West Cook News

Village of Forest Park Village Council met Dec. 16

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 Nero that the minutes from the November 25, 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.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Thomas Kovac suggested that the village needs to identify each property and what they are before changing anything in the zoning code or developing the update to the Comprehensive Plan.

COMMUNICATIONS:

None

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

The Fire Department submitted its November, 2024, report.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

R-113-24

RESOLUTION FOR PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,190,011.28

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 $2,190,011.28.

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:

THREE-YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN PRESENTATION

Village Engineer, Jim Amelio of Christopher B. Burke Engineering presented an update on the village’s three-year infrastructure plan, covering 2024-2026. Mr. Amelio reviewed completed and upcoming projects, and the projected costs and sources of revenue and grants laid out in the plan.

O-40-24

ORDINANCE WAIVING BID AND ACCEPTING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONTRACT WITH VEREGY LLC

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Ordinance waiving bid and authorizing the acceptance and execution of a Standard Form of Construction Management Contract for Designer-DesignBuild Project by and between Veregy LLC and 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-41-24

ANNUAL TAX LEVY ORDINANCE APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Annual Tax Levy Ordinance of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2024 and ending April 30, 2025 be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: Commissioner Nero

ABSENT: None

The motion carried.

R-114-24

RESOLUTION DIRECTING COUNTY CLERK TO CALCULATE SEPARATE LIMITING RATES FOR THE TAX LEVY

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution directing the County Clerk to calculate separate limiting rates for the Tax Levy of the Village of Forest Park, Illinois for the 2024 Tax Levy Year be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSTAIN: Commissioner Nero

The motion carried.

R-115-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING MASTER SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT WITH DACRA TECH LLC

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to a Master Software License Agreement by and between DACRA Tech, LLC and 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-116-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS’ GRANT WITH FEMA

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the Resolution approving and authorizing the execution of the application for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant with the Federal Emergency Management Agency be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-117-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING 2025 PACE PARATRANSIT SERVICE PROVIDER AGREEMENT

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving a 2025 Paratransit Service Provider Agreement between Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (PACE) and 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-118-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH COOK COUNTY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Voogd and seconded by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin that the Resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Forest Park and the County of Cook, acting through its Bureau of Asset Management, for the design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of one (1) Electric Vehicle Charging Station be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-118-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH COOK COUNTY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Forest Park and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for the Green Alley Project 2 be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-118-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH COOK COUNTY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving Change Order No. 2 to the contract with and Pay Request No. 3 (FINAL) to Tecorp., Inc. for the rehabilitation of the South Water Tank at 1580 South Hannah Project be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-121-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST FOR ROOSEVELT ROAD ISLANDS REMOVAL TO TRIGGI CONSTRUCTION

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving Pay Request #1 (FINAL) for the Roosevelt Road Islands Removal and Landscaping Project to Triggi Construction, Inc. be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-122-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST FOR 2024 WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT TO BOLDER CONTRACTORS

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution authorizing the approval of Pay Request #1 for the 2024 Water Main Replacement Project to Bolder Contractors, Inc. for the 400-500 blocks of Ferdinand be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

R-123-24

RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY REQUEST FOR 2024 SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT TO NARDULLI CONSTRUCTION CO.

APPROVED

It was moved by Commissioner Melin-Rogovin and seconded by Commissioner Voogd that the Resolution approving Pay Request #1 (FINAL) for the 2024 Sidewalk Improvements Project to Nardulli Construction Company, Inc. be adopted.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

RAFFLE LICENSE FOR MOHR COMMUNITY CENTER

APPROVED AND RATIFIED BY MOTION

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero to ratify the issuance of a Raffle License to the Howard Mohr Community Center for their fundraising event on December 10, 2024.

ROLL CALL:

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

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None

The motion carried unanimously.

REQUEST TO RAISE FUNDS THROUGH VEHICLE STICKER RENEWAL PROCESS

APPROVED BY MOTION

It was moved by Commissioner Maxham and seconded by Commissioner Nero that the requests from the Forest Park Public Library and Empowering Gardens, Inc. to conduct a fundraiser through the Village of Forest Park vehicle sticker renewal process be approved.

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 marked 12 months as the permanent Village Administrator and thanked the Village Council for the opportunity. The administrator advised that she is looking forward to 2025 and wished all a Happy Holiday and New Year.

COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS:

Commissioner Maxham reported that the Fire Department Union 2753 is conducting a “Fill the Truck” Food Drive, benefitting Forest Park residents. They are accepting non-perishable food donations or monetary donations. The commissioner also commended the Finance Department, who is temporarily down one critical staff member, for taking care everything – the efforts did not go unnoticed. Last, Commissioner Maxham expressed her gratitude to residents John Cunningham and Rob Salz, who created and organized the “Light up Forest Park” tree lighting as well as the viewing and hot chocolate event held last night. Commissioner Maxham wished all Happy Holidays and New Year.

Commissioner Nero stated that the Building Department has been especially busy this year. In addition to implementing two new software programs, they worked through the development/construction of many projects throughout town, including commercial projects at Play it Again Sports two expansions, The Meat Counter butcher shop, Fiore’s reopening, Robert’s West Side addition, BABS Comedy Club, Di’Vino Restaurant, Espresso Café, Parkway Dispensary, Aldi Hawk Auto Dealership, U-Haul, Circle Plaza upgrades and the major Starbucks rehab. In addition to the commercial projects, the rehabilitation of two notorious distressed properties on Harlem and Harvard have started, two townhome projects, three new single-family dwellings and the American Legion deconversion occurred over 2024, all of which bring improvement and/or tax revenue to the village. The commissioner expressed his gratitude to Finance Director Letitia Olmsted for all of her hard work recently and wished all in attendance a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Commissioner Melin-Rogovin reported that 795 holiday cards were written and sent to Illinois Veterans, and comprising 30% of the total cards completed in Illinois through the Operation Rising Spirit campaign. Thanks were given to Scouts Troop 109, who contributed. The commissioner outlined the events she participated in over the last couple of weeks and is looking forward to participating in an overnight event to secure HUD funding on 1/29/2025. The commissioner thanked the Traffic and Safety volunteer members, the village staff and her colleagues, wishing all Happy Holidays. 

Commissioner Voogd stated that this year she will skip the long list of accomplishments and thank all of the residents, staff and volunteers. The commissioner wished all a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.

Mayor Hoskins asked the elected officials to save the date on February 8th, 2025, to attend the West Central Municipal Conference’s Legislative Breakfast. In addition, the mayor summarized the Global Mayors’ Summit, which he attended recently in Cape Town, South Africa. Mayor Hoskins was able to meet and confer with mayors from all over the world, to discuss governance issues and ways to counter hate and extremism, among many other topics. The mayor reported that as part of participating in wider networks, the President of the National League of Cities is planning to come to Forest Park to speak to our Village Council. The mayor thanked the Village Council for their support.

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 8:09 P.M.

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