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 Tuesday, January 28, 2025 6:00 PM Village Hall I. Call to Order Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. II. Roll Call Trustee Enyia and Village Clerk Christina Waters joined via remote participation per Village policy. Present: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley Absent: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat III. Agenda Approval It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the Agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. IV. Minutes A. MOT 25-110 A Motion to Approve Minutes from the December 3, 2024 Regular Meeting and January 14, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Village Board It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the Minutes. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. V. Non-Agenda Public Comment David Marshall: Lives on 200 block of South Grove. Supports the Vision Zero plan. Encouraged Village Board to continue bicycle and pedestrian safety work and consider increasing the vehicle fee for larger vehicles. Ranga Bodla: Lives at Chicago and Belleforte. Kids walk to Holmes and Brooks schools. Supports Vision Zero and is particularly concerned about the safety on Chicago Avenue. Michael Ericksen: Lives on 900 block of South Boulevard. Was almost hit in a crosswalk near a school. Cars turn left from Kenilworth onto Chicago and fail to yield to pedestrians. Drew Messah-Ericksen: First-grade student at Holmes School. Had a Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 close call crossing Chicago and Kenilworth in the crosswalk with a walk signal. Encouraged Board to vote in favor of Vision Zero . Lindsey Hagy: Lives on 700 block of South Euclid. Child was hit by a car while in the crosswalk at Euclid and Jackson. Adopting Vision Zero would allow the implementation of high-visibility crosswalks. Recommended officer education regarding who is at fault for accidents. Alice Farley: 11-year old who bikes to Lincoln School and has to cross Jackson and Garfield. Will be walking to Brooks next year. Scared of crossing Washington. Vision Zero is a great solution to all of this and more. Rachel Poretsky: Lives on 700 block of Carpenter. Does not drive. Was hit on her bike a few years ago on the Home bridge and her daughter was hit in a crosswalk by Fox Park. Urged the Board to adopt Vision Zero. Daphne Elsberg: 11-year old crossed Jackson by Fox Park and was hit by a car and broke her arm. The Oak Park policeman told her it was her fault. Vision Zero can help with high-visibility crosswalks. Helene Farley: 8-year old who was hit by a car in a crosswalk when she was 5 years old. She wants it to be safe for her and all kids. All kids deserve to be seen. Jenna Holzberg: Lives on 800 block of South East Avenue and serves on Transportation Commission. Vision Zero is a solid, good plan and the actions necessary will draw consternation from the community. Keep in mind Oak Park residents who lost their lives to traffic violence: Peter McDonnell, Karen Daniel, Karl Oxnevad. Ava Holzberg Punchur: 6-year old. Rides her bike to school with her sister. Ridgeland is a dangerous street. Would like a speed camera or traffic light to make it safer. Zosia Holzberg Punchur: 8-year old attends Longfellow school. Van Buren and Ridgeland intersection is not safe. For Vision Zero, she recommends adding rectangular rapid flashing beacons or a traffic light. Jacob: 9-year old fourth-grader attends Longfellow school. Urged the Board to approve Vision Zero. Almost got hit by a car in a crosswalk near the school while on his bike. Carolyn Sarnecki: Represented Longfellow's PTO. Received numerous requests from parents to improve safety at the crosswalks around the school. Asked the Board to move forward with Vision Zero. Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 President Scaman thanked Clerk Waters for organizing the youth who presented this evening. VI. Proclamation B. MOT 25-109 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month February 2025. Trustee Wesley read the Proclamation into the record, followed by a performance by Kuumba Kids Dance honoring Black History Month. President Scaman presented the Proclamation to Donna Callender and encouraged residents to attend the Kuumba Kids performance at Longfellow on January 28th. Ms. Callender said the annual Black History Month program at Longfellow will be on February 22nd. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded Village Trustee Enyia, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. VII. Village Manager Reports C. ID 25-166 Review of the Updated Village Board Meeting Calendars for February and March 2025. Village Manager Kevin Jackson presented Board calendars for February and March. Trustee Straw said he is likely to miss the March 11 meeting. Manager Jackson introduced Jack Malec as the new Assistant to the Village Manager. VIII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports There were no comments. IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies D. ID 25-178 Board and Commission Vacancy Report for January 28, 2025 There were no comments. X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments E. MOT 25-114 A Motion to Consent to the Village President’s Appointment of: Citizen Involvement Commission - Sheila Wesonga, Reappoint as Commissioner Disability Access Commission - Gabriela Sierra Marquez, Reappoint as Commissioner Environment & Energy Commission - Daniel P. Becker, Appoint as Commissioner Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Plan Commission - Daniel Gillen, Appoint as Commissioner Clerk Waters read the appointments and re-appointments into the record. Daniel Gillen said he looks forward to serving on the Plan Commission. It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the Appointments. