Village of Berkeley Village Board met May 16
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 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 Smith, Assistant Village Administrator Miller, Public Safety Director Larem, Public Works Director Wagner
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 May 2, 2023
| 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
8 Claims Ordinance
8.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1509 in the amount of $261,555.04
| 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
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 provides a couple updates, the team has been working on the generator project along with the Dias project both will brought for approval at next board meeting on June 20, 2023.
9.1.2 Monthly Report
9.2 Finance and Economic Development (Chair – Trustee Mohammed; Co Chair Trustee Salemi)
9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report
Trustee Mohammed reported that the St. Charles Road Corridor Plan will be presented at the next board meeting.
9.2.2 Monthly Report
9.2.3 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Section 3-1-4 of the Village Code of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Adopting the Annual Fee Schedule
| 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
9.2.4 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Section 9-2-8(a) of the Village Code of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Regarding Fees Related to Water and Sewer Service
| 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
9.2.5 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Section 5-4-3 of the Village Code of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Regarding Fees Related to Refuse Collection Charges
| 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
9.3 Police and Property Maintenance (Chair – Trustee Mathews; Co-Chair Trustee Hammar)
9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report
Trustee Mathews gives the floor to Public Safety Director Larem.
Director Larem informs all that two new patrol officers that will be joining the police force. He also provides a report on a swatting incident that took place at McArthur School which was a hoax.
9.3.2 Monthly Report
9.3.3 Crime Free & Rental Inspection Housing Presentation and Discussion Public Safety Director Larem gave a presentation along with Property Maintenance Officer Paul Wegner on crime free housing which has been in effect since 2010. Officer Brent Hoekstra along with Property Maintenance Officer Wegner will lead the initiative.
9.4 Fire and Health (Chair – Trustee Salemi; Co-Chair Trustee Perez) 9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report
9.4.2 Monthly Report
9.4.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Fire Sprinkler Extension Agreement (1623-1625 Taft Avenue) Between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Sayi Pullappally Providing for a One Year Extension to Install a Fire Sprinkler 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 | X | ||||
| Jason Mathews | X |
MOTION CARRIED
9.5 Public Works and Utilities (Chair – Trustee Hammar; Co-Chair Trustee Mohammed)
9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report
Trustee Hammar reports west end of proviso drive is completed. Also informs all that 39 trees that were ordered have all been planted along with 30 planters delivered and set up.
9.5.2 Monthly Report
9.5.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Accepting a Bid from Chicagoland Paving Contractors, Inc. for Asphalt Pavement Improvements at the Food Park at St. Charles Road and Hillside Avenue 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 of next neighborhood watch meeting on Thursday May 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. which will include an emergency preparedness presentation. Requests robocall for resident reminder.
Team is getting ready for the upcoming summer events. He was approached by young resident who wants to sell snow cones.
10 Village President
10.1 5/29/23 Memorial Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m.
10.2 6/19/23 Juneteenth – Village Hall Closed
10.3 6/20/23 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
President Lee reports poppy week is coming up sponsored by the American Legion post 1016. Poppy days have been declared May 25, 26 and 27. Poppy queen is young girl and she will distribute poppies at the Memorial Day ceremony. Summer schedule is in effect for board meetings which is now once a month. Berkeley is the Rose town and we have officially started a rose program. Neighborhood watch is in need block captains. Liaison program kicks off again with board, trustees will continue with their current assignments. Food court is being developed as a short-term project.
11 Village Administrator-no report
12 Village Attorney
Village Attorney Greg Smith advises general assembly is in session will update regarding the new laws that go in effect at next board meeting.
13 Public Comments and Questions
Mary Davis asked if the apartment building proposed on Taft Ave affect local taxes? Did Berkeley residents receive any type of notice and should we would of have? Does this proposed project affect any TIFs? Does Berkeley have an economic development plan available?
Tony Esposito asked if there have been any conversations with the Hillside regarding the proposed apartment complex? Does the Village of Berkeley believe its appropriate location for the apartment complex? Is there going to be a reinspection fee for rental inspections?
Laura Garcia-Graham asked if the Mayor supporting the building complex? How will Berkeley residents benefit from the complex?
Lisa Guarino stated that she opposes the apartment complex would like to see stores. Also concerned about the number of tress cut down on Burr Oak and wonder if there will be replanted.
Gwen Neal asked what position is Berkeley taking regarding the complex? Hopes Berkley opposes, would like to see stores.
Cesar Rangel stated that he opposes the development of apartment complex.
Roger Romanelli has a letter signed by 64 residents opposing the building complex. Roger would like Berkeley to release their opinion on apartment complex. Are there drawings or floor plans available?
Berkeley resident of 11 years Donte Williams opposes apartment complex, feel there is no transpiration or resources for 42 new residents.
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 at 7:43 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 |
MOTION CARRIED
Exit Executive Session 8:07 p.m.
| 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
15 Meeting adjourned at 8:08 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/May_16__2023_Minutes.pdf
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