Lake County Gazette

Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees met Jan. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order on January 2, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Deerfield Village Hall. The clerk called the roll and announced that the following were

Present: Dan Shapiro, Mayor

Robert Benton

Elaine Jacoby

Mary Oppenheim

Absent: Larry Berg

Rebekah Metts-Childers

William Seiden

and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Manager Kent Street and Ben Schuster, Village Attorney.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Sergeant Steve Pettorelli and Officer Lauren Maldonado led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENTATION Chief Sliozis reported the Donald E. Gehrig award is an annual presentation by the Police Commission to honor an outstanding officer or civilian for their loyalty and dedication to the standards of the Department. He presented the 2021 award to Sergeant Steve Pettorelli who started as a part-time dispatcher 25 years ago. In 2000, he became a police officer and recently became the Director of Communications. Chief Sliozis noted Sergeant Pettorelli spearheaded the new Star Communication program and is always willing to assist wherever needed. Sergeant Pettorelli thanked the Village and the Department for their continued support.

Chief Sliozis presented Officer Lauren Maldonado with the 2022 award. She began her career as a teacher and joined the Department in 2017 as a School Resource Officer for District 109. Chief Sliozis noted Officer Maldonado was the first SRO in a grade school district and that she has the ability to represent the Deerfield Police Department in a positive light. Officer Maldonado thanked the Village and the Department.

Chief Sliozis noted both recipients deserved their awards for going above and beyond their duties. Mayor Shapiro congratulated Sergeant Pettorelli and Officer Maldonado and thanked them and the other officers for the support they provide to the community.

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT Assistant Village Manager Justin Keenan

REPORT provided highlights from the 2023 departmental report. Mr. Keenan noted subscribers to the weekly

E-blasts surpassed 3,000 this year with a 68% open rate, compared to the government industry average open rate of 30.5%. He reported Village Facebook followers increased by 8% to 3,958. Mr. Keenan reported the Village Facebook reach was 43,544 in 2023, with page visits up 27%. He noted the Village website and D-Tales were redesigned this year. Mr. Keenan reported staff provided communication and graphic design support for all Village events, including the Public Works Open House, Farmers Market, Family Days, Fine Art Festival, Harvest Fest, Downtown Tree Lighting, Winter Celebration and Winter Market.

Mr. Keenan noted staff served as primary liaison to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Working Group and facilitated their efforts preparing a multi-year plan outlining actions to reduce the Village’s carbon footprint by 45% by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050. He reported the Village liquor code was updated and modernized. Mr. Keenan noted the Department supported efforts to establish TIF District #3 to promote the economic vitality of the Village Center and researched, developed and drafted the Redevelopment Plan and the Eligibility Study for proposed TIF District #4.

Mr. Keenan reported staff coordinated the issuance of 38 liquor licenses in the Village and ensured all persons listed on the license passed the required Police Department background checks. He noted the Community Relations Commission completed the full year of its Heritage Month Celebration program in 2023 including events and lectures for seven Heritage Months this year. Mr. Keenan stated the Commission also started a “Dear in Deerfield” program that highlights the good deeds and work of Deerfield residents in the D-Tales newsletter.

Mr. Keenan noted the IT Department completed the police dispatch remodel and upgrade project in conjunction with the Police Department, guiding and advising them on the technical aspects of the project and then facilitating and/or performing the technical work to bring the project to fruition. He reported they also worked with many Village departments while completing significant upgrades to the Village’s server and VPN. Mr. Keenan stated the Department processed 3,437 work orders between January 1, 2023, and December 19, 2023.

APPOINTMENT On the recommendation of the Volunteer Engagement Commission, Mayor Shapiro recommended the appointment of Rick Opad to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Trustee Oppenheim moved to accept the recommendation of Rick Opad to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:

AYES: Benton, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Shapiro (4)

NAYS: None (0)

DOCUMENT APPROVAL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the minutes from the December 18, 2023, Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Jacoby seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the bills and payroll dated January 2, 2024. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:

AYES: Benton, Jacoby, Oppenheim, Shapiro (4)

NAYS: None (0)

PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment.

REPORTS

CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON Director of Administrative Services Desiree Van A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Thorre reported that after the Committee of the OF STAFF RE: PAID PARENTAL Whole meeting, staff looked at the potential impacts LEAVE of paid parental leave. She noted there are 20 Village staff members under 40 years of age. Ms.

Van Thorre stated ten of these staff members already use 12 weeks of paid leave. She added the new fathers may use an additional 2.5 weeks that would need to be covered. Ms. Van Thorre noted this includes full-time, non-union staff; the union can negotiate paid parental leave for their next contract in 2025. Ms. Van Thorre summarized the proposed policy:

• Six weeks of paid parental leave

• Must be used within six months of event (rather than 12 months)

• There will not be a waiting period

• This is a pilot program that will be re-evaluated in December of 2025

Trustee Jacoby noted the six weeks would not need to be used consecutively, as long as it is within six months of the date of the event. Trustee Oppenheim asked about union employees. Ms. Van Thorre reported the Village has 115 employees, 60 of the employees are union employees and approximately 20 of them are under 40 years old.

CONSENT AGENDA

There were no items on the Consent Agenda.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no Old Business.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no New Business.

DISCUSSION

NEW OFFICERS Mayor Shapiro noted three new officers and one telecommunicator were sworn in this morning.

CONGRATULATIONS Mayor Shapiro congratulated Andrew Lichterman on being promoted to Deputy Village Manager /

Director of Community Development, Justin Keenan on being promoted to Assistant Village Manager and Desiree Van Thorre on being promoted to Director of Administrative Services.

ADJOURNMENT Trustee Oppenheim moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

The next regular Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.deerfield.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01022024-1057