123 Madison Street  
Oak Park, Illinois 60302  
www.oak-park.us  
Village of Oak Park  
Meeting Minutes  
President and Board of Trustees  
Tuesday, January 28, 2025  
6:00 PM  
Village Hall  
I. Call to Order  
Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at  
6:04 P.M.  
II. Roll Call  
Trustee Enyia and Village Clerk Christina Waters joined via remote  
participation per Village policy.  
6 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
III. Agenda Approval  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the  
Agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
IV. Minutes  
A Motion to Approve Minutes from the December 3, 2024 Regular  
Meeting and January 14, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Village Board  
MOT 25-110  
A.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the  
Minutes. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
V. Non-Agenda Public Comment  
David Marshall: Lives on 200 block of South Grove. Supports the Vision  
Zero plan. Encouraged Village Board to continue bicycle and pedestrian  
safety work and consider increasing the vehicle fee for larger vehicles.  
Ranga Bodla: Lives at Chicago and Belleforte. Kids walk to Holmes and  
Brooks schools. Supports Vision Zero and is particularly concerned about  
the safety on Chicago Avenue.  
Michael Ericksen: Lives on 900 block of South Boulevard. Was almost hit  
in a crosswalk near a school. Cars turn left from Kenilworth onto Chicago  
and fail to yield to pedestrians.  
Drew Messah-Ericksen: First-grade student at Holmes School. Had a  
close call crossing Chicago and Kenilworth in the crosswalk with a walk  
signal. Encouraged Board to vote in favor of Vision Zero .  
Lindsey Hagy: Lives on 700 block of South Euclid. Child was hit by a car  
while in the crosswalk at Euclid and Jackson. Adopting Vision Zero would  
allow the implementation of high-visibility crosswalks. Recommended  
officer education regarding who is at fault for accidents.  
Alice Farley: 11-year old who bikes to Lincoln School and has to cross  
Jackson and Garfield. Will be walking to Brooks next year. Scared of  
crossing Washington. Vision Zero is a great solution to all of this and more.  
Rachel Poretsky: Lives on 700 block of Carpenter. Does not drive. Was hit  
on her bike a few years ago on the Home bridge and her daughter was hit  
in a crosswalk by Fox Park. Urged the Board to adopt Vision Zero.  
Daphne Elsberg: 11-year old crossed Jackson by Fox Park and was hit by  
a car and broke her arm. The Oak Park policeman told her it was her fault.  
Vision Zero can help with high-visibility crosswalks.  
Helene Farley: 8-year old who was hit by a car in a crosswalk when she  
was 5 years old. She wants it to be safe for her and all kids. All kids  
deserve to be seen.  
Jenna Holzberg: Lives on 800 block of South East Avenue and serves on  
Transportation Commission. Vision Zero is a solid, good plan and the  
actions necessary will draw consternation from the community. Keep in  
mind Oak Park residents who lost their lives to traffic violence: Peter  
McDonnell, Karen Daniel, Karl Oxnevad.  
Ava Holzberg Punchur: 6-year old. Rides her bike to school with her sister.  
Ridgeland is a dangerous street. Would like a speed camera or traffic light  
to make it safer.  
Zosia Holzberg Punchur: 8-year old attends Longfellow school. Van Buren  
and Ridgeland intersection is not safe. For Vision Zero, she recommends  
adding rectangular rapid flashing beacons or a traffic light.  
Jacob: 9-year old fourth-grader attends Longfellow school. Urged the  
Board to approve Vision Zero. Almost got hit by a car in a crosswalk near  
the school while on his bike.  
Carolyn Sarnecki: Represented Longfellow's PTO. Received numerous  
requests from parents to improve safety at the crosswalks around the  
school. Asked the Board to move forward with Vision Zero.  
President Scaman thanked Clerk Waters for organizing the youth who  
presented this evening.  
VI. Proclamation  
MOT 25-109  
A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month  
February 2025.  
B.  
Trustee Wesley read the Proclamation into the record, followed by a  
performance by Kuumba Kids Dance honoring Black History Month.  
President Scaman presented the Proclamation to Donna Callender and  
encouraged residents to attend the Kuumba Kids performance at  
Longfellow on January 28th. Ms. Callender said the annual Black History  
Month program at Longfellow will be on February 22nd.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded Village Trustee Enyia, to approve the  
Proclamation. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
VII. Village Manager Reports  
Review of the Updated Village Board Meeting Calendars for February  
ID 25-166  
C.  
and March 2025.  
Village Manager Kevin Jackson presented Board calendars for February  
and March. Trustee Straw said he is likely to miss the March 11 meeting.  
Manager Jackson introduced Jack Malec as the new Assistant to the  
Village Manager.  
VIII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports  
There were no comments.  
IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies  
ID 25-178  
D.  
Board and Commission Vacancy Report for January 28, 2025  
There were no comments.  
X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments  
A Motion to Consent to the Village President’s Appointment of:  
Citizen Involvement Commission - Sheila Wesonga, Reappoint as  
Commissioner  
MOT 25-114  
E.  
Disability Access Commission - Gabriela Sierra Marquez, Reappoint as  
Commissioner  
Environment & Energy Commission - Daniel P. Becker, Appoint as  
Commissioner  
Plan Commission - Daniel Gillen, Appoint as Commissioner  
Clerk Waters read the appointments and re-appointments into the record.  
Daniel Gillen said he looks forward to serving on the Plan Commission.  
It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to approve the  
Appointments. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
XI. Consent Agenda  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
It was moved to approve the items under the Consent Agenda. The motion was  
approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:  
6 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
ABSENT:  
A Motion to Approve the Bills in the Amount of $6,824,626 from December  
1, 2024 through December 28, 2024.  
MOT 25-106  
MOT 25-107  
F.  
This Motion was approved.  
A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s  
Recommendations for Traffic Calming on the 700 and 800 blocks of N.  
Lombard Avenue and 800 block of N. Taylor Avenue.  
G.  
This Motion was approved.  
A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with RJN  
Group, Inc. for Sewer Inspection Database Support and Development of  
a Five-Year Sewer Capital Improvement Plan in an Amount not to exceed  
$141,680, Authorizing its Execution and Waiving the Bidding Process for  
the Agreement.  
RES 25-117  
RES 25-119  
H.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
I.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Asphalt Art  
Initiative Grant Application with Bloomberg Philanthropies and  
Approval of Any Subsequent Agreements and Authorizing their  
Execution.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an IL Law Enforcement  
Training & Standards Board (ILETSB), FY 25 Law Enforcement Officer  
Recruitment and Retention Grant.  
RES 25-131  
RES 25-132  
J.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
K.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Settlement  
Agreement in Workers’ Compensation Case Number 2024 WC  
001508.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  
between the Oak Park Police Department (“OPPD”) and the Board of  
Oak Park School District 97 (“D97”) regarding policy, procedure, and  
RES 25-133  
L.  
protocol for OPPD’s rapid entry into a school building in the event of an  
emergency and Authorizing its Execution.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 23A ("Taxes"), Article 4 ("Hotel/Motel  
and Transient Occupancy Rental Unit Tax") of the Oak Park Village Code  
Regarding Hotel Taxes.  
ORD 25-103  
ORD 25-105  
M.  
N.  
This Ordinance was adopted.  
Concur with the Zoning Board of Appeals’ Recommendation and  
Adopt an Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Operate a  
Massage Service Establishment at 971 Lake Street.  
This Ordinance was adopted.  
ORD 25-108  
O.  
Concur with the Historic Preservation Commission and Adopt an  
Ordinance Designating 1132-42 Lake Street as an Oak Park  
Landmark.  
This Ordinance was adopted.  
XII. Regular Agenda for Items Pursuant to Village Code Chapter 3 Alcoholic Liquor  
Dealers or Related  
Concur with the Liquor Control Review Board and Adopt 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-1 Liquor License to 3Hearts Group Inc.  
dba Mira Social.  
ORD 25-106  
P.  
Assistant Village Attorney Rasheda Jackson presented the Item. Owners  
Gabriel Nunez shared their concept for Mira Social to open late spring.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Ordinance  
be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:  
6 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
ABSENT:  
Concur with the Liquor Control Review Board and Adopt 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-1 Liquor License to Breakfast House  
Marion, Inc. dba Breakfast House.  
ORD 25-107  
Q.  
Assistant Village Attorney Rasheda Jackson presented the Item.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, that this Ordinance  
be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:  
6 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
ABSENT:  
XIII. Regular Agenda  
Concur with the Housing Programs Advisory Committee's  
Recommendations and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Provision of  
Conditional Commitment Letters.  
RES 25-111  
R.  
Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director Jonathan  
Burch presented the Item.  
Trustee Robinson noted this is a finite fund and recommended a cap on  
funding proportionate to the overall amount of the fund. The more projects  
the better. She said she thinks we should earmark funds for  
homeownership programs until we can have housing-related conversations  
this quarter. She wondered why we are not getting responses related to  
homeownership when we have adjusted the application and process.  
Director Burch said as the Board continues to refine its focus, we will be  
able to generate more of those sorts of applications.  
She noted Oak Park Housing Authority (OPHA) is still in here and asked  
how we can make it go away. Director Burch said we are reflecting the  
actual expenditures that occurred in 2022-2024. They are not seen for  
2025-2026. He confirmed we are not pulling our year over year OPHA  
grant amount from the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) anymore.  
