Okay, we're going to get started with the Committee of the Whole meeting.
Okay, good evening. It's 6:57 p.m. on Monday, August 10th, 2026. I'd like to
call to order the Village of Brookfield Committee of the Whole meeting.
Mike, will you roll call for the committee, please?
» Trustee Katchmar. >> Here.
» Trustee Whitehead. >> Here.
» Trustee Hendricks. >> Here.
» Trustee Nerematsu. Trustee Gilhooley. >> Here.
» Trustee Kalo. >> Here.
» President Garvey. >> Here.
» Thank you, Mike. Okay, well, we have one item up to discuss under regular
business, a discussion concerning November referendum to finance a 25-year
bond improvement program. Um, this has been an obviously ongoing
discussion. The board previously approved the language for the ballot
question. Um,
had a very very good conversation at the previous Committee of the Whole meeting
about um, what steps can be taken going forward if if the referendum pass, and
there's some talk about the education campaign. We have a very detailed memo,
and uh I'm going to Tim, you want to take the lead? I'm going to turn it over
to Tim to kind of let us know what's happened information
since the last board meeting, what's uh what the next steps recommended for the
board are. >> Thank you, President Garvey. As as
you've said, we've had a lot of discussion about the referendum program,
and a lot of progress. We have a question that's been filed
to be put on the ballot for the referendum has been filed with the
county. So, we're all set in that regard. We are ready to work with Mek
first strategies to start. We've already started a little bit of the public
education campaign, but I would like to finish that, and then then obviously
continue with that as we lead up to November.
Um, it really
the lion's share of the money for this referendum is going to be for roads. We
we all know that and and that's I think clearly understood.
Where we've had a lot of discussion and a lot of good lively debate is should we
include an alley program with that? The challenge is we don't know what the
alley program is going to consist of yet. And clearly staff, we don't know
yet. We we don't know what it should or would consist of. The board is I think
grappling with that. And so I understand that and it's logical that at this point
in time that's that's that's the reality of
where we are. So we've met. Staff has met since last
board meeting with our consultants. And it is our collective recommendation to
at this point start the public education campaign.
Focus on where the lion's share of the money is going and that is the roadway.
And talk about the what we're how we're going to
maintain the road in a 25-year road program. How that is going to be funded
consistently through this funding source without raising properties taxes on our
residents. Um
and then in the public education campaign say that if the referendum
passes, we commit and the village board commits to holding uh public workshops,
public meetings, and having more discussion about what and how should our
alley program consist of as we move forward. And uh we can lay out all the
options there. We can have more uh comments, more analysis much as we'd
like. Um at least we'll know then if we have this money available, it won't be
all the cut-offs and what-ifs and should-ofs. It'll be this is the money
we have. This is the best way to spend it. And then we'll come back after these
workshops, come back to the village board, we'll have further discussions
about that. So campaign, focus on the road program,
alley program we commit to having more public
discussion about it and then public input coming back to the board for a
final call on that. Okay. Questions or comments from the
board?
» I I know there was a I know this has been in the works for quite a while and
I know there's a kind of an education campaign and
strategy, um which I think was already I know it's already started with the basic
uh first post and email. Um
I assume there's a like a regular schedule or information we're going to
get out that include I mean and I know staff does a good job of as the board
has anticipating frequently asked questions and those are things that
you'll be able to address in the materials.
» Yeah, this is the uh the same slide we showed a couple meetings ago, the our
intended public outreach schedule. Uh we're going to focus the rest of the
summer into the September on additional website updates, social media posts.
Uh we were going to host uh pop-up events
at probably the farmers market and identify other suitable events as well,
but farmers market seems to be the most logical place to do this.
A big push and a big uh obvious our one piece of of written information
that gets mailed out, the only piece that gets mailed out to every home in
and every property owner in Brookfield is the is the Brookfielder. That's
coming out in the fall. We would have a an article in the next edition of that.
And then in October uh our idea is to host an open house
here in this room. Uh be available, have the key individuals available for
questions and answers. Again, another website update in
October. Um and then in middle to late October, we're going to be sending out
an information pamphlet every home in every property owner in Brookfield.
And then obviously the referendum then is November 2nd. Or I'm sorry, the
referendum is November 3rd, Tuesday. That's the schedule that we talked about
in the past. >> Okay.
