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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/2021 VB MinutesREGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT VILLAGE BOARD 7:00 PM Tuesday, February 2, 2021 The following message appeared on the meeting agenda relating to meeting participation: Return of in-person meetings: We are happy to announce the return of in-person meetings beginning with the February 2, 2021 Village Board Meeting. This will be the first time since October 20, 2020 that we have met together, in-person, as a community. It may look a bit different than what we remember but we are committed to conducting a safe and productive meeting for all. Members of the public who wish to speak under Citizens to be Heard or on an agenda item may join us live at Village Hall. We'll check your temperature upon arrival and masks or face coverings will be required during the length of your visit. Physical distancing protocols will also be enforced. If we reach the capacity limit for the Boardroom, you may be asked to wait in the Farley Community Room or outside the boardroom. If you wish to address the Board in-person on February 2, 2021, please notify us by emailing djarosz@mountprospect.org by 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 2nd so we may plan accordingly while keeping everyone safe. Please include your name and address in the email. To be respectful of everyone's opportunity to participate, your chance to speak will be limited to 3 minutes. We also ask that you limit attendance to only those who wish to speak before the Board. The board has always recognized the need to accommodate those with disabilities Any individual who would like to attend this meeting but because of a disability or who needs some accommodation to participate will be able to address the board remotely. The same advance notice detailed above is required. You will then be provided with a communications link. Your chance to speak will be limited to 3 minutes. Those who are unable to join us live may submit comments or questions to vmo@mountprospect.org . Comments received in this manner will be summarized by the Mayor at the appropriate time during the meeting. You may also join us via livestream or view the meeting on Comcast or WOW channel 17. 1 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arlene Juracek at 7:01 p.m. in the Boardroom at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, IL. 2. ROLL CALL Members present by roll call vote: Mayor Arlene Juracek, Trustee Eleni Hatzis, Trustee Paul Hoefert, Trustee Richard Rogers, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli and Trustee Michael Zadel Absent: Trustee William Grossi E 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Juracek led the Pledge of Allegiance 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board - January 19, 2021 Motion by Michael Zadel, second by Colleen Saccotelli to approve the January 19, 2021 minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote of the Village Board. 5. MAYORS REPORT 5.1 PROCLAMATION: Black History Month - February, 2021 Mayor Juracek read the proclamation honoring Black History Month into the record 5.2 CHAIR REAPPOINTMENT TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Board of Fire and Police Commission Chair reappointment - Jim Powers Motion by Michael Zadel, second by Richard Rogers to approve the reappointment of Jim Powers as Chair of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Final Resolution: Motion Passed 6. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS - CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Mayor Juracek acknowledged several residents registered to address the Board in person in addition to public comments and emails that were sent to the Board and staff. Mayor Juracek stated she will honor each person's opportunity to participate in the manner in which they chose. Mayor Juracek stated she will begin by reading public comments that were deferred from the January 26, 2021 Special Meeting. Mayor Juracek noted four (4) public comments will be read verbatim from residents unable to attend the meeting due to ADA concerns. These public comments are attached hereto and are part of the meeting record. (Clerk's note- the written public comments will be added to the final meeting minutes following approval at the February 16, 2021 meeting). Emails received by the Board will be summarized. Public comment submitted for the January 26, 2021 Special Meeting expressing concern over the use of the thin blue line patch/insignia by the Mount Prospect Police department, were read verbatim by Mayor Juracek in the following order: • Gail Creen • Jennifer Ciok • Benjamin Clark • Michelle Hitchcock • Nancy Pardo • Joe Hanafee • Liz Fischer • Ken Brey • Catherine Dunnington The following residents wrote to express support for the use of the thin blue line and were read verbatim by Mayor Juracek in the following order: • Ryan Hughes • Jasper Pitrello Mayor Juracek read comments verbatim from the following residents who were unable to attend the meeting in person due to ADA concerns. All four residents expressed concern regarding the use of the thin blue line patch/insignia. • Joey Carbone -concern • Rev. Clyde Brooks • Gwynne Ryan • Catherine Dunnington The following residents expressed concern over the use of the thin blue line insignia and spoke in-person before the Board: (Clerk's note: all were residents of Mount Prospect unless otherwise noted) • Ronak McFadden • Julia Narain • Greg Armamentos • Paul Scott -resident of Bloomingdale • Carole Delahunty • Mary Anne Benden • Tony DiBenedetto • Joanne Smith • Laura Striebel • Ken Brey • Tamara Brey • Jeff Hartleroad The following residents expressed support for the use of the thin blue line patch/insignia: • Jasper Pitrello • Kathleen Giampa - resident of Chicago • Mark Bechtold Resident Jim Lambert spoke in support of the Mount Prospect police officers. Mayor Juracek summarized sixteen (16) emails from Mount Prospect residents and two (2) from non-residents who wrote the Board to express their concern over the use of the thin blue line insignia. Four emails in support of the thin blue line were also shared. Mayor Juracek acknowledged each writer by name and read a snippet from their email. There were no additional public comments. Mayor Juracek stated that times of crisis can bring a community together as witnessed tonight. Mayor Juracek expressed her gratitude and appreciation to those who shared their heartfelt statements before the Board and acknowledged the difficulty in doing so, especially in a public platform. She also thanked all those who submitted emails and public comments. Mayor Juracek shared a statement and closing remarks in response to resident concerns and support of the thin blue line patch/insignia. Trustee Zadel, Trustee Hoefert, Trustee Saccotelli, Trustee Rogers and Trustee Hatzis each shared closing remarks. All expressed gratitude to the community for expressing their thoughts, suggestions, concerns and support on this important matter. 4 Mayor Juracek allowed Joanne Smith to share a brief closing remark before the Board took a brief recess. Mayor Juracek announced a five-minute recess at 9:18 p.m. The meeting resumed at 9:23 p. M. 7. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Paul Hoefert, second by Michael Zadel to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Final Resolution: Motion Passed 7.1 Monthly Financial Report - December 2020 7.2 List of Bills - January 13, 2021 to January 26, 2021 - $2,540,451.14 7.3 Motion to accept Municipal Partnering Initiative (MPI) joint bid results for asphalt patching services in an amount not to exceed $75,000. VBA 4-21 7.4 Motion to waive the rule requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13 (ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS) OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF MOUNT PROSPECT. This ordinance decreases the number of Class T-2" Liquor Licenses by one (1) Thai Fresh Corp. d/b/a Pen Thai located at 1652 W. Algonquin Road, Mount Prospect, IL. Ordinance No. 6555 7.5 A RESOLUTION ATUHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 21 AND THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ASPEN TRAILS STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS Resolution No. 4-21 7.6 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE O'HARE NOISE COMPATIBILITY COMMISSION Resolution No. 5-21 8. OLD BUSINESS None 9. NEW BUSINESS Village Manager Michael Cassady stated the petitioner requested a continuance of this matter to the February 16, 2021 Village Board meeting. 9.1 1st reading of an ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIATION TO THE MAXIMUM FRONT LOT COVERAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 918 S. ELM STREET (PZ -25-20) 5 Motion by Paul Hoefert, second by Colleen E Saccotelli to continue Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Final Resolution: Motion Passed 9.2 1st reading of an ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8 ENTITILED "VILLAGE GOVERNMENT; MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS" OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS, REGARDING ELECTION PROCEDURES Village Attorney Lance Malina provided information regarding the subject ordinance stating this will clarify, and not change, the Village Code regarding election procedures. The subject ordinance clarifies and defines the practice of candidates for elected office in the Village circulating joint nomination papers is prohibited and not in apparent conformity with the Village's nonpartisan election system established by a binding referendum approved on February 2, 2010 and by Ordinance No. 5815 approved on September 7, 2010. In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Malina provided further clarification regarding apparent non -conformity versus apparent conformity and the intended meaning of a non- partisan system. A brief discussion followed. Motion by Paul Hoefert, second by Michael Zadel to waive the rule requiring two readings of an Ordinance Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Motion Passed Motion by Michael Zadel, second by Paul Hoefert to approve the Ordinance as presented. Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Final Resolution: Motion Passed Ordinance No. 6556 10. Village Manager's Report 1.1 Motion to accept proposal for1 • - • • Hazardous Waste Collections amount not to exceed $102,000 Public Works Director Sean Dorsey provided background information on the Village's Household Hazardous Waste Collection program which began in 2018 with one event. Due to the popularity of the event, the program was expanded in 2019 and 2020 to include two events per year. Resident participation in this event is by appointment - only which helps to avoid long lines and reduces wait times on the day of the event. Mr. Dorsey stated requests for proposals were solicited from eleven environmental companies specializing in the segregation, packing, disposal and transportation of household hazardous waste. Proposals were received from two companies, Tradebe Environmental Services and Clean Earth. Staff evaluated