October 8, 2024 Regular Board Approved Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, October 8, 2024, CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AND ELECTRONICALLY.

Call To Order and Roll Call

Supervisor Tim Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:07 in the absence of Clerk, DaToya Burtin-Cox. In-person attendance: Township Supervisor Tim Thomas, Trustee Margaret Trybus, Trustee Eric Davis, Trustee Ade Onayemi, Township Attorney, John Garofalo, Township Manager Evan Michel. Present virtually Township Trustee Juan Munoz. Guest in attendance CMHB Director Cheryl Potts.  Absent: Clerk DaToya Burtin-Cox 

Public Comments

No public comments.

Approval of Consent Agenda

Trustee Trybus moved to approve the Township Minutes from September 10, 2024 pending corrections to the minutes, and approval of Bills for the period of 9/14/24 to 9-27-24. The Board approved unanimously.

Business Items

  • Proclamation – Ageism Awareness 
    • Trustee Trybus made a motion to accept the proclamation. 
    • Trustee Davis seconded the motion. 
    • The Board approved unanimously. 
  • Trustee Committee Liaison Appointments 
    • Trustee Davis will replace Supervisor Thomas on the Community Mental Health Board 
    • Trustee Munoz will replace Trustee Davis on the Senior and Disabilities Committee 
    • Changes made by Supervisor Thomas due to the new township supervisor and trustee board member.  
  • Resolution. Setting Compensation of Township Officials for the Four-Year Term beginning May 19, 2025
    • Township Manager Michel explained that any compensation changes for elected officials must be made before filling for the Spring, 2025 elections. 
    • Comparability with other township official salaries including supervisor, trustees, clerk, and assessor were reviewed and discussed.   
    • Township trustees appreciated the detailed information provided to make a decision that reflects the work of these roles. 
  • Trustees will continue to review EAV and population data from comparable townships for supervisor and trustees' salaries. The recommended salaries for the Township Clerk and Assessor were appropriate.  No official action was taken.
  • Resolution: Authorized Signatory for Township Bank Accounts – Byland. Bank 
    • Trustee Trybus moved to approve the Resolution as presented, seconded by Trustee Onayemi. The Board approved unanimously.
  • Resolution: Authorized Signatory for Township Bank Accounts – Forest Park Bank 
    • Trustee Trybus moved to approve the Resolution as presented, seconded by Trustee Onayemi. The Board approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

  • Strategic Planning Update 
    • Township Manager Michel gave an overview and updated work regarding aligning staff and director performance evaluations to the conceptual framework of the Strategic Plan.  An explanation of the timeline including short-term FY 25 and long-term goals for FY 26 was presented. The distributed short-term Action Plan was discussed including the rubric evaluation criteria which will be shared with department teams.  Directors will develop Action Plans Oct 9-Nov 14 and present them to the Township Board on November 19th. The draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented to the Township Board December 17 and Dec 18- March 14 is the timeframe for Directors to implement their Action Plans.  The Township Manager will conduct Formal performance evaluations in March/April 2025.
  • Sustainability Discussion 
    • Trustee Davis explained the concept of sustainability and its implications for the Township to consider. Discussion of how sustainability relates to changing the “culture,” warrants further consideration of how Township functions can relate to sustainability.  
    • Informed by the communication coordinator that she will be resigning from the position

Brief Reports:

  • Township Manager
    • Township Manager Michel and CMHB Director Potts attended a meeting with District 97 regarding mental health services. Director Potts provided information about the partnership with DePaul University and District 97, which has been an investment of Township funds for several years. District 97 has not contributed to the program and student referrals to DePaul services have stopped. It is not clear as to the support (if any) will occur from District 97 in the future. Concern that the mental health needs of students will not be met as services are cut.  
    • Director Traficano, Youth and Family Services, Director of the Year by Township Officials of Illinois and the YEP Program of the year.
    • Age Options site visit for Senior Services was passed with “flying colors.” 
    • Restorative Justice circles for staff will be conducted by the Greater Good Foundation.  
  • Township Supervisor
    • Other government groups have requested the use of Township buses.  

Youth and Family Services (Trustee Trybus)

  • The committee is reviewing the Contract Request Form to be released and due in January, 2024.

Senior Services Committee (Trustee Davis)

  • Advocacy for Age Options by Members of Congress is requested for funding for meals.  

I-GOV (Trustee Onayemi)

  • No report

Community Mental Health Board 

  • Supervisor Thomas will work with Director Potts and Manager Michel on the D 97 partnership with DePaul University.  

Adjournment

Trustee Trybus motioned to adjourn at 9:00 pm; Trustee Onayemi 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 22, 2024 at 7 pm at the Township Office located at 105 S. Oak Park, Ave, Oak Park, IL. 

Respectfully submitted by Margaret Trybus, Trustee, for Township Clerk and recorded in the office of  

/s/ DaToya Burtin-Cox 

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