Village of Berkeley Village Board met March 3

By Michael Abella

Apr 22, 2020

Village of Berkeley Village Board met March 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1 President Lee called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2 Pledge of Allegiance

3 Roll Call

Present: Trustees Hammar, Salemi, Grenier, Graf-Stone, Washington, Perez, President Lee

Also Present: Village Administrator Rudy Espiritu, Assistant to the Village Administrator Justyn Miller, Fire Chief Michael Kuryla, Police Chief Timothy Larem, Public Works Superintendent Joseph Wagner, Assistant Attorney Liz Brogan and Village Attorney Greg Smith.

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 Village of Berkeley Partner Agency Annual Reports

4.1.1 Berkeley Community Garden Club – Kathleen Chumura spoke on behalf of the Berkeley Community Garden Club. She informed the Board that 50% of the plots are already rented and emails are coming in for potential new members. This year they are planning to buy new pot posts, repair or get new beds and repair or get new handicap beds. The handicap beds have been working out very well for the seniors, they are close to the entrance, high up (so they don’t have to bend over) and the produce that grows is donated, which makes them feel really good. They are looking to buy plants for the front and plants for the sharing beds. They are up to 2600 produce pounds that has been donated since they started to Soup Kitchens, Food Pantries, and Neighbors in need.

They closed their books at $5059.19. They plan to use the money to do the things that they do throughout the year along with everything that she mentioned. Last year we requested $2,000.00 donation from the Village. This year we are requesting from the Village $1,000.00. There was one request from the Garden Club, if they could have a Garbage Pickup.

President Lee thanked The Garden Club for their community service and will get back to them regarding the amount of their request and the garbage pickup. President Lee introduced Trustee Graf-Stone to the Garden Club representatives and informed them that she will be their Liaison. Trustee Washington commended the Garden Club on their budgeting.

4.1.2 Berkeley Neighborhood Watch – President Tim Carpenter shared some information about Berkeley Neighborhood Watch and what they have been working on and what they have accomplish.

The Berkeley Neighborhood Watch Board are:

Director – Sgt. Len Norek,

President - Timothy Carpenter

Vice President – Michael Benedetto

Treasurer/ Social Media – Mari Carpenter

Berkeley Neighborhood Watch was incorporated – March 2017

In May 2018 they became a 501 (c) 3 – A non-profit organization Registered with the Illinois Attorney General Office and in good standings.

The purpose of Neighborhood Watch is to work in close relationship with the Berkeley Police Department, to be the extra eyes and ears for the community and at the same time promoting safety and community awareness. They like to also promote the visibility of their Neighborhood Watch decals, by promoting the visibility of the program, they help prevent crime. Some things that they worked on from 2019 – 2020 – increased Block Captains to 12, in Social Media they have over 300 followers on Facebook. The Neighborhood Watch has 236 contacts in their email distribution list. Last year Neighborhood Watch connected with Amazon Smile. If you shop on Amazon, you have the option to go to Amazon Smile. It is the same as shopping on Amazon (same prices), however they will ask you to enter your charity organization. There you can enter Berkeley Neighborhood Watch and at checkout you will donate to your charity organization 0.05%. Neighborhood Watch meets every 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm. Examples of some meetings they had last year were about Gun Safety, Code Enforcement, Child Safety, Domestic Violence, Smart Phone Technology, Situation Awareness, as well as Get to know your officers.

Berkeley Neighborhood Watch participated in the Memorial Day Parade, Cop on the Rooftop, Fall Community Garden Fest, Music in the Park, Berkeley Family Fun Fest, Berkeley Public Library Events, and Adopt a Christmas tree.

Their future goals are to continue decal distribution to all Berkeley Residents, Increase the amount of block captains, Redesign of 911 emergency magnet, continue participation of community events, Village’s electronic sign – to say A Neighborhood Watch on a permanent basis.

President Lee thanked Mr. Carpenter for all their great work, they and the residents truly appreciate it. Trustee Perez will be the Neighborhood Watch Liaison. The suggestion from President Lee is to continue to encourage residents to become Neighborhood Watch Captains. Trustee Washington commended Neighborhood Watch on their budgeting.

