Minutes - President and Board of Trustees

123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

7:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

President Pro Tem Chibuike Enyia called the Regular Meeting of

the Village Board to order at 7:08 P.M.

II. Roll Call

Junior Deputy Clerks Eva B. and Lilly M. called the roll.

President Pro Tem Enyia also noted that Village Trustee Brian Straw was

participating remotely in accordance with Village protocols.

5 -

Present:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Straw

By Phone:

Absent:

1 - Village President Scaman

III. Agenda Approval

President Pro Tem Chibuike Enyia proposed moving Items N and O

forward on the agenda, before Non-Agenda Public Comment and

the Consent Agenda. There were no objections.

Junior Deputy Clerks Harrison V. and Kai B. called the roll.

It was moved by Village Trustee Derek Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Cory

Wesley to approve the agenda as amended by moving Items N and O forward on

the agenda, before Non-Agenda Public Comment and the Consent Agenda.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

By Phone:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Straw

1 - Village President Scaman

IV. Minutes

A Motion to Approve Minutes from the July 14, 2026 Regular Meeting of

the Village Board

MOT 26-199

Junior Deputy Clerks Briyanna S. and Rachel called the roll.

Clerk Waters recognized participants in the 2026 Junior Deputy Clerk

Summer Program. She reported that students learned about Oak Park’s

council-manager form of government, the seven local taxing bodies,

transparency, voter participation, municipal departments and the Clerk’s

historic records. Students also participated in lunch discussions with

Trustees Derek Eder and Chibuike Enyia and joined the Board table to

assist with Roll Call. Each student received a Certificate of Completion in

Civic Engagement.

President Pro Tem Enyia thanked the students for their participation and

service.

It was moved by Village Trustee Derek Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Jenna

Leving Jacobson, to approve the Minutes. The motion was approved.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

By Phone:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Straw

1 - Village President Scaman

A Motion by Trustee Eder and Seconded by Trustee Enyia to Direct Staff,

the Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC), and Pivot Consulting

Group to Draft a Policy within 60 Days for Board Enactment, Restricting

the Use of Pretext Traffic Stops Related to Vehicle Equipment and Other

Non-Safety Related Violations in Alignment with the Berry Dunn Public

Safety Assessment Recommendations

MOT 26-193

Public Comment

Tristan R. supported the motion and called for broader accountability and

an independent investigation concerning the death of Christian Wallace.

Joseph B. asked how the proposed restrictions would affect officers’

ability to enforce traffic violations.

Trustee Derek Eder stated that low-level, non-safety traffic stops produce

limited public-safety benefit, can contribute to racial disparities and divert

police resources from dangerous driving behavior. He cited BerryDunn

Recommendation 5.9, Oak Park field-contact data and policies adopted in

other jurisdictions. He clarified that the proposal would not restrict

enforcement of speeding, impaired driving, stop-sign violations or other

safety-related conduct. He requested regular traffic-stop data reporting as

part of the policy.

Trustee Jim Taglia asked about Pivot’s role and the Citizen Police

Oversight Committee's (CPOC) authority.

Village Manager Kevin Jackson explained that staff already had a draft

policy, Pivot was engaged to support policy work, and CPOC would review

and advise rather than independently draft Village policy.

Trustees Jenna Leving-Jacobson and Brian Straw expressed support.

President Pro Tem Enyia stated that the motion established a timeline for

work already contemplated by the BerryDunn recommendations.

It was moved by Village Trustee Derek Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Cory

Wesley to approve this Agenda Item. The motion was approved.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

By Phone:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Straw

1 - Village President Scaman

A Motion by Trustee Taglia and Seconded by Trustee Wesley to Discuss

a Referendum on the Elimination of the Single-Family Zoning

Classification on the November Ballot

MOT 26-198

Public Comment

Chip supported placing the question on the ballot, stating that the

proposed zoning changes required broader community participation and

further examination of their potential effects on affordability and

neighborhood character.

Lucas Laurel supported an advisory referendum and requested that the

Board delay any commitment to the proposed zoning map until the

economic analysis was completed and residents had additional

opportunities to participate.

