123 Madison Street  
Oak Park, Illinois 60302  
www.oak-park.us  
Village of Oak Park  
Meeting Minutes  
President and Board of Trustees  
Tuesday, March 11, 2025  
6:30 PM  
Village Hall  
I. Call to Order  
Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at  
6:34 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  
0
Absent:  
III. Agenda Approval  
It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Wesley, to approve the  
Agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
IV. Minutes  
A Motion to Approve Minutes from the February 18, 2025, Regular  
Meeting of the Village Board.  
MOT 25-140  
A.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, 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  
A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Celebrating Monarch Butterfly  
Month May 2025  
MOT 25-135  
B.  
President Scaman read the Proclamation into the record.  
It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Robinson to approve the  
Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing Holi - Festival of Colors  
April 5, 2025.  
MOT 25-141  
C.  
Trustee Parakkat read the Proclamation into the record.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Parakkat, to approve the  
Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
VII. Village Manager Reports  
A presentation by Mark Pruitt of Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network  
(ICCAN) and Sharon Alegado of MC Squared on the status of municipal  
aggregation and community solar programs in Oak Park  
ID 25-245  
D.  
Village Manager Kevin Jackson introduced new Finance Director Carrie  
Marckess. Director Marckess shared her background.  
Deputy Village Manager Ahmad Zayyad introduced Illinois Community  
Choice Aggregation Network (ICCAN) Principal Mark Pruitt. Principal  
Pruitt presented the Item. MC Squared Energy Vice President of Sales and  
Marketing Sharon Alegado presented additional information.  
Trustee Buchanan asked who decides who is participating in the  
programs. Principal Pruitt said all consumers are allowed to participate.  
Opt-out letters go to those consumers that have a low profile indicating they  
can be served at a rate that is competitive to the Com Ed rate.  
Trustee Straw inquired about MC Squared's business model. VP Alegado  
said they review the entire portfolio to determine which accounts are  
eligible and determine the cost to serve. VP Alegado said the base is  
$2,500 which equates to a base of 5,000 accounts. Anything over that  
would be 50 cents per account. He asked what margins MC Squared is  
seeing per account and if that is a place for negotiation in the future. VP  
Alegado said she can provide that information to staff. They do outreach  
twice a year and the number of accounts can increase.  
Trustee Straw asked how many additional subscribers can be  
accommodated with the community solar projects. Principal Pruitt said  
each project is about 2,000 kilowatts in size. The average subscription in  
Oak Park is about 5kw so they could serve an additional 800 accounts  
provided that people sign up. Trustee Straw asked if it's possible to opt the  
old projects into the single billing. VP Alegado said that is in discussion.  
Principal Pruitt noted that an individual community solar project must be  
billed entirely on either the dual bill or the Com Ed bill.  
Trustee Robinson requested to have the contract sent to the Village Board.  
She clarified that the question is what is their profit margin in this  
arrangement. She said over the last three years we have seen a significant  
drop in our municipal contribution which is why there is this focus on  
municipal contribution. It is the primary funder of our sustainability fund and  
seeing that significant decrease year over year is concerning as we look  
forward and try to step into funding some sustainability-type projects.  
Trustee Robinson asked if there is any reason they don't do cost to serve of  
served accounts since we are only at about 50% of our total eligible  
accounts. VP Alegado said they are only charging the Village for the  
accounts that are participating, not for the entire portfolio. VP Alegado said  
they are not charging the Village for outreach and she can inquire if it is  
possible to increase the outreach.  
Trustee Robinson requested the correlation between Com Ed prices and  
the Village's contribution. Principal Pruitt said Com Ed's price is based on  
energy, capacity, and transmission. Each has a different allocation for  
every account. The capacity charge is allocated to everybody. Those with  
higher demand will have the greatest burden. That increases the cost to  
serve for some customers. MC Squared looks at every account to see  
which they can serve for less than Com Ed. As the Com Ed price goes up,  
the volume of accounts served and the compensation will go up. ICCAN  
works directly for the Village to advise on the structure of the program and  
the selection of the vendor.  
Trustee Parakkat inquired about the civic payment. Principal Pruitt said the  
compensation used to be on a pro rata basis and the determination to go  
to the $2,500 per month base was determined to be preferable by the  
Village because it gave a better yield municipal contribution. Trustee  
Parakkat asked if it is possible to go back to the old model. VP Alegado  
said they can take a look at the time of the re-analysis to determine what  
makes sense and is agreeable to the Village. Trustee Parakkat asked  
what our realistic expectation should be for the future. Principal Pruitt said  
he can run the numbers and report back to staff.  
