123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Thursday, April 11, 2024

7:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Vicki Scaman called the Special Meeting to order at

7:05 P.M.

II. Roll Call

7 -

Present:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village

Trustee Wesley

Absent:

III. Agenda Approval

President Scaman moved Items F, G, and O from Consent to Regular

Agenda.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to Approve the

Agenda as amended. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.

VI. Proclamation

MOT 24-145

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing Dr. Percy Julian Day on

April 11, 2024

Trustee Enyia read the Proclamation into the Record. President Scaman

said she will send a copy of the Proclamation to Faith Julian.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Motion be

approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.

MOT 24-147

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing National Volunteer

Week April 21-27, 2024

Village Clerk Christina Waters read the Proclamation into the Record. She

said the Village is hosting a Neighborhood Clean-Up this Saturday starting

at 8:30 A.M.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Motion be

approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.

VII. Village Manager Reports

Public Health Director Dr. Theresa Chapple provided an update on the

Village's response to measles.

Trustee Parakkat inquired if there is an age profile among the cases. Dr.

Chapple said vulnerability is dictated by vaccination status. For measles,

under age 1 are not able to be vaccinated. Under age 5 are also vulnerable

because they have not had their second dose.

Trustee Straw inquired about the vaccination rate in Oak Park. Dr. Chapple

said our overall vaccination rate is 97%, though there are small pockets in

our community with much lower rates. We are seeing much higher

breakthrough cases now than the standard 3%.

Trustee Enyia inquired about other solutions. Dr. Chapple said the Board

of Health is thinking through what resources it will take once we get a case

in our community. Some people do not know or have proof of their MMR

status.

VIII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports

Trustee Straw reported the Aging in Communities Commission is meeting

this evening and the first issue on their agenda is leaf collection. The Public

Works department will also be meeting with our Disability Access

Commission to talk about leaf collection and how to address the concerns

we have been hearing from our aging and disabled communities.

V. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Bruce Lehman: Referenced two hand-outs and requested further dialogue

with the Board regarding citizen engagement in development decisions.

IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 24-234

Board & Commission Vacancy Report for April 11, 2024

There were no comments.

X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments

MOT 24-151

A Motion to Consent to the Village President’s Appointment of:

Aging in Communities Commission - Barbara Cimaglio, Reappoint as Member

Board of Health - Christina R. Welter, Appoint as Chair

Citizen Involvement Commission - Curtis Lott, Reappoint as Member

Citizens Police Oversight Committee - Camile Lindsay Kumi, Appoint as

Member

Farmers’ Market Commission - Marcia J. Diverde, Appoint as Member

Zoning Board of Appeals - Mas Takiguchi, Appoint as Chair

Clerk Waters read the names into the Record.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Enyia, that this Motion be

approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.

XI. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley to approve the

items under the Consent Agenda. The motion was approved. The roll call on the

vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village

Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

A Motion to Approve the Bills in the Amount of $7,193,906.47 from March

1, 2024, through March 28, 2024

This Motion was approved.

A Resolution Approving an Electrical Utility Easement Agreement with the

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Adopting the Strategic Vision for Housing Plan Prepared by

the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Professional Services

Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. for Permit Plan

Review and Inspection Services in 2024 in an Amount Not to Exceed

$135,000 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 24-170

A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with

Midwest Meters, Inc. for the Village-Wide Water Distribution Leak

Detection System in an Amount Not to Exceed $622,390.00 and Authorizing

its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 24-171

RES 24-174

A Resolution Approving a Contract with Strada Construction Company for

Project 24-3, Sidewalk Improvements, in an Amount Not to Exceed

$170,738 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application with the

Clean Energy Infrastructure Funding Opportunity Exchange with a

Requested Funding Amount of $1,000,000

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 24-176

A Resolution Approving a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services

with V3 Companies, Ltd. for Construction Engineering Services for Project

24-8, Lot 10 Streetscape, in an Amount Not to Exceed $75,049 and

Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

XII. Regular Agenda for Items Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 3 Alcoholic Liquor

Dealers or Related

ORD 24-116

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 Special Events Class E-1 Liquor License to the Oak

Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce

Trustee Parakkat recused himself from this Item.

Village Attorney Paul Stephanides presented the Item. Oak Park River

Forest Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darien Marion-Burton

provided additional information.

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:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Parakkat

RECUSED:

ORD 24-117

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 Café Cubano

LLC, DBA Café Cubano

Trustee Parakkat recused himself from this Item.

Attorney Stephanides presented the Item. Cafe Cubano Owner Melissa

Fernandez provided additional information.

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:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Parakkat

RECUSED:

ORD 24-119

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 Oak Park Egg

Harbor, LLC, DBA as Egg Harbor

Trustee Parakkat recused himself from this Item.

Attorney Stephanides presented the Item. Egg Harbor Cafe District Leader

Joyce Parish provided additional information.

Trustee Straw inquired about the 7:00 A.M. start time. Leader Parish said

she does not foresee any challenges here in Oak Park.

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:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Parakkat

RECUSED:

XIII. Regular Agenda

RES 24-177

A Resolution Approving a Temporary License Agreement with Publican

Quality Breads Oak Park, LLC to Allow the Use of an Alleyway for Outdoor

Dining Through November 30, 2024 and Authorizing its Execution

Trustee Parakkat recused himself from this Item.

Development Services Director Emily Egan presented the Item.

Trustee Wesley said he welcomes this.

Trustee Buchanan inquired if this is the same alley as Buzz Cafe. Director

Egan confirmed there is still access to other businesses.

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Resolution

be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Parakkat

RECUSED:

RES 24-173

A Resolution Approving a Contract with Alliance Contractors Inc. for

Project 24-8, Lot 10 Streetscape, in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,530,772

and Authorizing its Execution

Village Engineer Bill McKenna presented the Item.

Trustee Straw said this is a significant business area and he sees a benefit

to keeping up the streetscape with the nicer concrete. The electric vehicle

charging stations will be Level 2.

Trustee Buchanan inquired about the generators, which Engineer McKenna

said are probably propane. Thursday Night Out does not utilize Lot 10. She

said she is in favor of the electrical.

Trustee Wesley inquired about the lifespan of Lot 10. Engineer McKenna

said the current asphalt requires resurfacing every 15 years. Brick pavers

should last about 30 years. Trustee Wesley asked if it is possible to charge

this back to Downtown Oak Park (DTOP). Engineer McKenna said the

meter on the electrical box would be billed to DTOP under the current plan.

Trustee Wesley said he is in favor of the electrical.

President Scaman inquired if the business owners have weighed in.

Engineer McKenna said the Village has been working with DTOP to notify

all business holders during the design of the planned scope.

Trustee Robinson said she thinks it should be adopted as proposed and

stay within budget.

Trustee Parakkat inquired if the parking lot maintenance planned for 2024

is being postponed to accommodate the increased scope. Engineer

McKenna confirmed the recommendation is to defer that work until 2025.

Trustee Parakkat asked if the electric can be built in at a later point.

Engineer McKenna said the Village would have to rip up the parking lot to

install the underground conduit and wiring which would be a major

disturbance. Trustee Parakkat said the regular concrete is fine and he is in

favor of the electric only if a revenue model is created for the Village to

charge back what it is investing. Village Manager Kevin Jackson said he

does not know if DTOP would be willing to pay for it. Engineer McKenna

agreed.

Trustee Enyia inquired about the accrued maintenance costs of the

resurfacing. Engineer McKenna said bricks have a lower lifecycle cost

versus asphalt . Trustee Enyia said it makes sense to do the electrical now

and it would be worthwhile.

Trustee Straw said he thinks the electrical work makes sense and we

should explore whether the Village can charge a fee to recoup the cost of

the upfront investment over the long term.

President Scaman said she hopes the Village sees more events, nightlife,

and economic vitality which are in our Board goals. She said she sees

investing in the electric as fiscally responsible and has no desire to charge

DTOP for that investment.

Trustee Straw requested to make a friendly amendment to amend the

amount to $1,579,372 to cover the electric option in the agreement.

Trustee Wesley seconded.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Resolution

be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village

Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

MOT 24-142

A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s

Recommendation to Expand Street Frontage Locations for Overnight

On-Street Permit Parking in Zones Y1 and Y2

Director Egan presented the Item.

Trustee Buchanan inquired where the bike lane would be. Parking and

Mobility Services Manager Sean Keane said it is the intersection of Erie

and Oak Park Avenue which resulted in the loss of five parking spaces.

Trustee Robinson made the distinction that the issue is the availability of

spots in proximity to those who commented and want this. It is not that we

have more permit holders than available spots. We do not need more

space; we need space configured differently. Manager Keane said the

Village is constantly reassessing each zone.

President Scaman noted there are 20+ emails from neighbors requesting

the expansion. Trustee Parakkat agreed with Trustee Robinson. Trustee

Robinson suggested expanding the reduced overnight parking permit offer.

Trustee Wesley said he doesn't care if we let people park anywhere and

everywhere and he would prefer to have a lot of bike lanes.

President Scaman said she is comfortable with the expansion and

recommended all parking items be on the Regular Agenda.

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:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Robinson

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 24-138

A Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2024 Special Event Fees

Assistant Village Manager/HR Director Kira Tchang presented the Item.

Trustee Parakkat asked if the discounted structure put in place in 2022 in

response to the pandemic recovery is being carried forward. Director

Tchang said the Board adopted that program for 2022 and 2023 only. He

said he would like the Village to look at simplifying the fee structure and

streamlining the application process. Director Tchang said stakeholder

conversations were held last fall with a number of event holders, including

the use of CityView which had to be specifically designed for this process.

Trustee Parakkat inquired about the line item for police Sunday and

holidays. Director Tchang said it was calculated assuming a double-time

rate on Sundays and holidays, though the CBA reflects a time and a half

cost. These hourly rates are estimates and averages; special event holders

pay the actual costs of staffing the events. President Scaman noted some

communities see sponsorships which may be something we want to

consider.

Trustee Wesley said he agreed with Trustee Parakkat and agreed the

CityView software is too complicated for this purpose. He said it's really

important that we focus on continuing to build community.

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Resolution

be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village

Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application for Cook County

Disaster Response and Recovery Fund

RES 24-175

Director Tchang presented the Item.

Trustee Parakkat said it would be good to have a budget view around the

timeline, expenditures, sources, and grants. Director Tchang said a

detailed financial analysis is planned for the April 30 Board meeting. He

asked if a lot of time is expected for the grant process. Director Tchang

said it is a relatively easy shift and we are being reimbursed for staff time

up to $40K over the life of the SMASS 2 grant.

Trustee Robinson asked if the Village is applying for the same grant

amount. Director Tchang said the Village would apply for all temporary

protective measures related to the Oak Park Family Transitional Shelter

expenses. Because the shelter was projected to operate for four months

housing 100 people and it operated for one month for 42 people, the actual

cost is significantly less than we were granted. The Village will apply to

Cook County with the actual expenses incurred as opposed to the $1.3M

that we were approved for through SMASS 2.

It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Resolution

be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village

Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 24-186

A Resolution Approving a Second Amendment to the Funding Grant

Agreement with the Oak Park-River Forest Community of Congregations to

Provide an Additional $100,000 in Village General Funds to the Community

of Congregations to Provide Short-Term Rental Assistance for Asylum

Seekers for a New Total of $450,000 and Authorizing its Execution

Director Tchang presented the Item.

President Scaman thanked Pilgrim Congregational Church Senior Pastor

Colin Knapp.

Trustee Robinson inquired why this group wasn't previously identified.

Director Tchang said staff interpreted the Board's feedback to be focused

on those asylum seekers who are part of the Village's temporary shelter

program. Trustee Robinson asked if resettlement coming from the general

fund is reimbursable. Director Tchang said there is a commitment and

understanding from the state that the Village is providing this service and

there will likely be an application for reimbursement for some of those

expenses, depending what the SMASS 3 program looks like once the

state passes its budget. To date the Village has received $340K from

SMASS 1 and has been approved for the remaining $60K.

Trustee Robinson asked if there is a contingency plan for unfulfilled leases.

Pastor Knapp said the leases are made in the names of the migrants so

the church does not have a plan for those. So far everyone has remained in

their lease. She said she would love to know the status of families who stay

for that 12-month period to help determine the success of this effort. She

said she supports the resettlement effort but does not feel like she has a

good idea of where the Village is money-wise. She said she has a strong

desire to see those ARPA dollars go to federally ARPA-approved

purposes as originally intended and she will be voting no.

Trustee Parakkat asked where this request is coming from. Pastor Knapp

said Euclid United Methodist Church reached out to him and requested

support and aid. Five leases would be needed for 17 individuals. $100K

would enable all 17 to be covered. Trustee Parakkat said there are many

needs in the community and he will vote no.

Trustee Wesley said he looks at how the Village can be in a situation to

help the people of our community, which includes 200 asylum seekers. He

said he believes in the equity of this decision and he will vote yes.

Trustee Straw said he will vote yes and thanked Pastor Knapp and

volunteer-led effort.

President Scaman also expressed her gratitude.

It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Resolution

be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

2 - Village Trustee Parakkat, and Village Trustee Robinson

NAYS:

ABSENT:

ID 24-183

A Presentation and Discussion of Public Engagement and Development

Entitlement Processes

Chris Donovan: Shared a hand-out example from Oak Brook and

requested to increase public participation and to do it sooner, before

things start to happen.

Kevin Kell: Staff's recommendation of 7 Van Buren doesn't go far enough. It

doesn't seem there was transparency in the process. Advance notice

would help. He doesn't want to see Chicago's density in Oak Park.

Michael Weik: Disappointed in the substance of the presentation. Urged

the Board to ask staff to bring the recommended changes to bring us in

conformity with West Suburban and make it consistent across the board.

David Osta: Member of the Center West Oak Park Neighborhood

Association. Staff recommendations look good though development

processes involve residents far too late. Requests the Board take action on

their proposal.

Village Planner Craig Failor and Director Egan presented the Item.

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, to continue the

meeting past 10:00 P.M. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.

Trustee Straw requested an update at an upcoming meeting on the efforts

to engage with community stakeholders regarding hospital zoning issues.

He requested clarification on the differences between planned

development, special use, and other variance categories. Planner Failor

said a planned development application is a development that is 20,000

square feet or more and they are asking for relief from the zoning code. A

special use is a use that is allowed in the certain zoning district but it has

potential impacts to the surrounding neighborhood that the Village wants to

understand better. A zoning variance is a modification to the bulk

regulations within the zoning code.

Trustee Straw noted the only place where neighborhood meetings are

required is if the development is more than 20,000 feet and there is a

variance. The neighborhood meeting occurs before the application has

been submitted. The public hearing is the final hearing before the

commission. He said he is leaning toward Alternative 3. He said he is

interested in staff's recommendation regarding the specifics and in

discussing increasing the timing of and distance for notice requirements.

Trustee Wesley questioned the point of the public hearing. Planner Failor

said the process is required by law and the idea is for the Plan

Commission to hear from the public, assess what they have to say, and

make a decision on whether or not to support the application or ask the

developer to modify it. Trustee Wesley asked if the assumption is that we

would hear from people for and against properties. Planner Failor

confirmed we hear from people who are in favor, opposed, and neutral.

They all have the same amount of time to provide to the Plan Commission,

including written comment, testimony, and cross-examining the applicant.

People who are opposed to development are the ones who tend to come

out the most.

Trustee Wesley said this process gives a public forum for a lot of people to

come out and oppose development rather than contribute to the process.

He said he favors staff's recommendation and referenced two articles

about the types of people who come to public meetings being older, white,

highly educated, male, and homeowners. He questioned who we are trying

to give power to and what we are trying to accomplish. Until he sees

otherwise, he does not see a reason to change what we currently have.

Trustee Robinson said she supports staff's recommendation and Option 1.

She requested the frequency of neighborhood meetings in the special use

permit instance. Planner Failor said the Village does not recommend it for

every special use--only ones they think will impact the neighborhood. She

said she thinks we want to be very judicious in code changes that could

potentially dampen development when the trade-off is meeting some of our

other Board goals. She said she supports staff's recommendation.

Trustee Parakkat said development should be with and for the community

and the question is how do we involve community members in a meaningful

way to contribute to the process and shape it in the right way to get to the

right outcome. He said he is not convinced we want to change the process.

The education aspect hopefully makes people more informed as they

engage with this process. He said he supports staff's recommendation.

Trustee Enyia said he understands both sides of the development process

and acknowledged the frustrations expressed by the public. He said he is

leaning toward Option 3.

Trustee Buchanan asked if a developer has ever changed their plans

based on a neighborhood meeting. Planner Failor gave a recent example

and confirmed there are developers who will do that. She suggested

changing the notification to 30 days minimum instead of 15-30 days and

said she is in favor of staff's recommendation.

President Scaman said she likes the idea of increasing the notice period

and gave the example of American House as a process that worked well. 7

Van Buren checks all the boxes for what we want in a planned

development. She said she sees the need at some point to have

discussions around a master plan for our community. She said she would

consider the difference between Option 3 and staff's recommendation.

Trustee Straw said the Village needs to be thinking about the notice and

figure out how we can get the community engagement we want to see.

Perhaps we need to modernize what public notice looks like.

XIV. Call to Board and Clerk

Clerk Waters said the Neighborhood Clean-Up is this Saturday. Email

clerkwaters@oak-park.us if you would like more information.

Trustee Enyia said there is a celebration this Saturday for Arab American

Heritage Month at the Oak Park Public Library from 1-3:30 P.M. He

acknowledged the passing of Dr. Patterson of the University of Illinois and

expressed his condolences to his family. Manager Jackson said he will be

attending the services on Sunday.

Trustee Buchanan said the Climate Action Museum in Chicago has

selected the Oak Park Climate Action Network (OPCAN) and the Village of

Oak Park as climate action heroes this year. We will be honored on April

20 at an event at the Museum in Riverside Plaza. OPCAN has started a

climate coaching program in collaboration with the Village. Residents can

have a free 30-minute consultation with an OPCAN volunteer for advice on

electrifying or decarbonizing their homes.

Trustee Straw acknowledged the Public Health Department for their opioid

overdose kits and shared a recent experience at Starbucks on North

Avenue where having a kit would have been helpful. This program works if

residents grab a kit which can save lives. Visit the Village's web page to

learn more. Kits are available at no cost throughout the Village.

Trustee Wesley noted the developer for 7 Van Buren is a non-profit and

said cannot get walkable amenities without density or under our current

zoning. The outcome of zoning is racism. If we are going to focus on getting

more people into these meetings, we need to ensure it is a diverse amount