All right. I mean, that so staff's recommendation and you know, the last
meeting there was a lot of conversation about this and I think it was
clear from the board there wasn't a clear-cut decision made, but I also
thought there was a clear direction from the board that
we would need more public input on any decision on any what an alley paving
program would look like in terms of funding and cost match or anything like
that. And I think thought there was a kind of consensus
that that really couldn't be worked out or agreed in this period of time and
couldn't be done without I mean, I envision that being a pretty large
public input, maybe a special meeting or a special committee of the whole item
where it's advertised that we're talking about that dedicate a lot of time to
taking public input on any program going forward. So
» Yeah, I agree. I I know we've heard consistently from staff that it's the
the number one issue that they hear about from residents. And I know we've
gotten a few public comments at our board meeting discussions, but
um certainly not, you know, the level of comment that I think is represented of
the community as a whole. So I feel like if we're going to
before we can make uh decisions about the specific structure
of the program and the cost share, I feel like we need to hear more from
residents, particularly if our if our goal is to ultimately get more alleys
paved. We want to know how they feel about uh you know, residents taking on
portion of the cost and the the associated timeline or the village's
role. Um so I I think this is the the right approach in terms of uh the
high-level messaging on the alleys and if the referendum were to pass
um to work out the details collaboratively with residents.
» Uh I I agree. I I like the approach of taking more time and getting more
village um property owner input. We have seen only two submissions to the current
program in quite a while. So that either says either people don't want their
alleys paved or they that program isn't working for them. So clearly we need
some other options and it would be great to hear from people and see which way
they're leaning um and any other ideas. I know we have also a lot of creative
people and and talented professionals in the community that I'm sure have some
some ideas to share or maybe they've lived in other communities that have
had other solutions. So I'd I'd love to hear more from the people.
» I would agree with all that's been said. But adding on to that, I think we have
to put our focus on
the referendum passing and what that's about because that's about the streets.
Um
You know, when we in 2016, we we went to referendum for the series
of bonds that were issued. Those bonds are expiring now.
There is no continuing source of revenue for streets after these bonds are little
the bonds I think it was over what? Two uh
six years that we issued them two years apart. Three issues so that you know,
the the payments gradually went up and the
payments are gradually coming down. This would take the place of that. If if
we do not do this, there isn't a funding source for continuous street
improvements. I think that has to be the largest part
of our education cuz if you simply read the question that's being put out there
to the voters, it's pretty hard to understand what that
means. And I mean, we explained it with the you know, the question and answer
and that. We got to keep putting that out there time after time after time
explaining what the question is, what it's about. Um
you know, the idea that your taxes will not go up with this, that's key to it. I
mean, that this is taking the place of paying off the bonds.
That should be our chief focus with this.
Uh the other thing I mentioned, President Garvey mentioned at the last
meeting, looking at the dates of the postings in that, do we remember the
early voting? So, I don't know if that's 30 days prior
to that, but some of these things might be a moot
point if it's coming out, you know, the day
before election day, cuz people been voting for a month.
» Yeah, I thought that early voting is important because I I don't know all the
exact numbers, but I know this is in general the Village of Brookfield
site for early voting is one of the more popular ones in the
suburbs, and if people are going to if more Brookfield residents are going to
take advantage of that, um it does change the timetable and
schedule in terms of getting the message out. I mean, we've dealt
with this over the years in, you know, local elections and things you the whole
the whole timetable changed a little bit with early voting, and when you have an
early voting site that's convenient and accessible,
um I know there's still people that like to vote on election day, and I'm one
that tends to do that. I think I voted early voting last year for
due to a schedule conflict, but there's a lot of people that like to vote on
election day, but there are also a lot of people that vote early, and they've
already obviously voted and made up their mind before some of this has come
out, so that's why I, you know, raised the issue, and I think that's an
important part of the education campaign is to get [clears throat] the
information out there as early as possible and maybe expedite
the schedule and the dot in terms of the key pieces getting out there and
continue all the way through to election day in terms of getting the education
materials out there. And again, just to echo Trustee
Ketchmark's point, I mean, you were on the board I think you were
president in 2016, so he he was something in 2016.
He was sitting in he was sitting in this seat. He's
He's been something for a long time. >> [laughter]
[snorts] >> But we, you know, and I was I was on the
board also and and we did talk about that that that that referendum was
necessary to and Barb you've been around too. You
this was to this was we portrayed it and it was true at the time. This was at
that point we were doing a catch-up from years of not funding streets properly.
So this large bond issue was needed to get the streets to a level
um that they should be at and we did live up to that commitment
and um did what we said we were going to do
with the bond money and we did improve the streets but staff was very clear and
Derek from Hancock Engineering and Dan have been very clear that
the streets have a useful life and we do maintain them. We do take good care of
them but they don't last forever. It's it's
like owning a house when you replace the roof, you know,
you hope you don't have to replace it again for however how many years but you
know at some point if you're going to be around long enough and
Barb I hope none of us get hit by a bus and I hope a lot of us serve around.
