Oak Park council adopts board-and-commission expectations, discusses mandatory training and a new 'Junth' commission

The Oak Park City Council voted Sept. 2 to adopt formal expectations for board and commission members and staff liaisons and discussed plans for mandatory training to be scheduled in multiple sessions and recorded for accessibility.

City Manager Eric Tongate told council the two documents—board and commission member expectations and staff liaison responsibilities—are intended to clarify roles and limits and to help meetings run more effectively. "We have decided that we need to make it as accessible as possible," Tongate said, describing a plan for several sessions offered at different times, including evenings, weekends and recorded options so members who cannot attend in person can access the training.

Council members emphasized the resolution sets a baseline for responsibilities rather than precluding additional liaison duties tied to events. Mayor Pro Tem Sean Whitehead thanked the city clerk and legal staff for formalizing the change and noted that if the 'Junth' ordinance proceeds to adoption, council will need to fill several commission seats outside the normal appointment cycle.

Council held a first reading of an ordinance to amend Chapter 2 (Administration), Article 3 (Boards and Commissions) by adding a new Division 2 to establish a "Junth commission." The transcript repeatedly uses the term "Junth commission." The first reading passed by voice vote; council did not adopt the ordinance on final reading tonight.

Council approved the resolution and discussed next steps, including scheduling mandatory training (city staff suggested October–November and recording sessions) and later appointments to new commissions if the ordinance advances.