South Cook News

Village of Olympia Fields Board of Trustees met Nov. 21

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Commenced: 7:02 p.m.

Adjourned: 8:20 p.m.

Call to Order & Pledge

President Burke called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The assembly recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

Village Clerk Jessica Washington conducted the roll call and announced that there was a quorum:

Present: Trustees Jennifer Beasley, Sandra Finley, Kelvin Oliver, Kenneth Smith, Howard White; President Sterling M. Burke; Police Chief Derrick Blasingame; Public Works Director Art Jones; Building Commissioner John McDonnell; Finance Director Lisa Fifer-Smith; Public Works Assistant Director Chad Roscoe; Administrative Sergeant Lawrence Smith; Village Administrator/Village Clerk Jessica Washington

Absent: Trustee Victor Blackwell; Treasurer Stanley King

Approval of the Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the October 16, 2024, Board of Trustees Meeting, as presented:

Trustee Beasley moved, seconded by Trustee Smith, to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2024, Board of Trustees Meeting, as presented

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Bills for Approval

Approval of the November 2024 Bills – $633,700.40.

Trustee Finley moved, seconded by Trustee Oliver, to approve payment of the bills for November 2024, in the amount of $633,700.40.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Administration Reports

Report of the Village President – Sterling M. Burke

President Burke provided an overview of Ordinance 2024-19, allowing for the appointment of the trustee with the longest tenure of service on the board to the position of President Pro Tem/Vice President of the Board. The President Pro Tem/Vice President would have the authority to perform the duties and possess all rights and powers of the President in the event of the latter’s absence or temporary disability. President Burke noted that the President Pro Tem/Vice President position will ensure continuity in governance and checks and balances. A brief discussion ensued.

Ordinance 2024-19: Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Olympia Fields Village Code Relative to the Appointment of a Temporary Chairperson and President Pro Tem/Vice President.

Trustee Smith moved, seconded by Trustee Beasley, to approve an Ordinance Amending the Olympia Fields Village Code Relative to the Appointment of a Temporary Chairperson and President Pro Tem/Vice President.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Resolution 2024-15: Approval of a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Olympia Fields, Illinois, Authorizing the Appointment of Village Administrator Jessica Washington as the Authorized Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Agent.

Trustee Oliver moved, seconded by Trustee Beasley, to approve a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Olympia Fields, Illinois, Authorizing the Appointment of Village Administrator Jessica Washington as the Authorized Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Agent.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Resolution 2024-16: Approval of a Resolution Appointing a Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA).

Trustee Oliver moved, seconded by Trustee Beasley, to approve a Resolution Appointing a Delegate and Alternate Delegate to the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA).

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Report of the Village Administrator/Chief of Staff – Jessica Washington

Administrator/Chief of Staff Washington addressed the Board about the Village’s 2025 health insurance renewal, recommending that the Board approve the renewal of Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) as the Village’s health insurance provider for the 2025 plan year. BCBS has been the Village’s health insurance provider for the past two years; Administrator/Chief of Staff Washington noted that BCBS’s 2025 monthly premium rates represent a nominal increase over their 2024 rates. She further noted that BCBS’s 2025 monthly premium rates are lower than their closest competition, United Healthcare. Fred Veazey of Renaissance Financial Services, the Village’s insurance broker, briefly addressed the Board. A discussion ensued.

Approval of 2025 Health Insurance Renewal

Trustee Beasley moved, seconded by Trustee Oliver, to approve the 2025 Health Insurance Renewal.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Department Head Reports

• Lisa Fifer-Smith – Finance Director

Director Fifer-Smith provided a brief overview of Resolution 2024-17.

Resolution 2024-17: Approval of a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Olympia Fields, Illinois, Designating New Bank Signatories.

Trustee Beasley moved, seconded by Trustee Smith, to approve a Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Olympia Fields, Illinois, Designating New Bank Signatories.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Director Fifer-Smith presented the finance report, providing an overview of the Village’s cash position.

President Burke noted that the Village’s current budget is only 80 percent of what it was 10 years ago. He noted that the Village has approximately $20 million surplus in the bank and that the Village is in excellent financial condition.

• Derrick Blasingame – Chief of Police

Chief Blasingame had no formal report; however, he noted that Sergeant JaVonnie Royster would be graduating from Northwestern University’s School of Staff and Command and Officer Trushana Whitty would be graduating from the police academy in December. Chief Blasingame also announced that he would be receiving an Executive Leadership Award from Northwestern University.

• John McDonnell – Building Commissioner

Commissioner McDonald provided an overview of Ordinance 2024-20, stating that the Village’s Planning and Zoning Commission had unanimously approved the recommendation to rezone the property formerly known as the Coves, changing it from a business district to residential. He further noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the matter be brought before the Board of Trustees for final approval. Commissioner McDonnell introduced Mr. Vernon Harrison of DVK Builders, the developer interested in building 29 single family residences on the property; Mr. Harrison addressed the Board about his development proposal.

A discussion ensued.

Ordinance 2024-20: Approval of an Ordinance Rezoning Certain Property in the Village of Olympia Fields Subject to Terms and Conditions (Proposed Residential Development on Lake Drive, West of Waterford Court and South of Vollmer Road).

Trustee White moved, seconded by Trustee Finley, to approve the Ordinance Rezoning Certain Property in the Village of Olympia Fields Subject to Terms and Conditions (Proposed Residential Development on Lake Drive, West of Waterford Court and South of Vollmer Road).

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

• Art Jones – Public Works Director

Director Jones addressed the Board about the Department of Public Work’s purchase of a 2023 F-250 4x4 truck.

Ratification: Ratification of the approval of the purchase of a 2023 F-250 4x4 truck in the amount of $59,238.00.

Trustee Beasley moved, seconded by Trustee Smith, to ratify the approval of the purchase of a 2023 F-250 4x4 truck in the amount of $59,238.00.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

Director Jones provided an update on the road improvement project. President Burke announced that the Village is currently making over $3 million in infrastructure upgrades throughout Olympia Fields, including roads, swales, culverts, and gas lines. He also mentioned that the old Village Hall will be reopened for limited use as a meeting space in a few weeks.

Trustee Liaison Reports

• Finance Department/Human Resources Committee – Blackwell

No report at this time.

• Public Works Committee/Beautification Committee – Finley

Trustee Finley reported that the Department of Public Works (DPW) removed the fence along Lincoln Highway adjacent to the Maynegaite Reserves property. She noted that DPW is in the process of installing holiday decorations along Kedzie Avenue and Scott Drive. Trustee Finley stated that the Beautification Committee’s Holiday Décor Award nominations are due by December 13.

• Public Safety Commission/Police Pension Board – Oliver

Trustee Oliver stated that he and several Public Safety Committee members participated in a table top exercise with Cook County Emergency Management. He had nothing to report for the Police Pension Board.

• Planning & Zoning Commission/Building Department – Smith

Trustee Smith provided a brief report during Commissioner McDonnell’s presentation. He had no separate report at this time.

• Community Relations Commission/Olympia Fields Park District Board/Veterans’ Affairs – Beasley

Trustee Beasley reported that the Caroling in the Park event is scheduled for December 14, at Sergeant Means Park, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. She noted that the Park District just completed an audit, which was favorable. Trustee Beasley stated that the Halloween Candy Giveaway was a success. She also reported that she and several Village veterans attended the Rich Township Living Legends event on November 8. She noted that the oldest vet participating was 105 years old.

• Educational Commission/Village Technologist – White

No report at this time.

Miscellaneous Reports

No report at this time.

Appointments and Resignations

No appointments or resignations at this time.

Public Comment

Ms. Maria Tallas, Olympia Fields resident, addressed the Board about the Smart City project—a program that uses digital technology to collect community-related data. President Burke asked Trustee White, the Village technologist, to review Ms. Tallas’ proposal.

Adjournment

Trustee Beasley moved, seconded by Trustee Finley, to adjourn the meeting.

Roll Call: Ayes (5) No (0) Motion Carried.

President Burke adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

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