West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met Dec. 1.

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, President Lee

Also present: Village Administrator Espiritu and Assistant to the Village Administrator Miller

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) Presentation

Justyn gave a presentation of the PAFR. President Lee and the Board were very impressed with how very clear and easy it was to read and understand the report. This is the first PAFR report for Berkeley and can be found in our website.

5 Public Hearings

No Public Hearing.

6 Public Comments and Questions (Consent Agenda Items Only)

No 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. No Consent Agenda.

8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1452 in the amount of $52,278.18

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

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 thanks the Administration

staff for all their hard work and the additional work they put into the Tollway Project. Trustee Graf-Stone commends them for always staying on top of the Pandemic information that changes all the time and keeping everyone informed.

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 an Ordinance of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County,

Illinois for the Levy, Assessment and Collection of Taxes for Tax Year 2020

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.2.3 Motion to Approve an Ordinance of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Abating the tax hereto levied in Ordinance 17-22 for the Tax Year 2020 to pay the Principal and Interest on $1,112,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017

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

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 reminded the Board that they need to continue to take care of the Police and Fire Department. In their line of work, it can be very dangerous and sometimes they may need additional help.

Trustee Grenier went over some Santa letters and will work closely with the Village Administrator, Board, Police Department and other organizations that will help with the letters.

Trustee Grenier thanks Trustee Hammar, Superintendent Wagner and Shawn, Tim and Jorge from Public Works for a nice job they did with the lights.

9.4.2 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 Fireground Supply Inc. Providing for the Procurement of Firefighting Turnout Gear in an Amount not to Exceed $25,000.00

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

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

9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Trustee Hammar spent some time with Pete from the Park District and went over his vision of the electric lights for this year. It turned out very nice.

Trustee Hammar along with Trustee Grenier brought up the idea that if at all possible in the budget, now would be a good time to buy additional Holiday lights and displays for next year’s Electric Lights Festival. Superintendent Wagner is very good at getting lots for the buck. They are recommending $5000.00. The Board did agree.

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 it has been a difficult year and the organizations that he works with have been quiet. Hopefully soon we’ll see some normality and the organizations will be able 10 Village President

10.1 President’s Report

10.1.1 12/1 – 1/9 Electric Lights Festival from today to Jan. 9, 2021. 10.1.2 12/15/2020 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

This has been a very difficult year the Electric Lights Festival will be for all to enjoy. Thank you to everyone that participated in every way to make the Electric Lights Festival a reality.

Thank you to everyone that helps in every way by encourage each other and residents through this time.

The Round Tables have helped the Village of Berkeley to plan well for it’s future.

President Lee will meet with Mayor Tamberino regarding Berkeley Baseball and Hillside Baseball because next year baseball will change. Baseball year reunion next year.

11 Village Administrator – Administrator Espiritu informed the Board that the Pandemic although it is high (in the high 20’s) it is going down. The infection rate is about 12%. Continue to think about the future of Berkeley (what the Board wants Berkeley to look like). In four- or five-years Berkeley will look very different (new schools, potentially new Park District facility and potentially a remodeled library) This is going to change the community in a positive way. Because of this change, more families will possibly want to move into Berkeley. Village Administrator Espiritu informed the Board that he was told by the Park District and Library that the Round Tables and Strtegic Planning that the Village of Berkeley have done, has inspired them to do theirs.

12 Village Attorney – No report.

13 Public Comments and Questions

No Public Comments or Questions.

14 Executive Session – No 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)

15 Action to be Taken as a Result of Executive Session

No Action taken

16 President Lee adjourned the meeting at 7:30 pm

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

Voice Vote

MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/Board_Meeting_Minutes_December_1_2020.pdf