West Cook News

Village of Franklin Park President and Board of Trustees met Oct. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

II. CALL TO ORDER: Village President Pedersen called to order the Board of Trustees of the Village of Franklin Park in special session at 7:00 p.m. 

III. ROLL CALL; ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM 

Village Clerk April J Arellano called the roll: 

Present at Board Meeting: Barrett F. Pedersen (Village President) and April J Arellano (Village Clerk), Joseph Montana (Village Attorney) 

Trustees (Present in the Room): Mr. Ruhl, Ms. Avitia, Mr. Johnson, 

Ms. Special, Mr. Ybarra and Mr. Hagerstrom 

Department Heads: 

Mark Stewart (Fire Department Chief), Mike Witz (Director of Police), Nick Weber (Sewer & Water Division Supervisor), Joe Thomas (Acting Utilities Director), Lisa Manzo (Deputy Building Director), Dan Corcoran (IT Director), Nick Walny (Deputy Director of Community Development), Lisa Anthony (Health and Human Resources), Frank Grieashamer (Treasurer), Joe Webster (Smith LaSalle Engineer) 

The Village Clerk declared a quorum was present. 

IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limit to 2 minutes per speaker, Ordinance 1415- G-43) 

1. NONE

V. COMMITTEE REPORTS 

A. FINANCE AND SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEES (Mr. Johnson, Chair) 

1. MR.JOHNSON REPORTED THE COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE HAS STARTED TO PREPARE THE 2023 PROPRTY TAX LEVY

2. MR. JOHNSON REPORTED THE COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE HAS SENT OUT THE JULY 2023 FINANCIALS TO THE BOARD

3. MR. JOHNSON ANNOUNCED THE VILLAGE AND AMERICAN LEGION POST 974 WILL BE HOSTING THE ANNUAL VETERAN’S DAY OBSERVANCE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 AT 11 AM AT THE VETERAN’S MEMORIAL

B. WATER AND SEWER/FLEET MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE (Ms. Avitia, Chair) 

1. MS. AVITIA REPORTED 4 WATER MAIN BREAKS WITH 4 SMALL LEAKS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR

2. MS. AVITIA REPORTED STAFF HAND DELIVERED THE RESULTS TO THE 30 RESIDENTS THAT HAD LEAD & COPPER SAMPLING COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF LEAD AT ANY OF THE SAMPLING LOCATIONS, HOWEVER, 3 LOCATIONS HAD A TRACE OF COPPER TO REPORT BUT ALL BELOW REGULATORY LIMITS

3. MS. AVITIA REPORTED THE 5-MILLION-GALLON WEST STORAGE TANK AT KING STREET PUMPING STATION WILL BE INSPECTED AND CLEANED ON OCTOBER 25TH

4. MS. AVITIA STATED NO REPORTS OF ANY ISSUES AT ANY OF OUR 9 LIFT STATIONS

5. MS. AVITIA REPORTED SEWER BAD SPOTS CHECKED AROUND TOWN ON WITH NO NEW ISSUES

6. MS. AVITIA REPORTED THE LAST OF THE RESTORATION DIRT STOPS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FROM DIG JOBS FOR THE YEAR

7. MS. AVITIA REPORTED ESI IS PLANNING TO CHANGE OUT THE PLC AT THE KING STREET PUMPING STATION EARLY NOVEMBER. THIS WILL TAKE THE STATION OFFLINE FOR 2 DAYS

8. MS. AVITIA REPORTED THERE ARE NO VILLAGE SEWER BACKUPS

C. POLICE AND FIRE COMMITTEE (Mr. Ruhl, Chair) 

1. MR. RUHL REPORTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO 3,262 CALLS FOR SERVICE, ISSUED 653 PARKING CITATIONS, ISSUED 12 LOCAL CITATIONS, ISSUED 381 STATE CITATIONS AND MADE 85 ARREST,

2. MR. RUHL REPORTED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 781 TRAFFIC/PEDESTRIAN STOPS, REVIEWED 23 HIGH GRASS/WEED COMPLAINTS, AND ISSUED 5 HIGH GRASS/WEED CITATIONS

3. MR. RUHL ANNOUNCED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE FAA TO INSTALL A PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO ANTENNA TOWER BEHIND THE POLICE STATION

4. MR. RUHL ANNOUNCED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,763.20 FROM THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SEAT BELT USAGE AND DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUCENCE FOR THE YEAR 2024

