Village of Berkeley Village Board met June 20.
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:
Trustees 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)
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 16, 2023
7.2 Closed Session Minutes from May 16, 2023 (not for public release)
7.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality under the Illinois Highways Code for FY 2023 – 2024
7.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Reciprocal Agreement Regarding the Exchange of Information between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and the Illinois Department of Revenue
| 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 #1510 in the amount of $283,332.68
| 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
8.2 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1511 in the amount of $286,527.56
| 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
9 Committee Reports
9.1 Administration, Zoning and Technology (Chair –Trustee Graf-Stone; Co-Chair – Mathews)
9.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Garden Club
9.1.2 Monthly Report
Trustee Graf-Stone informs all the team is working on a mural project for centennial celebration and also working with Republic Bank regarding new updated location for food trucks parking. Garden club is doing great, fire department helped with refilling water.
9.1.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Accepting a Bid from Henricksen & Company, Inc. for Dais Replacement Services in the Bicentennial Room at Village Hall in the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois
| 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
9.1.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Proposal for Generator Installation Services at Berkeley Village Hall and Public Works with Buckeye Power Sales, LLC. in an Amount not to Exceed $235,163.00
| 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
9.1.5 Motion to Approve an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property Owned by the Village of Berkeley
| 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
9.1.6 Metra Parking Rate and Kiosk Upgrade Presentation
Assistant Administrator Miller presented a proposal to adjust the Metra parking rate from $1.50 to $2.00 because of the need to refurbish the Metra Fund because of the fence replacement and to purchase an upgraded kiosk.
The direction of the Village Board was to bring back the Metra parking rate adjustment and to purchase the upgraded kiosk at the Metra station.
9.2 Finance and Economic Development (Chair – Trustee Mohammed; Co-Chair Trustee Salemi)
9.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Library
9.2.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Approving the St. Charles Road Corridor Plan Prepared by Teska Associates, Inc.
Pete Iosue from Teska presented the updated St. Charles Road Corridor Plan.
Motion to bring back the St. Charles Road Corridor Plan to future board meeting for approval
| 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
9.3 Police and Property Maintenance (Chair – Trustee Mathews; Co-Chair Trustee Hammar)
9.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report– School District
9.3.2 Monthly Report
Trustee Mathews reports metrics have shown decrease in traffic stops and accidents.
9.4 Fire and Health (Chair – Trustee Salemi; Co-Chair Trustee Perez)
9.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Chamber of Commerce
9.4.2 Monthly Report
Trustee Salemi reports Hillside/Berkeley Commerce will be meeting 9/14/23 at noon. The Credit union will be doing a presentation for cyber security.
9.5 Public Works and Utilities (Chair – Trustee Hammar; Co-Chair Trustee Mohammed)
9.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Park District
9.5.2 Monthly Report
Trustee Hammer states work on food truck court will be opening soon.
9.6 Community and Intergovernmental Relations (Chair – Trustee Perez; Co-Chair Trustee Graf-Stone)
9.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report – Neighborhood Watch
Trustee Perez reports neighborhood watch meeting was held, states always looking for members and meeting are very informative as to what’s happening in the village. Pig Roast fund raiser happening this Friday. Lions Club will be providing a hearing bus again. Music in the park starting again, on Thursday.
10 Village President
10.1 Trustee Liaison Report – BerkHill Baseball
10.2 7/4/23 Fourth of July Holiday -Village Offices Closed
10.3 7/6/23 Tony Ocean-Electric Nights Music Series at 7 p.m.
10.4 7/13/23 The Rob Post Band-Electric Nights Music Series at 7 p.m.
10.5 7/18/23 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
President Lee reminds everyone Berkeley will be 100 years old in 2024 and will be having a centennial celebration. President Lee states Angela Sevcik will receive information she requested regarding the sidewalk project on Rhode that will be processed through the Village’s FOIA procedure. President Lee states number one responsibility is public safety. He states 2nd responsibility is our tax dollar. President Lee reads written statement regarding the proposed senior development in the Village of Hillside.
11 Village Administrator
12 Village Attorney
13 Public Comments and Questions
Please limit comments to three (3) minutes in length, unless further granted by the Board
Most of the residents below spoke regarding opposition and concerns regarding the proposed senior development proposed on Taft Avenue in the Village of Hillside.
Diane Kozan-Who is going pay the tax on that building? When is hearing/vison bus coming? Muzzammil Aftul-Would like to see something else besides and apartment building. Mary Baker-concern about construction noise
Vivian Billups-consider moving agenda around, certainly opposes anything tax free. Would like to see Mayor oppose, believes Longfellow value will go down.
Javier Contretras-opposing sidewalk on Rhode
Nicole Deford-update on Berkeley Connects?
Lisa Guarino-consider what we are here for, support our opinions
Dawn Greene-concern about negatives senior housing will bring, wants to feel safe afraid riff raff will come in Ann Hohe-agree with opposition of apartment building and being tax free
Fred Siler-what legal right do we have? Should pay taxes. Should not be tax-free forever Barbara Johnson-wants taxes to be paid, wants project shut down
Ivan & Dana Johnson-Question the safety of the Metra tunnel. Would like to see a tax paying entity.
Toni Leon-This is an important project would like to see a referendum
Ginger McMahon-Happy to be Berkeley resident, agrees with opposition, build instead by Hillside mall
Lynne Morrisey-hurt regarding about Mayors support without informing residents, impacting safety fire and police. We should be informed
Frank Patitucci-Why are you not sharing our views with Hillside concern about safety issues Angela Sevcik-opposing sidewalks on Rhode
John Stephell-agrees with majority opposing apartment building
Carol Umbodstock-want a call back. Berkeley flag is ripped and needs to be replaced, why are trucks coming down Taft
Donte Williams-thanks fire department, how will elderly get to stores, opposes project Roger Romanelli-unable to get information. Does it pay property taxes?
Gail Meyers-what are you going to do with the information you heard tonight?
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)
Enter Executive Session at 9:15 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 9:58 p.m.
| 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
15 Action After Executive Session
15.1Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement between Rudy Espiritu and the Village of Berkeley
| 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
16 Meeting Adjourned at 10:00 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/Bm_6-20-23.pdf
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