Village of Bolingbrook Mayor and Board of Trustees met July 30.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
CALL TO ORDER:
The Special Meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bolingbrook was called to order at the hour of 8:00 p.m., July 30, 2020, in Bolingbrook, Illinois, by Mayor Roger C. Claar.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Roger C. Claar requested Ben Seidel, Bolingbrook business President/Owner of Midwest Fuel Injection to lead the pledge to the Flag.
Geret Seidel founded Seidel Diesel Group in 1981. Current operations are in their state-of the-art facility here in Bolingbrook. Today, the Seidel Diesel Group has over 145 dedicated employees at 12 locations. Their commitment is to provide customers superior quality, service and workmanship, which has contributed to their continued growth internationally.
ROLL CALL:
Village Clerk, Carol S. Penning, called the roll:
Present were: Mayor Roger C. Claar, Trustees Maria A. Zarate, Michael T. Lawler, Mary Alexander Basta, Michael J. Carpanzano, Sheldon L. Watts and Robert M. Jaskiewicz
Also present were:
Village Clerk - Carol S. Penning, Village Attorney - Burt Odelson, Public Safety Director – Ken Teppel, Finance Director – Rosa Cojulun, Director of Public Services & Development - Lucas Rickelman, Deputy Police Chief - Michael Rompa and Deputy Fire Chief - Trinidad Garza
Absent: None
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDITIONS:
Burt Odelson, Village Attorney indicated that he had no additions or deletions for the agenda. Motion Lawler, second Lawler to approve the agenda as presented.
Voice vote. Motion carried.
Mayor Claar explained that he was going to present the new mayor his gavel tonight, but unfortunately, it is missing. He added that he is not sure where it is at as in 34 years he never actually used the gavel. He hoped that the residents of Bolingbrook continue to offer the same respect to the new mayor, so there will not be a need to use a gavel. In his opinion, if you are a good leader you do not need a gavel. The new mayor will have to get his or her own gavel.
Mayor shared that in 33 years, eight months and seven days he only came to meeting without a tie on and that one night was after my open-heart surgery. This meeting will be the second time without a tie on, as he is getting casual.
He felt he had pretty much said everything at the Village Board meeting on Tuesday night. He acknowledged the nice group of people that stopped by on Wednesday behind Village Hall to wish him well. He thanked everyone for their support. He thanked the Village employees for doing the work that needed to be done to keep Bolingbrook a wonderful community. Bolingbrook is a well-respected community, not just in Will County, but throughout the State of Illinois, across this great country and because of our Sister Cities relationships; throughout the world.
He shared one item of business. The Village just went through a refinancing of our bond indebtedness, which was a little over 300 million. We reduced it now to 249 million. According to a schedule that was put in place and approved by our bond council and our financial institutions that issued those bonds.
Mayor Claar added that because the Village of Bolingbrook refinanced, the bond rating agencies across the country are looking at bond issues and bond indebtedness by other communities. Due to the pandemic, revenue streams have declined and the ability to pay them has declined. They reviewed the Village of Bolingbrook and they said that we still maintained an AA rating. That is because of our reserves, our well-managed finances and our controlled spending. He thanked the staff for their help and perseverance.
Mayor Claar indicated that board approval would be needed for an Acting Mayor to serve through April 2021. Mayor Claar mentioned that a question arose that would be appointing his successor. He shared that that is not true, as the Acting Mayor's appointment has to come from the sitting six trustees. The Illinois General Assembly passed a statute that requires in cases of vacancy, the acting trustee or mayor has to be voted on by the remaining trustees,
Mayor Claar asked Village Attorney Burt Olson to conduct the rest of the meeting. Mayor Claar shared that we are very fortunate to have Will County Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt administer the oath of office to the appointed Acting Mayor. Judge Schoenstedt is a friend to Bolingbrook for many years, a well-respected attorney. He has been a Will County Judge for the twenty years and is currently serving the Chief Judge for the last eight years.
APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT
Mayor
New Mayor has to be a Sitting Trustee, Acting Mayor Until Next April (65 ILCS 5/3.1-10 50(1)(1)
Village Attorney Burt Odelson thanked Mayor Claar and indicated that there is simply one motion required on the agenda. That motion is to appoint an Acting Mayor. He then turned it over to Deputy Mayor Lawler to either make a motion or ask for a motion.
Deputy Mayor Michael Lawler made a motion to appoint Mary Alexander Bautista as Acting Mayor, second by Trustee Michael Carpanzano.
Burt Odelson indicated that since there is a motion and a second, it is open for discussion or any other nominations,
Trustee Jaskiewicz shared that this is an extremely important decision for the Village Board. We are going to the post Roger era in 24 hours. It will be a new era and it is important for us to take the time to choose the right person for this position. Mary's been nominated and congratulations on the nomination. He indicated that he wanted to make sure that no other trustee is interested in that position and encouraged him/her to speak up so we can handle this a little bit different. The Board has agreed to go to a part-time mayor, come April 2021. He added that he believes that remainder of this term should be filled by a full-time mayor and asked Mary if she was willing to be that full-time Mayor. Mary responded yes to Trustee Jaskiewicz's question.
He added that Mary has the freedom, the independence, and he knows that she is creative enough to lead us into a new era. She will have a different style of leadership. He believes that it is important for Bolingbrook residents to know that they are safe and in good hands.
Trustee Watts wished Mayor Claar a long, healthy and fun retirement time with his granddaughter. He shared that he will support and work the appointed Mayor during the interim period; the one that is selected by this board. He congratulated Mary on the nomination. He added that in full transparency and disclosure, I would be interested to serve in that capacity, but would support the will of this board with the hopes of doing what is best for the this community. He thanked Village Attorney Odelson for all that he does for the Board. Especially for providing them with a packet of information, which talks about the powers and duties of an Acting Mayor in this case. He asked two more questions and Burt Odelson responded accordingly.
There being no further discussion, Burt Odelson asked Deputy Mayor Lawler to ask the Village Clerk to call the roll.
ROLL CALL: Yea 5 Zarate, Lawler, Basta, Carpanzano, Jaskiewicz
Nay: 0 None
Present: 1 Watts
Absent; 0 None
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE:
Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt administered the Oath of Office to Newly Appointed Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta
Judge Schoenstedt asked Mary to raise her right hand to be official sworn in and say the oath as follows. Mary Alexander-Basta do you solemnly swear that you will uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, the Municipal Code of the Village of Bolingbrook, and that you will faithfully discharge, your duties as Acting Mayor of Bolingbrook to the best of your ability in a matter prescribed by law. Mayor Mary responded yes and received congratulations from the Judge.
Mary Alexander-Basta thanked Judge Schoenstedt. She thanked the Members of the Village Board for appointing her as Acting Mayor. She shared that she was honored to be completing the unexpired term of Mayor Roger Claar and humbled to be chosen. She asked Mayor Claar and his wife Pat to join her at the podium and thanked him for his 34 years of leadership and dedication to Bolingbrook. She added that he served a lifetime. His vision of growth and development was exceptional. Mayor Claar did what was needed to do to and build this village into what we all call home today. The path was not easy and the road was certainly not paved, but you were able to plow through and made things happen. She commented that Mayor Claar leaves big shoes; that are very big for anyone to follow. We know that you will be here to support us from California, from Bolingbrook, from wherever you go. We know that you are just a phone call away. We are grateful for you, for Pat allowing Bolingbrook the opportunity to have Roger and then she thanked Lindsey and her family.
Mayor Mary asked her family to come up to the podium and join her. She was joined by her husband of twenty years. They were celebrating their anniversary and she told Emad that the party was just for him. She introduced her sons Peter and Benjamin. She said she could not be more proud of them. Her mother and brother whom are Bolingbrook residents were not able to join her. Her brother resides in Atlanta and her father was there in spirit from heaven.
She shared that both her and Emad have instilled in their sons to continue as a family to serve the community. She moved to Bolingbrook in 2003, we had many options, but we saw in Bolingbrook, the diversity, the schools, the parks, we fell in love with it and decided to make it our home and raise our family.
As her sons grew a little bit older, she sought out the opportunity to volunteer in our community. First, it started with being a member of their homeowners association. Then president. When my sons went to school, then came PTA president of the elementary school, followed by PTA president of the middle school and of the Plainfield Middle School band boosters, executive member of the Bolingbrook soccer club. We are a soccer family - all three Basta boys. She explained her involvement in the Bolingbrook Park District referendum as a volunteer and leader. That led to my election as a Village Trustee. She shared that she is proud of Bolingbrook and how far the Village has come in the past 54 years. We have a young, welcoming and diverse community that attracts both businesses and residents. She looks forward to the continued the growth and celebration of our diversity and invite the residents to join her. She added that she will carry out the role of a full-time mayor, but will be accepting the part-time salary that was approved at Tuesday's Board meeting. She stressed, as we look toward the future and the April election, she will always do what is in the best interest of Bolingbrook and evaluate any future candidacy for this office. Again, she thanked everyone for their support. God bless America, Bolingbrook and all of us.
Several individuals that attended the meeting thanked Mayor Claar for his many years of service and congratulated Mary on her appointment as Acting Mayor.
Liz Campbell, Valley View School Board Member. Liz Campbell asked Deputy Mayor Lawler why he nominated Mary. Michael Lawler shared why he chose not serve as Acting Mayor and why Mary will be a good leader for the Village of Bolingbrook.
Michael Lawler shared that he was impressed by Mary's business and community background. Mary is energetic, enthusiastic and thinks outside of the box. She keeps busy, motivates and is everywhere. She has the time, has the support of her family and her children who are older - ages 16 and 15.
of the box she keeps busy
TRUSTEE COMMENTS:
Trustees provided comments regarding Mayor Mary's appointment and offered congratulations to her. They also bid farewell to Mayor Claar. Trustee Zarate gave beautiful flowers to both Pat Claar and Mayor Mary.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion Jaskiewicz, second Zarate to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 8:53p.m.
https://www.bolingbrook.com/vertical/sites/%7B55EB27CA-CA9F-40A5-A0EF-1E4EEF52F39E%7D/uploads/20200813164134848.pdf
Alerts Sign-up