123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Monday, May 22, 2023

7:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Vicki Scaman called the Special Meeting to order at

7:03 P.M.

II. Roll Call

6 -

Present:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat,

Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

Absent:

III. Agenda Approval

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

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

IV. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following public comment into the

Record:

Anonymous: At the May 15 meeting, Trustees voted for an amendment to

add the term "anti-Semitism" without discussion. The proposed

amendment should be pulled and discussed openly to determine what

happened, why, and how this decision was made. The statement is a sham

and should be tabled until further input is given from diverse community

members.

President Scaman thanked the public commenter. She said Village Board

and staff are in agreement with the equity statement and the missing of the

word "anti-Semitism" which was a human error. She apologized for the

error.

V. Proclamation

MOT 23-59

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for Proclaiming May 2023 as

Community Mental Health Board 50th Anniversary.

President Scaman read the Proclamation into the Record.

Community Mental Health Board Executive Director Cheryl Potts thanked

the Village Board and community for their support.

It was moved by Trustee Buchanan, 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 Parakkat,

Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

ABSENT:

MOT 23-60

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation In Honor of John Lynch May 22, 2023.

Trustee Wesley read the Proclamation into the Record.

Oak Park Economic Development Corporation Executive Director John

Lynch thanked the Village Board and staff and his colleagues and family for

their support during his tenure.

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 Parakkat,

Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

ABSENT:

VI. Regular Agenda

ID 23-223

Presentation and Discussion on Municipal Options for Blending Renewable

Energy within Retail Supply and Aggregation Contracts

Clerk Waters read the following public comment into the record:

John Michelotti: Stated information about the PJM utility grid operator and

requested the Village Board to ask Mr. Pruitt how Oak Park will be able to

meet its goals to have actual renewable power without using renewable

energy credits when our grid is not accepting any new renewable projects.

Deputy Village Manager Ahmad Zayyad introduced the Item.

Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network (ICCAN) Principal Mark

Pruitt presented the Item.

Trustee Buchanan inquired if it has to be municipal buildings. Principal

Pruitt said there is no legal way to install panels on a church and buy that

electricity. Risks can include counter party risk, technology risk, and if the

cost of power generated from resources is higher than the utility.

Municipalities can work together through the joint purchasing provisions to

increase the volume to get better negotiating terms. The challenge is

getting everyone to agree on the terms.

Principal Pruitt said a municipality can join any other municipal contract

outside of Illinois provided the initial contract was led through a competitive

bidding process. Look at the counter party risk of the retail suppliers, vet

them closely, and mitigate risk by requiring performance bonds within the

contract. It's possible to contract directly with the energy supplier or work

with a middle man. A contract can be exited but it would be difficult to build

that into an initial contract without a penalty. It's best to spread the risk by

not having all contracts with the same technology or company.

Trustee Robinson asked if the Village would become a market participant

if it takes and sells units of energy. Principal Pruitt said that would not be

the case. That is a retail transaction and the Village is the end user of that

electricity. The virtual power purchase agreement is a wholesale

transaction whereby the Village is a transactor. Trustee Robinson said she

thinks aggregating with other municipalities, even in other states, makes

sense to share that risk.

Trustee Straw asked if it is common for commercial entities to participate

to offset electricity costs. Principal Pruitt said very much so and these

contracts are common for municipalities that operate their own utilities as

the cost of the technology is lower now and there is a higher level of interest

and incentive. Behind the meter projects are cheaper because there are

higher incentives and the economic benefit is higher. Trustee Straw said it

makes sense from a risk perspective to diversify our options and look at

both onsite and off-site projects.

President Scaman explained that C4 is a group of 14 communities that

have signed on together to address reducing greenhouse gases. She

welcomed Principal Pruitt's involvement.

Trustee Parakkat said he is concerned about the risk of obsolescence with

onsite technologies and he favors the off-site model even though it is less

favorable financially.

Principal Pruitt said he is conducting roof assessments and determining

how much power the ComEd system can accommodate. ComEd's

projection is to reach 12% renewables by 2030. The Village can install its

own batteries which would mitigate the problem of overloading the

substation. 20 years is the minimum life expectancy for most solar projects,

which gradually lose their productive capacity over time. Wind farm

hardware wears out and needs to be replaced with larger turbines. In

response to the public comment, Principal Pruitt said PJM has made it

clear they are not accepting new applications. There are thousands in the

queue.

