Village of University Park Board of Trustees met May 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
A. Call to Order Mayor Covington called this regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:04 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Mayor: Vivian E. Covington Present
Trustees: Elizabeth Williams Present Paula C. Wilson Present Theaplise Brooks Present Curtis McMullan Present Milton C. Payton Present Oscar H. Brown, Jr. Present
Also present were Village Attorney John Wise, Village Manager Amara Enyia, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Chellios, Public Works Director Gary Richardson, and Village Clerk Dorothy R. Jones.
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Covington led the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
D. Approval Of Minutes
Trustee Payton moved, Trustee Oscar Brown seconded a motion to approve minutes of the regular meeting held April 11, 2017, and May 9, 2017, and special meeting held May 15, 2017.
Trustee Wilson noted that on April 11, 2017 she voted against approval for renovations at #70 and 80 Town Center Drive.
Trustee Williams first voted to approve all three sets of minutes, then noted that she was absent on May 15, 2017 and changed her vote to abstained.
Mayor Covington commented that she had some changes that she would send to the Clerk at a later date.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Wilson, Brooks, McMullan, Payton, Oscar Brown,
and Mayor Covington.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion To Approve As Amended Carried.
E: General Public Comments
Mr. Keith Griffin, former Village Trustee addressed the Board and commented that he does not agree with the comments of Mayor Covington that she was unaware of the Village’s financial condition, and that she has constantly lied to the public about transferring funds from the TIF without Board approval when there is documented proof that she has done so. He also asked to know who on the Board is giving information about personnel that was discussed in closed session to Ms. Gina Williams for posting on Next Door.
Mayor Covington responded that she cannot make TIF transfers because our TIF transfers are done by voice recognition, and she does not have a voice print, therefore she cannot make transfers.
Mr. James Worthington gave thanks to whoever the company is that donated $10,000 for repairs on the ball fields, and asked to know when the work would begin.
Public Works Director Richardson responded that he is in contact with the company that is doing the work, noting that the $10,000 check was made out to the contractor and not the Village. He further stated that the company was out surveying two weeks ago and hopefully, weather permitting work would begin shortly.
Trustee Payton commented that it should have been $11,000 as part of TIF obligation.
Trustee Wilson stated that she wants a receipt of services provided by the Company, and a copy of the check given to the Village Manager and kept on file.
Mr. Donzel Franklin addressed the Board and congratulated the newly elected Trustees, and Dr. Enyia as the new Village Manager; he reported that his strengthening, and conditioning training for all kids age 5 – 15 would begin June 26th through July 11th at Palmer Park, he also stated that he would like to volunteer his time and requested permission to use the equipment that is in one of the town center building to give the young people a place to go.
Mayor Covington responded that Mr. Franklin can use the equipment and that she had an industrial Park Company willing to assist.
Ms. Gina Williams commented that she had not received information from a FOIA request that she submitted sometimes ago; that she would like to see more structure at Village Hall that would prevent people from coming in and out of Village Hall, noting that she had observed former Trustees and other residents spending time at the Village.
Village Clerk Dee Jones responded to Ms. Williams and asked to know specifically what information she had not received and stated that she would contact Ms. Williams the following day for more information.
F-1: Unfinished Business
None.
F-2: New Business
F-2a: University Park Scholarship Program
Trustee Wilson moved, Trustee Oscar Brown seconded a motion to approve expenditures for the University Park scholarship recipients.
Ms. Donna Dettbarn addressed the Board stating that she has served as the Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee for 29 years, and thanked the Board for allowing Jacelia Kelly to assist her in getting the information together for the applicants. She also noted that this year the new Company Dot Foods became a sponsor and noted that past Attorney Firm McCarthy, Duffy and Attorney Forest Miles made sizable contributions to the scholarship fund, however they have received nothing from subsequent attorneys. She also stated that she feels that we lost some contributors due to the implementation of the Head Tax Ordinance.
Trustee McMullan thanked Ms. Dettbarn for her dedication and many years of service as chair of the scholarship program, noting that his daughter was one of the recipients of that great program and has completed her Masters degree at Governors State University
Roll call item F-2a:
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Wilson, Brooks, McMullan, Payton, Oscar Brown, and Mayor Covington. Nays: None Absent: None.
Motion To Approve Carried.
