123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Monday, November 15, 2021

6:30 PM

Remote

I. Call to Order

Village President Scaman called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. She

authorized a statement be read providing that the meeting is being held

remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines and that it is not

prudent to have people present at the Village Board's regular meeting

location due to public health concerns related to that pandemic.

II. Roll Call

7 -

Present:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

Absent:

III. Consideration of Motion to Adjourn to Executive Session to Discuss Litigation

It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee

Robinson, to enter into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) -

Approval of Executive Session Minutes, and pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) -

Pending Litigation. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as

follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

V. Reconvene to Regular Meeting in Council Chambers and Call to Order

The Regular Meeting reconvened at 7:01 P.M.

VI. Roll Call

7 -

Present:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

Absent:

VII. Agenda Approval

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested Item H be move from the

Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda.

It was moved by Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla, seconded by Village Trustee

Parakkat, to approve the Agenda as Amended. The motion was approved. The

roll call on the vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

VIII. Minutes

MOT 21-118

Motion to Approve Minutes from Regular Remote Meeting of November 1,

2021 and Special Remote Meeting of November 8, 2021 of the Village

Board.

It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee

Robinson, to approve this Motion. The motion was approved. The roll call on the

vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

IX. Non-Agenda Public Comment

The following person spoke their Non-Agenda Public Comments aloud:

Laura Sakiyama: Laura Sakiyama spoke their public comment in support

of Dr. Chapple, the village's Public Health Director, and in extending the

emergency authority of the Health Director.

Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following Non-Agenda Public

Comments aloud:

Bike Walk Oak Park Advocacy Team: The Bike Walk Oak Park

Advocacy Team submitted their public comment outlining the Vision Zero

initiative for the village and their support for the village to design a safety

infrastructure around schools and to undertake programs that will

encourage and enhance walking and cycling safety.

J. Luke Alberts: J. Luke Alberts submitted their public comment in

support of rescinding the Oak Park Health Department's emergency

authorization powers. They believe it is now time to start getting the village

to become more progressive as it relates to COVID restrictions and bring

some normalcy back to schools.

Kerri Joy: Kerri Joy submitted their public comment in support of expiring

the emergency powers of the Oak Park Health Department. The village is

no longer in an emergency state but rather a state of transition and we

should trust in the decision to allow the order to expire and focus on what is

necessary for our community to navigate nimbly and collectively in the

months to come as we begin to bring back a new normal for this great

community.

Amy Butler: Amy Butler submitted their public comment in disagreement

with the Board's decision to expire the emergency authorization of the

health department without public discussion, requesting that this be put on

the agenda.

Anne McNamee: Anne McNamee submitted their public comment

expressing concerns over the expiration of the health department's

emergency authorization powers and asked for the continued support of

Dr. Chapple's leadership and to extend the emergency authorization.

Ana Garcia & Jim Doyle: Ana Garcia & Jim Doyle submitted their public

comment urging to maintain Dr. Chapple-McGrudder's emergency powers

as we are still in the midst of the pandemic. Hamstringing our public health

officials from responding in ways they should be enabled to do creates the

possibility of continuing to prolong the pandemic and strips our public

health department of exactly what it should be doing and is trained to do:

protecting the health of our community, especially the most vulnerable

among us.

Black Residents of Oak Park (BROOP): Black Residents of Oak Park

(BROOP) submitted their public comment concerned with issues related to

the department of public health, which include the mistreatment of the

health director, the expiration of the temporary emergency order, and the

general lack of confidence in our Village leaders due to failure in process

and lack of transparency while addressing this issue. They urged the

Village board to extend the emergency powers to allow Dr.

Chapple-McGruder to continue protecting the community and its most

vulnerable residents.

Bryan James: Bryan James submitted their public comment in support of

the amazing job Dr. Chapple-McGrudder is doing in response to the

pandemic and asked to not restrict her decision making authority.

Brynne Hovde: Brynne Hovde submitted their public comment thanking

the volunteers, District 97 staff, village staff and the health department for

coordinating the vaccine clinics and urged the Board to extend the

emergency order.

Charlotte Niznik: Charlotte Niznik submitted their public comment in

support of the extension of Dr. Chapple-McGrudder's authorization to make

reasonable rules, regulations and orders related to Covid mitigation

measures to ensure the health and safety of all Oak Park residents.

