Village of Woodridge Mayor and Board of Trustees met Oct. 1
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call to Order
Upon Roll Call by the Village Clerk the following individuals were:
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Gregory Abbott | Trustee | Present | |
| Mary Anne Blair | Trustee | Present | |
| Mike Martinez | Trustee | Present | |
| Mike Krucek | Trustee | Present | |
| Kay Page | Trustee | Present | |
| Cameron Hendricks | Trustee | Present | |
| Gina Cunningham | Mayor | Present | |
| Joe Kagann | Village Clerk | Present | |
| Eric Patt | Village Attorney | Present | |
| Al Stonitsch | Village Administrator | Present | |
| Peggy Halik | Assistant Village Administrator | Present | |
| Nadine Alletto | Finance Director | Present | |
| Chris Bethel | Director Public Works | Present | |
| Kimberly Porter | Director Community Development | Present | |
| Brian Cunningham | Chief of Police | Present | |
| Trevor Bosack | Assistant to the Village Administrator | Present |
A. Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Mayor Gina Cunningham called the Study Session to order at 6:00 p.m. tocontinue the Village Board’s discussion on the development of potentialVillage-led diversity and inclusion initiatives within the Village. Mayor Cunningham indicated that the focus would be to review and discuss a final draft of Village Board resolution celebrating diversity in our community, the potential development of a diversity committee or Village Commission, the potential membership in the National League of Cities, and to discuss any other potential programs or initiatives the Village Board believes should be further reviewed or discussed.
Village Administrator Al Stonitsch provided background from the July 30, 2020 meeting and a history of previous diversity and inclusion initiatives that the Village has undertook.
Mayor Cunningham requested that the Village Board provide input and feedback on the resolution.
Trustee Martinez asked for clarification on a section of the resolution pertaining to the creation of an advisory board specifically, how it would be formed and their role in forming Village policy.
Mayor Cunningham explained that the intention of the resolution is to put into writing the Village’s goals, to celebrate of who we are as a community, and define what the Village’s commitment is.
Trustee Page asked for clarification on the difference between an advisory board versus a commission. Administrator Stonitsch explained that the intention of the advisory committee would be to meet for a defined period of time, be appointed by the Mayor and Village Board and make recommendations versus a commission which would be codified, permanent and have a defined number of members and mission and goals.
Trustee Page asked for clarification between an ad-hoc committee and an advisory board. It was explained that these could be used synonymously.
Administrator Stonitsch explained that it would be up to the Village Board to determine the structure of the advisory committee.
Trustee Blair stated that her preference would not to create a permanent board and explained that she would like more of an understanding of the framework of the ad-hoc committee before including it as a stated goal.
Village Attorney Eric Patt explained that an advisory board could make recommendations and prepare reports versus the creation of a commission.
Attorney Patt explained that the Village’s Plan Commission is permanent, yet still advisory in nature.
Trustee Abbott asked for clarification on the impetus for the creation of an advisory board.
Mayor Cunningham explained that there is a national conversation regarding diversity and inclusion and the intention is to put a framework together that engages interested parties in the community to effect positive change.
Mayor Cunningham explained that the intention is to provide an additional opportunity for community input.
A conversation ensued regarding the current Village Board’s outreach efforts including the coffee’s with the Mayor and Village Board, the Town Meeting, and the Community Roll Call.
Trustee Hendricks stated that he would be in favor of a human relations advisory board to address a need but was unsure as to where the issues exist in the community.
Mayor Cunningham indicated that her vision of an advisory board would focus on outreach, connecting, and sharing thoughts, ideas, concerns and solutions.
Trustee Page indicated that she would be in favor of a commission but stated that an advisory board is a good place to start.
Trustee Martinez stated that in his opinion the advisory board has a foundation to build off of, as, earlier discussed, there are currently many opportunities for engagement. He indicated that the advisory group could explain what currently exists as a way to understand where there are gaps and look for continual improvement.
Trustee Krucek stated that it would be helpful to understand what the impact of improvement.
Trustee Hendricks mentioned that it would be advantageous in include the school board and the park district in this effort.
The Village Board discussed their preference to define the advisory group as a Human Relations Committee to be included in the resolution and would include language speaking to the creation of a committee.
Trustee Blair requested that the term equity be replaced with equality.
Trustee Page explained that there is difference equity and equality and requested that the word equity remain.
Trustee Abbott indicated his preference for the word equality.
Trustee Krucek proposed using equity and equality.
There was consensus on including both equity and equality.
Trustee Abbott asked for the term ‘applying a racial equality lens’ to be replaced with ‘acting with equality and respect for all’.
There was discussion amongst the board about the term ‘racial equality lens’.
Trustee Page recommended the phrase ‘acting with equality, inclusion, and respect for all’.
There was consensus amongst the Village Board on the recommendation from Trustee Page.
Trustee Blair asked for further conversation amongst the Village Board regarding the Village’s participation with national organizations.
Administrator Stonitsch provided an overview on the National League of Cities.
It was determined that the term ‘equity, equality, and inclusion’ would be used throughout the proclamation for consistency.
An updated proclamation would be presented to the Village Board at a future Village Board Meeting for action.
The Study Session adjourned at 6:57 p.m. 2122
III. Adjournment
Motion to Adjourn
http://woodridgevillageil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=1570&Inline=True
Alerts Sign-up