Village of Forest Park of the Council met Sept. 10.
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 Social Distancing regulations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the minutes from the July 27, 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.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the minutes from the July 27, 2020, Appropriation Public Hearing be approved.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Novak
The motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ten individuals spoke (via email) about their questions, concerns and ideas for the village-owned Altenheim property. Almost all expressed their desire to preserving green space vs. developing residential and/or other types of developments. In addition, community involvement and transparency were requested in making decisions about the future plans for this property. The individuals who expressed their public comment were: Andrea DiFebo, Sandy and Ken Ramage, Mike and Roberta Gillespie, Frank DiFebo, Theresa Marousek, Mary Jo Buffo, Samantha Cresswell, Jennifer Wolfe, Neil Driscoll, and Christopher Harris.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
None
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
It was moved by Commissioner Nero 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 $631,200.85.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously
R-48-20 RESOLUTION FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $631,200.85 APPROVED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Ordinance adopting Public Health Mitigation Guidance for COVID-19 in the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioner Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes and Nero
ABSENT: None
The motion failed.
MOTION TO ADOPT PUBLIC HEALTH MITIGATION ORDINANCE FAILS
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Ordinance granting approval of a Site Plan and Conditional Use for drive through facilities for a restaurant re: ZBA 2020-02: 161 South Harlem Avenue be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
O-26-20 ORDINANCE GRANTING SITE PLAN AND CONDITIONAL USE RE: ZBA 2020-02 161 S. HARLEM APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving Pay Request #1 for the 2020 Elgin Avenue Resurfacing Project to Lindahl Brothers Inc., be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously
R-49-20 RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST #1 FOR ELGIN RESURFACING APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero to appoint Ms. Maria Williams Baxter to the Police Pension Board to fill a vacancy.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioners Novak and Byrnes
The motion carried.
MS. MARIA WILLIAMS BAXTER APPOINTED TO POLICE PENSION BOARD
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Mr. Gillian was not in attendance because he was supervising emergency storm clean up and tree removal efforts.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Novak expressed his appreciation to Officers Flores and Miller, who responded and assisted him and his family in their time of need in response to the break-in of his residence.
Commissioner Nero reported that there have been a lot of trees and large branches down in Forest Park due to today’s severe storm. The commissioner warned residents that hanging branches could still cause dangerous conditions which may exist until the clean-up efforts are completed by crews. Commissioner Nero commented that he appreciates all of the comments regarding the status of the Altenheim property and he’s looking forward to working on the plan. Last, the commissioner reminded Mayor Hoskins that the Traffic and Safety Commission chair position is still open.
Commissioner Voogd urged everyone to stay safe in light of all of the trees down from today’s storm and thanked the Public Works crews for hustling to get the damages cleaned up. The commissioner further reminded everyone of the importance of completing the 2020 Census. Forest Park is only at a 66% response rate at this point. The Census workers will end their efforts on September 30th.
Mayor Hoskins reminded everyone that there is an on-site COVID testing facility in the parking lot of the Forest Park Walmart, and encouraged residents to take advantage of the local testing site. Next, the mayor discussed the upcoming fall flu season, in light of the COVID pandemic and reported that he is working in conjunction with Walgreens in setting up an outdoor flu shot clinic. His hope is that they can set up one or two dates (on a Saturday) to administer flu shots to the public. The Cindy Lyons Health Fair has been cancelled and hopefully this will allow those who normally get a free flu shot at the Health Fair to obtain their annual shot. The Walgreens flu shot clinic will not likely be free. Next, the mayor reported that he has been working with Tim Gillian and Village Engineer, Jim Amelio, to apply for a green infrastructure grant through the Metropolitan Plan Council, through the West Central Municipal Conference to retrofit two or three of our parking lots with permeable pavers. Mayor Hoskins echoed Commissioner Voogd’s comments about the importance of the Census. Workers are going door to door right now to obtain compliance. Forest Park’s goal is to exceed a 70% response rate. The mayor explained that the Census response dictates future Federal funding for the community, adding that Paramount is lending us space on one of their local billboards to encourage response by our hard- to-reach population and advertising the Census in 4 different languages. The mayor reminded Forest Park property owners that the village is working in coordination with Cook County Treasurer’s office by sending a staff member to be trained to assist in applications for refunds and exemptions they are entitled to. Last, the mayor discussed the Altenheim property and the funding for the demolition of the buildings. The mayor explained that when he and Commissioner Voogd lobbied in Springfield to get grant funding for this project, they told legislators that the goal would be to use the land for a Transit- Oriented Development. He and Administrator Gillian met with the Altenheim Board of Directors to begin discussions about the restrictive covenants and the use of the land. Discussions have been ongoing with the CTA as well regarding allowing two-way traffic on Van Buren Street. There are concerns about how to fund any use of the property. The village never planned to sell all of the property, but to keep some of it to maintain green space. The property is currently severely under-utilized. The village has obligations to fund pensions as well as to try not to excessively tax its residents. The mayor stated that it is his personal goal to find a sensible medium to utilize the property and continue to meet the financial obligations of the village.
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 8:06 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/8-10-20-Council-Minutes.pdf
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