The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 29, 2007.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners DeVries, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney. Commissioners Polk and Pavlatos were not in attendance. 

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MAY 14, 2007:

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held on May 14, 2007, as presented.  

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

            AYES: -3- Commissioners O’Connor, DeVries, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-                                                                  

ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos 

COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAYMOND DEVRIES:

HOLY FAMILY VILLA UTILITY EXTENSION: Commissioner DeVries stated the water main and force main are installed. All testing is complete. Topsoil is in place and landscaping and restoration has begun. Delivery of equipment for the lift station and generator are due anytime.  

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE OF MAYORS JOINT MUNICIPAL AUCTION: Commissioner DeVries reported the Village participated in the Southwest Conference of Mayors’ Joint Municipal Auction on April 21, 2007. The Auction was held at the Orland Park Public Works Facility. Commissioner DeVries explained that when the Village updates equipment, we sell the older equipment. This year, the Village received $7,334.64 in net proceeds.  

WATER LEAK SURVEY UPDATE: Commissioner DeVries reported the water leak survey of 14.5 miles of water-main has been completed. All of the water mains and fire hydrants north of 123^rd Street and east of 86^th Avenue were surveyed. The Survey revealed three fire hydrants were leaking because of deteriorating nuts and bolts, one water valve and a leak was discovered on a repair clamp which had previously been repaired by the Village’s emergency water and sewer repair contractor. The survey revealed the loss of approximately 30,000 gallons of water a day or $150.00 loss daily. Commissioner DeVries encouraged residents to call the Utility Department to report any possible water leaks.  

DRIVEWAY SPECIFICATIONS: Commissioner DeVries stated that Rachael Kaplan has looked at driveway specifications and made some minor but very important changes. These changes are more updates and would like this brought to the attention of the Council. The Village would have a standard driveway spec that we didn’t have in the past. Driveway permits will be issued in three days. This is two days longer than previous but allows for pre-inspection and post-inspection. Other changes include driveways must be four feet wider than the garage door, driveways may not be within three feet of side lot line and not more than twenty feet wide at public right of way, and a maximum of twenty-four feet at edge of street. This is for new construction of driveways only. All licensed driveway contractors will be notified of the changes and notice periods. Commissioner DeVries also stated that Public works is working to create a new internal data base to track and record all inspections and permits to stream-line the system.  

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

Mayor Mahoney reported in Commissioner Pavlatos’ absence, the Building Department issued 15 building permits totaling $3,737.85 in fees. The Building Department conducted 47 building inspections. No certificates of occupancy were issued. No exaction fees were collected. 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

126^TH STREET STOP SIGN: Chief Miller reported that a Draft Ordinance would be presented at the Council meeting on June 11, 2007 for review. 

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR:

LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR THE MCCORD HOUSE: Commissioner O’Connor stated the Village Council must approve and adopt the findings and recommendations of the Historic Preservation Commission in ordinance form.  

Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to adopt an Ordinance approving Official Landmark Designation for the McCord House pursuant to Part Fourteen, Title Eight, Chapter 1494, Section 1494.05 of the Palos Park Village Code. 

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

            AYES: -3- Commissioners DeVries, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

APPOINTMENT OF SUPPORT STAFF – VILLAGE ATTORNEY, VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR, AND VILLAGE ENGINEER: Mayor Mahoney stated that each new Village Council must appointment a Village Attorney, Village Administrator, and Village Engineer. Mayor Mahoney stated the Village has been well served by the current Administrator, Attorney and Engineers in the past term. Mayor Mahoney asked for a motion to pass a resolution to reappoint Klein, Thorpe, and Jenkins, Ltd. as Village Counsel, Holland and Knight LLC, as Special Counsel, Patricia Jones, as Village Administrator, and Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd., and Robinson Engineering Ltd. as Village Engineers. 

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries to pass a resolution to reappointment Klein, Thorpe, and Jenkins, Ltd. as Village Counsel, Holland and Knight LLC, as Special Counsel, Patricia Jones, as Village Administrator, and Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd., and Robinson Engineering Ltd. as Village Engineers. 

