MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON MARCH 10, 2008

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, March 10, 2008.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney. 

Also in attendance were Carol Bryson, Village Clerk; Patricia Jones, Village Administrator; Tom Bayer, Village Attorney; Joseph Miller, Police Chief; Joseph Martino,  Kent Oliven, Finance Director; and Cathy Gabel, Deputy Clerk. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008: Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on February 25, 2008 as presented.  

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

            AYES: -5- Commissioners Polk, O’Connor, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008:

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on February 25, 2008, as presented.  

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

AYES: -5- Commissioners O’Connor, Polk, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-        

ABSENT: -0- 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 6, 2008:

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on March 6, 2008. 

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

            AYES: -5- Commissioners Polk, O’Connor, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

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

LANDSCAPE AGREEMENT BETWEEN AT&T AND THE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK FOR AT&T PROJECT LIGHTSPEED: AT&T is currently upgrading their network facilities, known as Project Lightspeed, in the public right-of-ways within the Village of Palos Park. As part of this process, AT&T is committed to working with the Village pertaining to the screening, landscaping and maintenance of these facilities. Commissioner Milovich-Walters recommended to Council the acceptance of this landscape agreement. 

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Pavlatos, to accept the Landscape Agreement between AT&T and the Village of Palos Park. 

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

            AYES: -5- Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

Commissioner Pavlatos reported the Building Department issued 7 building permits totaling $4,597.75 in fees. The Building Department conducted 31 building inspections. One certificate of occupancy was issued. No exaction fees were collected. 

LETTER OF CREDIT FROM CATHOLIC CHARITIES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR PALOS PARK SENIOR HOUSING D/B/A/ ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI RESIDENCE: Commissioner Pavlatos reported a Letter of Credit was submitted for approval to the Village by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for the Palos Park Senior Affordable Housing Development in the amount of $1,194,835.40. Commissioner Pavlatos stated “this letter of credit is restricted to non-negotiable drafts presented to the undersigned by the drawer and payment of said drafts are subject to failure to complete the site improvements as shown on the attached Exhibit “A”. Construction of the Senior Housing Development is estimated to take fifteen months. Catholic Charities would like to break ground in the next few weeks with a completion date of July 2009. 

Commissioner Pavlatos moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to approve a signed and executed Letter of Credit with Exhibit “A” attached, by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for the Palos Park Senior Affordable Housing Development commonly known as St. Francis of Assisi Residence located at 12218 South Will-Cook Road, Palos Park, IL in the amount of $1,194,835.40. 

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

            AYES: -5- Commissioners Pavlatos, Milovich-Walters, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

TEEN HOTLINE: Commissioner Polk reminded residents and teens, the Palos Park Police Department has set up a teen hotline which encourages anyone to report underage drinking parties. Encouraging people to call the hotline with no questions asked, may help prevent a tragic ending to a night of underage partying. The number to call is 708-671-3750.  

E-MAIL NOTICE SYSTEM: Commissioner Polk announced the Palos Park Police Department has an E-Mail Notice System for Palos Park residents. Commissioner Polk stated “the system is designed to alert residents to potential hazards, risks, or crime patterns that may be occurring in Palos Park”. To join the E-Mail Notice System, e-mail Chief Miller at jmiller@palospark.org.  

DO-NOT-CALL REGISTRY: Residents may register their residential telephone number and wireless numbers on the national Do-Not-Call registry at no cost. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222. You must call from the phone number you wish to register or by going to www.donotcall.gov and registering on-line. 

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR:  Commissioner O’Connor had no formal report . 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE 2007-50, ADOPTED DECEMBER 10, 2007, AND VACATING A PORTION OF THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY LOCATED EAST OF 80^TH AVENUE, FROM 120^TH STREET NORTH TO THE SOUTHEASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE WABASH (NORFOLK SOUTHERN) RAILROAD: Mayor Mahoney stated that on December 10, 2007 the Village approved Ordinance 2007-50 vacating an alley with conditions the property owner must satisfy. To date, the property owner has not satisfied those conditions and it has since been determined that water and sanitary sewer mains, owned by the Village, exist in the alley. The purpose of repealing Ordinance 2007-50 is to provide for the retention of any easements relative to the water and sanitary mains. Mayor Mahoney entertained a motion to adopt an Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 2007-50, and Vacating a Portion of the First North/South Alley located East of 80^th Avenue, from 120^th Street North to the Southeasterly Right-of-Way Line of the Wabash (Norfolk Southern) Railroad.  

