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, March 18, 2025 7:00 PM Village Hall I. Call to Order Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular meeting to order at 7:01 P.M. II. Roll Call Present: 6- Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley Absent: 1- Village Trustee Buchanan III. Agenda Approval It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the Agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. IV. Minutes A. MOT 25-154 A Motion to Approve Minutes from the March 4, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Village Board It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the Minutes. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. V. Non-Agenda Public Comment There was no public comment. VI. Proclamation B. MOT 25-143 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Honoring Fire Chief Ronald Kobyleski On The Occasion of His Retirement Clerk Waters, Trustee Enyia, Trustee Straw, Trustee Robinson, Trustee Wesley, Trustee Parakkat, Village Manager Kevin Jackson, and President Scaman read the Proclamation into the record. Chief Kobyleski expressed his appreciation. It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Wesley, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. C. MOT 25-137 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for Arbor Day April 25, 2025 Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 President Scaman read the Proclamation in a pre-recorded video available on the Village website. It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Enyia, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. D. MOT 25-145 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Designating April 21-25, 2025 As National Community Development Week President Scaman read the Proclamation in a pre-recorded video available on the Village website. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. E. MOT 25-147 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Black Maternal Health Week April 11 - 17, 2025 Clerk Waters read the Proclamation in a pre-recorded video available on the Village website. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Enyia, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. F. MOT 25-148 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Arab-American Heritage Month April 2025 Trustee Parakkat read the Proclamation into the record. President Scaman requested a moment of silence for the devastation in Gaza and Israel. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Enyia, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. G. MOT 25-149 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation of National Public Health Week April 7 - 13, 2025. President Scaman read the Proclamation in a pre-recorded video available on the Village website. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. H. MOT 25-150 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Dr. Percy L. Julian Day April 11, 2025 Clerk Waters, Trustee Enyia, and Trustee Wesley read the Proclamation into the record. It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Wesley, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. I. MOT 25-151 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Transgender Day of Visibility March 31, 2025 Clerk Waters and President Scaman read the Proclamation into the record. Oak Park residents Aaron McManus, Mike Johnson, and Jane Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 expressed their appreciation. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. J. MOT 25-152 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation National Volunteer Week April 20 - 26, 2025 President Scaman read the Proclamation in a pre-recorded video available on the Village website. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Enyia, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. K. MOT 25-153 A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for Earth Month April 2025 President Scaman read the Proclamation in a pre-recorded video available on the Village website. It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. VII. Village Manager Reports Manager Jackson said staff are working to find an alternative date in April for the Village Board to hold a discussion on the municipal campus police station project. Trustee Robinson asked if it will all be done in one meeting. Manager Jackson said the hope is the Board will have complete information and an adequate amount of time to provide the staff with direction to move the project to the next stage of finishing the schematic design process. May 6 will be the first Board meeting in May. President Scaman said the Board fully expected to be discussing the schematics before upcoming events in April. It is a very big decision and staff and the architect are working diligently to be responsive to the Board direction that has been heard. The police station has been said to be the priority of the project. There has been great concern shared about cost. There is a desire to understand what potentially phasing in a rehabilitation of Village Hall with the ultimate goal of having a facility that meets the needs of our staff and is accessible to our community and that it be a long-term solution that does not have our community continuing to pay more over time through a financial analysis. A majority of the cost is the police department being around $80M. Potential rehabilitation and maintenance is another $20M to $40M. While this extra time is not