123 Madison Street  
Oak Park, Illinois 60302  
www.oak-park.us  
Village of Oak Park  
Meeting Minutes  
President and Board of Trustees  
Tuesday, February 18, 2025  
6:30 PM  
Village Hall  
II. Call to Order  
Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at  
6:34 P.M.  
III. Roll Call  
Trustee Wesley joined the meeting at 6:37 P.M. Trustee Enyia joined the  
meeting at 8:17 P.M. Trustee Buchanan left the meeting at 9:37 P.M.  
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  
0
I. Presentation: Employee Years of Service Awards  
ID 25-209  
A.  
Presentation of Village of Oak Park Employee Service Awards.  
Village Manager Kevin Jackson presented the employee service awards.  
Deputy Chief Dave Jacobson reported on the incident of April 8, 2021 and  
recognized Patrol Officer Kenneth Tworek who received medal of valor and  
department meritorious service award for his actions that day. Police Chief  
Shatonya Johnson thanked Officer Tworek's wife and family. She shared  
more successes from his career and presented him with his retirement  
badge. Officer Tworek made remarks and expressed his gratitude.  
IV. Agenda Approval  
President Scaman moved Item M from Consent to Regular Agenda.  
It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Straw, to approve the  
Agenda as amended. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
V. Non-Agenda Public Comment  
Stuart Barnes Jamieson: 27-year resident. Integrated housing needs to be  
part of intentional work and support of Village leadership. He advocated for  
the establishment of an independent community advisory council to advise  
the Housing Center and Village relationship.  
VI. Proclamation  
MOT 25-128  
A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for The Historical Society of Oak  
Park and River Forest’s “Heart of Our Villages” Award in Honor of Bob  
Trezevant March 13, 2025.  
B.  
President Scaman read the Proclamation into the record and presented  
Bob Trezevant with a framed proclamation.  
It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Buchanan, that this  
Motion be approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
A Motion to Approve a Proclamation Celebrating Women’s History Month  
March 2025.  
MOT 25-130  
C.  
President Scaman, Village Clerk Christina Waters, Trustee Buchanan, and  
Trustee Robinson read the Proclamation into the record.  
It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson that this Motion  
be approved. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved.  
VIII. Village Board Committees  
There were no comments.  
IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies  
ID 25-232  
D.  
Board and Commission Vacancy Report for February 18, 2025  
There were no comments.  
X. Consent Agenda  
President Scaman made a statement regarding the process for Item N on  
the Consent Agenda.  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Wesley 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 Parakkat,  
Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Enyia  
ABSENT:  
A Resolution Approving a Program Year 2023, Program Year 2024, and  
2020 - 2024 Consolidated Plan Substantial Amendment for Community  
Development Block Grant Data.  
RES 25-123  
RES 25-138  
E.  
F.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Authorizing the Rejection of all Bids for Project 25-20, Oak  
Park Avenue Streetscape Improvements  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Authorizing Subordination of a Lien for the Property  
Located at 1026 South Harvey Avenue (BPIP-056)  
RES 25-144  
RES 25-145  
G.  
H.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
As Discussed at the January 28, 2025 Board Meeting, a Resolution  
Approving the Oak Park Vision Zero Action Plan with a Goal to Achieve  
Zero Traffic-Related Deaths or Serious Injuries in Oak Park by 2035  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a Task Order with Civiltech Engineering, Inc. for  
Professional Transportation Engineering Services for a Traffic Signal  
Modification Study in an Amount Not to Exceed $247,128 and Authorizing  
its Execution  
RES 25-146  
RES 25-147  
I.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with G.A.  
Paving, LLC for Village Wide Utility Pavement Patching Services in 2025  
in an Amount not to Exceed $250,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution  
J.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
RES 25-148  
RES 25-149  
K.  
L.  
A Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2025 Special Event Fees  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving Amendments to Appendix I (“Job Class and FLSA  
Status”) and Appendix VII (“Appointee Pay Plan Schedule”) of the Village  
of Oak Park Personnel Manual  
This Resolution was adopted.  
A Resolution Approving a Third Amendment to the Village Manager  
Employment Agreement with Kevin J. Jackson and Authorizing Its  
Execution, and Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary Budget  
Amendment  
RES 25-155  
N.  
This Resolution was adopted.  
MOT 25-118  
MOT 25-119  
MOT 25-121  
O.  
P.  
Q.  
A Motion to Approve the Quarterly Financial Update (Unaudited) For  
Period Ending June 30, 2024  
This Motion was approved.  
A Motion to Approve the Quarterly Financial Update (Unaudited) For  
Period Ending March 31, 2024  
This Motion was approved.  
A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s  
Recommendations for Traffic Calming on the 500 Block of South  
Humphrey Avenue  
This Motion was approved.  
MOT 25-126  
ORD 25-121  
R.  
S.  
A Motion to Approve the Quarterly Financial Update (Unaudited) For  
Period Ending September 30, 2024  
This Motion was approved.  
An Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Budget  
This Ordinance was adopted.  
XI. Regular Agenda  
RES 25-154  
M.  
A Resolution to Approve Citizen Commission Work Plans for 2025  
Trustee Robinson requested to table the Citizen Police Oversight  
Committee's (CPOC) work plan pending the outcome and result of the  
consultant's review.  
Assistant Village Manager/HR Director Kira Tchang said the newly listed  
items in CPOC's work plan are either a continuation or more detailed level  
of information of items that have long been on their work plan. They have  
been doing the Flock ALPR reporting since that work was assigned to  
them by the Village Board in 2022. Trustee Robinson requested clear  
labeling for the next semi-annual report.  
Trustee Parakkat inquired about the Community Relations Commission  
(CRC) work plan. Director Tchang said the CRC has a number of  
vacancies which has led to a number of meeting cancellations. Once they  
are able to increase the membership and resume meetings, they can  
submit a work plan for 2025.  
It was moved by Trustee Robinson, seconded by Trustee Parakkat to amend the  
Agenda Item to remove the CPOC work plan. The motion failed. The roll call on  
the vote was as follows:  
AYE:  
NO:  
3 - Parakkat, Robinson, Wesley  
3 - Buchanan, Straw, and President Scaman  
ABSENT: 1 - Enyia  
It was moved by Trustee Straw, seconded by Trustee Wesley, that this Resolution  
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 Parakkat,  
Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
1 - Village Trustee Robinson  
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Enyia  
ABSENT:  
ID 25-185  
T.  
Study Session on Homeownership Programs  
Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director Jonathan  
Burch presented the Item.  
Presentations were given by Illinois Realtors Local Government Affairs  
Director Michael Bailey and his colleague Lisa, Illinois Housing  
Development Authority (IDHA) Account Manager of Community and  
Diversity Outreach Fabiola Candlish, and Community Partners for  
Affordable Housing (CPAH) Vice President Amy Kaufman.  
Trustee Straw inquired about the impact of the community land trust idea  
on the ability to develop density. VP Kaufman said most of the  
development CPAH has done has been single family and they have never  
done anything over 14 units for the land trust model. It is better targeted for  
the higher income levels because the homeowner association (HOA) fees  
will be a lot for someone below 80% of area median income (AMI). The  
land trust as a nonprofit is not paying property taxes.  
He asked if there is any disincentive to improvements to properties  
because they aren't going to recoup as much. VP Kaufman said there are  
a limited number of improvements that are structural and can earn a  
depreciated credit if you have to move. He inquired about the ongoing  
costs for a municipality. She said CPAH is independent and handle their  
own operating costs. The municipalities provide the money for the project  
and some operating support.  
He asked about the impact of interest rates on inventory and if there are  
any policy prescriptions. Illinois Realtors representative Lisa said it does  
affect inventory because people don't want to sell their home because there  
is nowhere to go. VP Kaufman said the missing middle inventory is an  
addressable issue. The first-time buyer and downsizer are often going for  
the same property. We could use more multi-family housing that could  
serve a variety of needs. Director Bailey noted the transfer tax is $8 per  
$1,000 which is on the higher end and a potential barrier to selling.  
