Village Of University Park Board Of Trustees met Sept. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Minutes Of The Regular Meeting Of The Board Of Trustees For The Village Of University Park, Will And Cook Counties Illinois, Held Pursuant To Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5) Which Suspends The Requirement Of The Illinois Open Meetings Act Requiring In-Person Attendance By Members Of A Public Body During The Duration Of The Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, The Members Of The Village Board Will Not Be Physically Present For The Designated Board Meeting But Will Instead Be Participating In The Meeting Through Audio Access Using A Virtual Meeting Platform.
A.CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roudez called this Virtual regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7:03 p.m.=
B.ROLL CALL
Mayor: Joseph E. Roudez III Present
Trustees: Elizabeth Williams Present
Theaplise Brooks Present
Curtis McMullan II Present
Shirley A. Bolding Present
Sonia Jenkins-Bell Present
Donzell Franklin Present
Also present were Village Manager Ernestine B. Beck Fulgham, Village Attorney Joe Miller, Village Treasurer James Ellis, Village Communications & Community Engagement Specialist Neva Jenkins, and Village Clerk Dorothy R. Jones. And Guest Presenter Bill Hanley, WIFFLI.
C.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Roudez led the audience in the Pledge Of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
D.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Williams moved, Trustee Brooks seconded a motion to table pending minutes to the next regular meeting.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Brooks, Jenkins-Bell, Franklin, Bolding, McMullan, and Mayor Roudez.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion To Table Carried.
E: General Public Comments
Village Clerk Dee Jones stated that she received one (1) general public comment for this meeting from Donna Dilworth. She read the following comments into the record:
Donna Dilworth, received September 21, 2020 @ 4:45 p.m.
Hello Clerk Jones,
Below is my public comment.
As residents, we deserve respect and courtesy from all elected, appointed and village employees. When residents call or email village employees, we should receive a response back. Residents should not have to continue calling or emailing or nagging for a simple reply back to their message. It’s called common courtesy! As for myself, I’ve called and left a message on village manager Beck-Fulgham phone and never received a response back. Just last week, I sent an email to Claudia Webb in regards to information about the finance committee meeting documents that she sent out to every member except me, and I received no email response back. So, I decided to call on Monday to first see if Ms. Webb received my email, for her to forward the two documents that was sent to everyone else, and inquire about why out of three finance committee meetings, I was the only member excluded two out of the three times from receiving the meeting information. Ms Webb’s response was Yes, I saw your email and in a dismissive manner stated she has nothing to do with sending out the meeting agenda, documents and Zoom Meeting id & password. Now, there was no need for her to be dismissive and she has been the one who sends out the information these past three meetings.as I spoke professionally and with respect. As residents we expect each village employee to act professionally and be respectful regardless as each of you are there to support the residents with their concerns, questions and provide the services that you are being paid to do. And, I am still waiting on my call back from village manager Beck-Fulgham.
Respectfully,
Donna Dilworth
F-1:UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
F-2:CONSENT AGENDA:
F-2a: First, Second and Third Readings – Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition Of One (1)2020 Ford F550 4x4 Chassis With Custom Horton Conversion Ambulance
F-2b: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Governors State University
F-2c: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Naturally Urban Environmental Inc. Mold Remediation Fire Station # 2, and 698 Burnham Drive Building.
F-2d: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Antero Group, LLC (Design Construction Plan for Farmview Road Resurfacing)
F-2e: A Resolution Authorizing And Approving The Purchase Of Equipment and Vehicles: 4 New Police Vehicles; 3 Code Enforcement Vehicles; 2 Lawnmower, Boom Truck, Dump Truck, And Auger with Bits For Public Works Department.
F-2f:A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Century Asphalt And Construction Inc. – Repairs to Town Center Parking Lot.
F-2g: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Antero Group, LLC (Old Forge Lane)
F-2h: Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement By and Between Village of University Park, and the Regional Transportation Authority Contract.
F-2i: A Resolution Authorizing Applications For And The Execution Of A Technical Assistance Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Regional Transportation Authority (University Park TOD Plan)
F-2j: A Resolution Adopting The Findings Of The Annual Audit For The Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2017.
F-2k: Resolution Approving Successful Bidder for University Parkway Railroad Crossing Safety Improvement Project.
