HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/10/2021 COW MinutesVillage of Mount Prospect
Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 10, 2021 / 6:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 by Mayor Hoefert in the boardroom at Village Hall,
50 S. Emerson Street.
Roll Call: Members present upon roll call by the Village Clerk: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee
Agostino Filippone, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee John Matuszak, Trustee Peggy Pissarreck,
Trustee Richard Rogers and Trustee Colleen Saccotelli.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Minutes of the July 13, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting
Motion Trustee Rogers, second by Trustee Saccotelli to approve the meeting minutes of the
July 13, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Aye: Agostino Filippone, Terri Gens, John Matuszak, Peggy Pissarreck, Richard
Rogers, Colleen Saccotelli
Nay: None
Motion Passes.
3. Motion to adopt procedural rules for public comment for the August 10, 2021
Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the Police Department Uniform Patch.
Trustee Pissarreck asked for clarification regarding the meeting procedures
referencing resident priority and time limits.
Mayor Hoefert responded and stated Mount Prospect residents have been awarded priority
to speak at this meeting and if time permits, non-residents will also be permitted to
address the Board. Mayor Hoefert provided further clarification regarding the suggested
two-hour time limit. As chair of the meeting, Mayor Hoefert stated a decision to extend
public comment will be made at the appropriate time if deemed necessary and productive.
3.1 Motion to adopt procedural rules for public comment for the August 10, 2021
Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss the Police Department Uniform Patch.
Motion by Trustee Rogers, second by Trustee Pissarreck to adopt procedural rules for
public comment for the August 10, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss
the Police Department Uniform Patch.
Aye: Terri Gens, John Matuszak, Peggy Pissarreck, Richard Rogers, Colleen Saccotelli
Nay: Agostino Filippone
Motion Passes
4. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD - Public comment relating to Village matters not on
the agenda
None
S. DISCUSSION ITEM
Mayor Hoefert shared a few words regarding order and efficiency and provided ground rules
for a productive meeting. Mayor Hoefert reminded all those in attendance to adhere to the
meeting procedures published and made available to the public prior to the meeting and
adopted by the Board. Mayor Hoefert reiterated his intent to allow as many people to speak
within the established time frame.
5.1 POLICE DEPARTMENT UNIFORM PATCH DISCUSSION
Chief Koziol, on behalf of the Mount Prospect Police Department, presented background
information, facts and insight regarding the meaning and importance of the thin blue
flag to law enforcement and his decision to keep the patch on the uniform of the men
and women of the Mount Prospect Police Department.
Chief Koziol responded to questions and comments from Trustees Pissarreck, Filippone,
Matuszak and Gens.
Public Comment
Public Comment began at 6:46 p.m. Pursuant to the adopted procedural rules for this
meeting, public comment was scheduled to conclude after two hours. At 8:50 p.m.,
Mayor Hoefert extended the time allotted for public comment by 30 minutes. Public
comment concluded at 9:13 p.m. Note: The meeting procedures are attached for
reference.
Citizens, most of whom were pre -registered in accordance with the meeting procedures,
addressed the Board regarding the Police Patch according to their pre -assigned order of
appearance. All those who addressed the Board were allowed up to three minutes to
speak.
Following the public discussion, each member of the Board provided a statement regarding
their stance on the subject of the Police Patch. Mayor Hoefert provided final remarks before
calling for a straw poll to provide direction to the Village Manager that will either eliminate
or keep the existing patch worn by uniformed officers of the Mount Prospect Police
Department. Upon questions from the Board, Village Attorney Lance Malina provided
clarification that the vote pertains only to the uniform shoulder patch as stated on the
meeting agenda. The straw poll to eliminate or keep the existing patch on the uniform on
the Mount Prospect Police Department was taken at 10:01 p.m. Mayor Hoefert initiated the
roll call straw poll resulting in the following:
Trustee Pissarreck -
Eliminate
Trustee Matuszak -
Keep
Trustee Saccotelli
Eliminate
Trustee Rogers
Keep
Trustee Filippone - Eliminate
Trustee Gens - Eliminate
Mayor Hoefert - Keep
Mayor Hoefert stated the result is four (4) votes to eliminate the patch and three (3)
votes to keep the patch. Hence, direction was given the Village Manager to remove the
patch from the uniforms of the Mount Prospect Police Department.
There was no further discussion.
After a brief outburst from a member of the audience following the straw poll/vote, Mayor
Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Pissarreck motioned to adjourn
the meeting. Trustee Filippone seconded. By unanimous voice vote of the Village Board,
Mayor Hoefert adjourned the meeting at 10:04p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen M. Agoranos
Village Clerk