5. MR. RUHL ANNOUNCED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS AGAIN RECOGNIZED AT THE ALLIANCE AGAINST MOTORIST ANNUAL DINNER FOR BEING THE NUMBER 1 PER CAPITA POLICE AGENCY IN ARRESTING PERSON FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUCENE

6. MR. RUHL STATED HE DID NOT HAVE A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

D. STREETS, ALLEYS AND FLEET MAINTENANCE (Mr. Ybarra, Chair) 

1. MR. YBARRA REPORTED 9 CUT OUTS WERE HOT PATCHED, 19 TONS USED 

2. MR. YBARRA REPORTED 14 SIGNS WERE INSTALLED, 4 FLY DUMP TIRES WERE PICKED UP, 5 LOCATIONS WERE JULIED FOR WORK, 3 HOMELESS CAMPS WERE CLEANED OUT AND STAFF HELPED LISA ANTHONY SET UP FOR THE SENIOR EVENT, ALL ROUTES WERE SWEPT

3. MR. YBARRA CONGRATULATED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ON A GREAT OPEN HOUSE

E. PROPERTY, PLANNING, ZONING, BUILDING, AND TREE PRESERVATION COMMISSION (Ms. Special, Chair) 

1. ON BEHALF OF THE SUSTAINABILITY, FORESTRY, PARKWAYS AND FACILITIES DIRECTOR, ANDY SMOLEN, MS. SPECIAL REPORTED A NEW ROOF WAS INSTALLED AT WILLIAM LIFT STATION

2. MS. SPECIAL REPORTE ROOFING REPLACMENT AND REPAIRS HAVE BEGUN AT 9300 BELMONT

3. MS. SPECIAL REPORTED MR. SMOLEN WILL BE APPLYING FOR THE USDA TREE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000. THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW THE PURCHASE OF MORE TREES IN FRANKLIN PARK

4. MS. SPECIAL REPORTED 66 TREES WERE PLANTED AND RESIDENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING A NEW TREE PLANNTED IN THEIR PARKWAY, PLEASE CONTACT MR. ANDY SMOLEN. HE WILL BE TAKING ORDERS FOR TREE PLANTING FOR SPRING 2024

5. ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MS. SPECIAL REPORTED, STAFF ATTENDED THE ILLINOIS ENTERPRISE ZONE ASSOCIATION’S FALL CONFERENCE IN ROCK ISLAND. THE CONFERENCE ALLOWED FOR NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND INCLUDED WORKSHOPS THAT FOCUSED ON BEST PRACTICES FOR ADMINISTERING THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE’S ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL TO SPUR REDEVELOPMENT IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY

6. ON BEHALF OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, MS. SPECIAL REPORTED 75 CONTRACTORS APPLIED FOR LICENSES, 90 BUILDING PERMITS, 14 ELECTRICAL PERMITS, 2 SIGN PERMIT, 1 DUMPSTER PERMIT, 5 FIRE PERMITS, AND 3 POD PERMIT WERE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 115 PERMITS. S HE ANNOUNCED 13 PROPERTY CLOSINGS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL, 3 NEW BUSINESS APPLIED FOR OCCUPANCY AND 3 NEW BUSINESSES WERE ISSUED OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATES

F. HUMAN RESOURCES, SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE (Mr. Hagerstrom, Chair) 

1. MR. HAGERSTROM ANNOUNCED THE ANNUAL SENIOR HEALTH FAIR ON OCTOBER 20TH 2023 WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. THERE WERE 30 VENDORS INCLUDING OSCO WHO HAD 70 RESIDENTS RECEIVE THEIR FLU AND/OR COVID VACCINES. THE LIONS CLUB PERFORMED FREE VISION AND HEARING EXAMS. NUMEROUS COMMUNITY AND STATE AGENCIES WERE PRESENT TO NOTIFY SENIORS WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM

2. MR. HAGERSTROM ANNOUNCED TRICK OR TREAT HOURS ARE FROM 3PM TO 7PM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31

3. MR. HAGERSTROM ANNOUNCED THE ANNUAL WINTER FEST WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30 FROM 6PM TO 8PM IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT GARAGE

VI. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMENTS: DISCUSSION ON AGENDA ITEMS 

1. NONE

VII. CONSENT AGENDA 

(Items on the Consent Agenda will be enacted or approved by a single motion or omnibus vote. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless so requested by a member of the Village Board, in which case that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in the normal sequence of the Agenda.)

