The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, July 9, 2007.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners DeVries, Pavlatos, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney.  

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. 

PUBLIC HEARING ON APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING 4/30/08: Mayor Mahoney stated the Illinois Municipal Code requires the Village of Palos Park to pass an annual Appropriation Ordinance within the first quarter of the fiscal year. The Appropriation Ordinance establishes the maximum legal spending level for the fiscal year, provides the legal ability to set aside funds for specific spending activities and imparts the authority to appropriate sums of money deemed necessary to defray all expenses and liabilities of the Village. Mayor Mahoney stated the appropriation is typically 1˝ times budgeted amounts, therefore, providing a cushion for unforeseen expenditures. This year’s Appropriation Ordinance  is $14,582,081.00. This amount is 21% higher than fiscal year 2007. The increase is largely due to higher General Fund capital and operating expenditures. There were no comments or questions from the audience or Council regarding the Appropriation Ordinance. Mayor Mahoney declared the Public Hearing closed at 7:34 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JUNE 25, 2007:

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held on June 25, 2007, as presented.  

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

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

            NAYS: -0-                                                                  

ABSENT: -0-  

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. Minor testing and landscaping need to be completed. 

RESURFACING OF 86^TH AVENUE: Commissioner DeVries reported the Cook County Highway Department will be resurfacing 86^th Avenue from 131^st Street to Route 83. The existing pavement will be milled and resurfaced. Driveway culverts and driveways will be replaced as necessary with Cook County Highway Department notifying residents. Commissioner DeVries stated cross culvert replacement may dictate short term detours as needed. Roadwork is to begin mid-August.  

RESURFACING OF MCCARTHY ROAD WEST OF LAGRANGE ROAD: Commissioner DeVries reminded residents of daily lane closures between LaGrange Road and Bell Road while resurfacing work takes place. Drainage and design mix issues may require some repairs. Currently, this is being reviewed. Completion is expected in four to six weeks.  

RESTRICTIONS ON LAWN SPRINKLING: Commissioner DeVries reminded residents of the restrictions on sprinkling and other water uses. Manual water systems and hoses will be allowed to use water only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and between 7:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight. Automatic or timed irrigation systems shall be allowed to use water only between the hours of 12:00 midnight – 5:00 a.m. These hours apply only to Lake Michigan water.   

CHIPPING PROGRAM: Commissioner DeVries is requesting continued assistance from the residents regarding the Village’s chipping program. During the summer months of June, July, and August, the Village will pick up branches and perform chipping on the first Monday of each month. Public Works employees begin on the east side of the Village and continue west. Commissioner stated construction lumber, railroad ties, and fencing will not be taken. A four foot by twelve foot pile is the acceptable size. Commissioner DeVries also stressed the importance of safety. Beginning this week, buckthorn will no longer be taken because of its sharp, dangerous spikes which pose health and safety concerns to Village employees.  

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

Commissioner Pavlatos reported the Building Department issued 11 building permits totaling $5,650.05 in fees. The Building Department conducted 37 building inspections. No certificates of occupancy were issued. No exaction fees were collected.  

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

FILE FOR LIFE: Commissioner Polk announced that the Palos Park Police are offering the File for Life Program. This program consists of a magnetic sleeve that can be placed on your refrigerator which contains pertinent medical information for all members of a household. This program is generally aimed at seniors but any resident can participate. The information is keep confidential. For more information please contact Chief Joe Miller at 671-3770. 

PALOS PARK SERGEANT ATTENDS FBI ACADEMY: Commissioner Polk reported that Sergeant John Sawyer has begun training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Sergeant Sawyer has worked as a patrol officer, juvenile, officer and detective with the Palos Park Police Department, prior to his promotion to Sergeant in December 1999. Sergeant Sawyer will be training from July 2007 until late September 2007.  

BIKE DONATION: Commissioner Polk announced that Palos Park resident, Mike Flamburis,   and current Orland Park Police Sergeant, and Brian Sord , owner of the Orland Park restaurant 94 West, have donated three state of the art Smith and Wesson police patrol bicycles to the Palos Park Police Department. The Palos Park Bicycle Unit has been in existence since 2000 and during the summer and fall months, the police officers patrol the Village on bikes. The Bike Unit currently uses two bicycles that were purchased when the unit was originally started in 2000. Commissioner Polk was appreciative of the generous donation. 

ROLLING/OUTDOOR ROLL CARS: Commissioner Polk announced that during the summer and fall months, the Palos Park Police Officers will be taking part in outdoor and rolling roll calls for the officers working patrol. The Police Officers work twelve hour shifts and during this twelve hour shift, they may conduct several roll calls to cover a wide variety of information, training materials and equipment checks. The purpose of the program is to utilize a public setting and enhance visibility. 

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY I.C.E.: Commissioner Polk would like every resident in the Village to participate in the I.C.E. Program. I.C.E. is an acronym for In Case of Emergency. The program is very simple and requires placing a phone number of a family member you would like first responders to call in case you are injured, within your cell phone phonebook. List the number under the acronym I.C.E. For more information on the I.C.E. Program, residents can call the Palos Park Police Department at 671-3771.  

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR:

APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: Commissioner O’Connor requested the Village Council adopt the Appropriation Ordinance for fiscal Year ending 4/30/07 in the amount of $14,582,081.00.  

