Village of Flossmoor Mayor and Board of Trustees met June 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:32 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; Police Chief Jerel Jones; Fire Chief Bob Kopec; Finance Director Scott Bordui; Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic; Director of Building & Zoning Scott Bugner; Community Engagement Manager Stephanie Wright; Village Attorney Kathi Orr; Village Clerk Gina A. LoGalbo; 25 residents
Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order on Juneteenth. Mayor Nelson gave a shout out to Destiny Watson, founder and CEO of You Matter Too, her Board, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, performers, and artists, along with Village of Flossmoor staff, the Flossmoor Public Works Department (which helped with the Juneteenth Parade), and the Flossmoor Police and Fire Departments, Village Manager Bridget Wachtel, Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue, and Community Engagement Manager Stephanie Wright who were working all weekend. The Village had a wonderful weekend celebrating Juneteenth and Black culture and excellence in the Village of Flossmoor. Mayor Nelson thanked everyone who helped make the wonderful celebration possible.
Mayor Nelson noted that public comment was at the end of the agenda and per Board policy, individuals’ comments are limited to five minutes per person for a total allotted time of thirty minutes for public comment. As a courtesy for those unable to attend in person, the meeting was also being live-streamed via Zoom.
Recognitions and Appointments:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #1 – Resolution Honoring Debbie Kopas. Mayor Nelson introduced Debbie Kopas, who will be retiring as the Executive Director of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District. Kopas worked for the HF Park District for over thirty years and has been the Executive Director since 2006. Mayor Nelson noted the recent successful collaborative efforts with the HF Park District and the Village of Homewood. Mayor Nelson read a resolution honoring Debbie Kopas.
Ms. Kopas stated that she was thrilled to have such a great team at the HF Park District. She noted that the HF Park District’s relationship with the Village of Flossmoor is the best and most collaborative it’s ever been in her thirty-two years at the HF Park District.
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #2 – A Proclamation Declaring June 2023 as Black Music Month. Mayor Nelson introduced resident Kirkland Burke, who contacted Mayor Nelson about recognizing June as Black Music Month and she thought it was a great idea. Flossmoor is home to many incredible Black musicians, including Grammy winners, chart toping singers and musicians. She wanted to highlight some of the past and present musicians in the hopes that it would inspire youth to practice more, and inspire residents to learn more about the music that the residents at the Village Board meeting represent. Mayor Nelson noted that Kirkland’s brother, Reginald ‘Sonny’ Burke, was a Flossmoor resident, keyboardist, arranger and producer who recorded over 500 albums and worked with the Jackson 5, Frank Sinatra, the Temptations, and many more notable artists. He was Smokey Robinson’s pianist, musical arranger, conductor for over thirty years, and he co-wrote musical hits for artists including Earth Wind and Fire, and played piano for TV show themes on Hill Street Blues and ER. Sonny Burke was also the conductor of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Kirkland Burke shared that he also spent thirty years in the record business.
Mayor Nelson introduced former Flossmoor residents Dewayne and Nina Sutton. Dewayne Sutton is a drummer and Nina Sutton is the lead singer of their R&B soul band called Dynamic Sound. They headlined Flossmoor Fest twice, played in events hosted by the City of Chicago, were the resident band of Copper Still in Homewood, and played at many other events and venues.
Mayor Nelson introduced Peter ‘2Saxy’ Jordan, a jazz saxophonist and composer. He recently put together an amazing show at the Prairie State Auditorium, which was a tribute to Grover Washington. Peter Jordan has played in the world-famous club Blues Alley, toured with various R&B legends like Percy Sledge and Ben E. King, and toured worldwide with the R&B funk band Heatwave for ten years. Jordan has performed in various shows, and was the featured soloist on the PBS special Motown Live, hosted by Patti LaBelle and Isaac Hayes. His original music has been featured on Saturday Night Live and Days of Our Lives.
Mayor Nelson introduced her fellow University of Illinois engineering alumnus, Curtis Jones, aka Green Velvet, aka Cajmere. He became an international house and techno singer, record producer, and DJ. Curtis Jones created five albums, five compilation albums, four DJ mixes, twenty-three extended plays, and thirty-nine singles, including the chart topping single, ‘Coffee Pot’ (Percolator), listed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the twenty best Chicago house records.
Mayor Nelson read a Proclamation Declaring June 2023 as Black Music Month.
Mayor Nelson referred to the Consent Agenda (which encompassed Agenda Items 3-7):
3. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on June 5, 2023
4. Presentation of Bills for Approval and Payment as Approved by the Finance Committee (June 19, 2023)
5. Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for the Village of Flossmoor
6. Consideration of a Contract Award for the FY24 Sidewalk Replacement Program
7. Consideration of a Contract Award for the FY24 Pavement Patching Contract
Trustee Mustafa requested that item #5, Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for the Village of Flossmoor, be pulled off of the Consent Agenda. Mayor Nelson called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Trustee Daggett so moved, seconded by Trustee Bradley-Scott.
Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as amended. 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 Agenda Item #5 – Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for the Village of Flossmoor. Mayor Nelson called for a motion for Consideration of a Resolution Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 for the Village of Flossmoor. Trustee Mustafa so moved, seconded by Trustee Daggett.
Finance Director Scott Bordui provided an outline of Agenda Item #5. Mr. Bordui explained that in the process of preparing for the end of the fiscal year, he identified several funds that were over-budgeted, and budgetary authority at the staff level extends to line items but not to the fund levels so only the Village Board can approve a budget amendment when the fund in total exceeds expenditures. With the auditors beginning their work soon, he wanted to get the over-budgeted funds within budget via budget amendments. All of the Village departments took a second review of their budgets and submitted memos to address the funds that were over-budget.
Trustee Mustafa thanked Finance Director Scott Bordui for the explanation, and noted that she supported the need for the amendments. Trustee Mustafa inquired how, moving forward, the Village would handle similar amendments or the need for the same. In regard to the parkway tree service and street sweeping costs, Trustee Mustafa asked why the estimates fell $50,000.00 short.
Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic explained that it is paramount to the Public Works Department to be fiscally responsible, and they dedicated a lot of time and energy to budgeting. He noted that the budgeting for the parkway tree service contract is tricky because they are dealing with a rough approximation of the quantity of trees that will be trimmed. Further, the zone that the contractors were working on this year, the Heather Hill subdivision, is the largest of the eight zones in the Village. Public Works is increasing the rotational schedule of maintenance for the parkway trees to every eight years per zone from the previous seven years for seven zones. Milovanovic also noted that Public Works looks for ways to have more accurate numbers and collect data, and they will be using the GIS system and other tools for planning projects. He stated that the emergency work associated with parkway tree maintenance is only an estimate at the time the budget is prepared and adopted.
Trustee Mustafa inquired whether the Berry Lane project added to the overall tree costs.
Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic answered that he doesn’t think that the Berry Lane project added significantly to the cost.
Trustee Mustafa inquired about the costs of future events in the Village and whether Public Works could better estimate the street sweeping needs going forward.
Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic answered that Public Works would be able to estimate the street sweeping needs. The Department is discussing the transition from street sweeping on an as needed basis to a planned-out schedule.
Trustee Mustafa inquired about the cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase addressed in Agenda Item #5.
Fire Chief Bob Kopec explained that every year, everyone who is receiving a fire pension gets a 3% cost of living adjustment every January 1, per statute.
Trustee Mustafa inquired about when the Flossmoor Public Art Commission brings forth a proposal for the Village Board to vote on; they could provide budgetary and year to date actual and planned information to show where the expenditures falls within the Commission’s budget.
Village Manager Bridget Wachtel responded that the Public Art Commission budgets for one rotational piece per year, and they are working with a fund balance of $16,000.00 that they have available for future years’ expenditures. Wachtel noted that the recently approved piece in the Argyle traffic circle came from the new fiscal year 2024 budget. Depending on what happens with the other lines in the budget, the piece up for consideration at the June 19th Village Board meeting could require a budget amendment.
Trustee Daggett inquired whether the next parkway tree costs would be lower since the Village just completed the largest zone.
Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic answered that it was a reasonable expectation that the costs would be lower since the other zones have considerably less trees.
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:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #8 – Consideration of the Acquisition of a Sculpture to the Flossmoor Rotational Sculpture Art Program (Paradise, by Hubert Phipps). Mayor Nelson called for a motion for Consideration of the Acquisition of a Sculpture to the Flossmoor Rotational Sculpture Art Program (Paradise, by Hubert Phipps). Trustee Daggett so moved, seconded by Trustee Lofton.
Chair of the Flossmoor Public Art Commission Nancy Burrows encouraged people to visit the newest sculpture in the Village, installed at the Argyle traffic circle. Burrows thanked Community Engagement Manager Stephanie Wright for her work related to the piece, Paradise, by Hubert Phipps. Burrows noted that it is unusual that the Village is receiving so many art-related applications recently. The artist of the piece on the agenda, Hubert Phipps, is an artist of many mediums, and he studied art in various places.
He was also a successful race car driver and a pilot, and was artistically inspired by his views as a pilot. Burrows explained that Paradise is a two-piece sculpture made of bronze with an estimated value of $150,000.00. The Art Commission was seeking to lease the piece for three years at a cost of $3,000.00. The piece was previously on exhibit at the Flint Michigan Institute of Art. Burrows noted that what the Flossmoor Public Art Commission loved about the artist was that he has a sense of creativity that was different.
Mayor Nelson thanked Burrows for the great presentation.
Trustee Mitros noted Burrows’ fantastic presentation and asked about how secure it would be in case kids climb the sculpture.
Chairwoman Burrows answered that the piece would be very secure and is very heavy, and she noted that the Public Art Commission passed on another of the artist’s pieces because of the public safety aspect of it. Also, Paradise was previously on display without issue.
Trustee Lofton stated that Burrow’s presentation was marvelous, and he applauded the work of the Public Art Commission. Trustee Lofton noted that the art pieces add value to the Village and are enhancements for new home buyers and businesses the Village wants to bring in. Trustee Lofton stated that he was concerned as a resident of the Ballantrae subdivision, that the sculptures in the local park will be moved out soon. The Ballantrae homeowner’s association would like to speak with the Art Commission and Mayor Nelson about replacing the sculptures in the Ballantrae Park.
Chairwoman Burrows stated that she looked forward to speaking with them about replacing the sculptures, and that the Art Commission has already been in discussions on how to replace them.
Trustee Daggett thanked Burrows for her thorough presentation and noted that he liked the piece. He inquired about the size of the concrete pad that the sculpture would be placed on, whether it made sense to make the concrete pad larger for future pieces, and if the concrete pads were rebar-reinforced.
Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic stated that the concrete pad for this piece would be fifteen by fifteen feet at six inches thick. They usually do not rebar-reinforce the concrete pads.
Trustee Bradley-Scott thanked Burrows for her wonderful presentation and stated that she thinks the title of the piece Paradise relates to the Village of Flossmoor being like paradise. Trustee Bradley-Scott inquired about the safety aspect of one of the pieces, and the Art Commission’s consideration of replacing pieces like in Ballantrae Park. Trustee Bradley-Scott also commented that the Heather Hill neighborhood was one area discussed with respect to placing a sculpture. She asked the Art Commission to be equitable as they consider placement.
Chairwoman Burrows answered that she thinks the piece is safe and that with landscaping, it will be even more so. She also encouraged the Village Board and others to join the Art Commission’s future pop up walking tour of the Village’s sculptures. Burrows noted that the Art Commission has limited funds, and that the original intent of the Sculpture Park was for it to be in the center of town. When the pieces are moved out of the center of town, then there is the question of how to do the tours when the collection is so spread out. Burrows noted that the Village has about sixteen neighborhoods, and if they put an art piece in each neighborhood, the cost would be massive. The other challenge is finding the right pieces for the Village’s collection.
Trustee Mustafa stated that she liked the sculpture and appreciated Burrows thorough description. Trustee Mustafa inquired about how Paradise would impact the budget, and asked about how the Commission determines which sculptures to choose and where to place them.
Chairwoman Burrows answered that the cost to lease the piece is $3,000.00. She noted that the Art Commission’s funds were diminishing, that they are always looking for ways to fundraise, and that they met with the Assistant Village Manager about ways to increase the sustainably of the Commission’s funds.
Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue stated that if Paradise was approved, the fund balance would be drawn down to $10,000.00 for new sculpture acquisitions. There is another part of the fund that is dedicated to the upkeep and maintenance of the sculptures.
Chairwoman Burrows explained that the maintenance portion of the fund is at $29,000.00, which is predominately for the permanent collection. She also explained that there are various ways that the Commission determines which sculptures they choose and where they choose to place them. The Commission recently conducted a survey regarding that topic.
Trustee Mustafa inquired about the plans for a piece at Heather Hill School.
Chairwoman Burrows stated that the Commission has the most flexibility with moving pieces in the Village’s permanent collection. She noted that the Commission did not expect the response they did when they sought to move a piece near the library to Heather Hill School, and that moving a piece there was on hold per the Superintendent. Chairwoman Burrows stated that if the Art Commission conducts a tour of the Village’s sculptures, a sculpture at Heather Hill or Western Avenue Schools would not be near the center of the Village.
Mayor Nelson thanked Chairwoman Burrows and the Art Commission for their incredible work, including finding the pieces for the Village. Mayor Nelson noted that the funds for the Art Commission come from donations.
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
Action Items:
None.
Discussion Items:
None.
Citizens Present Wishing to Address the 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.): No residents wished to speak on a Non-Agenda Item.
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.
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.
Trustee Bradley-Scott thanked Mayor Nelson for the Proclamation for June being identified as Black Music Month.
Trustee Mustafa stated that she couldn’t find information on the Village’s website about the viaduct project and asked Village Manager Bridget Wachtel to send a link to it.
Village Clerk Gina LoGalbo noted that Kirkland Burke and her father both played together in the Chicago Royal Airs Drum & Bugle Corps in the late 1950s and 1960s, that her father told her what a great musician Kirkland Burke was many years ago. She thought it was pretty neat that Kirkland Burke and Clerk LoGalbo ended up in Flossmoor.
Mayor Nelson stated that she was recently slated as the Cook County at large representative for the South Suburban Mayor and Managers Association. She will serve on the Executive Board, so Flossmoor will have a voice on that committee.
Mayor Nelson reminded residents to water their trees. According to the Chairman of the Green Commission, Tristan Shaw, trees need about 15-20 gallons per week at a slow trickle.
Mayor Nelson stated that the Mid-Century Modern Road Rally would be June 24th, which benefits the Foundation for the Preservation of Flossmoor History, and has been featured in Crain’s, Naperville magazine, and the Daily Southtown.
Mayor Nelson noted that there would be a Sculpture Garden tour on June 28th at 6 pm. On July 4th, the annual children’s bike parade will take place at 10 am.
Mayor Nelson thanked Chicago Magazine, which recently featured Flossmoor as one of the best suburbs to live in.
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 Bradley-Scott 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 8:32 pm.
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