123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

6:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at

6:06 P.M.

II. Roll Call

Trustees Robinson and Straw joined the Meeting at 6:11 P.M. during

Executive Session.

Clerk Waters joined the Meeting via video conference per Village policy for

remote participation.

7 -

Present:

Absent:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village

Trustee Wesley

III. Consideration of Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Pending

Litigation

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

Executive Session. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as

follows:

5 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

2 - Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Straw

ABSENT:

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

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 7:24 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 Enyia, seconded by Trustee Wesley, to approve the

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

VIII. Minutes

ID 23-323

Motion to Approve Minutes from Regular Meeting of June 5, 2023 and

Special Meeting of June 12, 2023 of the Village Board.

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

Minutes. 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:

IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment

There was no Non-Agenda Public Comment.

X. Village Manager Reports

There was no Village Manager Report.

XI. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports

There were no comments.

XII. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 23-325

Board & Commission Vacancy Report for July 5, 2023.

There were no comments.

XIII. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by 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

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 23-209

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to a Professional Services

Agreement with Health Inspection Professionals, Inc. to Extend the Term

for an Additional Six Months through December 31, 2023 and to Change

the Not to Exceed Amount from $48,000 to $96,000 and Authorizing its

Execution

This Resolution was approved.

RES 23-213

RES 23-218

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

Project 23-2, Resurfacing of Various Streets, in an Amount not to Exceed

$2,877,840 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services

with V3 Companies, Ltd. for Construction Engineering Services for Project

23-2, Resurfacing of Various Streets, in an Amount Not to Exceed $218,053

and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-219

A Resolution Approving an Agreement with the State of Illinois for the

North Avenue (IL 64) Intelligent Transportation System Project, Contract

No. 62N40, in an Amount Not to Exceed $40,072, Authorizing its Execution

and Approving a Funding Resolution for Said Agreement

This Resolution was adopted.

ORD 23-58

ORD 23-73

An Ordinance Establishing All-Way Stops at the Intersection of South

Boulevard and Scoville Avenue

This Ordinance was adopted.

An Ordinance Authorizing the Donation of Surplus Bicycles Owned by the

Village of Oak Park

This Ordinance was adopted.

XIV. Regular Agenda

MOT 23-70

Discussion of Regulations to Require the Safe Storage of Firearms in Homes

in the Village and to Allow the Village to Buyback Weapons

Manager Jackson introduced the Item.

Rev. Michael G. Hayes, staff chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center:

We have waited too long for lasting common sense policies to help stem

this public health crisis in this community. Urges the Village Board to listen

to the voices of the victims and pass a measure requiring that all firearms

be secured with gun locks.

Trustee Straw withdrew the motion to direct staff to draft an ordinance

since it is already on the agenda. Manager Jackson responded that staff

would not put an ordinance on the agenda without first getting direction

from the Village Board. The motion is an option for the Village Board to

consider the ordinance.

Trustee Straw said he does not support requiring identification (ID) when

surrendering a firearm. Police Chief Shatonya Johnson responded that the

Oak Park Police Department (OPPD) supports the program. Current policy

requests an ID to write a report and ensure the firearm has not been used

in a crime, reported stolen, and to keep individuals accountable. OPPD will

accept a firearm from anyone who does not wish to provide ID. OPPD

acquired 17 firearms in the past year.

Trustee Straw wondered if it would be safer to have an anonymous

program than to have people dispose of guns elsewhere. Chief Johnson

said this community is about accountability and serving victims and

families and she would like to require ID for a buyback program and thinks

it will be equally successful. President Scaman added the importance of

building relationships.

Trustee Buchanan said she supports directing staff to create an ordinance

and she supports an anonymous buyback program.

Trustee Robinson said she supports OPPD's current practice.

Trustee Wesley asked if a surrendered firearm has ever led to an arrest or

closure of a case. Chief Johnson said the process takes two years before

a firearm can be destroyed so she would have to research that answer.

Trustee Wesley said he supports anonymous and requesting ID but not

requiring it.

Trustees Parakkat and Enyia and President Scaman agreed with Trustee

Wesley.

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Buchanan, 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:

ORD 23-75

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 27 (“Weapons”), Article 1 (“Firearm Sale

or Rental”), Article 2 (“Possession and Carrying of Weapons”), Article 4

(“Penalties”) and Section 27-4-2 (“Voluntary Delivery to Police

Department”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Allow for the Village to

Buyback Weapons and Regulate the Safe Storage of Firearms

Nora Schlesinger: Resident expressed strong support for secure gun

storage ordinance and urged Village Board to pass it as soon as possible

to keep Oak Parkers safe and prevent accidental gun deaths in our

community.

Jenna Leving Jacobson, local lead for Moms Demand Action: May and

June has seen a record number of unintentional shootings by children.

Urged the Village Board to establish local regulations requiring the secure

storage of firearms in Oak Park. Also supports the proposed amendment

that would allow for the anonymous surrender of firearms. Crime and

violence prevention must be the priority of this body.

Trustee Parakkat said he supports the ordinance as amended. If Chief

Johnson's concern becomes a reality, he said he would support an

updated ordinance.

Trustee Robinson said she supports the ID requirement because of the

impact to victim's families, including her own. She said she fully supports

the rest of the ordinance but does not support the ID requirement.

Trustee Straw referenced Section 27-2-2 subsection D which notes that

this ordinance can provide the basis for civil liability for the owner who does

not adequately secure their firearm. He said this is a very good ordinance

and significant action toward addressing gun violence.

President Scaman said building relationships with neighboring

communities and organizations to get at some of the root causes of gun

violence is a shared agenda as well.

