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Home My Public Portal About05-20-2021 Special Village Board MinutesVILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2021 AT: VILLAGE HALL BOARD PRESENT: J.ARGOUDELIS, P.KALKANIS, C.LARSON, T.RUANE, B.WOJOWSKI. H.BENTON (ELECTRONIC), AND K.CALKINS (ELECTRONIC). OTHERS PRESENT: T.PLECKHAM, ASSISTANT VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR; J.HARVEY, ATTORNEY; AND M.GIBAS, VILLAGE CLERK. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE Mayor Argoudelis called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Roll call was taken, all Trustees were present. Mayor Argoudelis led the Pledge of Allegiance. There were approximately 25 persons in the audience. PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS Mayor Argoudelis stated that it is important that the Village Board works together and should follow Robert's Rules of Order. TRUSTEES COMMENTS No Comments. PUBLIC COMMENTS (3-5) Minutes Joe Brender stated that the Village Board needs to work together and expressed concern regarding secret meetings, Brian Murphy termination, and the Board of Trustees seeking separate counsel. Kristin Laslo expressed concern regarding the Board's behavior and the meeting time being at noon. Mayor Argoudelis read public comments: • Jenny Hamby submitted an email expressing concern regarding the special meeting, the items on the agenda, and unprofessional behavior. • Vanessa Sula submitted an email expressing concern with not following Robert's Rules of Order and hiring a special law firm. • TJ & Amanda Countryman submitted an email expressing concern unprofessional behavior, hiring a special law firm, and the time of the special meeting. • MD Adams submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior, the mayor's attitude, and the removal of an employee. • Cinthia Debelevich submitted an email expressing concern regarding the time of the special meeting, unprofessional behavior, and wasting tax dollars. • Geo Havel submitted an email reminding everyone to have their microphones on while speaking, questioning costs of a search firm, unprofessional behavior, length of meetings, and department reports. • MJ submitted an email thanking the Mayor for his professionalism. • Linda Ozbolt submitted an email pointing out observations from previous meetings, and requesting that the Board work together. • Heather Shrunk submitted an email expressing concern regarding comments made at he May 17, 2021 Village Board Meeting and expressing concern regarding the Mayor's leadership. Village of Plainfield Special Meeting Minutes — May 20, 2021 Page 2 • Kevin Keane submitted an email expressing concern regarding the time of the special meeting, pointed out that Brian Murphy's contract expired with the term of the previous Mayor, and expressed concern regarding unprofessional behavior. • Becky Gruben submitted an email inquiring as to the employment status of Brian Murphy, • Michelle Williams submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior. • George Hitchings submitted an email expressing concern regarding hiring of special counsel. • Nancy Schwab submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior and campaign contributions to Margie Bonuchi. • William Berkley submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior and concerns related to items on the Agenda. • Jen McClellan submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior. • Faith Gould submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior and pointed out that Brian Murphy's contract expired with the term of the previous Mayor. • Jill Abbott submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior and hiring of special counsel. • Bill Lamb submitted an email congratulating Mayor Argoudelis on the election, appointments, background on the hiring of Brian Murphy, suggested a contract extension, and submitted the remarks he made when he left office is 2019. • Nicholas Hurd submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior. • Brian McClellan submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior. • Carol Tepper submitted an email expressing concern regarding hiring special counsel. • Michael Lambert submitted an email expressing concern regarding unprofessional behavior, time of the special meeting, and adherence to meeting restrictions enacted by the Governor. BUSINESS MEETING Trustee Wojowski moved to approve the Special Meeting Agenda, acknowledgement of special meeting requested by Village Trustees and purpose of same, confirmation of compliance with notice requirements. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. There was some discussion and comments by the Board regarding the motions on the agenda. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, no; Wojowski, yes; Benton, yes; Calkins, no; Argoudelis, no. 4 yes, 3 no. Motion carried. Trustee Wojowski moved to adopt an Ordinance creating the Position of Legislative Counsel by adding Section 2-98 to the Village of Plainfield Code of Ordinances and for appointment of Legislative Counsel for the Plainfield Village Board of Trustees. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, no; Wojowski, yes; Benton, no; Calkins, no; Argoudelis, no. 3 yes, 4 no. Motion failed. Seeking Board consideration of a motion to authorize the execution of a professional services agreement with Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier, McGrath Ltd. Ltd. as Legislative Counsel for the Plainfield Village Board of Trustees and for said Legislative Council Legal Services — no action was taken on this item. Village of Plainfield Special Meeting Minutes — May 20, 2021 Page 3 Trustee Wojowski stated that he would like to table the rest of the items on the Agenda until May 24, 2021 to include a Special Meeting with the already scheduled Committee of the Whole Workshop. Trustee Wojowski moved to table the remaining motions by omnibus vote. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, yes; Wojowski, yes; Benton, yes; Calkins, no. 5 yes, 1 no. Motion failed. Attorney Harvey pointed out that the motion failed because a motion for omnibus vote must be unanimous. The motions must be voted on individually. Trustee Wojowski moved to table the motion to direct the Finance Director to stop pay on any checks written and not cashed as of 7:00pm on May 17, 2021 for any and all severance packages, and to cease and deists from drafting any new severance paychecks without the express permission and direction of the of the Plainfield Village Board of Trustees. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, yes; Wojowski, yes; Benton, yes; Calkins, no. 5 yes, 1 no. Motion carried. Trustee Wojowski moved to table the motion to Direct the IT Department Director to reactivate the email of Administrator Murphy and to remove the "auto reply" feature that is currently in place. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, yes; Wojowski, yes; Benton, yes; Calkins, no. 5 yes, 1 no. Motion carried. Trustee Wojowski moved to table the motion to direct the Mayor not to interfere with the work of the Plainfield Village Manager, Brian Murphy. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, yes; Wojowski, yes; Benton, yes; Calkins, no. 5 yes, 1 no. Motion carried. Trustee Wojowski moved to table the motion to extend the contract for Administrator Brian Murphy for a period of two years under the same terms and conditions, salary to be discussed. Second by Trustee Kalkanis. Vote by roll call. Kalkanis, yes; Larson, yes; Ruane, yes; Wojowski, yes; Benton, yes; Calkins, no. 5 yes, 1 no. Motion carried. Trustee Benton expressed displeasure about the special meeting. Mayor Argoudelis read the reminders. Trustee Wojowski moved to adjourn. Second by Trustee Larson. Voice Vote. All in favor, 0 opposed. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. Michelle Gibas, Village Clerk