West Cook News

Village of Berkeley Village Board met Dec. 3

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, Matthews, Village President Lee, Village Clerk Nowak

Also present: Village Administrator Espiritu, Village Attorney Courtney Willits, Public Safety Director Tim Larem, and Assistant Administrator Miller

4 Presentations and Appointment

4.1 Swearing in Planning and Zoning Commissioner Rhonda Laye Congratulations Rhonda, welcome to the team!

5 Public Hearings

6 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.

6.1 Village Board Minutes from November 19, 2024

6.2 Executive Session Minutes from November 19, 2024 (not for public release)

MOTION CARRIED

7 Claims Ordinance

7.1 Motion to Approve Claims Ordinance #1542 in the amount of $393,339.98

MOTION CARRIED

8 Committee Reports

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

8.1.1 Trustee Liaison Report

Trustee Graf-Stone informs all of a letter that has been sent to the garden club advising them to seek an alternative location, this is due to possible commercial development at the current site. Also, a backup generator is being installed at Village Hall on December 12. The team is working with engineers Christopher Burke and Metro Strategies on an application for a grant linking Metra and a bike path along Taft Avenue. There will be an annual joint review board meeting December 10, 2024 regarding TIF.

8.1.2 Motion to Approve an Ordinance of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois Adopting a Schedule of Meetings for Calendar Year 2025

MOTION CARRIED

8.1.3 Motion to Approve an Ordinance of the Village of Berkeley, Cook County, Illinois for the Levy, Assessment and Collection of Taxes for Tax Year 2024

MOTION CARRIED 

Administrator Espiritu alerts the board this is the fifth consecutive year there has not been a tax increase on the Village portion of the property tax bill.

8.1.4 Fiscal Year 2024-2025 2nd Quarter Financial Dashboard Administrator Espiritu reviewed and showed that we are on track to another balanced budget.

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

8.2.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report

8.2.2 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

Administrator Espiritu reviews agreement with Mittera.

MOTION CARRIED

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

8.3.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report

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

8.4.1 Trustee Liaison Report-no report

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

8.5.1 Trustee Liaison Report-Trustee Thomas informs all regarding the library Holiday Open House Saturday 12/7 from 1:00pm to 3:00 pm.

Crafts and cookies for all ages, meet-and-greet with community groups. Santa and Mrs. Claus present for photos. Also, the library will have new program offerings in 2025 will include: a monthly off-site book club hosted at Super Taco Express; a monthly gardening group; ‘Fit and Strong’ senior fitness and health program hosted by a certified instructor; monthly teen programs; and regular toddler and  parent/caregiver programs. President Lee commends Library Director Ryan Cox for all his focus and hard work in involving the community and bringing in new programs.

8.5.2 Motion to Approve a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Elmhurst for the High Street Improvement Project

MOTION CARRIED

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

8.6.1 Trustee Liaison Report-Trustee Perez thanks Public Safety Director Larem for attending the neighborhood watch meeting. He was able to address and answer all questions from the general public. The Lions Club would like to sponsor a skating night once Berkeley rink is ready.

The Westchester Food Pantry will be accepting donations at the winter centennial festival.

9 Village President

9.1.1 Village President Report-President Lee informs all about the Saturday12/07/24 Centennial Event. Property Tax appeal workshop will be held at Sheet Metal Workers Union 12/04/24 for all the communities.

9.2 12/7/24 Tree Lighting and Electric Lights Festival at 3pm - 5 pm

9.3 12/24/24 Christmas Eve Holiday – Village offices closed

9.4 12/25/24 Christmas Day Holiday – Village offices closed

9.5 1/1/25 New Year’s Day Holiday – Village offices closed

9.6 1/7/25 Village Board Meeting at 6:30 pm

10 Village Administrator

Administrator Espiritu informs all this year Sarah’s Inn has been chosen as the non-forprofit agency for donations from the village and residents.

Assistant Administrator Miller explains new platform that is coming for 2025. The link will be used to record agenda and minutes.

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 Bonnie Routen-resident informs all Lions Club annual winter fest will be held 2/28/25. Housing market report will be available 2025.

13 Executive Session

14 Action After Executive Session

15 Meeting Adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

VOICE VOTE-MOTION CARRIED

https://berkeleyil.community.highbond.com/document/7aa845f9-4c07-4f04-9e68-6cae12daa99f/