08/21/2023August 21, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order on
August 21, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at Deerfield Village Hall. The clerk called the roll and announced
that the following were
Present: Robert Benton
Larry Berg
Elaine Jacoby
Rebekah Metts-Childers
Mary Oppenheim
William Seiden
Dan Shapiro, Mayor
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Manager Kent
Street and Ben Schuster, Village Attorney.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Members of the Deerfield High School EIU
Academic Challenge team and the Deerfield High
School IHSEA eSports Overwatch 2 Tournament State championship team led those in
attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION Mayor Shapiro recognized the members of the
Deerfield High School EIU Academic Challenge
Team State Championship team and presented them with a street sign that will be placed at the
entrances of the Village. Senior Kevin Song and incoming Northwestern University freshman
Ryan Wilcoff introduced themselves. Coach Marty Esgar indicated there were three State
champions and a number of place winners in addition to the team championship.
RECOGNITION Mayor Shapiro recognized the members of the
Deerfield High School IHSEA eSports Overwatch 2
Tournament State Champions 2022 — 2023. James Winer, Inoa Nakahara, Elan Kreshevsky and
Cooper Jacobson introduced themselves. Mr. Winer outlined their accomplishments, which won
$15,000 for the school. Coach Derrick Tiveron is very proud of how the team competed in the
first year of eSports at DHS. Mayor Shapiro presented the team with a street sign that will be
placed at the entrances to the Village.
DOCUMENT APPROVAL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the minutes
from the August 7, 2023, Board of Trustees
meeting.
Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Oppenheim moved to approve the bills and
payroll dated August 7, 2023. Trustee Metts-
Childers seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
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August 21, 2023
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AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Metts-Childers, Oppenheim, Seiden (6)
NAYS: None (0)
PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment.
REPORTS
CONSIDERATION AND ACTION ON A Mr. Steet reported the Board of Zoning Appeals
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF held a Public Hearing on July 18, 2023, to consider
THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS RE: the request of petitioners Lauren and Eric White,
1223 CRABTREE LANE TO PERMIT 1223 Crabtree Lane, to install a 4-foot high fence
THE INSTALLATION OF A FENCE' within the required front yard in lieu of the
WITHIN THE REQUIRED FRONT YARD maximum permitted height of 3 feet. The BZA
AT 4 FEET IN HEIGHT IN LIEU OF THE voted 6-0 to send a favorable recommendation to
MAXIMUM PERMITTED HEIGHT OF 3 the Board.
FEET AS SPECIFIED IN ARTICLE
2.04-H,3,A OF THE DEERFIELD Mr. White noted their lot is adjacent to Woodland
ZONING ORDINANCE Park but their home is perpendicular to the park, so
their side yard is essentially their back yard. They
are trying to fence in their side yard.
Trustee Oppenheim moved to accept the report and recommendation of the Board of Zoning
Appeals and directed the Village Attorney to prepare the Ordinance. Trustee Metts-Childers
seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Metts-Childers, Oppenheim, Seiden (6)
NAYS: None (0)
CONSENT AGENDA
There were no items on the Consent Agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 0-23-24 AMENDING An Ordinance amending Section 6-1 of the
SECTION 6-1 OF THE MUNICIPAL Municipal Code of the Village of Deerfield
CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF regarding building permit requirements.
DEERFIELD, 1975, AS AMENDED,
REGARDING BUILDING PERMIT Assistant Village Manager Andrew Lichterman
REQUIREMENTS reported this Ordinance is intended to bring clarity
as to when permits are required. He noted the
Ordinance would take effect 60 days after passage and there will be an educational campaign
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August 21, 2023
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associated with the amendments. The Board asked for flyers to be distributed by the Trustees at
the Farmers Market and that the information be included in the D-Tales newsletter. Village
Attorney Schuster noted Deerfield is no more restrictive than other communities. This
amendment provides clarity on when a permit is required and makes it easier for residents and
contractors to understand.
Trustee Seiden moved to adopt the Ordinance amending Section 6-1 of the Municipal Code of
the Village of Deerfield, 1975, as amended, regarding building permit requirements. Trustee
Oppenheim seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Metts-Childers, Oppenheim, Seiden (6)
NAYS: None (0)
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 0-23-25 ADOPTING BY An Ordinance adopting the Lake County Watershed
REFERENCE OF THE LAKE COUNTY Development Ordinance by reference.
WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT
ORDINANCE Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob
Phillips reported the Village follows the Lake
County Watershed Development Ordinance. He noted the updated Ordinance has been on
display at Village Hall for the required 30 days. Mr. Phillips stated a number of the updates
involve flood plain and enforcement. Mr. Street noted the Village of Deerfield has been a
proponent of watershed management since the 1990s. Trustee Benton questioned whether there
will be conflicts between the WDO and the WMO (Cook County) for the area south of Lake
Cook Road. Mr. Phillips reported the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which manages
the WMO, has given the Village authority to use the WDO.
Trustee Oppenheim moved to adopt the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance by
reference. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Metts-Childers, Oppenheim, Seiden (6)
NAYS: None (0)
RESOLUTION R-23-38 APPROVING A A Resolution approving a policy concerning
POLICY CONCERNING ATTENDANCE attendance at Village meetings by video or audio
AT VILLAGE MEETINGS BY VIDEO OR conference.
AUDIO CONFERENCE
Mr. Schuster reported that under the Illinois Open
Meetings Act, the Village can allow members of public bodies to attend meetings by video or
audio conference. He noted the member cannot vote unless it is pursuant to rules adopted by the
Village. The OMA states three traditional reasons to attend remotely:
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August 21, 2023
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1. Personal illness or disability
2. Employment purposes
3. Family or other emergency
Mr. Schuster noted that this year in Springfield, an Amendment was passed to include a fourth
reason of unexpected childcare obligations. He stated this Resolution amends the Village's
policy to add this fourth reason.
Mr. Schuster reported he other reason to attend by video or audio conference is a COVID-like
emergency situation where the head of the Board of Commission deems it not advisable to attend
in person. He reminded the Board that a quorum is still required in person in non -emergency
situations.
Trustee Seiden questioned why taking care of a child is not considered a family emergency.
Trustee Oppenheim noted it is redundant. Mr. Schuster noted unexpected childcare situations
may not be considered an emergency. Mr. Street reported the Village cannot make a separate
policy if it is not included in the State Statute. Trustee Benton questioned how much advance
notice would be required. Mr. Schuster noted the rules in subsection 4(a) requires at least four
hours' written notice unless not practical.
Trustee Metts-Childers moved to approve a Resolution approving a policy concerning attendance
at Village meetings by video or audio conference. Trustee Oppenheim seconded the motion.
The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Berg, Jacoby, Metts-Childers, Oppenheim, Seiden (6)
NAYS: None (0)
DISCUSSION
HARVEST FEST Mayor Shapiro invited everyone to Harvest Fest on
September 9, 2023, from 5-9 p.m. He noted it will be a
great time with music at the old Marathon lot on Park Avenue. Trustee Oppenheim noted the
festivities will begin at the Farmers Market that morning.
FOOD TRUCK WEDNESDAY Mayor Shapiro reported last Wednesday's food truck event
was a tremendous success. He noted there have been more
than 700 people in attendance with 10-12 trucks at each event. Mayor Shapiro thanked Assistant
to the Village Manager Justin Keenan for his hard work.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Mayor Shapiro reported there will be a Committee of the
Whole meeting on August 28, 2023, starting at 3:00 p.m.
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PROPERTY TAX WORKSHOPS Mayor Shapiro reported the West Deerfield Township
Assessor will be holding three workshops on how to reduce
your property taxes. He noted the workshops will take place on September 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.;
September 12, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.; and September 18, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
TRUSTEE IN THE TOWN Trustee Seiden invited residents to ask questions at Trustee
in the Town at the Farmers Market on Saturday, August 26,
2023, from 9 a.m. to noon. Trustee Metts-Childers and Trustee Berg will be available to answer
questions.
CONGRATULATIONS Trustee Benton congratulated Mayor Shapiro for the letter
and email about the start of school and safety precautions.
ADJOURNMENT Trustee Berg moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee
Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously on a voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
The next regular Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 5,
2023 at 7:30 p.m.
APPROVED:
Mayor
ATTEST:
Village Cler
I