Village of Flossmoor Board of Trustees met Jan. 17
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm.
Village Clerk Gina A. LoGalbo took roll.
PRESENT: Mayor Nelson, Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros, Mustafa
ALSO PRESENT: Village Manager Bridget Wachtel; Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue; Deputy Chief of Police Keith Taylor; Fire Chief Bob Kopec; Finance Director Scott Bordui; Director of Public Works John Brunke; Village Attorney Kathi Orr; Village Clerk Gina A. LoGalbo; 7 residents
Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order. Mayor Nelson noted that the meeting was being held in person and via Zoom, which is permitted by Public Act 101-0640. Mayor Nelson noted that the public was invited to monitor the meeting via Zoom or attend the meeting in person. Public participation would be permitted only in person during the citizen comment portion of the agenda. Members of the public could submit comments on items on the agenda by emailing info@flossmoor.org, which would be shared with the Village Board.
Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board on a Non-Agenda Item
(It should be noted that in reporting these comments, the Village has not researched the accuracy of any comments.):
Warren Engelberg’s comments, in summary, were that we must rebuild our cities, take care of the environment, and have a fair justice system. He discussed the national infrastructure bank, which provides low-interest loans to companies that are improving or creating new infrastructure. Mr. Engelberg discussed the benefits of using the bank’s services, including undertaking important infrastructure projects.
Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board on an Agenda Item
(It should be noted that in reporting these comments, the Village has not researched the accuracy of any comments.):
No residents wished to speak on an Agenda Item.
Recognitions and Appointments:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #1 – Consideration of a Reappointment to the Art Commission. Mayor Nelson called for a motion to reappoint Charlene Gordon to the Art Commission for a three (3) year term. Trustee Mitros so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll. Mayor Nelson stated that Ms. Gordon has been an integral member of the Art Commission since its inception in 2004. She is a sculptor, and she visits galleries, exhibits, displays, and shows throughout the country, always looking for the next piece to add to Flossmoor’s collection. She is a gem of a resident, and it’s Mayor Nelson’s honor to reappoint her for a three (3) year term.
Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as presented. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros, and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
Mayor Nelson referred to the Consent Agenda (which encompassed Agenda Items 2-7):
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on December 19, 2022
3. Ratification of Bills for Approval and Payment as Approved by the Finance Committee (January 3, 2023)
4. Presentation of Bills for Approval and Payment as Approved by the Finance Committee (January 17, 2023)
5. Consideration of a Budget Amendment and a Transfer of Funds to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Fund the Final Contract Closeout for the Berry Lane Drainage Improvements Project
6. Consideration of a Resolution of the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois Approving a Change Order Relating to the 2022 Street Rehabilitation Project
7. Consideration of a Contract Award to Strand Associates for Design Engineering Services and Budget Amendment for the Brumley Road Reconstruction Project
Trustee Mustafa noted a scrivener’s error in Item #2 of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on December 19, 2022.
Village Manager Bridget Wachtel stated that the error would be corrected.
Mayor Nelson called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Trustee Daggett so moved, seconded by Trustee Lofton.
Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as presented. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
Reports of Committees, Commissions and Boards:
No report from any Committee, Commission, or Board.
Action Items:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #8 – Consideration of Approval of Audit Services Request for Proposal. Mayor Nelson called for a motion to approve the proposal from Sikich LLP for audit services for FY23, and approve the four (4) year proposal with its annual renewals based on satisfactory performance. Trustee Mitros so moved, seconded by Trustee Mustafa. Finance Director Scott Bordui explained that fiscal year 2022 (FY22) was the final audit of the Village’s current audit firm, Sikich. In order to procure audit services for the future, the finance department conducted a request for proposal (RFP) for audit services for FY23, FY24, FY25 and FY26. The finance department did outreach to fourteen (14) known firms and did outreach through the IL CPA Society and other sources for the names of minority and women-owned accounting firms. Five (5) firms in total responded with proposals, and the finance department interviewed and three (3) of the five (5) firms. Mr. Bordui’s recommendation is to award the RFP to Sikich, but with a swap of the audit team and bring in a new audit partner and manager. Mr. Bordui noted that Sikich has been a very important partner to the Village’s success over the years, and the finance department thinks it’s important to maintain an elite level of service in the audit firm. Also, Sikich has provided a reasonable cost and noted that their proposal contains more partner and manager hours than other accounting firm proposals. Mr. Bordui noted the excellent references of the new audit team from Sikich that the Village would be using and added that the Village has benefitted over the years from Sikich’s non-audit services (such as various forms of business advice). Mr. Bordui explained that the auditing firm Lauterbach & Amen is used by the Police and Fire Pension funds, and utilizing their services for the Village could cause a potential conflict. Mr. Bordui asked the Board to approve the proposal from Sikich for FY23, and approve the four (4) year proposal with its annual renewals based on satisfactory performance.
