Village of Forest Park Village Council met Jan. 10.
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 Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the minutes from the December 13, 2021, Tax Levy Public Hearing be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Nero
The motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the minutes from the December 13, 2021, Regular 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 Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the minutes from the November 22, 2021, Closed Session Meeting of the Council be approved without reading as each member has received a copy thereof.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Nero
The motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the minutes from the December 13, 2021, Closed Session 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.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
The Fire department submitted its November, 2021, report and the Department of Public Health and Safety submitted its Calendar Year 2021 activity summary report. Commissioner Maxham commented that there were 1,726 permitted projects in 2021, requiring site visits by the Department of Public Health and Safety. The commissioner expressed her gratitude to the department.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
R-01-22
RESOLUTION APPROVING BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,084,089.30
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Resolution for the payment of bills be adopted. The bills totaled $1,084,089.30.
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:
FISCAL YEAR 2021 AUDIT REPORT PRESENTATION BY LAUTERBACH AND AMEN
Ms. Jamie Wilkey, Partner, Lauterbach and Amen, addressed the Village Council regarding the recently completed audit report for Fiscal Year 2021. Ms. Wilkey stated the following:
∙ The auditor’s opinion (pages 1 and 2) shows a clean audit, which is the highest opinion the Village of Forest Park can obtain. Additionally, the review of internal controls showed no findings.
∙ Pages 4-15 contain the Management Discussion and Analysis, showing a surplus in the general fund, primarily due to COVID-19 related revenue. Additionally, some long-term debt and payables have been retired.
∙ Recommendations were given under the Management Letter section.
∙ TIF compliance and reporting were examined showing clean reports and no findings.
Ms. Wilkey closed by stating that the village’s audit was a very clean first-year audit process and complimented Finance Director Olmsted on her efforts and capabilities.
R-02-22
RESOLUTION APPROVING AFSCME COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Resolution approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Village of Forest Park and AFSCME Local 3026 be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
R-03-22
RESOLUTION WAIVING IMRF HIRING FREEZE
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Resolution authorizing the waiver of the hiring freeze for IMRF employees regarding the hiring of a full-time Executive Secretary to the Mayor and a full time Accounts Payable Clerk be adopted. Commissioner Voogd expressed her disappointment in the hiring process.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Voogd
The motion carried.
APPROVED
O-01-22
ORDINANCE WAIVING BIDDING AND ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FOR SURVEILLANCE CAMERA SYSTEM FROM GRIFFON SYSTEMS, INC.
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Ordinance waiving bidding and authorizing the acceptance of a proposal from Griffon Systems, Inc. for the purchase and installation of surveillance cameras at various locations with the Village of Forest Park be adopted. Chief of Police, Ken Gross, gave an overview of the system, stating that the system will assist the police in preventing and solving crimes, as well as potentially locating stolen vehicles, and provide help in finding missing persons. The system includes license plate reader technology, In addition, the system will work in tandem with other agencies’ systems, allowing different municipalities to work together. Chief Gross further stated that there is no expectation of privacy on the public way. A draft policy for use of the system was included in the packet.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED'
O-02-22
ORDINANCE WAIVING BIDDING AND ACCEPTING PROPOSAL FOR ELECTRICAL SERVICE FROM LYONS & PINNER ELECTRIC
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Ordinance waiving bidding and authorizing the acceptance of a proposal from Lyons & Pinner Electric Companies for the electrical service required for the installation of surveillance cameras at various locations within the Village of Forest Park be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
R-04-22
RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND BIDDING FOR 510 DES PLAINES GREEN PARKING LOT PROJECT
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Resolution approving the specifications and authorizing the advertising of bids for the 510 Des Plaines Green Parking Lot Improvements Project be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
R-05-22
RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST #1 TO GENCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution authorizing the execution of Pay Request #1 for the Jackson and Austin Meter Vault Repairs Project to Genco Industries, Inc. be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
R-06-22
RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST #1 TO BURKE, LLC
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution authorizing the execution of Pay Request #1 for the Jackson and Austin Meter Vault Repairs Project to Burke, LLC be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
R-07-22
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING QBS OF CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING FOR COMMUTER BIKE FACILITIES PROJECT
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution authorizing the Qualified Bidding Selection (“QBS”) of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. For Phase I/II/III Engineering Services for the Forest Park Commuter Bike Facilities Project be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
O-03-22
ORDINANCE APPRVING DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS VEHICLE AND IPAD
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Ordinance authorizing the sale or disposition of surplus property (vehicle and IPad) of the Village of Forest Park be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED
SHORT STOP LOUNGE AND PIONEER TAP ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes that the Entertainment License application submitted by Short Stop Lounge (7425 Madison) and Pioneer Tap (7445 Randolph), be approved.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
LANTERN HAUS ENTERTANMENT LICENSE
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Entertainment License Application submitted by The Lantern Haus, 7414 Madison Street, be approved.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APROVED BY MOTION
AMERICAN LEGION RAFFLE LICENSE
It was moved by Commissioner Byrnes and seconded by Commissioner Maxham to approve the raffle license application submitted by the American Legion Post 414 for their fundraiser to be held on February 13, 2022.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BANNER REQUEST
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Byrnes to approve the request from the Historical Society of Forest Park to display banners promoting their Black History Month programming.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
HARLEM GERMAN CHORUS REQUEST TO HOLD GERMAN FEST
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham to approve the request from the Harlem German Chorus to hold a German Fest in the Picnic Grove on June 24, 2022 and June 25, 2022.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Byrnes, Maxham, Nero, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
APPROVED BY MOTION
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Administrator Amidei wished all those in attendance a Happy New Year. The administrator further congratulated all those who participated on the AFSCME bargaining team for the successful negotiation of the successor agreement. Last, Mr. Amidei announced the village’s soft rollout of the new CivicPay system, a user-friendly portal, which allows residents to view and pay their utility and other accounts.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Byrnes congratulated Finance Director, Tish Olmsted, on a great job heading up the annual audit.
Commissioner Maxham seconded Commissioner Byrne’s compliments to Director Olmsted, and expressed her gratitude. The commissioner announced the news that the village is planning to combine the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Plan Commission in February. This action should streamline the development process in Forest Park. Commissioner Maxham expressed her gratitude to Chief Gross, Administrator Amidei and Director Glinke on their research and work on the village wide camera system. Last, the commissioner announced new business openings by Francesca’s and Smoothish.
Commissioner Nero stated that the village has received multiple requests for salting in the alleys, and explained that we don’t salt alleys as the salt damages the concrete, and encouraged residents to clear snow behind their property to help avoid the ice buildup. Last, the commissioner called for volunteers for members to the village’s Safety and Traffic Committee, which has not been meeting for some time. Applications are on the village’s website.
Commissioner Voogd expressed her gratitude to Finance Director, Tish Olmsted, and Public Works Director, Sal Stella on their recent hard work on the annual audit and snow removal efforts.
Mayor Hoskins reported that Cook County is planning to re-open the max vaccination center at the old HOBO site on Roosevelt Road, on January 18, 2022.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved and Commissioner Byrnes seconded to adjourn into closed session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c), to consider the compensation of specific employees and the purchase of real estate. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/3A-011022VillageCouncilMinutes.pdf
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