Trustee Straw said he is hugely supportive of these projects and mixed-use  
especially on these business corridors. He said he is open to the idea of  
capping grants and would want it to be tied to a per unit basis as opposed  
to a flat cap. It is about maximizing the impact of the dollars.  
Trustee Buchanan said she supports both of these and spending some  
effort and time and funding on the homeownership aspect of the HTF.  
Trustee Wesley said he is completely supportive. He said he would love to  
see ground floor retail in the Madison Street project at affordable rates  
which would encourage businesses that would otherwise not be priced into  
Oak Park to have an opportunity. He encouraged developers to reach out  
to staff and work with them on how we can shape that.  
President Scaman said she is happy to approve both projects. She said  
she agrees with a funding cap in concept.  
Trustee Enyia asked if they are considering a live-in artist similar to the 801  
project. Community Builders developer Charlie Johnson said the live-work  
retail spaces are similar to 801. Residents live in the back of the unit and  
run a small business out of the storefront facing Roosevelt Road.  
Trustee Enyia said he thinks it is a great opportunity. He asked if the rental  
assistance fund will be completely drawn down to pay for both projects.  
Director Burch said with the new revenue that would flow in this year, the  
unencumbered balance at the end of 2025 would be in the $540K-$550K  
range depending on some projects that have agreements that expire at the  
end of March. Trustee Enyia said he likes Trustee Robinson's idea and  
wants to make sure we do not always spend down and there is opportunity  
for those looking to do housing projects or requiring rental assistance.  
It was moved by Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Trustee Robinson, that this  
Resolution be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was  
as follows:  
6 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
ABSENT:  
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Special Projects Grant  
Application with the Illinois Department of Human Services Office of  
Community and Positive Youth Development for Supporting the  
Cross-Community Climate Collaborative’s Youth Leadership  
Programming.  
RES 25-141  
S.  
Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Nieratka presented the Item. Urban  
Efficiency Group CEO and President Darnell Johnson presented additional  
information.  
Trustee Wesley said he will vote yes and loves that this program allows us  
to operate as one village and one region.  
Trustee Robinson said she loves C4 and is grateful for President  
Scaman's leadership in this very collaborative regional perspective on  
sustainability. She said she loves the framework and structure this program  
provides for youth to have conversations in surrounding neighborhoods.  
Trustee Enyia said it has been amazing to watch the growth of this project  
and he hopes it continues to thrive.  
President Scaman said working with CEO Johnson has been the highlight  
of her first term. This is exactly what we need and she is grateful for the  
partnership. She thanked Rep. Camille Lilly.  
It was moved by Trustee Enyia, seconded by Trustee Robinson, that this  
Resolution be adopted. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was  
as follows:  
6 -  
0
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
ABSENT:  
A Presentation and Discussion on the Draft Oak Park Vision Zero Action  
Plan as Recommended by the Transportation Commission  
ID 25-140  
T.  
Assistant Public Works Director/Village Engineer Bill McKenna introduced  
the Item.  
Josh VanderBerg: Vision Zero is a great plan. Has three kids who walk  
and bike to school. He encouraged engagement with everyone and not just  
those likely to oppose. This integrates well with the climate and bike plans.  
Karl Lauger: Lives on 100 block of North Taylor, representing Bike Walk  
Oak Park which fully supports the goals of Vision Zero. We embrace the  
shared responsibility model and law enforcement training.  
TYLin Director of Transportation Planning Alex Hanson presented the draft  
plan.  
Trustee Robinson asked why the amber-colored pedestrian lights are not  
considered a vertical deflection tool. Director Hanson confirmed the  
rectangular rapid flashing beacons are included in the Vision Zero toolbox.  
Vertical deflection tools are things like speed tables to slow down vehicles.  
She asked if speed analytics were considered. He said it was not looked  
at in detail though the Village has access to more comprehensive speed  
data now. Engineer McKenna said the Village currently uses speed  
analytics and is determining how valuable the data is to help target  
enforcement to specific time and day and locations.  
President Scaman inquired about reporting. Engineer McKenna said  
internal teams will have quarterly meetings and an annual update to the  
Transportation Commission and Village Board.  
Trustee Straw said he is a big fan of the Vision Zero Plan and encouraged  
everyone to read it. This is about taking a proactive approach where staff  
will have access to an expanded toolkit. Allowing those things to be used  
internally is a huge step forward and allowing staff to move quickly is vital.  
He inquired about speed cameras. Director Hanson said speed cameras  
are one of the most effective tools to create safer streets. The Chicago  
Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is working on safety action plans  
for all counties in the region including Cook County. He anticipates this will  
be a major effort that comes out of that program. Trustee Straw said speed  
cameras can generate revenue to fund infrastructure improvements and  
have significant impacts in reducing speeding should we be able to  
persuade the state to allow municipalities like ours to use them.  