Deanna Barnes: Deanna Barnes submitted their public comment in

support of extending Dr. Chapple-McGrudder's authority related to

Covid-19 mitigation measures. They find it unacceptable that Dr.

Chapple-McGruder's work has come at the expense of constant

harassment as Oak Park continues to show that white supremacy and

systemic racism are thriving - in abundance.

Don Hosek: Don Hosek submitted their public comment imploring the

Board to extend Dr. Chapple-McGrudder's authorization and to consider

making the director’s authority to institute rules regulations and orders

relating to disease control a permanent part of their remit.

Dot Lambshead Roche: Dot Lambshead Roche submitted their public

comment to provide an extension of the emergency powers of Dr.

Chapple-McGrudder, and move forward with all the other pressing issues

of this governing board.

Eunice Hawkins: Eunice Hawkins submitted their public comment in

enthusiastic support of Dr. Theresa Chapple-McGruder as the Oak Park

Public Health director and extending her emergency powers, especially at

this critical time when transitioning into the winter months and potential

Covid surges. They strongly urged the Board to extend Dr. Chapple’s

emergency powers immediately.

George Bailey: George Bailey submitted their public comment

expressing their concern over Dr. Chapple's encountering an atmosphere

that keeps her from comprehensively performing the role(s) for which she

was hired and asked the Board to consider their lack of transparency of

this issue. They will not stand for a black woman, who is an expert in her

field and an employee of this Village, to be subjected to institutionalized

oppression and harassment in the workplace.

Jacquelyn Rodriguez: Jacquelyn Rodriguez submitted their public

comment asking to extend the emergency authorization to Dr. Chapple.

We are still actively in a pandemic and our safety still relies on quick and

informed action. Things happen very slowly at the table, and that is not

something we can afford right now.

Jameel Abdur-Rafia: Jameel Abdur-Rafia submitted their public

comment requesting to extend authorization to Dr. Chapple-McGruder so

that she can continue to act nimbly to protect our community. Referring to

an incident with Dr. Chapple, they urged the Board to draft a letter telling

angry white people to stop showing up at people's homes.

Jennifer Hall: Jennifer Hall submitted their public comment requesting the

Board grant an extension of their approval for the current Public Health

Director to continue to have the ability to make rules, regulations, and

orders as pertains to mitigating the effects of Covid-19 in the community.

John Duffy: John Duffy submitted their public comment urging the Board

to extend the existing temporary authorization of Public Health Director Dr.

Chapple-McGruder to allow them to make immediate reasonable rules,

regulations and orders relate to Covid mitigation measures. The

empowerment of Dr. Chapple-McGruder to act expeditiously in face of

ongoing public health needs remains vital for our community’s well-being

and not renewing could potentially bring unnecessary harm to our

community.

Village Clerk Waters stopped reading the Non-Agenda Public Comments

after the 30 minute mark, and will continue to read the remaining comments

at the end of the meeting.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification if a Board

member could assist in reading the Public Comments on behalf of the

Village Clerk when there are numerous comments submitted.

Village Attorney Paul Stephanides responded in the affirmative.

Village Clerk Christina Waters responded at this time she is ok with

reading all of the Public Comments.

X. Proclamation

MOT 21-117

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for America Recycles Day - November

15, 2021

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla commented she will be voting "No" on

this Proclamation; while recycling is something that should be done, there

is a need to move away from single-use plastics and from carbon, oil and

gas and moving towards alternative energy sources .

Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification on the reason for this

Proclamation as most people are aware of recycling.

Village President Scaman responded she brought this Proclamation

forward to coincide with a bench that Trustee Parakkat was going to put at

Village Hall. She appreciates the promotion and education regarding the

recycling industry from this discussion.

Village Trustee Parakkat added while this might be a symbolic gesture,

ultimately we are looking at a cultural shift that will require a variety of

solutions. There is no harm in having this Item and clarified they dedicated

an up-cycled bench to the Oak Park Public Library. These small measures

go a long way to shifting the culture in which we live.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla responded she disagrees and

recommended listening to the discussion from the youth who attended

COP26. There is a need to divest from fossil fuel companies and the

production systems that rely on oil. This symbolic gesture is perpetuating

the system that has already been perpetuated for generations.