Trustee Buchanan said she thought the municipal aggregation changed to  
opt in rather than opt out. Principal Pruitt said it is still an opt out, which was  
approved through the Village's referendum. She asked if there is still a wait  
list for the community solar. VP Alegado said any Oak Park resident or  
small commercial that has been on the wait list has received an offer.  
Trustee Straw said he thinks getting a share of the profit between the cost  
they're serving and the price they're charging is reasonable.  
Trustee Wesley asked if the per kilowatt hour tax can be levied directly.  
Attorney Smith said the Village has the ability to impose a tax on electric  
use. He said he is not sure if there is a cap on that tax or if the Village is  
currently imposing it so staff can take a look at that. Trustee Wesley said he  
thinks it's a great way to diffuse the responsibility across the entire Village.  
President Scaman noted C4 is finalizing an agreement to provide energy  
efficiency upgrades and solar plus battery storage in up to 2,800 low and  
moderate income homes in Oak Park and our surrounding communities.  
VIII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports  
There were no reports.  
IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies  
ID 25-267  
E.  
Board and Commission Vacancy Report for March 11, 2025  
There were no reports.  
X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments  
A Motion to Consent to the Village President’s Appointment of:  
Citizens Police Oversight Committee - C. Thor Martin, Appoint as  
Commissioner  
MOT 25-139  
F.  
It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Motion be  
approved. 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  
0
0
NAYS:  
ABSENT:  
XI. First Reading  
ORD 25-133  
A First 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  
G.  
Dr. Janice Makela: Oak Park resident and physician in hospice palliative  
care geriatrics. She said this is a good idea and urged having an age  
restriction to ensure kids do not get access to this.  
Judith Alexander: She recommended the signage warn of dangers. A  
special license should be required to sell the products and the fee should  
cover enforcement and background checks. Penalties, enforcement, and  
performance standards should be stated in the ordinance.  
Public Health Director Greg Olsen presented the Item.  
Trustee Straw said he wants to make sure we do the public health notice  
as soon as possible. He said he thinks the prohibited packaging is  
somewhat vague and he is concerned about how enforcement of that will  
take place and be predictable. Director Olsen said staff specified that it  
was the actual package and not the product itself inside the package.  
Attorney Smith said the prohibited packaging language concepts were  
taken in part from Sen. Lightford's bill and Rep. La Shawn Ford's bill.  
Trustee Straw asked if enforcement will start with a warning. Attorney Smith  
said it will and the ordinance has a June 1 enforcement commencement  
date to allow staff to educate the sellers ahead of time. Staff's approach is  
to seek compliance and then increase the intensity of enforcement. Trustee  
Straw said he is supportive.  
Trustee Robinson asked if the language saying penalties are subject to the  
adjudication process can be strengthened by ordinance. Attorney Smith  
said in the Village Code, there is a general penalty that applies to a  
violation of the code where none other is stated. The minimum fine is either  
$25 or $50 and the maximum fine is $750 per violation which is per act  
which violates a requirement of the code. She asked if that would be  
difficult for adjudication to apply. Manager Jackson said he does not think  
so. She asked if outreach has been done to all businesses. Director Olsen  
said the Development Services department has reached out to every  
licensed business within Oak Park. The licensing inspectors also went out  
and visited each of the establishments that we know sell the product. A few  
are being followed up with this week to reach the business owner.  
Trustee Robinson said she is happy to apply the standard penalty structure.  
Director Olsen said the Public Health department approaches it as an  
educational moment in the field to gain compliance. She asked if the  
Village provides the signage. Director Olsen said the Village requires what  
the signage has to say.  
Trustee Wesley asked what would happen if a business is found to be  
selling to a kid. Attorney Smith said the hearing officer would decide on a  
case-by-case basis given the business' history and severity of the violation.  
If a licensed business repeatedly violates the code, there is an opportunity  
to suspend or revoke their business license as an ultimate measure.  
Trustee Wesley inquired about the profit for the businesses. Director Olsen  
said he does not know the profit margins off the top of his head. Trustee  
Wesley said he thinks selling to a minor should be the maximum $750  
penalty every time and he is fine with the sliding scale for the rest.  
Trustee Parakkat asked if enforcement is reactive or proactive. Director  
Olsen said that will be determined by the June 1 enforcement date. Other  
municipalities do complaint-based and sting operations similar to  
underage tobacco sales. Manager Jackson said specific enforcement  
recommendations will come back to the Board.  