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA:
Trustee Brooks pulled items F-2e, and F-2f from the consent agenda for further discussion.
MOTION TO ACCEPT AND APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA – AS AMENDED
Trustee Brooks moved, Trustee Jenkins-Bell seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended to include items:
F-2a:First, Second and Third Readings – Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition Of One (1)2020 Ford F550 4x4 Chassis With Custom Horton Conversion Ambulance
F-2b: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Governors State University
F-2c: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Naturally Urban Environmental Inc. Mold Remediation Fire Station # 2, and 698 Burnham Drive Building.
F-2d: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Antero Group, LLC (Design Construction Plan for Farmview Road Resurfacing)
F-2g: A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Antero Group, LLC (Old Forge Lane)
F-2h:Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement By and Between Village of University Park, and the Regional Transportation Authority Contract.
F-2i: A Resolution Authorizing Applications For And The Execution Of A Technical Assistance Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Regional Transportation Authority (University Park TOD Plan)
F-2j: A Resolution Adopting The Findings Of The Annual Audit For The Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2017.
F-2k: Resolution Approving Successful Bidder for University Parkway Railroad Crossing Safety Improvement Project.
Roll Call On Consent Agenda:
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Brooks, Jenkins-Bell, Franklin, Bolding, McMullan, and Mayor Roudez.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion To Approve Carried.
DISCUSSION and ACTION ON ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA:
F-2e: A Resolution Authorizing And Approving The Purchase Of Equipment and Vehicles: 4 New Police Vehicles; 3 Code Enforcement Vehicles;
2 Lawnmower, Boom Truck, Dump Truck, And Auger with Bits For Public Works Department.
F-2f:A Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of An Agreement By And Between The Village Of University Park And Century Asphalt And Construction Inc. – Repairs to Town Center Parking Lot.
Trustee Williams moved, Trustee Bolding seconded a motion to approve this ordinance.
The Board briefly discussed this item and concurred that they would like the proposed tenant to make a presentation before the Board before taking action.
Motion To Table For Presentation:
Trustee Williams moved, Trustee Bolding seconded a motion to approve this ordinance.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Brooks, Jenkins-Bell, Franklin, Bolding, McMullan, and Mayor Roudez.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion To Table Carried.
F-3: Presentation Mr. Stan Urban - Pro-Champs
Mr. Urban began his presentation with a brief background of the business which includes How they can provide the Village with a program where they would provide the services Of property registration of rental, vacant and foreclosed properties, and bring an enormous amount of income to the Village, at no cost to the Village. He explained the essence of the program and gave a list of communities that this program has profited them including Richton Park, Calumet Park, Flossmoor, He further noted that their program is designed
To Ensure the residential properties in a municipality are maintained and held to equal standard is costly, but it is the towns responsibility to monitor and hold the appropriate people accountable, and find out who owns the property and relieve the Village from the difficulty of locating the owner of the property.
Trustee Bolding stated that she had in meetings and conversations with Mr. Urban, and
That the Village could benefit from the program.
Mr. Urban asked the Board to consider approving and ordinance that would authorize these Services.
F-4: Bills Payable
Trustee Franklin moved, Trustee Williams seconded a motion to approve the following list of bills payable for General Operating Expenses for the Village of University Park that occurred on July 15, 2020 thru August 18, 2020
General Fund $ 194,223.45
Road and Bridge Fund $ 33,976.45
Town Center Fund $ 10,661.23
TIF IV Fund$ 1,000.00
TIF V Fund $ 1,000.00
TIF VI Fund$ 1,000.00
Payroll Fund$ 4,111.55
Total: $ 245,972.68
Trustee Brooks questioned payments to LawnDawg, and asked if that company had been paid.
Manager Beck-Fulgham responded that they accepted the payment plan.
Roll Call On Bills Payment:
Ayes: Trustees Franklin, Bolding, and Mayor Roudez.
Nays: Trustees Brooks, Jenkins-Bell, and McMullan.
Absent: None.
Abstained: Trustee Williams.
Motion Failed To Carry.
