Board of Trustees Meeting

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 73, 2026 VILLAGE HALL BOARD ROOM CALL TO ORDER: President Hofeld called the meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:01 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Hofeld led trustees in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Clerk Nakina Flores called the roll. Those present were Trustee Vivian Harris-Jones, Trustee Julie Willis, Trustee Patrick Siemsen, Trustee Phillip Mason, Trustee Lauren Roman, and Village President Richard Hofeld. Trustee fay Heiferman was absent. President Hofeld introduced staff present: Village Manager Napoleon Haney, Village Attorney Chris Cummings, Chief of Police Thomas fohnson, Fire Chief Bob Grabowski, Director of Economic and Community Development Angela Mesaros, Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development Noah Schumerth, Director of Public Works foshua Burman, and Assistant Village Manager Terence Acquah. MINUTES: The minutes of December 9,2025 were presented. There were no comments or corrections. A motion was made by Trustee Siemsen and seconded by Trustee Roman to approve the minutes as presented. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Harris-Jones, Willis, Siemsen, Mason, Roman. NAYS -None. ABSENT -Trustee Heiferman. CLAIMS LIST: The Claims List in the amount of $2,382,77 4.22 was presented. There were no questions from the Trustees. A motion was made by Trustee Willis and seconded by Trustee Harris-f ones to approve the Claims List as presented. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Haruis-Jones, Willts, Siemsen, Mason, Roman. NAYS -None. ABSE N T -Trustee H eiferman. President Hofeld said two items totaled 74 percent of the Claims List: $286,000 for one month's employee health insurance, $1,488,000 for IRMA. OATHS OF OFFICE: The Village Clerk administered the oath of office to Anthony Johnson for the position of street maintenance worker in the Public Works Department. Clerk Flores also administered the oath of office to Owen Kawalec for the position of utility maintenance worker in the Public Works Department. Retirement Resolution: A motion was made by Trustee Mason and seconded by Trustee Siemsen to approve resolution R- 3245 honoring Chief of Police Denise J. McGrath on her retirement from the Village of Homewood Police Department after 30 years of service. Presentations to Chief McGrath were made by Manager, Napoleon Haney and Fire Chief Bob Grabowski. Roll call: AYES --Trustees Harris-lones,willis, siemsen, Mason, Roman. NAys -None. ABSEN T -Trustee Heiferman. HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE: Resident Tonja Harper said on December 16,2025 a warrant was administered at her home to take her four-month-old grandson so that the child could be returned to Ms. Harper's daughter and child's mother after a DCFS investigation had concluded. Resident Amy Crump read from book Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service. She also gave information for the Dream Rally taking place on January 19 at the Homewood Veterans Memorial. Three neighboring residents said there is a family that has become a nuisance on their block. There is a lot of police activity there and the neighbors are suspicious of possible drug use. Mayor Hofeld suggested the residents meet with Chief Thomas f ohnson who was present at the meeting. Rev. Doyle Landry said his father was bipolar and wants to thank anyone who is willing to disclose mental illness. He also wanted to personally thank one of the Trustees for listening to him during a rough moment in his life. OMNIBUS VOTE: The board was asked to pass, approve, authorize, accept, or award the following item[s): A. Annual Reports/Beautification Committee/Tree Committee: Accept the 2025 Annual Reports of the Beautification Committee and the Tree Committee. B. Reappointment/Ethics Commission/Odell Fields: Approve the reappointment of Odell Fields to the Ethics Commission for a three-year term ending on fanuary 73,2029. C. R-3246/Amended Class B Real Estate Tax Classifi cationf LTgLL Harwood Avenue: Pass an amended resolution supporting the Class B Cook County real estate tax classification for the property located at 77911 Harwood Avenue, owned by Beverly Spearman of The Spearman Firm, LLC. D. Purchase Approval/Network Switches/Urban Communications, Inc.: Approve the purchase of network switches from Urban Communications, Inc. of 0ak Forest, IL via Ruckus Network of Sunnyvale, CA, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $77 ,647.72. E. M-2392/Plat of Subdivision/Washington ParkPlaza/17748-L7956 Halsted Street: Pass an ordinance approving a plat of subdivision in the Washington Park Commercial Subdivision at 177 48-17956 Halsted Street. F. Purchase Approval/Ford Utility Police Interceptor/Currie Motor Fleet: Approve a budget amendment in the amount of $57,642; waive competitive bidding due to the utilization of a vendor through a purchasing cooperative; and, authorize the purchase ofone [1) Ford Utility Police Interceptor from Currie Motor Fleet of Frankfort, IL in the amount of $45,L42 and the purchase of lighting, accessories, and equipment in the amount of $12,500, for a total amount not to exceed $57,642. G. Purchase Approval/2026 Ford Transit 150 Cargo Low Roof Van: Waive competitive bidding due to utilizing a vendor through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative; and, approve the purchase of one (L) 2026 Ford Transit 150 Cargo Low Roof Van from Currie Motors Fleet of Frankfort, IL in the amount of $49,7 64, plus additional equipment in the amount of $9,221.27 and upfitting to the vehicle in the amount of $6,000.00, for a total amount of $64,985.27.  