West Cook News

Village of Western Springs General Government Committee Met Jan. 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

This public meeting was held using the Zoom on-line platform as authorized by the Open Meetings Act, the CDC directive (social distancing guidelines) and Illinois Governor Disaster Proclamation dated December 12, 2020 (Restore Illinois Plan), and Executive Orders 2020-76 and 74 extending the Governor's prior Executive Orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and his implementation of the "Restore Illinois" Plan (COVID-19E.O.No. 69 andCOVID-19 E.O. 76).

Present

Chair Tyrrell, Member Chen, President Gallagher, Village Manager Velkme, Director Baer, Director Schramm, and Attorney Jurusik

Chair Tyrrell moved to open the committee meeting, seconded by Member Chen. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Member Chen and Chair Tyrrell. The General Government Committee meeting was called to order at 11 :45 a.m.

Agenda Items

1. Public Comment

There were no public comments.

2. Approval of Minutes

Chair Tyrrell moved, seconded by Committee Member Chen, to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 2, 2020 as read. The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Chen. Voting nay: None.

3. Alternate Emergency Sick Leave Benefits for Emergency Responders Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

Director Baer presented a request to extend the Village policy of providing 80 hours of Alternate Emergency Sick Leave to employees who are first responders or essential employees to June 30, 2021. The Village adopted a resolution in April 2020 approving this policy to be effective through December 31, 2020 with the hope that Illinois would be well into the recovery from the COVID virus and that our exposure risks would be significantly reduced at this time. Unfortunately, the state has not been the improvement we anticipated.

Village Manager Velkme, Chief Kenny and Director Baer believe this policy has helped reduce the risk of community spread by allowing employees to utilize this bank of time when they have had high risk exposures or are exhibiting symptoms that match the COVID-19 virus. The committee discussed the request and agreed to recommend to the Board that this valuable policy be extended through June 30, 2021.

4. Updated Intergovernmental Agreement with Lyons Township High School

In December 2020, the committee discussed in detail the need for an updated intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Western Springs and Lyons Township High School - District 204 for use of the Village's Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). At that time, the committee made a recommendation to the Board of Trustees to move forward with approval of a resolution approving said agreement. The Board concurred and the agreement was approved on December 7, 2020.

The IT Director at Lyons Township provided the agreement to their attorney and some modifications to the draft agreement were requested. Village Attorney Jurusik has reviewed their suggested modifications. Attorney Jurusik explained the changes, which are not substantial in nature and include standard contract language. It is his recommendation that if the committee and Board agree to the changes, that the Board ratify the changes to the agreement at the January 25, 2021 Board meeting.

The committee discussed the revisions and will present them to the Board on January 11, 2021 with the recommendation to ratify the changes to the agreement approved in December 2020. It is Director Schramm's hope that the work to modify the MAN can still be completed on the President's day holiday on February 15, 2021 to minimize any service disruptions.

5. Schedule Next Committee Meeting

The next General Government Committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 1:45 a.m.

With no further business to discuss, Chair Tyrrell moved, seconded by Member Chen, to adjourn the committee meeting at 12:11 p.m.

The motion passed on a roll call vote. Voting aye: Chair Tyrrell and Member Chen.

Voting nay: None.

https://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01062021-1157