Deputy Manager Zayyad said next steps will be for staff to analyze

historical data and take an inventory of site opportunities and come back to

the Village Board later this year with options.

ID 23-251

Presentation and Discussion on Current Business Trends, Recent New

Developments, and Past Planning Efforts Regarding Roosevelt Road and

North Avenue

Judith Alexander, Chair of North Avenue District, Inc: Has been working

since 2013 to revitalize North Avenue. Accepted the CMAP revitalization

plan and the transportation, mobility, and safety study. Urged the Village

Board to expedite completing the streetscape, including curb extensions,

trees, and bollards. Urged vigorous and rapid code enforcement and

erecting gateway signs at both Harlem and Austin Avenues.

Assistant Development Customer Services (DCS) Director Cameron

Davis presented business trends and recent new developments on the

Roosevelt Road and North Avenue corridors.

Village Planner Craig Failor presented past planning efforts on the two

corridors.

Trustee Wesley asked how long it took to complete the Ellers study.

Planner Failor responded that it was done within a six-month period.

Trustee Wesley asked if Oak Park not having TIFFs contributed to the

different outcomes on Roosevelt Road. Planner Failor acknowledged that

Oak Park's higher taxes and not having the TIFF incentive were

disadvantages.

Trustee Wesley wondered why the Village Board at the time declined the

business improvement district (BID), SSA and TIFFs. DCS Director

Tammie Grossman said the political climate at the time required all taxing

bodies to agree relating to a TIFF and Oak Park did not have the best track

record in spending TIFF funds and the political will was not there for a TIFF.

The district was not organized enough to do an SSA which is why the staff

recommended the BID. The business district strongly opposed. The Village

Board at the time ultimately decided not to go forward with the BID.

Assistant Director Davis said Roosevelt Road is under-performing and he

would like the Village Board to consider reestablishing the planning in

business districts in years past.

Trustee Parakkat requested data on the current and desired composition

of retail businesses and an understanding of why businesses left those

corridors.

In response to the public comment, Trustee Straw asked if the Village

Board can expedite the timelines. Village Engineer Bill McKenna said the

state budget has $21.4M for the North Avenue streetscape project led by

the city of Chicago. The Village is working with CDOT and Representative

Lilly to get the funds released to start designing the project with an

anticipated construction season in 2026. The Village has met with the city

to define the limits of Harlem to Central. There is not an IGA in place yet but

all are in agreement and the intent is that the Village will have a seat at the

table and have full say for design elements and public engagement.

Trustee Straw asked if it is possible to consider minority and

women-owned businesses for new business licenses. Assistant Director

Davis said the Village does not currently collect that data. Trustee Straw

inquired about efforts to fill vacant commercial spaces. Assistant Director

Davis gave an example on the 6200 block of Roosevelt Road of a former

tire and battery location. The Village assists commercial brokers and

started a walk-through program with potential businesses which it does

nearly weekly.

Trustee Robinson noted that information about the past three TIFFs is on

the Village website. She requested more information on the BID and SSA

options. President Scaman noted that Downtown Oak Park is now an SSA.

Trustee Wesley asked what will be done differently this time to revitalize

these districts. Manager Jackson responded that the Village has a contract

with OPEDC which is responsible for recruitment of businesses. Assistant

Director Davis said the Village will support people that want to invest in the

districts and partner with existing business associations. Oak Park has had

more than 100 new business start-ups each year for the past three years,

with the biggest months in April through July.

Chair Alexander clarified that North Avenue District, Inc. is a group of

stakeholders, not residents. Half the board are business owners, half are

from Chicago, half from Oak Park, and half are people of color. Half of

businesses along North Avenue are minority-owned. Wonderworks

Children's Museum would love to expand. One idea is to close off Elmwood

and exercise imminent domain over the long vacant IHOP.

RES 23-182

A Resolution Approving a Fiscal Year 2022 Community Project Funding

Grant Agreement No. B-22-CP-IL-0333 between the United States

Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Village of Oak

Park for the North Avenue Gateway Safety Improvement Project in an

Amount Not to Exceed $200,000 and Authorizing its Execution

Engineer McKenna presented the Item.