Village Trustee Taglia withdrew his motion, and Village Trustee Parakkat

also withdrew his second of the motion.

This Motion was withdrawn.

XI. Village Manager Reports

ID 21-371

Review of the Revised Village Board Meeting Calendars for November and

December 2021

Interim Village Manager Lisa Shelley gave an overview of this Item.

Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification on if the next Board

meeting is next Monday or in December.

Interim Village Manager Shelley clarified next Monday is a special meeting,

the next regular Board meeting will be in December.

Interim Village Manager Shelley then gave an overview of some key points

regarding the expiration of the village's emergency order:

- The authority and duties of the Public Health Director are not being

removed tonight.

- The governor continues to declare a state of emergency on a

month-to-month basis, therefore the Director of Public Health's authority

stays in effect due to the declared emergency.

- This emergency authorization was initially implemented due to the

uncertainty of if the governor's emergency declaration would remain in

effect due to pending litigation and to ensure the village was solid in their

authority. At this time, the governor's emergency declaration is maintained.

- The Public Health Director still has the authority that exists today related

to quarantines for children in schools.

- The position of the Health Director is not being cut tonight.

Village President Scaman expressed her gratitude to the health

department and the Director for keeping the village safe, as well as the

community's response to the pandemic. She also expressed thanks to staff

and volunteers who have helped at the vaccine clinics, including Village

Trustee Buchanan.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla made a motion to bring forward the

renewal of the emergency powers of Dr. Chapple for consideration on next

Monday's agenda. Village Trustee Enyia seconded the motion.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification regarding if Dr.

Chapple brought the expiration of the emergency authority forward to be

placed on the agenda and asked why Dr. Chapple was not in attendance

for this discussion.

Interim Village Manager Shelley responded Dr. Chapple is not in

attendance as this was not on the agenda, and she will invite her to the next

meeting. Interim Village Manager Shelley added the item was not on the

agenda as she had a conversation with Village Attorney Stephanides and

Dr. Chapple as to what the code says and how this emergency order

relates to it. It was determined the authority would remain in place without

renewing the emergency order due to the continued emergency declaration

by the governor.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification if this is a

question of public policy and a question for elected officials to answer.

Interim Village Manager Shelley responded her view was this was

regarding what the code says rather than a public policy issue.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on why private

conversations occurred outside of a public forum regarding the expiration

of the emergency authority.

Village President Scaman responded she believed it was not necessary to

maintain the emergency authority and did not want it to appear to be a lack

of confidence in the Public Health Director by holding a public discussion

and putting an employee unnecessarily in the middle of public debate.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla expressed a concern that the way this

was handled would set a precedent where items would not be brought to

the Board for public discussion and debate.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested confirmation that this Item

will be on the next meeting agenda.

President Scaman confirmed it would.

XII. Village Board Committees & Trustee Liaison Commission Reports

There was no discussion on this Item.

XIII. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 21-379

Board & Commission Vacancy Report for November 15, 2021.

There was no discussion on this Item.

XIV. Public Hearing

ID 21-323

Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 Recommended Budget

Village President Scaman called the Public Hearing to order.

It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat and seconded by Village Trustee

Robinson to open a Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022

Recommended Budget. The motion approved. The roll call vote was as

follows:

AYES: 7 - Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village Trustee

Enyia, Village Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee

Taglia, and Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 0

Village Attorney Paul Stephanides added the Notice of the Hearing was

published by law in the Wednesday Journal on November 3, 2021.

Interim Village Manager Shelley then introduced the Item and Village Chief

Financial Officer Steve Drazner.

CFO Steve Drazner then gave a presentation of the Item.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on what the

increase over the last year was for the EAV (Equalized Assessed Value)

and what accounted for the increase.

CFO Drazner responded the increase was approximately $300 million and

was based on the county's assessment which is based on the market value

of a property and sales tax data. The EAV will fluctuate based on this data.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on if the recent

housing boom (in terms of house prices) has resulted in an over

assessment of value for the EAV.

CFO Drazner responded the low interest rates affords people to buy more

house for the same amount of money, but he expects to see an adverse

effect on house prices as interest rates rise.

Village Clerk Christina Waters then read the following Agenda Public

Comment aloud:

Aaron McManus: Aaron McManus submitted their public comment for

more creative solutions in responses to the community's crisis situations.