each proposal based on several 6 conditions including experience, scope of work effort and proposal content. Points were awarded on a 100 -point ranking based on this criteria. Mr. Dorsey provided details on the results. Mr. Dorsey stated staff also conducted interviews with both firms as part of the selection process. Tradebe scored the highest and has the most relevant and successful experience with similar events. Tradebe provided logistic, material handling, and disposal services for the Village's Household Hazardous Waste events in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Mr. Dorsey stated staff recommends awarding the contract to Tradebe for the amount of $102,000. Motion by Paul Hoefert, second by Michael Zadel to approve as presented Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Final Resolution: Motion Passed VBA 5-21 10.2 Motion to accept proposal from IMEG engineering consultants for 2021 Water Main Rehabilitation and Replacement Project design and construction engineering services in an amount not to exceed $170,709. Public Works Director Sean Dorsey provided an overview of the project. Mr. Dorsey stated 4,100 feet of existing watermain is scheduled to be replaced. The existing main is 6 inches in diameter and will be replaced with an 8 inch main which will improve flow and pressure. The replacement project includes the 400 block of South Williams Street, the 600 and 700 block of East Prospect Avenue, the 600 block of South George Street, the 1900 block of Connie Lane and the 100 block of South Wille Street and West Prospect Avenue. The project also includes approximately 2,100 feet of water main rehabilitation. The watermain scheduled to be rehabilitated through means of cured -in-place pipe lining are the four railroad crossings and nice creek crossings. The request for proposals included both technical and cost proposals from qualified civil engineering consultants. Thirteen technical and thirteen cost proposals were received. Mr. Dorsey stated staff evaluated each proposal based on the background of the firm, related project experience, proposes services and scope of work, schedule work effort and proposal content. Each firm was rated on a point system based on each of the criteria. The highest rated firm was IMEG of Naperville, Illinois. Mr. Dorsey stated IMEG has many years of experience with similar projects. Staff performed reference checks and found IMEG's work to be satisfactory. Mr. Dorsey stated that although several other firms submitted lower cost proposals, staff feels IMEG submitted a more qualitative proposal and boasts an experienced and qualified staff that better meets the needs of the Village. Mr. Dorsey noted IMEG most recently completed a project in Arlington Heights relating to railroad crossings similar to the work required for this project. Mr. Dorsey added that staff recommends including a 10% contingency due to circumstances that may arise beyond the engineering consultant's control. Motion by Michael A Zadel, second by Colleen E Saccotelli to approve as presented Yea: Colleen Saccotelli, Eleni Hatzis, Michael Zadel, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers Nay: None Absent: William Grossi Final Resolution: Motion passed VBA 6-21 7 10.3 As submitted - no additional business was introduced 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Rogers expressed gratitude to Mr. Dorsey and the Public Works staff for their efforts to successfully repair the potholes near the intersection of Wolf and Euclid. Trustee Zadel also commended the Public Works department for their timely response and exceptional snow and ice removal efforts during the recent winter storms. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Juracek asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Zadel, seconded by Trustee Rogers, moved to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous vote, the February 2, 2021 meeting of the Village Board adjourned at 9:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agoranos A oranos, Karen From: Gail Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 2:07 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Thin Blue Line I am asking that Mount Prospect find another symbol other than the Thin Blue Line flag to honor our Police Department. I realize the original intention of this symbol was honorable. But it has been adopted and used by extremists and in my mind, has a very negative connotation. I have the greatest respect for Mount Prospect Police and do not feel the Thin Blue Line flag encourages the respect they deserve. Thank you for your time. Respectfully, Gail I. Creen Mount Prospect, IL resident since 2003 *Please submit at least one hour prior to the meeting start time What meeting are you interested in? 1. Select from the following: Village Board Please complete the form and submit one hour prior to the meeting start time. What is your first and last name? Jennifer Ciok I. Where can we email a response if we are unable to address your question or comment during the meeting7 i. What is your question or comment? On January 19, at the Village Meeting, Mayor Juracek quoted Dr. King + stated you want the village to "participate collegially, purposefully, respectfully in future discussions." I am looking forward to these future conversations, including February's COW about equity + hiring in the police department, + all conversations regarding creating equitable systems + structures and making MP a welcoming community to all. I am curious what other steps you are planning to take to make this a reality? What is your phone