H. M-2393/Surplus ProperW/20L5 Chevrolet City Express Van: Pass an ordinance authorizing the Village Manager to sell or dispose of a 2015 Chevrolet City Express Van by intergovernmental sale or auction, trade-in, private sale, or sealed bid. Before the vote, President Hofeld invited comments. There were no comments. A motion was made by Trustee Mason and seconded by Trustee Harris-fones to approve the 0mnibus Report as presented. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Harris-Jones,Willis, Siemsen, Mason, Roman. NAYS -None. A BSE N T - T ru ste e H e iferm an. OLD BUSINESS: Angela Mesaros and Noah Schumerth updated the Board with the results of their preliminary review of the proposals that were received by November 21,2025 to develop property at 2066 Ridge Road [Matrix building) and 2024 Chestnut Road [Village Hall parking lot). After the preliminary review, there are four developers that will move forward to the next step. Staff will return a recommendation to the Board after this phase of the evaluation. All developers have a mixed-use design for the Transit-Oriented Developmenl A solicitation for alternate proposals will be performed after the Board decides on a primary developer/development since this property falls within a TIF district. Each of the four developers gave a presentation. l. Granite Reality Partners is proposing a four-story building with 78 apartments, including platform parking on the Village Hall parking lot site. Rob Pally said the company has been in business for 28 years and has develop ed 707 apartments in Romeoville, 40 townhouses in Elgin, and purchased 200 acres for multifamily use in Schaumburg, among other projects. They are willing to develop a single site if necessary. They own the Park West Plaza in Homewood. 2. Southland Development Authority, partnering with Kaufman facobs Investments and Edward Peck Design, is interested in both sites with a six-story building housing B5 apartments, commercial space, plaza, and surface parking at the Village Hall parking lot site. A five-story building with22 apartments, commercial space, and an outdoor plaza is proposed for the Ridge Road location. Brian Mott said they are a local team who will use high-end materials with professional landscaping. They would like to add a park in order to give back to the community, and are willing to develop a single site if necessary. 3. Holladay Properties is proposing 118 apartments in a five-story building on the Village Hall lot with commercial space, outdoor plaza, and underground parking. The Matrix building would be a mixed-use project with additional opportunities for future acquisition of neighboring parcels. Don Tonay and Mike O'Conner said the company was founded in 1952 and is based in Indiana. Their company has experience in transit oriented development and has a hospitality focus. They also have experience with developing hotels and high-rise buildings in downtown Chicago. They would like to have incubator apartments which would encourage renters to buy a home in the Village. 4. Far South CDC is proposing a four-story building on the Village Hall parking lot site withTZ apartments, a restaurant, and 10,000 sq. ft. of commercial space with two public courtlrards, grocery store, and a plaza. The Matrix site would have 39 apartments with a rooftop restaurant. Abraham Lacey from Hazel Crest said the company was developed in 7977 and is a full-service non-for profit organization that offers HUD-certified counseling, foreclosure counseling, and assistance to first-time homebuyers. They would like to make this development equitable by offering affordable housing. Some apartments will be affordable housing but most will be market price. They are asking for both sites. President Hofeld said he was very excited to have four very good bids. The Board will anxiously await the staffs recommendation. GENERAL BOARD DISCUSSION: Trustees thanked residents for coming to the board meeting. Trustees wished former Chief Denise McGrath well on her retirement. They all congratulated the new Chief of Police Thomas f ohnson. Trustee Siemsen asked that he would like to see the safety and security plans are for each developer. Trustee Roman looks forward to upcoming information for the property proposals. ADIOURN: A motion was made by Trustee Siemsen and seconded by Trustee Roman to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Roll CaIl: AYES --Trustees Harris-lones, Willis, Siemsen, Mason, Roman. NAYS -None. ABSENT -Trustee H eiferman. The meeting adjourned at B:15 p.m Respectfully submitted, kfl,_ '/-u.