Ana Garcia Doyle: Ana Garcia Doyle submitted their public comment

requesting the Board to prioritize the treatment of those in crisis, and start

diverting calls away from police, and is in support of setting aside funds in

the FY2022 budget to create a non-police crisis response team in Oak

Park.

Deborah Fletcher: Deborah Fletcher submitted their public comment

requesting the Board to set aside funds in the FY2022 budget to create a

Non-Police Crisis Response Team.

Alicia Chastain: Alicia Chastain submitted their public comment thankful

that the Village is creating an Affordable Housing Fund in its fiscal year

2022 budget.They request that the Village not fund the Oak Park Housing

Authority using the Affordable Housing Fund in the fiscal year 2022 budget

as the subsidy does not meet the same standard as the grants which were

approved through previous resolutions.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on the

requested line items list of the Affordable Housing Fund.

CFO Drazner responded it was included in the PDF on page 178 of the

budget.

Village Clerk Christina Waters then read the following Agenda Public

Comment aloud:

Susan Fairfax: Susan Fairfax submitted their public comment urging the

board to set aside funds in the FY2022 budget to create a non-police crisis

response team. They suggested the Board take the time to read the recent

study from JAMA about the detrimental health impact of interactions with

police.

Motion to Adjourn the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022

Recommended Budget.

It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat and seconded by Village Trustee

Taglia to adjourn the Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 Recommended

Budget. The motion approved. The roll call vote was as

follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

XV. Second Reading

ORD 21-88

Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Establishing the Annual

Building and Construction Permit Fees and the Zoning Application Fees of

the Village of Oak Park

Interim Village manager Shelley introduced the Item.

There was no further discussion on this Item.

It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia, to

adopt the Ordinance. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as

follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 21-292

A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement With the Oak

Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce to Create a 2021 Holiday Gift

Guide for the Benefit of the Oak Park Business Community in an Amount

Not to Exceed $10,000 and Authorizing its Execution

Interim Village manager Shelley introduced the Item.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla commented she pulled this from the

Consent Agenda as any ARPA dispensation should be discussed as part

of the Regular Agenda as they are limited funds. She requested

clarification if $10,000 for a gift guide is something to be spending ARPA

funds on when the top community responses for the ARPA funds are for

public health and mental health responses.

Interim Village Manager Shelley added this Item was brought to the Board

for discussion as there is an immediate need and time table associated

with it.

Village Trustee Enyia requested clarification on if this will service

businesses of the greater Oak Park area.

Development Customer Services Director Tammie Grossman responded

any business in Oak Park will be able to participate in the gift card program

and the village funds would go to any business in Oak Park that wanted to

participate to receive the $100 subsidy towards the program.

Village Trustee Buchanan noted this program grew out of the previous

business task force that was created at the peak of the pandemic when

businesses were really suffering. This Holiday Gift Guide came out of that

work for last year - this is a repeat of that program and not something new,

so it is a good use of the ARPA funds to keep our businesses afloat.

Village Trustee Enyia requested clarification on if there was any data from

last year on how successful this program was.

Director Grossman responded she will pull the data and present it to the

Board in a memo.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on how this was

funded last year and what the expense was.

Director Grossman responded there was a $30,000 contract with A5 last

year for marketing materials which came out of the General Revenue fund.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla suggested using General Revenue

funds instead of spending ARPA funds, which are a limited source. The

village has already given itself $14 million from the ARPA funds that is in

the General Revenue fund and recommends using $10,000 from that $14

million to fund this project and not a new distribution of ARPA funds.

It was moved by Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla, seconded by Village Trustee

Enyia, to adopt the Resolution. 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 Taglia

1 - Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

XVI. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved Village Trustee Parakkat and seconded by Village 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 Taglia

1 - Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

A Resolution Authorizing the Interim Village Manager to Enter into a

Memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police

Labor Council for the Purposes of Establishing an Alternate Work Schedule

for Police Department Sergeants and Lieutenants

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Authorizing the Interim Village Manager to Enter into A

Memorandum of Understanding with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police

Labor Council for the Purposes of Establishing an Alternate Work Schedule

for Police Department Patrol Officers

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the

Village of Oak Park and the Service Employees International Union Local 73

for Water and Sewer Employees for the Period of July 1, 2020, through

June 30, 2023, and Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Authorizing the Release of the Draft Program Year 2020

Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for a

Comment Period and Approval Thereafter

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 21-285

RES 21-286

A Resolution Approving a Second Amendment to the Independent

Contractor Agreement with H&H Electric Co. to Change the Not to Exceed

Amount from $25,000.00 to $38,000.00 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of 3,000 Tons of Rock Salt from

Compass Minerals America Inc., of Overland Park, Kansas at $55.97 Per Ton

For the 2021/2022 Snow Season in an Amount Not to Exceed $170,000.00

and Waiving the Village’s Bidding Process for Said Purchase

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 21-290

RES 21-293

A Resolution Approving a Contract with Trine Construction Corp. for

Project 21-1, Lemoyne Relief Sewer, in an Amount not to Exceed $1,610,000

and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services

with V3 Companies, Ltd. for Construction Engineering for the Lemoyne

Relief Sewer Project 21-1, in an Amount Not To Exceed $120,640 and

Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 21-294

RES 21-295

RES 21-300

A Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Independent Contractor

Agreement with JLJ Contracting, Inc. to Change the Not-To-Exceed Amount

From $73,450.00 to $76,400.00 and Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving the Renewal of an Independent Contractor

Agreement with Thrive Counseling Center for an Additional One Year Term

in an Amount Not to Exceed $151,500 and Authorizing its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

A Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the

Village of Oak Park and the Illinois FOP Labor Council for Community

Service Officers for the Period of January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023 and

Authorizing Its Execution

This Resolution was adopted.

MOT 21-101

MOT 21-115

A Motion to Approve the Bills in the Amount of $7,139,899.46 from

October 8, 2021, through November 2, 2021

This Motion was approved.

A Motion to Approve the October 2021 Monthly Treasurer’s Report for All

Funds

This Motion was approved.

ID 21-381

Monthly Report on Board Goals

This Report was received and filed.

XVII. Regular Agenda

RES 21-279

A Resolution Approving an Independent Contractor Agreement with

Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC for Municipal Trash, Recycling, Food

Scrap/Yard Waste, Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection

for a Five-Year Term and Authorizing its Execution

Interim Village Manager Shelley introduced this Item.

Public Works Director John Wielebnicki gave an overview of this Item as

well as next steps for the roll out of this program.

Agenda Public Comments:

Vaugh Kuerschner: Vaugh Kuerschner, Waste Management's Public

Sector Rep for the village of Oak Park, spoke his public comment aloud.

They spoke about the 25-year relationship with the village as the vendor for

the village's waste hauling, recycling, and composting programs and hopes

to continue this partnership in the future.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on if Lakeshore

Recycling will be providing compost containers only to those who are

currently participating in the program.

Director Wielebnicki responded that was correct, only current compost

participants will be receiving the containers but there will be composting

opportunities for multi-family units as well.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification regarding an "all

in" waste management program.

Director Wielebnicki responded the current pricing for "opt in" is $15 per

month for a 96 gallon tote. For the "all in" program, it would be a 35 gallon

sized cart at $11 per month to all users. The concern is an increase in

pricing for seniors and low income residents.

Village Trustee Buchanan commented there will be three drop off sites

residents can take their composting to if the do not want to pay to opt in for

this service.

Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification on the number of 96 gallon

and 64 gallon bins currently in the village.

Director Wielebnicki responded approximately 14,000 or 15,000 bins with

an additional 11,000 bins for recycling.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla added she would like to have a

conversation regarding a subsidy for those who want to opt in for

composting to ensure everyone who wants to can participate.

Director Wielebnicki responded this new contract would start April 1st and

suggested having this discussion in the fall.

It was moved by Village Trustee Parakkat, seconded by Village Trustee

Walker-Peddakotla, to adopt the Resolution. The motion was approved. The roll

call on the vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

MOT 21-108

A Motion to Receive the Citizen Police Oversight Committee Semi-Annual

Written Report to the Village Board of Trustees

Interim Village Manager Shelley introduced the Item.

Human Resource Director / Assistant Village Manager Kira Tchang

introduced the Chair of the Citizens Police Oversight Committee (CPOC)

Donovan Pepper who then gave an overview of this Item.

Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification regarding if exit interviews

are monitored by CPOC.

Chair Pepper responded CPOC receives a change in status report from

Police Chief Reynolds but CPOC does not have a role in terms of exit

interviews.

