Village of Forest Park Village Board met Jan. 27.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Hoskins led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Voogd, Nero and Mayor Hoskins answered the Roll Call.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the minutes from the January 13, 2020, Regular Meeting of the Village Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof.
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Nero to amend the January 13, 2020, regular meeting minutes under Commissioner Novak’s Commissioner report to add that Commissioner Novak said that he would be sending his questions to staff for answers. The clerk called the roll call on the amendment to the motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion carried unanimously.
The clerk was instructed to call the roll call on the main motion, as amended.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: None
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Jordan Kuehn, acting chair of the Forest Park Recreation Board, gave an update on what the board has been doing lately. There have been several members added and the board is now running with a full member board. They have been working on a 5-year Master Plan as well as actively seeking additional sources of funding. The Recreation Board meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month and all are welcome to attend. Mr. Kuehn added that a full report will be forthcoming to the Village Council later this year.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The Department of Public Health and Safety submitted its year-end 2019 report and the Fire Department submitted its December report
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution for the payment of bills be adopted. The Commissioner of Accounts and Finance has reviewed the bills as applicable to each department and found the aggregate amounts to be correct and recommends payment when funds are available. The bills totaled $392,875.07.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Ordinance abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2019 to pay the principal of and interest on the village’s $6,745,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds (alternate revenue source), Series 2012, of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Ordinance authorizing the sale or disposition of surplus property of the Village of Forest Park be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving a calendar year 2020 agreement with Edward-Elmhurst Occupational Health Services for a substance abuse random management program in the Village of Forest Park be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
There was unanimous consent to adopt the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring the week of February 10-16 “Kindness Week” in Forest Park. The clerk read the Proclamation aloud and First Grade Students Bryce Grandberry and Elena Baker presented the Council with Kindness Labels and met each of the Village Council Members.
There was unanimous consent to adopt the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring April 24, 2020, as Arbor day in the Village of Forest Park. Commissioner Voogd expressed her gratitude to Director John Doss and Administrator Gillian for their help in working towards the goal of obtaining the “Tree City USA” designation for Forest Park.
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Voogd to approve the request from Forest Park School District 91 to display banners promoting their second annual Kindness Week event.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Novak
The motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero to approve the request from Harlem Manner-Und Damenchor to hold German Fest on June 5th and 6th at the picnic grove.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes to approve the request from O’Sullivan’s Public House to erect a tent on Marengo at Madison for the St. Pat’s Parade Day event on Saturday, March 7th, 2020.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
None
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Novak stated that, in his effort to be fiscally sound and committed to push for transparency, he emailed staff, with questions after the last council meeting. The Commissioner thanked Fire Chief McDermott for his response and stated that he hopes the lack of other responses is not due to direction from the dais or other village staff.
Commissioner Nero expressed his appreciation to the Fire and Health and Safety departments for their efforts and work. The commissioner further stated that the Health and Safety Director’s work on clean up language to streamline processes and improve efficiency, making it better to do business in Forest Park are also appreciated. Last, the Commissioner reminded all that the Library’s Grand Re-opening event is Sunday, February 8th.
Mayor Hoskins further reported that the West Central Municipal Conference (WCMC) is holding their annual Legislative Breakfast on February 8th. All elected officials have been invited and are encouraged to attend and requested to respond. The WCMC includes leaders from the municipalities of Proviso, Leyden and Lyons townships, as well as State and County officials. The Mayor also received an email from our Congressman’s Chief of Staff. They are crafting an infrastructure bill at the federal level in May and have requested feedback. The mayor will forward the information from the Forest Park Infrastructure Plan to the congressman. Last week, the Mayor and Administrator met with the CSX Railroad to discuss the state of the railroad tracks between Ferrara Pan and Harlem. They are jointly working on a plan to keep this area clean and safe. The Harlem Manner-Und Damenchor expressed their desire to expand the scope of the annual German Fest and the expansion is welcomed. Last, the Mayor reported that he attended a meeting of the village’s 2020 Census Complete Count Committee and expressed his gratitude to all of the volunteers who are working toward the goal of improving Forest Park’s census survey response for 2020. The efforts of the Committee are being supported by promotional signs as well as on the electronic sign board at the Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved and Commissioner Byrnes seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
http://www.forestpark.net/dfp/sites/default/files/back/Regular%20Minutes%20012720_0.pdf
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