Buffalo Grove going back to in-person meetings, reopening village facilities

With COVID-19 positivity rates falling, Buffalo Grove is returning to in-person village board meetings and reopening village facilities, officials announced Monday.

Evan Michel, assistant to the village manager, said the rolling average positivity rate in Buffalo Grove is hovering just above the "sweet spot" of 5% and trending downward.

"There are a lot of upcoming public meetings and public hearings going on right now that the board kind of needs to factor into this decision making process," he added

Among the key events is an upcoming public hearing on the proposed $150 million redevelopment of the Town Center shopping center.

"I think it's important that we get back to in-person meetings, particularly with our public hearings," Trustee Joanne Johnson said. "We have a big redevelopment of Town Center coming up. And I think to be transparent with our residents, we need to make it the easiest possible way for them to participate in that public hearing."

Trustee Andrew Stein said he's also ready to return to in-person meetings but added, "I just want to be cautious. We've got a Super Bowl coming up and we've got some other holidays coming up where people are going to be together."

Village Manager Dane Bragg said that based on conversations he has had with staff members, they prefer to work in-person, as long as the village follows social distancing and masking guidelines.

"So certainly, if we have any employees who are not comfortable being there in-person, we will accommodate that," he added.

Bragg said the lobbies at village hall and public works will reopen, but there may be a transition period. The village will provide updates through the its electronic newsletter and social media channels.

"Overall, I will say our residents have been very, very satisfied with the walk-up window service," Bragg said.