MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON JUNE 11, 2007

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, June 11, 2007.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:35 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;   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 29, 2007:

Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held on May 29, 2007, as presented.  

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 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, RAYMOND DEVRIES:

HOLY FAMILY VILLA UTILITY EXTENSION: Commissioner DeVries stated the water main and sewer force main are installed. The lift station has been installed. The generator has yet to be delivered. Landscaping is still left to complete.  

RESOLUTION FOR MFT PROJECT 2007: Commissioner DeVries explained that each year roadway maintenance is done in the Village using Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds. This year we have $151,630.00 in MFT Funds. Roadway maintenance includes resurfacing, snow removal, and replacement of aggregate stone shoulders. Commissioner DeVries stated that an additional $122,000.00 is available from the ˝ % Sales Tax Fund which will be combined with the MFT Funds for a total amount of $273,630.00. $218,000.00 has been earmarked for resurfacing. The areas to be considered for resurfacing are southeast of the Plush Horse, east of 86^th Avenue.  

Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to pass the Resolution for Expenditure of MFT 2007 Funds in the amount of $151,630.00  

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 

ROAD CLOSURES: Commissioner DeVries reminded residents of road closures on McCarthy Road between LaGrange Road and Bell Road while resurfacing and drainage work takes place. Mayor Mahoney also added that this is short term but well needed due to the disrepair of the road.

CHIPPING: Commissioner DeVries reminded residents of the Village’s chipping program. During the summer months, the Village will pick-up branches on the first Monday of each month. Residents can help greatly by placing small branches and yard waste in specifically marked containers that Allied will pick-up on regular scheduled garbage days.  

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

Mayor Mahoney, reporting in Commissioner Pavlatos’ absence, stated the Building Department issued 18 building permits totaling $22,427.80 in fees. The Building Department conducted 48 building inspections. No certificates of occupancy were issued. Two exaction fees were collected totaling $11,180.40. 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

126^TH STREET STOP SIGN: Mayor Mahoney reported in Commissioner Polk’s absence. Mayor Mahoney stated an ordinance was drafted authorizing stop signs at the intersection of 126^th Street and 81^st Avenue.  

Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to adopt an Ordinance Authorizing Certain Traffic Regulations (Stop Intersection: 126^th Street and 81^st Avenue). 

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 

Chief Miller stated it would be approximately one week for the stop signs to be installed.  

IDOT RESPONSE TO SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION ON 119^TH STREET: Mayor Mahoney reported Chief Miller received a response to his May 8, 2007 request for a review of the posted speed limit on 119^th Street between LaGrange Road and Rt. 83. Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will conduct a traffic survey on 119^th to determine the speed limit that is consistent with motorist safety and other activities along the road. Mayor Mahoney stated he looks forward to a positive survey result which would mean a reduction in the posted speed limit. Patricia Jones responded by saying this traffic survey usually takes approximately 60 day to commence. IDOT will let the Village know the results of the survey as soon as it is completed.  

WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE: Mayor Mahoney reported all three of the Village’s West Nile monitoring traps have been placed at select spots throughout the Village. The mosquitoes caught in these traps are collected and tested twice a week. Testing will begin this week. Although communities surrounding Palos Park have not tested any positive West Nile mosquitoes, Mayor Mahoney reminded residents to take precautions in protecting themselves against this disease. The Village of Palos Park will not be collecting dead birds for testing. If a resident discovers a dead bird on their property, they are asked to contact the Cook County Department of Public Health at 708-492-2650. Beginning June 25^th, the Public Works Department will begin treating all the catch basins throughout the Village with mosquito larvacide.  

BIKE HELMETS: Mayor Mahoney reminded residents of the free bicycle safety helmet program for children. The Palos Park Police Department is providing the free helmets. Chief Miller reported that approximately 40 helmets have been distributed thus far and free bike helmets will be given to those who participate in the Village’s safe bike rider class on June 24^th sponsored by the Recreation Department.    

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR: Commissioner had no formal report this evening. Commissioner O’Connor did however, extend her gratitude to Commissioner DeVries for continuing as Public Works Commissioner.   

MAYOR’S REPORT:

RECREATION BOARD REAPPOINTMENTS: Mayor Mahoney reported Charles Wells and Nicole Milivitch-Walters have been great contributors to the Village’s Recreation Board and both individuals are up for reappointment. Mayor Mahoney stated “I wish to extend my gratitude on behalf of all the residents for their service and their willingness to continue to serve on the Recreation Board”. Mayor Mahoney entertained a motion to reappoint Charles Wells and Nicole Milivitch-Walters to the Palos Park Recreation Board.  