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

            AYES: -3- Commissioners O’Connor, DeVries, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos 

CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE CONSIDERATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO DESIGN, BUILD OR OPERATE AN ADVANCED FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH FACILITY AT ILLINOIS SITES: Mayor Mahoney received a request from Maureen Headington, President of the Nuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS) to oppose the introduction and transport of nuclear waste recycling of weapons-grade plutonium to this region namely Argonne Labs and Morris Il by passing a proposed resolution, copy attached, as soon as possible. Mayor Mahoney explained that on a local level the Village opposes the Illinois sites for the development of testing centers for the reprocessing of nuclear waste. If allowed, transporting of nuclear waste would be along or near our area highways and expressways. Mayor Mahoney stated we are not certain that there has been enough study of security aspects.  

Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to pass a resolution opposing the consideration by the Department of Energy to design, build or operate an advanced fuel cycle research facility at Illinois sites. 

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

            Ayes: -3- Commissioners DeVries, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos 

LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTMENT: Mayor Mahoney announced Rebecca Petan, a highly regarded member of the Library Board since 1997 has completed the allowed two terms, as noted in the Library bylaws. At the regular meeting of the Board of the Palos Park Library, the trustees voted unanimously to recommend Robert Hazel to serve. Mayor Mahoney stated Bob is a regular library user and has much experience as well as a strong commitment to the Library Board and the Village.  

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by commissioner DeVries, to approve the following appointment:

 Palos Park Library Board Trustee

Robert Hazel – term to expire on June 1, 2010.

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

            AYES: -3- Commissioners O’Connor, DeVries, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos 

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – COOK COUNTY – NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:

Patricia Jones reported a Cook County Zoning Board Notice. The Village receives these notices when the property is within one and one-half miles of the Village’s boundaries. This particular notice is for a zoning variance on the SW corner of 127^th Street and 81^st Court in Palos Township. The variance is for a rear yard setback from 50’ to 40’ for a proposed addition in R-4 Single Family Residential District.  

CROOKED ARROW CROSSING: Patricia Jones reported Crooked Arrow Crossing, the Village’s new vendor in the Metra Train Station, has begun to move in some of their equipment. They are planning to open in the next couple of weeks. Crooked Arrow was previously located in the Village Courtyard. At the Metra Station, Crooked Arrow will be offering light breakfast and lunch food items. 

METROPOLITIAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT: Patricia Jones reported on June 6^th Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) which is our local Storm Water Management Agency, will be out in municipalities including Palos Park walking the creeks to see if MWRD can clear any fallen trees, beaver dams, and debris that may be impeding the flow of water causing storm drainage problems. Patricia Jones has asked Rachael to list sites to visit. Residents may call the Village to report any problems if they have a creek running through their property. The creeks must be part of Mill Creek or the Cal Sag Tributary. 

CONGRATULATIONS FROM JUDY BIGGERT: Patricia Jones reported she received a call from Congresswoman Judy Biggert’s Office congratulating the newly elected Board. Judy Biggert was instrumental in securing funds for the resurfacing of 123^rd Street and would be interested in hearing from the Mayor regarding any projects she could possibly help out with. 

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 DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to: 

1.        TO PASS AN IDOT RESOLUTION TO CLOSE A PORTION OF MCCARTHY ROAD FOR THE ANNUAL PARADE TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 

2.        TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LISTED DATED MAY 29, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $195,657.72 

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

            AYES: -3- Commissioners DeVries, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos 

OLD BUSINESS: Commissioner DeVries reminded residents the branch chipping program is done only once during the months of June and July. It begins on the first Monday of each month. Workers will begin on the east side and progress westward until all branches have been picked up. 

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Maria Rogers – 12021 93^rd Avenue – Mrs. Rogers thanked all those that participated in the Memorial Day Service at Palos Oak Hill Cemetery on Monday, May 28^th. Mrs. Rogers saw many new faces and hoped to see them in the future. This was a great success for the Palos Historical Society and its 50^th Anniversary.  

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. 

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

            AYES: -3- Commissioners DeVries, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Polk, and Pavlatos  

_______________________________________

Cathy A. Gabel
Deputy Village Clerk