West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Board of Trustees met Nov. 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, Perez, Graf-Stone, Matthews, Village President Lee, Village Clerk Nowak

Also present: Village Administrator Espiritu, Village Attorney Melody, Assistant Village Administrator Miller, Public Safety Director Larem, Public Works Director Wagner

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 American Legion Post 335/Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5979 – Mr. Lorenzo Fiorentino

President Lee welcomes the veterans and thanks them for the professional and educational military reenactment performed this past summer and looks forward to future events. The Veterans present American flag plaques and other plaques to Mayor Lee, Berkeley Park District, Village Board of Trustees, Park District Superintendent Graham, Public Safety Director Chief Larem, and Public Works Director Wagner. Mayor Lee thanks them all for their service and considers them friends of Village of Berkeley. He and the Village appreciate the work and dedication in the past and are looking forward to welcoming them for the next reenactment.

4.2 Beautify Berkeley Home of the Month – 1130 Richard Avenue-Congratulations!

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 November 1, 2022

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 #1498 in the amount of $568,142.44

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 open enrollment is closing by the end ofthe week. The team will be bringing a new phone system proposal for approval at the next board meeting. Also, village conducting annual wellness screening.

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.2.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Mohmmad states funds to be collected from 2nd installment property taxes budget will be received in January and February. He informs all credit union is ready to open and looking for board to have a ribbon cutting ceremony in December.

9.2.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving the Reimbursement of Redevelopment Project Costs to Mittera Illinois LLC under the Redevelopment Agreement for the Redevelopment of 5656 – 5670 McDermott Road, Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois, As Amended Superintendent Espiritu explains the 2016 development agreement in place with Mittera. Mr. Steve Goldsher representing Mittera goes on to say the nature of his business has changed. He states Mittera is still a printing company and they are looking for partnership with Triton and Proviso High Schools to increase their work force. Mittera will have an open house to show the Village it’s business.

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

MOTION CARRIED

9.2.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Illinois Authorizing the Execution of Illinois Department of Transportation

Documents Approving the Municipal Maintenance Expenditure

Statement for the Motor Fuel Tax Fund for FY 2021-2022

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

9.2.5 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Illinois Establishing an Estimated Annual Tax Levy for Tax Year 2022

Administrator Espiritu explains the estimate will be put in for 5% increase but will be recommending a zero percent increase for final levy.

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

MOTION CARRIED

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 of the Village of Berkeley, Illinois Terminating an Agreement for Professional Services provided by Quicket Solutions, Inc. for Master Software and Service Agreement and Statement of Work to Operate an Electronic Citation System

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

MOTION CARRIED

Public Safety Director Larem states vendor has not met deadlines, so he wishes to terminate agreement.

9.3.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Software Service Licensing Agreement between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and DACRA Tech LLC

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		X

MOTION CARRIED

9.3.5 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement for Web-Based Payment Services between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Violations Payment.com LLC

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

MOTION CARRIED

Public Safety Director Larem wanted to visit the concern brought forward at the last board meeting regarding the sightlines around the Berkeley welcome sign on Wolf Road. He informs all that his team has done several road scenarios has taken pictures and has not found an unusual obstruction with the signage on Wolf and Hawthorne. As with any intersection caution should be taken before proceedings. He also states there has not been any accidents since the sign has been placed. Trustee Matthews has also taken pictures and has driven experiencing no obstructions with the sign. The consensus of the Village Board was to keep the sign as is.

9.4 Fire and Health (Chair – Trustee Salemi; Co-Chair Trustee Perez) 9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report

9.4.2 Monthly Report

Trustee Salemi states aid has been given and as much received.

9.4.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Identifying the Allocation of Funding for the Repayment of a Loan from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program

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

Director Chief Larem explains this opportunity for a low or zero percent interest loan on ordering a new ambulance and fire engine. Also gives information regarding recent home fire that took place. Fire started in microwave.

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 states that at the last park district ad-hoc committee a new governmental agreement was presented. The next ad-hoc meeting will be taking place on 12/14/22. The screening that is being placed with the new fencing at the Metra station is being delayed due to screening material being on back order. Proviso Drive construction is also currently delayed due to concrete being on back order. The holiday lights display installation has begun.

9.5.3 Tree Maintenance Presentation and Discussion

Trustee Hammar states trees are a challenge, hands off to Public Works Director Wagner for tree presentation and further discussion.

Presentation includes pictures of COMED tree trimming. Joe provides detailed information regarding the budget, ordinances, the process of removing/planting trees and stumps. Trustee agree on getting estimate from contractor on assisting on tree and stump removal. Mayor Lee and Administrator Espiritu arranging a meeting with ComEd to discuss partnerships. Mayor, Trustees and Director Wagner agree communication to residents can always improve and is a work in progress. Safety is always first priority.

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

9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report

10 Village President

10.1 12/1/22 Electric Lights Festival Begins (through January 9, 2023) 10.2 12/6/22 Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. (Village Hall)

10.3 12/6/22 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

President Lee thanks everyone for their support. He informs everyone regarding Library and district 87 holding open houses welcomes everyone to attend.

11 Village Administrator-no report

Assistant Administrator Justyn Miller needs Board laptops for security updates. 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

Resident Phil Phifer is looking to board for solution regarding maintaining lawn at parkway where Comcast/AT&T has a cross box on 5101 St Charles. He has been cited for not cutting the grass but also has ruined lawn mowers from tools and material left behind by workmen. President Lee states staff will look into and get back to Mr. Phifer.

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)

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 Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

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-MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/December_6_2022_Agenda_Packet.pdf