Loading...
05/04/2009May 4, 2009 The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order by Mayor Steven Harris in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The Clerk called the roll and announced that the' following were: Present: Steven Harris, Mayor Robert Benton Thomas Jester Harriet Rosenthal William Seiden Barbara Struthers Norton Wasserman and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Attorney Peter Coblentz and Kent Street, Village Manager. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Board of Trustees led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Trustee Rosenthal made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2009 Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Struthers made a motion to approve the Bills and Payroll dated May 4, 2009. Trustee Rosenthal seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Jester, Rosenthal, Seiden, Struthers, Wasserman (6) NAYS: None (0) PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment. There were no Reports. There was no Consent Agenda. REPORTS CONSENT AGENDA OLD BUSINESS RESOLUTION R -09 -03 HONORING Mayor Harris commended Trustee Wasserman for TRUSTEE NORTON WASSERMAN his service to the Village and recommended approval of the resolution. His dedication and contributions as a volunteer in the Village are truly appreciated by the Mayor and Board of Trustees. ° Board of Trustees Meeting May 4, 2009 Page 2 of 3 Trustee Seiden made a motion to accept the resolution. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mayor Harris presented Trustee Wasserman with an award of appreciation for his hard work and dedication. The audience joined the Mayor and Board in expressing it's appreciation to Trustee Wasserman. STATEMENT FROM MAYOR HARRIS Mayor Harris expressed appreciation to his friends who put together a team to help him serve as the Mayor of Deerfield. When he was elected, he promised residents that he would work hard and, at the right time, step aside. Mayor Harris commented that it was difficult to replace Bernie Forrest, but he did so to the best of his ability. Mayor Harris thanked former Village Manager Bob Franz for coaching and challenging him. Over the eight years he served as Mayor, he worked with Trustee Rosenthal. He believes her independence and love of Deerfield have made him a better mayor. Mayor Harris reminisced about the Pledge of Allegiance debate. He noted that the roles of mayor and trustee are multifaceted. He learned to step aside and let the professionals do their job. Mayor Harris urged the new mayor and trustees to visit the grade schools and teach the importance of community service and municipal government. During his tenure, some projects accomplished include Takeda, the Hellenic American Academy, Chicagoland Jewish High School, the Patty Turner Senior Center and the Council for Jewish Elderly (Weinberg expansion). Mayor Harris thanked Peter Coblentz, his friend and Village counsel. He thanked Chief Sliozis for all of his professionalism and hard work. He noted that Chief Sliozis became the face of the Village during some traumatic times during the past eight years, and he handled situations with the finest touch. Mayor Harris thanked staff for all their hard work and dedication. He thanked Paul Blakely, Garo Emerzian and Larry Berg for their help during the elections, as well as current and former Trustees. Mayor Harris offered Mayor -elect Rosenthal his best wishes. He expressed assurance that Trustee Seiden would continue to keep a sharp pencil. He thanked Trustee -elect Alan Farkas for serving, though in the middle of his career and having young children. He concluded by thanking his parents, his wife Jani and his three sons for their encouragement and support during his service as mayor. Jani Harris presented a statement of appreciation from each of their three sons, Ross, Mark and Alec. She concluded with her own comments honoring Mayor Harris' service and his positive example for their family. SWEARING IN CEREMONY Mr. Street introduced Judge Wallace Dunn, a Deerfield resident who has sworn in Village officials for a number of years. Judge Dunn swore in newly elected Mayor Harriet Rosenthal and Trustees Alan Farkas, Mary Oppenheim and Barbara Struthers. Board of Trustees Meeting May 4, 2009 Page 3 of 3 NEW BUSINESS RESOLUTION R -09 -04 HONORING Mayor Rosenthal noted that the Village offered to MAYOR STEVEN HARRIS host a dinner to honor and roast former Mayor Harris, but he asked that the resources be donated to a police department cause. She said she was excited that her first official act as mayor is to formally recognize Mayor Harris. Mayor Rosenthal read a resolution honoring the public service of Mayor Steven M. Harris, who was elected in 2001 after serving two years as a trustee. The resolution noted that he was creative, honest and dedicated throughout his tenure as mayor. A sense of community has been enhanced through his accomplishments, and the Village's operating departments have advanced high quality services. Village facilities have been improved, including Village Hall and the Patty Turner Senior Center. Many developments have come to fruition, including Takeda, the Hellenic American Academy, Chicagoland Jewish High School and the Council for Jewish Elderly. On behalf of the entire Board, the Mayor also thanked Jani Harris for providing exceptional encouragement to Mayor Harris. The resolution was accepted by acclimation. Mayor Rosenthal commented further that she and former Mayor Harris have become good friends over the past eight years. She believes it is a tribute to his leadership and inclusion that the Board has functioned as well as it has. She commented that when he took over the role of Mayor, he looked at things carefully and proceeded slowly. Mayor Harris made Deerfield a friendly place for residents to participate, and he encouraged residents to attend board meetings and get involved. She believes he has been a great face for Deerfield in times of sorrow and celebration. On behalf of the Village, Mayor Rosenthal presented an award to Mayor Harris for his commitment and dedication. The audience joined the Mayor and Board in expressing appreciation to Mayor Harris. PRESENTATION BY RESIDENT Deerfield resident and artist Dave Shetsky presented a painting to former Mayor Harris in honor of his service to Deerfield and a job well done. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST: Village Clerk