Board of Trustees

13817 MINUTES of a regular meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Skokie, Cook County, Illinois held in the Council Chambers at 5127 Oakton Street at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024 Pledge of Allegiance led by Village Clerk Minal Desai. Mayor Van Dusen called the meeting to order. The Clerk called the Roll. Those present were Trustees Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Trustee Johnson requested that items 6A, 8B and 11A and B be removed from the Consent Agenda. Moved: Trustee Sutker Seconded: Khoeun Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED * Approve, as submitted, the minutes of regular meeting held Monday, November 18, 2024. Omnibus vote. *Approve Voucher List #14-FY25 of December 2, 2024. Omnibus vote. Proclamations and Resolutions. A Resolution 24-12-R-1586 This was taken off the Consent Agenda by Trustee Johnson A Resolution in Support for Transit Service in Northeastern Illinois Motion to approve a Resolution in support for transit service in Northeastern Illinois. The Village of Skokie supports increased funding to address the projected operating budget shortfall, prevent catastrophic service cuts and fare hikes, and provide additional sustainable funding to make transit more accessible and reliable for all residents. Trustee Johnson raised concerns over the consolidation of the three transit boards. Motion to Table this Resolution for further discussion and language until December 16, 2024 Moved: Johnson Seconded: None. Motion fails for a lack of second. B. Proclamation Niles Township Food Pantry Awareness Month – December 2024 Mayor Van Dusen read a Proclamation proclaiming the Niles Township Food Pantry Awareness and urge all residents to support the efforts of the Niles Township Food Pantry Foundation by making a monetary donation to the Food Pantry Holiday Gift Card Drive and by donating whenever possible toiletry items and non-perishable food goods. Alyse Burman and Lisa Hanley accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the Township and thanked the Village for the honor. Recognition, Awards and Honorary Presentations. A. Award Presentations Business of the Year Awards presented by the Consumer Affairs Commission Chair Biju Krishnan: The Commission received nominations from the community and reviewed additional information provided by the nominated businesses. The Business of the Year award was presented to Sketchbook Brewing Co. owner by Cesar Marron and his partners Amy Wilkinson, Shaw Decker and Alice George. Winner: Sketchbook Brewing Co. – 4901 Main Street Honorable Mention: Will’s Place – 7927 Lincoln Avenue Honorable Mention: Kneads and Wants Artisan Café and Bakery – 8042 Lincoln Avenue Honorable Mention: Schaefer’s Wine and Spirits – 9965 Gross Point Road 623404 13818 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Monday, December 2, 2024 Page Two Appointments, Reappointments and Resignations. * A. Appointments Commission on Family Services: Sharon Cohen Economic Development Commission: Lynn Nolan Human Relations Commission: Gurjot Bilkhu Omnibus vote. B. Reappointments Appearance Commission: Thomas DaMario as Vice Chair and Michael Lynk as Chair Board of Fire & Police Commission: Will Evans as Chair Economic Development Commission: Michael Rosen as Chair Trustee Johnson asked about the possibility for the Board to reform the reappointment process for Commissioners. Motion to approve the Reappointments. Moved: Trustee Khoeun Seconded: Sutker Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Johnson MOTION CARRIED Trustee Robinson asked about the appointment process. The Mayor responded that there are meetings, discussions, seeing if it is a good fit, interest of the applicant and then put on the Agenda. Trustee Khoeun asked about if more women could be appointed and that it is a volunteer position. Trustee Pure Slovin thanked the volunteers that represent the diversity in the community. * C. Resignation Economic Devolvement Commission: Alexis Barbour Omnibus vote. Presentations and Reports. A. Presentation Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) Presentation by Jasleen Kaur of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP The 2024 ACFR includes the audit opinion from the auditors, who attest that the Village has properly reported its financial position in accordance with accounting standards. Also the Village receive the Auditor’s Management Letter report, which discusses the results of the internal control review undertaken as part of the