HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/12/2011 - Board of Trustees (2)Village of Oak Brook Regular Closed Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2 April 12, 2011
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 12, 2011 REGULAR 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 12, 2011 of the Village Board of Trustees was called to order by
President Craig in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler Government Center at 8:09
p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Village Clerk Charlotte Pruss called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: President John Craig, Trustee Stelios Aktipis, Trustee James Carson, Trustee
Moin Saiyed, Trustee Gerald Wolin and Trustee Zannis
ABSENT: Trustee Mark Moy
IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager Dave Niemeyer, Assistant Village Manager Blaine
Wing, Village Attorney Mark Sterk and Fire Chief Thomas McEllin (arrived at 8:51 p.m.)
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 Issue (moved to after Agenda Item 4.A.)
Village Manager Niemeyer discussed the police study in regard to the police union and morale.
He stated that in a recent meeting with Chief Sheahan he was informed that Lieutenant Shuey
will be taking six to eight weeks of medical leave and that Deputy Chief Larson was scheduled to
retire this month. He stated that there has been discussions regarding keeping the Deputy Chief
on a contractual basis. Village Manager Niemeyer informed the Board that Chief Sheahan also
stated that he is interested in an early retirement package over and above the package offered to
personnel previously. Assistant Village Manager Wing stated that a previous police chief was
offered a six-month severance package with six months of health insurance coverage. It was
suggested that there is still a need for the police study even with some of the issues going away.
Consensus to go ahead with the study as earlier presented, but possibly reduce the scope when
the Board meets with the consultants next week. Consensus to have the Police Chief’s last day
concurrent with the last day of the current Board. Trustee Wolin suggested that because of
upcoming events, it may be easier to have a swearing in ceremony of the new Board on May 2nd
and then have a regular meeting on May 10th. Discussion ensued regarding possibly offering
three months severance and six months health insurance coverage and also potential litigation
which may involve the Chief’s cooperation. Consensus to offer the Police Chief six months
severance and six months health insurance coverage.
4. TO CONSIDER LITIGATION, WHEN AN ACTION AGAINST, AFFECTING OR ON BEHALF OF
THE VILLAGE HAS BEEN FILED AND IS PENDING BEFORE A COURT OR ADMINISTRATIVE
TRIBUNAL, OR WHEN THE PUBLIC BODY FINDS THAT AN ACTION IS PROBABLE OR
IMMINENT (2C11)
Village Manager Niemeyer discussed the recent filing of a lawsuit involving the Sky Bar versus a
Trustee, among other individuals, but the Village is not named in the lawsuit. Village Attorney
stated that this is up for hearing on a motion tomorrow. He stated that IRMA stated that there
might not be coverage since it is an injunction issue. He explained that Attorney Phil Cuevas has
been retained by some of the individuals and he is present tonight in the Board Room. Discussion
ensued regarding this matter and concerns expressed regarding getting involved in this matter.
Village of Oak Brook Regular Closed Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 April 12, 2011
Village Attorney Sterk suggested monitoring the lawsuit. Consensus to not have the Village
Attorney go to court on this matter tomorrow.
A. Workers’ Compensation Authority Request (moved to after Agenda Item #5.A.)
Assistant Village Manager Wing discussed that a police officer has had three injuries and has
hired an attorney who is asking to settle for $90,000 to $100,000, but Assistant Village Manager
Wing is asking for authority up to $75,000. Consensus to grant this authority if this officer has not
had a history of multiple claims.
B. Recent Arbitration Award
Assistant Village Manager Wing discussed that there are three questions to consider: 1. Should
the Village reject the award with the matter going back to the same arbitrator with the Village
paying for both sides? 2. Will the FOP use this as an issue which may impact the Peterson
Administrative Review? 3. Should the Board drop the issue? Discussion ensued with Village
Attorney Sterk cautioning that rarely arbitration awards are over-turned and it would be a losing
battle. Consensus to drop the issue.
5. TO DISCUSS 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 (2C2)
A. Fire Union Update
(Fire Chief McEllin entered the meeting at approximately 8:51)
Assistant Village Manager Wing handed out a package regarding the fire union negotiations. He
stated that he is seeking authority to extend the contract through 2012 and also wages at 2.5%
for 2012 and a ‘no lay-off’ clause through the end of the contract. Trustee Wolin expressed that
this is a good package and actually the fire personnel will be earning less than some of the
comparable communities. Trustee Aktipis agreed with Trustee Wolin. Discussion ensued
regarding setting precedence for future contracts. Village Attorney Sterk explained some details
and the benefits of the extra year for planning as well the fact that the fire union is staying with the
BFPC for discipline matters. Consensus to give authority per the above.
(Fire Chief McEllin exited the meeting at approximately 9:00 p.m.)
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Wolin, seconded by Trustee Carson, to adjourn the Closed Meeting and
Reconvene the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
ATTEST:
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk