North Cook News

Village of Buffalo Grove Committee of the Whole met May 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

President Sussman called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Those present stood and pledged allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

Roll call indicated the following present: President Sussman; Trustees Stein, Ottenheimer, Weidenfeld, Johnson, Smith and Pike.

Also present were: Dane Bragg, Village Manager; Patrick Brankin, Village Attorney; Chris Stilling, Deputy Village Manager; Evan Michel, Management Analyst; Nicole Woods, Deputy Community Development Manager; Jessie Brown, Assistant Village Clerk; Fire Chief Baker; and Police Chief Casstevens.

The Committee of the Whole Meeting consisted of staff reports and Board discussion on the following topics.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

Trustee Johnson reported that National Mental Health Awareness Month and presented green ribbons to Board members to show support for the effort to “Turn Our Towns Green” to raise awareness and erase the stigma associated with mental illness.

EOC OVERVIEW

Chief Baker provided a high-level overview of EOC operations and detailed the roles and responsibilities of the Village Trustees and Village President as part of the Executive Policy Group, including a “walk through” of how the EOC and Executive Policy Group would be integrated to provide for the highest level of safety and security for the residents and businesses of Buffalo Grove, details of which are contained in the memo from him and Joe Wieser, EMA Coordinator, to the Board dated April 29, 2021.

POLICE BODY CAMERAS

Chief Casstevens presented information and current recommendations concerning the use of body-mounted cameras in police patrol functions, details of which are contained in his memo to the Board of March 23, 2021. Chief Casstevens noted that he strongly supports body cameras, but stated that this law is an unfunded mandate that will cost the Village just under $300,000.00, which does not include the personnel costs associated with the FOIA requests. The Illinois Chiefs of Police Association is working to address some of the concerns associated with this legislation, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

BUILDING PERMIT FEES

Mrs. Woods began by thanking all the members of the team that have put in so much work on this huge project, after which she reviewed the Community Development evaluation of all the processes relating to code enforcement, planning and zoning, and building permits and inspections. Details of the proposed modifications to permit fees, structure and processes are contained in the memo that she and Jessie Brown sent to the Board dated April 29, 2021. Mrs. Woods emphasized that this project is by no means meant to increase permit fees, but to streamline the process for developers, residents and staff.

Board members commended staff for all the work they have put into this project and noted that this is a concern that they have heard from residents and streamlining this process will be a real asset to developers, our residents and our staff.

ETHICS COMMISSION

Mr. Bragg reviewed the original intent of the Ethics Commission, as well as its current structure.

Mr. Stilling then provided further detail of the duties of the Commission, as well as the staff recommendation for the future of the Commission, specifics of which are contained in the memo from Ms. Maltas to the Board of April 29, 2021. After Board discussion, it was determined that staff with work with Mr. Brankin and bring a recommendation before the Board.

QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

President Sussman reviewed the parameters to be followed by speakers and asked if there were any questions from the audience on items not on tonight’s agenda; there were no such questions.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Stein, seconded by Weidenfeld, to adjourn the meeting. Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:

AYES: 6 – Stein, Ottenheimer, Weidenfeld, Johnson, Smith, Pike

NAYS: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

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