1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM:

(a) THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2023

(b) APPROVAL OF VOUCHER EXPENDITURES LIST IN THE AMOUNT OF: $ 1,786,055.92

2. ORDINANCE NO. 2324 VC

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 4-2-5B OF CHAPTER TWO OF TITLE FOUR OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF FRANKLIN PARK, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS (GARBAGE COLLECTION FEE INCREASE)

3. ORDINANCE NO. 2324 VC

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3-2-7 OF CHAPTER TWO OF TITLE THREE OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF FRANKLIN PARK, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF CLASS E LIQUOR LICENSES (CVS: 10420 GRAND AVENUE)

4. ORDINANCE NO. 2324 G 

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR JOINT PURCHASES OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF FRANKLIN PARK, THE VILLAGE OF MELROSE PARK, THE VILLAGE OF RIVER GROVE AND THE VILLAGE OF STONE PARK

5. MOTION TO APPROVE A PROPOSAL FROM CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD., ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $172,681.00 FOR PHASE II DESIGN ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING SERVICES FOR THE FRONT STREET AND CARNATION STREET CONNECTOR PROJECT AND AUTHORIZE THE OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE VILLAGE TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND TAKE SUCH ACTION TO EFFECTUATE SAME

6. MOTION TO APPROVE A PROPOSAL FROM METRO STRATEGIES GROUP, DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND GRANT FUNDING COORDINATION SERVICES FOR MULTIPLE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $7,000.00 AND AUTHORIZE THE OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE VILLAGE TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND TAKE SUCH ACTION TO EFFECTUATE SAME

7. MOTION TO WAIVE BID REQUIREMENTS AND APPROVE A PROPOSAL FROM GIANT MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION, INCORPORATED, MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS FOR THE REPAIR AND PAINTING OF SIXTY-SEVEN STREETLIGHTS ON FRANKLIN AVENUE FROM ROSE STREET TO RUBY STREET TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE RESIDENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $28,475.00 AND AUTHORIZE THE OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE VILLAGE TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND TAKE SUCH ACTION TO EFFECTUATE SAME

8. MOTION TO APPROVE FRANKLIN PARK PLUMBING COMPANY, FRANKLIN PARK, ILLINOIS, AS THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE BIDDER FOR THE COMBINED SEWER REROUTING FOR THE MARTENS STREET AND GRAND AVENUE PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $327,656.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BID ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION FROM THE VILLAGE ENGINEER AND AUTHORIZE THE OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE VILLAGE TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND TAKE SUCH ACTION TO EFFECTUATE SAME

Motion made by Mr. Ybarra and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda 

Roll Call: Ayes - Mr. Hagerstrom, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Ruhl, Ms. Special, Ms., Avitia, Mr. Ybarra Nay - 0. Absent – 0 Abstain - 0.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS 

1. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RECOMMENDATION TO ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TO INITIATE A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE FRANKLIN PARK ZONING ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE COLOR, MATERIAL AND LOCATION OF AWNING SIGNS IN DOWNTOWN ZONING DISTRICTS DT-1, DT-2, DT-3 AND DT-4

Deputy Director of Community Development, Nick Walny briefly discussed the previous downtown awning code, prior to September 1, 2022, the present day awning code and why the forest green color requirement was changed

Motion made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Ms. Special to initiate a text amendment to the Franklin Park Zoning Ordinance concerning the color, material and location of the awaning signs in downtown zoning districts DT-1, DT-2, and DT-4 

Roll Call: Ayes - Mr. Johnson, Mr. Ruhl, Ms. Special, Ms., Avitia, Nay – Mr. Hagerstrom and Mr. Ybarra. Absent – 0 Abstain - 0. 

IX. COMMENTS FROM THE CLERK: 

Clerk Arellano announced the next village meeting is on November 06, 2023

X. COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT: 

Mayor Pedersen announced that an invitation to Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi was extended to attend a board meeting to discuss the increase in real estate tax bills

XI. CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION 

NONE

XII. ADJOURNMENT 

Motion made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hagerstrom to adjourn at 7:38 pm. Voice vote carried. 

https://www.villageoffranklinpark.com/assets/1/7/SBM20231023.pdf