annual audit. The auditors include recommendations on internal controls and policies and procedures. Motion to approve the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as presented. Moved: Trustee Pure Slovin Seconded: Klein Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED Report of the Village Manager. A. Main Street Corridor Study (Crawford Avenue to Tripp Avenue). Johanna Nyden, Director of Community Development presented an overview of the Corridor Study including “Make it on Main”. The presentation included the Planning Process, Phases, Key Themes and Result, Corridor Identity, Foundation of Design, Vision Plan and Public Realm. The Village secured a future grant for $600,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce an Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The Village has been working with various stakeholders to create a Corridor Study for this portion of Main Street. The Trustees spoke about reimaging Main Street, the approach, development and challenges. They were supportive of the $600,00 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with the help of State Senator Fine and State Representative Gong- Gershowitz. B. Adoption of an Ordinance Providing for the Acquisition of Real Estate Located at 4051 Main Street. Motion to concur with staff’ recommendation to acquire the property at 4051 Main Street and request Mayor and Board approval. The DECO grant is the funding source for this purchase of $180,000. 623404  13819 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Monday, December 2, 2024 Page Three Moved: Trustee Robinson Seconded: Khoeun Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED * C. Upgrade in Traffic Control from Yield Sign to Two-Way Stop Sign Control – Kenneth Avenue and Emerson Street. Motion to upgrade in traffic control from yield sign to two-way stop sign control at Kenneth Avenue and Emerson Street. Omnibus vote. *D. 2024 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways. Resolution 24-12-R-1583 Motion to approve a 2024 MFT Resolution for maintenance of streets and highways. Omnibus vote. *E. 2025 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways. Resolution 24-12-R-1584 Motion to approve a 2025 MFT Resolution for maintenance of streets and highways, Omnibus vote *F. Resolution 24-12-R-1585 Motion to approve a Biennial Resolution to Allow for Work Performed by Village of Skokie for Construction and Maintenance in State of Illinois Rights-of-Way. Omnibus vote. *G. Skokie Police Department Chiller Replacement – Stanton Mechanical Inc., Elk Grove Village, Illinois - $515,711. Motion to approve the request to Stanton Mechanical Inc., Elk Grove Village, IL in the amount of $515,711. for the Skokie police department chiller replacement. Omnibus vote. *H. Police Department Ballistic Shields – Ray O’Herron, Inc., Danville, Illinois - $54,447. Motion to approve the request to Ray O’Herron, Inc., Danville, IL in the amount of $54,447 for the Police Department Ballistic Shields. Omnibus vote. * I. Annual Service Renewal for Microsoft Exchange 365 – Planet Technologies, Germantown, Maryland for $41,118.36. Motion to approve the request to Planet Technologies, Germantown, Maryland in the amount of $41,118.36 for the Annual Service Renewal for Microsoft Exchange 365. Omnibus vote. Report of the Corporation Counsel. CONSENT A. Ordinance 24-12-Z-4725 This was taken off the Consent Agenda. An ordinance approving a Plat of Subdivision with dedications for the property located at 4801-4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, Illinois, located in R1 Single Family, B1 Service Commercial and B4 Regional Mixed-Use Shopping districts. Item A is on the consent agenda for second reading and adoption. The first reading was on October 8, 2024. Moved: Trustee Klein Seconded: Pure Slovin Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: Johnson. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED 623404 13820 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Monday, December 2, 2024 Page Four B. Ordinance 24-12-Z-4726 This was taken off the Consent Agenda. An ordinance granting site plan approval for the property located at 4801-4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, Illinois in R1 Single Family, B1 Service Commercial and B4 Regional Mixed-Use districts and relief from various sections of the Skokie Village Code. Item B is on the consent agenda for second reading and adoption. The first reading was on October 8, 2024. Trustee Johnson was disappointed in the Board on not approving more inclusionary housing for the development and does not support the development. Mayor Van Dusen responded that Westfield filed the paper as permitted and that there is not an inclusionary housing ordinance governing this project. Lauren Grodnicki commented on affordability of residences at Westfield Old Orchard. Lissa Levy also spoke about affordable housing and supporting the Community. A Skokie resident spoke about crosswalks on Main Street, affordable housing and protected bike lanes. Trustee Khoeun commented on the national housing shortage and that more housing stock is needed for affordable housing. Moved: Trustee Khoeun Seconded: Robinson Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: Johnson Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED Unfinished Business. Ordinance Amending Various Sections of Chapter 118 of the Skokie Village Code Pertaining to Drive Through Facilities. Trustee Johnson commented on amending various sections of Chapter 118 of the Skokie Village Code pertaining to Drive Through facilities to help to mitigate negative environmental issues. Trustee Johnson moved to require a 1st reading of this Ordinance in the next 2 meetings with modification to points 2 and 6. Trustee Robinson also expressed clarity on the issues. Manager Lockerby spoke about whether the goal is to reduce emission or address esthetics of drive throughs. Moved: Trustee Johnson Seconded: Robinson Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED The Ordinance will come back to the Board to revisit for discussion-environmental impact, exact idling and emissions that will impact global warming on clarifications in January 2025. Lauren Grodnicki commented on emission with drive throughs. Mike Kaplow spoke about what will screening of drive through from the public accomplish. Plan Commission. A. Plan Commission Case 2024-35P – Site Plan Approval: 9300-9310 and 9440 Kenton Avenue. Motion to concur with the staff’s recommendation to grant site plan approval in order to construct an addition to Old Orchard Junior High School that will serve as the new location of the Early Learning Center for Skokie School District 68. Moved: Trustee Pure Slovin Seconded: Johnson Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED Public Comments Maureen Jacob, School District 731/2 board member spoke about - tax basis of district, walkability, affordable housing, work on Main Street. Lauren Grodnicki-Sewerthermal HVAC Josh Segal in favor of screens regarding drive throughs Trustee Johnson : Reforming the Village of Skokie Legal Department. 623404  13821 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Monday, December 2, 2024 Page Five Trustee Sutker spoke about the Village of Skokie Co-responder program that works together in crisis and trauma situations. The co-responder program is an asset and well respected by the police department. Trustee Khoeun spoke about the high rate of suicide this time of year. Public Comments by email. Victoria Wolfinger – Comment by Ralph Klein Lisa Silverman-Chickens vs rats? Let’s prioritize the real problem that needs to be dealt with. RATS Howard Sproull-Make Skokie a Natural Gas love zone, Time to start an everlasting love affair, 2025 we won’t be fooled again-Green House Gas. Michelle Patt-Transit Resolution Gail Schechter-Disappointed in Village Board’s indifference in a mixed-income Westfield Old Orchard and recommend Phase 2 separation. Emi Yamauchi-Old Orchard Luxury Mega-Bubble Mr. Jinsky Jean Pois-Hate Crime at Panera Bread Deborah Wood-agree with Emi Yamauchi and Gail Schechter on the Old Orchard Development. ort term Case Management and snacks and access tles Township Food Pantry. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn 9:35 p.m. Moved: Trustee Sutker Seconded: Klein Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED ______________________________ Village Clerk Approved: ---------------------------------- Mayor Van Dusen Items marked with an asterisk (*) indicate they are part of the Consent Agenda that contains routine items or items which have already been discussed by the Mayor and Board at a previous public meeting and require a second reading. Items on the Consent Agenda are passed in one vote at the beginning of the Board Meeting. Prior to the vote on the Consent Agenda, the Mayor will inquire if there is any matter which anyone wishes to remove from the Consent Agenda. If there is an item on the Consent Agenda which you wish to address, please inform the Mayor at that time you wish to remove it from the Consent Agenda. 623404