The Village of Northbrook has a new employee handbook which takes effect this Jan. 1 for non union employees. A Feb. 1, 2024 effective date is projected for union employees contingent on possible modifications.
The employee handbook revisits independent standard operating procedures. Northbrook Village Manager Cara Pavlicek said at the Dec. 12 board of trustees meeting that the village has, “gone through a substantive review to make sure that we are providing exceptional workplace environment for our employees.”
Trustees unanimously approved the 116 page document via resolution on Dec. 12.
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In it, is a paragraph under the header, “Employment of Elected Officials,” stating, “Due to potential actual or perceived conflicts of interest, the village will not consider an application for employment of any elected village official, or individual who appears on an election ballot within the village, while they are in office or for one year after they leave office, unless otherwise provided by law.”
The employee handbook, “supersedes all previous versions of employee handbooks, personnel policies and memorandums that may have been issued in the past on the subjects covered in the handbook,” Section I, the Introduction, states.
The handbook is timely with A.C. Buehler III, former Northbrook village trustee, being sworn into office Dec. 1 as Northbrook village clerk.
Buehler replaces Debra J. Ford, who retired Dec. 1 as village clerk and as the village’s director of administrative services.
Ford’s annual administration salary package, including health insurance and a $6,000 vehicle allowance, was more than $191,000. Ford had a 36 vacation and sick day accrual combination.
Ford was among three consecutive generations of village clerks who were elected to the office but were also village employees. The Northbrook Caucus typically recommends a preferred village clerk candidate on its slate.
Ford was publicly recognized at the Dec. 12 board meeting but was not present in person for the resolution.
Buehler, however, received a standing ovation after being sworn in by Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla. Buehler was officially sworn in on Dec. 1 and Tuesday evening’s photo opportunity was ceremonial.
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Wording in the employee handbook prevents Buehler from applying for village employment before April 2026 if he vacates office in 2025.
According to the village, Buehler has no interest in Northbrook village employment and intends to finish Ford’s unexpired term on an unpaid basis until the term ends in April 2025.
Buehler could run in the next village clerk election in 2025 in a possibly contested village clerk race for the first time in decades.
The village has indicated the village clerk has been unpaid for an unconfirmed number of years. Ciesla said the village clerk for the next term (starting April 2025) will likely receive a stipend similar to the village trustee rate (currently $5,800 annually).
At the Nov. 28 board meeting, Ciesla also said about the village clerk role, “As times change, that is not going to occur anymore,” regarding a “combined” role as employee and an elected officeholder.
The employee handbook does not address the holding of elected office or ballot naming status by current village employees of any residency location.
Section 2 of the handbook also under Employment Practices indicates about residency, “With the exception of the Village Manager (Cara Pavlicek), employees are not required to reside in the Village of Northbrook.
“While residency is not required, all employees are encouraged to seek residency in the Village of Northbrook for greater convenience and ownership in the community,” the handbook states.
Also on Dec. 12, the village board welcomed Michelle Z. Kohler as new village trustee. Kohler serves through April 2025 in an unexpired elected seat vacated by former trustee Muriel J. Collison who resigned for personal reasons.
Kohler was sworn in by Joel Chupack of Northbrook, circuit judge for the State of Illinois Circuit Court of Cook County Chancery Division.
Ciesla indicated on Dec. 12 that after considering “double-digit responses to our call,” that Kohler, “clearly stood out,” the village president said.
Collison’s vacancy was posted on the village website as an open call to qualified applicants for the unexpired term while Ford’s vacancy was not posted and Buehler was appointed by Ciesla with board support.
Kohler was elected to serve eight years on the Northbrook School District 28 Board of Education, ending the second school board term last April as the board’s vice president.
“Michelle has already earned the trust of the community when it comes to Northbrook’s most precious asset, and that’s our children,” Ciesla said.
Kohler and spouse Stephen Kohler have two children, Lucas Kohler, 14, a Glenbrook North High School (GBN) freshman, and Jonah Kohler, 19, a college freshman and of the GBN Class of 2023.
“I am so excited to join this fabulous board of individuals who are laser-focused on preserving what is so special about Northbrook and also preparing it for a bright future,” Kohler said.
Kohler grew up in Wheeling and is of the Wheeling High School Class of 1992.
“I meet so many people who grow up here and then return,” Kohler also indicated to Pioneer Press. “As a resident for the last dozen years, I completely understand why.
“I look forward to hearing from the people who live and work here about how we can continue to grow as a community,” Kohler said. “It’s a special place.”
OTHER BOARD ACTION ON DEC. 12
Trustees unanimously approved an ordinance for a (“very modest,” according to Trustee Robert P. Israel) village tax year 2023 property tax levy of 1 %, increasing the village’s property tax revenue by approximately $217,000.
The village also levies for the Northbrook Public Library which asked for a 3 % library tax increase of $288,000.
“The village’s 1 % increase in its levy will result in the average homeowner paying between $5 to $10 more on their property tax bill next year,” Israel said.
And redevelopment of the former Green Acres Country Club is chipped back on the fairway. Trustees unanimously approved a nonbinding predevelopment agreement with owner GA Northbrook LLC. The golf course property has been vacant since 2016.
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The proposed Green Acres redevelopment includes 10 acres of municipal land identified for a new fire station along Dundee Road, 50 open space acres to the west possibly purchased by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and more than 65 acres for a data center. A tax increment financing district (TIF) is proposed for financial assistance.
“The stars hopefully seem to have aligned,” Ciesla said.
Also, the closing date of the former Grainger property (1657 Shermer Road) sale has been pushed into next year for the village-owned approximate 10.3 acres. Contract purchaser Lennar/Quarterra needs more time for sustainable financing.
Zoning approvals were authorized last January for 1657 Shermer Road and a first amendment to the contract had a closing date by this Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. Then last month, Quarterra asked for another 120 days and trustees on Dec. 12 unanimously approved the extension request.
According to a Dec. 12 village memo from Pavlicek, “Quarterra advises they remain committed to the project and the extension is sought in response to current market conditions.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
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