West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met Nov. 16.

Here are 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 at Roll Call: Trustees Hammar, Salemi, Mathews, Graf-Stone, Perez, Village President Lee, Village Clerk Nowak

Also present: Village Administrator Espiritu, Village Attorney Smith, Assistant to the Village Administrator Miller, Police Chief Larem, Superintendent Wagner

4 Presentations and Appointment

Mayor Lee states special meeting tonight to form a stronger municipality. Invites Shafi Mohammed to the flag who went up against up 6 other candidates to fill trustee position.

4.1 Motion to Give Advice and Consent to the Village President’s appointment of Trustee Shafi Mohammed to fill the Trustee seat vacated by Trustee Herb Washington

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Jerry Perez		X	X
Sherry Graf-Stone			X
Jason Mathews			X

MOTION CARRIED

Trustee Mohammed thanks family, friends, and wife along with Mayor Lee and board members for his appointment. He states he is excited to join team.

4.2 Oaths of Office for new Village Trustee Shafi Mohammed- Congratulations & WELCOME to the Board of Trustees!

4.3 Oaths of Office for Public Works Laborer Matthew Garcia- Congratulations! Superintendent Wagner gives background and extensive experience Matthew Garcia brings to the team. Matthew states he’s very excited to join the team.

4.4 State of the Village Presentation – Mayor Lee

Mayor Lee presents his state of the Village. He thanks the administration, department heads, and the board. He thanks the diligent work of finance team and delivered his slide presentation.

4.5 Eastside Sidewalk Project Update – Supt. Wagner/Baxter & Woodman Superintendent Wagner updated the board on the first phase of the sidewalk project starting east of Wolf Rd., public meeting set for December 1, 2021. He introduces Baxter and Woodman lead engineer Tom Slattery, along with engineer Mike Gordon, they have been working on this project for about a year. Comment cards will be provided at the public meeting. Boards will be on display regarding work being done and time line. The project will be completed in three phases. Superintendent Wagner clarifies sidewalks will be new and some parkway trees will need to be removed.

4.6 2020 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

Assistant to the administrator Miller shows video of village of Berkeley receiving GFOA PAFR award for the 1st time. Special thanks for Assistant to the Administrator Miller for pursuing.

5 Public Hearings

6 Public Comments and Questions (Consent Agenda Items Only)

Please limit comments to five (5) minutes in length, unless further granted by the Board.

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 November 2, 2021

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Shafi Mohammed			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Jerry Perez		X	X
Sherry Graf-Stone			X
Jason Mathews			X

MOTION CARRIED

8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1475 in the amount of $463,179.82

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Shafi Mohammed			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Jerry Perez			X
Sherry Graf-Stone		X	X
Jason Mathews			X

MOTION CARRIED

9 Committee Reports

9.1 Administration, Zoning and Technology (Chair –Trustee Graf-Stone; Co Chair Vacant)

9.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.1.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Graf-Stone states team anticipates audit will be ready 1st board meeting of December. Team also continuing to work with Chief Larem for dispatch services.

9.1.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Traffic Control Device Maintenance and Operations Between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Village of Berkeley

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays	Absent	Abstain
Shafi Mohammed			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi			X
Jerry Perez		X	X
Sherry Graf-Stone	X		X
Jason Mathews			X

MOTION CARRIED

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.2.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Salemi has nothing to report

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

9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.3.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Salemi states the code enforcement report was very informative and any questions can go to code enforcer. Chief Larem reports graffiti has been spotted around town working on apprehending violator is not gang related, ensures will be taken care of. Chief Larem worked the field today due to being shorthanded. Chief also informs all of a partnership formed with Triton College for prospects of filling part-time police officer vacancies. Chief Larem also states looking at cameras.

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

9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.4.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Mathews had nothing to report.

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

9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.5.2 Monthly Reports

Trustee Hammar states the lighting project is moving along very well, poles and speakers will be installed soon. Project on target for completion December 1. Pond project and storage unit delayed all starting up again, working on parking lot.

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

9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.6.2 Holiday Giving Tree Follow-up

Trustee Perez is talking to organizations, working on what’s coming up in January and February. Comment on good things happening with park district ad-hoc committee. Mayor Lee comments met with staff at new credit union, Trustee Salemi states good candidates for chamber work. Assistant to the Administrator Miller presented three options for holiday programs. Board agrees on food drive.

10 Village President

10.1 11/17/21 Proviso Mayor’s Quarterly Meeting

10.2 11/25/21 Thanksgiving Day. Village offices closed

10.3 11/26/21 Day after Thanksgiving. Village offices closed.

10.4 12/2/21 Metro Fire Chief’s Luncheon at 11 a.m.

10.5 12/7/21 Christmas Tree Lighting at 6:10 p.m.

10.6 12/7/21 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Lee welcomes new Trustee Shafi Mohammed wants to make sure everyone is slotted where they find themselves comfortable and most beneficial. Reminds all of dinner tomorrow for proviso quarterly. Meeting for ring of honor December 1 at 5 p.m.

11 Village Administrator

Administrator Espiritu states Covid cases have increased, still in single digits. Mask mandate does not seem to be going away. Seating arrangement for board will be staying the same.

12 Village Attorney

Nothing to report.

13 Public Comments and Questions

Please limit comments to five (5) minutes in length, unless further granted by the Board

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)

15 Action to be Taken as a Result of Executive Session

16 Meeting adjourn at 8:11

Trustee	Motion	Second	Ayes	Nays		Absent Abstain
Shafi Mohammed			X
Larry Hammar			X
Diane Salemi	X		X
Jerry Perez			X
Sherry Graf-Stone		X	X
Jason Mathews			X

VOICE VOTE

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/November_16_2021_Minutes.pdf