Trustee Straw moved to make a friendly amendment and remove the

strikethrough of the word "identification" in Section 27-4-2 of the ordinance;

Trustee Buchanan seconded. The motion was approved. The roll call on the

vote was as follows: Straw-Aye, Buchanan-Aye, Enyia-Aye, Parakkat-Nay,

Robinson-Nay, Wesley-Aye, and President Scaman-Aye.

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Buchanan, that this

Ordinance be adopted as amended. 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 23-67

A Motion to Select an Option for the Police Station Improvement Project

and Direct Staff to Prepare Final Conceptual Design Drawings and Advance

to Schematic Design the Village Board’s Selected Option

Manager Jackson introduced the Item.

Public Works Director Rob Sproule presented the Item with FGM

Architects Vice President Ray Lee and Architect Louise Kowalczyk. The

four options presented are: 1) Build a police station addition on the existing

site and renovate the basement; 2) Build a new station elsewhere; 3) Build

a new station elsewhere and renovate Village Hall; or 4) Rebuild a new

Village Hall and station on the existing site.

President Scaman said she toured OPPD's station in 2015 and saw and

heard how challenging it is to work and serve the community from Village

Hall's basement. She spoke from her experience about the challenges of

working in Village Hall including noise, wasted space, lack of disability

access, lack of sustainability, and temperature problems.

Trustee Robinson noted that the independent BerryDunn report identified

the same issues as FGM Architects. She asked if the preference is to

keep staff and OPPD in the same location. Manager Jackson affirmed that

would be most desirable or for them to be in close proximity. She asked if

the highest numbers might increase even more. VP Lee said they

compared all of their bids from 2019 and the present to understand the

cost increases and he thinks this is a good solid number to work with.

Relocation costs are not included. Trustee Robinson said she favors

Option 4.

Trustee Parakkat asked if 30 years is a typical timeframe. VP Lee said the

buildings will last longer but 30 years is when systems start to need

replacing. Trustee Parakkat said he supports Options 1 and 4 and

recommended a referendum for Option 4 as he does not think there is

enough community support to modify Village Hall. VP Lee estimated the

cost of repairs to the existing Village Hall to be $14-$16M over the next 10

years.

Trustee Buchanan recommended that FGM Architects read the BerryDunn

report. She asked if an onsite firing range is necessary. Chief Johnson

responded that going off-site would be a logistical challenge. Trustee

Buchanan inquired about increased parking. VP Lee responded that

inadequate parking can pose safety issues for officers. Trustee Buchanan

said she is in favor of Option 4.

Trustee Enyia said he wants officers to feel a sense of pride in their

workplace and he supports Option 3A or 4.

Trustee Wesley said the $1,000/square foot seems extremely high. VP Lee

said that includes contingencies fees and furnishings in addition to

construction costs. Trustee Wesley said the 78,000 square feet seems

large. VP Lee said there are a lot of things missing in the current building.

Trustee Wesley inquired about the 25% increase in size for Village Hall.

Manager Jackson said the Village's remote work policy is now permanent.

The proposal includes some clinical space for the health department. A

public process will be built into the next phase of schematic design. There

is always the option to change course though that might add expense and

time. Trustee Wesley said he is in favor of Option 4 if it has a referendum.

He asked if the Village is considering partnerships with other governments.

Manager Jackson said the Village would be supportive of that interest. VP

Lee said a schematic design phase with community input can take 3-4

months.

Trustee Straw referenced Appendix B in the BerryDunn report regarding

alternative responses to calls for service and the potential for changing the

police and public safety infrastructure. VP Lee said their firm is working

with other communities having those same discussions. Manager Jackson

said those considerations would be fleshed out in the next stage and

coincide with the task force's timeline. Trustee Straw said he favors Option

3A. Manager Jackson suggested the Village Board could choose two

options for a conceptual phase with community engagement and then

choose one of those options to move forward with schematically.

Director Sproule said if the Village can begin the schematic design

process, it will be able to provide the public with better information and can

either move forward or circle back based on community feedback.

President Scaman said she favors Option 4.

Manager Jackson asked VP Lee if Option 3A is compatible enough with

Option 4 to be a concurrent consideration. VP Lee said the difficulty would

be identifying a site to be able to do it concurrently which can take some

time.

The majority of Trustees were in favor of Option 4.

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

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

5 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

2 - Village Trustee Parakkat, and Village Trustee Straw

NAYS:

ABSENT:

XV. Regular Agenda for Items Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 3 Alcoholic Liquor

Dealers or Related

ORD 23-68

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-2 Liquor License to VFJ Enterprises II

Inc., DBA Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles

Attorney Stephanides introduced the Item.

Liquor Control Review Board Chair Sarah Corbin introduced the Item.

Trustee Enyia left the Meeting at 10:38 P.M.

It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Ordinance

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

5 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Robinson,

Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

1 - Village Trustee Parakkat

RECUSED:

ORD 23-67

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3 (“Alcoholic Liquor Dealers”), Article 8

(“List of Licenses For Each License Class”), 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-4 Liquor License to Sistar 5 Inc., DBA Rustico

Attorney Stephanides introduced the Item.

An owner from Rustico introduced the Item.

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

Ordinance be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was

as follows:

5 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Robinson,

Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

ABSENT:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

1 - Village Trustee Parakkat

RECUSED:

ID 23-324

Cultural Competency Training Part 2

Manager Jackson introduced the Item.

Chief DEI Officer Dr. Danielle Walker presented the Item and led the

Trustees through Part 2 of the training.

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 11:46 P.M.,

Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Respectfully submitted,

Deputy Clerk Hansen