West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met Aug. 20

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 Thomas, Hammar, Salemi, Perez, Graf-Stone, Village President Lee, Village Clerk Nowak 

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

4 Presentations and Appointment 

4.1 Centennial Proclamation - Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Welcome Commissioner Aguilar and thank you for your update. 

4.2 Commission Reappointments - Planning & Zoning Commissioner Jacque Jones Congratulations! 

4.3 2024 Berkeley Scholarship Award Winner: Felicia Means Congratulations! 

5 Public Hearings 

6 Consent Agenda 

6.1 Village Board Minutes from July 16, 2024 

6.2 Executive Session Minutes from July 16, 2024 (not for public release) 

7 Claims Ordinance 

7.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1534 in the amount of $352,270.17

7.2 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1535 in the amount of $127,198.50 

8 Committee Reports 

8.1 Administration, Finance and Technology (Chair - Trustee Graf-Stone; Co-Chair - Trustee Mathews) 

8.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report 

Trustee Graf-Stone commends the staff and all village employees with all the efforts put into the Family Fun Fest. Informs all Ellen Hurley will be retiring September 13 2024. The position was advertised and interviews held position has been filled. The new Deputy Village Clerk will be introduced and sworn in September 17 2024. The Village was awarded a 2024 CBDB grant for $200,000.00 for sanitary sewer improvement. 

8.1.2 Monthly Report 

8.1.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving Revisions to the Honorary Street Sign Policy for the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois 

8.2 Community and Economic Development (Chair – Trustee Salemi; Co-Chair  – Trustee Thomas) 

8.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report 

8.2.2 Monthly Report 

8.2.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Proposed Amendment to the Village of Berkeley Zoning Code Regarding the Height of Chain-link Fences and the Location of Fences in Certain Yards 

8.2.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Proposed Amendment to the Village of Berkeley Zoning Code Regarding Parking at Automotive Repair Shops

8.3 Public Safety (Chair – Trustee Mathews; Co-Chair - Trustee Hammar) 

8.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report 

8.3.2 Monthly Reports

8.4 Public Works and Utilities (Chair - Trustee Hammar; Co-Chair - Trustee Salemi) 

8.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report-Trustee Hammar thanks village staff and especially Public Works for all the hard work that went into the fun fest and centennial celebration. 

8.4.2 Monthly Report 

8.4.3 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the Village of Berkeley Lead Service Line Inventory in an Amount Not to Exceed $40,000.00 

8.4.4 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement between the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois and Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the Village of Berkeley Lead Service Replacement Plan in an Amount Not to Exceed $14,600.00

8.5 Intergovernmental Relations (Chair – Trustee Thomas; Co-Chair – Trustee Perez) 

8.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report-Trustee Thomas provided an update on library. States all documents from the time capsule have been scanned and shared with the centennial committee. Round table was held at the library with various organizations. There was a strong showing for the summer reading program. Library is also partnering with Jewel-Osco for vaccinations. A FASA workshop will also be held at the library 

8.6 Community Events (Chair - Trustee Perez; Co-Chair - Trustee Graf-Stone) 

8.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report 

Trustee Perez wants to thanks everyone for their participation in the centennial celebration. Informs all cemetery walk will be held September 21 2024 sponsored by the historical society. 

9 Village President 

9.1 Village President Report 

President Lee thanks Commissioner Aguilar for his proclamation presentation. He thanks village staff and all organizations for all the hard work in making the village celebration a success. Thanks Library Director Ryan Cox for all the library efforts in making the centennial year a success. Vietnam Memorial Wall is coming. Berkeley's biggest block party was held on 1400 block of Atwood. The parade on August 11, 2024 was attended by three Illinois officials: Congressman Garcia, Congressman Davis and House Speaker Welch. President Lee wants to thank all the volunteers. Hillside hosted a tax appeal workshop. Cemetery was established in the 1800's, there is a tribute rose program that is ongoing over 60 roses were planted in the cemetery. Berkeley is partnering with Hillside in the Autumn fest. 

9.2 9/2/24 Labor Day Holiday – Village Offices Closed 

9.3 9/12/24 Informational Meeting - Eastside Pavement & Sidewalks

9.4 9/17/24 Berkeley Wall of Mayors Presentation 

9.5 9/17/24 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

10 Village Administrator-no report 

11 Village Attorney-no report 

12 Public Comments and Questions 

Please limit comments to three (3) minutes in length, unless further granted by the Board 

Eric Mercardo-resident speaks regarding issue that has escalated that began in 20222 regarding a hole. President Lee commits to having administrator Espiritu give him a call regarding the matter. 

Bonnie Routen-resident provides a six-month market report, 27 homes sold median price $287,000.00 for single family homes. Concern about the escalation of Property taxes. Question the cost of mural, confirm cost of mural $26,000.00 

Victoria Lane-concern about property taxes 

13 Executive Session 

13.1 Motion to enter into Executive Session to consider the: 

a. Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employee(s) and/or Legal Counsel 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, 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 7:36pm

Exit executive session 7:48pm

14 Action After Executive Session 

14.1 Motion to Approve a Resolution of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Regarding the Review of Closed Session Minutes 

15 Meeting Adjourned 7:48pm 

https://www.berkeley.il.us/vertical/Sites/%7BB4877CC9-5533-47FA-94DE-B3C09F1665AB%7D/uploads/8-20-24_VB_Minutes.pdf