123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Monday, March 20, 2023

7:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Vicki Scaman called the Regular Meeting to order at

7:03 P.M.

II. Roll Call

6 -

Present:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

Absent:

III. Agenda Approval

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

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

IV. Minutes

ID 23-165

Motion to Approve Minutes from Special Meeting of February 27, 2023,

Regular Meeting of March 6, 2023 of the Village Board.

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

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

VI. Proclamation

MOT 23-27

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for Proclaiming April 10-14, 2023 as

CDBG National Community Development Week.

Trustee Robinson read the Proclamation aloud.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Robinson, 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 Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

MOT 23-28

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for Proclaiming April 11, 2023 as Dr.

Percy Julian Day.

President Scaman read the Proclamation aloud.

Faith Julian, daughter of Percy Julian, joined the meeting by phone to give

her remarks and gratitude for reinstating Percy Julian Day. She said she

looks forward to meeting the Trustees, Village Manager, and Village Clerk.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Enyia, 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 Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

V. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Nancy Schroeder: Resident of 1100 block of South Euclid. Initiated a

petition in 2019 for traffic calming measures at Euclid and Fillmore and

Wesley and Fillmore. Had a hearing with the Transportation Commission

resulting in recommendations. Urged the Village Board to do its due

diligence and read the public comments from the Commission agenda and

watch the live hearing with public comments; include the Commission's

recommendation on the Village Board agenda ASAP; and vote in favor of

these recommendations.

Emily Masalski: Resident of 1100 block of South Euclid. Passionate about

getting the Transportation Commission's recommendations before the

appropriate person(s) so they can be enacted expeditiously. The Hopes

the Village Board can take action on two of the Commission's six

recommendations immediately: implement a reduced speed of 20 mph as

provided under the Safe Park Zone Act for the intersections of Euclid and

Fillmore and Wesley and Fillmore; and take action to install four-way stop

signs at both intersections.

Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following public comment into the

record:

Caitlin Wilkes: I'm writing to express my concern about the lack of access

to COVID-19 boosters for children under 5 in Oak Park. I've had difficulty

locating a nearby facility. I would need to take my four-year old to a

non-Oak Park pediatrician for an unneeded office visit and it does not

seem fair that I would need to drive to a different city to access this simple

health care measure. If we hope to keep Oak Parkers safe and healthy and

encourage regular vaccinations, local booster clinics are much needed.

VII. Village Manager Reports

ID 23-168

Official Oath of Village Officer: Environmental Services Manager - Erica

Helms

Village Manager Kevin Jackson introduced Environmental Services

Manager Erica Helms. He noted that oaths have previously been done

internally and will now be done publicly at Village Board meetings.

Clerk Waters performed the swearing in.

Manager Jackson introduced Village Engineer Bill McKenna who provided

a status update on the traffic safety petition and the recommendation of the

Transportation Commission, followed by Board discussion.

Engineer McKenna estimated the bump-outs to be $75K. The FY23 budget

includes $55K so the Village will seek approval from the Board for the

increase. The Dunkin Donuts project is under budget and included in the

FY22 resurfacing project. Historical spending for traffic calming

improvements was $25K-$30K annually. The cost of proposed

improvements varies widely so it would be difficult to predict an overall

amount and it depends on how many individual items can be worked

through with the Commission in addition to them working on the holistic

Vision Zero plan.

Manager Jackson noted that a year ago, the Board directed staff to seek

contracted resources to help with the backlog.

VIII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports

There were no comments.

IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 23-164

Board & Commission Vacancy Report for March 20, 2023.

There were no comments.

X. Citizen Commission Appointments, Reappointments and Chair Appointments

ID 23-166

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

Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee - Anne France,

Appoint as Member

Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee - Urmi Sengupta,

Appoint as Member

Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee - Karen Schneller,

Appoint as Member

Farmers’ Market Commission - Macaire Ament, Appoint as Member

Historic Preservation Commission - Amy Peterson, Appoint as Member

Historic Preservation Commission - Mark Weiner, Appoint as Member

Plan Commission - Michael Sturino, Appoint as Member

Plan Commission - Miriam Tamayo, Appoint as Member

Zoning Board of Appeals - Steve Ruszczyk, Term Extension

Clerk Waters read the names into the record.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Buchanan that these

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

6 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

XI. Second Reading

ORD 23-22

Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 15

(“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”), Article 3 (“Parking Meters, Parking Permits,

and Municipal Attendant Parking Lots”), Section 15-3-18 (“Parking Rates;

Parking Meters, Pay By Space Machines, Village Operated Parking

Structures, Permit, Extended Pass, Valet and Daytime On Street Permit

Parking”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Establish a Reduced Parking

Permit Fee Program

Manager Jackson introduced the Item for discounted parking permits for

housing choice voucher holders.