number? **SKIPPED** Do you have a preferred contact method? Please reply by email address Page 11 A oranos, Karen From: Benjamin Clark _ Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 2:07 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Cc: Juracek, Arlene; Hoefert, Paul; Grossi, William; Hatzis, Eleni; Zadel, Michael; Rogers, Richard; Saccotelli, Colleen Subject: Comment for Tonight's Meeting Greetings. I am writing specifically concerning the Mount Prospect Police Department's use of the Thin Blue Line on their shoulder patch as well as on insignia within the new building. While the Thin Blue Line may have originally been intended as a symbol supporting the heroic work of police officers across our country, it has increasingly become a symbol of white supremacy. Among many instances of its use as a white supremacy symbol, it was flown by white supremacists at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, and most recently at the attack on the U.S. Capital earlier this month. In our own community, the police department began using the symbol in the department's logo and shoulder patches in 2018, after the Unite the Right rally, and potentially in response to the rising Black Lives Matter movement across the nation. In 2019, a group of Mount Prospect citizens spoke out against the city using the police logo as the city sticker images, leading the Village Board to seek an opinion from their legal counsel regarding whether they could use the image on the city stickers. The Board's counsel provided guidance that the image displays an "ideological message" and as such could not be the only option for the city stickers. Three days later, the police department spent over $32,000 to put up wall decorations in the new police station using the logo. I ask that the Village Board require the police department to develop a new logo with the public's input, which does not include a symbol that for many in the community is a message of hatred. Our police department is here to serve all members of the community, and should not be allowed to display any ideological messages on the department logo. Thank you. Benjamin J. Clark, J.D. A 2oranos, Karen From: M H Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 2:02 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Public comment Hello, I am writing to the Mount Prospect village board to express my opinion that the thin blue line flag be retired from the police uniform. It's association with white supremacist groups has continued to grow for the last several years. When I see it around the village, I cannot help but feel embarrassment on behalf of our village rather than pride. If we want our village to be seen as friendly and safe for people of all backgrounds, we need to remove what has become a symbol of division. Please consider replacing thin blue line flags with American flags, which stand for unity for all of us under one country. Thank you, Michelle Hitchcock *Please submit at least one hour prior to the meeting start time What meeting are you interested in? 1. Select from the following: Village Board Please complete the form and submit one hour prior to the meeting start time. What is your first and last name? Nancy Pardo I. Where can we email a response if we are unable to address your question or comment during the meeting? i. What is your question or comment? Please consider removal of the thin blue line Flag from police uniforms. Just as the swastika began as a religious symbol of divinity and was co-opted by hate, so has the thin blue line been co-opted recently by hate groups. It's unfortunate, but I feel strongly that it does not belong on police officer uniforms. Thank you. What is your phone number? Do you have a preferred contact method? Please reply by email address Page 1 1 A oranos, Karen From: joe hanafee Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 1;13 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Citizen statement For Board meeting Hello, As a resident of Mt Prospect for over 20 years, I am writing to ask you to consider changing the current patch worn by Mt Prospect police officers. Let me start by saying that I strongly support the police department and have always found the officers to be professional and helpful. As you know, the flag symbol with the single blue line has come to be associated with white supremacy. While I am sure that the department did not pick this symbol with this in mind, there is no doubt that the symbol now has this connotation and association. I think it is reasonable to try to redesign the patch so it supports the officers while at the same time not offending citizens of the community. I know the Village is trying to make itself more attractive to people of all races and ethnicities. It seems that having a symbol with white supremacy connotations on the uniform of police officers who are supposed to protect and serve us all is counterintuitive to this goal. I would be happy to discuss this further with members of the Village Board or Police Dept. I can be reached by email o or phone - Thank You, Joe Hanafee Sent from Outlook A oranos, Karen From: Elizabeth Happ > Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 12:36 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Comments for the Citizens to be Heard portion of 1.26.21 meeting Good evening Mayor Juracek and members of the Village Board, At the January 19 Village Meeting, Mayor Juracek quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as saying "he admonished us to walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future" and stated