September 26, 2023 Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL BOARD MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 2023, CONDUCTED IN-PERSON and ELECTRONICALLY.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Clerk DaToya Burtin-Cox called the meeting to order at 7:27 p.m. and the meeting was conducted in-person. On the call of the roll the following participated: in-person: Trustee Margaret Trybus, Trustee Ade Onayemi, Trustee Tim Thomas, Trustee Eric Davis; Interim Township Managers, Megan Traficano and Pamela Mahn, Township Supervisor, Clarmarie Keenan, Clerk, DaToya Burtin-Cox, and Township Attorney, John Garofalo. Also Present was Director Cheryl Potts, CMHB.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None available.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Trustee Trybus moved to approve the Township Minutes from September 12, 2023, and Township bill for the period of 9/7/2023. Trustee Onayemi seconded the motion. Board Trustee approved with the consent agenda.

BUSINESS ITEMS

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  • Table at OPAGLA gala
    • Table purchased. OPT has 5 seats and 4 spots are filled.
  • Senior Services Vehicle Acquisition
    • Dealership was contacted regarding the Board’s questions.
      • the ramp is electric with a manual override.
      • there is approximately 10 yr life on the vehicle
      • vehicle will receive a full inspection
    • The vehicle is currently insured, and the insurance will continue.
    • The vehicle is currently in use by the Township daily.
  • Senior Services Newsletter
    • Current Newsletter “News & Views” is only 4 pages and released quarterly
    • Currently researching better printing options
      • other townships/villages recommended a vendor
      • recommended vendor will sell adds, with Board approval
      • the sale of ads could reduce the Township’s printing cost by approximately $1600
      • vendor would need 6 months to obtain advertisement agreement before printing
    • Trustee Thomas inquired about distribution
      • OPT currently secures approx. 2500 copies, 2250 sent out via mail
      • Postage cost $500
      • Recommended vendor will use its mailing permit to allow for cost savings. Cost will remain approximately the same
    • Vendor requested a 6-year commitment. OPT recommend a yearly review to assess service and needs.
    • Trustee Davis inquired as to how mailing handled
      • Senior Services send to people requesting mail delivery
      • Place newsletters in Townships, Village, library, senior living facilities, etc
      • OPT sends electronic newsletter
    • Trustee Davis suggested a minimum size font to make letter easy to read
    • Trustee Trybus inquired as to how often the newsletter printed
      • Currently it is printed quarterly
      • New vendor would allow printing every other month

MANAGER REPORT

  • Finance Firm Update
    • Responding somewhat. OPT is supposed to gain access to Quickbooks
    • Owner - James Howard
    • Supervisor Keenan will send a letter to the owner
    • Interim Managers will continue to gather evidence for Attorney Garofalo and new Manager once hired.
  • OPT received ICMA Award for Senior Services
  • Hispanic Heritage Month

SUPERVISOR REPORT

  • Decennial Committee Meeting successful and heading in right direction
  • All committees are full
  • Congratulations to Senior Services for award
  • Migrant issue - OPT is ready to assist

CMHB (Trustee Thomas)

  • Meeting held on 9/19
  • Funding DePaul program at D97
    • to begin impact evaluation
  • Budget Review
    • Under budget
    • Able to do infrastructure grants
    • Suicide Prevention Month
      • Partnering with Village and Oak Park Township regarding social media messaging and gun locks.
    • CRC event - afterschool mental health/full community programming
    • Housing - partner work; received 15 vouchers
      • Working on application process

Youth and Family Services Committee (Trustee Trybus)

  • No meeting

Senior Services (Trustee Davis)

  • Full meeting 9/20
    • Discussed Narcan incident
    • Planning session presented by Chris Hauri [members choosing initiatives]
    • Blood drive on 9/21 was well attended
    • Campaign for aging awareness
    • Committee submitting letters to the editor for Wednesday Journal.
    • Next meeting 10/18

I-GOV

  • 10/14- Topic – Mental Health at D97

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Davis moved to adjourn at 8:50 pm; Trustee Trybus seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

NEXT MEETING

The next public meeting of the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees will be a Regular Board of Trustees Meeting conducted in-person and/or electronically at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 7 pm at the Township Office located 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

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