For the past month the Village Board has been in ongoing talks about whether to extend Village Manager Steve Jones’ expired contract.

On Monday, June 8 trustees met again behind closed doors for almost 2 1/2 hours to discuss, at least in part, Jones’ job status. It was the third such meeting since May, and while trustees have not made a firm decision, some said afterward they could be close.

“I think it’s possible the next time that we meet, likely,” Trustee Carl Henninger said Tuesday, June 9.
The Village Board is planning another executive session to discuss personnel at its Monday, June 15 workshop, Village President Mark Pfefferman said, but any formal vote would require a public meeting with advance notice.

“I think we’re at least two weeks out,” Pfefferman said.

Jones’ future in Glen Ellyn has been under consideration since the new members of the Village Board took over May 11. With the departure of former Village President Vicky Hase, his contract expired, according to a state law. Jones, who was hired in June 2008, has been working under the same conditions but without a permanent contract.

Because the contract is in effect until it is canceled or renewed, there is no rush to make a decision, Pfefferman said. The board now has held three executive sessions since May 11 — though the first, which convened around midnight after a long public meeting, lasted about 15 minutes.

“I think this is going to be reflective of our new board,” Henninger said. “We’re working toward what’s the best decision for the community. … That doesn’t involve making hasty decisions. That involves talking it out and making sure we’re taking all our questions as far as they need to go.”

Trustees largely have been tight-lipped about their closed-door discussions, other than to say they will continue.

“We’ve not made a decision yet,” Trustee Pete Ladesic said. “That’s about where it lies. I wish there is some resolution.”

Trustee Phil Hartweg said he has “kind of vacillated back and forth,” while Henninger said he, too, has not made up his mind. “I’m still weighing the pros and cons,” Henninger said.

Trustees Peter Cooper and Michelle Thorsell declined to speak on personnel matters. Trustee Jim Comerford was not immediately available to comment.

This week’s personnel talk came just a few days after the announcement of another transition in the village administration: Deputy Village Manager Curt Barrett’s appointment as Winfield’s village manager.

After Glen Ellyn’s previous village manager, Robin Weaver, stepped down in mid-2007, Barrett served as acting village manager until Jones was hired last summer.

But Pfefferman discounted how much Barrett’s departure will affect consideration of Jones’ job.

“The board hasn’t discussed (it),” Pfefferman said. “We have to discuss at some point whether to replace Curt, but that does not affect the village manager’s contract.”