Village of Forest Park Village Council met April 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Hoskins led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins answered the Roll Call. Mayor Hoskins announced that all members are attending remotely via video teleconference due to Governor Pritzker’s Shelter-in-place order.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the minutes from the March 23, 2020, Regular Meeting of the Village Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Thomas Kovac submitted public comment to be read into the record. Mr. Kovac’s comments expressed his opinion that the publication of the official zoning map should be subject to a hearing in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals and his distrust of village government.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The Fire Department submitted its February and March reports.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
R-21-20 RESOLUTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $423,869.61 APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes 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 $423,869.61.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
O-17-20 ORDINANCE REIMPOSING MOTOR FUEL TAX APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution consenting to and supporting approval of Class 6b Incentive Abatement for the abandoned property commonly described as 7500 Industrial Drive 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.
R-23-20 RESOLUTION APPROVING AND PUBLISHING OFFICIAL ZONING MAP APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution approving and publishing the Official Zoning Map of the Village of Forest Park be approved. Village Attorney Peppers opined that this Resolution does not enact any zoning change on any property. It merely publishes any approved zoning changes since the last zoning map publication and updates the color coding to the American Planners’ Association standards.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-24-20 RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND BIDDING OF WATER TOWER REHABILITATION PROJECTS APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution approving the specifications and authorizing the advertising of bids for the Rehabilitation of the Two (2) Village of Forest Park-owned 500,000 Gallon Water Tower Tanks be adopted. It was discussed that this work can be awarded separately.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-25-20 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD FOR HANNAH PUMP STATION EMERGENCY GENERATOR APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution authorizing the award for the Hannah Pump Station Emergency Generator Project to Genco Industries Inc. be adopted. It was discussed that the grant money was awarded in 2014 and then suspended until now. We have already received about 25% of the grant from Illinois DCEO.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously
R-26-20 RESOLUTION AWARDING CDBG ELGIN AVENUE RESURFACING PROJECT TO LINDAHL BROTHERS APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution authorizing the award for the CDBG Elgin Avenue Resurfacing Project contract to Lindahl Brothers Inc. be adopted. It was discussed that once bids are received and evaluated, it will be determined whether the project will proceed.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously
R-27-20 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARAMEDIC SERVICES BILLING AGREEMENT APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Resolution authorizing the execution of a Paramedic Billing Services Agreement with Paramedic Billing Services Inc. to provide paramedic billing services to 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.
R-28-20 RESOLUTION APPROVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANT AGREEMENT APPLICATION WITH IEMA APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Resolution approving and ratifying the execution and submission of a Public Assistance Grant Agreement Application by and between the Illinois Emergency Management Agency of the State of Illinois and the Village of Forest Park for the COVID-19 Response be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
O-18-20 ORDINANCE EXTENDING STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Ordinance Confirming and Extending a Declared State of Emergency within the Village of Forest Park due to the COVID-19 Pandemic be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Administrator Gillian advised that the village was awarded another grant from DCEO, which was suspended a few years ago. This grant was for $550,000 for resurfacing the CTA parking lot. The engineer is currently working on specifications in the hope that the work can be done soon, while the lot is virtually empty. Mr. Gillian further expressed how severely the pandemic is affecting the Village of Forest Park’s finances. The revenue from sales tax, income tax, business licenses, liquor licenses, vehicle stickers, parking permits have all been halted since mid-March. Non-discretionary expenses such as pension funding continue. All spending is done only after express permission and Forest Park Bank is working on restructuring our loans to require interest only payments temporarily.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Novak thanked essential staff and first responders and expressed his appreciation for their dedication, urging all others to stay at home and safe and well.
Commissioner Byrnes echoed Commissioner Novak and added that it is good to see everyone’s faces.
Commissioner Nero stated that during this difficult time, we have to remember we are a Main Street Community and urged all to support the local small businesses if at all possible in the hope that they can come out of this and thrive in Forest Park.
Commissioner Voogd expressed similar sentiments and thanked village staff and first responders, reminding all to follow CDC guidelines and wear masks when out in public, in order to protect ourselves and others. Last the commissioner wished her Father-in-law a Happy Birthday.
Mayor Hoskins reported that Forest Park has been impacted by a number of COVID-19 fatalities, including business owner Tom Doulas, who owns Madison Park Kitchen, and former State Representative, Ted Leverenz. The mayor echoed the commissioners in thanking all of the first responders and essential staff at the village, who have been working extra hard, as well as to all of the religious congregations in Forest Park, who have been complying with the social distancing order and ceasing services. The Community Center continues to work with District 91 by distributing school lunches to students. Mayor Hoskins congratulated Village Clerk Moritz on her 15-year anniversary as clerk and thanked the Park District for providing the village and residents with the “Mobile Easter Bunny,” which was enjoyed by kids of all ages on Sunday. Last, the mayor encouraged residents to join the “Light it Blue” campaign, supporting Law Enforcement and First Responders, many of whom are veterans of the countries armed forces.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Novak moved and Commissioner Nero seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 7:43 P.M.
http://www.forestpark.net/dfp/sites/default/files/back/minutes%20041320.pdf
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