Village of Forest Park Village Council met Sept. 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Hoskins led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins answered the Roll Call.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the minutes from the August 23, 2021, Special Meeting of the Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Minutes from the August 23, 2021 Closed Session meeting of the Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof and found same to be correct.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Minutes from the August 23, 2021, Regular meeting of the Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof and found same to be correct.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Katie Murphy, President of AFSCME Local 3026, spoke representing village employees in the union, stating they are underpaid front-line employees and many have to work second jobs. In addition, Ms. Murphy stated that, despite agreeing to postpone wage increases in 2020 during COVID-19, the village is offering less than 1% in wage increases at the bargaining table. Ms. Murphy added that these employees deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and they need a living wage and further urged the Village Council to direct their representatives to negotiate with their union in good faith.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
None
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
R-73-21
APPROVAL OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $420,187.37
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution for the payment of bills be adopted. The bills totaled $420,187.37.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
R-74-21
RESOLUTION HONORING RETIRING CHIEF OF POLICE TOM AFTANAS
There was a joint motion and second by the entire Village Council that the Resolution honoring Chief of Police, Tom Aftanas, upon his retirement be adopted. The clerk read the resolution aloud and the elected officials, FOP president, Dan Miller, Former Village Administrator, Tim Gillian all expressed their appreciation and congratulations to the chief
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
O-29-21
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS POLICE VEHICLES
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Ordinance authorizing the sale or disposition of surplus property of the Village of Forest Park (police vehicles) be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
O-30-21
CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND ORDINANCE
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Ordinance pertaining to the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
COMMUNITY CENTER AGREEMENTS
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero to authorize the Mayor’s signature on agreements with Drury Lane Theatre, the Fireside Theatre and First Folio Theatre, associated with Senior Citizen and Community Relations functions organized by the Community Center
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
RAFFLE LICENSE FOR FAIR OAKS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham to approve the Raffle License application submitted by Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church in support of Sarah’s Inn for a raffle on October 16, 2021.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS RAFFLE LICENSE AND BANNER REQUEST
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes to approve the raffle license application and banner request submitted by Opportunity Knocks for their 14th Annual OK Classic fundraiser to be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
R-75-21
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH RUBY ROSE STRATEGIES
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution authorizing the execution of a communications consulting agreement between Ruby Rose Strategies, LLC and the Village of Forest Park be adopted. It was noted that the agreement is for six months.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
O-31-21
ORDINANCE AMENDING NUMBER OF LIQUOR LICENSES
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Ordinance amending Section 3-3-6, entitled “License Fee and Number,” of Chapter 3, entitled “Liquor Control,” of Title 3, entitled “Business and License Regulations” of the village code of ordinances of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, be adopted. It was noted that the purpose is to issue a liquor license to the new restaurant White Crane at 819 Harlem Avenue.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd
and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Administrator Amidei expressed his recognition and appreciation to Karen Dylewski and her team as well as to the Public Works department and all of the village team who worked so hard on the fantastic Ribfest, which was held last Saturday. It was a truly special event and the administrator expressed his gratitude to all who contributed.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Byrnes echoed the administrator’s sentiments regarding Ribfest, adding that it was a well-coordinated event, and thanked all of the departments and volunteers who were a part of it.
Commissioner Nero reported that Forest Park was granted a $360,000 CDBG grant from the county, which will be used towards a new 48” diameter storm sewer. The commissioner expressed his pride and gratitude to Administrator Amidei as well as to Burke Engineering who worked so hard to obtain the grant. Next the commissioner recognized 3 of our Police Officers who responded to an incident and pulled two unconscious victims out of a burning car and successfully resuscitated them, saving their lives. Officers, Awad, Marti and Flores are worthy of a special recognition for their life-saving efforts. Commissioner Nero further reported that they are whittling down the list of candidates to fill the two positions. Last, the construction projects on Thomas and Monroe are completed.
Commissioner Voogd commented on the successful Rifest event, thanking Karen Dylewski, the Public Works department and all those involved in the setup, operations and cleanup of the event.
Mayor Hoskins echoed the sentiments regarding the Ribfest , adding that the Community Center, Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments did a great job and made Forest Park look good. Next the mayor commented that we have recently received many complaints about excessive noise coming from vehicles passing through town. Not only have signs been posted prohibiting the offense, the police department has been issuing tickets to offenders. Next, the mayor addressed concerns about aggressive panhandlers and drug use along the north side of the Eisenhower expressway. The village has contacted the county as well as IDOT requesting they install fencing as was done on the south side to prevent the problem. Last, the mayor recognized and thanked volunteers, John Cunningham and Rob Saul, for their beautification efforts and plantings in the village, including an updated fall-themed corner near Ed’s Way.
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 7:45 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/3A-091321VillageCouncilMinutes.pdf
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