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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-11-2024MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS JUNE 11, 2024 CALL TO ORDER I. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. II. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Saba Khan, Rita Minx, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. Trustee Ashur Shiba was absent. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor DiMaria asked for a motion to approve the Minutes of the May 28, 2024 Village Board Meeting as presented. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded by Trustee Travis. Motion passed via voice vote with 4 ayes, one abstention, and one absent. IV. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE V. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS NONE VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) 1. Elana Jacobs said she is a resident of Skokie but also serves as a District 219 Board Member. She said she's here tonight to thank the Village Board for the LGBTQ+ Pride Proclamation. It's even more welcoming to see what the Board is doing for adults and our youth, who are going to be future leaders. Mayor DiMaria thanked her for her comments. Minutes ofJune 11, 2u24 Board Meeting VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) (continued) 2. Laura Frisch, a Morton Grove resident, also thanked the Board for the Pride Month Proclamation, and said she looks forward to future years where the Village can do even more in our community to support everyone. She said, "This affects so many people," and thanked the Board again for making Morton Grove a very welcoming place. 3. Jon Cole, a 31 -year Morton Grove resident with his husband, thanked all those who worked on the Pride Proclamation and applauded the Board for presenting it. He said that some people might question the need for such a proclamation, and noted that there are some important aspects of recognizing and celebrating Pride Month. It's a time to remember all the past efforts that were made that resulted in significant progress for the LGBTQ+ community. It's a time to refocus and recognize where there's still work to be done. For those who struggle with their identity and for those who've spent too many years not fully accepting themselves, it's a time when the LGBTQ+ community and its allies can come together for support and celebration. a. Mr. Cole said he thinks this Proclamation addresses many of these things, and it can be help people feel more welcomed, included, and supported at a time when the LGBTQ+ community at large faces threats by some who want to "roll back" their rights. He said this Proclamation can also help those who are most vulnerable and at risk of being targeted or harassed, or those thinking about self -harm or suicide, for them to see that their community values and supports them. b. Mr. Cole said it would be great to have an event during next year's Pride Month that would include LGBTQ+ organizations, local groups and businesses, government entities and others. He said it would be great to partner with the Village in some way, and said anyone who's interested in joining him to look at options should speak to him after the meeting. 4. Gia Schultz, a Morton Grove resident, said she is speaking in support of the Village's Pride Month Proclamation. She said that she is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and in fact, grew up in that community. She said she is now raising the next generation of queer community members. She said her family and many others are here tonight to witness this Proclamation and support the LGBTQ+ community. Ms. Schultz said she was deeply proud of the culture that raised her, and is excited to see the Village offering this Proclamation of support to the LGBTQ+ people who live and work in the Village. She said she looks forward to future years when Pride Month in the Village goes beyond proclamations and includes support which affirms and ensures inclusion, belonging, and safety for all LGBTQ+ people. She looks forward to seeing the Pride flag being flown at Village Hall, and to attending local Pride festivals and parades, and for the whole Village to truly embrace and support their LGBTQ+ neighbors. She said this Proclamation is a "good first step" and wished everyone "Happy Pride!" VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Without further ado, Mayor DiMaria proclaimed the month of June 2024 as "Pride Month" in the Village of Morton Grove. The Proclamation marks the 55th annual celebration of Pride Month throughout the United State to embrace diversity, and to recommit efforts to advance inclusion and prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. 2 Minutes of June 11, 2024 Board Meeting VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued) a. The Proclamation states "LBGTQ+ people are important and respected members of our community. They are our family members, friends, and neighbors, and they make invaluable contributions to the cultural, civic, and economic success of the Village of Morton Grove." The Village's tagline of "Incredibly Close and Amazingly Open" underscores its collective resolve to work together with all members of the community to facilitate open relationships and foster a safe and welcoming environment for our residents and visitors, regardless of age, race, religion, marital status, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or physical challenges. Further, the Proclamation says, "The Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village...believe all our residents should feel valued, safe, empowered and supported by their peers, educators, community leaders and the community at large, without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression." b. 2. a. 3. Mayor DiMaria urged all residents to join with the Village Board to eliminate discrimination wherever it exists, to accept all people for who they are and who they love, and to honor our diversity by celebrating our LGBTQ+ family, friends, and neighbors. Mayor DiMaria said he and the Board were proud of this Proclamation and he pleased to present it to Jon Cole on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Mayor DiMaria announced that Morton Grove Days is taking place Wednesday, July 3 through Saturday, July 6 The event will feature a carnival, a parade, fireworks, live music, a beer garden, food, and loads of family entertainment. He encouraged everyone to celebrate the Fourth of July at Morton Grove Days! He noted that more information is available at mortongrovedays.org. Money- saving carnival Megabands information is also on the event website. And, new this year, on July 6, there will be a Morton Grove Days Market from 10am to 4pm. Mayor DiMaria added that volunteers are needed for the Morton Grove Days festival. Schedules are flexible and event organizers will do all they can to meet volunteers' needs! Any amount of time a person willing to commit to volunteering is welcome! Mayor DiMaria noted that, on Tuesday, August 6, from 5:30 to 8:30pm, the Morton Grove Police Department will host "National Night Out." This is a free event to enhance the relationship between residents and law enforcement while fostering a greater sense of community. It gets bigger and better every year! Family -friendly activities, entertainment, and refreshments will be available. This event takes place in the parking lot of the American Legion Memorial Civic Center, 6140 Dempster. 4. Mayor DiMaria said that the Village is seeking volunteers beyond the Morton Grove Days event. There are various events throughout the year that require volunteers. Get involved! Sign up on the Village's website or contact Village Hall. 3 - Minutes of 1i Jng-11, : 124 Board Meeting IX. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening. X. A. Village Administrator: Mr. Czerwinski had no formal report this evening. STAFF REPORTS B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Khan: 1. Trustee Khan introduced Ordinance 24-10, Authorizing the Transfer of Funds from the Lehigh Avenue/Ferris Avenue Tax Increment Financing District to the Lincoln/Lehigh Tax Increment Financing District Within the Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois. a. She explained that the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act allows the Village to transfer funds from one TIF District to a contiguous TIF District. This Ordinance will authorize the transfer of $2,750,000 from the Lehigh/Ferris TIF to the Lincoln/Lehigh TIF. The funds will be used to further redevelopment projects within the Lincoln/Lehigh TIF District. This is a first reading of this Ordinance, so no action will be taken this evening. 2. Trustee Khan apologized for missing the Village's Employee Appreciation luncheon. She was unable to attend due to her work schedule, but commended all the Village's employees and thanked them for all that they do. She also encouraged residents to consider volunteering. It doesn't have to be a lot of time—even an hour or two is helpful! B. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. 4 _ . Minutes of lune 11; 2024gdardMeetiing: XI. C. Trustee Shiba: Trustee Shiba was absent—no report. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no formal report this evening. E. Trustee Travis: 1. Trustee Travis reported the following on behalf of the Community Relations Commission. • The Summer Adopt -a -Planter program is off to a great start! Over 140 planters have been adopted. • The Community Garage Sale was held this past weekend, and a lot of people were out finding bargains and treasures. Approximately 140 households participated in this year's Community Garage Sale. Many thanks go out to the Sponsors of this year's Community Garage Sale: Dehkhoda Educational Foundation; Kids Academy; Morton Grove Auto Service; and Kristey Chalabi of Century 21 Circle. 2. Trustee Travis also noted the Community Relations Commission is sponsoring a Summer Photo Contest, themed "Summer in MG." The contest is underway and goes till Labor Day. She encouraged everyone to participate. F. Trustee Witko: 1. Trustee Witko had no formal report this evening, but on behalf of Trustee Shiba, she congratulated the Village on its fourth Morton Grove Tree Walk, which took place this past Saturday. Tree Stewards Cara McLennon and Bradley McKay from the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, an arm of the Morton Arboretum, joined Village arborist Dave Hoffman and residents on a walk to discuss the benefits of trees, tree identification, the cicada emergence, and best practices in tree planting and care. Trustee Witko said she and her husband attended the Tree Walk and learned a great deal about trees! She said it was an invaluable event and hoped to see everyone at next year's Tree Walk. 5 Minutes of June 11, 2.024 Board Meeting XI. F. Trustee Witko: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) 2. Trustee Witko also reminded the community about the Village's crayon recycling initiative. Collection points are at Village Hall and the Library. This program began April 1 and runs through June 30, 2024. XII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIII. WARRANTS Trustee Khan presented the Warrant Register for June 11, 2024 in the amount of $597,497.94. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Tr. Khan ave Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba absent Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS 1. Rudy Vilk. Mayor DiMaria noted that Mr. Vilk's sign -in sheet contained the same points he's talked about over the last several months, i.e., "bad job Village Administrator" and such. He cautioned Mr. Vilk about "rehashing" topics he's already brought up and asked if he had anything new to say. a. Mr. Vilk said he does not understand why he can't get answers to his questions regarding vehicles to be auctioned off. He also stressed that Corporation Counsel Liston needs to use her microphone; she doesn't and no one can hear her. He expressed concern again over the fact that she and Mr. Czerwinski close their blinds. With that, Mayor DiMaria asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. XV. ADJOURNMENT Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Khan. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote with one absent. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. 6 M ititestlflurledi,2Z4BdrkrntI$ ti PASSED this 25th day of June, 2024. Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Shiba Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko vo Aye APPROVED by me this 25th day of June, 2024. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 26th day of June, 2024. Eileen Harford, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by Teresa Cousar 7