what we planned for, it is the best and most responsible way to move forward so we have all the information we need to make the decision for the community. Manager Jackson introduced Itzel Martinez who is a senior at the Cornerstone Academy and very involved in civics throughout the Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 community. She shared more about her background. VIII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports There were no comments. IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies L. ID 25-291 Board and Commission Vacancy Report for March 18, 2025 There were no comments. X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments M. MOT 25-155 A Motion to Consent to the Village President’s Appointment of: Community Relations Commission - Cheryl A. Wisniewski, Appoint as Commissioner Community Relations Commission - Rachel L. Gresk, Appoint as Commissioner Environment & Energy Commission - Steve Nations, Appoint as Commissioner Environment & Energy Commission - William Obuchowski, Appoint as Commissioner Plan Commission - Frank Sullivan, Reappoint as Commissioner Clerk Waters read the names into the record. It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Wesley, 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 by Village Trustee Robinsonand seconded by Village Trustee Straw 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 Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 1- Village Trustee Buchanan N. MOT 25-117 A Motion to Approve the December 2024 Monthly Treasurer’s Report for All Funds This Motion was approved. O. ORD 25-125 An Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Budget This Ordinance was adopted. Village of Oak Park Page 4 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 P. ORD 25-134 An Ordinance Amending Section 15-3-18 of the Oak Park Village Code to Extend the Free Parking Time at the Village’s Avenue Garage from Sixty (60) Minutes to Ninety (90) Minutes to Provide Business Support During the “Renew the Avenue” Streetscape Project This Ordinance was adopted. Q. ORD 25-135 An Ordinance Updating the Village’s International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) from the 2009 Edition to the 2024 Edition This Ordinance was adopted. R. ORD 25-137 A Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 (“Business Licensing”) of the Oak Park Village Code Prohibiting the Sale of Intoxicating Hemp and Kratom Products to Underage Persons This Ordinance was adopted. S. ORD 25-138 An Ordinance amending Chapter 22 (“Streets and Sidewalks”) of the Oak Park Municipal Code by Adopting Regulations for Maintenance of Parkways Fronting or Abutting Parcels or Lots This Ordinance was adopted. T. RES 25-167 A Resolution Approving a Contract with Triggi Construction, Inc. for the 25-4 Alley Improvements Project, in an Amount not to Exceed $2,534,405, and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. U. RES 25-169 A Resolution Approving a Contract with R.W. Dunteman Company for Project No. 25-6 Pavement Preservation, in an Amount not to Exceed $797,994 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. V. RES 25-181 A Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Annual Software License and Support Maintenance Agreement dated December 15, 2014, with CityView, a Division of N. Harris Computer Corporation, for the Village’s Permitting, Licensing, and Inspection Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $224,452.16 and Authorizing its Execution This Resolution was adopted. W. RES 25-182 A Resolution Amending the Village of Oak Park’s Commercial Façade Improvement Program (C-FIP) Guidelines This Resolution was adopted. X. RES 25-183 A Resolution to Amend the Housing Forward Funding Grant Agreement for the Flexible Rental Assistance Program to Extend the Term of the Agreement from March 20, 2025, to December 31, 2025, and Authorize its Village of Oak Park Page 5 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 Execution This Resolution was adopted. Y. RES 25-184 A Resolution to Approve the Board of Fire and Police Commission Work Plan and the Liquor Control Review Board Work Plans for 2025 This Resolution was adopted. Z. RES 25-185 A Resolution Approving the Franchise Agreement Between the Comcast and the Village of Oak Park, IL This Resolution was adopted. AA. RES 25-187 A Resolution Approving Temporary License Agreements with 4 Oak Park Businesses to Allow Use of On-Street Parking Spaces for Outdoor Dining through October 31, 2025, and Authorizing their Execution This Resolution was adopted. AB. RES 25-189 A Resolution Authorizing Amendments of the Village of Oak Park’s Renew the Avenue Commercial Interior Improvement (C-IIP) Grant Program and the Commercial Social Media Grant (C-SMG) Program Guidelines This Resolution was adopted. XII. Regular Agenda AC. MOT 25-138 A Motion by Trustees Parakkat and Robinson to Discuss Current Village Regulations on Mobile Food Vendors and Potential Amendments to Regulations for the Village Board to Consider Trustee Parakkat presented the Item. Karla Linarez: Resident of 20+ years and Latina woman and business owner. Fully supports the recommendations of the Business Office for food trucks to maintain a distance of 250 feet from existing food establishments and designating specific areas for food trucks to operate. Manager Jackson said staff are looking for feedback from the Board about the proposed options so staff can bring back an ordinance at a later date. Development Services