Trustee Straw asked if the gateway sign at Harlem would be from a

different source of funds than the sign at Austin. Engineer McKenna said

CDOT is not opposed to using the funds for the Harlem because it is

consistent with the streetscape project. Trustee Straw recommended

reaching out to stakeholders to ensure the design proposals make the

signs feel inviting and not exclusionary. Engineer McKenna confirmed there

will be public engagement meetings and targeted outreach to

stakeholders.

Trustee Parakkat asked if the Village Board will have the option to choose

the design of the gateway signs. Engineer McKenna said the Village will

work with IDOT and CDOT and present design concepts and price points

to the Village Board. The Board will select a concept and the Village will

reengage a consultant to produce the design. The Village Board will have

multiple points of engagement. The Village is looking at state funds and

other funding sources such as a grant through Illinois Transportation

Enhancement Program (ITEP). Trustee Parakkat said he has no issues

with moving forward.

Trustee Buchanan inquired about the push back to the gateway signs.

Chair Alexander said they received a lot of negative feedback on

Facebook from residents who say they live east of there. President

Scaman noted that the Village has approved a racial equity assessment

and supports minority and women-owned businesses and is mindful of this

way of operating in everything it does.

Trustee Parakkat asked if the scope of the Vision Zero Plan includes North

Avenue and Roosevelt Road. Engineer McKenna said Vision Zero will

primarily focus on internal streets. The Village has a complementary

program through CMAP to look at the perimeter arterial streets. Trustee

Parakkat inquired if realigning Oak Park Avenue through North Avenue is

included in the plan. Engineer McKenna responded that it is included in the

study's longer term improvements.

President Scaman noted this Item received support from Senator Dick

Durbin.

It was moved by Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Trustee Wesley, 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 Parakkat,

Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

ABSENT:

MOT 23-55

A Motion to Approve an Updated Organizational Chart for the Village

Manager’s Office and Development Customer Services Department,

Including the Creation of a Neighborhood Services Department

Manager Jackson introduced the Item.

Chris Donovan: Said the changes in leadership with the retirements of

John Lynch and Tammie Grossman is a time to change the format.

Supports OPEDC dissolving but wonders where those functions will go.

Asked for more information on the Ellers study. Says emphasizing small

businesses is the way to go, especially along Roosevelt Road and North

Avenue.

Assistant Village Manager/HR Director Kira Tchang presented the

alternative recommendation (Option 2) and outlined the modifications to

the original recommendation (Option 1).

Trustee Wesley said he likes Option 1 and hopes OPEDC will be involved

in the transition plan. Assistant Manager Tchang noted there are financial

implications to Option 1 and staff will seek guidance from the Village Board

on where the funding will come from. The delta is roughly $530K. Manager

Jackson agreed the funds will have to be found within the general fund in

order to maintain the same amount for OPEDC. Assistant Manager

Tchang said staff recommends Option 1 which addresses a broader range

of needs within the organization.

Trustee Buchanan asked what feedback Option 2 addresses. Assistant

Manager Tchang said that staff heard an interest from the Village Board in

having further discussion about OPEDC and an option for them to continue

to receive funding from the Village. Staff also heard the desire to determine

immediate needs and create fewer positions. Staff would look to OPEDC

to partner on an economic vitality study and continue leading in economic

development. They would not necessarily disband in the next fiscal year but

give the Village and OPEDC more time to go through the planning phase

which would then determine the next steps. The re-org would occur in

phases.

Trustee Buchanan noted that the Village is giving OPEDC more than

before after John Lynch's salary is taken away. Assistant Manager Tchang

said the Village wanted OPEDC to be able to continue to pay their staff

and meet their financial obligations this year.

Trustee Robinson asked for clarification on OPEDC's contract end date.

Manager Jackson said it is concurrent with the term of the Village

President. Assistant Manager Tchang said the $400K is for the annual

term of the contract. Manager Jackson said there are no proposed

changes to the scope of services at this time. The expectation from the

Village is that OPEDC would provide leadership on creating a new vision

for economic development, rather than waiting for the Village to conduct a

study. The Village Board would likely have to amend the contract to create

some expectations.

