MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAK PARK TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025, CONDUCTED IN-PERSON AND ELECTRONICALLY.

Call To Order

-7:04pm

Roll Call

In person-Manager Evan Michel; Supervisor, Tim Thomas, Trustee Eric Davis, Trustee Margaret Trybus, Trustee Ade Onayemi, Trustee Juan Munoz; Township Attorney John Garfalo; Clerk DaToya Burin-Cox; Deputy Clerk Lou Anne Johanesson. 

Director of CMHB, Cheryl Potts, participated virtually.

Public Comments

N/A

Consent Agenda

Approval of Minutes: February 11, 2025

Approval of Bills

• Trustee Davis made a motion to accept the consent agenda. Trustee Trybus seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously to approve. 

Business Items

Discussion Items

• Federal funding and state budget discussion
  • Discussed the federal freeze and its impact on Township programs such as senior and disability services, and low income programming. 
    • Senior services meal program has been steady since the pandemic.
    • The general assistance has seen an increase in individuals requesting LIHEAP assistance. 
  • There has not been a disruption in services based on the federal freeze of grant money. The Township receives majority of its funding through third parties. These partners are continuing to fund the programs. 
  • TOI It's reviewing the question to ascertain the underlying purpose of freezing the federal funding grants. 
• Preliminary budget discussion 
  • The Townships budget will be ready by the annual meeting. The Township Manager has been in communication with directors regarding their budgets. The director’s budgets are due Monday February 3rd. 
    • It is anticipated there will be a 5% increase for workers compensation insurance.  
    • It is anticipated that the Township will spend $25,000 for audit service. 
    • IMRF right will pay 4.5% 
    • anticipating a 3% wage adjustment 
    • anticipating health insurance will be the biggest price increase 
    • Anticipating three new positions for the Township. These positions will be paid through several sources. 
      • Trustee Trybus requested that the board received a write up on the new positions to be created. 
    • Anticipate capital improvement in the areas of IT, vehicles, new website. 

Brief Reports:

• Township Manager
  • The Oak Park Ave. Construction has been delayed to 2026. 
  • Day and hour village in the elected officials banquet will be held on June 1st. 
  • The townships issued an RFP for audit services and received one bid from our current auditing contractor. 
• Township Supervisor
  • Attended the district 97 public comment portion of the meeting to discuss issues related to services being provided by CMHB. 

Trustee Liaison Committee Members

Youth and Family Services (Trustee Trybus)

• No meeting was had period next meeting scheduled for March.

Senior Services Committee (Trustee Davis)

• The committee discussed celebrating senior week and it's planning 
• They are taking nominations for the " lifetime achievement award” 
  • there will be an online form 
• They receive feedback on the listening session held by the Township 
  • The committee is indicating they would like to be part of the process for the strategic plan with the Township 

Community Mental Health Board 

• Best policy regarding amending fund balance back to three to four months reserve 
• Carefully watching the federal funding conversations being had 
• 1.4 Marian has been granted to 14 agencies that apply for grants through CMHB.  This money will fund thirty programs.1.8 Marian was requested. 

I-GOV (Trustee Onayemi)

• Next meeting will be held on March 15th 
• Putting together a 2 page information sheet for individuals interested in seeking public office.
  • Will be seeking information from individual agencies 
  • discussed wanting to have qualified candidates for all boards
• Discuss the Imagine Fo[D200] foundation

Adjournment of General Meeting-8:18 pm

• motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Onayemi. Motion was seconded by Supervisor Thomas. The board voted unanimously to adjourn.