MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON MARCH 24, 2008

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, March 24, 2008.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:37 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, Public Works Director; Joseph Miller, Police Chief; Kent Oliven, Finance Director; Nicole Marxman, Recreation Director; and Cathy Gabel, Deputy Clerk. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 10, 2008:

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on March 10, 2008, as presented.  

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 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 20, 2008:

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on March 20, 2008. 

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:

RENEWAL CONTRACT WITH CLARKE ENVIRONMENTAL MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT, INC.: Commissioner Milovich-Walters requested Council to approve a renewal contract with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc. for the 2008-2010 seasons. Commissioner Milovich-Walters explained that this contract is not costing the Village any money to renew. Costs are incurred on an as-needed basis. Costs are specified in the contract for specific services and each authorized application will be invoiced after performed. 

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the renewal contract with Clarke Environmental Mosquito Management, Inc. for the 2008-2010 seasons.  

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

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE FOR NONRESIDENTS USE OF SWIMMING POOL BETWEEN PALOS HEIGHTS AND PALOS PARK: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported on an Intergovernmental Agreement to provide for nonresidents use of the Palos Heights swimming pool between Palos Height and Palos Park. Palos Heights will allow residents of Palos Park to purchase annual swimming pool memberships under its Municipal Benefit Program. Membership privileges include obtaining membership at a reduced rate if purchased by May 23^rd, reduced rate for swim lessons, complementary passes and special event programming. Mayor Mahoney added he whole heartedly supports this collaboration between our communities.  

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement to provide for nonresidents use of swimming pool facilities between Palos Heights and Palos Park.  

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos 

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

In Commissioner Pavlatos’ absence, Commissioner Polk reported the Building Department issued 6 building permits totaling $184,008.25 in fees. The Building Department conducted 19 building inspections. No certificates of occupancy were issued. No exaction fees were collected. 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

JEFF PRESTINARIO, 1^ST WARD ALDERMAN PALOS HEIGHTS, HALF MARATHON: Commissioner Polk introduced Jeff Prestinario, 1^st Ward Alderman, Palos Heights, who addressed Council regarding the Half Marathon that will be run within the southwest suburbs and in part within the Village boundaries of Palos Park. Mr. Prestinario stated the half marathon race will be run on Sunday, May 4^th beginning at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Palos Heights Police Department at Route 83 and Parliament Drive. The race will head west on College Drive (Route 83) to Route 171, turnaround in the Cook County Forest Preserve parking lot for Camp Sagiwau and come back east to the Palos Heights Police Station. This race involves multiple municipal agencies some of which are Village of Lemont, City of Palos Hills, Cook County, Palos Heights Fire Protection District, Palos Fire Protection District and the Lemont Fire Protection District. Mel Diab, owner and operator of Running for Kicks, thanked the Village of Palos Park for their cooperation and support. Mr. Diab stated the course is flat and fast. Currently, there are 1,233 registered runners; 48 from out-of-state and runners representing Morocco and Kenya. Mike Leonard, Director of Parks and Recreation for Palos Heights, is researching whether the joint municipalities working on the half marathon can apply for a joint Governors Hometown Award.  

APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PALOS PARK AND RUNNING FOR KICKS, OWNED AND OPERATED BY MEL DIAB, FOR THE PLANNING AND HOLDING A RACE TO BE RUN IN PART WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF PALOS PARK: Commissioner Polk stated this agreement is between the Village of Palos Park and Mel Diab, owner and operator of Running for Kicks. The agreement describes the responsibilities of Palos Park and Mel Diab, insurance issues and specifics regarding the race course. 

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters to approve an Agreement between Palos Park and Running for Kicks, owned and operated by Mel Diab, for the planning and holding a half marathon race within the southwest suburbs, to be run in part within the corporate limits of the Village of Palos Park.  

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

APPROVAL AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT IN REGARD TO THE PLANNING OF A HALF MARATHON IN THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBS: Commissioner Polk stated the Intergovernmental Agreement describes the individual responsibilities between and among each of those individual governmental units in said agreement. The governmental units include the Village of Palos Park, City of Palos Heights, Village of Lemont, City of Palos Hills, County of Cook, Palos Heights Fire Protection District, Palos Fire Protection District, and the Lemont Fire Protection District.  

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement for the planning of a half marathon race within the southwest suburbs.  

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 

AMENDING PART TWO, TITLE TWO, CHAPTER 202, SECTION 202.99 GENERAL PENALTY FOR VILLAGE CODE VIOLATIONS: Commissioner Polk stated this ordinance discusses the penalties for violations of Village Code. Village Code currently states that whoever violates or fails to comply with the provisions of these Codified Ordinances shall be fined not more than five hundred and no/100 dollars ($500.00). The ordinance presented by Commissioner Polk amends the reference to “five hundred dollars ($500.00)” to read “seven hundred fifty and no/100 dollars ($750.00). 

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adopt an Ordinance amending Part Two, Title two, Chapter 202, Section 202.99 of the Palos Park Village Code in regard to the General Penalty for Village Code Violations.  

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 

SENIORS TO ASSIST WITH BASIC CLERICAL WITH PALOS PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT: Commissioner Polk announced that the Palos Park Police Department is recruiting senior citizens who are residents of the Village to volunteer their free time. The seniors would be assisting the Police Departments support staff with clerical duties, community outreach programs and senior safety initiatives. Training will begin in early summer. Commissioner Polk can be reached at dpolk@palospark.org or Chief Miller at jmiller@palospark.org for interested individuals. Calls can be made to 708-671-3770.   

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR:

HISTORIC PRESERVATION SURVEY RESULTS: Commissioner O’Connor reported that at the Historic Preservation meeting held on March 18^th, Granacki Historic Consultants presented the Village’s Historic Survey. Commissioner O’Connor thanked everyone involved with this project aimed at preserving the unique architectural and historic character of the Village. 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

SAVE OUR SLIDES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION: Mayor Mahoney presented a Certificate in Recognition and Appreciation of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Iota Lambda Chapter, at Moraine Valley Community College for “supporting and enhancing the efforts of the Village of Palos Park by writing many letters to Cook County Board of Commissioners regarding the preservation and rehabilitation of the Swallow Cliff Toboggan Slides in the Cook County Forest Preserves for their historic value and for the enjoyment of winter sports enthusiasts for generations to come.” The Certificate was accepted by Douglas Leonard, President of Phi Theta Kappa and members Peter Panopoulos and Darlene Perkins-Ruff. Mr. Panopoulos and Ms. Perkins-Ruff read their letters to the Council which were sent to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.  

TOBOGGAN SLIDES: Mayor Mahoney reported the Village is in the process of trying to schedule an appearance at a Cook County Board meeting or a Forest Preserve District meeting. The next Cook County Board meeting will be held April 8, 2008. The Mayor suggested that regardless whether the Village can get on the agenda for comment on the toboggan slides we can at least make an appearance. More information will be available on the website. 

EARTH HOUR: Mayor Mahoney reported that on March 29^th the Chicagoland area will represent the U.S. in Earth Hour. This event which spans the globe encourages everyone to turn off their lights between 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The goal is to have businesses, governments, and residents work together in making a difference in energy use. Com Ed will help measure the energy savings in Chicago during this one-hour period of time. More information can be found at www.earthhour.org.  

ORDINANCE AMENDING PART FOUR, TITLE SIX, CHAPTER 462 OF THE PALOS PARK VILLAGE CODE IN REARD TO THE LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES: Mayor Mahoney stated that at the March 10, 2008 Council meeting, Kent Oliven, Finance Director, outlined a proposal to increase the fee for vehicle stickers and animal licenses. The vehicle sticker fee has not been increased since 1982. Action was deferred to provide residents enough time to comment or respond. The cost of municipal services and goods especially the cost of infrastructure such as roads is correlated to the cost of petroleum products and outpaced the consumer price index by a factor of three. Many revenue sources available to the Village have grown at a much slower pace. Currently, passenger vehicles are $30.00. For vehicle stickers due July 1, 2008 the fee would increase to $45.00 and in July 2009 vehicle sticker fees would increase to $60.00. Mayor Mahoney opened the topic up for discussion. Commissioner Polk and Mayor Mahoney emphasized that seniors (sixty-five years of age or older as of July 1^st) would still be able to purchase one (1) vehicle sticker at one half (1/2) the cost. Mr. Gene Stute, 11919 88^th Avenue, spoke of his concerns with the Village raising fees and the decrease in services to many of the Village residents. Mr. Stute spoke of over salting and over plowing. His other concern was the chipping program which he considers to be a basic service. Commissioner Milovich-Walters stated the monies from the vehicle sticker increase would be used for road improvements. Mayor Mahoney stated he does not take an increase of this size lightly.  Mayor Mahoney requested Council to consider and approve the vehicle sticker increase over a two-year period as outlined in the ordinance. 