4.1.3 Berkeley Little League _President Lenny Estremera informed the Board about the Berkeley Little League for this year.

President – Mr. Estremera

Concession Manager – Ms. Mitchell

Treasurer – Ms. Rios

Safety Manager – Mr. Carpenter

At this time they are looking for a Vice President and Secretary. As far as resident participation, last year was a pretty good outing compare to previous years.

They expect this year participation to be similar as last year. This year donation letters have gone out and the results are pretty good. It will be a very different number than last year. (Donation letters did not go out and the only help Berkeley Little League got was from the Village.) Berkeley Little League will be participating in the parade, community events and more involved in the community. Lenny is very proud that many of the older kids (freshman and sophomores) that are trying out for High School Baseball are Berkeley Residents. Zoning has changed, Hillside is included to participate in Berkeley Little League.

Opening Date will be 1 or 2 week of May.

The Board gave many suggestions on how to raise money.

5 Public Hearings

No Public Hearings.

6 Public Comments and Questions (Consent Agenda Items Only)

No Public Comments or Questions.

7 Consent Agenda

The matters listed for consideration on the Consent Agenda are routine in nature or have all been discussed by the Board of Trustees previously and are matters on which there was unanimity for placement on the Consent Agenda at this meeting.

7.1 Village Board Meeting Minutes from February 18, 2020

7.2 Executive Session Minutes from February 18, 2020 (not for public release)

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Larry Hammar

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

MOTION CARRIED

8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1434 in the amount of $172,227.67

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

Larry Hammar

MOTION CARRIED

9 Committee Reports

9.1 Administration, Zoning and Technology (Chair –Trustee Graf-Stone; Co-Chair Trustee Washington)

9.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Graf-Stone informed the Board that Staff is extra busy with the Tollway Project.

9.1.2 Motion to Approve an Ordinance of the Village of Berkeley, Cook

County, Illinois Increasing the Number of Video Gaming Terminals Permitted at Berkeley’s Best Wings Inc. D/B/A Fireside Eats – 5725 St. Charles Road

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

Larry Hammar

Diane Salemi

MOTION CARRIED

9.1.3 Motion to Approve an Ordinance of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Increasing the Number of Video Gaming Terminals Permitted at LCI Highland of Illinois LLC D/B/A Elsie’s Place Cafe – 5555 St. Charles Road

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

Larry Hammar

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

MOTION CARRIED

9.1.4 Discussion on Blackboard Connect Utilization and Functionality Assistant to the Village Administrator Justyn Miller gave a brief overview on what Blackboard Connect allows them to do to communicate with residents and businesses here in the community and how do they utilize it. Some background – the Village spends about $5500 a year on the Blackboard.

Tonight Staff is asking for direction from the Village Board about how they would like to communicate to the residents. Blackboard Connect is used to communicate to residents and business for upcoming meetings and events, informational emergencies (for example sever weather, mass shooting or something like that). How do we populate using this? They can populate two ways, Blackboard notification portal on the website. Click on Notification and anyone can sign up. You can put in your information and indicate how you would like to be notified. Blackboard populates on a monthly basis for the Village any businesses or residential information. It’s kept current and if you move out of town, it is deleted. What time of communication do they use? Text message, phone call, email and survey.

Phone call – prerecorded message Audio – Voice text

Text – sent only to cell phones. Email

Survey – 10 question survey – 6 answers for each questions.

The platform also allows the Village to target specific sections of the community with communication, based upon their address on file. Currently, the Village is split into eight (8) sub-sections in Blackboard. Additionally, Blackboard Connect allows the Village to communicate in a wide array of different languages including Spanish, among others Target communication - Blackboard is multi- lingual. Anyone can opt out.

The President and Board agree to dedicate a portion of Berkeley Connects to educate residents about Blackboard Connect and ask how they would like to be connected. That Staff should contact the resident to find out how they would like to be communicated.

9.2 Finance and Economic Development (Chair – Trustee Washington; Co- Chair Trustee Salemi)

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report – No report.