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to adopt an Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 2007-50, and Vacating a Portion of the First North/South Alley located East of 80^th Avenue, from 120^th Street North to the Southeasterly Right-of-Way Line of the Wabash (Norfolk Southern) Railroad.

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

            AYES: -5- Polk, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

PALOS PARK BIKE AND PEDWAY MEETING: Mayor Mahoney announced an informational meeting would be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Kaptur Administrative Center for any resident interested  in learning about, or serving on, the Village’s proposed Bike and Pedway Committee.  

EARTH HOUR IN PALOS: Mayor Mahoney encouraged all residents, businesses and service organizations to partake in a global event encouraging everyone to turn off their lights between 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on March 29, 2008. The City of Chicago, World Wildlife Fund, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and ComEd, are sponsoring this event. Mayor Mahoney stated “the goal is to demonstrate that by working together each one of us can make a positive impact on global warming”.   

CLERK’S REPORT: Carol Bryson spoke about the Palos Area Transportation Service for the Elderly & Handicapped (P.A.T.S.E.). This service is available to residents 60 years of age or older or handicapped residents residing in Palos Township. Clerk Bryson reminded residents that if they are in need of transportation within the township boundaries, to call 708-430-3822 for more information.   

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: Administrator Jones had a request for a link on the Village website  for the Southland Visitors and Convention Bureau. This link lists all the special events for the communities on the Southside of Chicago. 

VILLAGE NEWSLETTER: Administrator Jones reminded everyone that the next issue of the Village Newsletter would be out on April 1^st.  

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 O’Connor to: 

1.        TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LIST DATED MARCH 10, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $167,619.96 

2.        TO APPROVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANT LIST FOR MARCH 10, 2008 FOR MANUAL CHECKS, PAYROLL, AND RECURRING WIRE TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $262,415.29 

3.        DEDICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF PLAT OF DEDICATION FOR THE WEST HALF OF WILL-COOK ROAD FROM 123^RD STREET (MCCARTHY ROAD) TO A POINT 2,600 FEET NORTH OF 123^RD STREET (MCCARTHY ROAD) 

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

            AYES: -5- Commissioners Polk, O’Connor, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0-  

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS:

VEHICLE LICENSE FEE INCREASE: Kent Oliven, Finance Director, presented a recommendation to the Village Council  regarding an increase in vehicle license fees for years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. Kent Oliven reported the Vehicle Sticker Tax was established in 1955. The last time the Vehicle Tax was increased was in 1982. Passenger vehicle stickers are currently $30.00 and for seniors $15.00. Vehicle Sticker fees are used for road maintenance as is Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds and the one-half percent sales tax. Not all MFT money can be used for roads. MFT Funds are also used for salt purchases, storm sewers, street signs and stone. Kent explained the Village has 28 miles of streets or 224 blocks. If the Village paved just 6.7 blocks per year it would take 33 years to pave every street in the Village. Kent proposed a $15.00 per vehicle increase effective for stickers due on July 1, 2008 and another $15.00 per vehicle increase effective for stickers due July 1, 2009. Seniors would pay half the cost. A recommendation was made to also increase animal licenses from the current $5.00 to $10.00 effective July 1, 2008. As this was just a recommendation, no Council action was taken.  

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Maria Rogers – 12021 93^rd Avenue – Mrs. Rogers is very concerned about the demise of the toboggan slides at Swallow Cliff. Mrs. Rogers priority is saving the slides. Mayor Mahoney reiterated that he has written letters to the Commissioners at Cook County and would be more than willing to set up an informational meeting with residents and possibly a couple of Cook County Commissioners so residents can voice their concerns.  

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. 

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

            AYES: -5- Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Polk, Pavlatos, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -0- 

_________________________________

Cathy A. Gabel