West Cook News

Village of Bellwood Village Board met Sept. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Physical attendance at this public meeting is limited to 39 individuals, with Village officials, staff and consultants having priority over members of the public. Public comments and any responses will be distributed to Village officials. You may submit your public comments via email in advance of the meeting to Rudy Espiritu, Village Administrator at respiritu@berkeley.il.us.

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

2 Pledge of Allegiance

3 Roll Call

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

Absent: Clerk Rivera

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

3.1 Motion to Approve an Electronic Participation Policy for Participation in Village Board Meetings by Audio or Video Conference

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

MOTION CARRIED

3.2 Motion to Approve Electronic Participation during Village Board meeting for Trustee Grenier

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

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

4 Presentations and Appointment

No Presentations or Appointments

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 August 18, 2020

7.2 Executive Session Meeting Minutes from August 4, 2020 (Not for public release)

7.3 Executive Session Meeting Minutes from August 18, 2020 (Not for public release)

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

MOTION CARRIED

8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1446 in the amount of $369,212.35

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

MOTION CARRIED

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 gave a brief update that

the staff is spending a lot of their time on the Tollway Project, staff is also doing a great job with the Pandemic situation by keeping all of them updated with any new rules or any changes that may occur. The Village of Berkeley is ranking 3rd in their area regarding Census response rate.

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.2.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement Between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and J.P. Landscaping Inc. for Lawn Maintenance Services at Pre- Determined Locations

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			X

MOTION CARRIED

9.2.3 Fiscal Year 2020-2021, 1st Quarter Financial Dashboard Administrator Espiritu went over the 1st quarter Financial Dashboard for the fiscal year 2020-2021. He informed the Board and guests that revenues did exceed expenditures at this time and that the Village is trying to maintain all their services, however because this is a unique year the pandemic will most likely have a negative impact on the finances of the Village of Berkeley and many other communities. The recession may cause the Village of Berkeley to end the fiscal year in a financial deficit. President Lee pointed out that the positive he sees for this quarter specifically that if employment is still good in the community, foreclosures won’t grow. Hopefully more businesses will be open next quarter.

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

9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Salemi informed the Board and guests that Commander Bednar shared pictures of the Painter’s Union Apprenticeship program on Facebook of the houses they painted and how they volunteered their time and paint. Trustee Salemi suggested that they also be included in the next Berkeley Connects.

Trustee Salemi informed the Board and guests that the Berwyn Development Corporation received $140,000 in grant money. They will offer up to a $10,000 grant to businesses with less than 20 employees within Cook County. They will interview over the phone then their application will be submitted and put into a lottery pool. Those that entered have a 50% chance of winning.

Police Chief Larem informed the Board and guests that Officer Wade Larkin has decided to leave the Police Department, they wish him well. The efforts of the Berkeley Police Department have led to the arrest of multiple violent offenders and the recovery of a number of illegal weapons, narcotics and other contraband. Although the Berkeley Police Department has done a great job, recent cases have shown that there is a limit to what can be accomplished without outside assistance. Neighboring agencies have taken advantage of their combined resources to field a multijurisdictional drug and gang task force. The Berkeley Police Department is looking to partner with neighboring agencies to do the same. This will allow the Berkeley Police Department to continue to expand its investigative and enforcement capabilities and minimize the impact of crime on within the community.

9.3.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Concerning the Sharing of Police Services, Personnel, Equipment and Resources through a Multi-Jurisdictional Drug and Gang Task Force

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.4 Fire and Health (Chair – Trustee Grenier; Co-Chair Trustee Perez) 9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report – No report

Trustee Grenier attended the Public Library Meeting, it was very informative.

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

9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Hammar informed the Board that the brush pickup from the storm has been completed. Public Works is now focused on the Elm Street Water Main Project and is almost completed. Trustee Hammar did inform the Board that he is on the agenda and will be attending the Park District meeting through Zoom.

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 that the Neighborhood Watch plans to have their meeting this month at the Village Hall. They will first contact members to see how many plan to be in attendance. Many people are asking “what is the Village of Berkeley doing for Halloween?”. The Board discussed the topic and the Board will inform the residents at an upcoming Board meeting.

10 Village President

10.1 President’s Report

10.1.1 Discussion of draft Diversity Statement for the Village of Berkeley President Lee, Administrator Espiritu, the Board and all that were present discussed the draft Diversity Statement for the Village of Berkeley. President Lee asked all to submit any comments or suggestions by email or contact Administrator Espiritu or Assistant to the Administrator Miller.

10.1.2 9/7/2020 Village Hall Closed – Labor Day Holiday 10.1.3 9/15/2020 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

11 Village Administrator – Covid Update 3% of Village of Berkeley has or had covid. The infection rate is at 11.1 % current. This is a concern; the goal is 8% or lower.

12 Village Attorney– No report.

13 Public Comments and Questions

No Public Comments or Questions.

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 into Executive Session at 7:31 pm

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

MOTION CARRIED

Exit from Executive Session at 9:06 pm

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

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

15 Action to be Taken as a Result of Executive Session

No Action taken.

16 President Lee adjourned the meeting at 9:06 pm

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

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/Board_Meeting_Minutes_September_1_2020.pdf