Village of Forest Park City Council met Oct. 26.
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 Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the minutes from the October 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
None
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The Fire Department submitted its September, 2020 report.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
R-68-20 RESOLUTION FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $845,176.53 APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Nero 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 $845,176.53.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
R-69-20 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ITEP GRANT APPLICATION APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of an application for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Grant for the Forest Park Bike Commuter Facilities Project be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-70-20 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAY REQUEST FOR HANNAH PUMP STATION EMERGENCY GENERATOR PROJECT APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Resolution authorizing the execution of Pay Request #2 for the Hannah Pump Station Emergency Generator Improvement Project to Genco Industries be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
MS CHANTELLY MANZANARES APPOINTED TO LIBRARY BOARD
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Voogd to appoint Ms. Chantelly Manzanares to the Library Board to fill the vacancy left by Karen Childs
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
WEST COOK YMCA BANNER REQUEST APPROVED BY MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero to approve the request from the West Cook YMCA to display banners promoting their Annual Christmas Tree sales lot
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
OPRF INFANT WELFARE SOCIETY RAFFLE PERMIT APPROVED BY MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd to approve the raffle permit requested by the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Novak, Byrnes, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Administrator Gillian reported the following:
• Library Director, Pilar Shaker, notified the village that the library will be closed for about four days for deep cleaning due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.
• In an effort to provide a safer environment for the November 3rd election, Village Hall offices will be closed to the public. There will be two precincts polling in the lower level. Staff will be on hand to answer phone inquiries and for maintenance throughout the day. Citizens who have any concerns about interference with voting should call 911 for police service.
• The State has imposed new COVID-19 guidelines for restaurants and bars starting at midnight Tuesday. There is no indoor seating allowed
• Halloween trick-or-treating is allowed on Saturday. Those who participate, should not go onto porches or ring individual doorbells.
• IDOT has informed the village that the work on Circle Bridge should be done and the bridge should be open by 6:00 tomorrow.
• The FEMA guidelines for reimbursement under the CARES act have changed as time goes by and many of the expenses we thought were going to be reimbursed by the Federal government may now be ineligible for payment.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Novak reminded everyone to turn back their clocks and replace their smoke detector batteries this weekend. The commissioner further wished everyone a happy and safe Halloween.
Commissioner Byrnes echoed Commissioner Novak and wished everyone a safe and happy Halloween.
Commissioner Voogd thanked the sponsors and participants of the Halloween “Pots on Parade” event and appreciates the time and creativity that was put into the event. The commissioner further urged residents to follow the state COVID-19 restrictions and mask recommendations, explaining that individuals need to focus on fighting the virus, instead of fighting the mask requirement. In addition, Commissioner Voogd encouraged everyone to help the local businesses this holiday season in any way they are able.
Mayor Hoskins reported the following:
• 2 local businesses (Kribi Coffee and Danche Guitar) were awarded the Illinois Makers’ Award.
• In the last several months, the police department has reported an increase in identity theft. Several residents have reported that the received a notice from the Illinois Department of Employment Security about an unemployment claim that they never applied for. Residents were directed to call 911 if they receive any such notice, and to notify their employer as well.
• One police officer in the village has reported that he tested positive for COVID-19. He is doing fairly well and no other employee cases resulted from it.
• Commissioner Voogd made some good points this evening and the mayor expressed his hope that the restrictions are short-lived and that the businesses comply.
• There has been an increase in panhandlers along the expressway ramps and intersections. The Police Department is ramping up patrols and issuing citations as necessary.
• We have received several complaints about large numbers of motorcycles and the resulting noise violations and disturbances along Madison Street. We posted signs and they seem to be working. The mayor expressed his thanks to both the Police and Public Works Departments for their efforts.
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 7:26 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/minutes-102620.pdf
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