Director Craig Failor and Administrative Officer Noemy Diaz provided additional information. Trustee Parakkat asked if this is also applicable in instances where there are special events. Officer Diaz said this is non-event related. If a food vendor wants to participate in a special event, they have to go through a different special event permitting process. Village of Oak Park Page 6 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 Trustee Robinson noted that the public commenter sent the Board a detailed email that did a great job of explaining the difficulty and unfair competition that doesn't current exist for other businesses. She said she thinks this type of regulation can help further preserve the integrity of those districts. She noted the Oak Lawn regulation required food trucks to have a plan for waste disposal. Officer Diaz said we haven't had any issues in terms of waste disposal for the current licensed mobile food vendors but staff would explore incorporating that into the regulations if desired by the Board. Staff would also come back with a map to highlight the areas that would be appropriate for mobile food truck vendors. Trustee Straw inquired about the recommendation that mobile food vendors are not able to operate in any business district which would mean they could only operate in residential areas. He noted most of the other communities had regulations limiting mobile food trucks from parking in residential areas. Officer Diaz said staff's intent was to encourage mobile food vendors to go to schools and parks where brick and mortar businesses are unable to capture those areas. He said he is concerned with setting up secondary business districts. He said he is not in favor of the third recommendation right now. He said it would be helpful to see what a map would look like with the 250 foot distance around all food establishments. He noted it might not be a problem to have a food truck selling a different type of food close to a restaurant. He said he wants to make sure we find a balance with the lightest touch possible on regulation that also protects our vital small business community. Officer Diaz confirmed that ice cream trucks are considered food trucks. President Scaman said she agreed that a food truck serving the same food should not be permitted. She inquired about a business like the Beer Shop in a business district which has been encouraged to seek out relationships because they do not serve food. She asked if food trucks could be permitted in Lot 10 which often has special events. Officer Diaz said that can be explored. President Scaman noted some of the food trucks are also brick and mortar restaurants. Trustee Wesley wondered if we could sell food truck spots in Lot 10. He said he thinks this is a worthwhile ordinance to consider. He noted that before exclusive single family home zoning, business districts and residents intermingled and economic activity was a part of life and not something that was separate. He said he would be more in support of intermingling people and businesses any chance we can get, including Village of Oak Park Page 7 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 food trucks. Trustee Enyia said he understands there are missed opportunities from brick and mortar but food trucks also provide a level of convenience for certain special events. He said he thinks there should be some type of designated spot and can something be set up in other areas that would never otherwise see an opportunity to see food. He said he agrees that we do not want to see food trucks undercutting our businesses. Trustee Straw clarified he did not propose preventing food trucks from operating in residential areas. We just need to be thoughtful as we move forward with regulation. He said he doesn't want to prevent business activity where we are not seeing a problem. He would want to make sure we are identifying and targeting what the problematic behaviors are. Trustee Robinson said she does not want to regulate it by food type because that gets too granular. She said there used to be a hot chocolate and coffee food truck at baseball games. Trustee Parakkat agreed that the specificity can become an enforcement challenge very quickly which is counterproductive to what we are trying to do. He said our ability to attract future businesses into a business district has certain ramifications. Trustee Wesley noted there is always a food truck parked outside of Kinslahger. President Scaman wondered if the ordinance would prevent that since there is a Dunkin Donuts right on that corner. Director Failor said staff could look at limiting the duration food trucks are in one spot so they are not there all day. XIII. Call to Board and Clerk Aidan Sullivan: Born and raised in Oak Park. He asked President Scaman what flopped her original stance as to the fate of this building and what impetus she has personally found towards its preservation that will prevent her stance from flipping again once the scrutiny of an upcoming election is no longer a factor in the decision. President Scaman responded that the process of the facilities committee had her appreciating the beauty of this building and she said if we can demonstrate how to renovate it to respond to the community's needs for the next 50 years, that we are setting an example of how to do it, recognizing that it is challenging and expensive. Clerk Waters encouraged residents to vote early at Village Hall from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. We