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. XI. Consent Agenda Approval of the Consent Agenda It was moved to approve the items under the Consent Agenda. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat F. MOT 25-106 A Motion to Approve the Bills in the Amount of $6,824,626 from December 1, 2024 through December 28, 2024. This Motion was approved. G. MOT 25-107 A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendations for Traffic Calming on the 700 and 800 blocks of N. Lombard Avenue and 800 block of N. Taylor Avenue. This Motion was approved. H. RES 25-117 A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with RJN Group, Inc. for Sewer Inspection Database Support and Development of a Five-Year Sewer Capital Improvement Plan in an Amount not to exceed $141,680, Authorizing its Execution and Waiving the Bidding Process for the Agreement. This Resolution was adopted. I. RES 25-119 A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Asphalt Art Initiative Grant Application with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Approval of Any Subsequent Agreements and Authorizing their Execution. This Resolution was adopted. J. RES 25-131 A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an IL Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board (ILETSB), FY 25 Law Enforcement Officer Recruitment and Retention Grant. This Resolution was adopted. Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 K. RES 25-132 A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Settlement Agreement in Workers’ Compensation Case Number 2024 WC 001508. This Resolution was adopted. L. RES 25-133 A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Oak Park Police Department (“OPPD”) and the Board of Oak Park School District 97 (“D97”) regarding policy, procedure, and protocol for OPPD’s rapid entry into a school building in the event of an emergency and Authorizing its Execution. This Resolution was adopted. M. ORD 25-103 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 23A ("Taxes"), Article 4 ("Hotel/Motel and Transient Occupancy Rental Unit Tax") of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding Hotel Taxes. This Ordinance was adopted. N. ORD 25-105 Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals’ Recommendation and Adopt an Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Operate a Massage Service Establishment at 971 Lake Street. This Ordinance was adopted. O. ORD 25-108 Concur with the Historic Preservation Commission and Adopt an Ordinance Designating 1132-42 Lake Street as an Oak Park Landmark. This Ordinance was adopted. XII. Regular Agenda for Items Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 3 Alcoholic Liquor Dealers or Related P. ORD 25-106 Concur with the Liquor Control Review Board and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”), Article 8 (“List of Licenses for Each License Class”), Section 3-8-1 (“Number of Licenses Permitted to be Issued Per License Class”) and Section 3-8-2 (“Licenses by Name and Address Per License”) of the Oak Park Village Code for the Issuance of a Restaurant Class B-1 Liquor License to 3Hearts Group Inc. dba Mira Social. Assistant Village Attorney Rasheda Jackson presented the Item. Owners Gabriel Nunez shared their concept for Mira Social to open late spring. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat Q. ORD 25-107 Concur with the Liquor Control Review Board and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”), Article 8 (“List of Licenses for Each License Class”), Section 3-8-1 (“Number of Licenses Permitted to be Issued Per License Class”) and Section 3-8-2 (“Licenses by Name and Address Per License”) of the Oak Park Village Code for the Issuance of a Restaurant Class B-1 Liquor License to Breakfast House Marion, Inc. dba Breakfast House. Assistant Village Attorney Rasheda Jackson presented the Item. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Ordinance be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat XIII. Regular Agenda R. RES 25-111 Concur with the Housing Programs Advisory Committee's Recommendations and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Provision of Conditional Commitment Letters. Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director Jonathan Burch presented the Item. Trustee Robinson noted this is a finite fund and recommended a cap on funding proportionate to the overall amount of the fund. The more projects the better. She said she thinks we should earmark funds for homeownership programs until we can have housing-related conversations this quarter. She wondered why we are not getting responses related to homeownership when we have adjusted the application and process. Director Burch said as the Board continues to refine its focus, we will be able to generate more of those sorts of applications. She noted Oak Park Housing Authority (OPHA) is still in here and asked how we can make it go away. Director Burch said we are reflecting the actual expenditures that occurred in 2022-2024. They are not seen for 2025-2026. He confirmed we are not pulling our year over year OPHA grant amount from the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) anymore. Trustee Straw said he is hugely supportive of these projects and mixed-use especially on these business corridors. He said he is open to the idea of Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 capping grants and would want it to be tied to a per unit basis as opposed to a flat