123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

6:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at

6:03 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. Consideration of Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Potential

Litigation and Collective Bargaining

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, to adjourn into

Executive Session. 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:

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

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 6:33 P.M.

VI. 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:

VII. Agenda Approval

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

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

VIII. Minutes

MOT 24-255

A Motion to Approve Minutes from the September 16, 2024 Special

Meeting of the Village Board

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

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

IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Charles Wu: Executive Director of the Illinois Hemp Business Association,

representing hundreds small business owners who are now scared and

concerned. Instead of issuing blanket bans on these federally lawful

products, we support responsible targeted regulations.

Allen Salzman: Resident of 1100 block of South Oak Park Avenue and

president of Splendid Oaks townhome association since 2005. We have

complained for years about the rat infestation. The Village and LRS has

done rat abatement many times. What are you doing about this?

Resident: Lives on 1100 block of South Oak Park Avenue. The rat issue

has been prevalent and it is difficult to take out trash. Requests action to be

taken.

X. Proclamation

MOT 24-256

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing National Arts and

Humanitarian Month October 2024

Trustee Enyia read the Proclamation into the record as the liaison to the

Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC). OPAAC Executive Director Camille

Wilson White accepted the Proclamation and make remarks.

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

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

XI. Village Manager Reports

ID 24-501

Review of the Updated Village Board Meeting Calendar for October,

November, December 2024 and January 2025

Village Manager Kevin Jackson presented the updated Board calendars.

Trustees Wesley and Buchanan said they are not available November 7.

The Board will follow up with their availability via email.

ID 24-504

Rank Choice Voting

Village Attorney Greg Smith presented the Item.

Trustee Wesley referenced the sentence about filling vacancies and asked

if it constitutes a vagueness if viewed through the lens of the Illinois

Supreme Court opinion. Attorney Smith read the sentence aloud and

referenced Leck v. Michaelson which addressed the standards for

determining whether a referendum question is specific enough and

contains enough detail to meet the constitutional standard. He said we

have not reviewed case law regarding whether or not this sentence meets

that standard so he would have to defer on that interpretation.

Trustee Buchanan asked when that review would happen and if the Board

could get clarification before the election. Attorney Smith said it may be

possible to begin that homework but he is not certain about the ability to

come to a firm conclusion prior to the election. If the referendum is

successful, these details would need to be worked out in the

implementation stage which is scheduled to begin with the April 2027

election.

Trustee Straw noted the Board cannot vote to modify something that

passes via referendum. Attorney Smith confirmed that and said the only

way to modify what has been approved by referendum is another

referendum.

Trustee Wesley said Evanston has passed a rank choice voting (RCV)

referendum and there is a push now for implementation. He asked if RCV

is essentially illegal in the state of Illinois right now. Attorney Smith said

Evanston passed the referendum in 2022 to implement beginning with the

April 2025 local elections. The Cook County Clerk and the City Clerk of

Evanston have stated they do not believe they can implement that process

for that election. The state of Illinois task force on RCV has a deadline of

June 30, 2025 to produce a report.

XII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Report

There were no comments.

XIII. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 24-502

Board and Commission Vacancy Report for October 22, 2024

There were no comments.

XIV. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments

MOT 24-260

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

Board of Health - Abigail Silva, Reappoint as Commissioner

Citizen Involvement Commission - Annemarie Kill, Reappoint as Commissioner

Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee, Sheena Rayford,

Reappoint as Commissioner

Clerk Waters read the names into the record.

It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Motion

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

XV. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

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

Items under the Consent Agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was

approved.

