December 8, 2020 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON TOWNSHIP TAX LEVY ORDINANCE FOR 2020 AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONDUCTED ELECTRONICALLY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020.

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor Keenan called the Public Hearing on the Tentative Township Tax Levy for 2020 to order at 7:12 p.m. Several electors and members of the public spoke in support of giving the CMHB a levy increase equal to the Township rate overall, as opposed to the Tentative Levy approved by the Town Board which did not allow for a levy increase for the Community Mental Health Fund. Supporters of the levy increase cited the need for increased mental health services as well as maintaining sufficient funding for existing programs.

When public comments were finished, Trustee Davis moved to close the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. Supervisor Keenan seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Supervisor Keenan called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. On the call of the roll the following participated in the meeting: Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan, Trustees Ade Onayemi, Margaret Trybus, Eric Davis, Michelle Mbekeani and Clerk Gregory White. Township Manager Gavin Morgan and Township Attorney John Garofalo also participated.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Davis moved to approve the Consent Agenda, including the Minutes of the November 17, 2020 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting and Township Bills for the period: November 12, 2020 through December 2, 2020. Trustee Trybus seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF 2020 TOWNSHIP TAX LEVY ORDINANCE

Manager Morgan recommended that the Board approve the Tentative Levy amounts as approved at the last meeting, without an increase to the CMHB levy. He stated that the amounts presented in the Tentative Levy were prepared in accordance with the Board’s previous directives, and that the CMHB would still have sufficient funding. Also, the amounts were consistent with the Township’s Fund Balance policy. Finance Director Lee Howard explained the process of calculating recommended funding amounts for the levy, and that this year’s Tentative Levy amounts followed that process.

Trustee Davis moved to approve ORDINANCE 2020-04, TOWNSHIP 2020 PROPERTY TAX LEVY, in the following amounts, including the increase to the Community Mental Health Fund as requested by the CMHB:

Town Fund                           $3,620,367

General Assistance                  139,141

                        Mental Health                         1,608,024

TOTAL                                   $5,367,532

Trustee Trybus seconded the motion. On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows: ayes: Trustees Trybus, Onayemi, Davis, Mbekeani and Supervisor Keenan; nays: none. A copy of the Ordinance is attached to and made a part of these minutes.

BRIEF REPORTS

Manager Morgan reported on increases in General Assistance inquiries and in Youth Services assistance. Discussion continues on ways to help the most vulnerable citizens during the COVID Pandemic. The Township Newsletter is increasing awareness of Township services and accessibility.

Supervisor Keenan commended the Township staff for its fine delivery of services to local citizens during the COVID challenges.

Clerk White reported on candidate filing news for the Spring Township election.

Senior Services Director Pamela Mahn reported on increased demand for meals delivery and LIHEAP assistance. Interviews will be scheduled for applicants to the Senior Citizens’ Services Committee.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees will be a Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, conducted electronically at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2020.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Onayemi moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Trustee Trybus seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted by

and recorded in the office of

_____________________________

Gregory White, Township Clerk

Approved: 1/12/2021