Board of Trustees

13716 MINUTES of a regular meeting of the Mayor and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Skokie, Cook County, Illinois held in the Council Chambers at 5127 Oakton Street at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Pledge of Allegiance led by Village Clerk Pramod Shah. Trustee Pure Slovin will be present remotely but will not be voting. Mayor Van Dusen called the meeting to order. The Clerk called the Roll. Those present were Trustees Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Pure Slovin, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen. Motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Moved: Trustee Khoeun Seconded: Trustee Sutker Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Johnson, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: None. MOTION CARRIED Approve, as submitted, minutes of regular meeting held Monday, December 18, 2023. Omnibus vote. * Approve Voucher List #16-FY24 of January 2, 2024. Omnibus vote. Proclamations and Resolutions. A. Proclamations Pramod Shah Retirement Appointments, Reappointments and Resignations. A. Swearing in of the following personnel by Village Clerk Pramod Shah. Name Old Position New Position Jesse Barnes Police Deputy Chief Police Chief Mayor Van Dusen congratulated Jesse Barnes as the new Police Chief who introduced his family and friends. * B. Reappointments Skokie Police Use of Force Review Board: Honorable Judge Edward Bobrick Zoning Board of Appeals: Richard Perlin as Vice Chair and Brian O’Donnell as Chair Presentations and Reports. Report of the Village Manager. A. 2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant Hearing #1. Justin Malone, Neighborhood & Housing Coordinator/CDBG Administrator presented the Public Hearing. He spoke about Goals, Capitol Improvement, Public Service, Planning and Administration, status of the Current Program, Upcoming CDBG PY2024 and the Next Steps. Public hearings for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program will be conducted at the Village Board meetings on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 and Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Public hearings are mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations to receive public input and determine the Village of Skokie's funding request. A subsequent public hearing on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 will also be necessary to approve the one-year Action Plan that serves as our formal application for funding. 616483 13717 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Page Two The Village’s Annual Action Plan will focus on the CDBG national objectives of principally benefitting low/moderate-income persons (as defined by HUD) and preventing areas of blight. At this point we do not know the exact amount of our entitlement grant for 2024-25; however, during the last program year we received approximately $550,000. The program caps of 20% for administrative funding and 15% for public services will be applied to the new entitlement the Village receives. There is no cap for public infrastructure projects. Report of the Corporation Counsel. CONSENT: A. Ordinance 24-1-Z-4676 Motion to adopt an ordinance to grant a site plan approval for a Six (6) Bedroom Congregate Living Facility. Item A is on the consent agenda for second reading and adoption. The first reading was on December 4, 2023. Omnibus vote. SECOND READING: B. Ordinance 24-1-F-4677 Motion to adopt an ordinance to establish the compensation for appointed officials for FY2024. Item B is on the agenda for second reading and adoption. Trustee Johnson spoke about conflicts of interest in the Legal Department. He made a motion to table the Ordinance until Performance reviews were done. Motion fails for a second. The Trustees had questions about the COLA-Cost of Living Adjustment. Trustee Sutker read a statement about the allegations of Trustee Johnson and repetition of the same comments that have been made. Trustee Johnson walked out of the Council Chambers in protest. Brian Levinson stated that he is a community member involved on many projects. He spoke about Skokie as the most visionary municipality. Skokie has always supported businesses and residents. Calle Folke spoke in opposition of the Ordinance-conflicts of interest. Steven Franklin, resident of Skokie, spoke about Skokie as a welcoming, attractive and well functioning place to live with and exceptional services. He commented on Trustee Johnson’s ethics claim political corruption and accusations. Allan Kotler, Skokie resident thanked the Village for the love and care in this wonderful place to live. He compared Trustee Johnson to a Soviet Judge. Matt Marcus is a Skokie resident. He was disappointed that the business of the Village would have been dealt with more professionalism. Emi Yamauchi spoke the Ethics Commission, Attorney General’s office, money paid to outside attorneys, non transparency and electoral referendums. Moved: Trustee Sutker Seconded: Trustee Klein Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: Johnson MOTION CARRIED New Business. Presentations in Honor of Village Clerk Pramod Shah. Mayor Van Dusen read a Proclamation on behalf the residents and businesses congratulating Pramod for many years of dedication to public service that has helped make Skokie a wonderful community in which to live, work and raise a family. Mayor Van Dusen and Village Trustees Remarks The Trustees thanked Pramod for his service to this community with his leadership, integrity, kindness and grace. Senator Ram Villivalam and Representative Kevin Olickal read a Proclamation also honoring Pramod’s dedication to the betterment of the community. Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita spoke about Pramod’s goodness, generosity and as a mentor. 616483  13718 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Page Three Pramod thanked The Board and residents and community members for the honor to serve for the many years as a Trustee, Village Clerk and Township Official He is proud of everything that Skokie has accomplished. He thanked all the employees, staff members, and community members of the Village Hall for all of their help. B. Motion to appoint Deputy Clerk Sylvia Luke Acting Clerk until a new Clerk is sworn into office. Moved: Trustee Sutker Seconded: All Trustees Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: Johnson. MOTION CARRIED Unfinished Business-Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. Trustee Khouen spoke about the inclusionary housing ordinance and requested a new draft will set the appropriate expectations for developers who want to build in Skokie. She proposed a detailed, 5-point recommendation and asked the Legal Department to update the last draft of the inclusionary ordinance. Public Comments Lauren Grodnicki spoke about Microplastics, toxins, ocean microplastic sources and what you can do. Emi Yamauchi asked if the Village have discussed situations if needed with migrants. Public Comments by Email. Gail Schechter-Skokie needs a new Comprehensive Plan, Village of Wilmette adopting New Comprehensive Plan-January 2, 2024. Second email -Objection to establish compensation for appointed officials for FY2024. Jinsky Jean Pois-New Year Greetings to wish the Village Board a Happy New Year. Judy Mendel-Agenda item concerning Corporation’s Counsel office job description, Trustee Johnson’s concerns, drive throughs, affordable housing, speaking on issues, and spreading misinformation. Howard Sproull-comments on gas powered leaf blower ban and the carbon issue. He also spoke about spending time on taking care of the immediate needs of the Village. Reception honoring Village Clerk Pramod Shah directly following the Board Meeting directly after Board Meeting to celebrate Village Clerk Pramod Shah. Adjournment. Motion to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Moved: Trustee Sutker Seconded: Trustee Klein Ayes: Sutker, Robinson, Khoeun, Klein and Mayor Van Dusen Nays: None. Absent: Johnson MOTION CARRIED __________________________________ Acting Village Clerk Approved: ---------------------------------- Mayor Van Dusen Items marked with an asterisk (*) indicate they are part of the Consent Agenda that contains routine items or items which have already been discussed by the Mayor and Board at a previous public meeting and require a second reading. Items on the Consent Agenda are passed in one vote at the beginning of the Board Meeting. Prior to the vote on the Consent Agenda, the Mayor will inquire if there is any matter which anyone wishes to remove from the Consent Agenda. If there is an item on the Consent Agenda which you wish to address, please inform the Mayor at that time you wish to remove it from the Consent Agenda. 616483 13719 Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Page Four 616483