HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/2003 CS minutes
Timothy J. Corcoran
Paul Wm. Hoefert
Richard M. Lohrstorfer
Michaele W. Skowron
Irvana K. Wilks
Michael A. Zadel
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Village of Mount Prospect
100 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
Phone:
Fax:
TDD:
(847) 392-6000
(847) 392-6022
(847) 392-6064
MAYOR
Gerald L. Farley
VILLAGE MANAGER
Michael E. Janonis
VILLAGE CLERK
Velma W. Lowe
MINUTES
CLOSED SESSION
JANUARY 7,2003
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A Motion was made by Trustee Corcoran and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer to move into Closed
Session. Motion approved. The Closed Session was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Mayor Farley,
in the second floor Conference Room of Village Hall. The purpose of the Closed Session was to
discuss Litigation, Personnel and Land Acquisition. Present were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul
Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michaele Skowron, Irvana Wilks and Michael Zadel. Staff present
included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Police Chief
Richard Eddington, Attorney Terry Ekl and Village Attorney Everette Hill.
Litiqation
Department of Justice AQreement
Village Manager Janonis provided a summary of the Department of Justice Agreement status. He
stated that staff is prepared to implement the Agreement and feels that the Agreement is the best
available outcome under the circumstances.
Attorney Ekl provided a summary of the negotiation process and stated that this is an Agreement
and not a Consent Decree and feels that a Decree would adversely impact Departmental operations.
The Village Board had rejected the Consent Decree with the Department of Justice previously.
There have been numerous discussions regarding the details of the Agreement and he feels that
many of the items in the Agreement are not substantially different than what the Village is already
doing voluntarily. He stated that many of the items the Department of Justice would have ordered
are now being done voluntarily. The Agreement concludes the investigation. He also stated that the
Agreement does not limit the Officers' ability to write tickets as necessary and avoid the publicity that
may be the result of additional litigation. He stated the Agreement terminates in three years from the
date of execution.
Village Manager Janonis stated that since it is not an Agreement that concludes litigation, it is not
necessary that the Board authorize the Mayor to sign on behalf of the Village.
Consensus of the Village Board was to agree to the Department of Justice offer for the
Agreement to conclude further investigation and authorize staff to execute the Agreement on
behalf of the Village Board.
Romero Case Status Uodate
Village Manager Janonis stated that notices have been sent to all individuals at the last known
address on the issued ticket in addition to notices in several newspapers including foreign language
newspapers. He stated the window to respond closes on January 13 and of the potential 3,200
people that could have responded, 17 have responded to date. He stated the Fairness Hearing is
scheduled for February 11, which would conclude the Case entirely.
Attorney Eklleft the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Personnel
Police Seroeant Union Discussion
Assistant Village Manager Strahl stated that the Village has filed an Objection to the Unit and a
Hearing is scheduled with the Illinois Labor Relations Board on January 27 and 28. The State
Hearing Officer will determine whether the Sergeants are supervisors according to the State
definition. He stated the State definition for supervisory personnel is based on the private sector
model and does not account for supervision details of a typical Para-military organization such as
the Police. Depending on the outcome of the Hearing, there could be an election soon after the
Hearing decision.
Chief Eddington stated the Sergeant issues include the differential pay between Officers and
Sergeants, scheduling, overtime and as far as he knows at this time, there are no other hot issues.
Chief Eddington left the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Cunningham vs. Village of Mount Prosoect
Assistant Village Manager Strahl stated the Village is in the process of filing the Appeal for Summary
Judgment and looking toward depositions in February and March. He stated a mandatory
settlement conference has been scheduled for March 25. Cunningham's attorney has demanded
$800,000 based on ten years wage differential between Lieutenant and Firefighter and Lieutenant
and Captain. Basically, Cunningham assumes that if he had promoted to Lieutenant, he would have
been Captain by this time. The demand also includes $400,000 in punitive damages.
Attorney Everette Hill left the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Summary of Public Works Union Activities
Assistant Village Manager Strahl stated that another mediation session is scheduled for January 30
at the Union's request. He also stated that the Village has been told through a third party that Public
Works personnel are preparing to do some informational picketing in the near future. If picketing is
to take place during a public meeting, there will be specific restrictions limiting the picketing including
no signs in the meeting itself. He stated that it is possible the Public Works employees will request
an opportunity to speak at the public meeting and the Board should refrain from engaging them in
conversation at the podium. It should be noted that it is unlikely that any discussion by the Public
Works employees during a public meeting would be limited without establishing a time frame for all
public speakers.
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Land Acauisition
Levee 37
Village Manager Janonis provided a summary of the proposed floodwall along River Road from
Milwaukee to Euclid. He also highlighted the fact that there is a need for the use of some Cook
County Forest Preserve land and the Forest Preserve wants compensation for land and tree loss.
There is discussion underway between the Forest Preserve and SW ANCC to consider swapping
property and if the property were actually to be exchanged there is a potential cost to the Village of
approximately $75,000. At this time, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is involved and
there would be an exchange between IDNR and the Village for such land.
There was no further business and the Closed Session adjourned at 8:28 p.m. and immediately
reconvened into open session.
Village Manager Janonis briefed the Village Board on potential Coffee with Council topics and
issues.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
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DAVID STRAHL
DS/rcc Assistant Village Manager
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