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12/18/2023COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Meeting Minutes December 18, 2023 The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023. In attendance were: Village Board Staff Dan Shapiro, Mayor Kent Street, Village Manager Bob Benton, Trustee Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Larry Berg, Trustee Manager/Director Community Development Elaine Jacoby, Trustee John Sliozis, Chief of Police Rebekah Metts-Childers, Trustee Brian Budny, Deputy Police Chief (arrived 7:02 pm) Chris Fry, Deputy Police Chief Mary Oppenheim, Trustee Eric Burk, Finance Director Robert Phillips, Director of PW and Engineer. Justin Keenan, Asst. to the Village Manager Desiree Van Thorre, Admin Services Coord. Daniel Van Dusen, Deputy Village Clerk Public Comment There were no public comments on non-agenda items. Business 1. Discussion of Funding Request by Faith in Action Robbie Boudreau, Executive Director, Faith in Action, stated Faith in Action received their not-for-profit designation in 2005, but the organization has been in existence since 2003. The organization serves 85- to 100-year-olds by providing escorted transportation for those that cannot travel outside their homes without a companion. Their clients are generally people that do not have family available to assist. Faith in Action also provides social programs including in-home counseling for seniors at no cost. Ms. Boudreau noted there are other organizations and facilities that offer programs, but they are typically not for residents over 85. Faith in Action serves lower income adults. Ms. Boudreau shared a letter from Isabell Weintraub from the Deerfield Police Social Services Division. Trustee Jacoby asked how senior residents know to contact Faith in Action. Ms. Boudreau stated they get referrals from several sources including the Patty Turner Center, the Police Department, doctor’s offices, etc. She noted they have a website and a brochure that make it easy to contact them. Ms. Boudreau noted they are also featured in the Township and municipality newsletters. Faith in Action has 75 volunteers and 1.5 staff members including a registered nurse, a transportation coordinator and an Executive Director. Committee of the Whole December 18, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Trustee Berg asked about their ride program. Ms. Boudreau noted the majority of the rides are to medical appointments. She stated clients are entitled to one medical appointment, two therapy and two quality of life appointments (errands, visits to friends, etc.) within 15 miles of Deerfield each week. Ms. Boudreau reported 50% of the residents come from Highland Park and 25% of program hours come from Deerfield. She noted Faith in Action also serves Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and Buffalo Grove. Ms. Boudreau stated there is another agency in Waukegan, called Eldercare, serving northern Lake County. Mr. Street asked about the difference in the service demands between Highland Park and Deerfield. Ms. Boudreau reported Highland Park has a higher percentage of low- income seniors, and they do not have a senior taxi program like Deerfield. She noted another difference is Deerfield has long-term residents that cannot afford to move away and do not have social support. Ms. Boudreau noted Deerfield also has residents that work and care for their elder parents. Ms. Boudreau believes the senior center needs to be better utilized and the senior population needs to be a focus as many communities (not Deerfield) feel family and children are an investment, but seniors are viewed as an expense. Mayor Shapiro believes Ms. Boudreau is very passionate about Faith in Action and what the agency has done for the past 20 years is wonderful. Trustee Oppenheim expressed concern about the senior center’s program deficiency. She stated she has felt there was a focus to attract younger “seniors”. Ms. Boudreau would encourage the Trustees to look at the content in the newsletters of other communities. Mr. Street noted the Village financially supports the Patty Turner Center (50%) and can work with them. Mr. Street noted the request is for about $12,000 and suggested revisiting the larger challenge of unrepresented seniors (that are serviced by Faith in Action). Mayor Shapiro stated procedurally the Trustees can discuss this, but action cannot be taken until a future Board of Trustees meeting. 2. Discussion of Paid Parental Leave Ms. Van Thorre stated paid parental leave would be an opportunity for employees to take time off when they have a new baby or an adoption. She noted this policy is popular in the private sector and is being discussed more in the public sector. Ms. Van Thorre reported the proposal includes four weeks of parental leave and would affect up to 49 employees (under 40 years of age). Ms. Van Thorre questioned whether everyone should be eligible for four weeks or if it should be pro -rated, and if it should be a pilot program. Trustee Berg sees the need to do something but is unsure whether the Village can compete with the private sector. He noted some companies offer unlimited PTO. Committee of the Whole December 18, 2023 Page 3 of 3 Trustee Oppenheim noted other communities have programs that seem reasonable but is unsure whether pro-rating PTO would be detrimental in attracting the talent desired by the Village. She stated one way to measure the success of this program would be to look at the employee retention rate. Trustee Oppenheim believes this is a factor that could make working here more attractive. She suggested matching other communities at six weeks. Mr. Street endorsed the pilot program concept and the Trustees agreed. Ms. Van Thorre noted Glencoe’s program is very robust and will be going to eight weeks for family care. Mayor Shapiro suggested starting at four weeks and if it is successful, going to six weeks. Ms. Van Thorre reported an employee can take FMLA as well, which would bring the total time off to 12 weeks. Trustee Metts-Childers believes six weeks is appropriate and employees would not be forced to use all of their PTO at once. Ms. Van Thorre stated the leave could be intermittent, but would have to be taken within one year. Chief Sliozis noted this could have a negative impact on the police department because they require 24-hour coverage. He pointed out it could create overtime costs as well. There was a clear consensus of the Board to offer six weeks of paid parental leave that will not be pro-rated for new employees, and that this pilot program will be reviewed no more than two years after adoption. Mr. Street noted certain work groups would be challenged by the impact of adopting this policy. Adjournment Trustee Oppenheim moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole. Trustee Benton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.