Parking Services & Mobility Manager Sean Keane said there have been

no changes since the first reading on March 6. Staff had pitched this idea

at the February 14, 2022 Board meeting in alignment with the Village

Board's goal of affordability. It will be effective April 1 with any quarterly

parking permit. The goal is to get the program integrated with the Village's

online software. For now, applicants would have to come into the Village to

apply with a document provided by the Housing Authority. The Village will

rely heavily on the Housing Authority to inform their clients about this

program and may look into further marketing in the future.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Buchanan, 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 Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

XII. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved by Trustee Wesley and seconded by Trustee Buchanan 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 Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

ORD 23-12

ORD 23-21

An Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget

This Ordinance was adopted.

An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Vehicles and Equipment

Owned by the Village of Oak Park

This Ordinance was adopted.

A Motion to Approve the Unaudited Year-to-Date Quarterly Financial

Report as of December 31, 2022

This Motion was approved.

A Motion to Approve the Bills in the Amount of $7,107,628.24 from

January 13, 2023 through February 17, 2023.

This Motion was approved.

A Motion to Approve the February 2023 Monthly Treasurer’s Report for All

Funds

This Motion was approved.

A Resolution Approving a Three-Year Lease and Maintenance Agreement

with Canon Solutions America for Copier Equipment at a Cumulative

Three-Year Not to Exceed Cost of $102,000 and Authorizing Execution of

the Agreement

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-106

RES 23-109

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Program Year (PY) 2022

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds Action Plan

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving the Renewal of the Annual Software License and

Support and 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

$196,509.44 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-111

RES 23-112

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Program Year (PY) 2020

Annual Plan for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) By Adding

Returned Funds to the Public Works Department Capital Budget

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Task Order for Professional Architectural and

Engineering Services with Studio GC, Inc. for the Main Fire Station Bunk

Room Renovations and AC Unit Replacement Project and the North Fire

Station Emergency Egress Project in an Amount Not To Exceed $36,225.00

and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-113

RES 23-114

Resolutions Approving Temporary License Agreements with Five (5) Oak

Park Businesses to Allow the Use of On-Street Parking Spaces for Outdoor

Dining for the 2023 Season Through October 31, 2023, and Authorizing

their Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

Resolutions Awarding Funding Grant Agreements for Affordable Housing

Projects Totaling $1,484,000 from the Housing Trust Fund and Authorizing

Execution of the Agreements

1. Housing Forward - $658,082

2. Housing Forward - $251,341

3. Oak Park Residence Corporation - $450,000

4. West Cook YMCA - $125,000

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-115

RES 23-116

A Resolution Approving the Purchase of Five 2023 Ford Utility Hybrid

Police Interceptor Vehicles with Police Package from Currie Motors of

Frankfort, Illinois in an Amount Not to Exceed $229,460.00 Waiving the

Village’s Bid Process for the Purchase

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. for Permit Plan Review and

Inspection Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $165,000 and Authorizing

its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-117

RES 23-118

A Resolution Approving a Contract with Triggi Construction, Inc. for Project

23-4, Alley Improvements, in an Amount Not to Exceed $2,336,309 and

Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services

with Edwin Hancock Engineering Co. for Design and Construction of Alley

Improvements in 2023 in an Amount Not to Exceed $281,312 and

Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-121

A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Maintenance and Easement

Agreement by and between the Village of Oak Park and the Park District of

Oak Park for the Park District’s Community Recreation Center at 229

Madison Street and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-126

RES 23-128

A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of One 2023 John Deere 444 P 4WD

Loader from West Side Tractor Sales Co. of Lisle, Illinois through the

Sourcewell Joint Purchasing Program in an Amount Not to Exceed

$172,904.24 and Waiving the Village’s Bid Process for the Purchase

This Resolution was adopted.

AA.

A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Cook County Electric Vehicle

Charging Station Grant Program Application

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 23-129

RES 23-130

AB.

AC.

A Resolution Authorizing the Release of Certain Executive Session Minutes

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution authorizing the submission of a Public Health COVID-19

Vaccination Grant Application with the Illinois Department of Public

Health With an Anticipated Funding Amount of $160,892 from October 1,

2022 through December 30, 2023 and Approval of a Subsequent

Agreement for the Grant and Authorizing its Execution

Clerk Waters read the following public comment into the record from:

Christina Welter, Board of Health Commissioner

Lisa Mitchell

Rebecca Ward

Richa Singhal

Asked the Village Board to support the Oak Park Health Department's

application for the COVID-19 Vaccination Grant. This grant will provide

funding so that all community members have equitable access to

life-saving resources and supports a gap in preventative health services in

our community for prevention of communicable disease threats. This grant

can support delivering services early before there is an outbreak and

provide vaccinations to those that cannot access them.