Michael Powers requested additional public engagement before the

Board advanced the recommendations, citing the limited participation in

prior outreach and the potential effects of increased density on

neighborhood character.

Blaine H. requested that the Village complete a comprehensive impact

analysis addressing home values, property taxes, schools, infrastructure

and parking. He also suggested testing the proposed changes through a

smaller pilot program.

Mike G. supported an advisory referendum, describing the proposal as a

consequential, Village-wide decision with potential long-term effects on

housing, affordability, density, infrastructure, parking, schools, taxes and

neighborhood character. He cited an online statement signed by residents

requesting a referendum.

Chris S. supported an advisory referendum and stated that voting results

by precinct could provide the Village with useful information regarding

community support for zoning changes.

John Duffy discussed the history of racial and socioeconomic exclusion

associated with single-family zoning and supported expanding

missing-middle and affordable housing. He also requested stronger

affordability incentives and protections against incompatible development

and the demolition of existing homes.

Cynthia Kelly supported an advisory referendum, stating that the

proposed changes were substantial and that residents needed additional

information and a meaningful opportunity to be heard.

Linda Schueler supported zoning reform and expanded housing choices

throughout the Village, describing single-family-only zoning as exclusionary.

She opposed using an off-cycle referendum to decide the matter and

requested that inclusionary-housing requirements be considered alongside

zoning reform.

Joseph B. opposed eliminating single-family zoning and supported a

referendum, citing concerns regarding parking, school enrollment,

unaffordable development, historic preservation and the potential loss of

homeownership opportunities.

Noah Sullivan requested a broader and more transparent public process,

stating that lasting housing reform required public trust and meaningful

community participation.

Mary Bradford opposed the proposed changes based on her experience

with similar zoning reforms in another community, citing larger

developments, demolitions, reduced green space, insufficient parking and

absentee ownership.

Ralph W. supported a referendum, citing limited participation in the prior

outreach process and the Village-wide significance and uncertainty of the

proposed changes.

Frank S. supported a referendum and requested that information

explaining the proposal’s potential benefits and consequences be

distributed broadly to residents before a decision was made.

Charles C. requested clarification regarding whether the proposed

changes were intended to increase housing opportunities or primarily

benefit developers. He also requested parking requirements and

owner-occupancy protections for multifamily properties.

Teresa S. supported a referendum and expressed concern that the

recommendations did not include sufficient measures to ensure that newly

created housing would be affordable.

Dario R. supported affordable housing and community diversity but

requested an advisory referendum, further study and limits addressing

density, parking, school enrollment, traffic, property taxes and the potential

loss of comparatively affordable single-family homes.

Cassandra Hutchinson requested additional time and community

education, citing concerns regarding property taxes, affordability for

residents with fixed incomes and limited awareness of the proposal.

Henry Fulkerson supported eliminating single-family-only zoning and

strengthening the Village’s inclusionary-housing requirements, citing the

shortage of affordable housing and its disproportionate effect on Black

residents, people of color and lower-income households.

Frank V. opposed eliminating single-family zoning but supported

additional missing-middle housing. He requested information regarding

how the proposed changes would affect housing diversity, property values

and who would ultimately purchase or occupy newly created units.

Dave Marshall supported increasing the housing supply and encouraged

the Village to consider accessory dwelling units, adaptive reuse and room

rentals as lower-impact ways to create housing. He also supported

continued public forums to understand the reasoning behind residents’

positions.

Kevin K. requested that the Board delay action until residents had

additional opportunities to review and discuss the recommendations, citing

questions regarding density, building height, incentives, nonresidential

uses, parking and inclusionary-housing requirements.

An unidentified lifelong Oak Park resident requested that residents be

consulted before substantial zoning changes were made, citing increased

development, traffic, crowding and parking concerns.

David supported efforts to create missing-middle housing but requested

specific measures demonstrating how additional development would

produce housing that is genuinely affordable.

