January 23, 2018 Approved Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018, AT THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP HALL, 105 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, OAK PARK, ILLINOIS
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Supervisor Keenan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. On the call of the roll the following were present: Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan, Trustees Margaret Trybus, Eric Davis and Clerk Gregory White. Township Assessor Ali Elsaffar, Township Manager Gavin Morgan and Attorney John Garofalo were also present. Trustee Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley participated via speakerphone, in accordance with statutory procedures. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Trustee Trybus moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the January 9, 2018 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, and Township bills for the period December 30, 2017 through January 18, 2018. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
APPOINTMENT TO COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD
Trustee Davis moved to appoint Janet Graf to a full four-year term on the Community Mental Health Board. Trustee Trybus seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
PRESENTATION BY COMMUNITY BANK OF OPRF ON INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Ann Schimmel of Community Bank of Oak Park-River Forest, gave a presentation to the Board on improved investments for the Township, mainly through changing CDs into CDARS. She explained the benefits of the transition, most notably higher interest rates and better protection of deposits. Manager Morgan concurred and also recommended researching other Township CDs for better returns on investment. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to draft a final agreement with Community Bank of OPRF placing funds in CDARS, for action at the next meeting.
Trustee Ade Onayemi joined the meeting at 7:22 p.m., after attending the CMHB Meeting.
DISCUSSION REGARDING PARKING AGREEMENT WITH ST. EDMUND PARISH
Manager Morgan reported on communication with Fr. John McGivern of St. Edmund Parish, requesting Township rental use of parking spaces on weekdays during business hours. This would result in considerable savings as opposed to the cost of parking in the VOP garage. Board members expressed support for the concept and Mr. Morgan will continue to negotiate an agreement.
STRATEGIC PLANNING DISCUSSION
Supervisor Keenan reminded Board members of the Special Meeting on February 10 for revision of the Township Mission Statement, along with goals and objectives. Board members continue to discuss the value of Township services to the community, in light of community group discussions of consolidating the Township into the Village. Board members noted the cost efficiencies of the Township as well as the high quality of services provided. The Strategic Planning Session discussions will focus Township services and means of communication to the community, as a part of the Mission, Goals and Objectives.
Trustee Wiley ended her participation in the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
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SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
Supervisor Keenan reported that she and Senior Services Director Pamela Mahn were among those attending the recent community forum on aging at the Oak Park Public Library. In all, there were ten representatives from the Township at the forum. The Supervisor, Township Manager and Director Mahn also submitted a letter to the editor in the Wednesday Journal, the Oak Leaves, and on Patch.com noting the Township’s role as the main provider of Senior Services in Oak Park, and inviting public participation in an upcoming formal Needs Assessment for Seniors Survey. The Supervisor and Director Mahn also attended a meeting of the Village of Oak Park the previous evening, and publicly stated the value of Township Senior Services. The Village Board announced it will begin assessments of other local governmental bodies for efficiency. Also, emails with information on the Strategic Planning Meeting will be sent to all Board members, staff and stakeholders in the near future.
ASSESSOR’S REPORT
Assessor Ali Elsaffar reported the following items to the Board:
December was a very busy month for his office staff due to Federal Income Tax Law changes regarding property tax payment. Owners of 72% of single family homes in Oak Park pay more than $10,000 a year in property taxes. A new State law has taken effect which eases senior citizens with tax burdens. The Assessor has met with State Senator Don Harmon on a new initiative for tax referendums, after the District 97 increase provided substantially more revenue than projected. Oak Park Township accounts for approximately 2.4% of an Oak Park Tax Bill, with the major amounts earmarked for Districts 97 and 200, and the Village of Oak Park.
CLERK’S REPORT
Clerk White reported the following items to the Board:
Petitions for an Advisory Referendum as part of the Annual Meeting Agenda on April 10, 2018, are being accepted until March 1, 2018. Public notice is being distributed along with a press release that the Township has no role in supporting or opposing referenda. The Gubernatorial Primary Election will be conducted on March 20, 2018, and the Township Board Room will be used as a Polling Place. Clerk White has been collaborating with Mark Mesle of the County Clerk’s Office in seeking recruitment of Election Judges for the March 20 Election. A press release is also being released for recruitment.
BRIEF REPORTS
The General Assistance Report was shared with Board members. Written copies of the November/December 2017 Director’s Report Summary for Senior Citizens were given to Board members and are available on the Township website.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees will be a Special Meeting for Strategic Planning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Township Senior Services, 130 S. Oak Park Ave. The next Regular Board of Trustees Meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at the Oak Park Township Hall, 105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.
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ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Trybus moved to adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by and recorded in the office of
_____________________________ Gregory White, Township Clerk
Approved: