123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

6:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at

6:00 P.M.

II. Roll Call

Trustee Wesley joined the meeting at 6:05 P.M. during Executive Session

via remote participation per Village policy.

Trustee Straw joined the meeting at 6:10 P.M. during Executive Session.

Trustee Buchanan left the meeting at 7:12 P.M. during Executive Session.

5 -

Present:

Absent:

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

Trustee Parakkat, and Village Trustee Robinson

2 - Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

III. Consideration of a Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Meet with an

External Auditor to Discuss Internal Control Weaknesses and Identification of

Potential Fraud Risk Areas.

It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Enyia, to adjourn into

Executive Session. 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 Parakkat, and Village Trustee Robinson

NAYS:

2 - Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

ABSENT:

V. Reconvene to Regular Meeting in Council Chambers and Call to Order

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 7:59 P.M.

VI. Roll Call

6 -

Present:

Absent:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Buchanan

VII. Agenda Approval

It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the

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

IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment

There was no Non-Agenda Public Comment.

XI. Village Manager Reports

ID 24-123

Update on the Status of the Pete's Fresh Market Development on Madison

Street ..End

Overview

Village Manager Kevin Jackson and Assistant Director of Development

Customer Services Cam Davis introduced the Item. Project Manager

Eugene Grzynkowicz presented the Item.

President Scaman requested a timeline. Manager Grzynkowicz responded

that once they receive their permit from the Village, it is about 30 days for

sheeting and about 60 days for excavation.

Trustee Robinson asked if another extension will be needed beyond June

2024. Manager Grzynkowicz said they meet with the architects twice a

week and things are going very well so another extension may not be

needed. Trustee Robinson asked how building permits fit into the timeline.

Assistant Director Davis said the original RDA has the occupancy permit

happening in June 2024 which is not going to happen. The building permits

were received just this week and had an administrative error. The Village is

committed to issuing permits as quickly as possible. Pete's is aware they

are subject to the new electrification ordinance.

Trustee Parakkat requested an estimated occupancy date. Manager

Grzynkowicz said he won't know that until they send the building drawings

into the Village for permitting in March. Manager Jackson said an update

can be provided to the Village Board in March. Trustee Parakkat asked

how much Pete's has invested so far. Manager Grzynkowicz estimated

$6.5M with another $2M by April.

Trustee Straw inquired about the last time work occurred at the site.

Manager Grzynkowicz said the power poles were decommissioned just

before winter. Trustee Straw expressed the extreme frustration by residents

driving by and not seeing any progress.

President Scaman said she hopes the owners can attend next time.

Manager Jackson introduced new Assistant to the Village Manager Erin

Baynes.

XII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports

There were no comments.

XIII. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 24-124

Board & Commission Vacancy Report for January 30, 2024.

There were no comments.

XV. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

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

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

vote was as follows:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Buchanan

ABSENT:

A Resolution Approving the Purchase and Planting of Parkways Trees

through Contracts Secured by the Suburban Tree Consortium in an

Amount Not to Exceed $131,000.00 for the 2024 Tree Planting Program and

Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for said Purchase

This Resolution was approved.

A Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Independent Contractor

Agreement with Everest Snow Management, Inc. for Village Wide Parkway

Tree Watering Services in an Amount not to Exceed $65,000.00 and

Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving A Purchase Price Agreement with Ferguson

Enterprises LLC, d/b/a Ferguson Waterworks for Water Meters and Water

Meter Parts in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000.00, Authorizing its

Execution and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the Agreement

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Independent Contractor

with J.L. Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. for the South Fire Station Roof

Replacement Project to Change the Project Completion Date and Increase

the Not to Exceed Amount from $185,720.00 to $226,920.00, Authorizing its

Execution and Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary Budget

Amendment for the Project

This Resolution was adopted.

MOT 24-002

A Motion to Approve the November 2023 Monthly Treasurer’s Report for

All Funds

This Motion was approved.

RES 24-123

A Resolution Approving an Employee Leasing Agreement with MGT of

America Consulting, LLC for an Interim Chief Financial Officer in an Amount

Not to Exceed $100,000 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

XVI. Regular Agenda

RES 24-111

Concur with the Community Design Commission and Adopt A Resolution

Approving and Adopting the Village of Oak Park’s Urban Forest

Management Plan

Manager Jackson and Public Works Director Rob Sproule introduced the

Item. Forestry Superintendent Grant Jones presented the Item.

Trustee Parakkat inquired about the reduction of trees getting cut and

removed over time. Superintendent Jones said it depends on what new

pests appear in the area. By diversifying our tree species, we are hedging

our bets. Trustee Parakkat asked if there is an opportunity to diversify the

urban forestry in a way that reduces the cost of removals. Superintendent

Jones said the number of removals have been steady around 300 for the

last few years so he expects it to hold steady.

Trustee Enyia said he supports diversifying the base to build up resiliency.

Trustee Straw inquired about the plan to improve tree equity scores.

Superintendent Jones said the Village has planted more trees than it has

removed the last couple years and is targeted open spots first. Trustee

Straw inquired how long it will take to get back towards a more mature

canopy. Superintendent Jones said we are headed in the right direction but

it will take some time. Trustee Straw requested more information about the

wood utilization program. Superintendent Jones noted one limitation is Oak

Park does not have a place to store logs. Trustee Straw inquired about the

plan to bring more of the staffing in-house. Superintendent Jones said the

contracting prices increased substantially from three years ago so this

would help offset those costs.

Trustee Robinson asked how the Village anticipates expanding its tree

equity score. Superintendent Jones said it is about identifying where new

trees can be planted and fosters the trees that are already there. Trustee

Robinson inquired about the damage and flooding caused by tree roots in

those areas in particular. Superintendent Jones said it is hard to look at

sewer lines when considering where to plant a tree though they do look at

all of the other infrastructure closely. Trustee Robinson inquired how the

requirement to replace the lead water lines will be protective of the

expensive trees that are being planted. Superintendent Jones said he is a

reviewer on the permit process and they establish distances for tree and

root protection. He communicates with the Water and Sewer division to

minimize damage to the tree.

Trustee Wesley asked if the Village is prioritizing its border streets that

have a higher proportion of black residents. Superintendent Jones

confirmed those areas are being prioritized. Plantings are determined by

the tree equity score map and it is easier to put in trees near apartment

buildings. Trustee Wesley noted the disparity in asthma rates between

black and white kids and the positive impact of trees on asthma rates.

Superintendent Jones said there is also the opportunity to plant trees on

private property. The Village is looking to partner with West Cook Wild

Ones to see if there is an opportunity to make trees available to residents

to plant on their own property. Trustee Wesley noted that tree canopies

also contribute to traffic safety.

President Scaman noted the budget for trees was increased a few years

back and said Oak Park is fortunate to have so many trees.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, 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 Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Buchanan

ABSENT:

ORD 24-101

Concur with the Community Design Commission and Adopt an Ordinance

Amending Chapter 25 (“Trees, Shrubs, and Other Plants”), Article 1

(“Planting, Maintenance, and Removal of Trees and Shrubs and Creation of

Forestry Commission”) of the Oak Park Village Code Regarding the Village

of Oak Park’s Urban Forest Management Plan

Director Sproule presented the Item.

There was no discussion from the Village Board.

It was moved by Trustee Enyia, 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 Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village

Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Buchanan

ABSENT:

XVII. Call to Board and Clerk

Clerk Waters announced that early voting begins March 4. Should

residents need assistance with voter registration, early voting hours, polling

locations, or to verify registration, please contact the Clerk's Office at

708-358-5670 or clerk@oak-park.us.

Trustee Enyia congratulated his next door neighbors Nikki and Larry

Merrick on 50 years of marriage. He noted the Oak Park Public Library

was invited to the Cook County Board's meeting last week where the

resolution was read for Dr. Percy Julian.

President Scaman will visit the White House as part of Communities in

Action: Building a Better Illinois and Indiana.

Trustee Wesley highlighted the new business Comedy Plex and noted his

friend Sean Flannery will be headlining this weekend.

XVIII. Adjourn

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to Adjourn. A

voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:18

P.M., Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

Respectfully submitted,

Deputy Clerk Hansen