This Resolution was adopted.

XIII. Regular Agenda

ORD 23-23

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”), Article

1 (“In General”), Section 15-1-27 (“Parking Pilot Program”) and Article 4

(“Vehicle Licenses”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Codify the Expansion of

Components of the Village’s 2019 Parking Pilot Program as Directed by the

Village Board on February 27, 2023

Robert Becker: Concerned about the proposed expansion of Zone Y7

parking on the 300 block of South Harvey. The street is already parked up

overnight and formalizing it will make matters worse. Concerned about how

this intersects with snow and leaf removal and existing parking regulations.

Taken aback with the lack of transparency. Urged the Village Board to get

more information and rethink this.

Jay Rowell: Lives on the 300 block of South Harvey. The block is parked up

on both sides of the street every night. With permit parking on one side,

those illegally parked cars will fill the other side, leaving nowhere for

residents' guests. Suggested an alternative of expanding the zone to both

sides of Randolph between Lombard and Harvey. Asked Village Board to

send it back to the Transportation Commission for continued discussion

with residents. Shared photos of cars parked at night.

Allen Matthews: Lives on the corner of Humphrey and Iowa. Opposes the

conversion of Iowa into a parking lot. He takes care of the parkway that

belongs to the Village. He picks up the trash from the parked cars on his

street.

Mark Bukalski: Lives on 1100 block of South Oak Park Avenue and is the

only single-family home being added to Zone Y7. The intersection at

Fillmore has always been dangerous and will be even more so with the

addition of parked cars all the time. Has had to deal with moving vans early

in the morning and people fighting late at night.

Clerk Waters read similar public comments into the record from:

Jillian Sims and Daniel Schneider

Anna Laubach

Katherine Penick

Jeff Griffin

Edward Schweitzer

Esther Warren

Carla Veneziale

Rebeca Griffin

Rosilie Hernandez and Michal Markowski

Wendy Borlabi

Lori Browder

Trustee Robinson requested to remove Item J from the Consent Agenda.

Manager Keane clarified that it is just the west side of the 300 block of

South Harvey where overnight permit parking is proposed. He noted the

ongoing development at 226 Washington and said staff relocated some of

those permit parking holders which is why there has been an increase in

vehicles on that block. People can also park there with temporary passes

since it is not currently permitted.

Regarding the proposal for Randolph between Lombard and Harvey, the

Transportation Commission discussed that as a possibility but the Y7

permit holders primarily live in the Washington Boulevard corridor which is

why the Commission made the recommendation for the 300 block of South

Harvey.

Trustee Robinson said the Village Board received a 100-page PDF of

public comment for the February 27 meeting. She asked staff to again

consider reconfiguring the mapping instead of just expanding all zones.

Manager Keane noted that written notice was given at this meeting and six

Transportation Commission meetings.

Trustee Parakkat inquired about parking enforcement. Manager Jackson

noted that enforcement is affected by the staffing challenges within the

police department. The parking analysis also recommended addressing

the issue of access. Chief Johnson said OPPD has one parking officer on

midnights who is responding to complaints. OPPD is looking to add two

more parking enforcement officers within the next month.

Trustee Parakkat said his preference is to wait until enforcement is being

done before implementing these recommendations. Manager Jackson

said the staffing challenge is a historical one and the Village is actively

working to fix it structurally. A specific timeline cannot be provided this

evening. Staff can follow up with communication about what can be done

with existing resources, though this does not address the access issue.

President Scaman asked if expanding the zone may mitigate congestion

on these blocks and allow permit holders to park closer to their homes.

Manager Keane confirmed the Village is not recommending to increase

the number of permits, but rather to spread out the existing permit holders.

Director Grossman said the Village lot is closed due to the Washington

construction project. Those permit holders are being temporarily located to

the 300 block of South Harvey. Once the construction is over in May or

June, those permit holders will go back to the Village lot, which is why the

Village is proposing only making one side of the 300 block of South Harvey

permit parking post-construction. If it does not work, the Village can come

back and make changes.

Trustee Buchanan said the purpose of addressing this was to give permit

holders a chance to park closer to their homes. The "illegal" parkers could

be the temporary permit holders from the Village lot. She said she supports

it as is.

Trustee Wesley asked if the parking staffing shortage is similar to the

police officer shortage. Chief Johnson said those positions are in the

budget and are a challenge to fill post-COVID.

Trustee Enyia said neighbors and residents should see some of the

congestion decrease once the construction is done.

President Scaman asked Clerk Waters to ensure all public comments from

this evening are shared with the Village Board.

Trustee Parakkat said he will vote no.

Trustee Robinson said she will vote no.

