HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/01/2024 - Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees Minutes Page 1 of 4 Regular Meeting of October 1, 2024
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 1, 2024 SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK
APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON
DECEMBER 10, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees was called to order by President Laurence E.
Herman in the Samuel E. Dean Room at 7:12 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2. ROLL CALL
Clerk Netasha Scarpiniti called the roll:
PRESENT: Trustees Naveen Jain, Michael Manzo, James Nagle, Edward Tiesenga, and President
Laurence E. Herman
VIA ZOOM: Trustee Martin
ABSENT: Trustee A. Suresh Reddy
IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager Greg Summers, Information Technology Director Tom
Gilbert, Police Chief Brian Strockis, Public Works Director Tim O'Malley, Head Librarian Jacob
Post, Finance Director Marilyn Fumero, Fire Chief Kevin Fleege, Development Services Director
Rebecca Von Drasek, Sports Core Director Art Segura, and Village Attorney Michael Castaldo Jr.
3. PRESIDENT’S OPENING COMMENTS
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
5. 2025 BUDGET WORKSHOP
A. Overview of Budget
Village Manager Summers summarized the budget for the fiscal year 2025. He provided a
brief overview of amendments made in 2024 and the full fiscal year projection for the third
quarter based on actual income and expenses. He discussed the reality of the projected sales
tax, increases in license and permit fees, and charges for services, including ambulance
billing.
Trustee Manzo asked for clarification on the conservative budget and stressed the importance
of using a conservative budgeting system based on his past personal experiences.
Village Manager Summers stated that being conservative allows one to account for any
inflationary changes and anticipated market cooldown. He spoke about the changes
surrounding employee turnover versus retention, paid leave for all workers, and costs
associated with retirees.
B. Review of Program Goals, Objectives, and Budget Requests in the Following
Departments
Village Manager Summers provided the meeting's program and announced that the next
budget meeting would be held on October 29th. The meeting would also include budget
presentations for the Sports Core, Hotel/Motel, Public Works Department, and Capital
Improvement Fund.
Trustee Jain made an observation referencing the transfers mentioned by Village Manager
Board of Trustees Minutes Page 2 of 4 Regular Meeting of October 1, 2024
Summers surrounding the expenditures that have increased while there seems to be a
decrease in capital outlay.
Finance Director Marilyn Fumero addressed Trustee Jain’s comment, explaining that the
capital outlays are listed in the Infrastructure Fund and the Capital Improvements Fund,
which will be presented at the next budget meeting. She also explained that the amount in the
table is mostly for small equipment purchases and not extensive capital outlays or capital
improvements.
1. Legislative & General Management (Including Board of Trustees, Human Resources,
Risk Management, Information Technology Services)
• Village Manager Summers explained that the initiatives and goals are tied to the
objectives set by the Village Board. He discussed the following topics:
• Impact of state mandates
• Building a brand and identity through communication and infrastructure
• Organizational chart for the Board of Trustee
• Reduced DMMC membership costs
• Reallocation of the Taste of Oak Brook costs
• Reduced travel costs
• Anticipated attorney fees
• Maintaining transparency
• Enhancing the Village's image
• Services to the public
• Reducing travel costs
Village Manager Summers presented the Human Resources slides due to the absence of
Assistant Village Manager Mitchell, breaking down small increases offset by reduced
operation and contract spending. He detailed increases such as the Illinois Risk
Management Agency (IRMA), tuition reimbursement decreases due to efficiencies in the
process, and the number of positions expected to open next year. He explained that the
goals are to reduce the overall number of claims and anticipated increases within the
customer service organization.
Information Technology Director Gilbert presented the IT department's goals and
objectives, including the following:
Infrastructure and cyber security enhancements
Automation of routine tasks
Ensuring policies meet compliance standards
Protecting data privacy
Cost optimization
Team development
Director Gilbert explained the organizational chart and significant budget changes from
2024, including enhanced Internet connection, new services, software maintenance,
migrations of certain aspects or software to the cloud, the anticipated boardroom AV
project to be completed in 2024, replacement of outdated servers and upgrades to the
modems and fire rigs and tablet replacement.
