HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/18/2011 - Board of Trustees (2)Village of Oak Brook Special Closed Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 2 October 18, 2011
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 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 Special Closed Meeting of October 18, 2011 of the Village Board of Trustees was called to
order by President Gopal G. Lalmalani in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler
Government Center at 6:08 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Village Clerk Charlotte Pruss called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: President Gopal G. Lalmalani, Trustee Stelios Aktipis, Trustee Mark Moy,
Trustee Gerald Wolin, Trustee Asif Yusuf and Trustee Elaine Zannis
ABSENT: Trustee Michael Manzo
IN ATTENDANCE: Village Manager Dave Niemeyer, Assistant Village Manager Blaine Wing
(entered at 6:10 p.m.)
3. TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL AND LEGAL COUNSEL MATTERS, PURSUANT TO SECTION
2C(1) OF THE ILLINOIS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, RESPECTIVELY
A. Police Chief Hiring Process
Village Manager updated the Board on the contract negotiations with the new Police Chief and
that the contract would not be for a fixed term, with the option of either side terminating the
contract. He discussed the termination and severance pay clauses proposed. Consensus to
provide six months’ severance after the first year. Discussion ensued regarding whether the
contract would automatically end with a new Village President and that legal opinions have been
different on this issue. It was stated that it should be specified that the contract is not automatically
terminated with an outgoing Village President. Salary and the pension costs for the Police Chief
position were also discussed. Consensus reached on salary and actuary will be calculating
pension costs including transferring IMRF time from Roselle. Other issues such as sick bank
hours, were discussed. Village Manager Niemeyer stated that Village Attorney Friedman will be
drafting an open-ended contract and an annual review process could be included which would
reflect the atmosphere of the police department. Village Manager Niemeyer stated that it is very
important for the Board to support him in that the day-to-day operations should be under the
control of the Village Manager.
B. Hiring Labor Attorney
Attorney Robert Smith entered the meeting at approximately 6:58 p.m.
Attorney Smith summarized his qualifications and experience. Trustee Wolin explained the needs
of Oak Brook and discussed that he prefers a one-year contract with the police union because of
the economy. Attorney Smith responded to the concerns expressed and also talked about a multi-
year contract with re-openers on wages and insurance, so the Village is not locked in regarding
those items. He also discussed that contracts could include bonuses, lengthening time to top of
salary schedule, splitting wage increases and non-economic operational items which the union
may desire. He discussed at length economic factors, comparable communities and factors
specific to Oak Brook. Discussion ensued regarding attorney costs regarding labor matters and
Attorney Smith stated that since costs cannot be predicted, placing a “cap” on fees is not possible.
Trustees Yusuf, Zannis and Atipis all exited the meeting at 7:13 p.m.
Village of Oak Brook Special Closed Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 2 October 18, 2011
President Lalmalani inquired regarding the structure of Attorney Smith’s fees. Attorney Smith
affirmed that he would be the main contact, but that junior associates would conduct research,
etc. and explained the billing system and that the hourly rates would be the same as when they
founded the firm in 2010.
Attorney Smith exited the meeting at approximately 7:21 p.m.
Discussion ensued regarding other labor attorneys to interview.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Moy, seconded by Trustee Wolin, to adjourn the Closed Meeting and
Reconvene the Special Board of Trustees Meeting. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST:
Charlotte K. Pruss
Village Clerk