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 6, 2020 6:30 PM Village Hall I. Call to Order Village President Abu-Taleb called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. He clarified that the meeting is being held remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions 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 outbreak. II. Roll Call Present: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla Absent: 0 III. Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Personnel. It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Trustee Moroney, to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) - review of executive session minutes and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) - personnel. No roll call was taken, the motion was withdrawn. The Village Board did not adjourn to executive session. Village Manager Pavlicek explained that it would be better to hold the executive session discussion planned for this evening for another meeting when logistical considerations for regular agenda presenters would be less of a factor. Members of the Village Board took a few minutes to prepare for the regular meeting. VII. Agenda Approval It was moved by Village Trustee Boutet to approve the agenda as amended, with the removal of items C. and D. from consent and placed under regular agenda. Village Trustee Andrews seconded the motion. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 VIII. Minutes A. MOT 20-039 Motion to Approve Minutes from Regular Remote Meeting on June 15, 2020 and Special Remote Meeting of June 22, 2020 of the Village Board. It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Village Trustee Moroney, to approve the minutes. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment Sue Humphreys and Kevin Barnhart: Sue Humphreys and Kevin Barnhart requested clarity on next steps for a plan to address public safety and a plan to use of the Citizen Police Oversight Committee. X. Village Manager Reports B. ID 20-185 Status Reports have been prepared for the Village Board for duration of March, April, May and June during which time the Village Responded to an Emergency Affecting the Public Health Pursuant to Resolution 20-120 Adopted on March 13, 2020 and Extended by Resolutions 20-124 and 20-128 which continued the Emergency through June 1, 2020. Currently, the Village continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic under Illinois Governor Pritzker’s Disaster Proclamation and Phase 4 of Restore Illinois. Village Manager Pavlicek stated that her report has been provided to the Village Board in writing and a presentation has not been scheduled for this meeting. CFO Steve Drazner will be scheduling a meeting in July to update the Village Board on the budget process. Village Manager Pavlicek anticipates updating the business community on small business loans in response to COVID-19 after more information is provided from HUD. Health Department Director Mike Charley will provide an update to the Village Board soon on progress made on a racial disparity plan related to COVID-19. The Village Manager provided a brief update on the opening of Village Hall. XI. Village Board Committees There were none. XII. Consent Agenda Approval of the Consent Agenda It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews and seconded by Village Trustee Moroney to approve the items under the Consent Agenda. The motion was Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 Village Trustee Boutet thanked staff for responding to Item K. under consent quickly for an all-way stop at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Scoville Avenue. E. RES 20-157 A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with Construction by Camco, Inc. for the 2020 Water Service Line Replacement Program, in an Amount not to Exceed $150,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. F. ORD 20-060 An Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Budget to Provide for the Setup of Various Outdoor Dining Locations and to Provide for the Continuation of All Previously Established Outdoor Dining Locations through October 31, 2020 in an Amount not to Exceed $45,000 This Ordinance was adopted. G. RES 20-160 A Resolution Approving an Amendment to Independent Contractor Agreement with Garces Contractors, LLC for Emergency Water and Sewer Repairs to Change the Not to Exceed Amount from $25,000 to $80,000.00 in Fiscal Year 2020 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. H. RES 20-161 A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Independent Contractor Agreement with H&H Electric Co. for Emergency Street Lighting and Traffic Signal Repair Services to Change the Not to Exceed Amount from $25,000 to $41,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. I. RES 20-162 A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with H&H Electric Co. for the Installation of LED Street Light Lamps in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. J. RES 20-163 An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment Owned by the Village of Oak Park Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 This Resolution was adopted. K. ORD 20-061 An Ordinance Establishing an All-Way Stop at the Intersection of Pleasant Street and Scoville Avenue as Reviewed at the June 15, 2020 Regular Village Board Meeting This Ordinance was adopted. L. RES 20-165 A Resolution Approving a Parking Lot Temporary License Agreement with Careful Peach Boutique for a One Day Bastille Day on July 11, 2020 Event and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. M. RES 20-169 A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Industrial/Organizational Solutions, Inc. to Add Additional Services and Change to the Not to Exceed Amount from $59,985 to $99,370.00 in Fiscal Year 2020 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. N. RES 20-170 A Resolution Approving a Temporary License Agreement with Ahimsa Yoga Studio, Inc. to Conduct Outdoor Yoga Classes on Village of Oak Park Property and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. O. RES 20-171 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 29 (“Administrative Adjudication”) Article 1 (“Administrative Adjudication System”), Section 29-1-11 (“Administrative Hearings” ) of the Oak Park Village Code to Allow for Remote Hearings This Resolution was adopted. XIII. Regular Agenda C. RES 20-156 A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Advanced Security Solutions Inc in an Amount Not To Exceed $557,274.24 for Security Services at Village Parking Structures and Not To Exceed $30,000 for Security Services at Village Hall for a One Year Period With Two (2), One (1) Year Option Renewals and Authorizing Its Execution Village Trustee Boutet asked to understand why the recommendation is to choose Advanced Security Solutions Inc. for a higher amount over other bids. Development Customer Services Director Tammie Grossman explained that after interviewing each applicant staff had identified Advanced Security Solutions Inc. as the only applicant that has the capacity to provide the more extensive customer service capabilities required for both Village Hall and village owned parking garages. Ms. Grossman responded further explaining the need for security staff with high customer service capabilities over customer service employees. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested that full information of why the recommendation is to choose one contract over another be included with agenda materials for public view in the future. Village Trustee Boutet Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 agreed. It was moved by Village Trustee Moroney and seconded by Village Trustee Andrews to approve the agenda item. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 D. ORD 20-059 Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendation and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Section 15-3-18 of the Oak Park Village Code to Establish a Daytime On-Street Business Residential Parking Permit Program Development Customer Services Director Tammie Grossman explained how the proposal to create a daytime on-street business residential parking permit program came about. A local business owner requested relief for Oak Park service oriented businesses who may need to park for longer than permitted in areas of the Village in order to complete their work for homeowners; for example a cleaning service that requires four hours to complete work on a block with two hour parking restrictions. The desire is to prioritize Oak Park licensed businesses with the program. Transportation Commission Chair Ron Burke confirmed that the original intention was to benefit Oak Park businesses. The commission did consider opening up the program to out of town businesses but did not see that there was a great need and that it seemed reasonable to start with Oak Park businesses. Members of the Village Board decided to expand the proposed program to include businesses from outside of Oak Park at a 25% higher rate. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla is not in favor of this program because she can not support additional charges for small business owners who are trying to survive during COVID-19. In addition she requested staff to consider postponing returning to regular parking restrictions as long as we are still in a pandemic. Village Trustee Boutet does need see the need for this program. Village Trustee Moroney believes the proposed fees to be very reasonable for a business owner. Ms. Grossman explained the difference between the proposed permit program for service workers and construction passes. Construction passes will remain available as a separate program. The original motion was amended to expand the proposed program to include businesses from outside of Oak Park at a 25% higher rate. It was moved by Village Trustee Moroney and seconded by Village Trustee Andrews to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 5- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, and Village Trustee Taglia NAYS: 2- Village Trustee Boutet, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla ABSENT: 0 P. MOT 20-033 A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendation to Adopt a Slow Streets Pilot Program Generally Located on the Streets Bounded by Van Buren Street, Kenilworth Avenue, Thomas Street, and Harvey Avenue and Direct Staff to Prepare the Necessary Resolution and Ordinance Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 Jenna Holzberg, Bike Walk Oak Park: Requested the Village Board support a slow street program for safety and recreational benefits during COVID-19. Village Manager Pavlicek introduced the agenda item. Village Engineer Bill McKenna explained the process leading to the proposal before the Village Board from the Transportation Commission and shared staff concerns regarding safety with partial street closures, enforcement challenges, cost for barricades, and complications from on street parking. If the Board decides they would like to move forward with a slow street program staff would recommend a shorter route to test the program including Kenilworth on the west, Thomas on the north, Harvey on the east and utilize bike lanes on Chicago Ave. to create a loop. Additional concerns involve the time it would take to inform the public and possible push back from residence in those areas. Transportation Commission Chair Ron Burke presented