Trustee Straw said he supports a set fine on the upper end of that range for  
sales to underage individuals. For a certain number of violations in a set  
period of time, it would make sense for there to be a suspension of the  
business license until the business owner can demonstrate they have taken  
appropriate steps to resolve that issue. He said he would love to see the  
enforcement be proactive with sting operations.  
Trustee Robinson said she would like to know staff's thoughts about  
creating a bespoke set of penalties for one ordinance. She said she can  
see the benefit in uniformity and still have an ordinance that has teeth. She  
said she would not want to see a different set of penalties which would  
make it harder for business owners to follow. Manager Jackson said staff  
can address those questions when they come back to the Board.  
Trustee Enyia recommended partnering with Oak Park Township and said  
this is an opportunity for business owners to take that first step forward. The  
penalties need to be there so people understand the severity of doing this.  
This is a step in the right direction and enforcement needs to be  
addressed. We are not here to make money off of people, this is to make  
sure that we are keeping our community safe.  
President Scaman agreed with partnering with the Township and D200.  
Attorney Smith clarified the ordinance does not apply to underage persons  
who purchase products. It is only a regulation on the sale of products.  
XII. Consent Agenda  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
It was moved by Village Trustee Robinsonand seconded by Village Trustee Enyia  
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  
0
0
NAYS:  
ABSENT:  
A Motion to Approve the Bills in the Amount of $4,202,745.46 from  
February 1, 2025, through February 28, 2025.  
MOT 25-131  
RES 25-159  
H.  
I.  
This Motion was approved.  
A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with T.Y. Lin  
International Great Lakes Inc. for the Completion of an Electric Shuttle  
Feasibility Assessment in an Amount Not to Exceed $58,114 and  
Authorizing Its Execution.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the  
Village of Oak Park and the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network  
(IPWMAN) for Mutual Aid Network Participation and Authorizing Its  
Execution  
RES 25-163  
RES 25-165  
J.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
K.  
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 $225,000 and Authorizing Its  
Execution  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a Retainer Agreement for Village Attorney  
RES 25-166  
L.  
Services and Authorizing its Execution and Directing Staff to Prepare the  
Necessary Budget Amendment.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with RJN  
Group, Inc. for Sewer Manhole Inspections and Condition Assessments  
in an Amount Not to Exceed $99,700, Authorizing its Execution, and  
Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the Agreement  
RES 25-168  
M.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a Contract with ERA-Valdivia Contractors, Inc. for  
Project No. 24-14, Bridge Rehabilitation Program, in an Amount not to  
Exceed $995,668 and Authorizing its Execution  
RES 25-170  
RES 25-171  
N.  
O.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a First Amendment to the Limited Environmental  
Indemnity Agreement Between 427 Madison, LLC. and the Village of Oak  
Park for the Property located at 427 Madison Street and Authorizing its  
Execution  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving A Lease Agreement Between The Village Of Oak  
Park And Pilgrim Church Of Oak Park And Authorizing Its Execution  
RES 25-172  
RES 25-173  
P.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Invest in Cook Grant  
Application for the 2026 Neighborhood Greenway Construction Project  
Q.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Three 2025 Ford Hybrid  
Maverick Pick-Ups from Currie Motors of Frankfort, Illinois, in an Amount  
not to exceed $94,635.00 and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the  
Purchase  
RES 25-174  
RES 25-175  
R.  
S.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Renewal of an  
Independent Contractor Agreement with Cerniglia, Co. for 2025  
Emergency Water and Sewer Repair Work to Increase the Not to Exceed  
Amount from $40,000.00 to $95,826.33.00, Authorizing its Execution and  
Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary Budget Amendment  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Rebuilding of one Tandem Axle Dump  
Truck Through the Purchase and Installation of Certain Equipment from  
Lindco Equipment Sales, a Division of Viking-Cives in an Amount Not to  
Exceed $102,665.00 and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the  
RES 25-177  
T.  
Rebuilding  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution to Authorize the Execution of a Purchase and Sales  
Agreement with the Cook County Land Bank Authority to Acquire the  
Property at 6336-38 Roosevelt Road  
RES 25-178  
U.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
XIII. Regular Agenda for Items Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 3 Alcoholic Liquor  
Dealers or Related  
Concur with the Liquor Control Review Board and Adopt 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 Seoul Ave  
Corporation dba Seoul Ave  
ORD 25-132  
V.  
