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, February 22, 2021 5:30 PM Remote Meeting I. Call to Order Village President Abu-Taleb called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. He 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: 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 Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Collective Bargaining It was moved by Village Trustee Boutet, seconded by Village Trustee Moroney, to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2/(c)(21) Review and Approval of Executive Session Minutes and 5 ILCS 120/2/(c)(2) Collective Bargaining. 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 V. Reconvene to Special Meeting and Call to Order The Special Meeting reconvened at 6:27 PM VI. 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 VII. Agenda Approval Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 3/3/2021 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Village Trustee Boutet, to approve the Agenda. 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 VIII. Non-Agenda Public Comment Laura Derks, ad hoc Climate Action Planning Group: We, the ad hoc Climate Action Planning Group, wanted to share our gratitude for the thoughtful discussion by the board two weeks ago and the seriousness you demonstrated about a sustainable Oak Park in the face of Climate Change. We are also pleased that Oak Park has joined other communities in the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ Greenest Region Compact. Clearly, the Village is committed to developing and implementing policies critical to a sustainable future. IX. Second Reading A. ORD 21-27 Second Reading and Adoption of An Ordinance Amending Chapter 22 (“Streets and Sidewalks”), Article 3 (“Excavations”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Add a New Section 22-3-8 (“Pavement Openings Moratorium and Restrictions”) It was moved by Village Trustee Boutet, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia, that this Ordinance be adopted. 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 B. ORD 21-25 Second Reading and Adoption of An Ordinance Amending Section 15-3-19 (“On Street Overnight Parking Passes”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Expand the Issuance of Overnight Parking Passes as Reviewed at the November 23, 2020 Village Board Meeting It was moved by Village Trustee Andrews, seconded by Village Trustee Buchanan, that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 3/3/2021 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 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 X. Consent Agenda C. ORD 21-21 An Ordinance Approving a Third Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement for the 700-728 Madison Street Redevelopment Project between the Village of Oak Park, Jupiter Realty Company, LLC (Jupiter), Oak Park Madison Street LLC (Pete’s) and AH Oak Park, LLC and Authorizing its Execution This Ordinance was approved. XI. Regular Agenda D. ID 21-87 Presentation by Christian Harris of Walk the Walk as Requested at the October 19, 2020 Village Board Meeting Noel Massie and Pierce Massie: Noel and Pierce recently read the proposed resolution for Oak Park to support a direction that would right past wrongs against African Americans in the community. They said it was commendable that the Village Board would take steps to enhance the future outcomes for its African American citizens. The resolutions, however, lack in substantial detail and action steps that would be sustainable over generations. Lynn Palmgren: Lynn provided three recommendations for the Reparations Resolution: 1) Create a low-interest real estate buying program for current and future Black Oak Park residents, 2) Provide free financial literacy and home ownership classes for Black Oak Park residents, and 3) Create a Reparations Task Force to make recommendations on all that could be achieved in Oak Park. Jameel Abdur-Rafia: Jameel shared history, data and information in support of reparations for Black people. Chris Thomas, Christian Harris and Danielle Morales-Klima from the non-profit organization "Walk the Walk", provided a full presentation related to Community Reparations in Oak Park. Chris Thomas asked two questions for the Board of Trustees to consider 1) Do you agree that wrong was done to Black people in Oak Park? 2) Do you believe something should be done about that wrong? Christian Harris from "Walk the Walk" presented "History of Early Black residents in Oak Park and Why it is Important Today". He noted that most of the research presented during this meeting comes from the Oak Park History Museum and the history book co-authored by the Oak Park History Museum (formerly the Oak Park Historical Society) and Oak Park residents published in 2009, "Suburban Promise Land the Emerging Black Community in Oak Park Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 3/3/2021 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 1880 to 1980". Christian stated that Federal, State and County reparations are separate discussions. Today's discussion is focused on what Reparations can look like on a local level. Christian defined reparations as a means of addressing the wealth and opportunity gaps residents experience due to historical racism and discrimination, he