Submitted By
Paul L. Stephanides, Village Attorney
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Declaring an Emergency Disaster Affecting the Public Health, Safety and Welfare in Order to Provide Aid and Support to Asylum Seekers Residing in the Village of Oak Park Through February 29, 2024
End
Overview
Overview
The Village Board is asked to declare an emergency disaster affecting the public health, safety, and welfare as a procedural step under state law and the Village Code in order to provide aid and support to asylum seekers residing in the Village of Oak Park through February 29, 2024.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Police Chief Shatonya Johnson, as the Coordinator of the Oak Park Emergency Service Disaster Agency (ESDA), has recommended this action in accordance with Section 2-27-9 of the Village Code.
Fiscal Impact
Adoption of the Resolution authorizes any purchase or contracts necessary to place the Village in a position to provide aid and support to asylum seekers residing in the Village in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of asylum seekers and the Village. Section 2-6-10 of the Oak Park Village Code further provides that urgently needed materials or urgent repairs involving labor and materials may be obtained through negotiated contracts without formal advertising with the approval of the Village Manager when it is in the best interest of the Village and when it is impractical to convene a meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Background
The Village Board is being asked to enact the procedural step under state law and the Village Code of adopting an emergency disaster declaration in order to provide aid and support to asylum seekers residing in the Village in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of asylum seekers and the Village. The asylum seekers began arriving in the Village on October 31, 2023, and there are approximately over 150 asylum seekers currently residing in the Village. The Board adopted a Resolution on November 2, 2023, declaring an emergency through December 2, 2023, and a Resolution on November 20, 2023, extending the emergency through February 6, 2024. The Village Board authorized $150,000 in funds for asylum seekers at the October 30, 2023 Board meeting and the Village has received a $150,000 grant for asylum seekers from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The Village Board authorized an additional $500,000 in funds for asylum seekers from unspent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds provided to the Village on November 20, 2023. Since that time, the Village has received approval from Cook County for a grant of $350,000 for ongoing response activities.
The emergency declaration will temporarily suspend purchasing requirements such as formal bidding procedures and Board contract approvals when quick action is deemed necessary and when it is impractical to convene a Board meeting. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker executed a “Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation” on a statewide basis due to the arrival of asylum seekers in the State on January 5, 2024 on a 30-day basis. Governor Pritzker’s Proclamation is attached as part of the agenda item.
DEI Impact
The Resolution authorizes aid and support to asylum seekers on an emergency basis.
Alternatives
The Village Board could delay action or seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The declaration will expire on February 29, 2023.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
The Village is engaging with its governmental and other partners to assist asylum seekers.