Assistant Manager Tchang said the Deputy Manager will take on similar

work as the Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director. If

it is not a standalone department, the executive coordinator and

administrator would not need to be hired. The new housing programs

coordinator position is recommended for both options. The Village is

proposing that the welcome center coordinator be a reconstituted position

that is budgeted within the Village Manager's Office.

Trustee Robinson said she favors Option 1 because of its focus on the

neighborhood services department which will be important for the DEI,

sustainability, and Vision Zero initiatives. The Village still gets the benefit of

OPEDC's expertise for the shortened time period.

Trustee Straw said he prefers Option 1 for reasons of community

engagement. He wondered what changed with OPEDC other than John

Lynch's departure. Manager Jackson responded that the change has come

with time and the completion of the analysis of what is needed in the

organization. Trustee Straw said he leans toward a compromise where the

Option 1 is implemented, continue funding OPEDC at lower levels, and

bridge the remainder of the year with general funds during the study period

to determine if the external resource is still needed, rather than terminating

the contract now and then deciding we want them back later. Manager

Jackson said the question is what the OPEDC will do during that period of

time. The Village Board can continue to fund OPEDC if it chooses to do

so, which is what Option 2 was aiming to do.

Trustee Parakkat said he would like to understand the economic

development goals and who to hold accountable. He said he favors Option

1 and recommends waiting for the vitality study before creating the

neighborhood services department.

Trustee Buchanan asked how the Village plans to hire a new DCS Director

will be hired and then shrink their scope later on. Manager Jackson said

the parking department is the outlier and makes it more difficult to manage

but he thinks it is possible. The status quo can be maintained for economic

development as the Village looks for opportunities to shrink the department

and move things around in the future. Trustee Buchanan said she favors

Option 1 and would support continuing to fund OPEDC through the end of

the year if it was dramatically shrunk to a half or less of their current annual

budget prorated for the rest of the year.

President Scaman said she is in favor of Option 1. She requested

separating the OPEDC discussion and having them come back to the

Village Board to discuss what they would do if the Village decides to

continue their funding through the end of the year.

Trustee Robinson noted that Option 1 includes the OPEDC for another 90

days. After that time, the Village can assess whether it wants to continue

with OPEDC and perhaps do a 90-day contract extension. Manager

Jackson said he believes the assessment will take longer than 90 days.

Trustee Robinson said OPEDC does not have to be a partner for the entire

duration of the assessment.

Trustee Wesley wondered what the mission would be of the new economic

development structure. Manager Jackson said the Village has not yet had

that discussion. The current OPEDC contract says they do recruitment,

retention, expansion, and development and working with small,

minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. The Village does not

currently have a vision for those things or an incentive policy. Trustee

Wesley said the Village should not assume it will have the services of

OPEDC and its volunteers for 90 days if they are being fired.

Trustee Buchanan said something large would have to be cut from the

general fund to fund the $400K. Manager Jackson said it will take time to

hire the positions so it will not be the full $400K. Trustee Buchanan

acknowledged that OPEDC operated under different Village leadership in

the past and had very strict bylaws. She requested a compromise of Option

1 for the re-org and continuing OPEDC with bare bones funding until the

end of the year. President Scaman said they will not be able to use the

$400K by the end of the year.

OPEDC Acting Director Eric Mazelis said the decision should be made on

what is best for the Village. He inquired if OPEDC has been defunded in

the past. Director Grossman said she does not believe so but the OPDC in

the past was more bank-centered and the Village Board was focused on

large parcels of land.

Acting Director Mazelis spoke about the benefits of an external agency.

Manager Jackson said for the amount of funding they receive from the

Village, which is equivalent to an entire Village department, the external

agency should be leading with the Village as a partner. The Village

supports the continuation if that is what the analysis shows.

It was moved by Trustee Wesley, seconded by Trustee Straw, 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 Parakkat,

Village Trustee Robinson, and Village Trustee Straw

1 - Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

ABSENT:

MOT 23-56

A Motion to Approve an Updated Organizational Chart for the Public

Works Department

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:

6 -

AYES:

Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee Parakkat,

Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Straw, and Village Trustee Wesley

NAYS:

1 - Village Trustee Enyia

ABSENT:

VII. Adjourn

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