MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, February 11, 2008.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney.

Commissioner Pavlatos was not in attendance. 

Also in attendance were Carol Bryson, Village Clerk; Patricia Jones, Village Administrator; Tom Bayer, Village Attorney; Rachael Kaplan, Director of Public Works; Joseph Miller, Police Chief; Jacob Karaca, Assistant Village Attorney; Kent Oliven, Finance Director; and Cathy Gabel, Deputy Clerk. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 28, 2008:

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held on January 28, 2008, as presented.  

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

AYES: -4- Commissioners Polk, O’Connor, Milovich-Walters, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-                                                                  

ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos  

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS/RECREATION, NICOLE MILOVICH-WALTERS:

SECOND AMENDMENT TO SITE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS:

Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported New Cingular Wireless has requested an amendment to the Site Lease Agreement they have with the Village regarding equipment on the Village water tower. New Cingular Wireless will replace six existing antenna with six new antennas. As a result, a new lease agreement is required to be signed by the Village and New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC.  

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to accept the Second Amendment to Site Lease Agreement between the Village of Palos Park and New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC. 

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos 

EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE SALT: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported many communities in Cook and Lake County are running out of salt for snowplowing operations. Rachael Kaplan, Public Works Director, was able to secure a purchase price of $96.61 per ton for salt the Village needs. The purchase would be made through American Rock Salt Company based in New York with deposits in Columbus, Ohio. Commissioner Milovich-Walters stated many towns are not plowing side roads due to lack of salt and salt companies asking as much as $165.00 per ton of salt.  

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the emergency purchase of salt and waive bidding in the process. Commissioner O’Connor stated that as this price is very good, the purchase must still come out of the budget. Commissioner O’Connor explained that the Village would prepare a budget amendment. Unspent items in the budget at the end of the fiscal year would be put toward this purchase. 

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos 

SNOWPLOW OPERATIONS: Commissioner Milovich-Walters stated the Public Works Department has been responding to snowplowing needs during the months of December, January and February. Despite salt shortages, the Public Works Department has been proactive with salt spreading and plowing of the icy roads. Commissioner Milovich-Walters requested Village residents to assist the Village plow drivers by removing parked vehicles from the street during snow storms. Commissioner Milovich-Walters also requested any snow residents remove from their private property and driveways not be placed in the streets as this can pose a hazard to drivers and plow crews.  

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

In Commissioner Pavlatos’ absence, Commissioner O’Connor reported the Building Department issued 5 building permits totaling $1,355.00 in fees. The Building Department conducted 29 building inspections. No certificates of occupancy were issued. No exaction fees were collected. 

PROPOSAL FOR MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR FOR VILLAGE OWNED BUILDINGS AND METRA STATION: In Commissioner Pavlatos’ absence, Commissioner O’Connor recommended the approval of an annual HVAC Preventive Maintenance Contract with C.A. Hayes Associates of Orland Park, IL. The annual Preventive Maintenance Contract as proposed by C.A.Hayes for the Kaptur Administrative Center, Recreation Building, Village Garage and Metra Station is in the amount of $14,900.00. Mayor Mahoney stated for the record he would abstain from voting as he has represented C.A.Hayes in the past. 

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the annual Preventive Maintenance Contract for the HVAC systems as presented by C.A. Hayes in the amount of $14,900.00. 

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

            AYES: -3- Commissioners O’Connor, Polk, and Milovich-Walters

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos

ABSTAIN: -1- Mayor Mahoney 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

CADET SCHOLARSHIP: Commissioner Polk presented the first Palos Park Police Cadet Scholarship to Cadet Sergeant Mervet Akroush. Commissioner Polk stated the scholarship program was started three years by the Palos Park Police Department Citizens on Patrol Service (C.O.P.S.). C.O.P.S. has been selling corn at the annual “Taste of Palos” of which more than eight hundred dollars has accrued toward the scholarship program. Scholarships are for current Palos Park Police Department Cadets who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice. The cadet program began in 1999 for teens interested in law enforcement. Cadet Akroush has been a cadet for four years. She currently attends Moraine Valley Community College studying criminal justice. Cadet Akroush thanked everyone for the scholarship and finds the cadet program a great experience for those pursing a criminal justice degree.

NEW LEGISLATION REGARDING UTILITY WORKERS: Commissioner Polk that due increased vicious assaults on utility workers, a new law went into effect on January 1, 2008. The new Utility Worker Protection Law now defines threats and attacks on utility workers as “aggravated” offenses with higher penalties. Assailants may be tried for a felony rather that a misdemeanor. 

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR:

Commissioner O’Connor had no formal report.  

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Mayor Mahoney had no formal report. The Mayor however mentioned the Bicycle and Pedway Committee. He is finalizing some dates to send to those interested. A letter and or e-mail will soon follow.  

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

ISO RATING: Administrator Jones reported the Village received today a report from ISO that does the fire insurance rating for the Village. They do an extensive review mainly of our Fire Protection District. A major component of that inspection is our water supply. ISO rating is used to analyze what the insurance rates will be for residential, commercial and all properties in Palos Park. The rating the Village received was a three (3). The rating is on a one to ten scale with one being the best.  

CONSENT AGENDA:

ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE ROUTINE OR HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND WILL BE ENACTED WITH ONE MOTION. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. 

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters to: 

1.   TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LIST DATED FEBRUARY 11, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,056.22 

2.    TO APPROVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANT LIST FOR FEBRUARY 11, 2008 FOR MANUAL CHECKS, PAYROLL, AND RECURRING WIRE TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $585,099.12    

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Polk, Milovich-Walters, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos  

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. 

On the call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos  

_________________________________

Cathy A. Gabel
Deputy Village Clerk