It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee Enyia,

that this Motion be approved. The motion was approved. The roll call on the

vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 21-301

Concur with the Citizens Police Oversight Committee and Adopt a

Resolution Approving Amendments to the Citizens Police Oversight

Committee’s Procedural Rules

Interim Village Manager Shelley introduced this Item.

Human Resource Director / Assistant Village Manager Kira Tchang then

gave an overview of this Item.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested clarification on what

prompted this request.

Village President Scaman responded members of CPOC brought it to her

attention and requested the change.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla commented this is the second time

during her tenure that CPOC is not able to access something or is not

doing something per its ordinance. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

asked the Board to continue to seek out ways to improve transparency and

accountability.

Village Trustee Robinson requested clarification on how many cases

include audio and/ or video recordings.

Chair Pepper responded he was not sure and they have not tracked that

information.

Human Resource Director / Assistant Village Manager Kira Tchang added

the best estimate would be approximately 50% of the complaints reference

video or audio footage.

Village Trustee Robinson expressed concerns regarding instances

involving a minor or the complaint is part of an ongoing investigation and

the confidentiality that should be maintained in those instances.

Village Attorney Paul Stephanides confirmed if the juvenile court act is

implicated (which requires confidentiality of certain records) staff would

ensure it is in compliance of local laws.

It was moved by Village Trustee Enyia, seconded by Village Trustee Parakkat, to

adopt the Resolution. The motion was approved. The roll call on the vote was as

follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 21-256

A Resolution Approving the Third Amended And Restated Operating

Agreement Between the Village of Oak Park and the Oak Park Economic

Development Corporation (Oak Park EDC) and Authorizing its Execution

Interim Village Manager Shelley introduced the Item.

Director of Development Customer Services Tammie Grossman then gave

an overview of this Item.

President Scaman expressed her appreciation in working with the Oak

Park Economic Development Corporation (OPEDC) and Trustee

Buchanan over the last six months, and appreciates the work of the

OPEDC regarding more substantive ways to support small businesses.

John Lynch, Executive Director of the OPEDC, responded the OPEDC has

proposed a number of initiatives internally to promote minority owned

businesses, both existing and potential new ones, and looks forward to

reporting back to the Board with an update in 6 months.

Village Trustee Buchanan commented the OPEDC created a DEI

(Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) statement and an equity statement and

then highlighted four bullet points form the equity statement:

- Proactive communication of the value of racial economic equality to our

development partners when discussing the values of the Village of Oak

Park.

- Targeted outreach to Black & minority-owned development and

investment companies.

- The creation of a referral network with organizations that provide access

to capital, advice, and business services for Black & minority-owned

business ventures.

- Working with community development organizations and/or private

sector partners in the communities adjacent to Oak Park to expand

development and investment that will benefit the whole area.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla expressed the need for improved

transparency around economic development and her concern over the lack

of affordable units in new developments, the rise in rental rates and

affordable housing. Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla added there needs

to be a drastic change in economic development and affordability in Oak

Park.

It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee Taglia,

to adopt the Resolution. 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 Taglia

1 - Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

RES 21-266

AA.

A Resolution Approving the Third Amended and Restated By-Laws of the

Oak Park Economic Development Corporation (Oak Park EDC)

Development Customer Service Director Tammie Grossman gave an

overview of this Item.

Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following Agenda Public Comment

aloud:

Christopher Donovan:Christopher Donovan submitted their public

comment in support of removing the Village Board members and Village

Manager as voting members of the OPEDC.

There was no further discussion of this Item.

It was moved by Village Trustee Buchanan, seconded by Village Trustee

Parakkat, to adopt the Resolution. The motion was approved. The roll call on the

vote was as follows:

7 -

AYES:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

ID 21-372

AB.

Discussion Regarding the Survey Results for the Expenditure of American

Rescue Act Funds

Interim Village Manager Shelley introduced the Item.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested for staff to provide a

demographic breakdown of respondents to better understand who

responded to the survey in the community.

Village Trustee Robinson requested for staff to provide the full line

statements as some are cut off, as well as an explanation on the difference

is between public health expenditures and health equity.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla requested to get Dr. Chapple's

comments on this survey as many of the top items are related to public

health.