on the Commissions recommendation to adopt a slow streets pilot program. The commission highlighted that a slow streets program is intended to be temporary, noted that this concept has been popular in other communities and residents have been supportive. Mr. Burke and the commission believe a slow streets program would be popular. He shared how the commission came up with the route that they have proposed; they identified the Greenways Plan as a good route for this purpose because it had already been studied for very similar purposes. It is recommended to notify residents with as much outreach as possible, the commission would be willing to help. The commission would be supportive of an incremental rollout to allow for the Village to address concerns as they go. Mr. Burke highlighted the advantages of the program for physical and mental health, linking of business districts, reducing of car traffic, safety, and advantages for the environment. Mr. Burke provided examples of sample signage and barricades from other communities. He highlighted that this is in response to a national health crisis and requires a sense of urgency as a temporary program. Village Trustee Andrews explained how the idea of slow streets originated from a discussion with the Economic Recovery Task Force related to a promenade concept that would end in a business district. The discussion was tasked to the Transportation Commission by the Village Board when it was apparent it no longer related to economic recovery. Village President Abu-Taleb shared his experience of visiting slow streets in the City of Chicago and the positive response from residents and users of the program. His experience is that the concept was very well received and successful. Village Trustee Moroney appreciates the input Engineer McKenna provided to the discussion as an expert in the field and avid biker. Mr. Moroney does not see the comparison to larger cities as similar enough and remains concerned with challenges shared by staff and the burden that this program would put on staff versus the potential benefit. Village Trustee Buchanan understands staff concerns but felt that they were all addressed adequately by Chair Burke. Village Trustee Andrews is less convinced that the benefit will be as widespread as hoped but he is fine with starting with a couple of miles as a pilot program. Village Trustee Taglia agrees with testing the slow streets concept with an introductory shorter route. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla is supportive of the Transportation Commissions recommendation. Her concern was to understand what the metric of success will be. Chair Burke suggested the Transportation Commission could take on the task of determining how to evaluate the program, otherwise they may be relying on resident input. Village staff informed members of the Village Board that if direction is provided to prepare a slow streets pilot program staff will need to bring a resolution back to the Village Board with costs for implementing. The motion was to permit staff to identify an introductory route for implementing a slow street program. Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Trustee Moroney, to approve the motion as amended. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 1- Village Trustee Moroney ABSENT: 0 Q. ID 20-180 A Presentation Regarding Updates to the Lake Street Resurfacing, Utility, and Streetscaping Projects and Discussion on Upcoming Streetscape Schedule in the Hemingway Business District Village Engineer McKenna provided an update on Lake Street projects currently underway. Mr. McKenna presented on three options for finishing construction in the Hemingway District. Option 1 is to proceed with no delay. This option would impact businesses in the area relying on outdoor dining to remain open. Option 2 is to hold the contractor off until after Labor Day so that restaurants can utilize outdoor dining for the remainder of the season. Under this option the goal for completion would be Thanksgiving. The Village should anticipate some increased costs for this option, primarily for possible premium and overtime labor. Option 3 would be to delay construction until 2021. Construction would most likely begin in March of 2021. This option would have more increased costs and construction time would likely be longer. Increased costs would include labor wage increases, storage of supplies already purchased, material costs and time. Option 3 was the least favorite option for businesses in the area. Option 2 was preferred for restaurant owners, retail establishments would ideally prefer no delay but accepting of option 2. Members of the Village Board provided direction to proceed with option 2. R. MOT 20-040 A motion to direct staff to prepare the necessary actions to protect the Black Lives Matter mural recently installed on Scoville Avenue south of Lake Street. Village Manager Pavlicek suggested staff would prefer to table this motion so that staff has an opportunity to review the request from the artist. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla responded that the motion is only to prepare the necessary actions to bring back to the Village Board, that staff will have the opportunity to work with the artist. Village Trustee Boutet concurred and stated she is comfortable voting on the motion now. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla clarified for Village Trustee Moroney that the ask is to protect the mural from defacement. It was moved by Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla and seconded by Village Trustee Boutet to approve the motion as presented. The motion was approved. The roll call was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 Village of Oak Park Page 7 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 S. MOT 20-041 A motion to direct staff to prepare the necessary actions to terminate the IGAs with D97 and D200 regarding funding for school resource officers. Village Trustee Boutet would like to hear from the schools regarding this motion and understand what the School Resource Officers (SRO) do. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla shared that both schools have the agenda item on their upcoming board agendas. Village Trustee Moroney believes this is a school decision and that if he were to vote on this now he would vote "present". Village Trustee Buchanan stated that she asked for this to be on the agenda in response to the number of emails the Village Board received on the topic. Her belief is that kind of response deserves a public forum and that the Village Board has the right to end the agreements with the schools. Additionally, Trustee Buchanan shared her summary of an article she read called "What is Owed" recognizing the time we are in as "transformative" and requiring of action that can not be too timid. She would like to see movement on every agenda related to equity or a committee formed. Trustee Buchanan is fine with tabling this item for now so that Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla and the team of residents she has been working with can lead the conversation. She would like to see the Board review the Congressional Research Service report (2013) supporting data that School Resource Officers are not beneficial in schools. Village Trustee Boutet called for the Village Board to meet in August to move forward on equity issues. She also cautioned everyone to read the Village of Oak Park specific SRO program because what she has read is that it is very different from programs that started after 9-11 in that it is much more about prevention. Village Trustee Boutet would like to know more about the SRO program and what the officers accomplish. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla reiterated that the Village does have every right to cut this program. If the schools do not vote these agreements down she has every intention of bringing it back. Her belief is that no matter what the intention the evidence is overwhelming that officers in schools are harmful to Black and LatinX students. Village Trustee Boutet and Andrews would like the SRO's and Chief of Police to be present when the Village Board discusses this matter next. It was moved by Village Trustee Boutet, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia to table the motion. The motion was tabled. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: 7- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Andrews, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 XIV. Call to Board and Clerk Village Clerk Vicki Scaman thanked MaryAnn Schoenneman for her service as Deputy Village Clerk following her recent retirement after ten years of service to the Village. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla stated for the record that she remains strongly opposed to in-person Board meetings. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla further cautioned that Oak Park can not exist in isolation and not recognize the violence that is happening in Austin and should acknowledge our role. We need to support violence prevention programs in Austin, invest in Austin, and recognize that when Austin does well it is good for all of us. Additionally, Trustee Walker-Peddakotla reiterated from previous discussions that Revolutionary Oak Park Youth Action League (ROYAL) has not been listened to. That they have had four demands for two years; a Memorial Day for lives lost to police, remove police from schools, defund the police, and more without being heard. Village President Abu-Taleb requested Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla finish up. Village of Oak Park Page 8 Printed on 7/21/2020 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes July 6, 2020 Village Trustee Boutet said she would like to hear Trustee Walker-Peddakotla. Village Trustee Andrews left the meeting at 9:05 P.M. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla finished with stating she believes we need to be listening to young people. Village Trustee Moroney challenged the accusation that Board members are not listening and cautioned residents to understand that they are listening to an "ideological zealot" and "demigod" motivated by misplaced anger, revenge, and resentment when listening to these allogations. Village Trustee Boutet stated that the Village Board should be focused on policy rather than name calling. She referenced a call she received from a member of another community assuming Oak Park had insight on equity and was surprised that we do not have a plan. Village Trustee Boutet stated that she agrees with Trustee Buchanan in wanting to move forward with a sense of urgency. She would like for the Village to provide more clarity on what they are going to do and recommends beginning with hiring an Equity Director, adopting an Equity Policy and an Equity Plan. Village Trustee Buchanan stated she is tired of the personal attacks at the Village Board table. XV. Adjourn A motion was made by Village Trustee Moroney, seconded by Trustee Boutet to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 P.M. The motion was approved. The roll call vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Abu-Taleb, Village Trustee Boutet, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Moroney, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Andrews Respectfully submitted, Village Clerk Vicki Scaman Village of Oak Park Page 9 Printed on 7/21/2020