October 11, 2022 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL BOARD MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, October 11, 2022, CONDUCTED IN-PERSON and ELECTRONICALLY.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Clerk DaToya Burtin-Cox called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and the meeting was conducted in person and electronically. The following participated in-person: Township Manager, Gavin Morgan; and Township Attorney, John Garofalo; Trustee Ade Onayemi. The following participated electronically:  Clerk DaToya Burtin-Cox; Trustee Tim Thomas Trustee Eric Davis; Supervisor Clarmarie Keenan. Also in attendance electronically: Cheryl Potts, Director of CMHB.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None available

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Thomas moved to approve the Township Minutes from September 27, 2022. Trustee Davis seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.

The Township bills were not provided at the meeting.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Legal Services Pro Bono Week Proclamation

-Clerk Burtin-Cox summarized the proclamation that give tribute to the Pro Boo Network of Oak Park, IL for its legal volunteerism efforts.

-Trustee Davis moved to approve the Proclamation.

-Supervisor Keenan seconded the motion which was approved unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

2022 Levy

  • Manager Gavin indicated:
    • 2021 CPI was 7%
    • General the CPI increases by only 5% pursuant to the rule, but the Board can approve more at Public Hearing.
      • The 5% should capture potential new growth
      • OPT Manager does not expect much growth in the budget this fiscal year
        • OPT is expected to give a salary increase of 5% (in keeping with the consumer index)
    • OPT Manager expects to have a preliminary levy proposal by next
      Board meeting

      • A levy of more than 5% will require a Levy Hearing
      • Manager Morgan expects to keep the levy at 5%
    • Downside of not increasing the levy
      • OPT will loose opportunity to capture the last revenue
    • OPT salaries are capped below current inflation
      • Manager Morgan intends to make recommendation for future salary increases to correspond to inflation
    • Trustee Onayemi indicated that salaries should follow inflation
    • Trustee Thomas indicated that he appreciated Trustee statements regarding employees’ salaries

MANAGER REPORT

  • Sustainability 
    • Participated in a Solar Incentive Conference with Park District and 2nd Generation
      • Discussed opportunities for partnership
      • Indicated possible audit of OPT to discover opportunities for improved sustainability efforts
  • Dedication for Former Clerk, Greg White
    • Family provided the following dates:
      • 10/15; 10/29; 10/30
    • Supervisor Keenan indicate that 1/15 is too close and recommend 10/29 (should not conflict with holiday festivities)
    • Trustee Thomas indicated that 10/29 was a reasonable date for the dedication especially since it will occur during the day
    • Manager Morgan indicated he will schedule the dedication for 10/29
  • OPT Holiday Party
    • Committee is beginning discussions for planning
    • Trustee Thomas recommend suggestion for boat party at Navy Pier.  Indicated that the party is a great way to place names with faces.
  • Senior Halloween Dance
    • Scheduled from 1-2 at the !30 S Ridgeland Bldg.
    • Music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and line dancing
    • Looking for volunteers
      • Contact Laura at Senior Center to volunteer
  • OPT will outsource social media services
    • Considering contract with Tracie Hollet
      • History in nonprofits and on Boards
      • Will create and implement social media strategy
    • Supervisor Keenan inquired as to whether this person will take the place of the Communications specialist
      • Manager Morgan indicated that the social media consultant will partially do the work of the Communications Specialist
        • OPT is still looking to hire a Marketing/Communications Coordinator
        • Consultant will work with Media/Branding Consultant and Alicia who does Social Media Posts.
    • Supervisor inquired if OPT was close to hiring for the position
      • Manager Morgan indicated that a posting will go out soon
    • Trustee Thomas inquired whether the Board will receive a resume/bid letter for the consultant position which outlines their background as hie is interested in understanding more about the applicant(s)s
  • Attorney Garofalo indicated that he was working to gather more information on the Township requirement to form a committee to look into Township government
    • Supervisor Keenan suggested that he contact New Trier to get a copy of their report

Supervisor Keenan

  • Continue to maintain committees at full capacity.
    • Want committee fully staffed within next 10 days
  • Would like financial committee input on levy discussion

CMHB (Director Potts)

  • Next mtg 10/18
  • They are partnering with OP Chamber of Commerce and D200 on a  lunch and learn re: small/medium businesses hiring disabled
  • Met with Village Manager last week 
    • Co-chairing task Force regarding mental health response in OP
      • Youth Service and Prevention services are part of the task force
  • Completed the I-Plan
    • On tenant is one Mental Health and Substance Abuse
    • 11/19 strategy meeting with Village and CMHB
      • Looking for community involvement
  • Request for proposals has gone out 
    • CMHB is looking to distribute 1.3 million in grants
  • CMHB completed audits of past grantees
    • Audits done in-person
    • Grantee records primarily in order for the past 2 year period

I-GOV 

    • No recent mtg.

Senior Services

  • Next meeting 10/19
  • Trustee Thomas has not talked with newest Board member re: fraud panel
    • Manager Morgan indicated that Pam of Senior Services and they are planning something around the fraud topic

Youth Services

  • Next mtg on 10/12
  • Will relay Board concern about having youth involved 
    • Supervisor Keenan indicated that she has concern about youth involvement when committee not fully staffed

ADJOURNMENT

  • Trustee Onayemi moved to adjourn at 7:42 pm; Trustee Davis seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees will be a Regular Board of Trustees Meeting conducted in-person and/or electronically among Board members on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 7 pm at the Township Office locate at 105 S. Oak Park, Ave, Oak Park, IL.

Respectfully submitted by

and recorded in the office of

/s/ DaToya Burtin-Cox

DaToya Burtin-Cox, Clerk