North Cook News

Village of Buffalo Grove President & Board of Trustees met March 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

President Smith 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 Smith; Trustees Johnson, Cesario, Ottenheimer, Stein, Bocek, and Weidenfeld.

Also present were: Dane Bragg, Village Manager; Patrick Brankin, Village Attorney; Chris Stilling, Deputy Village Manager; Mike Skibbe, Deputy Village Manager/Director of Public Works; Chris Black, Finance Director; Katie Golbach, Director of Human Resources; Molly Gillespie, Communications Director; Tim Kirsininkas, Communications Coordinator; Nicole Woods, Director of Community Development; Brett Robinson, Administrative Services Director; Deputy Police Chief Rodriguez; Deputy Police Chief Spolar; Fire Chief Baker; Deputy Fire Chief Kane.

The Committee of the Whole Meeting consisted of staff reports and Board discussion on the listed topics, with staff answering questions from the Board on each topic.

PROCLAMATION – THROMBOSIS AWARENESS MONTH

President Smith read a Proclamation declaring the month of April 2024 as Thrombosis Awareness Month in the Village of Buffalo Grove noting that this is the number one cause of unexpected hospital deaths in the Unites States, making Thrombosis a major public health concern. Bhakti Singh presented some facts about this medical condition.

2023 POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR

Buffalo Grove Rotary President Shawn Collins reviewed her credentials and accomplishments as he presented Investigator Crystal Dibble with the Police Department's highest honor, 2023 Police Officer of the Year.

Investigator Dibble was recognized for her work on some of the Buffalo Grove Police Department's most challenging cases last year, including criminal sexual assault, financial exploitation of the elderly, stolen auto and commercial burglary cases, closing them with arrests. Investor Dibble was nominated by her coworkers for her dedication and professionalism to the victims she investigated for, her peers that she works with, and commitment to the Buffalo Grove Police Department and residents of Buffalo Grove.

Mr. Collins then recognized Officer Gabriel Augustyniak with a Special Commendation Award and reviewed the accomplishments that led to his award.

Both officers thanked the Board and the Department for this recognition and noted how honored they are to serve the residents of Buffalo Grove.

2023 PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Mr. Skibbe reviewed the career and accomplishments of Tyler Ankney, the recipient of the 2023 Public Works Employee of the Year Award. Tyler was nominated by his coworkers for being "a tireless public servant that will always be there with great advice or at least an open ear to listen to your problems." Tyler recently oversaw the Village's transition to a new scheduling software. Tyler created a video to highlight all those who helped him receive this special recognition, and to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the men and  women of the Buffalo Grove Public Works Department, and wrote a song, "Let's Go" as a celebration of the dedication of his coworkers in the Public Works Department.

BS&A CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE

In 2021, the Village selected and purchased BS&A software to help streamline and automate permit review, inspection, licensing, and planning processes. The BS&A cloud-based software became available in 2023 and shortly thereafter Buffalo Grove executed an agreement for the BS&A cloud-based software. Over the past six months, staff has been working to implement, train and go live with the software.

Ms. Woods presented an overview of the new online software, its benefits, key elements of its implementation, and steps for moving forward, details of which are contained in her memo to Mr. Bragg of March 4, 2024.

QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE

President Smith 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.

Members of the Catalyst Club from Stevenson High School spoke urging the Board to act regarding the restriction of advertisements targeted at youth and enforcing the Prevent Youth Vaping Act.

EXECUTIVE MEETING

Moved by Weidenfeld, seconded by Stein, to move to Executive Session to discuss: Section 2(C)(1) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act: the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, Including Hearing Testimony on a Complaint Lodged Against an Employee of the Public Body or Against Legal Counsel for the Public Body to Determine Its Validity and Section 2(C)(2) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act: Collective Negotiating Matters Between the Public Body and Its Employees or Their Representatives, or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees.

Upon roll call, Trustees voted as follows:

AYES: 6 – Johnson, Cesario, Ottenheimer, Stein, Bocek, Weidenfeld

NAYS: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

The Board moved to Executive Session from 8:27 P.M. to 10:36 P.M.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Cesario, seconded by Ottenheimer, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, the motion was unanimously declared carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 P.M.

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