Board of Trustees Meeting

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023 VILLAGE HALL BOARD ROOM CALL TO ORDER: President Hofeld called the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Hofeld led trustees in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Clerk Marilyn Thomas called the roll. Those present were Village President Richard Hofeld, Trustee Julie Willis, Trustee Anne Colton, Trustee Vivian Harris-Jones, Trustee Jay Heiferman, and Trustee Lauren Roman. Trustee Lisa Purcell was absent. President Hofeld introduced staff present: Village Manager Napoleon Haney, Assistant Village Manager Tyler Hall, Director of Economic & Community Development Angela Mesaros, Fire Chief Bob Grabowski, and Police Chief Denise McGrath. MINUTES: The minutes from the meeting of September 26, 2023 were presented. There were no comments or corrections. A motion was made by Trustee Colton and seconded by Trustee Roman to approve the minutes as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Willis, Colton, Heiferman, Harris-Jones and Roman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. A motion was made by Trustee Colton and seconded by Trustee Harris-Jones to approve the September 19, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Colton, Heiferman, Harris-Jones. NAYS –None. ABSTAIN – Trustees Willis and Roman. Motion carried. CLAIMS LIST: The Claims List in the amount of $741,501.08 was presented. There were no questions from the Trustees. A motion was made by Trustee Willis and seconded by Trustee Harris-Jones to approve the Claims List as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Willis, Colton, Heiferman, Harris-Jones and Roman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. President Hofeld said two items totaled 54 percent of the Claims List: $141,561.49 to M & J Underground, Inc. for repairs to the Marlin Avenue water main, and $254,566.54 for October employee health insurance. MEET THE MERCHANTS: Derek Hincks addressed the board to share news of his Crumbl Cookies store that recently opened at 17751 Halsted St. He said his family first learned of Crumbl Cookies when they lived in Utah. The family relocated to the Chicago area for work opportunities, and he and his wife decided they would bring the franchise to the area. The Homewood store is its third in the area. The store features 250 flavors, although only six are available at any one time. HEAR FROM AUDIENCE: President Hofeld invited the public to address the board on any subject not on the agenda. No comments were offered. OATHS OF OFFICE: Clerk Thomas administered the oath of office to Charise Campbell who is the new Building Division permit clerk, and Noah Schumerth who is the new Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development. OMNIBUS VOTE: Consider a motion to pass, approve, authorize, accept, or award the following item(s): A. R-3163/Retirement/Richard Sewell: Pass a resolution honoring Richard Sewell on his retirement from the Homewood Police Department. B. Reappointment/Tree Committee/Regina Zohfeld: Approve the reappointment of Regina Zohfeld to the Tree Committee for a three-year term ending on October 10, 2026. A motion was made by Trustee Willis and seconded by Trustee Heiferman to accept the Omnibus Report as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Willis, Colton, Heiferman, Harris-Jones and Roman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. Police Chief McGrath thanked Sgt. Sewell for his 18 years with the Police Department and all the excellent work he did for the community. She wished him well as he relocates to Massachusetts. Clerk Thomas read the resolution honoring Sgt. Sewell who, among his many positions in the department, was appointed as Deputy Chief of Police in September 2016. Afterward, he thanked the Village Board and President Hofeld for their ongoing support and said officers who follow him will continue to do the excellent police work the community has come to expect. GENERAL BOARD DISCUSSION: Trustee Heiferman said he was thinking of the community’s friends and family members in Israel. Although the violent attacks on Israel Oct. 7 are half way around the globe, he asks the community to unite and unequivocally denounce the actions. Trustees agreed with Heiferman’s statement. President Hofeld extended his condolences to Fred Sierzega and his family on the death of Suzie Sierzega Oct. 6. The couple operated Suzie’s Hallmark in Homewood for nearly 50 years, and Fred serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Trustee Colton and seconded by Trustee Roman to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Willis, Colton, Heiferman, Harris-Jones and Roman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Thomas Village Clerk  PUBLIC COMMENTS – for the Tuesday, October 10, 2023 Board Meeting From: Gia Jones Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 7:28 AM To: PublicComments <comments@homewoodil.gov> Subject: Homeless People Trash Hello Homewood Administration, I’m writing this letter with concern of our Apollo Park and our grocery area on 17700 in Halsted. We have welcomed and given the homeless or needy people money for food and encouraging words. However this new turn around with the refugees that are settling in is starting to be disturbing because of them now leaving trash wherever they want to. We walk our dog often in Apollo park and in the evening they are cooking food. They are leaving trash and all sorts of debris on the park grounds and it is nasty and harmful to our pets and Children. I’m not sure what you’ll attend to do but the issue needs to be discussed.