West Cook News

Village of Forest Park Village Council met Nov. 12

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 Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the minutes from the October 28, 2024, Special meeting of the Council be approved.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the minutes from the October 28, 2024, Regular meeting of the Council be approved.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the minutes from the October 28, 2024, Closed Session meeting of the Council be approved.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Jackie Walsh Lundt spoke in opposition of the Village Council’s approval of the conditional use for a cannabis dispensary at 7207 Roosevelt Road and urged the Village Council members to deny the request.

COMMUNICATIONS:

None

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

The Fire Department submitted its October, 2024, report.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

R-99-24

RESOLUTION FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,079,147.42

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 $1,079,147.42.

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:

O-35-24

ORDINANCE AMENDING GARBAGE, REFUSE AND WASTE CHARGES

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Ordinance amending Section 4-2-5, entitled “Charges,” of Chapter 2, entitled “Garbage, Refuse and Waste,” of Title 4, entitled “Health and Sanitation,” of the code of the Village of Forest Park be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

O-36-24

ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING DISPISAL OF POLICE VEHICLES

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Ordinance authorizing the sale or disposition of surplus property (police vehicles) of the Village of Forest Park be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-100-24

RESOLUTION ADOPTING 2024 COOK COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution adopting the 2024 Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan be adopted. It was discussed by Administrator Entler that this plan is part of the village’s emergency operations plan and makes the village eligible for county grant funding.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-101-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING IEPA GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT FOR PERMEABLE PAVERS

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of the Application for Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (FY 2025) with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Constitution Court Permeable Pavers Parking Lot) be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-102-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING PURCHASE AND SUBSCRIPTION FOR TASERS FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution approving and authorizing the village mayor to execute a five (5) year master services and subscription purchasing agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for the purchase of eighteen (18) Axon Taser 10 units, with cartridges, for the Police Department at a total cost not to exceed $116,299.00 over five years be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-103-24

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING CANOPY TREE REMOVAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution authorizing acceptance of an Illinois Community Canopy-Tree Removal Partnership Grant in the amount of $22,482.00 be adopted. Public Works Director Stella described the process for removal of trees that are at risk. There are three separate inspections by a certified arborist prior to any tree being removed.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-104-24

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION DIRECTING ARPA FUNDS EXPENDITURES

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Supplemental Resolution directing and revising expenditure of budgeted and uncommitted American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

O-37-24

ORDINANCE GRANTING CONDITIONAL USE FOR CANNABIS DISPENSARY

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham that the Ordinance granting a conditional use permit for a Cannabis Dispensary in the B-2 District in the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois re: PZC 2024-07: 7207 Roosevelt Road: P.I.N. 15-13-431-035 be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS DIRECTED TO HIRE ONE PROBATIONARY POLICE OFFICER

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero to direct the Forest Park Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to appoint one candidate from its current Probationary Police Officer Eligibility List to fill a vacancy in the Police Department.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

RACHELL ENTLER APPOINTED TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

APPROVED BY MOTION

It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Maxham to appoint Rachell Entler as the Director of the Village of Forest Park’s Department of Emergency Services, as directed in section 2-10-3 of chapter 10, entitled “Emergency Management Agency,” of title 2, entitled “Boards and Commissions.”

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANNER REQUEST APPROVED BY MOTION

It was moved by Commissioner Nero and seconded by Commissioner Voogd to approve the banner request from the Chamber of Commerce to promote their annual Holiday Walk on December 6, 2024. It was suggested that these types of requests and raffle permit requests be evaluated and approved by staff instead of the Village Council.

ROLL CALL:

AYES: Commissioners Maxham, Nero, Melin-Rogovin, Voogd and Mayor Hoskins

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

Administrator Entler reported that there is a lot going on in Forest Park, and it is not going to slow down any time soon. The administrator invited the public to check out our social media pages and/or the weekly newsletter for more information. Last, Administrator Entler stated that staff is busy gearing up for the yearend and the upcoming new year.

COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:

Commissioner Maxham reported that the Fire Department is participating in Movember, a men’s health initiative, and are selling t-shirts to raise funds for the cause. T-shirts are available for purchase at the Fire Station. The commissioner expressed her gratitude to the Park District, Mike Thompson, Chief Hankus, Chief Gross, and Park Director Iovinelli for their work in presenting the Veteran’s Day ceremony and dedication on Monday. Last, Commissioner Maxham reminded all in attendance that Friday, November 15th, there is a 90th anniversary celebration at the Park District.

Commissioner Nero reported that the Aldi grocery store was able to open on time, despite the construction delays. The commissioner welcomed the store to Forest Park.

Commissioner Melin-Rogovin reported that she recently attended the Veterans’ Day event, the Aldi Grand Opening and Speaker Welch’s Senior Fair. The commissioner is participating in the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs Operation Rising Sprit, which is an organization that writes holiday cards to veterans who are currently in the hospital. Last year the group wrote and delivered over 300 cards. This year there will be an event tomorrow at the library and another on December 4th at Roberts West Side from 6-9 pm. All are invited.

Commissioner Voogd wished all of the veterans a Happy Veterans’ Day, adding the park at Circle and

Randolph looks great. The Pumpkin Smash was a success, thanks to the efforts of Geoff and Amy BinnsCalvey, The Recreation Board members, the Public Works department for the setup and Commissioner Melin-Rogovin for donating the gift cards. The event was a lot of fun. The commissioner reported that she met with Administrator Entler and Director Stella to go over the Facilities Review, that was performed last year. The group did a thorough evaluation and discussed planning for some of the bigger issues that need to be addressed in the long term. The commissioner suggested the Council meet to weigh in and plan for these large expenses.

Mayor Hoskins reported that he recently attended the Proviso Ministerial Alliance’s event, held at the Community Center last week. Judge ShawnTe Raines-Welch was the guest speaker. In addition, the mayor attended Speaker Welch’s Veteran’s Resource Fair and the annual Cindy Lyons Health Fair at the Community Center. District 91 has been very engaging with the village and Mayor Hoskins, Chief Hankus and Chief Gross have all visited the schools to talk with the students and parents. Last, Administrator Entler and Mayor Hoskins have been working with some of the under graduate students from Loyola about careers in public service.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to be addressed, Commissioner Nero moved, and Commissioner Maxham seconded to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hoskins declared the meeting adjourned at 7:52 P.M.

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