cap. It is about maximizing the impact of the dollars. Trustee Buchanan said she supports both of these and spending some effort and time and funding on the homeownership aspect of the HTF. Trustee Wesley said he is completely supportive. He said he would love to see ground floor retail in the Madison Street project at affordable rates which would encourage businesses that would otherwise not be priced into Oak Park to have an opportunity. He encouraged developers to reach out to staff and work with them on how we can shape that. President Scaman said she is happy to approve both projects. She said she agrees with a funding cap in concept. Trustee Enyia asked if they are considering a live-in artist similar to the 801 project. Community Builders developer Charlie Johnson said the live-work retail spaces are similar to 801. Residents live in the back of the unit and run a small business out of the storefront facing Roosevelt Road. Trustee Enyia said he thinks it is a great opportunity. He asked if the rental assistance fund will be completely drawn down to pay for both projects. Director Burch said with the new revenue that would flow in this year, the unencumbered balance at the end of 2025 would be in the $540K-$550K range depending on some projects that have agreements that expire at the end of March. Trustee Enyia said he likes Trustee Robinson's idea and wants to make sure we do not always spend down and there is opportunity for those looking to do housing projects or requiring rental assistance. It was moved by Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Trustee Robinson, that this Resolution be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat S. RES 25-141 A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Special Projects Grant Application with the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Community and Positive Youth Development for Supporting the Cross-Community Climate Collaborative’s Youth Leadership Programming. Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Nieratka presented the Item. Urban Efficiency Group CEO and President Darnell Johnson presented additional information. Village of Oak Park Page 7 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Trustee Wesley said he will vote yes and loves that this program allows us to operate as one village and one region. Trustee Robinson said she loves C4 and is grateful for President Scaman's leadership in this very collaborative regional perspective on sustainability. She said she loves the framework and structure this program provides for youth to have conversations in surrounding neighborhoods. Trustee Enyia said it has been amazing to watch the growth of this project and he hopes it continues to thrive. President Scaman said working with CEO Johnson has been the highlight of her first term. This is exactly what we need and she is grateful for the partnership. She thanked Rep. Camille Lilly. It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Robinson, that this Resolution be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat T. ID 25-140 A Presentation and Discussion on the Draft Oak Park Vision Zero Action Plan as Recommended by the Transportation Commission Assistant Public Works Director/Village Engineer Bill McKenna introduced the Item. Josh VanderBerg: Vision Zero is a great plan. Has three kids who walk and bike to school. He encouraged engagement with everyone and not just those likely to oppose. This integrates well with the climate and bike plans. Karl Lauger: Lives on 100 block of North Taylor, representing Bike Walk Oak Park which fully supports the goals of Vision Zero. We embrace the shared responsibility model and law enforcement training. TYLin Director of Transportation Planning Alex Hanson presented the draft plan. Trustee Robinson asked why the amber-colored pedestrian lights are not considered a vertical deflection tool. Director Hanson confirmed the rectangular rapid flashing beacons are included in the Vision Zero toolbox. Vertical deflection tools are things like speed tables to slow down vehicles. She asked if speed analytics were considered. He said it was not looked at in detail though the Village has access to more comprehensive speed Village of Oak Park Page 8 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 data now. Engineer McKenna said the Village currently uses speed analytics and is determining how valuable the data is to help target enforcement to specific time and day and locations. President Scaman inquired about reporting. Engineer McKenna said internal teams will have quarterly meetings and an annual update to the Transportation Commission and Village Board. Trustee Straw said he is a big fan of the Vision Zero Plan and encouraged everyone to read it. This is about taking a proactive approach where staff will have access to an expanded toolkit. Allowing those things to be used internally is a huge step forward and allowing staff to move quickly is vital. He inquired about speed cameras. Director Hanson said speed cameras are one of the most effective tools to create safer streets. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is working on safety action plans for all counties in the region including Cook County. He anticipates this will be a major effort that comes out of that program. Trustee Straw said speed cameras can generate revenue to fund infrastructure improvements and have significant impacts in reducing speeding should we be able to persuade the state to allow municipalities like ours to use them. Trustee Straw inquired if there are any tools to address the issue of passing on the right, especially in intersections. Director Hanson confirmed that was heard from community members. Traffic calming elements including vertical and horizontal deflections can really be effective at deterring passing on the right. Trustee Straw asked how staff expect to roll this out. Engineer McKenna said funding is set aside for recommendations in the plan, the major one being $1.4M in expenditures for implementation of the plan mostly funded through a federal Safe Streets For All grant. The recent executive order does potentially affect that grant so we will have to see how that process will play out with releasing those grant funds. Trustee Buchanan inquired about beg buttons. Engineer McKenna said staff will present a Board item in mid-February for an agreement with Civil Tech to review all signals. She inquired about red light camera violations. He said they are for any vehicle violating that red light movement. The Vision Zero recommendation is to implement those at the signalized intersections on the high injury network. She noted some residents cannot come out and participate in engagement. Director Hanson said they want to take a comprehensive approach to hear from different people, including open house meetings, Village of Oak Park Page 9 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 pop-up engagements at local events, and focus groups with students, older adults, Spanish-speaking residents, and African American residents. Engineer McKenna added he has never seen so much outreach and got so much input from the community. Trustee Wesley said he loves this plan and thinks it's amazing. He inquired about the roadmap to updating the complete streets policy that was last updated in 2012. Director Hanson said one of the pieces included in the grant application was to update the policy and creating a design guide and handbook for staff. Engineer McKenna said that is part of the Safe Streets for All grant program. Trustee Wesley requested to bring it back to the Board if the grant falls through. Manager Jackson said it will come back to the Board for consideration. Trustee Wesley acknowledged the public commenters and said this plan is super important to help making those vulnerable populations safe. He asked if targeted enforcement can be done in real-time. Engineer McKenna said the data is provided monthly. He clarified that per state law, only municipalities with populations over 1 million can do speed enforcement using automated methods. Deputy Chief Robinson confirmed the Oak Park Police Department (OPPD) uses the Urban SDK software to put officers in certain places to enforce. Transportation Commission Chair Ron Burke said the commission discussed the enforcement components of this plan. Enforcement is important and complicated. The plan outlines key goals and strategies and it will take more thought and coordination to get it right. Trustee Wesley asked if data supports the need for red light cameras. Director Hanson said evidence shows they are effective at reducing severe crashes at intersections. Engineer McKenna said the state requires either a traffic study to validate the need for them or the municipality can request one at a given intersection. Trustee Wesley said the community engagement piece was wonderful. Trustee Enyia expressed his appreciation for the work on Vision Zero to help our kids and community be safer. President Scaman agreed the community engagement was extremely well done and this is looking at the community holistically. She recommended a campaign to wear seatbelts and slow down. U. MOT 25-108 A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendation and Approve the Madison Street Corridor Traffic Study. Village of Oak Park Page 10 Printed on 2/12/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Engineer McKenna presented the Item. Trustee Straw asked why data was not collected by Julian Middle School. Engineer McKenna said there was a development project happening at Cuyler that was impacting the roadway. The recommendations here are not the comprehensive recommendations for all of the streets. Trustee Straw said he will be voting to concur. He noted the real estate on the street side of the curb is a public good and no resident has a right to park in front of their home. Trustee Wesley said he is supportive of this. It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Motion be approved. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows: AYES: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Parakkat XIV. Call to Board and Clerk Trustee Straw said he enjoyed the presentation on the Kaleidoscope program. Federal grant funding for vital programs for our community are being threatened. He noted he's wearing a trans rights are human rights shirt. We're seeing very scary things happening at the federal level and at the same time we're doing such wonderful things at the local level. Trustee Wesley thanked President Scaman for her leadership on C4. The kids who gave public comments are a great example. Trustee Enyia expressed his gratitude for bringing C4 to our community and sharing our resources with our neighbors. President Scaman said she could not do it without every partner that is involved with C4 and doing things together feels great and is productive and bringing dollars to our community. She said she is meeting with neighboring mayors to create a coalition to protect our most vulnerable. XV. Adjourn It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to Adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 10:06 pm, Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Respectfully submitted, Deputy Clerk Hansen Village of Oak Park Page 11 Printed on 2/12/2025