-' Nakina Flores Village Clerk  THI VILI-AGE OF PUBLIC COMMENTS - HOMEWOOD for the Tuesday, January L3,2026 Board Meeting rEgt From: BobRobertson Sent: Wednesday , January 7 ,2026 8 12PM To: PublicComments Subject: l87th Street Speeding I thought you guys were getting this under control. You clearly haven't. Where are the police? We barely see them. Did you think the traffic speed beacons were enough? Cars for the last 2 weeks are going over 40 regularly in both directions. You continue to do nothing about it. Where are you with figuring this out? Why can't you police this town? The school buses and every day cars are terrorizing Southgate and you just ignore it. We report it constantly and NO ONE seems to care about it. You have failed everyone and we need answers. What are you doing about the dangerous driving in this town? And specifically what are you going to do about the excessive dangerous driving and speeding at 187th and Ashland. You've essentially done nothing. Truthfully, Bob Robertson From: Tonga Harper Sent: Wednesday, December 3 1,2025 5 :32 AM To: PR; PublicComments Subject: NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE - Police Misconduct, Constitutional Violations, and Unlawful Search (December 2025) VIA CERTIFIED MAIL AND EMAIL Village of Homewood Attn: Village Manager, Village Attorney, and Chief of Police 2020 Chestnut Road Homewood, Illinois 60430 Re: Notice of Intent to Sue - Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Violations Dear Village Offrcials, This letter serves as formal notice of my intent to pursue legal action against the Village of Homewood, the Homewood Police Department, and individual officers, including but not limited to Detective James Strayer, arising from unlawful police conduct that occurred in December 2025. Parties I am Tonga Harper, a Homewood resident, single mother, and the maternal grandmother and caregiver of a minor child who was unlawfully seized from my home. FACTUAL BACKGROUND ( SUMMARY) 1. In early December 2025, DCFS investigators inspected my residence and affirmatively deemed my home a safe kinship placement for my infant grandson. I was instructed not to release the child to his mother due to safet5r concerns. 2. Despite this, beginning on or about December 15-16, 2025, the Homewood Police Department repeatedly came to my residence, including late-night visits, creating fear andintimidation. 3. Homewood Police officers questioned my 15-year-old minor son without my consent, both: o via phone through neighbor John Neely, and o by removing him from class at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School, during final exam without parental notification or consent. 4. Officers threatened me in front of my minor child with the execution of a search warrant if I did not comply with demands to surrender the infant.  5. On or about December 76,2025, Homewood Police officers, under the direction of Detective John (James) Strayer, executed a search warrant at my home, detained me, and seized my grandson, returning him to an unsafe environment. 6. I was not provided a copy of the warrant at the time, nor any lawful documentation explaining the seizure ofthe child. 7 . I later confirmed with the Cook County Juvenile Court Clerk that no juvenile court case exists for my grandson. I have never appeared before ajudge, and no shelter care hearingoccurred. 8. DCFS has refused to disclose my grandson's whereabouts, and the police have since claimedan "ongoing criminal investigation," despite no charges being filed against me. LEGAL VIOLATIONS Based on the above conduct, the Village of Homewood and its officers violated multiple provisions of law, including but not limited to: Federal Constitutional Violations r Fourth Amendment (U.S. Const. amend. IV): o Unlawful search and seizure o Execution of a warrant lacking proper probable cause o Seizure of a child without judicial oversight n Fourteenth Amendment - Due Process: o Removal of a child without notice, hearing, or court order o Deprivation of familial association o Coercive police conduct against a caregiver 42 U.S.C. $ 1983: o Acting under color of state law to deprive constitutional rights o Supervisory and municipal liabilityunder Monell v. Dept. of Social Services Illinois Constitutional & Statutory Violations r Illinois Constitution, Art.I $$ 2 & 6 (Due Process and Search & Seizure) n 705 ILCS 405 (Juvenile Court Act) o Removal of a minor without juvenile court jurisdiction or shelter care hearing a 325 ILCS 5 (Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act) o Failure to follow statutory procedures for child protectionremovals n Questioning a Minor Without Parental Consent o Removal of a minor from school and interrogation without consent or exigentcircumstances r Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress o Threats, intimidation, and police action conducted in front ofminors MLINICIPAL LIABILITY The Village of Homewood is liable for: r Failure to train officers regarding juvenile removals and parentalrights n Policies or customs allowing police to substitute criminal process for juvenile courtoversight r Failure to supervise Detective Strayer and responding officers r Ratification of unconstitutional conduct through inaction and FOIAdenial DAMAGES As a direct result of this misconduct, I have suffered: r Severe emotional distress and anxiety r Fear for my minor children's safety r Loss of familial association with my grandson r Reputational harm r Ongoing trauma to my household DEMAND & PRESERVATION I demand that the Village of Homewood: l. Preserve all evidence related to this matter, including body-worn camera footage, reports, affidavits, dispatch logs, emails, texts, and school communications; 2. Identify all officers involved in the December 2025 incidents; 3. Provide written confirmation of the authority relied upon to question my minor child and seizemy grandson. This letter is sent without waiver of any rights or claims. If this matter is not resolved, I intend to pursue all available remedies, including claims for damages, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees. Please direct all future communications regarding this matter to me in writing. Sincerely, Tonga Harper Homewood, Illinois 60430 From: BobRobertson Sent: Friday, December 19,2025 8:36 PM To: PublicComments Subject: Re: StopSpeeding On Wed, Dec 17,2025,6:50 PM Bob Robertson wrote: Your emplotee was driving a pickup truck like a maniac on Regiel Road in Homewood. This HAS TO STOP. I couldn't get a plate, but I've attached an image of the truck. This was at 187th Street and Reigel Road, southbound in Homewood, IL. This street is 30mph. This truck was driving WAY over that. This was today December 17th,2025, at 5:49pm. From: Carlo Fabiano Sent: Friday, December 19,2025 7:20 AM To: Bob Robertson; PublicComments Subject: RE: Speeding Plumbing Trucks Bob, Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention. We take concerns like this very seriously, especially when they involve the safety of the communities where we work. We want you to know, when situations like this are brought to our attention, we have a strict action plan and the following steps are taken internally: 1. We review the report with our management team and identifu the vehicle and technician assigned to that area and time 2. We reiterate our zero-tolerance policy for unsafe driving, including speeding, to our entire fieldteam (not just this driver) 3. We mandate that the employee take a safe driving course to ensure they understand the importanceof their driving 4. We have a three-strike policy for drivers to ensure our employees follow theserules Our vehicles represent our company, and we expect them to be always operated safely and responsibly. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention so we can address it promptly and ensure this does not happen again. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any additional concerns. Thank you Contact me if you have any questions. Carlo Fabiano President R. Canozza Plumbing From: Bob Robertson Sent: Thursday, December L8,2025 8:43 PM To: PublicComments Subject: Speeding Plumbing Trucks The Village of Homewood is already inundated with speeding vehicles it cannot handle. One of your red colored plumbing vans was speeding tonight southbound on Dixie Highway and turned right (Westbound) on Heather Road on Homewood. This must stop. The van was traveling well over 40 in a 25mph, just South of 183rd Street at 5:28pm. From: BobRobertson Sent: Thursday, December 18,2025 9:06 PM To: PublicComments Subject: Re: StopSpeeding Hello? On Wed, Dec 17,2025,6:50 PM Bob Robertson wrote: Your emplotee was driving a pickup truck like a maniac on Regiel Road in Homewood. This HAS TO STOP. I couldn't get a plate, but I've attached an image of the truck. This was at l87th Street and Reigel Road, southbound in Homewood, IL. This street is 30mph. This truck was driving WAY over that. This was today December 17th,2025, at 5:49pm. From: BobRobertson Sent: Thursday, December 18,2025 8:43 PM To: PublicComments Subject: Speeding Plumbing Trucks The Village of Homewood is already inundated with speeding vehicles it cannot handle. One of your red colored plumbing vans was speeding tonight southbound on Dixie Highway and tumed right (Westbound) on Heather Road on Homewood. This must stop. The van was traveling well over 40 in a 25mph, just South of 183rd Street at 5:28pm. From: BobRobertson Sent: Wednesday, December 77,2025 6:51 PM To: PublicComments Subject: Stop Speeding Your emplotee was driving a pickup truck like a maniac on Regiel Road in Homewood. This HAS TO STOP. I couldn't get a plate, but I've attached an image of the truck. This was at 187th Street and Reigel Road, southbound in Homewood, IL. This street is 30mph. This truck was driving WAY over that. This was today December 17th,2025, at 5:49pm.