Interim Village Manager Shelley recommended having these discussions in

the first quarter of the new year as it will take time to have these

conversations, to see if there are duplicate services, and to determine what

ideas the Board will have.

Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification on the number of

respondents to the survey.

CFO Drazner responded approximately 200 for the survey and

approximately 15 - 20 responses through direct email.

Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on how the number of

respondents to this survey compares historically with other surveys from the

village.

Interim Village Manager Shelley responded the village does not typically do

surveys so it is not easy to compare.

Village Trustee Parakkat expressed concern that 200 respondents is

statistically low for the population of Oak Park and has reservations in

using that as a basis for the large amount of money they are trying to make

a decision on.

Village Trustee Taglia shared the same concern of the low respondent

number and would like to look into this more carefully.

Village Trustee Buchanan suggested using the responses as a tool to

generate ideas and not look at it as a reflection of what the community

wants.

President Scaman suggested exploring additional ways to engage the

community, perhaps focus groups or other targeted emails to larger

groups.

Interim Village Manager Shelley responded staff will provide some

alternatives.

XVIII. Call to Board and Clerk

Village Clerk Waters had no comments.

Village Trustee Buchanan commented the Wednesday Journal has agreed

to include a sustainability and climate change column once a month. She

also expressed her support for Dr. Chapple and gratitude for the vaccine

rollout for children, and is concerned over reports of Dr. Chapple being

harassed.

Village Trustee Parakkat called out the high school students who collected

thousands of pounds of plastic waste to create the recycled bench. It is

great to see the next generation take that kind of initiative to create a

symbol of hope for a sustainable future.

Village Trustee Taglia expressed his thanks for staff and Dr. Chapple

during the pandemic. Harassment is never acceptable and we should be

mindful of this.

Village Trustee Robinson seconded Village Trustee Buchanan's comments

about Dr. Chapple.

Village Trustee Enyia echoed what Village Trustee Buchanan said and

thanked the Health department and all the volunteers for coordinating the

vaccine events to get the young ones vaccinated.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla expressed her support for Dr. Chapple

and her concern of the vilification of public health officials in general and

hopes the Board and the community will do better. She also commented

that the mental health comments from the ARPA survey should not be taken

lightly, especially for post-9/11 veterans in the community.

Village Trustee Parakkat added this was the first time he was hearing

about the harassment of Dr. Chapple and requested more information

about these instances.

President Scaman echoed all the comments and wants all staff at the

village to feel fully supported as they serve the community and have the

resources to do their jobs. She also expressed gratitude with the

vaccinations sites and her thanks to staff and the volunteers who

coordinated the clinics. She also visited the Green Town conference in

Rockford and thanked Village Trustees Buchanan and Parakkat, OPEDC,

and staff who are doing great work with the Climate Action Plan which will

be shared with our neighboring communities.

Village Clerk Waters then continued to read the following Non-Agenda

Public Comments aloud:

Karen Walker Ward: Karen Walker Ward submitted their public

comment support letting the emergency powers expire to unburden Dr.

Chapple with those emergency powers and allow her to work on strategies

to get us closer to our new norm.

Kathrine Nichols: Kathrine Nichols submitted their public comment

urging the Board to extend Dr. Chapple's temporary authorization to make

public health decisions related to Covid mitigation measures as stripping

her of the authority to make expedited decisions would be crippling, and

terribly unwise, as we have seen that outbreaks and new variants can

spread extremely quickly and require swift and decisive mitigation.

Kelley Clink: Kelley Clink submitted their public comment angry at the

blatant attempt of leadership to let the OPDPH authorization expire without

a vote that includes all trustees, and without a chance for the rest of the

community to comment.

Kelley Staley: Kelley Staley submitted their public comment to request a

public discussion regarding the extension of emergency powers for the

Public Health Director, especially as we enter a new phase of living with

Covid-19 as a mostly vaccinated community and a winter surge is widely

predicted.

Kim Jackewicz: Kim Jackewicz submitted their public comment to bring

Oak Park in line with other departments of health in the area and extend the

same powers to the OPDH that other agencies in the area enjoy. Without

the ability to act swiftly, Oak Park could fall behind the curve in protecting its

citizens, in combating outbreaks in schools, and in all the other good work

they've done so far in this pandemic.

Makesha Flournoy: Makesha Flournoy submitted their public comment to

request a transparent process be used to discuss the extension of Dr.

Chapple-McGruder’s authority as it relates to decisions about COVID-19 in

our Community. They hope that this Board will do the right thing and extend

Dr. Chapple’s authority while remembering that she is an employee that

needs to feel safe, resourced and supported.

Maria Pyra: Maria Pyra submitted their public comment to congratulate

and thank the Department of Public Health and D97 on the amazing

vaccine clinics for the 5-11 year old kids last week and their gratitude that

we have a strong public health leader in Dr. Chapple, who can guide us to

make the right decisions to help keep us all as safe as possible.

Misty & Leighton: Misty & Leighton submitted their public comment to

voice their support for a vote that extends the emergency regulatory powers

of the Oak Park Public Health Director and urged the Board to recognize

the moment we are in and vote to empower Dr. Chapple- McGruder's voice

at the table to make informed decisions based on medical consensus and

state / public health guidelines.

Nikhil Trivedi: Nikhil Trivedi submitted their public comment urging the

Board to open up to a public discussion regarding the decision to expire

the emergency powers of the Public Health Director and hold a vote to

extend these powers to prioritize public health, so that village residents can

be safe over this coming winter.

Bryan James: Bryan James submitted their public comment in support of

Dr. Chapple-McGrudder asking the Board to not restrict her decision

making authority.

Norine Gutekanst: Norine Gutekanst submitted their public comment

urging the Board to extend the temporary authorization to our Public Health

Director to make rules, regulations and orders related to Covid-19

mitigation.

Ranga Bodla: Ranga Bodla submitted their public comment expressing

their disappointment to learn that the Village allowed the Director of Public

Health’s authority to make independent decisions expire without even a

discussion at the board table. They requested to empower the public health

department to continue to protect the community.

Robin Kalish: Robin Kalish submitted their public comment asking the

Board to extend Dr. Chapple-McGruder's temporary authorization to make

reasonable rules, regulations and orders related to COVID mitigation

measures. They feel this authorization should be permanent, so that health

directors are able act quickly when needed.

Sharon Lomasney: Sharon Lomasney submitted their public comment in

support of the Oak Park Public Health Director should have the same

decision making authority as other Certified Public Health Departments in

the Cook County.

Shayla Bell: Shayla Bell submitted their public comment asking the Board

to have a *public* discussion about Dr. Theresa Chapple-McGruder's

emergency powers. They also expressd their support for the work Dr.

Chpple-McGrudder has done in her short time in Oak Park.

Sheree Johnson: Sheree Johnson submitted their public comment in

enthusiastic support of Dr. Theresa Chapple-McGruder and to extend

Dr.Chapple’s emergency powers immediately.

Suzanne Feeney: Suzanne Feeney submitted their public comment

requesting the Oak Park Village Board extend Dr. Chapple’s authority to

make quick decisions for the health of our community during the COVID-19

pandemic, and asked the board to consider making her authority

permanent to safeguard our community's public health.

Ted Strom: Ted Strom submitted their public comment complimenting the

seamless roll-out of the vaccination clinics at Beye school, and it is an

example of why the Health Director should have the same decision making

autonomy and have the same decision making authority as other certified

Public Health departments in Cook County.

D97 Board of Education: The D97 Board of Education submitted their

public comment offering their deepest thanks and support to Dr. Theresa

Chapple-McGruder and the Oak Park Department of Public Health for the

rapid implementation of vaccine clinics in eight of our schools the week of

November 8-12, 2021. The District 97 Board of Education offered their

gratitude and support for Dr. Theresa Chapple-McGruder’s ongoing public

health efforts on behalf of our students, staff, and community.

Wendy Daniels: Wendy Daniels submitted their public comment

expecting to see the extension of the temporary authorization of the

Director of Public Health added to the agenda for the next board meeting

so that the health and well-being of every citizen in Oak Park will be

prioritized and not just a small group of bullies thinking only of themselves.

XIX. Adjourn

It was moved by Village Trustee Robinson, seconded by Village Trustee

Parakkat, to adjourn. The motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:43 P.M.,

Monday, November 15, 2021.

Respectfully Submitted,

Deputy Clerk DeViller

7 -

AYES:

NAYS:

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

Trustee Parakkat, Village Trustee Robinson, Village Trustee Taglia, and Village

Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

ABSENT: