a question of IF another shooting will happen there, but a question of WHEN. They ask the Board to do everything in your power to close this gas station now, before another life is lost. Diane Ratekin: Diane Ratekin submitted their public comment expressing their ongoing concerns with the traffic and safety issues coming from the BP station at 100 Chicago Avenue. They feel this station had been a problem for many years and it is time to shut it down. Karen Burke: Karen Burke submitted their public comment expressing their concerns regarding the BP gas station on Chicago Avenue. They feel that by extending tolerance toward bad actors makes us complicit in their bad acting. They asked the Board to take seriously the concerns of residents for safety and peace in this community and close the gas station at Chicago and Taylor. X. Village Manager Reports Village Manager Kevin Jackson introduced Interim Police Chief Shatonya Johnson, who gave an update on the murder investigation at the BP Gas Station on Chicago Avenue. They have worked with the gas station to put measures in place to ensure the safety of the patrons, including continuous monitoring of activities of the gas station with direct patrols and officers stationed there over night, and beginning July 12th the gas station now closes at 11 PM. Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification regarding the recommendations from the previous Police Chief and the current Chief and if they are in conflict. Village Manager Jackson responded there is no philosophical difference between the recommendations. Staff continues to look at other alternatives and strategies in order to address the issues around 24 hour gas stations where we were seeing problems. He hopes to bring some options to the Board on August 1st for consideration. Village Trustee Robinson requested clarification if the 11 PM closure is for both the store and the gas station itself, and how long the new hours will continue. Village Manager Jackson confirmed it is for both the store and the gas station. The village does not have a written official commitment from the gas station but believes this will be a permanent closure at 11 PM. Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on if the FLOCK camera Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 system could have impacted this investigation. Interim Chief Johnson responded the FLOCK system would have helped in identifying the vehicles that were involved. XI. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports Village Trustee Buchanan reported that iGOV will be holding its symposium in the second half of September. It will be another sustainability forum with a focus on the Climate Action Plan so the public can get a better understanding of the plan and so the different governing partners can also learn what their role is in the plan. More information will be forthcoming. XII. Citizen Commission Vacancies B. ID 22-236 Board & Commission Vacancy Report for July 18, 2022. There was no further discussion on this Item. XIII. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments C. ID 22-237 Motion to Consent to the Village President’s Appointment of: Aging in Place Commission - Evelyn Clay, Appoint as Member Aging in Place Commission - Marc Blesoff, Appoint as Member Community Design Commission - Colin Finley, Appoint as Member Community Design Commission - Jason Wright, Appoint as Member Transportation Commission - Camille Fink, Reappoint as Member It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee Robinson, to approve the Report. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla XIV. Consent Agenda Approval of the Consent Agenda It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee Parakkat, to approve the items under the Consent Agenda as amended. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 D. MOT 22-69 A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendation to Permanently Establish the Parking Restriction “No Parking 7 A.M. - 6 P.M. on School Days” on the South Side of Jackson Boulevard from East of Ridgeland Avenue to Cuyler Avenue as Approved Temporarily by the Chief of Police on December 21, 2021, to Begin on or About December 21, 2021, through June 14, 2022 This Motion was approved. E. ORD 22-24 An Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Budget This Ordinance was adopted. F. RES 22-163 A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Independent Contractor Agreement with H&H Electric Co. for Emergency Street Lighting and Traffic Control Repairs for 2022 to Change the Not to Exceed Amount from $25,000.00 to $33,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. I. RES 22-170 A Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Village of Oak Park and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for the Period of April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2025, and Authorizing Its Execution This Resolution was adopted. J. RES 22-172 A Resolution Approving a Comprehensive Health Protection Grant Agreement with the Illinois Department of Public Health in the Amount of $125,980 from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. XV. Regular Agenda G. RES 22-168 A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with Comprehensive Construction Solutions, LLC to Replace the Boiler System at the North Fire Station in an Amount Not to Exceed $40,293.75 and Authorizing its Execution Village Clerk Waters read the following Agenda Public Comments aloud: Pamela Tate: Pamela Tate submitted their public comment that it would be a mistake for the Board to approve purchasing a boiler for the fire house when a heat pump powered by electricity could be purchased instead. The Village could avoid contributing to greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing electric-powered equipment instead and could have a reliable source of energy for that equipment, and request the Board ask staff to pursue other options to replace the aging boiler. Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 Dimitra Lavrakas: Dimitra Lavrakas submitted their public comment expressing their opposition to the Village replacing the boiler at the North Fire Station with a conventional boiler. They suggest the village replace the boiler with a geothermal heat pump as Pleasant Home did, and who also received a $421,500 grant to help offset costs by state of Illinois. Village Manager Jackson then introduced Interim Public Works Director, Rob Sproule, who gave an overview of the Item. Village Trustee Buchanan asked if Interim Director Sproule had heard that Chicago passed something where when the fire stations need replacement going forward all will be geothermal. Interim Director Sproule has not heard of that program but will research it and bring information back to the Board. Village Trustee Buchanan then expressed their understanding behind the reasoning for this request but as a founder of the environmental group there is no way they will vote for a natural gas boiler. Almost all of the buildings in Oak Park are old and will need to go electric in the next 30 years; it will be expensive and we will have to change the infrastructure. We should be setting an example and face these expenses head on and decide to make these important changes. They feel if we don't make these leaps we are not going to reach our climate goals. Village Trustee Taglia expressed a desire to flesh this out more, to put number to this, and understand what the payback period is and what the investment would be. They would like to review the proposals to be able to weigh the costs with the benefit. Interim Director Sproule cautioned that the current boiler is over 75 years old and they have seen significant issues with it starting in 2020. They expressed concern at this point the system could fail and, in this time with supply chain issues, material and labor costs, the village may be put in a situation where we have an emergency situation as opposed to a plan to upgrade. Village Trustee Parakkat commented based on the quick response Interim Director Sproule gave to the objections gives him comfort that there was some due diligence done and the fact that geothermal is an option that allows us to pivot from a natural gas boiler and still meet the climate action goal at a later point. They are comfortable moving forward, considering all the factors at play. Village Trustee Robinson commented during the Board's sustainability discussion staff had acknowledged that some structures will not be able to Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 fully convert, but some balance would be achieved in that there would be other efforts that would then help reach our goal and balance out knowing that we are not able to do it for every building. They asked if there was some time to get the climate team and staff to weigh in and confirm that this structure is an example of what they were referring to in not being able to fully convert all buildings. Interim Director Sproule responded staff can provide some costs of an electric boiler, but staff is just starting the process of evaluating all the facilities and identifying how best to spend dollars to meet the climate goals. Staff at this time does not know whether an electric boiler is a good trade off in terms of the return on investment for the climate goals; would the $70-80,000 be better spent on another project to help mitigate our facility emissions. That is what staff is working to determine now. Interim Director Sproule added there is no funding for an alternative and staff would need to identify a new funding source to cover the additional cost. President Scaman commented they would be interested in understanding what the steps to geothermal in the future would be if they go with staff's proposed boiler recommendation, and what would the potential cost be for 2023 or future CIP's. Village Trustee Taglia commented he could vote for natural gas but only after looking at alternatives and options to determine the best course of action. He supports pushing this decision off a couple of weeks if that allows for a proper analysis without jeopardizing anything. Village Manager Jackson will have staff bring back the additional information to the Board in two weeks, and acknowledged that there will likely be a greater cost to go in a different direction and that could impact other priorities. Village Trustee Buchanan moved to table this Item to the August 1, 2022 Board meeting. Village Trustee Taglia seconded the motion. It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia, to table this Resolution to the August 1, 2022 Board meeting. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla K. RES 22-131 A Resolution Approving a Contract with R.W. Dunteman Company for Village of Oak Park Page 7 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 Project 22-2, Resurfacing of Various Streets, in an Amount not to Exceed $3,199,000 and Authorizing its Execution Village Manager Jackson introduced the Item. Bill McKenna, Village Engineer, then gave a brief overview of the Item. Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification regarding the original bid that was rejected was $3.4 million for 21 streets, and the current bid is $3.2 million for 25 streets. Village Engineer McKenna responded that was a misprint in the write up for the rejection of bids. There is no reduction in the number of streets being done when we re-bid the project. Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification if staff believe we will meet the schedule of completion or will the strike impact the schedule. Village Engineer McKenna responded the strike will impact it. The roads that are in really bad shape are scheduled to be completed this calendar year. The only allowed deferred work would be for streets that are in pretty good condition and we are doing the resurfacing as more of a preventative maintenance treatment. Staff will work with the contractor to prioritize streets in the worst condition. Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification on how much over budget is this project than what staff estimated. Village Engineer McKenna responded roughly $780,000 above what they projected last year. When they went out for bid staff realized what the current market value for this work was. Ther are cost savings and other projects to fund the overage and staff will be proposing a third quarter budget amendment to move money from alley replacements and other street resurfacing projects to cover the differential. Village Engineer McKenna added there will be an online map work for the public to access that will be updated with any changes in the work. Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on if they delayed one street, could the funds go towards the previous item that is around sustainability - can we think of optimizing one versus the other and think creatively about funding in that way. Village Engineer McKenna responded staff will look at potential cost savings across the board for ways to fund any increased costs for the building improvement fund for the fire station, which is the normal process when we are looking for additional funding in the CIP. It was moved by Village Trustee Taglia, seconded by Village Trustee Parakkat, to adopt the Resolution. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: Village of Oak Park Page 8 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla L. RES 22-151 A Resolution Approving Amendments to Appendix I (“Job Class and FLSA Status”) and Appendix VII (“Appointee Pay Plan Schedule”) of the Village of Oak Park Personnel Manual Village Manager Jackson introduced the Item. Assistant Village Manager and Human Resource Director Kira Tchang then gave an overview of the Item. Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification if the staffing summary represents Village Manager Jackson's final vision on where he believes changes need to be made in even the short run. Village Manager Jackson responded it is a substantial move towards addressing the immediate needs of the organization and stabilizing some things needed right now from an operational standpoint and also from a sustainability standpoint. Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on the Community Volunteering Program and how it would be different from a commission structure. Village Manager Jackson responded it would allow the Human Resource department to recruit for, train and deploy volunteers into positions in the organization to meet some of our organization needs. We are talking about people who are retired who have skills and experience that are looking for a way to make a contribution. It's providing an opportunity for someone to provide a labor of love for the community and allows the organization to benefit from the expertise and that experience. It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia, to adopt the Resolution. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla H. RES 22-169 A Resolution Approving a Temporary License Agreement with Nafpaktos, Inc. d/b/a Papaspiros Agora Bistro, to Allow the Use of On-Street Parking Spaces for Outdoor Dining Through November 30, 2022, and Authorizing its Execution Village of Oak Park Page 9 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 Village Manager Jackson introduced the Item. Village Attorney Paul Stephanides gave a brief overview of the Item. He clarified that Trustee Parakkat requested this Item be pulled off consent due to his affiliation with TakeOut 25. It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee Buchanan, to adopt the Resolution. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 4- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla ABSTAINED: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat XVI. Call to Board and Clerk Village Clerk Waters had no comment. Village Trustee Robinson shared the Oak Park Public Library is starting a Latinx book series discussion starting next month. Every month there will be a book discussion featuring a Latinx author. You can register at oppl.org. Village Trustee Parakkat wished a happy Eid Mubarak for those who celebrate. He also expressed sadness for the situation regarding the murder of Jailyn Logan-Bledsoe as well as the impact to the two young people accused of her murder. The system has failed these young people; although there is closure, there is no "win". Village Trustee Buchanan had no comment. Village Trustee Taglia expressed his appreciation for the work on the murder investigation and feels we are moving in a good directions towards the idea of a regulation or potential closure of the gas stations. Village President Scaman expressed their appreciation to staff for the dialogue and bringing forward all the information and the work they are preparing for the August 1 discussion on the BP gas station, and they thanked their colleagues for ensuring this remained a priority to keep the community safe. XVII. Adjourn It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee Robinson, to Adjourn. The motion was approved. The Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M., Monday, July 18, 2022. Village of Oak Park Page 10 Printed on 8/8/2022 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 18, 2022 Respectfully Submitted, Deputy Clerk DeViller AYES: 5- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 2- Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla Village of Oak Park Page 11 Printed on 8/8/2022