that is what you wish for us all as well, and that you wanted the village to "participate collegially, purposefully, respectfully in our future discussions." You mentioned that the February COW meeting will be discussing how the village handles and moves forward with equity and diverse hiring practices, and I'm writing to ask what steps will be taken to ensure that these discussions are handled, "collegially, purposefully, respectfully" to ensure our village moves forward in meaningful ways? Will the village employ facilitators trained in having these conversations, or establish a commission or move forward with an independent audit to identify areas of improvement within our village? As a resident with an "audacious faith in the future" of this town, I want to ensure that our village is moving towards positive, authentic, and long lasting equity and diversity. Thank you, Liz Fischer "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." Diogenes Agoranos, Karen WONOWNOMWO From: Kenneth L Brey Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 9:00 AM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: CITIZENS TO BE HEARD for today, Jan 26 Ka re n, Please include the following communication in the Citizens to Be Heard section of the tonight's Village Board Meeting. Thanks. On December 17, 2017, the Mount Prospect Police Department issued a press release announcing The New Symbol of the Mount Prospect Police Department. The announcement proudly proclaims the new uniform patch contains a "thin blue lined American flag". The thin blue lined American flag consists of a monochrome US flag shape having one stripe in blue. Before officers voted in 2017 to adopt a patch including the US flag with one blue stripe, neither the Village of Mount Prospect nor its police department had done any research into its history or prior uses as I confirmed by a 2020 FOIA request handled by Clerk Karen Agoranos. Mount Prospect Village Manager Mike Cassady and Police Chief John Koziol have sought to deflect from the department's use of the symbol of the US flag with one blue stripe by only discussing a different symbol and phrase, "Thin Blue Line." In standardized February 5, 2019 email responses to several concerned citizens, Manager Cassady wrote "the design of our Police Department patch included a thin blue line because it has been a symbol for law enforcement professionals for over 100 years." And in a July 2020 community meeting Chief Koziol presented an explanation of the uniform patch by comparing it to objects which contained a blue stripes but no US flag shape, such as a squad car and an arm band. To my knowledge, neither official has directly and specifically addressed that Mount Prospect uses the symbol of US flag with one blue stripe. Mount Prospect would rather discuss the "Thin Blue Line" because the phrase is over a century old. By contrast, the symbol of the US flag with one blue stripe dates to only 2014, and was a mere three years old when adopted by our police department's patch committee. Mount Prospect's Corporation Counsel Lance Malina, however, was not afraid to call the symbol by name in a February 4, 2019 memo to Manager Cassady and Mayor Arlene Juracek. The memo starts: You have asked me to look into best practices for the Village of Mount Prospect relative to its required Village automobile sticker, which contains a "Blue Lives Matter" insignia. The memo, which was excluded from 2019 FOIA requests regarding the sticker fiasco, twice refers to the design as Blue Lives Matter, and refers to it no other way. The memo goes on to explain how a mandatory vehicle sticker with this design would be unconstitutional because it would "require an individual to participate in the dissemination of an ideological message." Manager Cassady forwarded the memo to the Village Board. Mount Prospect is a signatory to the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) / Illinois NAACP 10 Shared Principals of Police Interaction. Principal #5 is: Endorse the four pillars of procedural justice, which are fairness, voice, transparency and impartiality oranos, Karen WNWONNOWMW From: CATHERINE DUNNINGTON Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 3:01 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Comment for tonight's Special Board Meeting In 2019 the Village paid approximately $32,000 for three new signs which are currently on display at the new police headquarters. Each of these signs includes the controversial blue line flag symbol, which, regardless of it's origins, has been co-opted by white supremacists. In light of this, and the fact that this symbol was prominently displayed by insurgents who entered the Capitol building on 1/6/21, which resulted in the death of one police officer and the injury of many others, it is time to remove that symbol from our police department, including on their uniforms, the squad cars and at the police headquarters. Cathy Dunnington A oranos, Karen IN From: Hatzis, Eleni Sent: Friday, January 22, 2021 1:38 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Fwd: Recent objection to the Blue Line on the Police Shield Hi Karen, This resident would like this email to be read as public comment at our next board meeting. Thank you! Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone Get Outlook for And r � t: From: Jasper Pitrello Sent: Friday, January 22, 20216:59:16 AM To: ajuracek@mountprospect.org ; phoefert@mountprospect.org ; wgrossi@mountprospect.org ; ehatzis@mountprospect.org ; mzadel@mountprospect.org ; rrogers@mountprospect.org ; csaccotelli@mountprospect.org Subject: Recent objection to the Blue Line on the Police Shield Good Morning all, I am emailing you today as a new resident of Mount Prospect and a lifelong Chicago resident. I have heard that very recently several residents had complained about the blue line on the Police badge being a "symbol of white supremacy" or "racist". This in itself in my opinion is completely Ludacris and without merit. I and most every resident fully Back and support the law enforcement community, other than the military no other job requires an individual to put themselves in harms way each and every day with the possibility that the next interaction can put them in grave danger. I believe that the opposition to the "blue line" is misdirected, microscopic in view and just a way of virtue signaling. I firmly express my opinion as well as I know the overwhelming majority of residents support our government and law enforcement! It would be my pleasure to speak about this topic or express support in any way for our community to put this topic to rest. Thank you for your time and God Bless our people and this Great Nation! Thank You, Jasper Pitrello A oranos, Karen From: Ryan Hughes _ Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 2:59 PM To: Agoranos, Karen Subject: Thin Blue Line Support Hi Karen, I heard there was some controversy about the "thin blue line" and its use on our police department's uniform, and I wanted to send a quick note and say I'm proud of our Mount Prospect police department, and strongly support them in their use of the thin blue line. I'd attend the village board meeting tonight to personally voice this support, but am not available to make it this evening. Just figured I'd add a note of positivity to a pool, of what I can guess, of many complaints. Hope you are staying healthy! Ryan Hughes A oranos, Karen From: Joseph Carbone _ Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 9:44 AM To: Agoranos, Karen; Jarosz, Doreen; VMO Subject: Please read this today Hello, as someone who is registered as physically disabled with the state of Illinois, I am covered under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services. I would like this letter to be read during the board meeting, as I am medically unable to appear in person. My name is Joey Carbone and I have been a resident of Mount Prospect since 2009. My wife and I moved here to raise our family. We love our community and want to make it a welcoming place for all residents and guests. I have personally worked tirelessly to make Mount Prospect a better place for our Mount Prospect "family" by founding the MP Mini Library Mission. Our mission is to promote literacy and education. Part of educating our children is to make sure we DO NOT repeat the same mistakes of our past. I was horrified to see the thin blue line flag (that our officers wear on their uniforms) on the news recently, at the uprising at the US Capitol. This flag was literally used (on video) to beat people, to cause harm and destruction. This same flag is on the cars, and on the uniforms of our officers all over our village. I know that this flag does not represent us all. We NEED to do better. We need to remove the thin blue line flags and logos from our community. One of the greatest things that we have in our lifetime is the access of information and knowledge. I used to fly the thin blue line flag on my car and in front of my home, but then I had a conversation with a person of color who was able to provide a different perspective. After researching "the thin blue line" it became apparent that this symbol hurts people. Why wouldn't I want to make others feel better? If someone else is hurt by something, why can't we give it up? Why isn't this society able to think about others and perhaps change their mind about something? In Mount Prospect, friendliness is supposed to be a way of life. Our diverse community is one of our greatest assets. No one in this village should have to be afraid or feel unwelcome when they see police approaching. The current police patch isolates the police from others in the community, rather than inviting them in. Thank you for your time. I hope you will truly take these words under consideration. Many in this community feel as though their voices are not being heard. Sincerely, Joey Carbone I am unable to attend the Citizen Comment section, but I would like to have the statement below read for me by the Mayor and recorded into the minutes as received. Thank you Friendliness is a way of life.... That is our town motto. We want to live up to that, it is who we want to be. I love Mount Prospect and want to be proud of our community. We, collectively, need to have an honest conversation of how people see us and how we present ourselves. Sometimes, it is not what we imagine. Sometimes, there are things about us we don't see. Sometimes we need to be open to hearing others and reflective about changing our hearts, minds and behaviors. I want my friends, all my friends, to feel safe and comfortable, to be heard and valued and to feel welcome in our community. I believe you do too. Racism in our society has been with us a long time. So long, that sometimes, well, we don't even see it. We are unaware of its tentacles and how it has taken root. My whiteness has allowed me the option of not paying attention. My love for people and my belief in humanity has asked me to choose to see the racism that exists - in me, in my community, in my school and among my friends. Racism is all around us. This has been a hard year for the policing community. They have had the flood lights turned on. The spotlight