Village of Forest Park Village Board met April 27.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
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 Nero that the minutes from the April 13, 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
Ms. Julieta Aguilera submitted public comment to be read into the record. Ms. Aguilera expressed her concern about the village’s noise ordinance, citing disturbances from other houses using loud stereo equipment and subwoofers. Ms. Aguilera requested the Village Council amend the 100 foot distance of audibility during the day to a shorter distance.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
None
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
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 $398,748.51.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-29-20 RESOLUTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $398,748.51 APPROVED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Novak that the Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Marketing and Social Media Services agreement with Darien Marion-Burton d/b/a D.M. Burton Style be adopted. It was discussed that the village currently does not have a Facebook page and since the cancellation of the Code Red notification contract, the village needs a way to communicate with citizens. In addition, the service includes archiving of all posts to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. The firm was recommended by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and will have the ability to link the village’s website to the Facebook page.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: Commissioner Novak
ABSENT: None The motion carried.
O-19-20 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA AGREEMENT 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 CTA Blue Line Parking Lot Improvements be adopted. It was discussed that it would be preferable that the specifications include some green initiatives. The plans and specifications were developed in 2014, when the village was originally awarded the grant. The grant was withdrawn and now it is being awarded in 2020. After lengthy discussions, it was agreed that the Village Engineer would move forward if the Resolution is approved and provide alternates or addendums for the Village Council to consider when awarding the contract.
R-30-20 RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND BIDDING FOR CTA BLUE LINE PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes to table the Resolution approving the specifications and authorizing the advertising of bids for the CTA Blue Line Parking Lot Improvements.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioner Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes and Nero
ABSENT: None
The motion failed.
MOTION TO TABLEFAILS
The clerk was instructed to take the roll call on the main motion to approve the Resolution.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: Commissioner Voogd
ABSENT: None The motion carried.
ITEM #3 WITHDRAWN
Item No. 3 was withdrawn.
MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Clerk Moritz read the Mayor’s Proclamation declaring May 10- 16, 2020 as National Police Week.
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Nero 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
O-20-20 ORDINANCE EXTENDING STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC APPROVED
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Administrator Gillian advised that the village sent out a notification that yard waste and bulk pick up will return to normal service and will be extended an extra month in November. In addition, Business License renewals were sent out and the businesses were notified through the Chamber that those businesses that are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have until July 31st to renew, in coordination with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Municipal Parking Lot permits will be suspended through the month of May. Last, the village’s new Facebook page may be up and running as soon as tomorrow..
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Novak questioned whether we are suspending Business License renewals or pro-rating the license fees. In addition, the Commissioner asked about the gift card that was distributed to all employees from Christopher Burke Engineering, wondering how the restaurants were chosen. Last, Commissioner Novak thanked the residents for abiding by the stay at home recommendations, thanked staff for their dedicated work, and wished all to stay safe and be well.
Commissioner Byrnes had no report except to say that it is good to see everyone and to stay safe.
Commissioner Nero reported that construction is getting back to work on Circle from Brown to Franklin, to finish the work in the next few weeks. After that, work will begin on the South side of town on Elgin from Roosevelt to 16th Street, indicating that there will be intermittent no parking restrictions at time. The Commissioner urged all to be safe, happy and healthy.
Commissioner Voogd reported that Arbor Day was last Friday, and thanked Tim Gillian, John Doss for their assistance with the Tree City application and for getting everyone together for the celebration that we did not get to have. McAdams Landscaping still donated a tree, which was planted in coordination with the Park District. Last, the Commissioner urged those who are using disposable gloves and masks to please dispose of these items properly.
Mayor Hoskins stated that the Arbor Day tree planting was a nice event, adding that the tree planted was a Burr Oak tree, which is expected to become massive in size. In addition, the mayor has signed an executive directive strongly recommending people to cover their faces in public because it reduces the chance of spreading the Coronavirus. The mayor has been in discussions with other mayors and elected officials, sharing best practices with relation to COVID-19. The village may prorate business license fees, in order to provide relief to the small businesses in town who may be suffering due to the State’s shelter-in-place order. The mayor further urged the other elected officials to be flexible with considering helping small businesses and the possibility of providing face masks to these businesses so they can comply with the executive directive, adding that the village may be able to recoup some of these costs through FEMA reimbursement.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved and Commissioner Novak seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
http://www.forestpark.net/dfp/sites/default/files/back/Minutes%20042720.pdf
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