HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/19/2011 - Board of Trustees (2)Village of Oak Brook Regular Closed Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2 April 19, 2011
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 19, 2011 SPECIAL CLOSED MEETING OF THE
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK
BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN OR AMENDED ON
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Closed Meeting of April 19, 2011 of the Village Board of Trustees was called to order by
Trustee Elaine Zannis (temporary President) in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler
Government Center at 6:16 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Village Clerk Charlotte Pruss called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Trustee Stelios Aktipis, Trustee Mark Moy, Trustee Moin Saiyed, Trustee Gerald
Wolin and Trustee Elaine Zannis
ABSENT: President John Craig and Trustee James Carson
IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager Dave Niemeyer
3. TO CONSIDER 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 (2C1).
A. Police Personnel
Village Manager Niemeyer informed the Board that it had recently come to his attention that
a police employee was asked by Chief Sheahan to provide the Chief with an unredacted copy
of the police report regarding Gopal Lalmalani and to initial the report. Village Manager
Niemeyer stated that he was also given information regarding Chief Sheahan selling
insurance and being fined by the State. He also discussed that Chief Sheahan was under the
impression that his agreement included six months pay additional to the standard three
months in the early retirement incentive package. Opinions were expressed regarding how
much severance the Chief should be entitled to.
Interview with Charles A. Gruber Consulting. Mr. Gruber explained that he was a reformer
police chief in several locales and started a company made up of law enforcement personnel,
mostly active police chiefs. He affirmed that there would be interviews of key people, including
union board, and then let the investigation lead him. He discussed looking at the retaliation
policy in relation to the claim of a hostile work environment. He stated that his rate is $183.50
per hour. He stated that remediation of problems and suggesting courses of action is part of
the third phase of his proposal. He stated that they could start within ten days of the contract
being approved.
Interview with Laurence P. Mulcrone and Daniel McDevitt, REM Management Services, Inc.
Mr. Mulcrone explained his background including being a retired lieutenant colonel from the
Illinois State Police and head of the DUMEG Unit. He explained that Mr. McDevitt is a retired
police chief and retired captain from the Illinois State Police as well as military experience.
Mr. Mulcrone explained that their organization has about 75 years of experience in corporate,
government and security industries. He stated that their company has conducted operational
liability and process analyses for government and municipalities, as well as policy and
procedures manuals along with training for police departments. Mr. McDevitt explained that
in investigating a possible hostile work environment, they would look at communication
strategies and how management operates with the bargaining unit, which he stated can
reduce grievances and improve morale. Mr. McDevitt stated that their hourly rate is $150.00,
Village of Oak Brook Regular Closed Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 April 19, 2011
with a ceiling of $22,500, but that they typically finish the project under bid. Discussion ensued
regarding the process and issues in the police department.
Trustee Saiyed exited the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Interview with Patrick Collins, Perkins Coie, LLP. Mr. Collins stated that he was an assistant
U.S. Attorney and has been involved in public corruption cases and discussed his associates,
a former FBI agent and a former postal inspector. His associates, Ray and Dave, will be doing
most of the information gathering and report writing at $135.00 per hour and Mr. Collins will
oversee the work at a higher rate.
After Mr. Collins exited the meeting, discussion ensued regarding possible scope of
investigation. It was suggested that a written report might be the best way to receive findings
of the investigation and that it should be attorney-client privileged. It was agreed that the
scope should be narrowed, possibly to these issues: 1. Alleged release of the Sky Bar reports;
2. the vote of no-confidence; 3. the morale issue; 4. the towing issue.
Interview with Lee McCann and Mike Hosking, Voorhees Associates, Inc. Mr. Hosking stated
that they were originally part of The PAR Group and each have over thirty years of experience.
Mr. McCann stated that if they discover criminal behavior, they would inform the Board, but it
would be beyond their scope to conduct a criminal investigation. They stated that their hourly
rate for interviewing is $93.50 and to $110.00 for investigation.
After Mr. McCann and Mr. Hosking exited the meeting, the Board discussed the ranking of
the interviewees and management of the police department at this time. Consensus among
the Board members to recommend Charles Gruber and Patrick Collins as finalists for
subsequent interviews with the new Board.
Village Manager Niemeyer suggested conducting a national search for the new police chief
and that the successful candidate can hopefully come in and give the Board some answers.
Trustee Wolin suggested hiring a retired police chief to serve as interim chief for six months.
Village Manager Niemeyer stated that he believes strong leadership is needed now and it
would not be as effective with an interim chief.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Wolin, seconded by Trustee Aktipis, to adjourn the Closed Meeting and
Reconvene the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk