West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met May 2

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1 President Lee calls meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

2 Pledge of Allegiance

3 Roll Call: Trustees Mohammed, Hammar, Perez, Graf-Stone, Matthews, Village President Lee

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

President Lee also welcomes Hillside Mayor Tamburino and Administrator Pisano.

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 Invocation/Welcome – Fire Department Chaplin Mark Dodgson

Chaplin Dodgson provided a welcoming invocation

Village Clerk Nowak provided the oaths of office to the following:

4.2 Swearing in of Village of Berkeley Trustees:

Sherry Graf-Stone-CONGRATULATIONS!

Shafiuddin Mohammed- CONGRATULATIONS!

Jeronimo “Jerry” Perez- CONGRATULATIONS!

Diane C. Salemi- postponed

4.3 Swearing in of Berkeley Public Library Trustees:

Angela Villafana- CONGRATULATIONS!

Michael Williams-CONGRATULATIONS!

4.4 Swearing in of Berkeley Park District Commissioners:

Mari S. Carpenter- CONGRATULATIONS!

Gloria D. Sada- postponed

Rolanda L. Sudduth- CONGRATULATIONS!

4.5 Planning and Zoning Commission

Chair Paul Bullard- CONGRATULATIONS!

4.6 Police and Fire Commissioners:

Adam Conlin- CONGRATULATIONS!

Gustavo Villafana- CONGRATULATIONS!

4.7 Police Officers:

Salvatore Palazzolo- CONGRATULATIONS!

Joseph Vikidel- 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 April 18, 2023

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

8 Claims Ordinance

8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1508 in the amount of $220,151.79

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

Trustee Graf-Stone gives updates on a couple of items. The village generator project will be presented for approval at upcoming board meeting. Also bids for board room dais will be completed and approval will be presented to board as well.

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

9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report

Trustee Mohammed states the budget for the new fiscal year has been implemented. Also, the first draft for the St Charles corridor plan has been received and will be reviewed.

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

9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report

President Lee thanks police for their great support of the force when they take their oath of office.

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

9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report

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

9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report

Trustee Hammar reports Public Works staff is currently removing tree stumps. They have received 37 new trees, of which 19 have been planted. Village has also purchased 30 brand new flower pots. President Lee comments on the great job refilling pots holes. Also states the village will be bringing back the roses to the village for the centennial.

Berkeley was declared the rose town in 1956.

9.5.2 Motion to approve a Resolution Accepting a Bid from Dawson’s Tree Service, Inc. for Tree Trimming and Removal Services in the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois

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

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

9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report

Trustee Perez informs all the Lions Club has approved purchase of yellow roses for the Centennial.

10 Village President

10.1 5/16/23 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

President Lee thanks Hillside Mayor Tamburino along with Hillside Administrator Pisano for presenting and attending the board meeting today. President Lee explains there has been a long-time partnership will Hillside and the Village which is brought together through the Taft and Electric corridor plan. Other recent partnerships with Hillside include Autumn Fest.

Mayor Tamburino stated that the biggest project going on right now is on Taft Avenue is the redevelopment of the Presbyterian Church property. After much consideration, independent affordable senior housing will be built in its place. Hillside Administrator Pisano states the five story building will have 42 units. 36 will be single units. It will be run by a management company. President Lee stated that strategic planning will always continue which includes building for the next 100 years. President Lee reminisces about Berk-Hill baseball and recites an article regarding Mayor Tamburino hitting a home run in 1963.

11 Village Administrator-no report

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 Dr Jordan Sahattchieve will like to address the Berkeley Library policies.

14 Executive Session- none

15 Meeting adjourned at 8:04 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		X

VOICE VOTE-MOTION CARRIED

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/May_2_2023_Minutes.pdf