noted this is the same definition currently being used in Evanston, Illinois. Reparations is a form of reparative justice, which is an approach to justice that one of the responses to a crime is to organize a meeting between the victim and the offender, sometimes with representatives of the wider community. The goal is for them to share their experience and what happened to discuss who was harmed by the crime and create consensus on what the offender can do to repair the harm form the offense. Christian emphasized that although this is a big piece of it, this presentation is more than creating economic policy. It is also asking acknowledgement of Village Board of it's historical complicity and participation in the of discrimination, and an apology for that complicity and participation. There were Black people in the Oak Park area as early as 1880 who were business owners, property owners, laborers, porters and more. Census data shows from 1900 to 1920 the population of Black people grew from 64 Black residents to 164 Black residents. The Black community centered around Harlem and Lake (expanding past Harlem into River Forest) during this time. Christian shared information regarding an early chapter of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and an auxiliary women's Ku Klux Klan chapter which was strong in the Oak Park area. Mount Carmel Baptist Church was an institution for Black people in the Oak Park area. It's original location was in a store-front provided by Henry W. Austin. Eventually, the church purchased a property at Chicago Avenue and Cuyler. Once the lot was purchased, a permit was then issued by the Village but later rescinded due to the backlash from neighbors of that property. The Village Board's decision to rescind the building permit was crucial to Black residents in Oak Park because it directly limited the growth of the Black community in Oak Park. In 1904, with the support of wealthy White Oak Parkers, the people of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church found a home in the predominately black part of town on Williams Street (now known as Westgate). Christian read an excerpt from the book, "Suburban Promise Land" which provided background on the expansion of the Downtown Oak Park area and fires which occurred at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and many homes of Black residents. These fires coincided with the Chicago Race Riots of 1919 where 2000 Black people lost their homes and the Tulsa Riots of 1921 where an entire Black community was burnt to the ground in a night. After the 1919 Chicago Race Riots 300 Chicago Blacks temporarily relocated to Oak Park with friends and family, which prompted a letter E.H. Mutt a local White realtor to write a letter to the Oak Park Village Board "It is impossible for Colored people to obtain houses or apartments in Oak Park according to real estate men." Christian stated that this history is important because on one hand we should take pride in considering the resilience of the early Black community and knowing there have always been people in Oak Park who have always welcomed diversity and embraced it. He noted there are other parts of this history which are shameful, such as rescinding the permit for Mt. Carmel Baptist Church hindered the growth of Black wealth. The firebombing of the Black part of town to create a commercial district was done at the expense of Black people and Black wealth. This has become some of the most valuable land in Oak Park. Everything Black residents were prevented from doing, White residents were allowed to do and Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 3/3/2021 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 did do to create and maintain generational wealth. Danielle provided next steps on reparations which were included in the draft resolution. Reparations in Oak Park could include a public apology as well as recognition the history. A plaque which commemorates that Harlem and Lake was historically the Black part of town. A community reparations commission who could make recommendations to the Village Board on how to move forward such as who is eligible for reparations, how do other ethnic groups factor into the conversation. This would be an ongoing conversation with the commission. Oak Park reparations can also include a fund which could be overseen by the Village Manager, Village Board and the community commission. This would be funded by earmarking 100% of cannabis sales taxes, up to $10 million annually. Another source of funding local reparations in Oak Park could 40% of the Affordable Housing Fund could be placed in the reparations fund. Danielle noted that Evanston is funding their local reparations fund in both of the aforementioned ways. Reparations could also come in the form of a low-interest real estate program. Danielle stated that this group "Walk the Walk" is focused on reparations for Black Oak Parkers. However, is open to looking at reparations for other ethnic groups. She noted that the Oak Park government benefited from the sales and property tax revenue generated after the Black community was pushed out of their homes for the creation of a commercial district. Harlem and Lake is prime real estate today. It is the Oak Park government's responsibility to