Dupage Policy Journal

City of Oakbrook Terrace City Council met Aug. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Paul Esposito 

City Clerk Michael Shadley 

Ward 1 

Alderman Charlie Barbari 

Alderman Joseph Beckwith Ward 2 

Alderman Frank Vlach 

Alderman Dennis Greco 

Ward 3 

Alderman Bob Rada 

Alderwoman Mary Fitzgerald 

I. CALL TO ORDER 

City Clerk Shadley called the August 27, 2024, Regular and Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 P.M. 

II. ROLL CALL 

Roll call indicated the following City Council members in attendance: 

Present: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Greco, Rada, and Vlach Absent: Mayor Esposito 

Also in attendance: City Administrator J. Ritz, Assistant to the City Administrator A. Raffel, Police Chief C. Calvello, Deputy Chief D. Clark, and City Attorney R. Ramello. 

Motion to appoint Alderman Greco as President Pro Tempore for the August 27, 2024, City Council and Committee of the Whole was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderman Rada. Roll call vote was taken: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Rada, and Vlach 

Ayes:  None 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Abstain: Greco 

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

President Pro Tempore Greco led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

IV. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA 

None 

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS 

Motion to approve the August 13, 2024, minutes of the Regular City Council and Committee of the Whole, as presented, was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderman Rada. Roll call vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Greco, Fitzgerald, Rada, and Vlach

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE 

1. Draft Ordinance To Approve And Authorize The Execution Of An Auditing Services Agreement Between The City Of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, And Sikich CPA, LLC: 

Motion to Take From The Table Draft Ordinance To Approve And Authorize The Execution Of An Auditing Services Agreement Between The City of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, And Sikich CPA, LLC was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderwoman Fitzgerald: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Greco, Fitzgerald, Rada, and Vlach 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion passed. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

None 

ACTION ITEMS/CONSENT AGENDA 

1. Payment Of City Bills: August 27, 2024, In The Amount Of $141,489.02. 

Motion to approve the Action Items/Consent Agenda of August 27, 2024, Regular City Council and Committee of the Whole was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderman Rada. Roll call vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Greco, Fitzgerald, Rada, and Vlach 

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motioned passed. 

IX. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA 

None 

X. RECESS TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 

Motion to recess to the Committee of the Whole portion of this meeting was made by Alderman Barbari and seconded by Alderman Beckwith. An acclamation vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Greco, Rada, and Vlach

Nayes: None 

Absent: None 

Motion passed. 

XI. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE GRECO 

1. President Pro Tempore Greco reminded everyone that City Hall will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

2. President Pro Tempore Greco confirmed that Big Lots will be closing in  October, and currently, Home Depot is not interested in expanding, nor is GFS or Aldi's interested in the site. City staff is still waiting to hear from Trader Joe's. 

3. President Pro Tempore Greco stated that a town hall meeting to discuss traffic issues on MacArthur Drive will be held on Thursday, September 5th, at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers located at 17W261 Butterfield Road. 

XII. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 

1. Fee Waiver For Building & Zoning Permit Fees Pertaining To Stella May Swartz School: 

Salt Creek School District 48 Superintendent Dr. Amy Zaher talked briefly about the building improvements being planned at Stella May Swartz School and inquired about the related Building and Zoning permit fees. 

The City Council granted the fee waiver. 

2. Draft An Ordinance Authorizing And Ratifying The Issuance Of Pedestrian Crossing Signs For The City Of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois: 

President Pro Tempe Greco asked the City Council to review the draft ordinance regarding the pedestrian crossing signs to be placed at MacArthur Drive and Karban Road. He stated that there was a price change after the initial ordinance and that the ordinance would need to be amended to reflect the new price. Assistant to the City Administrator Raffel explained the reason for the price changes and the additional installation costs. 

The City Council agreed to the amended costs and will vote on the ordinance at the Reconvened Meeting. 

3. Draft Ordinance To Approve And Authorize The Execution Of An Auditing Services Agreement Between The City Of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, And Sikich CPA, LLC: 

President Pro Tempe asked the City Council to review the draft ordinance regarding the execution of auditing services with Sikich CPA, LLC. 

City Attorney Ramello discussed the draft agreement between the City of Oakbrook Terrace and Sikich CPA, LLC. He stated that two items in the draft agreement related to insurance and limited liability were not agreed to by either of the parties. 

Alderman Beckwith expressed his concern about the audit starting late saying that Sikich CPA, LLC is a reputable firm and we need to move forward so not to fall behind in the city's audit process. 

Alderman Rada stated the City should move forward. 

Alderwoman Fitzgerald stated that the City needs to move forward and pass the agreement. 

The City Council was in agreement and will vote on the ordinance at the Reconvened Meeting. 

4. Discussion Of Traffic Patterns On MacArthur Drive: 

President Pro Tempe stated that he is asking the City Council to approve City Administrator Ritz's order for a directional traffic study with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. He stated that the information received from the study will be valuable in any future decisions made regarding MacArthur Drive. 

