West Cook News

City of Berwyn City Council met Aug. 26

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Robert J. Lovero called the City Council meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. Madame Clerk Garcia called the roll. Alderpeople present in chambers: Caldwell (1 st Ward), Bowman (2nd Ward), Leja (3rd Ward), Fejt (4th Ward), Pabon (5th Ward), Polashek (6th Ward), Bruckmann (7th Ward), and Carmichael (8th Ward). Attendees rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Lovero then called for a moment of silence in support of our first responders.

Open Forum:

Mayor Lovero opened the floor for public comment.

-Resident Luz Chavez, 16th & Ridgeland, spoke on the proposed Liquor License Ordinance and her FOIA denial regarding Liquor hearings. Ms. Chavez stated she asked for similar FOIA's in the past and they were fulfilled.

- Pink Ladies and Gents- came to thank Mayor Lovero for their participation in their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at the Morton Arboretum. They brought thank you bags for the public.

Approval of Minutes:

C-1: Ald. Polashek made a motion, seconded by Ald. Leja to make an amendment to the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council meetings Open Forum Section. Ald. Polashek would like to add his statement of "the process of democracy working at it's best and thanking the Mayor for working on it". The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Ald. Fejt made the motion, seconded by Ald. Caldwell, to approve the August 12, 2025, Committee of the Whole and Regular City Council Minutes, as amended. 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: Mayor Lovero and Ald. Leja thanked Regina Mendicino for her dedication to the City of Berwyn. Ald. Leja made the motion, seconded by Pabon, to concur with the Appointment and Swearing-in of Tricia Powers as CDBG Director, effective immediately. The motion  passed by a unanimous voice vote. Clerk Garcia then proceeded with the subsequent swearing-in and oath reading to Ms. Powers.

Reports from the City Clerk:

G-1: Aid. Polashek made the motion, seconded by Aid. Pabon, to concur with deferred item #G-4 from the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council agenda, regarding Handicap Parking Sign Determination: 1617 East Ave. (DENY). The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Nothing submitted.

Reports from Aldermen, Committees, and Boards: Nothing submitted.

Reports from Staff:

J-1: Aid. Fejt made the motion, seconded by Aid. Pabon, to concur with City Attorney Bertuca, authorizing a settlement of $62,500.00 for case #2024LO13684, based on City Council Authority granted in Executive session. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

J-2: Aid. Bowman made the motion, seconded by Aid. Polashek, to concur with Police Chief Cimaglia's request for approval for the Hispanic Heritage Parade, September 6, 2025. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

J-3: Aid. Leja made the motion, seconded by Aid. Carmichael, to concur with Police Division Commander Fellows: request of waiver of the seal bid process and authorize the purchase of (2) 2025 Ford Explorer- Police Interceptors, in the amount of $88,286.40. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

J-4: Aid. Leja made the motion, seconded by Aid. Caldwell the concur with Finance Director Martin: declaring (2) vehicles as surplus property, 2012 Chevy Tahoe VIN# 1GNLC2E02CR154709 and a 2014 Ford Explorer VIN #1 FM5K8ARZEGA65048. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

J-5: Aid. Bruckmann made the motion, seconded by Aid. Carmichael, to adopt deferred item #J-9 from the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, an Ordinance Adding Chapter 1042.046 to Chapter 1042 of the Codified Ordinances of Berwyn for the City of Berwyn, County of Cook, State of Illinois, as submitted. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

J-6: Aid. Bruckmann made the motion, seconded by Aid. Carmichael, to adopt deferred item #J -1 O from the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1042.17 Repairs by Owners of the Codified Ordinances of Berwyn for the City of Berwyn, County of Cook, State of Illinois, as submitted. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

J-7: Ald. Bruckmann made the motion, seconded by Ald. Polashek, to adopt deferred item #J-11 from the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, an Ordinance Adding Chapter 1042.047 to Chapter 1042 of the Codified Ordinances of Berwyn for the City of Berwyn, County of Cook, State of Illinois, as submitted. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

J-8: Ald. Bruckmann made the motion, seconded by Ald. Leja, to adopt deferred item #J-12 from the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting, an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1244.04 Accessory Structures and Uses of the Codified Ordinances of Berwyn for the City of Berwyn, County of Cook, State of Illinois, as submitted. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

J-9: Ald. Bruckmann made the motion, seconded by Ald. Carmichael, to defer until further notice and refer it back to the Building and Zoning committee, the Ordinance Amending Chapter 1444.01 General Fees and Inspection Fees and 1444.03 Annual and Periodic Inspections Fees of the Codified Ordinances of Berwyn for the City of Berwyn, County of Cook, State of Illinois. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Consent Agenda Items K-1 through K-10:

Ald. Fejt made the motion, seconded by Ald. Caldwell, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Aldermanic Committee Meetings:

1. Ald. Polashek - Informed residents of a Public Works Meeting on September 3rd, 2025, at approximately 6:00PM.

Adjournment:

There being no further business before the Council, Ald. Carmichael made the motion, seconded by Ald. Bruckmann, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM.

https://www.berwyn-il.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6981/638931131384330000