Trustee Straw said he would support moving quickly on removing  
exclusionary zoning ordinances to allow for the construction of those  
missing middle types of developments by right. He said he would be open  
to exploring the idea of a community land trust and he would like to see it  
focus on the development of missing middle types of housing rather than  
the development of single family homes. Developing first-time homebuyer  
assistance on top of the IDHA programs would make sense. Manager  
Candlish noted any IDHA program needs to go through the 8-hour  
homebuyer education class. The city of Chicago has empty lot programs  
that have an affordable housing aspect to it.  
Trustee Robinson asked if homeowners have to stay under the AMI  
threshold. Both representatives from IDHA and CPAH confirmed they do  
not. She asked if either program prohibits homeowners from taking  
advantage of other municipal-type grant programs. Manager Candlish said  
as long as IDHA holds the second lead position, they can continue to layer  
as many times as that lead organization deems necessary.  
Trustee Robinson asked what the Village's role would be with these two  
programs. Director Burch said the Village would provide education for  
homeownership assistance and down payment programs. She asked if a  
program could be developed to identify vacant properties and purchase  
them and fix them for sale. Director Burch said staff have been thinking  
about doing a program like that. She asked if there is a role for the Housing  
Trust Fund (HTF). Director Burch said yes, it would allow flexibility.  
She said she would like staff to come back with a suite of options that are  
centered around affordable housing goals specifically with respect to  
homeownership. She said she would love an advisory committee to come  
together and help us figure out what to do zoning-wise. Manager Jackson  
said staff can bring that back on its own. President Scaman noted the  
strategic housing study also highlighted the idea of a zoning task force.  
Trustee Parakkat said clarifying the goals and what this accomplishes for  
us as a community is not clear and would be a great starting point. He said  
the land trust model has tax implications. He asked if the equity portion is  
taxable for the homeowner, which VP Kaufman confirmed. The land trust  
does not pay taxes on the land. He noted that does not contribute to the tax  
base of this community, which was confirmed. She noted a large  
percentage of homes were not producing anything on the tax rolls when  
they were purchased.  
He asked how many affordable units are possible. VP Kaufman said it  
started with 2-4 homes a year. It accelerates as you have success and  
funding falls into place. He said it would be good to know the opportunity  
cost to benefit between rental affordability and homeownership  
affordability. Director Burch referenced two local developments providing  
$1.7M once we netted out the fees that the Village is providing subsidies in  
other ways. The Village has made substantial investments in the past in its  
rental housing stock.  
Trustee Parakkat said there is a price point to entering and staying in the  
community and none of these incentives address that. Manager Jackson  
said that has been prioritized in our Board goals and there is convergence  
between this item, the strategic vision for housing, and our economic vitality  
strategic plan. We want to broaden the tax base and reduce the tax burden  
while honoring our values for providing additional supply for affordable  
housing, rental, and homeownership. There is tension between our goals  
and the question is how we manage those trade-offs.  
Trustee Parakkat said he believes demand will outpace supply and our  
ability to make the community affordable becomes a losing proposition.  
Director Burch echoed the tension between some of the Board goals.  
Trustee Wesley said there is a cost of doing nothing which we have been  
doing for a long time. We built a lot of apartment units but we didn't build  
any homes. If we got rid of single family zoning we probably could have built  
more homes. He inquired about the profile of the typical buyer. Illinois  
Realtors representative Lisa said she has a young couple about age 35  
who are first time home buyers around $440K. She also works with  
professionals in the $600-$700K range who ay be second time home  
buyers. There are also $1M plus buyers. Manager Candlish agreed that the  
profile for different buyers has changed.  
Trustee Wesley said because there is so little liquidity in the market, it's  
hard for anybody to find what they're looking for. Director Bailey added that  
buyers are going to have to settle and change what they're willing to look at,  
such as a house that needs renovation and will need to go through the  
lengthy permitting process. Our seniors are moving into the high rises.  