Commissioner DeVries moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk to adopt the Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year ending 4/30/08. 

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

            AYES -5- Commissioners DeVries, Polk, Pavlatos, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR THE RECREATION CENTER: Commissioner O’Connor asked the Village Council to continue the process of designating the Recreation Center as an official landmark. Commissioner O’Connor reported the Historic Preservation Commission convened and held a public hearing on May 15, 2007 in regard to the Village’s application for official landmark designation for the Recreation Center. The Historic Preservation Commission has also provided to the Village Council a Written Decision Regarding Landmark Designation for the Recreation Center. Commissioner O’Connor talked about the long history of the Recreation Center dating back to its dedication in 1940 as the Community House of the village of Palos Park. Over the years, the Recreation Center has been identified at one time or another as the Community House of the Village of Palos Park, the Civic Center, the Village Hall, and the Recreation Center. Commissioner O’Connor requested a motion from the Council to adopt an ordinance approving official landmark designation for the Recreation Center.  

Commissioner Pavlatos moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adopt an ordinance approving official landmark designation for the Recreation Center.  

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

MAYOR’S REPORT:

CONCERT IN THE PARK: Mayor Mahoney reported on the first Movie in the Park, Happy Feet, which was shown on Friday, June 29^th. Mayor Mahoney reported the event was well attended and everyone had a wonderful time. The Mayor thanked Nicole Marxman, Lee Barnes and the recreation staff for all their hard work. Mayor Mahoney also thanked Public Works, the Police Department and cadets for a job well done. Happy Feet was sponsored by Republic Bank. 

COMMITTEE REAPPOINTMENTS: Mayor Mahoney stated Janet O’Brien has served on the Village Police Pension Board and currently serves as President. Mayor Mahoney entertained a motion to reappoint Janet O’Brien to the Police Pension Board for a term to expire 6/1/2009.   

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the following reappointment:

·        Police Pension Board

Janet O’Brien – term to expire on June 1, 2009 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

Mayor Mahoney stated Phyllis Adams and Jim Madden currently serve on the Historic Preservation Commission. Phyllis Adams and Jim Madden would like to be reappointed for a four year term. Mayor Mahoney entertained a motion to reappointment Phyllis Adams and Jim Madden to Historic Preservation Commission for four year terms expiring 6/1/2011 

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

·        Historic Preservation Commission

Phyllis Adams – term to expire 6/1/2011

Jim Madden – term to expire 6/1/2011 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

Mayor Mahoney stated that long-time Beautification Committee members, Peggy McGonigle and Ann Oliver, have requested to be reappointed for three-year terms. Mayor Mahoney entertained a motion to reappointment Peggy McGonigle and Ann Oliver to the Beautification Committee for three-year terms expiring 6/1/2010. 

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Pavlatos, to approve the following reappointments:

·        Beautification Committee

Peggy McGonigle – term to expire 6/1/2010

              Ann Oliver – term to expire 6/1/2010 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

LEGISLATION CONCERNING VIDEO SERVICE (SB 678), AT&T PROJECT LIGHTSPEED: Mayor Mahoney deferred to Tom Bayer in summarizing the keys concepts of Senate Bill 678 and AT&T Project Lightspeed. AT&T Project Lightspeed is an upgrade and extension of their infrastructure to provide new and enhanced services including competitive video programming.  

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK AND PALOS OAK HILL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION: Patricia Jones reported that an Agreement between the Palos Oak Hill Cemetery Association and the Village of Palos Park has been finalized regarding release of an easement, the granting of certain easements and the waiver of a deed restriction relative to the Public Works Facility Property.

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve an Agreement between the Palos Oak Hill Cemetery Association and the Village of Palos Park in regard to the release of an easement, the granting of certain easements and the waiver of a deed restriction relative to the Palos Park Public Works Facility Property. 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0-  

Patricia Jones also reported the Village owned house behind the Kaptur Administrative Center will be available for rent beginning September. Rent is $1800.00 per month. Please call 708-671-3702 for more information.  

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 Polk to: 

1.        TO APPROVE REQUEST FOR A REDUCTION IN THE LETTER OF CREDIT FROM JEANES CONSTRUCTION, INC. 

2.        TO PASS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ACCESS TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS 

3.        TO APPROVE AN INTER-AGENCY AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF PALOS PARK AND THE COOK COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE REGARDING ACCESS TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM 

4.        TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LISTED DATED JULY 9, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $101,802.73 

5.        TO APPROVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL WARRANT LIST DATED JULY 9, 2007 FOR MANUAL CHECKS, PAYROLL, AND RECURRING WIRE TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $354,597.75 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers – 12021 93^rd Avenue – expressed their concerns regarding branch pick up and buckthorn not being taken.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION: In open session at 8:50 p.m. Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Pavlatos, to recess to executive session to discuss the acquisition of real property and review of pending litigation. 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: At 9:21 p.m. Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries, to adjourn the executive session and return to open session. 

Upon voice vote, the motion carried with 5 yes votes

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

ROLL CALL: At 9:23 p.m. roll call was taken. Answering to roll call were Commissioners O’Connor, DeVries, Polk, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney.  

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner DeVries, to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 p.m. 

Upon voice vote, the motion carried with 5 yes votes

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

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -0- 

_______________________________________

Cathy A. Gabel
Deputy Village Clerk