Trustee Daggett asked whether there would be different auditing philosophies at different firms and between management teams at the same firm.
Mr. Bordui explained that he thinks there are differences in firms’ approaches to how they conduct audit testing, and how they view the management letter. He noted that another management team will have their own style, preferences, and a fresh set of eyes and noted that we’ll see the same overall philosophy of the firm.
Trustee Mitros commended Mr. Bordui and the finance department for looking into other auditing firms and for switching management teams at Sikich.
Trustee Driscoll noted that the Board defers to Mr. Bordui’s judgment for choosing the right firm. Trustee Mustafa inquired about the protocol for changing auditing firms.
Mr. Bordui noted that the Village has typically done RFPs every eight (8) to nine (9) years, but Sikich received two (2) contract renewals due to the pandemic and the finance department software conversion project.
Mayor Nelson noted that a fresh set of eyes is good government, and she thanked Mr. Bordui for his work.
Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as presented. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros, and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
Discussion Items:
Trustee Mitros stated that he was very impressed and pleased with the recent Berry Lane improvements, the use of the permeable pavers on the project, and Public Works Director John Brunke’s work on the project.
Trustee Lofton noted that the Public Works Department award for the Berry Lane improvements was very well deserved.
Trustee Mustafa expressed her appreciation for the Berry Lane improvements. Trustee Mustafa expressed how much she enjoyed the Sleep in Heavenly Peace project.
Trustee Bradley-Scott stated that residents have expressed their appreciation for the project and for the improvements happening.
Trustee Daggett concurred with the statements about Berry Lane, and he noted how a new resident was very pleased with the Public Works Department for being responsive to her questions. Trustee Daggett said that he was proud of our community for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service activities over the weekend, including Clerk LoGalbo’s Bricks of Hope project.
Trustee Driscoll commended the Public Works Department for their work and for the Community Relations Commission’s work for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Clerk LoGalbo thanked the Village for promoting her Martin Luther King Jr. service project and thanked the Board, Village staff, the Fire and Police Departments, and community members for donating 139 Lego sets towards her project.
Village Manager Bridget Wachtel noted that the Berry Lane drainage improvement project is winning a project-of-the-year award from the Southwest Branch of the American Public Works Association, Chicago Metro chapter. The project will also be considered for an additional award with the Chicago-Metro Chapter.
Mayor Nelson noted that the Village’s thoughts and prayers were with Madeline Miller’s family, the officers involved, and all those impacted by the officer-involved tragedy. Mayor Nelson was recently contacted by the Illinois State Police to inform her that they finished their investigation into the matter and were
forwarding their reports to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. She noted that there is no indication of what the reports contain and that the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office has agreed to expedite their review.
Mayor Nelson thanked US Senator Dick Durbin for a $200,000.00 grant for viaduct work. She thanked Public Works for the fabulous holiday décor and the use of their building for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace project. She thanked the FOP for the donated food for volunteers during the project. She thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their donations for the other service projects. She thanked the Volunteer Fire Department Corporation for funding the Sleep in Heavenly Peace project. Mayor Nelson thanked Jackie Riffice and the Community Relations Commission and Village Staff Bridget Wachtel, Jonathan Bogue, Stephanie Wright, and Amy Kent for their work on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects. She noted that there were twenty-three (23) Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service projects that supported people from throughout the region.
Other Business:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #9 – A Motion to go into Executive Session to Discuss the Employment of Specific Individuals, Property Acquisition and Litigation.
There was no need to enter into Executive Session.
As there were no other items to discuss, Mayor Nelson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Mitros so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll and passed by a voice vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
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