Village of Forest Park City Council met Sept. 28.
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 and he is present in the Council Chambers due to Social Distancing regulations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the minutes from the August 24, 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, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Nero
The motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Betty Alzamora expressed her support for recruiting more women and people of color to fill open positions in the Fire and Police departments.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The Finance Department submitted its August, 2020 report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
It was moved by Commissioner Nero 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 $521,250.83.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-58-20 RESOLUTION FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $521,250.83 APPROVED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
It was moved by joint motion of the Village Council that the Resolution honoring Fire Chief Robert H. McDermott upon his retirement be adopted. The clerk read the resolution aloud and each Village Council member, along with Deputy Fire Chief Phillip Chiappetta and Former Fire Chief Steve Glinke all expressed their respect, congratulations, gratitude for service and the fact that Bob and his leadership will be missed.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously
R-59-20 RESOLUTION HONORING FIRE CHIEF ROBERT C. MCDERMOTT UPON HIS RETIREMENT APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Resolution appointing Phillip C. Chiappetta as the Fire Chief for the Village of Forest Park, Illinois be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: NoneThe motion carried unanimously
R-60-20 RESOLUTION APPOINTING PHILLIP C. CHIAPPETTA AS FIRE CHIEF APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Ordinance amending Title 3, entitled “Business and License Regulations” of the municipal code of the Village of Forest Park by adding Chapter 16, entitled “Raffles” be adopted. It was discussed that this amendment changes the licensing process designating that the Village Council approves the issuance of raffle licenses in the village.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: NoneThe motion carried unanimously
O-30-20 ORDINANCE AMENDING RAFFLE CODE APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Novak and seconded by Commissioner Nero to direct the Forest Park Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to appoint two candidates from its current Fire Lieutenant Eligibility list and two candidates from its current Probationary Firefighter Eligibility list to fill vacancies
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: NoneThe motion carried unanimously
MOTION DIRECTING THE BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS TO APPOINT TWO FIRE LIEUTENANTS AND TWO PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS APPROVED
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Administrator Gillian reported that the village was notified that they are receiving an Invest in Cook grant in the amount of $250,000.00 to be used to install a sidewalk along Van Buren from Madison Street to the CTA parking lot. This will provide better access to the Prairie Path and the work should be performed in 2021. Next the Administrator reported that he is attending a meeting this week to discuss Halloween activities in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the School District, the Community Center, the Library and the Park District, while following the CDC guidelines as it relates to COVID-19. Last, Administrator Gillian congratulated Fire Chief McDermott on his 32 years and thanked him for his help, guidance and counsel most recently with the COVID-19 pandemic, where Bob took the lead in protecting the village employees, residents and businesses. Last, Mr. Gillian congratulated and welcomed Phil Chiappetta as the new Fire Chief.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Novak wished retiring Chief McDermott good luck on a well-deserved retirement. The commissioner also congratulated Phil Chiappetta on his appointment to Fire Chief with the utmost confidence that he will succeed and is ready to fill the position. In addition, Commissioner Novak congratulated the retiring Fire Lieutenants and thanked them for their dedication and passion throughout their careers. Last, he expressed his excitement for the next chapter for the Fire Department and state he is in favor of having trick-or-treating this year.
Commissioner Byrnes congratulated Chief McDermott and thanked him for his service. The commissioner also welcomed Chief Chiappetta and said he is confident it will be a smooth transition for the Fire Department.
Commissioner Nero congratulated Chief McDermott on his retirement and Chief Chiappetta on his promotion. In addition, the commissioner reported that the IDOT work on the Circle Bridge has been pushed back to mid-October so far. Last, the commissioner expressed his disappointment in the census response in Forest Park, adding that it doesn’t take much time and it is the right thing to do to help the community we all live in.
Commissioner Voogd congratulated Chiefs McDermott and Chiappetta, wishing them both the best.
Mayor Hoskins congratulated and bid farewell to Chief McDermott, adding that Forest Park has been lucky to have him here all these years. The mayor also congratulated soon-to-be-Fire Chief Phil Chiappetta, stating his confidence in the continued professionalism in the Fire Department.
The mayor further reported the following:
• The Firefighters union is raising money to support Breast Cancer Awareness by selling masks for $10.00 each. Anyone wishing to purchase masks can go to www.local2753.com.
• The village is partnering with Walgreens and holding an outdoor Flu Shot Clinic on October 15th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Community Center. Priority will be given to Senior Citizens and there will be a limited quantity of vouchers for free shots.
• The village held an event last Saturday promoting Census responses. The mayor thanked his assistant, Tanzla Davis-Rodriguez, as well as Commissioners Byrnes and Voogd for their efforts in promoting Census counts in the village.
Chief McDermott thanked all of the Commissioners for their kind words and for supporting him, new Chief Phil Chiappetta and the Fire Department. This type of support really helps them to do their jobs. Bob pointed out the fact that his success is based on the people he works with. They are professionals who care both on and off the job. Bob added that after working here for 32 years, he will miss Forest Park and the Department, which has been a second home and family to him, adding that he is excited about the changes coming in the future.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved and Commissioner Voogd seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 7:47 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/9-28-Minutes.pdf
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