West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met Feb. 15.

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 Mohammed, Hammar, Salemi, Graf-Stone, Perez, Village President Lee

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

4 Presentations and Appointment

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 Minutes from February 1, 2022

7.2 Executive Session Meeting Minutes from February 1, 2022 (Not for public release)

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 #1481 in the amount of $354,039.59

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 – Mathews)

9.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.1.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Graf-Stone advises all Coronavirus numbers are going down, which is positive. The committee’s main focus has been on the budget.

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.2.2 Monthly Reports

9.2.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Approving a Proposal from Teska Associates, Inc. for Village Corridor Planning Services in an Amount not to Exceed $28,560.00.

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.2.4 Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 Budget Presentation

Administrator Espiritu hands off to the very capable hands of Assistant to the Administrator Justyn Miller, but first states the budget is balanced. Assistant to Administrator Justyn Miller proceeds with thorough budget presentation.

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

9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.3.2 Monthly Report

9.3.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Berkeley and Triton Community College District 504 regarding the Recruitment of Part-Time Law Enforcement Officer Candidates

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

MOTION CARRIED

Chief Larem introduces internship from Triton college with high hopes of filling vacancies. Chief also states there is a goal to bring in a canine unit. Also, Chief will like to inform all that graffiti issue has been addressed. Apprehenders were cited and all graffiti has either been removed or being worked on being removed.

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

9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report Trustee Salemi states Chief Larem, Trustee Perez and herself had a fire subcommittee meeting, more information will be presented by Chief Larem. Trustee Salemi gives the floor to Chief Larem. Chief Larem has identified some problems, the staffing is increasing. Chief Larem states police officers are being trained to drive fire engines to help in response.

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

9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.5.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Hammar informs all ad-hoc committee met last Thursday meetings are held 2nd Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. everyone is invited to attend. Trustee Hammar informs all new snow plow truck has been delivered.

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

9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report

Trustee Perez would like to see sponsors back and possible give away at events.

10 Village President

10.1 2/22/22 Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

10.2 3/1/22 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

President Lee wants to thank everyone on the hard work on reaching a balanced budget. President Lee goes on to specifically thank Assistant to the Administrator Justyn Miller for presentation. President Lee congratulates Trustee Salemi on receiving the position and title of Berwyn Development Corporation President. President Lee met with resident Kathleen Chmura who agreed to be chairperson of centennial celebration.

11 Village Administrator

Administrator Espiritu states Berkeley Coronavirus numbers are now in single digits. Mask mandates will be lifted along with the county on 2/28/22. Assistant to the Administrator Justyn Miller informs all of the green energy results. Administrator Espiritu informs all negotiations are occurring regarding refuge and recycling contract, ask board of important items to include and address.

12 Village Attorney

No report

13 Public Comments and Questions

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

14 Executive Session

14.1Motion 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)

Enter executive session 7:40p

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

Exit Executive Session 8:11p

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

15 Action to be Taken as a Result of Executive Session

16 Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

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

VOICE VOTE-MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/February_15_2022_Minutes.pdf