Trustee Buchanan said she supports tabling this Item because she has
concerns about the discontinuation of the Oak Park Economic
Development Corporation (OPEDC) among some other questions she
read aloud and said she will also email to Manager Jackson.
Trustee Straw said he supports proposed changes to the org chart which
go to the visions the Village Board has been talking about in terms of
community engagement and sustainability. He recommended bifurcating
the discussion on pausing OPEDC funding and the org chart changes.
Trustee Parakkat said he believes the OPEDC funding and the org chart
are linked and he noted the budget neutrality, which Assistant Manager
Tchang confirmed. He inquired if the results of the assessment would be
new spending that would impact the budget. Manager Jackson confirmed
that it could if that is what the needs suggest.
Trustee Parakkat said he likes this new org structure and said it would be
desirable to clarify the economic outcomes in connection with the Village
Board's goals. He questioned the need to add more executive secretary
positions which is not the wave of the future. Manager Jackson responded
that the Village will continually evaluate need and monitor technology and
efficiencies. Assistant Manager Tchang added that administrative support
is currently required for each department to operate.
Trustee Wesley said he agreed with Trustee Straw in thinking the pausing
of the OPEDC is separate from the org changes. He inquired where the
Chamber of Commerce fits into the new structure. Assistant Manager
Tchang said the Chamber is not currently a partner agency. The business
advisory work would remain in Development Customer Services (DCS).
Trustee Wesley maintained thinking it's an oversight not to include the
Chamber because they are a key partner with a lot of overlap. DCS
Director Tammie Grossman clarified that the Village is a member of the
Chamber whereas a partner agency is funded by and has reporting
requirements to the Village. The Village helps new businesses get licensed
and started whereas Chamber provides membership and education
activities. Trustee Wesley and Director Grossman disagreed about the
amount of work OPEDC has done over the years. Manager Jackson said
the Village is trying to create a holistic ecosystem for economic vitality in
the Village.
Trustee Wesley inquired about the reclassification of salaries and benefits
in the current recruitment environment. Assistant Manager Tchang said
more analysis would need to be done on these positions to recommend the
salaries. The Village generally only hires people in the mid range.
Trustee Wesley noted John Lynch's departure from OPEDC and that his
salary accounts for half their budget. Assistant Manager Tchang responded