MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON AUGUST 27, 2007

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, August 27, 2007.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, Polk, and Mayor Mahoney. Commissioner O’Connor was 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; Joseph Martino, Finance Department; and Cathy Gabel, Deputy Clerk. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 13, 2007:

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held on August 13, 2007, as presented.  

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

AYES: -4- Commissioners Polk, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-         

ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

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

 HOLY FAMILY VILLA UTILITY EXTENSION: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported the gas meter for the lift station has been installed. There is a problem with the force main which is currently being resolved. A pressure test was to have been completed today, results of which will be made available to the Village. A walk-thru is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 4, 2007.  

RESURFACING OF 86^TH AVENUE: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported work is progressing on 86^th Avenue. Storm sewer installation on the south side of 131^st Street, east of 86^th Avenue will hopefully be completed next week.  

RESURFACING OF MCCARTHY ROAD WEST OF LAGRANGE ROAD: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported we are still waiting for the fabrication of the precast concrete culvert sections that were ordered a few weeks ago. These drainage structures were necessary as a result of the change in the design of the storm sewer that Illinois Department of Transportation was installing. Once work resumes, completion should take six weeks.  

MFT RESURFACING PROJECT UPDATE: 90% of the grading for the MFT resurfacing project has been completed. Work will be completed tomorrow morning with two or three days needed for patching.  

FALL TREE PLANTING PROGRAM: Mayor Mahoney stated the Village will be conducting its annual fall tree and shrub planting program. Residents who would like a tree or shrub along their public right-of-way are asked to call Public Works to be considered for this program. State and County rights-of-ways are excluded from this program. Requests from residents who have not participated in this program will be honored first. Homeowners who have received plantings in prior years will be honored if funding allows. Mayor Mahoney asked residents to call 708-448-2700 and leave their name, address, daytime phone, and choice of tree or shrub, or email your request to dfoster@palospark.org. Requests must be received no later than August 31, 2007.  

APPROVAL OF CATERPILLAR 420E IT BACKHOE: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported Rachael Kaplan prepared a report for Council specifically addressing the reasons as to the why the Caterpillar 420E IT has been chosen by Public Works. The purchase price of $78,650.00 was based on a trade-in allowance of $13,000.00 for the existing Ford backhoe that the Village owned, and includes an additional three year warranty. Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk complimented Rachael Kaplan for a very well written and detailed report. Mr. Gene Stute, 11919 88^th Avenue, Palos Park, addressed Council by stating he had stopped by the Public Works Garage, met Rachael Kaplan, and looked at the backhoe the Village would trade in. Mr. Stute’s concerns were the lack of maintenance on the backhoe and whether money was in the Village budget for the purchase of a new backhoe.   

Commissioner Pavlatos moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to approve the purchase of a Caterpillar 420E IT backhoe for the purchase price of $78,650.00 having the trade-in value taken into consideration.  

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

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Pavlatos, Polk, Milovich-Walters, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor 

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

Commissioner Pavlatos reported the Building Department issued 13 building permits totaling $14,434.80 in fees. The Building Department conducted 47 building inspections. One certificate of occupancy was issued. No exaction fees were collected. 

SUBMITTAL OF DIGITAL COPIES OF ENGINEERING PLANS, ARCHITECTURAL PLANS AND OTHER DRAWINGS: Commissioner Pavlatos brought forward to Council an Ordinance Amending Part Two, Title Two of the Palos Park Village Code in regard to the format for submittals for building related permits and zoning/subdivision relief. Commissioner Pavlatos read the ordinance. This Ordinance will require that an applicant having the capability to do so, for building related permits or an applicant for zoning or subdivision approval or relief, must submit all required documents to the Village by way of both hard copy and a digital (electronic) data format. The Ordinance also states “for engineer, surveyor or architect prepared documents, such as, but not limited to, engineering plans, grading plans, plats of survey, plat of subdivision and architectural/construction plans, the digital (electronic) data format for submittal to the Village shall be Auto CAD (.dwg) format, which is preferred, or in Adobe reader(.pdf) format, which is acceptable. For submittals which do not fall under subsection (a) above, the digital (electronic) data format shall be Microsoft Office (Word,(.doc) Excel (.xls), etc.) suite.” 

Commissioner Pavlatos moved, seconded by Commissioner Polk, to adopt an ordinance amending Part Two, Title Two of the Palos Park Village Code in regard to the format for submittals for building related permits and zoning/subdivision relief. 

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

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Pavlatos, Polk, Milovich-Walters, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor 

SITE PROTECTION (TREE PROTECTION) ORDINANCE CHANGES-CHAPTER 1460.02(c) VILLAGE CODE: Commissioner Pavlatos stated he has had considerable input from residents, staff, and department heads regarding the tree protection ordinance. It is an important ordinance designed to preserve the trees now and in the future. Commissioner Pavlatos is looking at other municipalities to see what they have enacted. Hinsdale and Claredon Hills have already responded. In approximately four to six weeks Commissioner Pavlatos feels an ordinance will be ready for Council review. Residents wishing to address this issue with Commissioner Pavlatos may do so by sending their comments to him at Village Hall. 

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

HEARING SCREENING: Commissioner Polk reported the Cook County Bureau of Health Services through Oak Forest Hospital will conduct free hearing screenings on Thursday, September 13, 2007. Times are from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Oak Forest Hospital, 15900 South Cicero Avenue. For more information please call 708-633-3600. 

PALOS PARK MOUNTED UNIT: Commissioner Polk announced the Palos Park Police Mounted Unit won the Village of Lemont 3^rd Annual Cruise Night “Finest on Four Legs” Award this year at the August 22, 2007 event in downtown Lemont.   