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

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

as follows:

4 -

AYES:

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

Village Trustee Wesley

2 - Village Trustee Parakkat, and Village Trustee Robinson

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

MOT 23-20

AD.

A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommended

Processes and Elements to be Included in a Vision Zero Plan

Engineer McKenna presented the Item. Transportation Commissioner

Brian Straw presented additional information on the Vision Zero Plan.

Trustee Wesley said he loves the Vision Zero Plan and systems-based

approach and would like to see a reduction in enforcement and an

increase in the use of infrastructure for traffic calming.

Trustee Robinson asked if the $150K budget item and $120K grant

reimbursement would be in the same fiscal year. Engineer McKenna said it

will likely span into 2024. The grant requires state approval. Qualifications

will go out next week and it will be a two month process to interview

consultants and develop a proposal. An agreement will likely be presented

at the May 15 Village Board meeting.

Trustee Robinson asked how the areas of concern can be elevated, like

the intersection of Chicago/Fair Oaks/Scoville. Engineer McKenna said

staff will share those areas with the consultant and will do stakeholder and

public engagement. The Village will collect traffic and bike and ped data to

ensure it is hitting the areas it needs to. That particular intersection is

included in the 2023 resurfacing projects for improvements.

Trustee Robinson said she is willing to go with staff's recommendation on

the enforcement, though she shares the Transportation Commission's

concern and hopes the consultant will provide non-police enforcement

alternatives.

Trustee Parakkat said he believes the enforcement needs to continue until

the metrics show otherwise and the system can take over.

Trustee Wesley said the Village is down 20 police officers and 2 parking

officers and cautioned against creating a plan that relies on people to

enforce it. He said he would like to give the consultant wide-ranging powers

to come back with what they believe is the appropriate amount of

enforcement. Engineer McKenna confirmed that is the recommendation

staff is making.

Trustee Buchanan inquired about the difference between the two

approaches. Engineer McKenna said the Village is looking at the concerns

that have been brought up. There will never be zero concerns and

enforcement will always be needed. Commissioner Straw said the Vision

Zero Plan states that enforcement will be a key component. The

Commission instead recommended asking the consultant to what extent

enforcement will be used to supplement the systemic changes. Engineer

McKenna said the Village will look at best practices from places that have

been implementing a Vision Zero Plan.

Trustee Wesley asked if staff will make their own recommendations after

the public planning process. Manager Jackson responded that this is an

opportunity for the Village to examine its enforcement procedures in

relation to Vision Zero and get policy direction from the Village Board on

the infrastructure and enforcement practices. Trustee Wesley said he wants

to ensure the infrastructure is doing the heavy lifting. Engineer McKenna

confirmed the Commission and staff are in alignment on that.

Trustee Enyia said everyone is working together to address these

concerns in an equitable way. He recommended prioritizing the issues and

acting sooner with funds available rather than waiting for the consultants.

Trustee Parakkat said the question is what is the right balance between

infrastructure and enforcement. Enforcement will be needed until the data

shows otherwise. Engineer McKenna confirmed it will be a multi-year

implementation plan that is a living document with continuous evaluation.

Trustee Buchanan asked if the concern about enforcement is coming from

a DEI perspective. Engineer McKenna said the DEI evaluation is

consistent with all Vision Zero Plans and is a core principle of the planning

process and final document. Dr. Walker said the assessment will be rooted

around the intended outcome and its impact. It is important to talk about

enforcement in the engagement opportunities to gain an understanding

from the community about their feelings about enforcement.

President Scaman said the Transportation Commission wants to raise the

bar for the infrastructure and that is what the Village will communicate to the

consultant as the high priority. She said she will go with staff's

recommendation.

Village Attorney Paul Stephanides suggested a friendly amendment to

concur with the Transportation Commission's recommendation with the

additional recommendation from Village staff regarding enforcement.

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

Motion be approved as amended. 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 Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Taglia

ABSENT:

XIV. Call to Board and Clerk

Clerk Waters said early voting is underway at Village Hall beginning today

for suburban Cook County voters through Monday, April 3.

Trustee Parakkat urged residents to vote and congratulated Manager

Jackson on his first anniversary as Village Manager.

Trustee Buchanan acknowledged D200 for their Inclusivity Week.

Trustee Wesley said hello to his son and congratulated Manager Jackson.

President Scaman congratulated Manager Jackson. Harriette Gillem

Robinet received an award from the Literary Hall of Fame at Dominican

University on March 14. She thanked Faith Julian for joining the meeting

this evening.

XV. Adjourn

It was moved by Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Trustee Robinson, to Adjourn. A

voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:40

P.M., Monday, March 20, 2023.

Respectfully Submitted,

Deputy Clerk Hansen