Trustee Straw inquired if there are any tools to address the issue of  
passing on the right, especially in intersections. Director Hanson confirmed  
that was heard from community members. Traffic calming elements  
including vertical and horizontal deflections can really be effective at  
deterring passing on the right.  
Trustee Straw asked how staff expect to roll this out. Engineer McKenna  
said funding is set aside for recommendations in the plan, the major one  
being $1.4M in expenditures for implementation of the plan mostly funded  
through a federal Safe Streets For All grant. The recent executive order  
does potentially affect that grant so we will have to see how that process  
will play out with releasing those grant funds.  
Trustee Buchanan inquired about beg buttons. Engineer McKenna said  
staff will present a Board item in mid-February for an agreement with Civil  
Tech to review all signals. She inquired about red light camera violations.  
He said they are for any vehicle violating that red light movement. The  
Vision Zero recommendation is to implement those at the signalized  
intersections on the high injury network.  
She noted some residents cannot come out and participate in  
engagement. Director Hanson said they want to take a comprehensive  
approach to hear from different people, including open house meetings,  
pop-up engagements at local events, and focus groups with students, older  
adults, Spanish-speaking residents, and African American residents.  
Engineer McKenna added he has never seen so much outreach and got so  
much input from the community.  
Trustee Wesley said he loves this plan and thinks it's amazing. He inquired  
about the roadmap to updating the complete streets policy that was last  
updated in 2012. Director Hanson said one of the pieces included in the  
grant application was to update the policy and creating a design guide and  
handbook for staff. Engineer McKenna said that is part of the Safe Streets  
for All grant program. Trustee Wesley requested to bring it back to the  
Board if the grant falls through. Manager Jackson said it will come back to  
the Board for consideration.  
Trustee Wesley acknowledged the public commenters and said this plan is  
super important to help making those vulnerable populations safe. He  
asked if targeted enforcement can be done in real-time. Engineer  
McKenna said the data is provided monthly. He clarified that per state law,  
only municipalities with populations over 1 million can do speed  
enforcement using automated methods. Deputy Chief Robinson confirmed  
the Oak Park Police Department (OPPD) uses the Urban SDK software to  
put officers in certain places to enforce.  
Transportation Commission Chair Ron Burke said the commission  
discussed the enforcement components of this plan. Enforcement is  
important and complicated. The plan outlines key goals and strategies and  
it will take more thought and coordination to get it right.  
Trustee Wesley asked if data supports the need for red light cameras.  
Director Hanson said evidence shows they are effective at reducing severe  
crashes at intersections. Engineer McKenna said the state requires either  
a traffic study to validate the need for them or the municipality can request  
one at a given intersection.  
Trustee Wesley said the community engagement piece was wonderful.  
Trustee Enyia expressed his appreciation for the work on Vision Zero to  
help our kids and community be safer.  
President Scaman agreed the community engagement was extremely well  
done and this is looking at the community holistically. She recommended a  
campaign to wear seatbelts and slow down.  
A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s  
Recommendation and Approve the Madison Street Corridor Traffic  
Study.  
MOT 25-108  
U.  
Engineer McKenna presented the Item.  
Trustee Straw asked why data was not collected by Julian Middle School.  
Engineer McKenna said there was a development project happening at  
Cuyler that was impacting the roadway. The recommendations here are not  
the comprehensive recommendations for all of the streets.  
Trustee Straw said he will be voting to concur. He noted the real estate on  
the street side of the curb is a public good and no resident has a right to  
park in front of their home.  
Trustee Wesley said he is supportive of this.  
It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Motion be  
approved. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as follows:  
6 -  
AYES:  
Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Enyia, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Parakkat  
ABSENT:  
XIV. Call to Board and Clerk  
Trustee Straw said he enjoyed the presentation on the Kaleidoscope  
program. Federal grant funding for vital programs for our community are  
being threatened. He noted he's wearing a trans rights are human rights  
shirt. We're seeing very scary things happening at the federal level and at  
the same time we're doing such wonderful things at the local level.  
Trustee Wesley thanked President Scaman for her leadership on C4. The  
kids who gave public comments are a great example.  
Trustee Enyia expressed his gratitude for bringing C4 to our community  
and sharing our resources with our neighbors.  
President Scaman said she could not do it without every partner that is  
involved with C4 and doing things together feels great and is productive  
and bringing dollars to our community. She said she is meeting with  
neighboring mayors to create a coalition to protect our most vulnerable.  
XV. 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 10:06 pm,  
Tuesday, January 28, 2025.  
Respectfully submitted,  
Deputy Clerk Hansen