League of Women Voters Observer Report

Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees

November 2, 2015

Maria Jepson, Observer

7:30 Open Session

In attendance: Village President Anan Abu-Taleb, Trustees Glenn Brewer, Adam Salzman, Collette Lueck, Robert Tucker, Peter Barber.

Non Agenda Public Comment:

Two citizens asked for relief from the continued delivery of the Red Plum throwaway newspaper. They state that they have tried repeatedly to stop the Tribune Company from delivering the newspaper, but to no avail. They are asking the village board to look into any action that can be taken so that people who do not wish to have this paper delivered can opt out.

At the end of the meeting President Abu-Taleb asked the Village attorney to check into possibilities that exist for citizens to stop delivery of the Red Plum newspaper.

Consent agenda:

Two items were moved to the regular agenda from the consent agenda. The remaining items were approved.

Public Hearing:

Each year the Village Board is required to approve a property tax levy. The fiscal year 2016 (for 2015 tax year) is expected to rise by 1.85 percent. This is largely due to increases to fund the police and firefighters pension funds. It was pointed out that due to reduced amounts in debt servicing, the increase is less than it could have been. Notice of the public hearing was posted in The Wednesday Journal on October 21, 2015. There was no comment from the public and the hearing was adjourned.

First Reading:

An ordinance to recommend an increase to the permit fees for restaurants and floral displays on public sidewalks. The Finance committee recommends fee increases from $50 plus $0.50 per square foot to $100 plus $3.00 per square foot.

First reading of an ordinance to amend parking fees is being recommended by the Finance committee.

Second Reading:

Building code advisory committee (BCAC) and Village staff recommends an update to standardize building codes. These codes regulate the maintenance of residential and commercial property. The ordinance adopts the 2009 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments. Notifications of amendments will be included.

Motion passed.

BCAC and Village staff recommends an update to standardized building codes to the aforementioned 2009 property maintenance code. The ordinance would remove or amend some Village code to support the maintenance code.

Motion passed.

Regular Agenda:

A resolution to award a contract with H&H Electric Co. for Harrison Street lighting improvements, not to exceed $789,239.00. The scope of this project has been reduced so that the lighting improvements will end at Ridgeland, resulting in a savings of about $65,000.

Motion passed.

Trustee Salzman expressed his hope that citizens will recognize the significant commitment to the Arts District that this action represents.

A resolution approving a contract with MYS Inc. was tabled to give Village staff time to seek remediation from the company that installed the existing crosswalks in Marion Street which are now in need of repair.

President Abu-Taleb requested that the director of Public Works relay to the contractor that his company is at risk of losing business in Oak Park if he doesn’t stand behind the goods and services that were provided.

Presentations from Core Power Yoga and Sugar Beet Co-op were made during the section of the meeting devoted to commercial business development. Core Power Yoga outlined a number of initiatives that have provided them with success bringing in new business.

Sugar Beet is celebrating its 100th day in business this week and will be offering several promotions.

A presentation from staff to seek direction from the board about the material options for roads and sidewalks for Lake Street and the Oak Park Station. After lengthy discussion the decision was made that the same standards that were applied to the Lake and Forest project should also be applied to these projects. There will be no brick with bluestone sidewalks.

Adjourn: 9:43

For additional information on Village Board of Trustees meetings, please go to www.oak-park.us/village-board-agendas-minutes