South Cook News

City of Oak Forest Committee of the Whole met Oct. 22

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Kuspa called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows: 

Present: Mayor Henry Kuspa 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Also Present: City Clerk Nicole Tormey 

Treasurer Ericka Vetter 

City Administrator Tim Kristin 

Community Planner Paul Ruane 

4. Discussion of economic development positions 

City Administrator Tim Kristin reported since May of 2023 the economic development director position has been vacant. The City has published the job opening on multiple sites without any success. It is highly important to find a person who meets all the criterial the City is looking for. In the meantime, Tim, Finance Director Julian and Paul have been doing all the economic development work. Paul has carried a lot of the burden. Tim proposed creating a new position, assistant economic development director. With a salary budgeted between the planner and economic development director. It will be adding a third position in the economic development department. Paul has demonstrated a willingness to learn, take on challenges and become more professional and polished in the craft. He has earned his masters and completed his economic development certification courses, however not achieved the certification. Tim is seeking to add another budgeted position. 

Mayor Kuspa asked Tim to elaborate on his efforts on searching for the economic development director. Tim stated they have not found a good pool of candidates. 

Alderman Emmett noted that Paul has been filling the directors role for 17-18 months and has been through 2 directors. He believes the City may have errored in not bumping Paul's salary higher when he was getting his schooling. He is doing the job. Paul has shown his dedication and has been with the City since 2018. He believes the salary should be higher than 89. 

Alderman Selman asked if the assistant director position is created if there will be two vacancies. He questioned if the City is still looking for a director and a planner. Tim Kristin replied correct, they will be looking for a director and planner. This would be a budgeted position. Alderman Selman asked if the City would be more likely to find an economic developer going into the fall and winter. Tim Kristin did not have an answer to that. He believes Paul can do the day to day work with the help of a planner. 

Alderman Hortsman believes Paul has been tremendous and has stepped up every time he was asked to. He proposed to review the salary recommendation in a few months. It has been done with people in the past. Tim Kristin stated the practice at the City is to have salary ranges. There is a salary range for community planner. There is not a range for assistant economic development director because it is a newly created position. The proposed salary is outside the highest salary for community planner starting new. Mayor Kuspa clarified this was based on the comparable of different communities. Tim Kristin stated it is not a common position and felt this would be a good starting point. Mayor Kuspa agrees with the logic and comparables. What he saw was more in line with Alderman Emmett's recommendations. Tim Kristin stated those communities are not the usual communities used for comparables. 

Alderman Wolf agrees with Alderman Emmett and Hortsman. Paul has done a lot in the last two years. He believes the City has put a lot on Paul and it should have been addressed earlier. He believes the City needs to shore up the department and if it means creating a new position then it should be done. Tim Kristin stated the immediate need right now is to get a planner which will be significantly easier to fill because the pool is larger. 

Alderman Emmett agrees with Tim but a for the last year and a half they have saved on a director's salary. He agrees with the 89 but his personal opinion for this individual should be a little higher. Tim Kristin stated they did not know that getting a director would take this long. They worked as a team together to get the job done. Alderman Emmett would like a three month review of his salary as well. Tim Kristin stated he believes Paul will be a department head. He is not there yet. 

Alderman Hortsman remarked that going to a college for an internship might be a good idea for the community planner. Paul has been in that position and can help train someone for an internship. Tim Kristin stated he has seen other municipalities advertise for planner interns. 

Alderman McCarthy agrees with all the aldermen. He also believes starting him at the low rate as an assistant director and working his way up is the good. 

Alderman Hortsman asked the council to give direction to the city administrator to take a look and review it. If there is a change in the way to address it to direct the council. Mayor Kuspa stated it will be reviewed in 45 minutes. 

Paul Ruane approached the podium. He appreciates all the kind words. He believes it is a great opportunity to jump into the next step and continue on with Oak Forest. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for final comments from the aldermen. Seeing none. 

6. Executive Session 

None. 

7. Citizen Participation 

None. 

8. Old Business 

None. 

9. New Business 

Tim Kristin reported the first meeting in November Colleen Julian will be presenting a couple of budgetary and levy items. She suspects it will run long. She asked for it to start at 6:00 p.m. 

Mayor Kuspa reported he is taking on a project in Florida and will not be at the first meeting in December. He asked Alderman Hortsman to be mayor pro tem. 

10. Motion to Adjourn 

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Hortsman seconded. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. 

https://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10222024-2010