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Home My WebLink About01/25/2022 COW MinutesVillage of Mount Prospect Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 25, 2025 / 7:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting via GoToWebinar 1, CALL To ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m -by Mayor Paul Hoefert Roll call: Members present virtually 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 (joined the meeting at 7:04 p.m.) and Trustee colleen S a ccote I l i. Village Manager Michael Cassady was physically present at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois. Mr. Cassady noted the chairpersons of each Board and Commission were in attendance via GoToWebinar as well as several Board and Commission members. 2. APPROVAL of MINUTES No meeting minutes to approve. 3, CITIZENS To BE HEARD - Public comment relating to Village matters not on the agenda Trustee Rogers joined the meeting at 7:04 p. m. Patricia N uccio Mount Prospect resident Proposed creation of an Environmental Sustainability Commission Mayor Hoefert thanked her for her comments and noted her comments are related to the evening -'s discussion and suggested she remain on the webinar so her questions can be addressed later in the meeting. 4. DISCUSSION ITEM 4.1 Village Board discussion on Chapter 5 "Boards and Commissions" of the Mount Prospect Village code Mayor Hoefert introduced the discussion by providing a brief overview of Village Boards and Commissions. Mayor Hoefert noted the Village supports eleven (11) Boards and Commissions. Per the Mount Prospect Village Code, members are appointed by the Mayor upon ratification by the Village Board. All members are volunteers. Mayor Hoefert opened the floor for Board discussion at 7:10 p. m. Trustee Terri Gens • Important we recognize the time and dedication it takes to serve on a Board or Commission; volunteerism helps communities thrive • Attracting new members who interested in Volunteering to serve is important • Suggested implementation of term limits under certain circumstances • Appreciates all those who are currently serving but noted there is room to expand our member profile • Addition of an Arts and Culture Commission, Sustainability Commission and a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) or Human Relations Commission was suggested. • Important to engage our youth and senior residents Trustee Colleen Saccotelli • Expressed gratitude to all current members on our Boards and Commissions • Supports no term limits; beneficial to have institutional knowledge and experience seasoned members provide • Suggested addition of associate members to certain Boards and Commissions • Conducting a Citizens Civic Academy to educate and inform residents about Village government and departments would be beneficial to generate interest and new candidates Does not support or see the Value in creating or adding any new Boards or Commissions at this time Trustee Agostino Filippone ■ No need for creation of additional boards or commissions • Many ways to participate in civic engagement without being in a formal commission (Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Butterfly club and other interest groups, etc.) Trustee Peggy Pissarreck • More effort needs to be made to publicize opportunities; use both print and social media to do this; highlight a commission each month in the Village newsletters • Review of application questions and submission procedures is needed • Suggested the development of general criteria for all commission members; wants the Board to identify diversity goals • Suggested an automatic reappointment after first term; proceeding term would be considered open • Suggested the creation of work groups focusing on Environmental Sustainability, Diversity/Inclusion and Housing. Trustee Richard Rogers ■ Agrees with other Trustees that no additional commissions are needed at this time ■ Important to draw on long-term member's knowledge and experience; does not support term limits Trustee Matuszak • Beneficial to have continuation of service; does not support term limits ■ Application should be simple and straight -forward; improvements are needed to the application process • Term limits do not lead to diversity; diversity must come through the application process • Citizens Civic Academy is a great idea A brief discussion followed. Mayor Hoefert provided a summary following the discussion: ■ Attending a meeting(s) of a board or commission of interest is an important step in the application process • Support for the citizens Civic Academy • Instead of creating new commissions, Village should employ the use of ad hoc or task force groups to address specific needs, issues or initiatives • Support for associate positions • Expectations, especially regarding attendance, should be clearly understood and adhered to by members. Mayor Hoefert opened the floor to the members of the Board and Commissions. Economic Development commission Chair James Drew, Finance Commission Chair Trisha Chokshi, Board of Fire and Police Commission Chair Jim Powers, Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Joseph Donnelly, Transportation Safety Commission Chair Justin Keuhthau, and Sister Cities Commission Chair Bob Usnik each provided an overview of their respective commission and answered questions from the Board. Village Manager Michael Cassady provided a brief overview of the Boards required by State statue including the Foreign Fire Tax Board, Firefighters Pension Fund Board and the Police Pension Fund Board. Mr. Cassady also provided details regarding the Special Events Commission. Public Comment: Sarah Cook Mount Prospect resident • Relayed her experience and frustration with the application/appointment process Mayor Hoefert stated adjustments to improve the process have been recently implemented Tamara B rey Mount Prospect resident • Thanked the Board for this discussion; introduced herself to the Board and expressed interested in serving on a Board or Commission; her application was not acknowledged by the Village Liz Fischer Mount Prospect resident • Application to serve on a Board or Commission should be reviewed and updated by staff; questioned when/if the Community Engagement Committee will be reinstated and hopes the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultants can provide direction with this. Linda Waycie Mount Prospect resident • Suggested ways the Village can improve the application process Ronak McFadden Mount Prospect resident Questioned how the Village plans to increase awareness regarding open positions on Boards and Commissions Mayor Hoefert responded, stating staff is working to reach a broader audience through social media, newsletters, etc. Steven Pol it Mount Prospect resident ■ Stated diversity of location is important to attract new members from all areas of the Village Mayor Hoefert provided closing remarks. Mayor Hoefert and Village Manager Michael Cassady provided the following in response to questions from the Board: • Mayor Hoefert asked the Board for recommendations to fill open positions • A report detailing next steps will be presented to the Board • Sustainability was identified as a high priority in the Strategic Plan; staff is working on a report to be presented in the first quarter; possibility of a future Committee of the Whole discussion • Sustainability initiative could take the form of an ad hoc or task force committee ■ Important to have the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant's report in time for to make adjustments to the 2022 Budget and before May's Strategic Planning Mayor Hoefert noted a representative from InQuest, the Village's DEI consultant, was in attendance and virtually present for the entire meeting. Mayor Hoefert thanked all those who attended and participated in the discussion. 5. Village Managers Report None 6, Any Other Business Mayor Hoefert expressed concern regarding the inconsistencies and impact of the county vaccination card mandate on restaurants. 7. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Rogers, seconded by Trustee Saccotelli, moved to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous roll vote of the Village Board by which each member acknowledged they were able to hear and participate fully in the meeting's proceedings, the January 25, 2022 Committee the Whole meeting adjourned at 10:21 p.m. Karen M. Agoranos Village Clerk