Village Manager Kevin Jackson and Development Services Director Craig

Failor reviewed the anticipated process. The July 28 Board action would

be to accept, modify or decline the consultant’s recommendations for

referral; it would not constitute final adoption of zoning amendments. If

advanced, the Village planned additional community meetings, mailed

notice to residents, virtual participation, a Planning Commission

public-hearing process beginning as early as September, and final Board

consideration after the Commission’s recommendation. Staff stated that an

economic feasibility study was expected in August and would be made

publicly available.

Village Trustee Jim Taglia stated that a decision of this magnitude

warranted direct public consent and that a referendum would promote

education, debate and legitimacy. Trustee Wesley stated that he seconded

the motion to permit discussion but opposed a referendum, describing

single-family zoning as economically exclusionary and inconsistent with

Oak Park’s integration goals. Trustees Eder, Leving-Jacobson and Straw

opposed the referendum as an overly simplified way to obtain feedback on

a complex set of recommendations and emphasized the forthcoming

engagement and hearing process. President Pro Tem Enyia emphasized

that multiple public-review and decision points remained before any final

zoning change.

President Pro Tem called for a brief Recess at 9:39 P.M.

The Meeting Reconvened at 9:58 P.M.

It was moved by Village Trustee Derek Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Jim

Taglia to continue the Village Board Meeting past 10:00 P.M.

A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.

It was moved by Village Trustee Taglia, seconded by Village Trustee Wesley,

that this Agenda Item be approved. The Motion failed.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

AYES:

NAYS:

4 -

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson, and

Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Straw

By Phone:

ABSENT:

1 - Village President Scaman

V. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Public Comment

Frank S. questioned the timing of the proposed July 28 zoning action and

whether prior outreach had adequately reached the community. He

requested that the Board delay action until residents had additional

opportunities to provide feedback.

Annaliese requested meaningful action and greater accountability and

transparency following the death of Christian Wallace. She supported an

independent civilian-led investigation, appropriate action based on its

findings, improved communication with affected families and restrictions on

non-safety traffic stops.

Jim Schwartz, representing the Alliance for Black Youth, supported

the community’s requests for an investigation and restrictions on non-safety

traffic stops. He requested that Black youth and organizations serving them

have a meaningful role in developing solutions related to policing and

public safety.

Zerrin B. requested clear public information regarding police training,

de-escalation practices, the circumstances leading to the traffic stop, the

investigative process and any resulting policy changes. Zaren also

expressed concern regarding the Village’s communication and

transparency following Christian Wallace’s death.

VI. Proclamation

No Proclamations were presented.

VII. Village Manager Reports

No Village Manager Reports were presented.

VIII. Village Board Committees

This section is intended to be informational.

If there are approved Minutes from a recent Committee meeting of the Village

Board, the Minutes will be posted in this section.

Pending Committee Meeting Minutes

Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from July 16, 2026

Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from July 2, 2026

Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from June 18, 2026

Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from May 21, 2026

No Village Board Committee reports were presented.

XI. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 26-451

Board and Commission Vacancy Report for July 21, 2026

X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments

XIV. Consent Agenda

Public Comment

Owen J. addressed Item D. He supported the proposed traffic-calming

measures at Taylor Avenue and Superior Street but requested additional

consideration of an all-way stop due to right-of-way confusion and recent

crashes. Village Manager Jackson stated that a Board member could

make a future motion requesting reconsideration by the Transportation

Commission.

Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved by Village Trustee Leving Jacobsonand seconded by Village

Trustee Eder to approve the items under the Consent Agenda. The motion was

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

5 -

AYES:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

By Phone:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Straw

1 - Village President Scaman

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 29 (“Administrative Adjudication”)

Article 1 (“Administrative Adjudication System”), Section 29-1-9 (“Scope

of Authority of Administrative Law Judges”) of the Oak Park Village Code

to Allow for Remedial Relief and Recovery of Costs Thereof

ORD 26-145

Village Trustee Jenna LEving Jacobson moved and Village Trustee Derek Eder

seconded to approve the Items under the Consent Agenda.

The roll call was as follows:

A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s

Recommendations for Traffic Calming at the Taylor Avenue and Superior

Street intersection

MOT 26-191

RES 26-227

This Motion was approved.

