January 14, 2020 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2020, 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 7:05 p.m. On the call of the roll the following were present: Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan, Trustees Ade Onayemi, Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley, Eric Davis and Clerk Gregory White. Township Manager Gavin Morgan and Attorney John Garofalo were also present. Trustee Margaret Trybus was absent.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Onayemi moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the December 9, 2019 Public Hearing and Regular Board of Trustees Meeting; December 9, 2019 Executive Session Meeting; and Township bills for the period December 12, 2019 through January 8, 2020. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

PRESENTATION BY HOUSING FORWARD ON SOJOURNER HOUSE

Lynda Schueler and Holly Rotman-Zard of Housing Forward reported on the first six months of Sojourner House, a transitional living facility for families and partially funded by the Township. Both representatives reported that Sojourner House has been busy and helpful to its clients for housing, food, medical and social assistance. Their report gave statistics on the clients and services rendered. The Board thanked them and commended them for their assistance to needy individuals in the community.

RATIFICATION OF FISCAL AGENT AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Manager Morgan shared copies of the recently signed agreement with the Community Foundation to act as fiscal agent for Township grants. He requested Board members to ratify the agreement.

Trustee Onayemi moved to ratify the OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FISCAL SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT WITH OAK PARK TOWNSHIP, a copy of which is attached to and made a part of these minutes. Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF DRUG, ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS POLICY

Board members discussed a draft of a proposed drug policy, shared at the previous Board meeting. Trustee Davis then moved to approve the OAK PARK TOWNSHIP CANNABIS, DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE/ABUSE POLICY, which will be added to the Township Personnel Policy. Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

TOWNSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT

Manager Morgan shared monthly reports from General Assistance and Youth Services. He also reported that the Youth Services Director has passed on information about connecting to a network of local universities for posting job opportunities. QuickBooks is now running on the Township computer system and will hopefully streamline bill payment and procedures as well as financial reporting. Laura Devitt has been promoted to full time Youth Interventionist. Finally, the Township received credits for the recent fraudulent charges on the Township PNS Credit Card.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT

Supervisor Keenan reported that security improvements for the 105 Main Office Door will be installed soon. The Annual Employee Holiday Party is planned for January 17, and Trustees were in agreement to pay the cost of transportation to and from the event. A letter thanking Assessor Ali Elsaffar was received for his assistance to a medical group redeveloping the office building at 101 Madison St.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Trustee Davis moved to enter Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter, real estate matter, and possible litigation. Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

The Board returned to open session at 9:11 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, January 28, 2020, at the Oak Park Township Hall, 105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Onayemi moved to adjourn at 9:12 p.m. Trustee Mbekeani-Wiley seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted by
and recorded in the office of

_____________________________

Gregory White, Township Clerk

Approved: 1/28/2020