Village of Frankfort Village Board Met Jan. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Jim Holland called the regular meeting of the Frankfort Village Board to order at 7:00 P.M. by remote video conference and in-person.
Clerk Feehery called the roll. In attendance were Mayor Jim Holland, Clerk Brian Feehery, Trustees Adam Borrelli, John Clavio, Margaret Farina, Keith Ogle, Jessica Petrow, and Gene Savaria. Also in attendance were Attorney Hannah Lamore, Police Chief John Burica, and Village Administrator Rob Piscia.
APPROVAL OF SPECIAL ORDERS - UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGENDA
All items on the Omnibus Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and are enacted in one motion. There is no separate discussion of these items unless a board member makes a request, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately.
Trustee Clavio requested the removal of docket item B - Approval of Bills, from the Consent Agenda in order to discuss and vote on the item individually.
A. Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Meeting (January 4, 2021)
B. Approval of Bills/Payroll - Removed from Consent Agenda
Trustee Ogle made a motion (#1), seconded by Trustee Petrow, to approve the Unanimous Consent Agenda.
Mayor Holland invited trustee and audience comment on the consent agenda item prior to a vote being taken. No comments were forthcoming.
Clerk Feehery called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Clavio, Farina, Ogle, Petrow, and Savaria. Nays: None. The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS/PAYROLL
Trustee Savaria presented a brief overview of the bills under consideration for approval.
Trustee Borrelli made a motion (#2), seconded by Trustee Ogle, to approve the bills in the amount of$562,561.63 and payroll in the amount of$578,305.98.
Mayor Holland invited trustee and audience comment on the approval of bills/payroll prior to a vote being taken.
Trustee Clavio commented on the Village's conservative approach to spending and noted some expenses arise that are completely beyond the Village's control.
The trustees considered removing the legal fees from the bill list relating to the election objections until all the expenditures for the matter are finalized. Following discussion, members determined it was appropriate to approve the bills as presented. Trustee Petrow applauded staff for their continued efforts to purchase from local vendors and businesses.
Clerk Feehery called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Clavio, Farina, Ogle, Petrow, and Savaria. Nays: None. The motion carried.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Holland provided comments on several events occurring nationally and locally, including the violence at the U.S. Capitol, presidential inauguration, recently passed police reform bill (House Bill 3653), continued struggles to combat COVID-19, and challenges to election petitions in Frankfort. He also commented on numerous local services and police personnel. He reported that with the increased funds from the non-home rule sales tax, two police officers, who have passed all their initial training requirements, have joined the patrol rotation and two additional officers start the police academy later this month. He concluded by crediting the trustees, staff, and the good people of Frankfort for making the Village of Frankfort a great place to call home.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Chief Burica commented on the recently passed criminal justice and police reform bill and noted that although there are some concerns with the new law, the Frankfort Police Department will continue to adapt and work with associations to get a better law. He reported Officers Steven Smock and Kevin Tamme graduated from the State Police Academy on January 15, noting both graduated in top 10% of class. He further reported Officer Smock was the recipient of the Ervin H. Warren Award for Excellence, which is given to the one officer in each Basic Law Enforcement Class who best exemplifies today's concept of tomorrow's police officer and was recognized as "most fit male officer". He welcomed new Officers Jamie Dulkowski and Nicole Davis who will report to the police academy on January 24. Chief Burica asked for residents to continue calling in suspicious vehicles and activity. He also reminded residents to continue locking their vehicles and doors.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Administrator Piscia extended his congratulations to Officers Steven Smock and Kevin Tamme. He asked for residents to place snow in the yard or parkway when clearing driveways and walkways, noting placing snow onto public ways is prohibited by Village ordinance.
VILLAGE ATTORNEY'S REPORT
Village Attorney Lamore had no report.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Village Board thanked Mayor Holland for his statements on the events occurring nationally and locally. Members acknowledged Chief Burica for providing the Village Board updates relating to the police reform bill and for his efforts with police staffing. Members welcomed the new police officers and congratulated Utilities Director Zach Brown and his wife Melissa on the birth of their baby boy. Trustee Ogle wished his wife Kim a happy 35th wedding anniversaiy.
Residents were encouraged to attend the Village meetings taking place on Wednesday, January 20.
o Municipal Officers Electoral Board at 7:00 AM
o Operations Committee at 5:30 PM
o Economic Development Committee at 6:00 PM
o Land Use & Policy Committee at 6:45 PM
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no comments from the public.
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business, Trustee Ogle made a motion (#3), seconded by Trustee Farina, to adjourn the regular board meeting of Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Clerk Feehery called the roll. Ayes: Trustees Borrelli, Clavio, Farina, Ogle, Petrow, and Savaria. Nays: None. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
https://www.frankfortil.org/2021-01-19-vb-min.pdf
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