RES 24-304

RES 24-307

A Resolution Approving the 2025 Employee Health, Dental, Vision, Life,

Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Accident, and Critical Illness

Insurance Providers’ Plan Designs and Premiums and Authorizing Their

Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with

Siemens Industry, Inc. for Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Sensor

Replacement at the Public Works Center in an Amount Not to Exceed

$98,757.00, Authorizing Its Execution and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process

for the Agreement

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with

Nafisco, Inc. for the Fabrication and Installation of Parking Signage in an

Amount Not to Exceed $80,413.08 and Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Second Amendment to the Funding Schedule of

the Funding Grant Agreement Between the Village of Oak Park and the

West Cook Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Incorporated

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the

Village of Oak Park and the Park District of Oak Park Regarding Discounted

Memberships for Village Employees

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving A Memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois

Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council Representing the Oak Park Police

Lieutenants and Sergeants Association for the Purpose of Establishing an

Alternate Work Schedule for Police Department Sergeants & Lieutenants in

2025 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 24-319

MOT 24-247

A Resolution Approving a Side Letter of Agreement Between the Village of

Oak Park and the Illinois FOP Labor Council Representing Lieutenants &

Sergeants and Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Motion to Approve the August 2024 Monthly Treasurer’s Report for All

Funds

This Motion was approved.

MOT 24-251

A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s

Recommendations for Traffic Calming on the 1000 and 1100 blocks of

South Humphrey Avenue

This Motion was approved.

XVI. Regular Agenda

MOT 24-254

A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s

Recommendations for Traffic Calming on the 500 and 600 blocks of South

Grove Avenue

Village Engineer Bill McKenna presented the Item. Transportation

Commission Chair Ron Burke provided additional information.

Trustee Straw requested data on how many people are stopping at the

stop sign. Engineer McKenna said a stop compliance study was not done.

The intent of the bump-out is to slow cars down. Trustee Straw said he

leans toward the Transportation Commission's recommendation because

he is not sure how the recommended pinch point will resolve any of the

concerns raised by the residents.

Trustee Robinson said she supports staff's recommendation.

Trustee Wesley asked if it is possible to do an extended traffic study here.

Engineer McKenna said it is possible though the Village has done studies

in 2018, multiple studies in 2022, and one for this petition. We actually saw

a decrease in traffic. Trustee Wesley asked if enforcement in the area can

be increased. Manager Jackson said he can work with Chief Johnson to

determine whether that is feasible. Trustee Wesley requested a memo to

let the Board know what the speed looks like over time based on the radar

signs. He reiterated that narrow streets create slower streets. He asked if

there are AI solutions. Engineer McKenna said AI software is available and

is significantly more expensive than our current studies.

President Scaman said she supports staff's recommendation. She said

she continues to see Adams as a problem and she recommended flashing

speed signs. She recommended a slow down campaign in our village.

Trustee Straw said he is in favor of a campaign and additional

enforcement. He recommended reviewing the reports in this Agenda Item.

Trustee Parakkat said he leans toward the data and staff's

recommendation. He asked if a paint and post bump-out could be done in

the progression. Engineer McKenna said the cost is around $1500. Chair

Burke noted the current policy is for the commission to respond to

petitions.

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

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

2 - Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

AYES:

NAYS:

5 -

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

Trustee Parakkat, and Village Trustee Robinson

ABSENT:

A Motion to Concur with Staff’s Recommendations for Traffic Calming on the 500 and 600 blocks of

South Grove Avenue

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

NAYS:

ABSENT:

ID 24-497

A Presentation on the Village’s Lead Water Service Line Inventory and

Draft Replacement Plan including Potential Financing Options and Impact

to the Water & Sewer Fund

Public Works Director Rob Sproule introduced the Item and Baxter and

Woodman consultant Kaitlin Wright presented the Item.

Trustee Robinson asked if staff is considering pairing financial support for

the lead water line replacement with other sewer replacement type

programs like the sewer mitigation. Director Sproule said residents have

the opportunity to do both. Trustee Robinson said she would be interested

in a program that incentivizes homeowners to do both. President Scaman

agreed.

Trustee Parakkat inquired about the plan in the grant applications. Director

Sproule said the final inventory and draft replacement plan were both due

on April 15 and is attached on the Agenda Item. Consultant Wright said the

replacement plan is different and is a toolbox for the Village to

communicate to the state what they intend to do. IEPA requires all

communities to develop a separate project plan to explain the need behind

the project and how the community intends to pay back that loan. Trustee

Parakkat said a grant timeline would be useful. Director Sproule said we

need to plan for worst case scenario and then compete for opportunities.

The Village is planning to do a water rate study during 2025 to inform rates

for 2026-2030.