9.2.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Application for a Community Development Block Grant Program Grant Application for Property Improvement Purposes

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

Larry Hammar

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

MOTION CARRIED

9.2.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Application for an Invest in Cook Grant Application for Property Acquisition Purposes

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Jerry Perez

Larry Hammar

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

MOTION CARRIED

9.2.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution Providing for the Disposition of Certain Surplus Equipment and Vehicles Owned by the Village of Berkeley

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Larry Hammar

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

MOTION CARRIED

9.3 Police and Property Maintenance (Chair – Trustee Salemi; Co-Chair Trustee Hammar)

9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report – No report.

9.4 Fire and Health (Chair – Trustee Grenier; Co-Chair Trustee Perez)

9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Grenier informed the Board

information regarding the attic. The unit is oversized and needs to be replaced. Will go out to bid.

Total expense will be well below $50,000. (All work will be included)

9.5 Public Works and Utilities (Chair – Trustee Hammar; Co-Chair Trustee Grenier)

9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report – No report.

9.5.2 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Implementing an Indemnification

Agreement with the County of Cook in Lieu of Insurance and Surety Bond Requirements

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Diane Salemi

Raymond Grenier

Sherry Graf-Stone

Herb Washington

Jerry Perez

Larry Hammar

MOTION CARRIED

9.6 Community and Intergovernmental Relations (Chair – Trustee Perez; Co- Chair Trustee Graf-Stone)

9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Perez informed the Board contracts are all in for Music in the Park. Next thing to work on is Village Picnic. Attended the Polar Plunge Event which was lots of fun. Trustee Perez will ask some organizations in town to see if they want to join the Polar Plunge event next year. March 5th, Trustee Perez will be meeting with the Historical Society at 6:00 pm.

10 Village President

10.1 President’s Report

10.1.1 3/17/2020

Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

One on one meetings went well. Talked about a wide range of subjects and what is on the Board’s mind and it is reflected on our budget.

Continue efforts to improve Economic Development (also tied to outside revenue)

Renewed effort process to continue

New owner in town – Luis & Luigi’s has been purchased and new owner will be gutting the property and will open by mid-summer.

Robo call system was discussed tonight.

5G – new technology, will meet with Com-Ed.

100 year anniversary of being incorporated. (4 years away)

Roundtable Meeting has been moved April 29

11 Village Administrator – Executive Session to be held tonight.

d. Consideration to Purchase, Lease (Buy), or Acquire Specific Real Estate Property Correction: e. Setting Price for Sale/Lease Specific Real Estate Property

12 Village Attorney – No report.

13 Public Comments and Questions

Resident Lisa Guarino received a warning for feeding birds in December 2019. On 2/24/20 Ms. Guarino received a final warning for feeding wild life. Called several times, Village Administrator Espiritu returned Ms. Guareno’s call.

At around 5:20 am Ms. Guareno called the Police Department regarding gunshots she thought she heard. She called several times and found out that it was a broken transformer. She received a letter from the Police Chief. President Lee informed Ms. Guarino that he will look over all the information she submitted and will respond. Village Administrator informed the Board that Ms. Guarino has now retained an attorney and the Village should not be commenting on this issue now that it is in litigation.

Resident Dan O’Connell commented that he appreciated the last meeting minutes. East end of town there is garbage being thrown out of cars onto resident’s property. President Lee will make a note of that and will look into that.

14 Executive Session

14.1 Motion to enter into Executive Session to consider the:

a. Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employee(s) 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(1)

b. Collective Bargaining, Salary Schedules; categorically 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(2)

c. Appointment/Removal for Public Office or Attorney 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(3)

d. Consideration to Purchase, Lease (Buy), or Acquire Specific Real Estate Property 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(5)

e. Setting Price for Sale/Lease Specific Real Estate Property 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(6)

f. Security Procedures and the use of personnel and equipment to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(8)

g. Probable or Imminent and Pending Litigation 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11)

h. Establish Reserves or Settle Claims (Tort) 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(12)

i. Consideration of Release of Executive Session Minutes 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(21)

Enter Executive Session 8:04 p.m.

Trustee

Motion

Second

Ayes

Nays

Absent

Abstain

Larry Hammar