on them, policing systems and how we have constructed our criminal justice systems. It is tough to be seen, by some, as the "bad guy" when you believe, wholeheartedly, that you are serving the community. I hear you. But let's stop for a minute and consider, what if your life, your ancestors, your communities had faced this treatment for over 400 years. What if you were seen as the "other side of the line - chaos." Would you want to be heard? I think so. So let's listen. The Blue Lives Matter flag has flown next to the Nazi flag, in public, for all to see and on multiple occasions. There is nothing more to say. That is it. I don't believe these are ideas that Mount Prospect wants to be associated with. Do you? Be mad, Sure. But not at me for pointing it out, Not at the Black community for feeling unsafe where it is flown. Not at my friends in the community who don't want it on our police uniforms. Be mad at white supremactis, Be mad a structural racism. Be mad at systems that oppress. Then take that anger, that truth and courageously change and accept what society has done to your symbol. Let's not draw lines in the sand and take sides. Let's work to create a community where everyone feels heard. You. Me. Our neighbors. To do that, with fidelity, the Blue Lives Matter patch just has to go. Let's begin the work of making our town a place where friendliess truly is a way of life. Gwynne Ryan (White, She/Her) Here is my comment: I come from a military family and grew up around Air Force bases in Florida. My family has numerous people in service fields, including police officers, fire fighters, military service, teachers and, like myself, nurses. My son's father was a police officer. I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the men and women who devote their lives to the service of others and believe they deserve our thanks and our respect as long as they honor their professions' and societies codes of conduct. But it has become abundantly clear in our country that not all people are treated equitably by society, the criminal justice system as well as certain members of law enforcement. Specifically, African American and Black people bear the largest brunt of systemic racism. Like it or not, the thin blue line flag has further divided our country because it is being used by many as a symbol of their support of white supremacy. It was horrifying to see the thin blue line flag being flown during the white supremacist march in Charlotte and then to see the same flag flown at Blue Lives Matter events. It was even more horrifying to see it prominently displayed by insurgents who entered the Capitol building on 1/6/21 who then killed one police officer and brutally beat and injured scores of other officers. Two officers who were at the Capitol that day have since committed suicide. Because it has become such a decisive symbol and to many is seen as a racist symbol of white supremacy, it has no place in our police department. It should be remove from the police uniforms, the squad cars and in the signage at the police headquarters. The Village has made a commitment to racial diversity, equity and inclusion. Removing this inflammatory symbol from the police department would be a great step in that direction. Cathy Dunnington h8l:11i![s ; e ► s ►� Date: February 1, 2021 To: Village Board, Village of Mount Prospect From: Rev. Clyde H. Brooks, Chairman, Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations Subject:Blue Lives Matter Logo As the Chairman of the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations (ICDHR) I am writing to express concern relative to the use of the Blue Lives patch currently being used by the Mount Prospect police department . My goal is not to criticize but to acquaint the board with reasons why considerable thought should be given to the subject and not be dismissed. I speak to you as a former resident of your village, an area covered by the ICDHR. I am an African American. a former member of your Police and Fire Commission with more than thirty years in law enforcement and corrections To black and brown citizens, the term "Blue Lives Matter" logo reminds us of the "Blue Wall of Silence" and the "Blue Code of Silence", both terms used to cover-up police misconduct and other forms of police brutality against black and brown people. Chicago and other police departments across the nation have been criticized for a code of silence within their police departments. Most citizens committed to the inclusion of multi -cultural diversity agree that the experiences of black and brown citizens with the police are different than with white citizens and as a result, are far more sensitive to the subject. Across the nation, sport teams and other organizations have eliminated symbols that degrade segments of the population. In addition, the term "Blue Lives Matter" could also be interpreted as poking fun of Black Lives Matter, a term demanding that black lives be respected. The question becomes why would any organization wish to use a term offensive to a segment of the population? Recently, the Village of Mount Prospect adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy and action plan. As such, the modification of the term "Blue Live Matters" logo, a symbol many believe to be offensive, would add credibility to the policy. Therefore, we remain hopeful that the village board would find favor in this appeal and modify or perhaps eliminate the use of the term. Such an act would serve to add a more welcoming image of the village as well as recognize that black and brown views are valued. Thank you.