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to amend Part Four, Title Six, Chapter 462 of the Palos Park Village Code in Regard to the Licensing of Motor Vehicles.  

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 

ORDINANCE AMENDING PART SIX, CHAPTER 608 OF THE PALOS PARK VILLAGE CODE IN REGARD TO ANIMAL CONTROL AND LICENSING: Mayor Mahoney stated this license fee increase is in regard to dog licensing. The fee for a dog license would be ten dollars ($10.00) beginning July 1^st. Currently, the fee is five dollars ($5.00). 

Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to amend Part Four, Chapter 608 of the Palos Park Village Code in regard to Animal Control and Licensing. 

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 

CLERK’S REPORT:

SPRING CLEANING AND PERSONAL CARE DRIVE: Clerk Bryson announced the Palos Park Clerk’s Office will be sponsoring a Spring Cleaning and Personal Care Drive during the month of April benefiting Palos Township families. The Palos Township Emergency Food Pantry is in need of household and personal care items. If you are interested in donating, please drop items off at the Kaptur Administrative center Lobby Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Palos Township Emergency Food Pantry helps Palos Township residents through various crisis situations such as job losses, health issues, social issues, disabilities, social security gap coverage, and fires. If you are in need of any help, please call the Township Office at 708-598-4418. 

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

PALOS PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RESIDENT QUESTIONNAIRE: Administrator Jones reported that as a follow up to the last Council meeting held on March 10^th, the Comprehensive Plan Resident Questionnaire is now on the Palos Park website. The resident meeting regarding the Comprehensive Plan has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Kaptur Administrative Center. John Houseal, Village Planner, will talk with resident regarding their concerns and present an update of the Comprehensive Plan.  

PALOS HOSPITAL ADDITION: Administrator Jones announced Palos Hospital will build an addition to the hospital. Currently, Palos Hospital has five (5) floors. An additional three (3) floors will be added. Construction will begin the latter part of 2009 with completion set for 2013.  

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.   PROCLAIM SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008 TO BE ARBOR DAY IN THE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK AND THAT IT BE OBSERVED WITH AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AT THE KAPTUR ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER 

2.   APPROVE LETTER OF AGREEMENT WITH CITY VENTURES, INC. TO PROVIDE CHARTER SERVICE FOR THE PALOS FINE ARTS ARCHITECTURAL TOUR ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008  

3.   APPROVE A REQUEST OF KIWANIS CLUB OF PALOS HEIGHTS TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM DRIVERS ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2008 AT THE INTERSECTION OF 119^TH (RT 83) AND 80^TH AVENUE 

4.    APPROVE RAFFLE APPLICATION FOR SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN MONTESSORI FOR DRAWING TO BE HELD ON MAY 2, 2008  

5.        ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PLAT OF CONSOLIDATION – CHRISTIANO CONSOLIDATION – 8920 WEST 125^TH STREET 

6.        APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LIST DATED MARCH 24, 2008 IN THE AMOUNT OF $72,844.95 

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 

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: In open session at 8:56 p.m. Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to recess to executive session to discuss the compensation of specific employees of the Village and approve and review for release executive session minutes. 

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 

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: At 9:43 p.m. Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to adjourn the executive session and return to open session. 

Upon voice vote, the motion carried with 4 yes votes.*

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner Pavlatos 

ROLL CALL: At 9:44 p.m. roll call was taken. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to adjourn the meeting at 9:44 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