I'd like to be around to see some streets get done too. So uh
but it's our obligation to plan for the future even if some of us might not be
around. We can't just say, well, we got us
through this you know, 20-year period. We got the streets fixed over 20 years
and now whoever's in next figure it out how to
do it. We do have to give them a source of revenue to do this and Barb
I know you look at your tax bill and I look at my tax bill and you could say
how much your village tax bill went up over the years and I
don't doubt your numbers and figures but other taxing bodies their their rates
have gone up also and what you get out of your village taxes, I know you're a
very careful person who looks at things and watches things but you know that
that line item for your property tax bill for the Village of Brookfield go
they're going to add more tax dollars to other things but
I am certain that we need these funds from the referendum to keep the streets
at the level that we have them now and improve them over the next, you know,
the the plan we have to improve them over the next 25 years is what we need
to do to be responsible. I think the easiest thing in the world
for some of us to do is say, "Look, we got us to this point. Let's just step
back and forget it. Let the next group figure it out."
That's not how this board has worked and that's not how the staff has worked. We
plan for the future and this is part of our planning for the future. We're going
to try and educate the residents and put out the best information we can and
we're going to explain if it passes, this what's going to
happen. We will also be very honest and say if it doesn't pass, that this is the
problem and this is what's going to happen. Streets will not be able to be
maintained at the level recommended going forward and then,
you know, there might have to be cuts in other areas or different things. I'm
never going to be able to come up with an additional $2 million
um that we need to do the streets. We'll do the best we can, um but it's just the
streets aren't going to be maintained the proper way without some other cuts
or other significant changes. So, I think that's what this is all about.
Trustee Catchmark keeps hitting on it and I think
the board agrees, it's an education campaign. We're going to make our case.
This is why it's needed. This is what it's needed for.
And what we said back in 2016, we lived up to and we meant it.
A lot of things have changed in the world in 2000 since 2016. There's been a
lot of things that have changed the financial impact and cost for everyone.
And I know homeowners face large increased costs and large increased tax
bills and more money at the pumps and more money
at the grocery stores, but we as a village with your money face the same
things. Our vehicles cost more. Our gas for those vehicles cost more.
Our employee, we have to pay our employees to keep them. Those Those
costs also go up for the village. We kind of
we treat the village like you treat your family budget. We have to do the same
thing. We have to keep up. So, as costs have increased for everyone, we've tried
to do the best we can to be responsible, so
we'll do the best we can with the education campaign and let the voters
decide.
» On the education campaign, I I feel like um
in particular the article in the Brookfield err and the direct mail piece
to residents will be critical in terms of informing folks.
I know we have social media in here and I know there's always online chatter
about ideas like this, but I think we need to keep in mind that that's a
really limited audience the people who are engaging with this content on
on social media. Um so I I I trust we'll be putting
proper attention and resources into the direct mail piece and the Brookfield err
article and I hope that we as a board, I don't know if it's in one of our
September meetings, have an opportunity to provide input maybe on the direct
mail piece. I understand we're not going to be advocating for voting uh one way
or another, but as as Trustee Ketchmark and and others have said the referendum
question itself is not self-explanatory, right? So we need
to make sure um that residents understand what they're voting on and I
think in particular the direct mail piece and the Brookfield err article um
will be critical to achieving that goal.
» And I I hope people understand, we've said this several times,
we didn't choose that language on the ballot by choice. We didn't get to write
our own language. That's what's required by state statute and it's it we admit
that it's confusing, but we didn't choose that language to confuse anyone.
We could have put it a lot simpler, but uh
when lawyers and legislators get involved, things get messy. I mean, we
could we if we chose the language we wanted, I think it would be a lot
clearer what what the vote's about, so I hope people I hope the residents
understand that.
Other questions or comments from the board?
Okay. Well, thank you for the informational
update. I think there's a clear con- consensus on the direction. I You
know, as the you know, information about the you know, education campaign goes
forward, information that can and should be shared with the board, please do so.
Um I I know we have consultants and I know
we have very knowledgeable staff, but we also have board members up here
who are familiar with the community and familiar with uh
and I think they could give some good input. So, uh if there's any
opportunity for input from the board, uh please reach out to the board and give
them the opportunity to do that. So. And I know there's been a lot of time
spent on this already and I know there's going to be a lot of time spent on it
going forward. So, thank you. All right. Anything else from anybody on
this topic? Okay.
Um that's the only item we had up for discussion tonight. I'm going to once
again open it up to public comment. I'm going to switch. First time, anybody on
this side?
Anybody on this side? Okay, hearing no public comment. Tim, is
there need for executive session? >> No.
» Okay. At 7:16 p.m. I'd entertain a motion to
adjourn the committee of the whole meeting.
» So moved. >> So, it's Trustee who was
Trustee Klusena and then who was Trustee Nerematsu or Trustee Katchmar? Motion by
Trustee Klusena, second by Trustee Katchmar. Roll call, please.
Trustee Katchmar. >> Aye.
» Trustee Whitehead. >> Aye.
» Trustee Hendricks. >> Aye.
» Trustee Nerematsu. >> Aye.
» Trustee Kahoun. >> Aye.
» Trustee Klusena. >> Aye.
» Motion carries. Okay, we're adjourned at 7:16 p.m. Thank you for coming.