are not a polling place on election day. She encouraged residents to vote Village of Oak Park Page 8 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 for their Village President, Trustees, Clerk, D97 and D200 school boards, the Township, the Park District, and the Library. In celebration of Volunteer Week, the Village will host its second annual Neighborhood Clean-Up on Saturday, April 12 from 9 am to 12 noon. She thanked the Village for allowing the Clerk's Office to bring forward the proclamation for the first Black Maternal Health Week. She noted she is a mother of four and read a portion of the proclamation aloud. Trustee Enyia expressed his appreciation for the Dr. Percy Julian proclamation. He recommended looking at the re-sale volunteer opportunities on the Hephzibah website. He said he lost his friend Colin Thorpe last week who was very special to this community and he wants his family to know that we are all here for them. Trustee Straw expressed his appreciation for the Trans Day of Visibility proclamation. Oak Park is seen as a community where they can feel safe and included which is an example of our values. He said he feels there has been confusion recently around the Village Hall process. We have to move forward with a new police station which is the highest priority and largest portion of any facilities plan. We have to take care of deferred maintenance and upkeep on Village Hall. The discussion comes down to how much renovations will go beyond just deferred maintenance and upkeep and what the timeframe will be. We have a while to go on that discussion and it will not be this exact Board making the final decision. Trustee Wesley said it is amazing to see the support in these chambers this evening and it is a welcome beacon of hope and support in this year. Trustee Parakkat said the fact that the Board was not able to discuss the Village Hall situation deserves some comment. He said he thinks the issue is that July 2023 the Board made a cost estimate based decision where the cost of demolition to rebuild (Option 4) that got selected was up to $138M and the cost of a police station is $65M at that point in time. The fact that we decided to go with Option 4 is the time we indicated to everyone that we are willing to spend that kind of money on this Village Hall. It put a target on our backs. Architects started seeing dollar signs on Oak Park. Our much needed established need for a police facility has now been delayed by two years and we have not made any decisions yet. We should have had a limit or a constraint placed on top of that to make sure we are setting the right constraints for what is affordable to this community. Saying in the last two years we've had a facilities commission and other discussions in pointless because we already made the poor decision to set the stage for an $140M expenditure which is not fair on the community and is definitely against our values of affordability and inclusivity. The last two years we have spent $2M and two architects and not gotten anywhere. Village of Oak Park Page 9 Printed on 5/21/2025 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 He acknowledged this is the last Board meeting before the election and where he will be a Trustee. He said he appreciates the opportunity to bring the topic around food small businesses to the Board which is near and dear to his heart. President Scaman said it is unfortunate we are not able to talk about Village Hall this evening. There was an appropriate time during the Board agenda to have a discussion where it wasn't just a statement. All of Trustee Parakkat's colleagues have said for a year and a half that they are not comfortable with $138M. All we were voting on was building a new police station which is the lion's share of any cost and then have necessary maintenance and renovation on this building. We all weighed in on values in a session and our entire process has been to bring us as much information as possible so that we as responsible elected individuals can make our decision. This Board has been very careful on all of our decisions to center affordability and make sure we have a high level of information in making our decisions. It has been a joint process of which we have all been able to weigh in on. The majority consensus of the Board was a new police station is the priority and address maintenance and rehab. How much rehab or the ability to phase in has been said many times. It was just deciding the direction and then working with an architect with our staff to then find where our comfort zone was. President Scaman said she did not say under $100M. The police station itself will most definitely need to be under that in order for us to have any kind of reasonable budget. She said to Trustee Parakkat that your colleagues have been together in saying they're not comfortable with $138M yet that number keeps going out there disrespecting your colleagues and the staff. She said she would rather concentrate on all of the transgender community who came out and their allies in such a beautiful way and she thanked her colleagues and the staff and Village Clerk for supporting this proclamation and embracing being a safe place for all. XIV. Adjourn It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Straw, to Adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned 8:49 P.M., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Respectfully submitted, Deputy Clerk Hansen Village of Oak Park Page 10 Printed on 5/21/2025