BIKE HELMETS: Free bicycle helmets are available at the Palos Park Police Department.  

SCHOOL BACK IN SESSION: Commissioner Polk reminded residents that schools are back in session. Please drive carefully. It is against the law in Illinois to pass a stopped school bus.  

SATURATION GRANT: Commissioner Polk announced the Palos Park Police has received an Illinois Department of Transportation Highway Safety Project Grant for the 2007 Labor Day Holiday Enforcement Effort. The project slated for August 17, 2007 – September 7, 2007 will bring in additional officers to focus on saturating Palos Park roadways in an effort to remove impaired drivers and target individuals not wearing their seat belts as required by law.  

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: Commissioner Polk announced Police Chief Joe Miller has been selected to attend Northwestern University’s Senior Manager’s Leadership Program. A major focus of the ten month program will be addressing the “Teen Driving Crisis.” In 2005, more than 3,400 teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. 

STORMS: Commissioner Polk and Mayor Mahoney thanked Chief Miller and his officers for their hard work during and after the storms last week. 

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR: In Commissioner O’Connor’s absence, Mayor Mahoney referred to Kent Oliven, Finance Director for an explanation of how the purchase of the Caterpillar 420E IT backhoe would be financed. Kent stated that with Rachael’s persistence, the purchase price of the backhoe was actually reduced to $84,900 with a $13,000.00 trade-in allowance. To finance this acquisition, Commissioner O’Connor determined that $26,000.00 of the purchase price come from monies in the Exaction Fund (Fund 20) and the balance of $45,900 should be allocated to the Sewer Fund’s Operating equipment. The Sewer Fund item will be financed by taking $15,900.00 from the Fund’s cash account balance and $30,000.00 from a 2 year 4.5% loan from Palos Bank and Trust paid out in two equal annual installments. Commissioner Milovich-Walters thanked Rachael for all her hard work and Commissioner Polk thanked everyone for a great team effort to make this purchase possible. Kent Oliven gave special thanks to Palos Bank for their help in securing this loan.  

Commissioner Pavlatos moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters to approve the budget amendment to finance the Caterpillar 420E IT backhoe.  

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

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Pavlatos, Milovich-Walters, Polk, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor  

MAYOR’S REPORT:

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT: Mayor Mahoney proposed to the Village Council, Michael J. Wall, for an appointment to the Plan Commission for a term to expire on June 1, 2011. Michael Wall and his family have lived in Palos Park since 1997. He is an attorney and has provided pro bono legal services for the McCord House Gallery and Cultural Center since its inception. Mr. Wall’s areas of practice include litigation, construction law, franchise law, and commercial and industrial real estate. Mayor Mahoney stated his legal experience and interest in the community should prove to be an asset to the Plan Commission. Mayor Mahoney entertained a motion to approve Michael J. Wall to Plan Commission for a term to expire June 1, 2011. 

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to approve the following appointment:

·        Plan Commission

Michael J. Wall – term to expire on June 1, 2011 

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

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Polk, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor 

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

PALOS HOSPITAL ADDITION: Pat Jones reported that Palos Community Hospital is planning a $400 million dollar addition. Included in the work will be a new parking deck and relocation of the hospital power plant and associated infrastructure. Palos Community Hospital has contacted the Village of Palos Park regarding a temporary construction access road off of 123^rd Place. The Village has met with hospital officials and suggested possibly using McCarthy Road. A letter has been sent to Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and IDOT has responded requesting more information regarding this access road. 

86^TH AVENUE SPEED LIMIT: Pat Jones reported that there have been some concerns from residents regarding the speed on 86^th Avenue during construction. Pat explained that as part of the Village’s agreement with Cook County for this resurfacing project, Cook County will conduct a speed study. Cook County will wait for work to be completed before they begin this study. 

VILLAGE HOUSE FOR RENT: Pat Jones announced the single family home immediately south of the Kaptur Center, which is owned by the Village, and overlooking the Village Green, is available for rent mid-September/October. Rent is $1,800.00 per month. If you are interested, please contact Pat Jones at 708-448-2700.  

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 Pavlatos to: 

1.        WAIVE THE CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE FOR VFW POST 4861 AND THE LIONS CLUB FOR THE ANNUAL PARADE AND CHILI COOK-OFF ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2007. 

2.        APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LIST DATED AUGUST 27, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $81,520.66 

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

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Polk, Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor 

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS: None   

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Mr. Gene Stude – 11919 88^th Avenue – Mr. Stude was concerned about the amount of money the Village was spending on a backhoe that most residents will not benefit from. All the Village residents benefit from the chipper service and that service has been reduced.  

Mrs. Maria Rogers – 12021 93^rd Avenue – Mrs. Rogers stated she felt the same as Mr. Stude regarding the backhoe. Mayor Mahoney explained to Mrs. Rogers that the backhoe is used for many jobs one of which is public right-of-ways that need to be maintained and not for privately owned property. Mrs. Rogers also stressed the need for the chipper service in Palos Park. 

Jerry Ann Kline – 131 Forest Edge Court – Concerned about her landscaper and serious grading problems that have arisen. Commissioner Pavlatos responded by saying a meeting has been set up for Thursday, August 30^th with several staff members to look at these grading issues. 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Pavlatos moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. 

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

            AYES: -4- Commissioners Pavlatos, Milivich-Walters, Polk, and Mayor Mahoney

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -1- Commissioner O’Connor 

_______________________________________

Cathy A. Gabel
Deputy Village Clerk