Alderman Rada asked for information about this study and how much it will cost. 

Alderman Beckwith suggested expanding the study to include other neighborhood entrances to obtain a comprehensive understanding of traffic flow. He emphasized that any action taken on MacArthur Drive would have an impact on the entire neighborhood. 

Alderwoman Fitzgerald asked who would be invited to the September 5th Town Hall meeting. 

Alderman Barbari stated he feels nothing will change after the study and suggested keeping the traffic patterns the same as is and to stop wasting valuable resources on this matter. 

5. Amending The Provisions Of Chapter 35 Entitled "Taxes” Of Title III Entitled "Administration” Of The Code Of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, By Imposing A Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax And A Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax: 

President Pro Tempe Greco asked the City Council to review the draft ordinance imposing a municipal grocery retailer occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax. 

Alderman Rada provided an overview of the ordinance and why this ordinance has come before the City Council. 

The City Council was in agreement with the ordinance and will vote on it at the subsequent meeting. 

6. Employee Retention And Recruitment Within The Police Department: 

President Pro Tempe read a statement regarding some of the issues concerning the police department's culture. He then opened the floor to Chief Calvello regarding the hiring and retaining of police officers for the City of Oakbrook Terrace. 

Police Chief Calvello stated that the police commission handles the hiring process of police officers. Police Commissioner Bob Shanahan discussed the recruitment and hiring procedures for creating eligibility lists for new and lateral police officers. He discussed the dilemmas everyone is facing with hiring of police officers and offered suggestions for improving the current challenges facing the city's application process. 

Chief Calvello and Deputy Chief Clark discussed the status of the police department's budget and staffing. The City Council asked questions and further discussed issues about current staffing and leadership. 

XIII. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS 

Alderwoman Fitzgerald discussed an incident involving a resident and commended the police officers on how they communicated and handled the incident to find this resident - job well done. 

Alderman Beckwith asked Salt Creek District 48 Superintendent Dr. Amy Zaher if she would attend a future city council meeting to present the proposed changes to Stella May Swartz School, which she agreed to attend. 

Alderman Rada stated the Villa Park Library is seeing an increase in membership due to the lowered cost of library fees. He then commented on the completion of the Meyers Road construction project, and the great financial impact that the Democratic National Convention had for DuPage County hotels and restaurants. 

XIV. CITY ATTORNEY RAMELLO 

City Attorney will give his report during Executive Session. 

XV. CITY CLERK SHADLEY 

None 

XVI. CITY ADMINISTRATOR RITZ

None 

XVII. RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 

Motion to reconvene the City Council meeting was made by Alderman Barbari and seconded by Alderman Beckwith. An acclamation vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Greco, Fitzgerald, Rada, and Vlach 

Nays: None 

Absent: None

Motion passed. 

XVIII. OLD BUSINESS 

1. Ordinance No. 20-30: An Ordinance Authorizing And Ratifying The Issuance Of A Purchase Order For The Purchase Of Two Solar-Powered Blinking Pedestrian Crossing Signs For The City Of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois: 

Motion to Amend and Approve Ordinance No. 20–30: An Ordinance Authorizing And Ratifying The Issuance Of A Purchase Order For The Purchase Of Two Solar-Powered Blinking Pedestrian Crossing Signs For The City of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois Not To Exceed $23,000 was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderman Rada. A roll call vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Greco, Rada, and Vlach

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

Motion passed. 

2. Ordinance No. 24-31: An Ordinance To Approve And Authorize The Execution Of An Auditing Services Agreement Between The City Of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, And Sikich CPA, LLC: 

Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 24–31: An Ordinance To Approve And Authorize The Execution Of An Auditing Services Agreement Between The City of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, And Sikich CPA, LLC was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderman Rada. A roll call vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Greco, Rada, and Vlach

Nays: None

Absent: None 

Motion passed. 

XIX. RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 

1. Motion to discuss Closed Session Pursuant to Section 2(c)(11) Of The Open Meetings Act To Discuss Pending Litigation, motion made by Alderwoman Fitzgerald and seconded by Alderman Barbari. Roll call vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Greco, Rada, and Vlach

Nays: None

Absent: None

Motion passed. 

XX. EXECUTIVE SESSION 

1. Closed Session Pursuant to Section 2(c)(11) Of The Open Meetings Act To Discuss Pending Litigation. 

XXI. RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 

Motion to reconvene the City Council meeting was made by Alderman Beckwith and seconded by Alderman Barbari. An acclamation vote was taken: 

Ayes: Barbari, Beckwith, Fitzgerald, Greco, Rada, and Vlach

Nays: None 

Absent: None 

ADJOURN 

Motion passed. 

Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Rada and seconded by Alderwoman Fitzgerald at 9:05 P.M. 

Acclamation vote was made with all Ayes. 

Motion carried unanimously. 

https://www.oakbrookterrace.net/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/19899/city_council_meeting_minutes_-08-27-2024.pdf