Village of Forest Park Village Council met Oct. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Hoskins led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins answered the Roll Call.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the minutes from the October 10, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof and found same to be correct.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the minutes from the October 10, 2023, Closed Session meeting of the Council be approved.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Steven and Mary Keating stated that they have not received a response to their request for a waiver and indemnity from the contractor who is building 7713 Wilcox, next door to their house. They further requested advance written notice of any time the contractor is required to access the construction site through their property. They expressed their concern about liability, with construction being so close to their property.
Ms. Gayle Reis stated that she requested a solution through the Safety and Traffic Commission for the corner of Randolph and Marengo, where she feels it is not safe for pedestrian traffic. Ms. Reis stated that nothing has been done since she addressed this body 18 months ago. In addition, her daughter was hit in her wheelchair in the crosswalk at Madison and Des Plaines and Ms. Reis expressed her surprise that the driver was not issued a ticket for striking a pedestrian.
Mr. Steven Backman stated that the construction at both 7713 Wilcox and 838 Circle are not in conformance with the village’s building code and are out of compliance, and accused the village’s building department of not enforcing its own building code.
Ms. Samantha Abernethy requested that the village close down Madison Street for its Holiday Walk this year as it’s difficult for parents to navigate the event with children and/or a stroller. Ms. Abernethy further urged the village to act to support asylum seekers, who are currently living in police stations in the City of Chicago very near to Forest Park.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The Fire Department submitted its September, 2023, report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution for the payment of bills be adopted. The bills totaled $430,936.89.
R-94A-23 APPROVAL OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $430,936.89 APPROVED
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Ordinance waiving bid and approving and authorizing the execution of a Professional Financial Services Agreement with Lauterbach & Amen, LLP for the Finance Department of the Village of Forest Park, Illinois be adopted. It was discussed that this work will be supervised by Finance Director Olmsted.
O-48-23 ORDINANCE APPROVING FINANCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LAUTERBACH & AMEN APPROVED
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Ordinance authorizing the Buildout purchase for two (2) Village of Forest Park Police Department 2023 Dodge Durango police vehicles be adopted.
O-49-23 ORDINANCE APPROVING BUILDOUT OF TWO POLICE VEHICLES APPROVED
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution to approve and authorize the execution of a Professional Engineering Services Proposal for the Village Hall Parking Lot Paving Project by and between Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. and the Village of Forest Park be adopted.
R-95-23 RESOLUTION APPROVING ENGINEERING AGREEMENT FOR VILLAGE HALL PARKING LOT APPROVED
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution authorizing the execution of an extension to an Intergovernmental Agreement by and between the County of Cook and the Village of Forest Park for the Van Buren Street Multi-Use Path Grant be adopted.
R-96-23 RESOLUTION APPROVING EXTENSION TO GRANT AGREEMENT WITH COOK COUNTY FOR VAN BUREN MULTI-USE PATH APPROVED
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving Pay Request #1 for the Water Tower Paving Project from Chicagoland Paving Contractors, Inc. be adopted.
R-97-23 RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST #1 TO CHICAGOLAND PAVING CONTRACTORS, INC. APPROVED
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero to approve the 2024 Village of Forest Park Council Meeting Schedule as proposed by Clerk Moritz.
2024 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE APPROVED BY MOTION
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin to approve the requests from Housing Forward to display banners promoting their Annual Winter Appeal and their Giving Tuesday events.
HOUSING FORWARD BANNER REQUESTS APPROVED BY MOTION
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin to approve the ratification of the request from the Forest Park Theater Group to the village’s picnic grove for their event.
FOREST PARK THEATER GROUP USE OF PICNIC GROVE APPROVED AND RATIFIED BY MOTION
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
None. Interim Village Administrator, Rachell Entler, was not in attendance due to being out of town for a professional conference.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Maxham reported that she participated in the Fire Department’s extrication raining at Nobs Towing, and expressed her gratitude to Chief Chiappetta and Nobs Towing for allowing her to be included. School District 91 PTO is holding a Day of Service event, benefiting the Forest Park Fridge on November 11th, from 11:00 to 3:00 at the Forest Park Middle School. Last, the commissioner thanked the Chamber of Commerce and all those who participated and contributed to this weekend’s Casket Races event.
Commissioner Nero reported that he received a lot of interest and questions from out-of-town friends and relatives about the Casket Races, adding that it was also on the news. The commissioner further reported that there has been some positive movement with the two cannabis dispensaries, which are under plan review and the building permits should be issued soon. In addition, the dilapidated house on the 800 block of Harlem is finally slated for demolition and rebuild, and the U-Haul Storage Facility demolition is starting soon. Last, Commissioner Nero stated that he would help the Safety and Traffic Commission in any way that he can.
Commissioner Melin-Rogovin reported that the Safety and Traffic Commission held a robust meeting and they should be reporting to the Village Council as to their recommendations in November. The commissioner recommends that they report twice yearly. The commissioner further reported that she held a community meeting last week at the Library to receive citizen input and feedback. Last, there will be a flag pole ceremony honoring our veterans and first responders on November 9th at Village Hall.
Commissioner Voogd commented on the successful Casket Races and thanked Recreation Board members Megan and Amy, who distributed flyers promoting the Dog Park and Pumpkin Smash event. The pumpkin smash is being held on November 4th from 9 to noon, and will facilitate the composting of pumpkins that are smashed. The commissioner expressed her gratitude to Director Stella and the Public Works department for their work setting up and cleaning up the Casket Race event. The C-4 subcommittee for Green Landscaping Technology will be gathering data from citizens and contractors in the near future. Survey links will be distributed in the village’s newsletter. Last, the commissioner thanked those citizens who took their time to come to this evening’s meeting to offer public comment.
Mayor Hoskins commented that it was a tragedy that Ms. Reis’ child was hit by a car. The reality is that the village does our best to control the street, however we can’t always control traffic. The village and its first responders take traffic safety seriously, care and go beyond the call of duty to support the citizens when it comes to safety. The mayor wished his best to all of the village’s first responders.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved and Commissioner Maxham seconded to adjourn into closed session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to consider litigation. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 7:51 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/minutes-10232023.pdf
Alerts Sign-up