West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met July 21.

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, and Perez

Also present: Village Administrator Rudy Espiritu, Fire Chief Michael Kuryla, Police Chief Timothy Larem, Assistant to the Village Administrator Justyn Miller and Village Attorney Greg Smith.

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 Swearing in of Police Officers:

4.1.1 Full-time Police Officer William Castellano – Congratulations!

4.1.2 Part-time Police Officer Sean Knudtson – Congratulations!

4.2 Motion to Approve the Appointment of Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission:

4.2.1 Chairman Patrick Hurley – 3-year term exp. 6/30/2023

Congratulations!

4.2.2 Commissioner Arthur Rubel – 3-year term exp. 6/30/2023

Congratulations!

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone		X	X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

4.3 Motion to Approve the Appointment of Police Pension Board of Trustees:

4.3.1 Trustee Pamela Kollman – 2-year term exp. 6/30/2022

Congratulations!

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone		X	X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

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 June 16, 2020

7.2 Executive Session Meeting Minutes from June 16, 2020 (not for public release)

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Sherry Graf-Stone		X	X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier			X

MOTION CARRIED

8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1442 in the amount of $178,314.86

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez		X	X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone

MOTION CARRIED

8.2 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1443 in the amount of $458,144.20

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Herb Washington		X	X
Jerry Perez			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone

MOTION CARRIED

9 Committee Reports

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

9.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Graf-Stone informed the Board that the team is working on everything, but wanted to highlight a few topics. The Tollway is one of the biggest projects that they are working on, the team is preparing for the preliminary audit, during this pandemic the staff is staying on top of all of the information changes and pertaining to the Coronavirus. Staff also keeps the Website, Face Book, Social Media and the team updated. Staff also updated the personnel manual and gave all the employees a copy of it. Trustee Graf-Stone also met with the Garden Club by Zoom meeting. She met with Kathleen and Melissa who head the Garden Club. Trustee Graf-Stone said it was a very good meeting, some of the things they discussed were that they continue to work on the garden while maintaining social distancing, they are doing a great job donating fresh produce to the Westchester Food Pantry and Yorkville Food Pantry. Tim, one of the members of the Garden Club, has increased his work efforts. He alone donated 75 pounds of produce to the Westchester Food Pantry. To date, the Garden Club has donated around 2,400 pounds of produce. Trustee Graf-Stone asked how the Village can support them, they informed Trustee Graf-Stone that they are grateful for the filling up the vessels of water, however, Trustee Graf-Stone, Administrator Espiritu, and Assistant to the Administrator Miller are going to try and help them get on a more regular schedule because of the heat. The other issue is the garbage that blows over from McDonalds. Assistant to the Administrator Miller called Roy Strom Inc. and they have offered to donate a once a week pick up for the Garden Club of one can. The Garden Club are truly appreciative to everyone. There is an interest in a Famers Market in the future.

9.1.2 Monthly Report

9.1.3 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition of 5829

Electric Avenue, Berkeley, Illinois and the Execution of a Real Estate Purchase and Sales Contract Related Thereto

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi			X
Raymond Grenier		X	X
Sherry Graf-Stone	X		X

MOTION CARRIED

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Washington informed the Board that Staff is preparing for the Financial Audit report and the Tollway project continues, the Village has some large financial decision to be made. Trustee Washington commented that it is good to see that shoppers in the Village of Berkeley stores are supporting neighborhood shops and practicing recommended safety practices. Trustee Washington also commented that even though we are in unprecedent times, it is good to see movement in Real Estate in the area. It is also good to see good maintenance to vacant commercial properties which adds value to the Village of Berkeley and promotes the Village of Berkeley to do business here.

9.2.2 Monthly Report

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

8.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Salemi commends Commander Bednar from Code Enforcement. She informed the Board that when you can reach out to him, he responds almost immediately and never makes you feel you are interrupting him in any way. At the next Board meeting, Commander Bednar will have the addresses of all the Code Enforcement Activities he has done.

As for the Hillside/Berkeley Chamber, they are starting to renew their memberships, therefore if businesses are having problems they will work them, those will be going out some time this week.

Mayor Lee will be speaking on August 11th at noon at the next State of the Village Address, (Mayor Lee said that normally it is held around the passing of the budget, however it was put off because of obvious situations.) The Mayor would like to present it to the Board first and is working with Village Administrator Espiritu. It will be presented at the next Board meeting. Trustee Salemi attended a Diversity Training which she said was great. She said that it must be taken at least once a year to be on the Board. The training is $250 and worth it. Trustee Salemi suggest that maybe in the future we could consider it. She said that it is an eye opener. Mayor Lee asked to pass the information to Village Administrator Espiritu for consideration.

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

8.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Fire Chief informed the Board that all repairs have been done the Fire Engine and are getting it back after 5 months.

8.4.2 Monthly Report

8.4.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois for Village Participation in the Supplemental Reimbursement Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Program

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi		X	X
Raymond Grenier	X		X
Sherry Graf-Stone			X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X

MOTION CARRIED

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

8.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Hammar informed that the Water project is well underway. The Alley project have been completed with the exception of some touch up work that needs to be done.

8.5.2 Monthly Report

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

8.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Perez informed the Board that the Lions Club has gotten together through Zoom and are now going to have their first meeting in person. Trustee Perez has not been able to get in touch with Neighborhood Watch to give a report, but as soon as he does he will give his report. However, the one thing that Neighborhood Watch has been requesting is for the Board messages to say “A Neighborhood Watch Community” to be standard, so all can see. This might also help them with their membership. Trustee Perez mentioned the Lighting up of the Prairie Path and Mayor Lee responded that he and ComEd have taken a walk on the Prairie Path and talked about it and they are now in communication with Superintendent Wagner and we will be hearing more about it. Those that know Jack, a resident, who’s home burned down, and now needs some help tomorrow morning to move some of his things to a truck. Jack is always helping others and this time, he needs ours.

Trustee Perez said that residents are listening to the messages from our Mayor Lee and have shared good feedback.

9 Village President

9.1 President’s Report – President Lee thanked the Board and staff for the approval of the Property acquisition tonight. In 2008 the decision was made that the Village offices are not moving. However, the properties that were acquired will be used to benefit the Village in one way or another. Sub-committee would be good to start to talk about the needs of the Fire department and Police Department. Thank you to all the Liaison Board members, lots of good things are coming out of it. Invited the Park Dist. to share their strategic plan because they have approved their plan. President Lee asked Trustee Washington to reach out the School District to find out the changes that are coming their way. Village cancelled the Village Picnic. 2nd year of Day of Service on 8/8/20.

9.1.1 7/23/20 Village-wide Curbside Electronic Recycling

9.1.2 8/4/20 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

9.1.3 8/8/20 Berkeley Day of Service

10 Village Administrator – Corvid report 108 positive. The Village of Berkeley is at low 12%. The State of Illinois is at about 3%. A grant was awarded to the Village of Berkeley for Phase 1 Engineering to possibly install sidewalk for those streets east of Wolf road that do not have sidewalks. It is a big decision from the Board if they want to accept the award. This will be discussed with the Board next time to see if this is something they want to do at this time. This was awarded by the Regional Transportation Administration. However, if we do not use it, we lose it.

11 Village Attorney – Attorney Smith informed the Board that a new law has been signed into effect. The Vote by mail expansion bill that the Illinois General Assembly passed in their special session in Springfield. The State of Illinois declared election day on November 3rd, 2020 as a State Holiday for the first time. All governmental offices with the exception of election authorities (like the Cook County Clerk’s Office) shall be closed unless they are authorized to be used as a polling location. The Illinois Municipal League took issue with this legislative language, did research on it and sent a letter to the Chief Sponsors of this bill. They stated that holiday and closure does not apply to a Municipalities or other units of government. They only expand to Public schools and entities such as state universities. This will be tracked and see how it turns out and may change.

12 Public Comments and Questions

No Public Comments or Questions.

13 Executive Session

13.1 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 into Executive Session at 7:35 pm

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi		X	X
Raymond Grenier	X		X
Sherry Graf-Stone			X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X
Larry Hammar			X

MOTION CARRIED

Exit from Executive Session at 7:49 pm

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone		X	X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X

VOICE VOTE MOTION CARRIED

14 Action to be Taken as a Result of Executive Session

14.1 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Regarding the Review of Closed Session Minutes

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone			X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez		X	X

MOTION CARRIED

15 President Lee adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi			X
Raymond Grenier			X
Sherry Graf-Stone	X		X
Herb Washington		X	X
Jerry Perez			X

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/Board_Meeting_Minutes_July_21_2020.pdf