December 9, 2019 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON TOWNSHIP TAX LEVY ORDINANCE FOR 2019 AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD  MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2019, AT THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP HALL, 105 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, OAK PARK, ILLINOIS

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor  Keenan called the Public Hearing on the Tentative Township Tax Levy for 2019 to order at 7:00 p.m. Eighteen electors and Township staff members attended the hearing.

Electors Kitty Conklin, Marty Bernstein, Michele Gurgas, Pete Prokopowicz, Corey Gimbel, Kevin Peppard and Pati Flannery spoke in opposition to the Tentative Levy, citing popular support for tax relief, the wrong of capturing all available EAV from the expired TIF districts, and the high cost of living in Oak Park due to taxes. They also requested that the Town Board provide tax relief rather than additional taxes.

Trustee Davis moved to adjourn the Public Hearing at 7:17 p.m. Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Supervisor Keenan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. On the call of the roll the following were present: Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan, Trustees Ade Onayemi, Margaret Trybus, Eric Davis, Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley and Clerk Gregory White. Township Manager Gavin Morgan and Township Attorney John Garofalo were also present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Davis moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the November 13, 2019 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, and Township Bills for the period: November 9, 2019 through December 4, 2019. Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF 2019 TOWNSHIP TAX LEVY ORDINANCE

Manager Morgan reviewed the options presented to the Board for consideration in deciding an appropriate Levy for 2019. The Tentative Levy Ordinance was adopted by the Board On November 13, 2019, reflecting a 9.5% increase aimed at capturing a one-time opportunity to tax additional EAV from the expiration of two TIF districts in the amount of $218,897.

Trustee Onayemi moved to approve the 2019 Township Tax Levy Ordinance in the following amounts:

Town Fund                       $4,961,120

General Assistance                139,141

Mental Health                      1,564,530

TOTAL                             $5,441,067

Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley seconded the motion. Board members, including Assessor ElSaffar, spoke on the Tentative Levy with the desire to be fair to taxpayers while maintaining prudent funding amounts for Township services to local citizens.

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: ayes: Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley; nays: Trustee Davis, Supervisor Keenan, Trustee Onayemi, and Trustee Trybus.  The motion was defeated 4-1.

The Board then reconsidered the Tentative Levy, which reflected capturing a lower amount of the EAV with an estimated overall increase of 5.1%.

After discussion Trustee Onayemi moved to approve ORDINANCE 2019-02: TOWNSHIP 2019 PROPERTY TAX LEVY in the following amounts:

Town Fund                        $3,518,499

General Assistance                139,141

Mental Health                      1,564,530

TOTAL                             $5,222,170

Trustee Trybus seconded the motion. On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: ayes: Trustees Mbekeani-Wiley, Onayemi, and Trybus; nays: Trustee Davis and Supervisor Keenan. The motion was declared passed 3-2. A copy of the ordinance is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

APPROVAL OF FOSTER GRANDPARENTS AGREEMENT WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLABORATION

Manager Morgan shared a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding between the C.E.C. and the Township for coordination of services to provide a Foster Grandparent Program connecting older adults with young children in Oak Park, Illinois. Trustee Davis moved to approve the Agreement; Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Manager Morgan shared sample copies of a Cannabis, Drug and Alcohol Policy for Board members review. He also requested Board input for the formation of a policy for the Township’s Personnel Policy Manual.

TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT

Manager Morgan shared a statistical report on the senior citizens using transportation to and from Farmers’ Market. The Monthly General Assistance report, Youth Interventionist report, and Youth Services Director report were all distributed to Board members.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

Supervisor Keenan reported that the Township’s Annual Holiday Party will be held at Pinstripes in Oakbrook Center on January 17, 2020. She also congratulated Senior Director Pamela Mahn and her staff for being awarded Township Of The Year at the November Township Officials of Illinois Fall Conference in Springfield.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Trustee Onayemi moved to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters at 8:52 p.m. Trustee Trybus seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

The Board returned to open session at 9:02 p.m.