Trustee Straw requested examples of cost-sharing programs. Consultant

Wright said Mt. Prospect is an example that she can share with the Board.

He said he is interested in an approach that balances competing interests.

He said paying it back over a longer period via water billing seems to be

the easiest, most direct route. Director Sproule noted a lot of loans have

restrictions. Consultant Wright said the $15K estimate includes patching of

a trench but does not include entire street resurfacing. Director Sproule

said this replacement plan will tie into the 5-year capital plan.

Trustee Wesley inquired about copper. Consultant Wright said it is also a

soft metal that can leach into water. Communities are mandated to monitor

for both lead and copper. Copper replacement is not currently required.

She said she recommends replacing lead lines with copper and leaving

copper lines as is. He noted some residents want to replace their lines

themselves sooner and wondered if there is a rebate program. Director

Sproule said the current program is the Village replaces the public side

free of charge if the resident is going to replace their private side. The

Village replaces 150-200 lead service lines annually. Consultant Wright

said the Village completes tri-annual lead and copper sampling and all

have been underneath the state's action level.

Trustee Wesley asked if the Village is also considering running fiber into

homes. Director Sproule said the Village has not considered that. The

biggest challenge is that most of the communication and electric lines run

down the alleys. Trustee Parakkat noted that fiber optics may be less

relevant in terms of physical infrastructure.

Trustee Buchanan said the lead industry and plumbers' unions are the

reason we now suffer from lead in our water. She said she doesn't think

residents should have to pay anything. The primary source of lead in

childhood lead poisoning is paint. Our lead poisoning levels have

decreased over the last 15 years after being taken out of gas and paint.

She thinks the federal and state governments should pay for this for not

regulating it sooner.

Director Sproule said the Village is making small incremental

improvements to the water loss. Leak detection sensors have been

working. We brought on a consultant to audit our water billing system.

Commercial and larger residential users don't typically have lead lines.

Trustee Wesley wondered if AI software could help us determine water

loss. Director Sproule said he does not know of any.

Trustee Straw said he would be interested in hearing about a split between

commercial and residential rates and said he wouldn't want apartments

being charged higher water rates. He said he would like to see something

similar to his electric bill that compares his usage to his neighbors'.

Director Sproule said a final step of the implementation of the advanced

metering infrastructure is the rollout of a community portal in 2025-2026

where residents can see their usage and be notified of a leak.

Manager Jackson said it is clear we need a specific holistic financial plan

to address the cost concerns so staff will bring forward proposals next year

and there will be a lot more engagement with the community.

ID 24-498

A Motion to Accept Staff’s Recommendation for a Language Access Plan.

Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer Dr. Danielle Walker presented the

Item along with Collective Impact Manager Shalonda Lane.

Trustee Enyia expressed his appreciation for this Item.

Trustee Robinson said this policy is amazingly comprehensive and she

especially appreciates the focus on the dignity of providing interpretation

services and the important distinction between interpretation and

translation. She said she would like to see language access listening

sessions incorporated into the policy. There might be an opportunity for us

to work with other government boards, other Village departments, and

external parties that we contract with. She asked if $100K is what we would

likely see year over year. Dr. Walker said the translation of vital documents

is a one-time cost.

Trustee Robinson asked if staff considered a language access ordinance

in addition to the policy to give us enforcement capabilities. Dr. Walker

said staff are looking at it in a phased approach to start with policy

adoption, getting the data about our needs, and then moving toward an

ordinance if that is desired. Manager Jackson agreed it is an iterative

process where we will learn and report out. The plan will be adopted in

resolution. If there is a need to modify the plan, it would come back to the

Board for modification. We can consider ordinance considerations later

on. Trustee Robinson said she would be supportive of an ordinance.

Trustee Wesley expressed his appreciation. He recommended looking at

ChatGPT which is accurate and might be cheaper and quicker.

Trustee Straw said this policy is incredibly thorough and well done. He

inquired about the policies for prohibited interpreters. Dr. Walker said it is

about being culturally responsive and being intentional about the unjust

labor that is sometimes placed upon children and family members to fill in

the gaps that institutions haven't. He said any person should be able to

come into Village Hall and access the services they need on their own

without having to bring their own interpreter.

Trustee Parakkat inquired about partnerships with other taxing bodies like

the Oak Park Township. Dr. Walker said it is an iterative process where we

are understanding the programmatic needs and services here at Village

Hall and then continuing to expand and navigate the village overall. We are

seeking opportunities to collaborate to provide additional support.

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

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

President Scaman recommended partnering with Unity Temple, Oak Park

Public Library, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Carleton Hotel from a tourism

perspective.

It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this

Presentation 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

NAYS:

ABSENT:

MOT 24-259

A Motion by Trustee Wesley and Straw to Discuss Village Board

Compensation

Trustee Wesley presented the Item.

Trustee Straw noted if changes are to take effect for the elected officials in

the April 2025 election, an ordinance has to be approved in a special

meeting on October 29. He recommended breaking out discussions about

Village President, Village Trustees, and Village Clerk. He recommended

the Clerk position be in Grade 10 which is $111K to $161K and in line with

department leadership roles at the Village. Our current Clerk salary set by

statute over 15 years ago is $76K which is less than some executive

assistant positions. The Deputy Village Clerk is in Grade 4, which is $67K

to $97K. He said it may be helpful to think of the Village President role in

terms of the number of hours expected in the role to determine if $25K the

appropriate level of compensation. For Trustees, some could never run for

Village Board because of childcare and supplemental income needs.

Trustee Buchanan agrees with separating these three job positions

separately. The Clerk discussion is long overdue. Adjusted for inflation, the

$76K salary would now be $103K and with a 3% raise would be $112K.

She recommended increasing the Clerk's salary to $85K-$90K plus a 3%

raise for every year in office to be reassessed every four years. She

recommended increasing the Village President's salary to $35K-$40K per

year with a reassessment every four years. For Village Trustee, she agreed

an increase might provide an incentive to run for office and recommended

an increase to $20K.

Trustee Robinson agreed about the Clerk's position and bring it up to what

would be commensurate for a full-time position given inflation adjustments,

in the lower end of the $103K-$112K range.

Trustee Parakkat said the Clerk's role is fairly consistent across

communities and he thinks an adjustment is needed. He recommended in

the $80K-$90K range with a mechanism for periodic salary evaluation. It is

an elected role for a fixed period of time. It is not like you are building a

career around being a clerk so the comparison with other department

leadership roles does not seem appropriate to him.

Trustee Enyia agreed the Clerk's role requires an extensive amount of

collaboration within all of the Village's departments and an equitable

approach has not been considered for this position. He recommended

catching this up now instead of trying to catch up to a missing target in

future years. He said he supports $107K which is in the middle of

$103K-$112K.

Trustee Wesley noted the Clerk is the only full-time position that is elected

and it is the only position that mandates overtime during Village Board

meetings. The Clerk must also live in Oak Park which is more expensive

than other municipalities. We strive for diversity and have to think about

what these positions pay. He said he supports $107K-$112K.

Trustee Robinson asked if the Clerk pulls a pension, which Assistant

Village Manager/HR Director Kira Tchang confirmed. She said the full-time

elected Clerk is eligible for all benefits, including health insurance, paid

leave, and pension contributions.

Trustee Parakkat asked if the Clerk is mandated to be in the office during

office hours. Director Tchang said the intent is that the Clerk is working

regular business hours as all other full-time employees. There are evening

and weekend commitments for the Clerk in addition to other Village staff

who have those same type of meeting obligations. The Clerk has some

ability to create flexibility at the Clerk's discretion. The Village has a flexible

work arrangement policy. He asked how the comparable communities

were determined. Director Tchang said they were part of the GovHR

compensation study. He noted the Evanston Clerk is also a full-time

elected role and is $64K so he wonders if we are pushing the pedal too

hard.

President Scaman suggested asking staff to consider a base amount and

then ways to increase with a second term.

Trustee Straw said he is supportive of the top end of the $102K-$112K

range. He noted the full-time appointed clerk positions are almost

universally at the higher end of this scale. If we want to attract the most

qualified candidates, we need to pay them what we would expect to pay

them if they were staff.

President Scaman said appointed clerks tend to have far more

administrative duties. They are not really comparable. Appointed clerks do

not have the same evening and weekend hours as elected clerks. She said

if was an appointed position, it would be in the $85K-$90K range.

Trustee Straw said increasing the pay for the second term would create a

weird financial incentive for people to run for additional terms and a lower

incentive for people to challenge a sitting clerk.

Trustee Robinson said she likes the idea of getting an analysis from HR to

determine where the Clerk position would fall in the pay grades. She said

she also likes the idea of a graduated structure.

Trustee Wesley said the Clerk position has taken a 46% pay cut based on

inflation over the last 16 years and this is fixing that. It is not a raise; it is an

adjustment based on financial circumstances. He said there is consensus

for the Clerk salary to be adjusted to $107K for next year.

Trustee Straw said the Village President role would be in the highest grade

of $134K to $194K, with the midpoint being $165K. He recommended

thinking about what percentage of full-time the role is to determine the

salary. He said something in the range of $50K seems appropriate.

Trustee Parakkat said we have a Village Manager form of government for

a reason with part-time elected officials. If we are spending more time and

effort, then maybe we should re-examine how we are playing the role. He

said he doesn't see how we can make the case for any compensation

increase for President or Trustee.

Trustee Robinson said she is less convinced the staff side analysis and

math works for this role. She said she thinks an increase is appropriate

because she does not want to create a self-selective pool of people who

can do the role with no salary change. This position has to make global

decisions such as COVID and migrants. She said she is not comfortable

doubling the number without some perspective on what the role requires.

She noted the Village President also has travel and conferences expenses.

She said she would agree to $40K.

Trustee Buchanan said she supports $40K for the broader role of the

Village President.

Trustee Enyia said our responsibility level in Oak Park is very high and it

should be moved up to the $40K range.

Trustee Straw agreed with $40K as a reasonable outcome based on

inflation and the time commitment.

Trustee Parakkat noted a lot of CEOs play board roles as well. Just

because one president wants to play it full-time does not mean the

compensation needs to reflect that. The framework has to be the construct

of how we are organized as a village. If there are expectation mismatches,

it is contingent on us to reset those expectations with the constituents, not

try to adjust the compensation to meet our way of playing that role. He said

he cannot support an increase.

Trustee Straw said we are not just expecting someone to read a board

packet and show up to a meeting. We expect them to be an ambassador

to other communities. We should be aligning the expectations and

compensation with what our constituents expect. He said based on what he

has seen the village expect of presidents, we are under-compensating that

role. We need to compensate for the job we are asking them to do.

Trustee Wesley said the Board has consensus for $40K for Village

President. He said in his experience all past presidents have worked

full-time and that is what the Village expects. He read quotes from former

presidents David Pope and Anan Abu-Taleb. He said he would be willing

to go even higher than $50K. He noted the $15K Village Trustee part-time

salary will be below minimum wage next year.

Trustee Parakkat said you need a particular level of privilege to play a

full-time role at $40K and live in Oak Park.

Trustee Robinson recused herself from the discussion about Trustee salary

because she is running for re-election. Trustee Enyia recused himself as

well.

President Scaman noted this discussion is applicable for the next Village

Board.

Trustee Buchanan said the Trustee salary would go from $15K to $19.3K

adjusted for inflation. She said she supports $20K.

Trustee Straw noted no one will collect the new salary until they are

re-elected. He said he thinks $20K is fine. The current ratio of President to

Trustee would put it at $24K. and would be willing to go up to $25K which

would be comparable with a side gig.

Trustee Parakkat said he is against any pay raise for the Trustee position

and it would be helpful to run these meetings in a way that finish at 10 pm

for those who work full-time jobs the next day.

Trustee Wesley said he thinks the more time you put into this role, the

better you are at it. He said he thinks about how can the salary clear away

the hurdles to making someone want to take this job. A lot of people have a

call to service but do not have the means to serve. $15K a year won't pay

for childcare for this job. He said he would support $25K. He said there is

consensus for $23K for Village Trustee and to create three separate

ordinances for the three separate positions and to not include the COLA in

the ordinances because it was not discussed as a full board.

XVII. Call to Board and Clerk

There were no comments.

XVIII. Adjourn