acknowledge this and repair the damage that was done. White Oak Parkers were allowed to build their wealth, Black Oak Parkers were not. It is also the role of government to help its citizens thrive, much like the stimulus checks, Homestead Act, GI bill, land grants etc. Danielle stated the government has assisted in the past, it should do so today. Village Trustee Boutet thanked members of Walk the Walk for bringing this information forward. She apologized for this portion of Oak Park’s past and suggested a proclamation and plaque reflecting on the history presented by Walk the Walk. Village Trustee Buchanan provided a statement calling for the need for reparations by the Village Board as the legislative body that represents Oak Park. Trustee Buchanan agrees the Federal government should be providing reparations but is not willing to wait for that action and believes it should start with the Village Board. She further responded to options for reparation and noted progress that Evanston has made. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla thanked members of Walk the Walk for their presentation and stated that she believes a wrong has been done to early Black residents of Oak Park and equally believes reparations are owed. Trustee Walker-Peddakotla shared a story from Detroit similar to the Oak Park story of early Black residents presented by Walk the Walk to make the point that the need for reparations is across our Nation. She called on members of the Village Board to repair harm that has been done with reparations as the right thing to do. Trustee Walker-Peddakotla would support a commission but stressed the need for discuss further who would serve on a commission and welcomes further discussion with her colleagues regarding reparations. Village Trustee Taglia agrees an apology is called for. He cautioned that Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 3/3/2021 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 reparations should come from the Federal government so to be available across community borders. Village Trustee Boutet cautioned that programs should be about lifting people up, possibly leading to homeownership, and available to all so they do not contribute to division or a culture of dependence. Village Trustee Moroney acknowledged systemic racism in our country to be deeply rooted in our country’s history. He shared more information on programs, policy, and efforts of Oak Park that were conscious efforts to be integrated, provide opportunity, and right the wrongs of our history. He suggested a full analysis on all of our programs would benefit the conversation and possibly identify further opportunity for improvement. He shared his concern that the Village has a responsibility to be thoughtful when making fiscal decisions and work toward ensuring programs are as impactful as possible. Village Trustee Andrews agreed that an official apology and a plague are in order. He also believes that harm should be repaired by those who have done the harm. He cautioned that the burden of reparations today would fall upon tax payers and that may have a counterproductive result. He believes further thought is needed but does welcome the conversation and is appreciative of Walk the Walk and their presentation. Village Trustee Boutet requested that the Village Clerk research for official documents to inform a proclamation. Trustee Walker-Peddakotla cautioned that a proclamation and plague without action could contribute to additional harm. Trustee Moroney reminded his colleagues that some credit is due to Oak Park for our historical efforts. Trustee Andrews cautioned that some of this discussion should be had by a future Board to fairly not tie a future Board to decisions that they should rightly be part of. Chris from Walk the Walk suggested an action plan should be the goal to identify gaps in programs that can make a difference. Village President Anan Abu-Taleb agreed with his colleagues on the need to recognize the Village's history. He appreciated Village Trustee Moroney's acknowledgement all that the Village of Oak Park has done. Historically he shared that as a young Palestinian, with a family history of his own, he believes it to be relatable to Black history in the United States. He expressed his empathy but believes it is to be a Federal matter. He stressed his willingness to advocate on behalf of Reparations to the Federal government. Christian Harris requested a letter to Federal Representatives in favor of reparations and consideration of a commission. Village President Abu-Taleb believes we have enough commissions and this can be referred to a commission that already exists. Members of the Village Board and the Village President provided consensus for drafting a letter in support of Reparations to Federal Representatives and formally acknowledging harm to early Black residents of Oak Park. Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 3/3/2021 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 XII. Adjourn It was moved by Village Trustee Boutet seconded by Village Trustee Taglia to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:28 P.M., Monday February 22, 2021. Respectfully Submitted, Christina Waters, Deputy Village Clerk 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 3/3/2021