HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/26/2011 - Board of Trustees (2)Village of Oak Brook Regular Closed Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2 April 26, 2011
MINUTES OF THE APRIL 26, 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 26, 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 8:57
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
Mark Moy, Trustee Moin Saiyed, Trustee Gerald Wolin and Trustee Zannis
ABSENT: None
IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager Dave Niemeyer, Assistant Village Manager Blaine
Wing, Village Attorney Mark Sterk and Attorney Constantine Xinos (arrived at 9:11 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 Chief Sheahan
Village Manager Niemeyer informed the Board regarding further drafts to the Separation
Agreement with Chief Sheahan. He stated that changes were made by the Chief’s attorney,
Constantine Xinos, and also some changes suggested by Trustee Wolin and Village staff.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding aspects of the Agreement.
Attorney Constantine Xinos entered the meeting at approximately 9:11 p.m.
Attorney Xinos discussed changes made to the Agreement regarding health insurance and
effective date of the Agreement and that those rights are waived. He stated that Chief Sheahan
wants the Agreement finalized before the new Board takes over and a check given to Chief
Sheahan tomorrow and Chief Sheahan will return the Village’s property.
Attorney Xinos briefly exited the meeting while Village Attorney Sterk explained how the
Agreement was written originally.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding the time period of the Chief’s right to revoke the Agreement.
Village Attorney Sterk stated that the Chief and his attorney are anxious to get the check right
away because of the potential veto of the new President. Discussion regarding finalizing the
Agreement at this meeting and risks of giving him the check, but retaining the seven-day
revocation clause as required by law.
Attorney Xinos re-entered the meeting.
Trustee Zannis explained their discussion and requested an opinion from Attorney Xinos.
Village Manager Niemeyer explained why this Agreement cannot be called an Early Retirement
Agreement. Attorney Xinos discussed the importance of the Chief receiving the check tomorrow.
Village Manager Niemeyer and Village Attorney Sterk suggested that if the Chief revokes the
agreement, he would have to return the check, subject to a penalty. Attorney Xinos explained
that Chief Sheahan does not want to be involved in a lawsuit. Litigation and payment of attorneys’
Village of Oak Brook Regular Closed Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 April 26, 2011
fees were discussed in relation to the Chief not receiving the money. Lengthy discussion
regarding possible temporary restraining order against the settlement, litigation and liability to the
Village. Concerns were expressed about the Chief having a badge for retired police chief.
Consensus not reached regarding the Chief having a retired chief badge and authorization to
carry a gun, but majority did not agree to this. Attorney Xinos stated that they had not agreed to
the severance amount, but did not want to delay the approval. Trustee Aktipis stated that he
thought the severance amount was supposed to be for nine months, the early retirement incentive
plus six months.
Attorney Xinos exited the meeting at approximately 10:11 p.m.
Consensus to pay the Chief tomorrow and make the changes in the Agreement as discussed.
Discussion ensued regarding whether the severance amount should be six months or four
months. Village Manager Niemeyer stated that the Chief was not eligible for the early retirement
incentive because he has not worked at the Village long enough. Consensus was not reached,
but a majority agreed to four months severance.
Village Manager Niemeyer also explained the confidential disclosure clause in the Agreement and
the Board should not disclose any information and that it can only be obtained through a FOIA.
4. 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 Contract
Assistant Village Manager presented the Board with the tentative contract with the fire union and
stated that all outstanding grievances have been withdrawn, saving the Village between $30,000
and $65,000 in litigation costs. He stated that the union is requesting an extension of the no lay-
off clause until March 31, 2013 in the event that the parties do not reach an agreement. He stated
that with the approval of the contract of the Board, the union membership would vote on it and
ratify the contract. Discussion ensued regarding that this agreement should be confidential until
after it is ratified by the membership and a press release is issued.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Aktipis, seconded by Trustee Wolin, to adjourn the Closed Meeting and
Reconvene the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:29 p.m.
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk