123 Madison Street

Oak Park, Illinois 60302

www.oak-park.us

Village of Oak Park

Meeting Minutes

President and Board of Trustees

Monday, May 16, 2022

7:00 PM

Village Hall

I. Call to Order

Village President Scaman called the meeting to order at 7:02 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. Agenda Approval

President Scaman requested Item K be moved ahead of Items I and J so

participants can leave the meeting in a timely manner.

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

Robinson, to approved 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:

IV. Minutes

ID 22-162

Motion to Approve Minutes from Regular Remote Meeting of May 2, 2022,

Special Remote Meeting of May 9, 2022 of the Village Board.

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

Robinson, to approve the Minutes. 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. Non-Agenda Public Comment

Village Clerk Christina Waters read the following Non-Agenda Public

Comments aloud:

Kathleen O'Shaughnessey: Kathleen O'Shaughnessey submitted their

public comment expressing concern over the increase in Covid cases in

the community. They would like to see a return of covid mitigations

including a return to masking in the schools.continued testing and

quarantine for sick children, having lunch and classes outside as much as

possible, and improved reporting and communication.

Debbie Weeks: Debbie Weeks submitted their public comment

expressing concern over the increase in Covid cases in the community and

requested an explanation as to why no action has been taken to decrease

transmission of Covid-19 in the community or to protect the most vulnerable

community members from Covid.

Jenna Leving Jacobson: Jenna Leving Jacobson submitted their public

comment imploring the Board to follow Dr. Chapple's recommendations

and to listen to public health experts and take seriously the uncontrolled

spread of Covid-19 in the community.

Robin Kalish: Robin Kalish submitted their public comment expressing

their support of the Oak Park Health Department and help protect the

community and the most vulnerable. They would like a layered approach

and include actions as increased ventilation in all public spaces and using

masks as needed.

VI. Proclamation

MOT 22-53

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for May 2022 as Mental Health

Month

Village Trustee Robinson read the Proclamation aloud.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla added Proclamations do not enact new

resources for the people that are desperately in need of those resources,

and urged the Board to get something done when it comes to mental health

and having emergency mental health responses for people in crisis.

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

Buchanan, to approve the 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:

MOT 22-54

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for May 2022 as National Bike Month

Village Trustee Buchanan read the Proclamation aloud.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla urged the Board to implement the

Vision Zero Plan and the Greenways Plan as bicycle accidents are a

problem in the community.

David Marshall from Bike Walk Oak Park thanked the Board for their

support and looks forward to working with the Board.

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

approve the 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:

MOT 22-55

A Motion to Approve a Proclamation for John Hodge Day on May 17, 2022

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla congratulated John Hodge on his

retirement. She then read the Proclamation aloud.

John Hodge thanked the Board for the honor of having his own day

celebrated in Oak Park.

Village Trustee Enyia also thanked John Hodge for the impact he has had

on the children and expressed his gratitude for Mr. Hodge's love, care, and

embracing of all the children and ensuring they are lifted up and their needs

are met during his time at Irving Elementary School.

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

Parakkat, to approve the 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:

VII. Village Manager Reports

Deputy Village Manager Lisa Shelley introduced the Item.

Dr. Theresa Chapple, Director of the Health Department, then gave a brief

update regarding Covid in the community.

Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification regarding the District 97

(D97) order that came out the previous week.

Dr. Chapple responded the order was put into place as the Health

Department needed a firmer commitment with contact tracing and access

to all 10 of the school's Line Lists, which are mandatory reports that the

Health department was not receiving in a timely manner.

Village Trustee Taglia requested clarification if there was a complaint filed

with the state regarding D97.

Dr. Chapple responded there was no formal complaint filed. The Health

Department went through their regular process of communicating with the

state and providing the state with the information they need.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla commented that the United States hit a

grim milestone with one million Covid-related deaths this week. They

understand the community would like Covid to be over but we cannot

dictate when the virus is done and urged the community to continue to

protect each other and keep each other safe.

President Scaman encouraged the community to wear masks in crowded

spaces and to stay home if you have any symptoms.

VIII. Village Board Committees

Village Trustee Buchanan reminded the community this Saturday is the all

community event from iGov which will explain how all the taxing bodies

work and what the different positions do.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla reminded the community the Farmers

Market will officially open this Saturday.

Village Trustee Taglia reported that Actuaries presented at the Fire

Pension Board and reported that, due to an error in the calculations, the

Fire and Police contributions will be much lower this year which is a good

thing for the village to help keeping the community affordable and keeps

the levy under control.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla added that you can order free at home

rapid antigen test kits form the United States Post Office at

special.usps.com/testkits.

IX. Citizen Commission Vacancies

ID 22-163

Board & Commission Vacancy Report for May 16, 2022.

There was no further discussion of this Item.

X. Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda

It was moved by Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotlaand 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:

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 22-128

Resolutions Awarding Multi-Family Housing Incentives Grants and

Authorizing the Execution of Marketing Services Agreements

1. MSA 2201-G with $10,000 grant

2. MSA 2202-G with $10,000 grant

3. MSA 2203-G with $10,000 grant

4. MSA 2206-G with $10,000 grant

5. MSA 2208-G with $10,000 grant

6. MSA 2209-G with $6,500 grant

7. MSA 2210-G with $10,000 grant

8. MSA 2211-G with $10,000 grant

9. MSA 2212-G with $6,852 grant

10. MSA 2214-G with $10,000 grant

11. MSA 2216-G with $10,000 grant

12. MSA 2217-G with $10,000 grant

13. MSA 2218-G with $10,000 grant

14. MSA 2219-G with $10,000 grant

15. MSA 2220-G with $10,000 grant

16. MSA 2221-G with $6,648 grant

This Resolution was adopted.

RES 22-125

MOT 22-56

A Resolution Approving an Independence Day Fireworks Display

Agreement with Miand, Inc., d/b/a Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions in

an Amount Not to Exceed $35,000, Authorizing its Execution and Waiving

the Village’s Bid Process for the Agreement

This Resolution was adopted.

A Motion to Re-Allocate $57,515 in Unspent Community Development

Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funding by Adding the $57,515 to CDBG

Public Services Funding and Distributing it to the Nine (9) Local Non-Profits

Previously Approved for Public Services Funding, Per Village Staff’s

Recommendations and Direct Staff to Prepare the Necessary Documents

for Board Consideration

This Motion was approved.

XI. Regular Agenda

ORD 22-46

An Ordinance Approving a Budget Amendment to Allow Village

Co-Sponsorship of the ‘GreenTown Conference’ in the Amount of $20,000

and Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary Agreement

Deputy Village Manager Lisa Shelley introduced the Item.

Village President Scaman gave an overview of the Item, and then

introduced Gary Cuneen of Seven Generations Ahead and John Harris of

A5 Branding and Digital who then gave background on the Greentown

event.

Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification on what the experience

has been in past events in terms of mobilizing the community and the

finances required in moving things forward.

Gary Cuneen responded many of the sessions incorporate strategies

around funding and financing initiatives, as well as bringing in experts and

practitioners to speak in sessions which has lead to communities

implementing strategies.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla expressed their concern that previous

Greentown agendas lack a focus on racial equity or racial justice. They

would like to ensure that these types of topics, as well as how Oak Park

contributes to climate change and food insecurities in surrounding areas,

will be included on the Greentown agenda that Oak Park will sponsor.

Gary Cuneen responded that past agendas have included equity and food

insecurity sessions. They do not dictate what is on the agenda - they invite

advisory groups and community members and elected officials to shape

what is included on the agenda for each event.

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

Robinson, to approve 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:

MOT 22-48

A Motion to Review a Request from the Oak Park Regional Housing

Center (OPRHC) to Release $125,000 in Funds for Invoices from

August 2021 through December 2021 Which is Being Withheld

Under the Terms of the 2021 Funding Grant Agreement Due to the

OPRHC’s Failure to Provide the Required 2020 Audit by the Due

Date of November 30, 2021, and Failure to Submit Invoices

Deputy Village manager Shelley introduced the Item.

Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification regarding why there has

been no communication up to this point to the Board regarding this Item.

Deputy Village Manager Shelley responded they were waiting for the audit

to be done before bringing ths to the Board, as has been done in the past.

Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification if most of the deadlines

are being missed or met by the Housing Center.

Cameron Davis, Assistant Director of Development Customer Services,

responded the invoicing and audits are what have been consistently

problematic over the past couple of years.

Village Trustee Robinson commented they would also expect more

communication regarding any missed deadlines just so the Board is aware

of the status of any contractual obligations they have voted on, which will

help move the relationship with the partner agency forward in a positive

way.

Village Trustee Taglia expressed concerns regarding the Housing Center's

continual missteps in their contractual reporting obligations, and expressed

the importance of the Board taking their fiduciary responsibilities for this

public money seriously. He stressed that the Housing Center needs to

adhere to all their contractual terms as do all the other partner agencies.

Athena Williams, Executive Director for the Housing Center, provided

clarification regarding the additional funding they received as well as there

was a year-end report for 2021 that she will resend to the village.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla commented there should be more

transparency to the entire Board regarding updates on contracts that the

Board has voted on.

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

Enyia, to approve the 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:

RES 22-127

A Resolution Approving a Funding Grant Agreement Between the Village of

Oak Park and the Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC) in the

Amount of $150,000 Effective January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 and

Authorizing Its Execution

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

Parakkat, to approve the Resolution as presented.

Deputy Village Manager Shelley then introduced the Item.

Village President Scaman asked if there was a consensus to move

forward with a basic contract through the end of June when the Oak Park

Regional Housing Center's 2021 audit is due, and then in July hosting a

study session as an opportunity for the Housing Center to work with village

staff on defining mutual goals moving forward.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla recommended passing the contract as

it is presented and still take the opportunity to host a study session in July

which could better inform an agreement going forward in 2023.

Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification on President Scaman's

recommendation.

Village President Scaman responded the original contract included

$100,000 for outreach and marketing and $100,000 for a feasibility study.

What she is proposing is an amended contract that does not include those

two items, as well as an amended end date of June 30, 2022.

Village Trustee Robinson expressed their support for President Scaman's

recommendation. They feel June 30th is a natural point to review the

CDCAC's funding recommendations and reassess how to best collaborate

with the Oak Park Regional Housing Center moving forward.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla commented there are existing gate

keeping strategies built into the contract where, if the Board felt the Oak

Park Regional Housing Center was not meeting their requirements, funding

would be withheld, and for that reason they feel the contract should extend

through the end of the year.

Village Trustee Parakkat requested clarification regarding if the Oak Park

Regional Housing Center has the support to pull together the inputs that are

required to have a meaningful study session.

Athena Williams responded they see this as a two way conversation. They

would invite Trustees to come sit in on their staff meetings to begin to flush

out ideas and possibilities to then bring to the study session.

Village Trustee Buchanan requested clarification on the amended contract

amount is then $150,000 for the first 6 months of 2022, and if this proposal

is a punitive measure.

Trustee Taglia confirmed it is $25,000 per month for 6 months.

Trustee Robinson does not see this proposal as punitive, rather as an

opportunity to reset and change direction. They see the contractual

relationship as a contributing to the stress point in the relationship with the

Housing Center. This is an opportunity to re-examine the deliverables

required from the Housing Center and determine whether or not to stick

with them, or put the same framework on the same relationship and not

really have a reasonable expectation of a different result.

Village Trustee Taglia agreed, commenting if the language does not

change now in the contract then nothing really changes. He strongly

encourages the Housing Center to develop a strategic plan to help meet

the needs of the organization and to use as a blueprint for future strategy

and future goals of the organization.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla reiterated her support for voting on the

contract with the December 31, 2022 end date, expressing concern that

putting an end date of June creates the same conditions of urgency and

does not allow the Board the space and the time to have an in-depth

conversation about what they see the future of racial integration is in the

village in 2022.

Village Trustee Robinson then made a motion to amend the terms of the

contract to expire on June 30, 2022, and amend the contract amount to

$150,000.00. Village Trustee Parakkat seconded the amended motion.

The roll call on the vote was as follows:

AYES: 6 - Village President Scaman, Village Trustee Buchanan, Village

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

Village Trustee Taglia

NAYS: 1 - Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

ABSENT: 0

President Scaman then asked for a motion to adopt the Resolution as

amended. Village Trustee Robinson made the motion, and it was

seconded by Village Trustee Buchanan.

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

Buchanan, to adopt the Resolution 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 Taglia

1 - Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla

NAYS:

ABSENT:

XII. Call to Board and Clerk

Village Clerk Waters mentioned early voting starts June 13 through June

27 at Village Hall, and resident can register to vote at Village Hall. You can

also apply to become an election judge at

cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/work-election-day or call 312-603-0965.

Village Trustee Parakkat attended a session around aging in place hosted

by the Arbor West Neighbors. He learned that one in five Americans will be

65 or older by the year 2030, and he wanted to make the community and

Board aware of that fact so they can take meaningful actions now

especially around the discussions of affordable housing.

Village Trustee Buchanan mentioned the massacre by a white supremacist

in Buffalo, New York, during the past week and expressed the need to do

something about gun control and white supremacy.

Village Trustee Taglia had no comments.

Village Trustee Walker-Peddakotla echoed Trustee Buchanan's

comments, and mentioned the rise in Asian-American hate crimes and

their connection to white supremacy. They added if we don't address the

root cause, which is white supremacy, then we are never going to solve the

problem or the heinous types of incidents that happen in both the

Black-American community and the Asian-American community.

Village Trustee Robinson extended their congratulations to the OPRF

graduating class of 2022. They emphasized the need to still mask and

practice mitigation measures as a communal effort to stay as healthy as

possible as this graduation will be the first pre-pandemic graduation

ceremony.

Village Trustee Enyia expressed his heartfelt sentiments and his support to

all who are dealing with the hatred going on in the country, and prays for

those who have family or friends that have had to endure through this or for

those feeling the effects of the trauma.

Village President Scaman commented she is grateful for all the thoughtful

comments. She mentioned the Oak Park Police Department will be giving

away gun locks on June 11th. She attended the Arbor West Neighbors

session on aging in place and agrees there are opportunities for additional

affordable housing units in the village. She provided many mental health

resources in the community that are available. She is also glad to take this

next step with the Housing Center.

This was continued.

XIII. Adjourn

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

Buchanan, to Adjourn. The motion was approved. The Meeting adjourned at

10:10 P.M., Monday, May 16, 2022.

Respectfully Submitted,

Deputy Clerk DeViller

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: