The Flossmoor Village Board is trying to keep campaign speech out of the boardroom — and virtual boardroom, as the pandemic has recently necessitated once again.
The board voted 5-0 on Dec. 21 to approve an amendment to its Policy Providing Rules for Public Comment and Recording of Meetings. Trustee Diane Williams was absent.
The amendment updates Flossmoor’s 2017 policy for public comment at village meetings in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. In her report to the board, Assistant Village Manager Allison Matson said the amendment was crafted with the start of campaign season for the April 2021 municipal election in mind. The change prohibits political campaigning during board and commission meetings during the public comment portion of agendas.
Trustee Brian Driscoll supported the measure but asked what prompted the change to the policy.
“I don’t recall this being a problem in the past,” he said. “Was this problematic in the past or just protection for the future?”
Mayor Paul Braun said he does not think it has been a problem in the past. At most, they have had candidates introduce themselves and their campaigns to the community, he said.
“I think we’re just trying to plug a hole on that for the future,” he added.
Matson noted Village Attorney Kathleen Orr provided guidance on how to craft the amendment. She also noted the prohibition on campaigning during a meeting is within the law.
Matson said staff recommended the amendment because it would provide clear guidance for staff, chairpersons of boards and commissions, as well as candidates.
No one spoke during public comment on the matter.
Village board extends support for Flossmoor Station
The village board voted 5-0 to approve a renewal of an economic incentive grant for Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery that is reimbursing the business up to $3,600 through February to offset the cost of a rental tent and heater for an outdoor dining patio, according to a report from Assistant Village Manager Allison Matson.
The board originally approved the grant Nov. 16 to cover the equipment for November and December to help the restaurant continue operations under heightened COVID-19 restrictions. Braun said it is among more than $50,000 the village has committed to businesses in town through the pandemic.
“This is an example of what we are doing to help businesses in the community,” he said. “We will continue to do that. Our businesses are very important.”
Village staff also tracked the usage of the two tents on the west side of Sterling Avenue provided for Dunning’s Market and Bistro on Sterling. The south tent got “very little use,” according to Matson’s report. The business requested it be removed, and it was in early December.
The tent in front of Bistro on Sterling is seeing more regular usage, according to Matson’s report. Staff has recommended leaving that one there for the next two months.
Six get vaccine
Flossmoor Fire Chief Greg Berk reported at the end of the Dec. 21 meeting that five firefighters, including himself, had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine that day. It was noted that one police officer also received it.