Illinois Realtors representative Lisa added that Oak Park doesn't have  
many single-story homes for seniors.  
Trustee Wesley said he is supportive of all of the programs mentioned. We  
need to increase supply and change zoning and be less restrictive about  
what we allow to be built here and where.  
President Scaman said we are here because we have goals to become  
diverse socioeconomically. We do have space to build a missing middle  
and we know we need to address zoning to see that happen.  
There will be an Easing into Home Ownership seminar tomorrow night at  
Oak Park Public Library.  
A Resolution Approving a Funding Grant Agreement with the Oak Park  
River Forest Chamber of Commerce to Conduct Three New Programs in  
Fiscal Year 2025  
RES 25-140  
U.  
Development Services Director Emily Egan presented the Item.  
Trustee Wesley said as long as the Village and Chamber are okay with the  
contracts, he is fine with them.  
Trustee Robinson inquired about private security for First Fridays. Director  
Egan said one proposal for First Fridays is for four different events over the  
summer. The Village would like to work in partnership with the Chamber on  
the site plan details. We have worked with the Police Department to  
identify other big community events around those days that might require  
additional staffing. These are high end estimates that will be refined and  
finalized by April 15.  
Trustee Robinson said she would like for the Village to offer the same  
kinds of supports to other programs and first-time events. Director Egan  
noted the Village is a financial partner on these new events and therefore  
want to monitor its success and see how we can learn from them and grow.  
President Scaman asked if Trustee Robinson would see the Village  
absorbing these costs for the future. Trustee Robinson said she thinks that  
is too hard to tell right now. President Scaman said she agreed.  
Trustee Wesley said he liked the emphasis on partnership and is looking  
forward to watching these events grow and seeing the community connect.  
OPRF Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Darien Marion-Burton  
said there is a difference between this program and the programming for  
members. These events will be open to all businesses and residents.  
Trustee Parakkat asked if the Chamber will have the right level of staffing if  
this is approved. Director Marion-Burton said they need to make one key  
hire of a partner program manager to execute all of these. Trustee  
Parakkat asked if the thought has evolved on the selection of the business  
districts and if metrics will be isolated by location. Director Egan said the  
reports the Village is requesting from the Chamber will be standardized  
regardless of the site plans.  
Trustee Parakkat said he would have been more comfortable if the  
economic vitality plan was informing some of this but we do not have that  
handy. Director Egan said the strategic Board goals call out building  
capacity in business districts and bridging the connection between the  
business district and the neighborhood. Manager Jackson agreed we are  
connected to our goals and where we are headed with the vision for  
economic vitality. This is new and different and it will have an impact on us  
operationally. We are committed to partnering and making sure it is  
consistent with our goals and we will continue to report out on the metrics.  
Trustee Parakkat said he is comfortable with where it's at.  
Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said the Police Department supports it.  
Staffing is a concern for them, especially on dates where events are  
already scheduled.  
It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee Enyia,  
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 Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village  
Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley  
0
NAYS:  
1 - Village Trustee Buchanan  
ABSENT:  
XII. Call to Board and Clerk  
Trustee Straw said he attended a demonstration outside Lurie's for trans  
teens to get gender-affirming care. The national administration is pursuing  
an agenda of chaos that would prevent this kind of progressive work on a  
municipal level. It highlights the importance of the leadership of the Village  
Board and other governing bodies in the community. It is important that this  
body continues to make clear that if you are against DEI, you are opposed  
to diversity, equity, and inclusion that this and other governing bodies will  
stand and fight for.  
President Scaman said she appreciates the comments and we will  
continue to speak out about the need to serve and protect and call out hate  
and to stand for the values that we aspire to here in the Village.  
Trustee Enyia thanked the Oak Park Fire Department for stepping up at the  
Black History Month event and acknowledged our newest firefighter  
Savannah Reinhart was sworn in today.  
XIII. 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 10:01 P.M.,  
Tuesday, February 18, 2025.  
Respectfully submitted,  
Deputy Clerk Hansen