March 28, 2023 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL BOARD MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 28 2023, CONDUCTED IN-PERSON and ELECTRONICALLY.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Clerk DaToya Burtin-Cox called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. and the meeting was conducted in person and electronically. The following participated in-person: Township Manager, Gavin Morgan; Supervisor, Clarmarie Keenan; Trustee, Ade Onayemi; Trustee, Margaret Trybus; Clerk, DaToya Burtin-Cox; Trustee Tim Thomas; Trustee Eric Davis; and Ashley Elane, Communications and Engagement Coordinator.

Cheryl Potts, Director of CMHB participated electronically.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Trybus moved to approve the Consent Agenda with grammatical corrections.. Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion. The remaining Board members voted to pass the motion unanimous.

Trustee Davis had a question re the Bills for the period of 3/11/23 through 3/27/23 regarding Robe Inc.

BUSINESS ITEMS

• 2023 Annual Meeting Agenda
  • Correct name to Youth and Family Services
  • Suggested that Trustee Trybus act as the moderator
• Trustee Trybus motioned to accept the agenda
• Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion
• Board voted unanimously to psst h motion

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Decennial Committee

• Manager Morgan needs names from Board before Easter
• Trustee Trybus indicated she was uncomfortable asking potential committee member outlined questions
• Manager Morgan indicated his office will ask questions

.FY 2024 Budget

• 101% decrease in Senior Services budget
• Money from Age Options and IDOA is not available
• Increase in expenses due to return to office
  • Increased supplies
  • Increased staff
  • Increase in office furniture
• Township spent less than budgeted in the 2023 budget
• Trustee Davis inquired about increase in custodian cost
  • Manager Morgan indicated that contracted services and fumigation services caused increase
• Trustee Davis inquired about increase in Workers Compensation
  • Manager Morgan indicated that the number is a place holder
• Trustee Davis inquired about increased utilities
  • Manager Morgan indicated that the cost of utilities has gone up
• Trustee Trybus inquired about the increase in the unemployment
  • Manager Morgan indicated that the increase is relative to the staffing budget
• Trustee Trybus inquired about the costs for Senior Services
  • Manager Morgan indicated that the participation increased
• Trustee Trybus inquired about the women & Leadership line item
  • Manager Morgan indicated that this was a grant through the Community Foundation
• Manager Morgan indicated that caregiver services has increased and the they anticipate receiving funding
• Trustee Trybus indicated that she would like the audit results before voting on the budget

Communications Plan

• Trustee Davis inquiries
  • Some language attempts to bind Trustees to things that they can/cannot do
    • Example pg 5
• Pg 7 Emergency mtg lang gives wrong idea
  • Strike lang. that opens up liability
• Communication with other elected bodies- Is it limited?
• “Communication Coordinator indicate that she utilized language from other Township plans
• Trustee Trybus inquiries
  • Not clear on what employee can/cannot do [pg 5]
  • “internal audience” vs employee/staff [pg 8]
• Trustee Thomas indicated
  • Conversations with other government bodies, not formal and Trustees should be able to participate in dialogues
  • Language about morale of the office
  • May document should be plan and policy
• Manager Morgan recommend sending comment to Communications Coordinator
• Trustee Trybus asked for document in Word doc or Google doc

MANAGER REPORT

• Audit wrap up this week
  • Manager will present on 4/4/23
• Culture and Climate
  • kick off meeting on 3/27
  • discuss elements that promote success
  • will meet weekly
• Mission/Vision/Value statement
  • Broke down the elements and use to plan events
    • Being well known
    • respect
    • communication partners
    • Lead
    • Responsive
    • Serve all residents
  • Vision = Why
  • Strategy = How
  • Action = What
• Received notice that OPT asked to present on IGA at Township Official Conference on 6/22/23
• Received notice that Manager Morgan given “Credentialed Manager” designation by ICMA

SUPERVISOR REPORT

• Thank you
• Remind OPT employees to comply with policies
• Work on filing committees

CMHB

• Talked about linking work w/ OPT social media
• 50th anniversary – 5/24/23 @Cheney Mansion
• Move to CCR 5/8/23 – 5/10/23
  • 5/21/23 ribbon cutting
  • park to cover cost of telephone and internet
  • park wants to work w/ CMHB on mental health
• Proposed legislation
  • HB475 -would allow mental health board ton control their levy
    • CMHB against
    • legislation that would add language indicating CMHB would fund domestic violence
• could potentially remove responsibility from other governing bodies.

I-GOV

• met this past Saturday
• planning sustainability meeting

Senior Services

• Legislative breakfast was 03/13/2023 went well
• Great feedback about emergency assistance program

Youth and Family Services

• next meeting next week
• Director aware of vote on funding recommendations for Oak Park, River Forest has not voted
• Planning annual supply drive for back to school event
• Talks with library and park to host hygiene closet

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Trybus moved to adjourn at 8:29 pm; Trustee Davis seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees will be The Annual Township Meeting followed by a Regular Board of Trustees Meeting conducted in-person and/or electronically among Board members on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 6:30pm at the Township Senior Center locate at 130 S. Oak Park, Ave, Oak Park, IL.

Respectfully submitted by
and recorded in the office of

/s/ DaToya Burtin-Cox
DaToya Burtin-Cox, Clerk