West Cook News

Village of Western Springs Board of Fire and Police Commissioners met Jan. 7.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

Present: Chair Marcia Buell (present remotely); Commissioner James Maragos (present remotely); Commissioner Janet Dahl (present remotely); Brian Budds, Director of Police; Susan Depner, Administrative Services Coordinator; and Casey Biernacki, Deputy Village Manager

Electronic Attendance:

This meeting was conducted via Zoom online platform in accordance with Illinois Governor Executive Orders: Number 2020-07 dated March 16, 2020, Number 2020-10 dated March 20, 2020, Number 2020-18 dated April 1, 2020, and Number 2020-32 dated April 30, 2020 (“Stay at Home” Order).

Agenda Items:

1. Call to Order

Chair Buell called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Chair Marcia Buell (present remotely), Commissioner James Maragos (present remotely), and Commissioner Janet Dahl (present remotely) were present. Also present in Police/Village Hall were Brian Budds, Director of Police, Susan Depner, Police Department Administrative Services Coordinator, and Casey Biernacki, Deputy Village Manager.

3. Approval of Meeting Minutes – November 9, 2021

MOTION: Commissioner Maragos made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2021 meeting. Commissioner Dahl seconded the motion. All present were in favor and the motion was approved by voice vote.

4. Public Comment

None.

5. Board of Fire and Police Commission FY 2022 Budget

Chief Budds stated that the FY 2022 budget for the BFPC was approved at the December 2021 board meeting. The budget is $20,000, which is the same amount as the 2021 budget.

MOTION: Commissioner Dahl made a motion to approve the FY 2022 budget of the Board of Fire and Police Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Maragos. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

6. Update on Entry-Level Police Officer Testing Process

Chief Budds stated that we currently have 15 applicants for the entry-level process, which is being administered by IO Solutions. The application window closes January 11, 2022. The written test will be January 29. Applicants need to score 70 percent to move onto the oral interviews. The maximum number of candidates we can have on the list is 20. This year, applications are very low, but we were prepared for this as applications are down nationwide. We are hoping we can certify a new list in late February or early March. Chair Buell asked about academy availability and Chief Budds explained that it is still very difficult to get academy spots due to the backlog from COVID cancellations or class size limitations. We are on the waitlist for all the available academies. We may have a spot in June at both SLEA and Cook County; we do not have a spot at PTI until September. It is possible that some candidates on the entry-level list will not need academy if they have prior police experience.

7. Recess to Closed Session (If Needed) 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(21) and 2.06: Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed under OMA, for the Purposes of Approval by the Body of the Minutes or Semi-Annual Review of the Minutes

Closed session not necessary.

8. Review and Approval of Resolution Approving the Content of and/or Release of Certain Closed Meeting Minutes of Meetings of the Board of Fire and Police Commission (full year 2020 and full year 2021)

MOTION: Commissioner Dahl made a motion to approve the closed meeting minutes from year 2020 and 2021 of the Board of Fire and Police Commission. Commissioner Maragos seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

9. Recess to Closed Session: 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) – Discussion of the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employee(s) of the Public Body

MOTION: Commissioner Maragos made a motion to adjourn to closed session. Commissioner Dahl seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote and the Commission adjourned to closed session at 2:14 p.m.

10. Motion to Approve Hiring Probationary Police Officers to Fill Current Vacancies

MOTION: Commissioner Dahl made a motion to approve the hiring of probationary police officers Nancy Salgado, Chase Naber, and Jessica Gutschow to fill the current vacancies of the Western Springs Police Department. Commissioner Maragos seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

11. Other Business

None.

12. Adjournment

MOTION: Commissioner Maragos made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Dahl seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:17 p.m.

https://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01072022-1317