Trustee Parakkat recused himself from voting on this Item.  
Attorney Smith presented the Item. Seoul Ave owner Minha Sung 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  
0
NAYS:  
ABSENT:  
0
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
RECUSED:  
XIV. Regular Agenda  
A Study Session on Updating the Village’s International Property  
Maintenance Code (IPMC) from the 2009 Edition to the 2024 Edition, and  
Proposed Changes to Chapter 22 (“Streets and Sidewalks”) to Adopt  
Regulations for Maintenance of Parkways Fronting or Abutting Parcels or  
Lots  
ID 25-271  
W.  
Manager Jackson and Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services  
Director Jonathan Burch introduced the Item. Code Compliance Manager  
Tina Brown presented the Item. Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey  
Nieratka provided additional information.  
Trustee Buchanan asked if the West Cook Wild Ones agreed with the 36"  
height, which Director Nieratka confirmed. Trustee Buchanan said she has  
a problem with the turf grass having to be maintained so it does not have  
any bare spots. Building Codes Advisory Commission Chair Tim Kelly said  
the commission discussed weeds. When grass reaches 8" it becomes  
prairie landscaping which they thought would look better.  
Trustee Buchanan said she disagreed and would like that to be struck from  
these amendments because she does not want to require people to have  
their turf grass look better because it will probably require fertilizer and  
pesticides and she does not want to promote pristine turf grass for our  
village because it is not natural. Chair Kelly said he thinks these would be  
extreme examples. Trustee Straw provided examples of vehicles driving  
over grass and leaving large ruts versus kids riding their bikes over grass.  
Manager Brown said it is typically due to abandoned construction sites.  
Trustee Buchanan requested to move the language about bare areas of  
soil. Turf grass lawns are biologic dead zones. Trustee Wesley questioned  
if this should be called turf maintenance. We should be regulating the safety  
caused by ruts rather than the appearance.  
Trustee Straw said many residents participate in No Mow May. While the  
Village was participating in it, we were issuing citations to others who were  
participating in it and he wants to ensure that does not happen again. He  
wondered if it should be included in the ordinance that the Village will not  
enforce the 8" height limitation during the month of May. Manager Brown  
said her understanding is that was a temporary ordinance that has not  
gone into effect anymore. She said during that time the Village did not  
issue any citations.  
Trustee Straw said the definition of native garden references the definition  
of cultivated garden which refers to weeds having been removed. He said  
he sees some enforcement difficulty because some native gardens may  
look like weeds. CSO Nieratka said the definition of weeds excludes  
cultivated gardens. The native garden definition is meant to expand what  
could be considered a cultivated garden. He said the cultivated garden  
references the removal of weeds from the cultivated garden which is the  
disconnect. President Scaman said we do get complaints about homes  
that are not well maintained and it can turn into a wellness check.  
Trustee Straw asked if the sightlines at street intersections provision has  
been tied into the Vision Zero plan. CSO Nieratka confirmed that Public  
Works was heavily involved in the drafting of this ordinance and reference  
to the clear sight areas is in the existing forestry code.  
Trustee Wesley said it feels like we are trying to accomplish safety and we  
are overdoing it. He wondered if there is a way to say at our discretion, if  
we don't like what you did on a parkway we can ask you to remove it and  
we will give you due process. Manager Brown said the goal is compliance  
and they issue two courtesy notices before issuing citations. He said it  
would be helpful to see some of that empathy here in the ordinance.  
Manager Jackson noted the division was intentionally named code  
compliance rather than code enforcement. President Scaman suggested  
to attach information on programs and tutorials to the citation.  
Trustee Straw inquired about the pavement design standards with regard  
to permeable surfaces. Chair Kelly said they are already code.  
XV. Call to Board and Clerk  
Clerk Waters said early voting starts March 17 through March 31 for the  
April 1 consolidated election. She read a statement honoring community  
leader Juanta Griffin at the Uniquely You Tea Party.  
Trustee Enyia said he had the opportunity to attend the Hephzibah  
Children's Association gala and the Housing Forward gala. He expressed  
his appreciation to both organizations for their work in our community.  
Trustee Parakkat wished everyone who observes a happy Ramadan and a  
happy Holi which he looks forward to celebrating on April 5.  
President Scaman said she and her granddaughter had an amazing time  
at the tea party.  
XVI. Adjourn  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to Adjourn. A voice  
vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:21 P.M.,  
Tuesday, March 11, 2024.  
Respectfully submitted,  
Deputy Clerk Hansen