Village of Forest Park Village Council met Aug. 28.
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 Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, 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 Maxham that the minutes from the August 14, 2023, 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 Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Steven Backman commented about the minutes from August 14, 2023, stating that the discussion about the approval of bills was educational and a roadmap of how things can be discussed and possibly objected to and questioned whether there could be more notes about the discussion in the minutes.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
None
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
R-71-23 APPROVAL OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $541,498.46 APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution for the payment of bills be adopted. The bills totaled $541,498.46.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
R-72-23 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution authorizing the execution of an Employment Separation and Release Agreement be adopted.
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin to recess into closed session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioner Voogd
NAYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin and Mayor Hoskins
ABSENT: None
The motion failed.
The clerk was instructed to take the roll call on the main motion.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Voogd
The motion carried.
R-73-23 RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND BIDDING OF VILLAGE HALL AND COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution approving the specifications and authorizing the advertising of bids for the Village of Forest Park 2023 Village Hall and Community Center Parking Lot Improvements Project be adopted. It was discussed that the current estimate for this project is $201,000, while the budgeted funds were $155,000. The VIP fund contingency has $225,000, so we will have to be careful about spending. It was further discussed that the village has already expended funds for the engineering portion of the project and added that we will continue to seek grant funding and green initiatives, whenever possible.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-74-23 RESOLUTION APPROVING SPECIFICATIONS AND BIDDING OF 2023 SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving the specifications and authorizing the advertising of bids for the Village of Forest Park 2023 Sidewalk Improvement Project be adopted. It was discussed that although this is a necessary safety initiative, the current estimate is $90,000, while the budgeted funds were $60,000. Depending on the bidding, any overage on the project will have to come out of the VIP contingency as well.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
R-75-23 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF PUBLIC WORKS PICKUP PLOW TRUCK APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution authorizing and approving the purchase of a 2024 Ford F-250 extended cab 4X4 Pick-up Truck with “V” Plow and Emergency Lighting be adopted. It was discussed that this high-priority vehicle will not be delivered until 2024, and should be paid for out of the Fleet Fund. There was further discussion that the fleet fund is being depleted and with the decreasing revenue from the gas tax, it will take about 9 months to fund the purchase of this vehicle.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
O-38-23 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING TREE PRUNING PROPOSAL FROM DAVIS TREE CARE APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Ordinance waiving bid and authorizing the acceptance of a proposal for Village Parkway Tree Pruning by and between Davis Tree Care and the Village of Forest Park be adopted. It was discussed that this action will help the village maintain its “Tree City USA” status as well as get the village caught up on necessary maintenance on our urban forest management plan.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
O-39-23 ORDINANCE AMENDING ZONING MAP FOR 723 DES PLAINES REZONING FROM B-1 TO I-1 APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Ordinance amending the Village of Forest Park Zoning Code Map to allow the rezoning of a property from B-1, Neighborhood Shopping District to I-1, Light Industrial District in the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois re: PZC 2023-02: 723 Des Plaines Avenue, be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
O-40-23 ORDINANCE GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE FOR REPLACEMENT OF BILLBOARD IN I-1 ZONING DISTRICT APPROVED
It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Ordinance granting a conditional use permit for the replacement of an existing billboard with an electronic billboard in the I-1 District in the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois re: PZC 2023-03: 723 Des Plaines Avenue, be adopted.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
GIRL SCOUTS FUNDRAISING REQUEST APPROVED BY MOTION
It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd to approve the request from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to conduct their Fall Product sales from December 2023 through May, 2024.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
The motion carried unanimously.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
None
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:
Commissioner Maxham passed along the sentiments of a village resident who wanted to recognize John Cunningham and Rob Sall, who have planted the areas along Beloit and Thomas and Harvard streets. These two gentlemen have spent countless hours and their own funds to beautify and maintain these plantings. The resident encouraged the village to present these men with a beautification award. The commissioner further expounded on her comments about the village’s budget, reminding the elected officials to stay focused and consider whether the village needs to cut some of the “luxury” services provided or find another path forward to increase revenue.
Commissioner Melin-Rogovin reported that she met with Cook County Assessor, Fritz Kaegi regarding the upcoming Forest Park reassessments and his commitment to work with Forest Park to hold a workshop for residents to find out about the appeal process. The commissioner further reported that the Safety and Traffic Commission is planning to hold a public information event for residents to understand the duties and process the commission follows. The next meeting is September 21st.
Commissioner Voogd reported that the Garage Galleries event was a success and a really fun event. Also, the commissioner expressed her gratitude to staff , who work with the community on a daily basis.
Mayor Hoskins reported that District 91 dedicated their new STEAM laboratory and commended them for their investments in the middle school and Field Stevenson, which will pay off for the students in the district. The mayor further reported that the Hawk car dealership is planning to move forward with their plans for the Des Plaines and Roosevelt location. Last, the mayor met with Representative La Shawn Ford regarding the issue of funerals that pass through Forest Park and are out of compliance. It is a concern for the village and the legislator will work with the village on methods to lessen the disturbances.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved and Commissioner Maxham seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
https://www.forestpark.net/dfp/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/minutes-08282023.pdf
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