October 9, 2018 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD
OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 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 7:07 p.m. On the call of the roll the
following were present: Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan, Trustees Ade Onayemi, Eric Davis,
and Clerk Gregory White. Township Manager Gavin Morgan and Attorney John Garofalo
were also present. Trustees Margaret Trybus and Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley were absent.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Trustee Davis moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the
September 11, 2018 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, Minutes of the September 11,
2018 Executive Session Meeting, and Township bills for the period August 23, 2018
through October 5, 2018. Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Board members commended the five applicants for appointment to the Committee, who
were all interviewed by Board members. Trustee Onayemi moved to appoint Dirk De Lor,
Doug Weismantle, Kitty Conklin, Delilah Strickland and Greg Kolar to full terms on the
Township Financial Advisory Committee. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF POLICY ON SPONSORSHIP OF COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS
Manager Morgan shared a draft of a proposed policy on sponsorship of community
nonprofit organizations, as discussed by the Board at the previous meeting. After
discussion, Trustee Davis moved to approve the POLICY ON SPONSORSHIP OF
COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS, a copy of which is attached to and made a part of these
minutes. Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO TOWNSHIP BILLS LIST PROCESS
Manager Morgan reported on proposed changes in the presentation and approval process
for Board approval of Township bills. The new process will improve and streamline the bill
payment process. A draft Resolution regarding the proposed changes will be shared with
the Board for consideration and approval at the next meeting.
TOWNSHIP DAY PLANNING AND ACTIVITIES
Supervisor Keenan commended the committee and participants in this year’s Township
Day, which was held on September 21st
. The event was well-attended and enjoyed by the
visitors, and Township services were shared with the public. Clerk White also thanked the
Planning Committee members for their efforts in organizing a successful event.
MADISON ST. TIF DISTRICT DISCUSSION
Assessor Ali ElSaffar was present and gave further explanation of options for the Township
in formulating a position on extending the Madison St. TIF District or not. To date, the
Village of Oak Park has not provided any information of intent to continue the TIF. It was
agreed that the Assessor and Manager Morgan will draft a position statement for the
Township for consideration at the next Board Meeting.
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Assessor ElSaffar also reported on the intense number of appeals (900) handled by his
staff in the recent period beginning in July and ending September 13. Additionally, most
appeals were done in crowded temporary quarters due to renovation of Township Hall after
water damage last spring. Corrected tax bills amounted to approximately $440,000 in
savings to taxpayers, and 274 Certificates of Error were approved by the County
Assessor’s Office. Board members expressed appreciation to all the Assessor’s staff and
Township Reception staff for their courtesy and assistance to taxpayers.
CMHB FUNDING FOR THRIVE
Supervisor Keenan reported that the administration of Thrive Services violated terms of its
contract with the Community Mental Health Board by providing financial assistance to
individuals who have private insurance coverage. A recent audit disclosed that
approximately $10,000 was given to clients who were ineligible for assistance by contract
terms. The CMHB has warned Thrive against any further violations, and is considering a
request for repayment of funding to the CMHB. The Town Board discussed the issue and
supports a demand for repayment of taxpayer funding that was misused, along with full
compliance of the terms of the contract. CMHB member and Trustee Liaison Ade Onayemi
will communicate this to the CMHB at the next meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Trustee Onayemi moved to enter Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter at 7:44
p.m. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
The Board returned to open session at 8:04 p.m.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT
Manager Morgan reported the following items to the Board:
 The Township website will be updated soon.
 The TOCC Trustees Division Fall Conference is being held soon and Board
members were encouraged to attend.
 The Township Officials of Illinois Annual Conference is being held in Springfield
November 11- 13. Because of this, the November Board Meeting has been
rescheduled for Wednesday, November 14.
 Senior Services Director Pamela Mahn will be addressing the Aging In Place
Commission of the Village of Oak Park.
 Copies of the Taxing Bodies Efficiency Task Force Report were given to Board
members.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT
Supervisor Keenan reported the following to the Board:
 Township staff will participate in the Breast Cancer Awareness Month walk, and
Board members were encouraged to participate and support the event.
 The Annual Elected Officials Barbeque is being held on October 24.
 The SPF Director is hosting a Prescription Take Back Event on October 27 from 10
a.m.- 2 p.m.
 A Candidate’s Forum for citizens considering running for political office is being held
on October 17 at Percy Julian Middle School.
 A Consolidation Vote Forum is tentatively scheduled for October 23 at the Oak Park
Public Library, and more information should be available soon.
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CLERK’S REPORT
Clerk Gregory White reported that Early Voting is now under way at Oak Park Village Hall.
The Township Office is open tonight until 8 p.m. for voter registration, which is also the last
day for registration at the Township. The Clerk responded to an Oak Leaves inquiry as to
the process and topics for having an advisory referendum placed on voters’ ballots. Inhome registration was provided for handicapped individuals who need to register. The
Township Board Room will be a Polling Place for the November 6 General Election.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Trustee Onayemi moved to enter Executive Session at 8:36 to discuss two personnel
matters. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
The Board returned to open session at 8:44 p.m.
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, October 23, 2018, at the Oak Park Township Hall,
105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Onayemi moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by
and recorded in the office of
_____________________________
Gregory White, Township Clerk
Approved: 10/23/2018