123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

6:30 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Scaman called the Meeting to order at 6:31 P.M.

II. Roll Call

Village Trustee Enyia arrived at 6:35 P.M.

Village Trustee Wesley arrived at 6:35 P.M.

Village Trustee Straw attended Remotely.

7 -

Present:

Absent:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Leving Jacobson, Village Trustee Straw, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Wesley

III. Consideration of Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session to Discuss the

Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, or Performance of Specific

Employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)

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

Eder to adjourn to Executive Session. The motion was approved. The roll call on

the vote was as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Leving Jacobson,

Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Taglia

NAYS:

2 - Village Trustee Enyia, and Village Trustee Wesley

ABSENT:

IV. Adjourn Closed Session

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

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 7:22 P.M.

VI. Roll Call

7 -

Present:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Leving Jacobson, Village Trustee Straw, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Wesley

Absent:

VII. Agenda Approval

Village President Scaman announced that Item S will be removed from

Consent Agenda and Item V will be removed from Regular Agenda.

It was moved by Village Trustee Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Wesley to

approve the Agenda as amended. A voice vote was taken and the motion was

approved.

VIII. Minutes

MOT 26-138

A Motion to Approve Minutes from the March 18, 2026 Regular Meeting of

the Village Board

It was moved by Village Trustee Eder, seconded by Village Trustee Leving

Jacobson to approve the Minutes. A voice vote was taken and the motion was

approved.

IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Resident Mack R. proposes an “all-in composting” program where every

village household pays a small uniform fee that covers shared compost

containers along with maintenance and education. He argues this model

could reduce landfill waste and emissions while lowering the effective per

household cost compared to the current program.

X. Proclamation

MOT 26-139

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing International

Transgender Day of Visibility March 31, 2026

Village President Scaman read the Proclamation aloud.

PFLAG President Sarah C. & OPLAGA+/Out With Purpose Co- Chair

Lynn G. collectively thanked the community for supporting transgender

rights and visibility, emphasizing that the village’s affirming environment

makes it a safe and welcoming place for transgender and

gender-expansive people.

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

Wesley, that this Motion be approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion

was approved.

MOT 26-140

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing April 2026 as Arab

American Heritage Month in Oak Park, Illinois

Village President Scaman read the Proclamation aloud.

Resident Dima A. expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Village Trustees for

supporting inclusivity, sharing that despite past exclusion, the community’s

partnership affirms that Oak Park is truly her home.

Resident Faisal A. expressed gratitude for the village’s formal recognition

of Arab American Heritage Month, emphasizing the community’s

longstanding contributions, shared values, and commitment to inclusion

and belonging.

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

Eder, that this Motion be approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion was

approved.

MOT 26-141

MOT 26-142

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing National Community

Development Week April 6 - 10, 2026

It was moved by Village Trustee Enyia, seconded by Village Trustee Wesley, that

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

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Honoring Dr. Percy L. Julian Day -

April 11, 2026

Village Trustee Enyia praised the Julian family’s resilience and lasting

contributions to Oak Park, encouraging residents to learn about their

legacy and celebrating the community’s shared spirit of rising above

adversity.

It was moved by Village Trustee Enyia, seconded by Village Trustee Wesley, that

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

MOT 26-143

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Recognizing National Public Health

Week - April 6-12, 2026.

It was moved by Village Trustee Enyia, seconded by Village Trustee Wesley, that

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

XI. Village Manager Reports

Deputy Village Manager Lisa Shelley outlined two minor edits concerning

Item R. on Consent Agenda approving the Village Board Goals for

2026-2027. One edit updating a values statement about evolving to meet

community needs, and a second edit adding language about addressing

changing demographics and age-friendly planning recommended by the

Aging in Community Commission.

Village Trustee Wesley expressed concern that the updated wording

removed acknowledgement that the community is changing and suggested

language to explicitly reflect Oak Park’s evolving needs. He initiated

refinement of a sentence and confirmed consensus.

XII. Village Board Committees

Village Trustee Leving Jacobson reported that the I-Gov group is preparing

an updated website with information on running for local office and shared

that she and Trustee Taglia support a funding request from the Community

Fridge Project, which is growing and seeking equal contributions from all

taxing bodies.

Village Trustee Taglia voiced support for the Community Fridge Project,

noting the request is modest, fills an important need, and can move forward

more easily with the village’s help.

Village President Scaman explained that I-Gov consists of two

representatives from each local governing body who meet monthly, thanked

the trustees for their work on public facing resources and collaborative

projects, and noted that the anniversary of the most recent election cycle is

approaching.

XIII. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 26-260

Board and Commission Vacancy Report for March 24, 2026

This report lists the expected number of members, current number of

members seated and number of active vacancies for the Village’s 18

citizen boards and commissions. There are currently 23 vacancies.

XIV. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments

MOT 26-144

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

Building Codes Advisory Commission - Pari Agarwal, Appoint as

Commissioner.

Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee - Anne K. France,

Urmi Sengupta, and Karen Schneller, Reappoint as Members. Police

Pension Board - Dennis Morani and Robert Planek, Appoint as Members

Village President Scaman read the names aloud.

It was moved that this Motion be approved. A voice vote was taken and the

motion was approved.

XV. Public Hearing

XVI. First Reading

XVII. Second Reading

XVIII. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

Village President Scaman announced that Item S will be removed from

Consent Agenda

It was moved by Village Trustee Wesley and seconded by Village Trustee Eder to

approve the items under the Consent Agenda as amended. The motion was

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

7 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Leving Jacobson, Village Trustee Straw, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

*Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Adopt the Ordinance

Approving a Special Use Permit to Operate a Drive-Through Facility at 7

Lake Street

This Ordinance was adopted.

*Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals and Adopt the Ordinance

Approving a Special Use Permit to Operate a Specialty Food Service at 7

Lake Street

This Ordinance was adopted.

*Concur with the Plan Commission’s Recommendation and Adopt an

Ordinance Approving a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment by Adding

Cocktail Lounge as a Permitted Use

This Ordinance was adopted.

Concur with the Liquor Control Review Board and Adopt An Ordinance

Amending Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”), Article 1 (“General

Provisions”), Section 3-1-1 (“Definitions”), Article 4 (“Term And

Classification”), Section 3-4-2 (“Classification And Number Of Liquor

Licenses And Fees”) And Article 8 (“List Of Licenses For Each Class”),

Section 3-8-1 (“Number Of Licenses For Each License Class”) Of The Oak

Park Village Code To Include A Class D-20 Cocktail Lounge License

This Ordinance was adopted.

ORD 26-124

RES 26-159

An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment

Owned by the Village of Oak Park

This Ordinance was adopted.

A Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Annual Software License and

Support Maintenance Agreement dated December 15, 2014 with

CityView, a Division of N. Harris Computer Corporation, for the Village’s

Permitting, Licensing and Inspection Services in an Amount Not to Exceed

$82,146.07 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 26-168

RES 26-165

RES 26-171

A Resolution Approving a One-Year Renewal for Microsoft 365 Licensing

with Technology Solutions Worldwide in an Amount Not to Exceed

$73,344.00 and Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Creating a Steering Committee for the Bridging the Ike

Planning and Environmental Linkage Study and Confirming the

Appointment of Inaugural Members of the Steering Committee

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Temporary License Agreement with Publican

Quality Bread to Allow Use of Alley Space for Outdoor Dining Beginning

May 4th through October 31, 2026 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 26-174

RES 26-176

A Resolution Approving the Village Board Goals for 2026-2027 as

Reviewed at the March 3, 2026 Village Board Meeting

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving an Extension to the Employee Leasing Agreement

with MGT Impact Solutions, LLC for Interim Chief Financial Officer Services

from April 3, 2026 Through July 31, 2026 (Not-to-Exceed 20 Hours per

Week at $134.85 per Hour) and Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary

Budget Amendment

This Resolution was tabled.

RES 26-164

RES 26-178

A Resolution Increasing the Not to Exceed Payment Amount Under

Employee Leasing Agreements Between the Village and MGT Impact

Solutions, LLC for Interim Chief Financial Officer Services from $225,000

to $405,000

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving Temporary Construction Easements on Oak Park

Avenue and Authorizing Execution of the Required Documents

This Resolution was adopted.

XIX. Regular Agenda

RES 26-179

RES 26-170

A Presentation and Resolution Authorizing the Adopting the Roosevelt

Road Corridor Plan for the Roosevelt Road Business District

Village President Scaman announced that Item V will be removed from

Regular Agenda.

This Resolution was tabled.

A Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Independent Contractor

Agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC for Municipal Trash,

Recycling, Food Scrap/Yard Waste, Household Hazardous Waste and

Electronics Collection for a Two-Year Term in an Amount Not to Exceed

$3,800,000 for 2027 and Authorizing its Execution

Resident Michael strongly urged the board to reconsider renewing the

current waste collection contract, citing frequent service issues such as

missed pickups, damaged or misplaced bins, long customer service wait

times, and difficulty resolving problems. He shared specific examples to

illustrate his dissatisfaction, including a stickered bulk item being only

partially collected after weeks of follow-up.

Public Works Director Rob Sproule presented a recommendation to renew

the village’s waste hauling contract with LRS for two years, aligning it with

the timeline of the regional disposal agreement that comes up for review in

2028. He explained that staff analyzed performance metrics and cost

comparisons, showing resident savings under LRS and 89 percent

satisfaction in a recent waste survey. LRS proposed several service

improvements, including extended leaf collection, expanded winter yard

waste pickup, a pilot for smaller carts to encourage composting, use of an

electric truck, and potential rate stability if a new tonnage agreement is

approved. Rob emphasized that these additions aim to address board

concerns, enhance customer service, and reduce environmental impacts.

Village President Scaman acknowledged resident complaints and the

importance of accountability, and supported a two-year LRS renewal with

service standards to be added via a future contract amendment and

confirmed the board’s direction to add performance metrics.

Village Trustee Wesley questioned reconciling 89% satisfaction with vocal

dissatisfaction, probed 2025 service metrics and resource levels,

requested alternatives to the leaf program, and advocated adding

performance guarantees/service credits with a one-year opt-out if

standards aren’t met.

Village Trustee Eder framed the decision as renew vs. bid, asked about

the vendor landscape and call wait time metrics, leaned toward a two-year

renewal given cost stability and fuel price risk, and pushed to accelerate

composting options.

Village Trustee Taglia recognized recent improvements but urged going

out to bid due to persistent complaints and the service’s broad impact on

residents; cautioned that approving now could trigger community push

back and noted aging carts will need replacement.

Village Trustee Leving Jacobson found staff’s renewal case convincing but

asked about a one-year option as leverage for improvements; sought legal

clarity on consecutive one-year renewals and balanced community

complaints with perceived service quality.

Village Trustee Straw initially favored bidding, but supported a two-year

extension given cost certainty (0% then CPI-based) and rising fuel costs;

endorsed adding service standards (wait times, damage resolution).

Village Trustee Enyia valued competitive bidding in principle but supported

the two-year renewal for price stability and partnership improvements,

encouraged promoting the 311 tool to residents, and expressed interest in

expanding composting access.

Village Attorney Smith clarified that consecutive one-year renewals are

possible with mutual agreement and advised that adding performance

standards would require a subsequent board action/amendment.

Village Manager Jackson confirmed staff can negotiate performance

standards with LRS and would return with an amendment.

This Resolution was adopted.

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Eder, Village Trustee Enyia, Village

Trustee Leving Jacobson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

NAYS:

ABSENT:

MOT 26-137

A Motion by Trustee Eder and Seconded by Trustee Wesley for Staff to

Perform a Comparative Analysis of Building Permits within and outside of

our Historic Districts

Manager Jackson stated that staff understands the request and can

complete the analysis within about three weeks.

Village Trustee Eder explained why he proposed the analysis, outlining

questions about permitting timelines, costs, permit volume, project types,

and demographic patterns in historic districts compared to the rest of Oak

Park; emphasized a desire for data-driven understanding rather than

assumptions.

Village Trustee Wesley supported the request and echoed interest in

comparing the internal dynamics of historic districts with the rest of the

village across multiple dimensions.

Village Trustee Straw recommended including non-historic areas as a

comparison group and suggested evaluating permit rates per number of

homes, noting that people might be discouraged from applying due to extra

requirements.

Village Trustee Taglia supported gathering the data but noted that, in the

broader affordability picture, historic district impacts may be smaller

relative to other village level factors.

Village Trustee Eder formally moved, and Village Trustee Wesley

seconded, a motion for staff to perform a comparative analysis of building

permits inside and outside of the historic districts, examining timelines,

costs, permit rates/types, and demographics. The motion was approved by

the Board.

XX. Call to Board and Clerk

Village Clerk Waters reported that the recent Women’s History Month event

at the Art Studio was excellent, well-attended, and thoughtfully organized by

the DEI Workplace group.

Village Trustee Enyia highlighted Arab American Heritage Month events at

the library curated by Dima A., praised staff for navigating the LRS contract

discussion smoothly, suggested hosting a public open house to help

residents use new waste service technology, affirmed the importance of

housing diversity to support aging in community, and reiterated strong

support for composting for all.

Village Trustee Wesley thanked staff for the constructive LRS discussion,

supported educational outreach on new waste service tools, emphasized

the importance of diverse housing options for aging residents.

Village Trustee Taglia thanked staff for their work but warned that many

residents were unaware of the LRS renewal discussion and may be

surprised; reiterated prior interest in directing certain fines to the

sustainability fund.

Village Trustee Leving Jacobson reflected on the importance of

proclamations honoring transgender and Arab American communities,

stressing visibility, solidarity, and the need for intentional engagement with

neighbors facing discrimination and violence.

Village Trustee Eder echoed appreciation for the proclamations, thanked

Mack R. for continued advocacy on composting, expressed optimism

about board support for composting expansion.

Village President Scaman noted April as Earth Month.

XXI. Adjourn

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

Trustee Enyia to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:49 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Deputy Clerk Carswell