West Cook News

City of Berwyn City Council met June 10

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Robert J. Lovero called the City Council meeting to order at 8:00PM. Clerk Garcia called the roll. Alderpeople present in chambers: Caldwell, Bowman, Leja, Fejt, Pabon, Polashek, Bruckmann and Carmichael. Attendees rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Lovero asked for a moment of silence in support of our First Responders, the passing of Joseph C. Mazza, Josefina Saldivar, the birth announcement of Emery Lysette and Santino Anthony.

Open Forum: Mayor Lovero opened the floor for public comment.

Resident Celeste Jones and Cellina Pettiford, 31st & Clinton are proposing restricted parking due to the ongoing parking limitation from visitors attending The Victory Outreach program. They turned in a letter, petitions with neighbor's signatures and attachments for council. Daniel, 37th and Wenonah & Dave Peterson, spoke about ICE, asked for protection for our Berwyn residents, the tension the community is facing and how the Trump administration is looking for Berwyn to not be a Welcoming City. They are asking for City Council to be prepared and act now in regards to ICE deportations. Sarah Murphy, a health provider spoke on Migraine/Headache disorders and the importance of more necessary research. Yadira Padilla spoke on the Working CAT program and informed the community on filling out the surveys for community feedback. Nomar informed the community on the Shred Event happening this Friday at the Public Library and how residents can save 10% if City stickers are purchased online. If previously purchased online they are on their way! Ald. Leja has his 3rd Ward Clean Up, Saturday June 14th at 9am, Stanley Ave and Oak Park. Ald. Pabon is interested in collaborating with other suburbs, elected officials, Mayor Lovero on ICE issues. Clerk Garcia received a communication from a 3rd Ward resident who has concerns regarding improper record destruction and asks the City to meet record-keeping compliance and take corrective and preventive actions. A copy of his email, FOIA request and attachments have been handed to the Mayor Lovero and council.

Approval of Minutes:

C-1: Ald . Fejt made the motion, seconded by Ald. Caldwell, to approve the May 27, 2025 Committee of the Whole (C.O.W) and the Regular City Council Minutes as submitted. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Report from staff:

Ald. Leja made a motion, seconded by Ald . Polashek, to bring forward agenda item J-3. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

J-3: Ald. Leja made the motion, seconded by Ald. Polashek to thank Officer Zamudio and award him the Robert W. Teeter Award . The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. 

Bid Openings: Nothing submitted.

Berwyn Township, Berwyn Health District, Berwyn Development Corporation: Nothing submitted.

Reports from the Mayor:

F-1: Ald. Leja made a motion, seconded by Ald. Pabon, to welcome and swear-in Lizbeth Linares-Herrera to the Fire Pension Board, the Police Pension Board, the Emergency Telephone System/911 Board and the Municipal Securitization (BMSC} boards effective 06/10/25 to 05/08/2029. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Clerk Garcia swore her in.

F-2: Ald. Carmichael made a motion, seconded by Ald. Pabon, to adopt the proclamation recognizing June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth and celebrate it through a special commemoration on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 11:50am at Serenity Park, Berwyn. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

F-3: Ald. Bowman made a motion, seconded by Ald. Leja, to adopt the proclamat ion regarding Migraine and Headache awareness month. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

F-4: Ald. Pabon made a motion, seconded by Ald. Bruckmann, to approve the following Ordinance of Chapter 616, Section 616.07 of the Codified ordinances regarding Dogs and Cats, county of Cook, State of IL. and encourage resident to fill out the online survey. On the call of the role, the motion passed unanimously.

Reports from the City Clerk:

G-1: Ald. Caldwell made a motion, seconded by Ald . Polashek to accept the revision to the BDC Pride Walk on 06/28/25 and accept it as informational. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

G-2: Ald . Polashek made the motion, seconded by Ald . Pabon, to concur with the city staff's recommendation and approve the Handicap Parking applications for; 1517 Elmwood Ave. (SPACE) & 6744 W. 19th St. (SPACE). The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

G-3: Ald. Pabon made the motion, seconded by Ald. Caldwell, to concur with the city staff's recommendation and deny the requested Handicap Parking applications for; 1635 S. Elmwood (SPACE), 6316 W. 26th St. (SPACE), and 3223 S. Harvey Ave. (Zone). The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Nothing submitted.

Reports from Aldermen, Committees and Boards:

1-1: Ald. Leja made the motion, seconded by Ald. Polashek, to accept the communication on the Fire and Police Committee meeting minutes from May 27, 2025 along with the annual commission report as informational. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Reports from Staff:

J-1: Ald. Fejt made the motion, seconded by Ald. Pabon, to authorize the settlement of case#: 23WC016003 in the amount of $75,000.00 based on authority granted in the executive session.

On the call ofthe roll, the motion passed unanimously.

J-2: Ald. Fejt made the motion, seconded by Ald. Pabon, to authorize settlement of case# 23WC009545 in the amount of $60,000. On the call of the roll, the motion passed unanimously.

J-4: Ald . Leja made the motion, seconded by Ald. Pabon, to approve Police Chief Cimaglia's request to contract/purchase an Asset Locker system from FACS in the amount of $35,050.00.

On the call of the roll, the motion passed unanimously.

J-5: Ald. Leja made the motion, seconded by Ald. Polashek, to concur with Chief Cimaglia and approve the contract with McDonough Mechanical Services to replace a rooftop HVAC unit in the amount of $387,994.00. On the call of the roll, the motion passed unanimously.

Consent Agenda Items K-1 thru K-5: Ald. Fejt made the motion, seconded by Ald. Leja, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Aldermanic Committee Meetings:

1. Ald . Pabon, sth Ward Meeting on 06/14/ 25 at 11:00am to lpm at Las Cuecas.

2. Ald . Bruckmann, 7th Ward Meeting on 06/26/25 from 6-7pm, at the J. Vallez Center.

3. Ald. Carmichael, sth Ward Meeting on 06/17/ 25 at 8PM, at the J. Vallez Center. Also, a

Tree Planting with Tree Canopy on 06/14/25 at 8:45am at the corner of 14th & Wesley.

Adjournment: There being no further business before the Council, Ald. Carmichael made the motion, seconded by Ald. Leja, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:45p.m. 

https://www.berwyn-il.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6801/638860220523030000