The Board had a brief discussion related to the necessity to pay the bills,
MOTION TO RECONSIDER ACTION TAKEN:
Trustee Brooks moved, Trustee McMullan seconded a motion to reconsider action taken on bills payable, and revote on the same list of Bills Payable.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Brooks, Jenkins-Bell, Franklin, Bolding, McMullan, and Mayor Roudez.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion To Approve Carried.
G. Reports of the Mayor, Board of Trustees, Clerk, Manager, Appointed Officials, And Committees\Commissions
G-1: Reports of the Board of Trustees:
Trustee Brooks thanked Trustee Jenkins-Bell for her efforts and address to Riegel Farm on Saturday. And noted that everyone wore masks
Trustees McMullan, and Williams also thanked Trustee Jenkins-Bell for her determination to address the issues and clean up at Riegel Farm.
Trustee Jenkins-Bell thanked all who participated, including IBEW Contractors for touring the Farm and giving estimates for repairs for Riegel Farm. She also thanked Trustee Franklin for passing out water to the volunteers. She encouraged everyone to work together and Vote.
Trustee Franklin thanks Trustee Jenkins-Bell for organizing the event and for the work that she does with the kids. He also noted that he is proud of the kids going off to school, and he fully supports kids of all age groups.
G-2: Report of Village Manager
Village Manager Beck-Fulgham reported that due to COVID-19, Village Hall hours would be changed to Monday, Wednesday and Friday Staff would be in the Office limited hours, and working remotely on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She also stated that all of the Staff had been tested, and all employees must be tested in order to work, or receive payment, and the Summer Youth Program has ended, and all participates have been compensated.
Village Manager Beck-Fulgham reported on the process of doing her job as Village Manager including her negotiations with entities such as METRA, completing plans for revitalizing Riegel Farm; filing of 2015, and 2016 TIF Reports completed and filed with the State, working on the completion of 2017; working on strategic plan and community visioning with the Engineers; Street repairs; worked with U.S. Railroad Authority and got approval for railroad crossing repairs at a cost of $190,000.00 where the Village share is only $58,000.00 and this project will go out for bid in the near future. She also noted that due to cash restriction due to COVID, the village would not be getting its usual amount of funds from the State, as expected. She also reported that the budget should be ready for action by the Board, and she has asked staff to cut 10% from their current budget. She noted some of the shortfalls that the Village faces now and in the past, such as a 2 million dollar deficit in 2015, and more than 2 million dollar deficit in 2016, plus the Village must pay the Union Contract wages, Fire and Police Pensions going back to 2015, and 1.1 million dollar G.O. Bond that must be paid. Manager Beck-Fulgham reported that by January 1, 2021 the village must hire two full-time firefighters. She stated that these are real numbers and debts that must be paid.
She also stated that the Village expects to buy four new police vehicles, and vehicles for public works. She is working for funding from RTA to update the METRA Phase I Sidepath and complete 50% of Abbot Lane and 100% of Farmview. She noted that there are a variety of other projects and updates that she is working on; the Village has received $950,000.00 in building permit fees that is placed in an Escrow fund, She also stated
That the Village has not negotiated with Amazon, only their representative from Venture One.
G-4: Report of Mayor:
Mayor Roudez reported that there is a surge in COVID-19 in University Park and Will County, and there is the danger of having to go back to Phase 1 if things do not change. He encouraged everyone to wear masks and practice social distancing. He offered condolences to the Johnson family in the loss of one of our former Running Backs from Crete Monee High School, Dajuan Johnson.
H. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SCHEDULED MEETINGS
None.
I.EXECUTIVE SESSION
Trustee Williams moved, Trustee Jenkins-Bell seconded a motion to move into executive session for purposes of Litigation, and sale, lease/disposal of Village property at 9:08 p.m. However, due to technical problems the executive session was cancelled at 9:18 p.m.
Ayes: Trustees Williams, Brooks, Jenkins-Bell, Franklin, Bolding, McMullan, and Mayor Roudez.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Motion To Approve Carried.
The Board returned to regular session at 9:19 with nothing to report out.
J.ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Williams moved, Trustee Jenkins-Bell seconded a motion to adjourn the virtual regular meeting of the Board of Trustee at 9:20 pm.
Motion to Adjourn Carried by Unanimous Voice Vote.
http://www.university-park-il.com/agendalist/index.php
Alerts Sign-up