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

·        Recreation Board

Charles Wells – term to expire on June 1, 2010

Nicole Milovich-Walters – 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 

ORDINANCE APPROVING REMOTE PARTICIPATION: Tom Bayer explained that effective January 1, 2007 the state law was amended permitting board members to attend meetings remotely. Telephone and video conferencing are two examples. For a board member to participate by remote attendance, there are restrictions. A quorum of the public body must be physically present at the meeting. The absent board member must also state one of three reasons why he or she is unable to physically attend the meeting. These reasons include: (1) the member cannot attend because of personal illness or disability; (2) the member cannot attend because of employment purposes or the business of the public body; or (3) the member cannot attend because of a family or other emergency. Tom Bayer stated that being on vacation does not meet the criteria to participate remotely. The new law also requires that prior to attending a meeting remotely, the public official must notify the Village Clerk forty-eight hours prior to the Council meeting and the Council has the ability to allow them to participate remotely. The amendment requires that public bodies adopt rules for remote attendance if they plan to permit such.  

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by commissioner DeVries to adopt an Ordinance Defining Meeting and Adopting Procedures for Electronic Attendance at Meetings. 

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 

SALUTE TO OLD GLORY: Mayor Mahoney reported Ron Pavilonis and the Knights of Columbus held their 5^th annual Flag Day Salute to Old Glory on Thursday, June 7, 2007. Despite some adverse weather conditions, we had a nice crowd. Most everyone moved indoors to hear the Great Lakes Navy Band, which put on a tremendous concert. Ron Pavilonis is already making plans for next year’s event. Mayor Mahoney commended Ron and the Knights of Columbus for all their hard work. 

PIONEERS IN THE PARK: Mayor Mahoney dedicated the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center as the first building recognized under the Village’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. The McCord House is owned by the Village but leased by the McCord NFP. Mayor Mahoney thanked all those who participated in this wonderful event and looked forward to more events in the future.   

HACKNEY’S: Mayor Mahoney asked that the issue of Hackney’s serving alcohol earlier than usual on Sundays when the Chicago Bears have a noon start home game be removed from the agenda and brought back at a future date when an analysis of the Village Liquor Code is complete. 

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

SMALL STREAM MAINTENANCE PROGRAM REPORT: Patricia Jones reported on June 6^th ,  she and Tom Star, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) which is the Village’s Storm Water Management Agency, walked the creeks to see what debris MWRD could clear that may be impeding the flow of water causing storm water drainage problems. Pat was also joined by Rachael Kaplan, Director of Public Works; Kent Oliven, Finance Director; Rod Albright, Code Enforcement; and Nancy Sweeney, Southwest Conference of Mayors. MWRD will send a crew to locations that need clearing. Overall, MWRD found the creeks to be clean and relatively free of debris. Residents may call the Village to report any problems with a creek running through their property.  

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 O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries to: 

1.        TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ASCERTAINING THE PREVAILING RATE OF WAGE FOR LABORERS, WORKMEN AND MECHANICS EMPLOYED ON PUBLIC WORK OF SAID VILLAGE, PURSUANT TO 820 ILCS 130/1 ET. SEQ. 

2.        TO APPROVE LETTER TO STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTIVES TO SUPPORT AND SIGN ON AS A CO-SPONSOR OF HJR55 AND SJR52 WHICH CALL FOR THE INCLUSION OF $100 MILLION FOR THE ISPACE PROGRAM IN ANY NEW CAPITAL SPENDING PLAN (OPEN SPACE FUNDING).  

3.        TO APPROVE HACKNEY’S REQUEST TO PROVIDE AND SERVE ALCOHOL AT “TASTE OF PALOS’ ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2007 

4.        TO APPROVE THE RAFFLE LICENSE FOR CONCERT IN THE PARK AND WAIVE RAFFLE MANAGER BOND AND LICENSE FEE  FOR PALOS FINE ARTS 

5.        TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LISTED DATED JUNE 11, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $66,877.65 

6.        TO APPROVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANT LIST FOR MANUAL CHECKS, PAYROLL AND RECURRING WIRE TRANSFERS DATED JUNE 11, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $280,456.89 

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 

OLD BUSINESS: Commissioner DeVries thanked Rachael Kaplan for her hard work putting together an in-house computer software program which will track driveway drainage permit applications.    

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Lauren Nash – 8015 126^th Street – Ms. Nash was encouraged by the recent Village Newsletter where Mayor Mahoney expressed his commitment to the safety of all the citizens of Palos Park. She is grateful they are not just words, but deeds. Ms. Nash thanked the Mayor and Council for making the residents of 126^th Street safer with the installation of the new stop signs.  

Maria Rogers – 12021 93^rd Avenue – Mrs. Rogers stated that on Saturday June 9, 2007 she received a call from a resident of Palos Park concerned about the Palos Oak Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Rogers explained that neither she nor her husband are on the Board of Directors at the cemetery. They have nothing to do with the cemetery except hold the Palos Historical Society Memorial Day Service there. Mrs. Rogers explained that the flags are missing. Mayor Mahoney suggested the Village act as a liaison to the Cemetery. Pat Jones will talk with the new president of the cemetery, Herb Schumann. Chief Miller will check on the status of the flags.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION: In open session at 8:20 p.m. Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries, to recess to executive session to discuss acquisition of real property owned by the Village. 

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 

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: At 8:47 p.m. Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries, to adjourn the executive session and return to open session. 

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 

ROLL CALL: At 8:47 p.m. roll call was taken. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Devries, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney.  

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 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