August 28, 2018 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD
OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018, AT 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 7:06 p.m. On the call of the roll the
following were present: Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan, Trustees Ade Onayemi, Eric Davis,
Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley and Clerk Gregory White. Township Manager Gavin Morgan and
Attorney John Garofalo were also present. Trustee Margaret Trybus was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of
the June 19, 2018 Public Hearing and Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, and Township
bills for the period June 9, 2018, through August 22, 2018. Trustee Davis seconded the
motion which passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT PROCESS
Supervisor Keenan reported on the progress of the formation of the Financial Advisory
Committee, as approved by the Board last spring. To date, she has interviewed five wellqualified applicants from the community, and would like the Board to consider expanding
the committee structure from three community members to five. The next step is for
interested Board members to meet with the applicants in the near future prior to final Board
appointment.
DISCUSSION OF CLEARGOV.COM PROPOSAL
Manager Morgan gave a visual presentation on ClearGov.com, as a web platform for local
governments to share information on finances, demographics and related features. He
recommended contracting with Clear.Gov and posting information on the Township Web
Page. Board members expressed concerns about cost, as opposed to developing the
presentation of data in-house; methods of transmitting information; and a desire to gather
feedback from Township Board and Committee members. Further discussion will take
place at the next Town Board Meeting.
DISCUSSION OF VOP REFERENDUM
Supervisor Keenan reported on the Village Board’s decision to place a nonbinding
referendum on the November 6 Ballot regarding possible consolidation of local
governments/taxing bodies. The Town Board has stated its opposition to the referendum
question for being misleading and the process used by the Village Board and the Task
Force on Taxing Bodies Efficiencies to date.
DISCUSSION OF ROTARY CENTENNIAL SPONSORSHIP
Trustee and Rotary member Ade Onayemi reported on a request from the Rotary Club for
financial support for its Centennial activities. He noted that the Township already has
funded and supported Rotary programs and memberships over several years. Other Board
members expressed concerns of the appearance of favoritism and the need for a
Township policy on sponsoring community agencies and events.
TOWNSHIP DAY PLANNING AND ACTIVITIES
Clerk White is co-chairing this year’s Township Day Committee with Prevention Outreach
Coordinator Kelly O’Connor. This year’s event will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday,
September 21, at the 105 site. Local citizens are invited for tours of the restored Township
offices, information on Township services, and refreshments and activities in the Township
2
Parking Lot. River Forest Township will also participate in the activities.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT: 105 BUILDING RESTORATION
Manager Morgan reported on the costs to date for restoration of the 105 Building from
storm damage in May. With insurance coverage, the Township is responsible for $5,000 of
the cost, and $7,000 for replacement of the sewer line. Most of the building has been fully
restored and employees have returned to their offices after temporary quarters. Clerk
White assisted with the move back into Township Hall, and commended Tony Roeder of
Marion St. Services and Staff members Felita Wilson and Patricia Castrillon for their hard
work on the move and resumption of Township services.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
Supervisor Keenan reported the following to the Board:
 Congratulations to Trustee Michelle Wiley, who began a new full-time position with
the office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.
 An IGOV Meeting was held last week, without a representative from the Village of
Oak Park. Members of other governmental bodies shared concerns with Village
relations and asserted their autonomy as local governmental entities.
 The Children’s School has moved into Oak Park in the St. Edmund School Building
at 200 S. Oak Park Ave.
 The Township Assessor’s Office is finishing with the huge number of requests for
assistance with tax appeals, ending August 30.
 The Parking Agreement with Maya del Sol Restaurant should be ready for
presentation to the Board at the September 11 Meeting.
 The Village of Oak Park has refused the Township’s request for discounted
employee parking costs at the Avenue-Lake Garage, despite the Township’s
request for improved collaboration.
 A memo of understanding with District 97 Administration for Township Youth
Services Cargo Circles in schools is still under review by the District.
CLERK’S REPORT
Clerk White reported the FY2019 Township Budgets were filed with the County Clerk on
June 27. The Certificate of Ballot for the Advisory Referendum passed at the Annual Town
Meeting was also filed, along with the 2017 Prevailing Wage Rate Resolution with State
agencies. The Clerk’s Office and files are now fully operational at the 105 Office following
the restoration of the building. The Clerk also completed required annual training as the
Township’s FOIA and OMI Official. Weather Alert radios are operating in three Township
areas and were received from the Cook County Homeland Security Office.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley moved to enter Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter
under the Freedom of Information Act at 9:06 p.m. Trustee Davis seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
The Board returned to open session at 9:13 p.m.
3
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees will be a Regular Board of
Trustees Meeting, at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at the Oak Park Township
Hall, 105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Onayemi moved to adjourn at 9:14 p.m. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by
and recorded in the office of
_____________________________
Gregory White, Township Clerk
Approved: 9/11/2018