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Renewal of an

Independent Contractor Agreement with Total Elevator Service LLC. to

provide Elevator Maintenance and Repairs Services at Village-Owned

Buildings in 2026 to Increase the Not To Exceed Amount from $50,000.00

to $165,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was approved.

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Contract with Lyons

Electric Company, Inc. for Project 25-14, Garfield Traffic Signal Upgrade

to Change the Not to Exceed Amount from $116,000 to $136,515 and

Authorizing its Execution

RES 26-228

RES 26-235

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Service Agreement with Lodestar Claims &

Risk Services, Inc. to Provide Third Party Administrator (TPA) Services

for the Village’s Workers Compensation Program for a Five-Year Period

and Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Contract with R.W. Dunteman Company for

Project No. 26-6 Pavement Preservation, in an Amount not to Exceed

$588,000 and Authorizing its Execution

RES 26-238

RES 26-239

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Purchase Price Agreement with The Alphabet

Shop, Inc. for Illuminated “Oak Park” Lettering Panels for the Oak Park

Avenue Streetscape Project, in an Amount not to Exceed $51,380,

Authorizing its Execution, and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the

Agreement

XV. Regular Agenda

A Resolution Approving Certain Capital Improvements in and for the

Village and Expressing Official Intent Regarding Certain Capital

Expenditures Related to Such Capital Improvements to be Reimbursed

from Proceeds of one or More Obligations to be Issued by the Village of

Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois.

RES 26-241

CFO Kevin Bueso and representatives of Stifel, Speer Financial and bond

counsel presented a multi-year capital-financing framework previously

reviewed by the Finance Committee on June 18 and July 2. The framework

addressed the Oak Park Avenue streetscape, a police station, the Dr.

Percy Julian/Chicago Avenue streetscape, Village Hall improvements, the

Bike Plan and Vision Zero. Presenters stated that the reimbursement

resolution expressed the Village’s intent and preserved flexibility; future

debt issuances would require separate Board authorization.

The presentation reviewed existing debt, proposed 2026A, 2027 and 2028

issuances, estimated property-tax impacts, debt-service structuring, future

borrowing capacity and the Village’s AA credit rating.

Staff stated that the recommended base-case structure sought to keep

debt service relatively level while preserving capacity for future Boards.

Trustees discussed asset life, pension-funding assumptions, credit-rating

sensitivity, taxpayer impact and the comparative advantages of the two

financing scenarios. Trustees emphasized that approval did not constitute

final approval of each future capital project.

It was moved by Village Trustee Derek Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Jenna

Leving Jacobson, to approve the Resolution. The motion was approved.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Straw

By Phone:

1 - Village President Scaman

ABSENT:

An Ordinance providing for the issue of not to exceed $18,000,000

General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2026A, of the

Village of Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois, for the purpose of financing

streetscape and infrastructure improvements within the Village,

providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to

pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of

said bonds to the purchaser thereof.

ORD 26-153

It was moved by Village Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson, seconded by Village

Trustee Derek Eder, to adopt the Ordinance. The motion was approved.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Taglia, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

By Phone:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Straw

1 - Village President Scaman

A Motion to Select a Preferred Design Option for the Fire Station II

Replacement Project and Refer the item to the Finance Committee for

Future Planning

MOT 26-192

The Agenda Item was rescheduled to a future meeting, likely in early

September.

Trustees discussed whether delaying the item could affect

capital-improvement planning and whether it could be considered by the

Finance Committee without first receiving Board direction on a preferred

option.

Village Manager Kevin Jackson stated that staff would determine whether

the item could be accommodated sooner.

This Motion was tabled.

ID 26-448

FY2027 Budget Kickoff and Preliminary Fiscal Outlook

The Agenda Item was rescheduled, likely to the next Regular Village Board

meeting.

This Presentation was tabled.

XVI. Call to Board and Clerk

Clerk Waters and Trustees Wesley, Taglia, Leving Jacobson and Eder

passed.

Trustee Straw thanked those who remained for the meeting.

President Pro Tem Enyia thanked the public for its participation,