West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met Oct. 6.

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, Fire Chief Michael Kuryla, Police Chief Timothy Larem, Superintendent Joseph Wagner, Assistant to the Village Administrator Justyn Miller and Village Attorney Gregory Smith

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 Proclamation Recognizing October 4 – 10, 2020 as Fire Prevention Annual Week – The Proclamation was given by President Lee.

4.2 Prairie Path and Taft Avenue Corridor Plan Update – Tony Manno, Senior Planner from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Virtual Presentation was recorded and given by CMAP. They went over the project background, demographics, economic development, transportation, natural resources, and what the next steps will be. CMAP will work with three project partners – the Village of Berkeley, the Village of Hillside, and the Berkeley Park District, to create a shared vision for the Prairie Path and Taft Avenue Corridor to increase pedestrian and bicycle traffic along the path, attract businesses to the area, and enhance parks and open space for residents and path users. Completion of the Project will be June 2021.

5 No Public Hearing.

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 September 15, 2020

7.2 Executive Session Meeting Minutes from September 15, 2020 (Not for public release)

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 8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1448 in the amount of $352,309.53

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

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 continues to be busy with all their day to day work, keeping the Village updated with the Covid-19 Pandemic and they continue to work with the Tollway. The Village of Berkeley is at 78.4% responses for the Census. The Garden Club is doing well.

9.1.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and The Village of Berkeley – Postponed to a future Board Meeting

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Washington commented that it is great to see all the plans at the same time (Park Dist., Prairie Path and Strategic plan). They all will be able to see what opportunities are available in the future and work towards them.

9.2.2 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending the Village of Berkeley Village Code Regarding Video Gaming Terminal Operators

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

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

9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report – No report

Police Chief Larem informed the Board that the Police Department has been busy. The leadership training and equipment for the Police has paid off. There have been several pass-thru crimes (Attempted hijacking and gang related crime (self-contained).

9.3.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Illinois Approving the Purchase of One 2021 Ford Interceptor in an Amount Not to Exceed $45,000

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.3.3 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending the Village of Berkeley

Village Code regarding Impoundment of Motor Vehicles

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

MOTION CARRIED

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

9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report – No report

9.4.2 Discussion on Halloween Guidance

The Village of Berkeley will follow the IDPH Halloween guidance. For trick or treating specifically, it is suggested that candy could be left outside their door to limit interaction. Otherwise they are still promoting maintaining social distancing of 6 feet and wearing proper face coverings (not just costume masks). It will be up to each household if they choose to open their door to distribute candy and parents if they choose to allow their children to go door-to-door. The Berkeley Park District will be having a drive thru Halloween event in the Sunnyside School parking lot on October 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Berkeley trick-or treating hours will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Village of Berkeley will sponsor goody bags for the park district Halloween drive thru event.

The Village of Berkeley will have a house decorating contest, similar to the Christmas contest. Residents could submit a picture of a house and vote on social media for the winner.

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 a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an

Agreement between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Trees R Us Incorporated for Tree Trimming and Removal Services

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.5.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution to Waive Competitive Bidding and Authorize Execution of an Agreement Between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Jetco LTD. for the Installation of a Rooftop Handrail on the Water Tower in an Amount not to Exceed $125,000.00

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.5.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution to Waive Competitive Bidding and Authorize the Execution of a Purchase Agreement between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Morton Salt Incorporated for the Purchase of 525 Tons of Road Salt in an Amount not to Exceed $40,000.00

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.5.5 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Authorizing the Purchase of a 2021 Vactor from Standard Equipment in an Amount not to Exceed $408,360.00 Superintendent Wagner gave a description of what a Vactor is, explained what it can do, and explained why it is necessary to have the equipment.

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

MOTION CARRIED

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

9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Neighborhood Watch is still trying to get together for a meeting, they are working on a mask giveaway at the Library. The Historical Society gave Berkeley a beautiful cabinet which he and Mayor Lee brought into the office.

Berkeley Park District Halloween event requires preregistration.

10 Village President

10.1 President’s Report – The steering meeting is forthcoming for the LTA project that was presented tonight. There will be 8 – 10 participants. Thank you to the Historical Society and the Smock family who donated the beautiful cabinet. 100th Anniversary coming soon (3 yrs.)

Next year may be the last year for the Baseball Opening Day at MacArthur. Baseball may be combined – Hillside / Berkeley. Keep engaged with all entities.

10.1.1 10/20/2020 Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. President Lee will report remotely. Thank you to Art Rubel for his service. Art resigned from Planning & Zoning. He is a true champion for Hillside and Berkeley.

11 Village Administrator – Covid-19 update – it is now going down. Doing much better. Zero deaths in Berkeley

12 Village Attorney – No report.

13 Public Comments and Questions

Dan O’Connell – Fliers that use to be mailed, now are hand delivered, however they are being thrown on the front home’s sidewalk/lawn. Police are aware and working on the issue.

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 7:56 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 8:09 pm

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Diane Salemi	X		X
Raymond Grenier		X	X
Sherry Graf-Stone			X
Herb Washington			X
Jerry Perez			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 8:09 pm

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

MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/VB_10-20-20.pdf