Trustee Jain asked for clarification regarding software licensing as it is associated with the
department's budgeting.
Fire Chief Fleege presented the Emergency Management program, explaining its goals and
objectives, organizational chart, and budgetary images, including increased costs due to
Board of Trustees Minutes Page 3 of 4 Regular Meeting of October 1, 2024
the new ESDA volunteer program and the software upgrades.
2. Financial Services
Finance Director Fumero presented the Financial Services Management portion of the
program and stated that personnel costs have been significantly reduced due to employee
reallocation. She explained the benefits of restructuring the Department and its operational
efficiencies.
3. Development Services
Development Services Director Von Drasek shared the Department's goals and objectives
and the organizational chart. She explained the budgetary changes, including staff
reallocation. She also addressed Trustee Jain's questions regarding HOAs by explaining
that the Village staff offers knowledge on various subjects by conversing with the
homeowners.
Trustee Jain asked how equipped the Development Services Department is to assist the
HOAs in various matters, including water services. He also asked if engineering services
overlap with the Public Works Department.
Trustee Manzo asked about the pipeline for next year, outsourcing services versus hiring
employees, and commented on Eddie V.
Trustee Tiesenga asked about the applied criteria for outsourcing engineers and consultant
working hours.
Village Manager Summers explained that discussions and a detailed analysis need to take
place regarding employing a full-time in-house engineer versus outsourcing one. He also
stated that the designs are often very specialized and require the services of an outsourced
consultant.
4. Library
Head Librarian Post discussed the Library's goals and objectives, the organizational chart
and explained significant budgetary changes, including staffing, building maintenance,
digitization, and in-house bookbinding.
Trustee Tiesenga asked about the capital outlays and the consultant's recommendations for
library renovations.
5. Police
Police Chief Strockis introduced the department's goals and objectives, the organizational
chart and addressed significant budgetary changes, including equipment replacement,
increased veterinary costs, FUSUS body camera replacement, school support services, and
an in-house Sergeant Supervisor promotion. He spoke about the significant amount of
activity needing Police attention throughout the Village, mandated training, Auxiliary
officers, and other support services.
Trustee Jain asked about the thought process behind allocating software-related expenses
to a specific Department vs. IT.
Village Manager Summers explained that when software upgrades are general and run
throughout the Village, they go into the Information Technology Budget, and when they
are department-specific, such as in this scenario, they are included in that specific
Board of Trustees Minutes Page 4 of 4 Regular Meeting of October 1, 2024
Department's Budget.
Further discussion regarding the need for service animals, additional actions that can be
taken by the HOAs within the community, LPR cameras, an increase in policing during
the holiday season, an in-house relief sergeant promotion covering a supervisory position,
and operational efficiency as it relates to generational shifts and retirements within the
department.
6.Fire
Fire Chief Fleege spoke about the Department's goals and objectives, mentioned the
quality of employees and next-generational leadership training, the organizational chart,
anticipation of upcoming retirements, new equipment replacement, Fire Service
Management, Fire-Special Teams Operations, Fire-Rescue and Fire Training, Fire-
Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Prevention public safety Education.
Additional discussions were held regarding mutual aid calls, ladder trucks, the public
education coordinator position mentioned in the budget, and statistics regarding NFRS
reports.
Trustee Manzo publicly thanked the Fire Department for their efficiency, transparency,
and overall improvement in trust and relationships with neighboring communities.
6.ADJOURNMENT
Village Manager Summers spoke about the balanced budget, and recognized several additional
employees that contributed to the budget and preparation of the budget workshop presentation.
President Herman echoed Village Manager Summers' comments and thanked all the employees who
made additional contributions to the Budget presentations showcased at this meeting.
MOTION: Motion to adjourn the Special Board of Trustees Meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Motioned: Trustee Manzo
Seconded: Trustee Tiesenga
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: 5 Trustees Jain, Manzo, Martin, Nagle, Tiesenga
Nays: 0 None
Abstain: 0 None
Absent: 1 Trustee Reddy
Motion Carried
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
Netasha Scarpiniti
Village Clerk
/s/ Netasha Scarpiniti