F-2b: Appointment Village Treasurer – Devon Dilworth
Trustee Brooks moved, Trustee Oscar Brown seconded a motion to table items F-2b, And F-2c: Appointment Village Collector – Shirley Bolding.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Wilson, Brooks, McMullan, Payton, Oscar Brown, and Mayor Covington. Nays: None Absent: None.
Motion To Table Carried.
G. Mayor’s Report
Mayor Covington reported on meetings and events that she has attended and/or participated in since her last report, which included the following: She attended the Southland performance at Governors State University with Dr. Davis who proudly announced that all of the seniors in her school were graduating and going off to college, and that Dr. Davis had received $25 million in scholarship funds; she was on a panel at Governors State University with Mayor Alsberry discussing how and what we need to do and create in our communities to enhance it in various ways which includes developments, jobs and joining of all communities. She also reported that she and Trustee Wilson participated in the Children In The Hall Leadership Conference at Crete Monee High School, and reported that it was a pleasure to introduce the new Trustees of University Park at the South Suburban Mayors And Managers business dinner which was attended by Trustees McMullan, Brooks, and Wilson, and that she was honored to assist Ms. Dettbarn in distributing several scholarships to our University Park residents.
Mayor Covington also reported that she will be meeting with representatives of BMO this Friday regarding bringing a bank and two other possible businesses to the Village; that she has received the contract from PACE Bus for review to work with the bus service to run throughout University Park, including the Industrial Park area from the Metra station and accommodate the Cicero residents.
Mayor Covington reported that there are more meetings schedule with the Board next week, and that training for the newly elected officials and planning for the Village Town Hall meeting and retreat with the Board heads.
Mayor Covington asked everyone to save the date of July 7, 2017 and come out to show their appreciation to Mr. Jim Harris for his many years of service to this community and region at Green Garden Country Club in Monee from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.
Reports Of Trustees
Trustee Brooks reported that he wants to see our police officers touring the streets with flood lights on.
General Public Comment – Q & A Session with new Village Manager Dr. Amara Enyia
Village Manager Enyia stated that she wants to foster a spirit of transparency and what it will take to move the Village forward; she gave a synopsis of her background stating that she is here because she grew up in University Park, and residents are owed respect and transparency, and her allegiance is to work with the Board to move the Village forward.
Mr. Sasha Dushon asked Manager Enyia what plans she has to bring the Village back to where it should be.
Village Manager Enyia responded that half of the work is to get stable priorities, and economic development stability.
Mr. Keith Griffin commented that IRH was given wrong information in the beginning of their tenure, and asked if there will be proper information moving forward; Will she continue to work with, and utilize department heads and the former Acting Village Manager.
Mrs. Bridget Simmons-Franklin congratulated Manager Enyia, and asked if she has any background on obtaining grants and fundraising, and how she can assist youth programs.
Village Manager Enyia responded that she will review what grants they have submitted and see what she can do, noting that she is still connected with nonprofit organization that may be able to help.
Mr. Donzel Franklin asked if Manager Enyia would put pressure on the School Board to support our children.
Mayor Covington asked residents to attend the School Board meetings because there are some serious challenges.
Trustee Brooks commented that he wants to have a Police Officer from University Park to work at the school and part-time in the Village.
Ms. Gina Williams commented on the fact that University Park is a food desert, and the lack of adequate programs for youth through Parks and Recreation, she also stated that the Police Department had bright lights on in the Pin Oak area at least three times last week.
Village Manager Enyia responded that she will have to identify where we are now, and she will share that information with residents within the next two weeks and hope to have a plan to move the Village forward.
H. Announcement Of Scheduled Meetings
None noted.
I. Executive Session
Trustee Wilson moved, Trustee McMullan seconded a motion to move into executive session to review preliminary work plan overview drafted by Village Manager Enyia.
Trustee Oscar Brown voiced his concern with the executive session as stated.
Village Attorney Wise asked if the title of the executive session would include personnel to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Wilson, Brooks, McMullan, Payton, and Mayor Covington.
Nays: Trustee Oscar Brown
Absent: None.
Motion To Approve Carried.
The Board returned from executive session at 9:20 PM with nothing to report out.
J. Adjournment
Trustee Wilson moved, Trustee Payton seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustee at 9:21 p.m.
Motion to Adjourn Carried by Unanimous Voice Vote.
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