MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, November 26, 2007.  Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, Pavlatos, Polk, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney. 

Also in attendance were Carol Bryson, Village Clerk; Patricia Jones, Village Administrator; Tom Bayer, Village Attorney; Joseph Miller, Police Chief; Jacob Karaca, Assistant Village Attorney; Kent Oliven, Finance Director; and Cathy Gabel, Deputy Clerk. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 12, 2007:

Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held on November 12, 2007, as presented.  

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

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

            NAYS: -0-          

ABSENT: -0- 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

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

RESURFACING OF 86^TH AVENUE: Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported work is continuing on the roadway, weather permitting. If there is not a hard freeze every effort will be made to lay a bituminous surface and pavement markings. Shoulder installation will be completed when paving is done. Drainage structures are currently being cleaned and ditch restoration is also being undertaken. Traffic signals at 131^st and 86^th Avenue will not be installed until January or February 2008. 

WINTER SEASON SNOW REMOVAL: Commissioner Milovich-Walters stated the primary objective during the winter season is for Public Works to keep Village owned roads free of snow and ice. Public Works crews need approximately four to five hours to plow the entire Village under normal plowing conditions. Commissioner Milovich-Walters requested residents to remove any vehicle on the roadway as soon as it begins to snow. This will assist in the snow removal of the entire road surface. A parked vehicle also presents a hazard when remaining snow freezes on the roadway. The Commissioner also stated that pushing or blowing snow from private driveways into the public roadways is prohibited. It is a violation of the Village Code in addition to being a hazard to car traffic and hinders subsequent snow removal. Commissioner Milovich-Walters gave out several phone numbers if residents have concerns about road conditions. Residents can call the Public Works Department for information about Village owned streets, Illinois Department of Transportation for road conditions on McCarthy Road, LaGrange Road, Southwest Highway (Rt. 7), 131^st Street east of Southwest Highway, Route 83, and 119^th Street; Cook County Highway Department for road conditions on 80^th Avenue, Wolf Road, 131^st Street west of LaGrange Road, 135^th Street and 104^th Avenue; Orland Park Village Hall for 131^st Street between LaGrange Road and Southwest Highway, and concerns regarding unincorporated residential streets adjacent to and outside the Village, residents are to call the Palos Township Office.   

 COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

Commissioner Pavlatos reported the Building Department issued 18 building permits totaling $2,595.00 in fees. The Building Department conducted 55 building inspections. Two certificates of occupancy were issued. No exaction fees were collected. 

HOLY FAMILY VILLA INDEPENDENT HOUSING UNIT UPDATE: Commissioner Pavlatos reported Holy Family Villa submitted architectural plans to the Village November 1, 2008. The plans are currently under review. Holy Family Villa anticipates breaking ground for the three (3) story independent housing building in 2008.  

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

PALOS PARK POLICE E MAIL NOTICE SYSTEM: Commissioner Polk announced the Palos Park Police Department’s E-Mail Notice System for Village residents is up and running. A couple of messages have already been sent out. The system will alert residents to potential hazards, risks, or crime patterns. Residents can join the E-Mail Notice System by e-mailing Chief Joe Miller at jmiller@palospark.org. Commissioner Polk encouraged the residents to participate in the E-Mail Notice System. 

PALOS PARK CADET FOOD DRIVE: Commissioner Polk announced the Palos Park Police Department Cadet Program is once again conducting their annual Holiday Food Drive this year. The Cadets are accepting donations of non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations. These items are being collected for the Worth Food Depository. The Cadets will accept donations on December 15^th, 16^th, 22^nd, and 23^rd from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Palos Park Jewel-Osco, Republic Bank located at 131^st and LaGrange Road on the 15^th and 22^nd as well as the Police Department. If you have any questions, the Palos Park Police Department can be reached at 708-671-3770. 

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR:

COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR): Commissioner O’Connor presented to the Village and Council the Village’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2007. Commissioner O’Connor introduced Janet Matthys, from the accounting firm of Sikich LLC to present some of the highlights from the report. Janet Matthys began by thanking the Village for the opportunity to conduct the Village audit and prepare this financial report. A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting as highlighted in the report was presented to Palos Park for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2007. It is very unusual for a municipality the size of Palos Park to demonstrate such detail and reporting in order to achieve this certificate. The Village of Palos Park has received this certificate every year since 1999. Sikich LLC has issued an unqualified audit opinion on the Village’s financial statements which is the highest level the Village can receive. Commissioner O’Connor thanked Administrator Jones, Kent Oliven and the staff for an outstanding job keeping us financially healthy and Sikich LLC for a job well done.  

2007 TAX LEVY: Commissioner O’Connor announced the 2007 Tax Levy Ordinance for the Village of Palos Park in the amount of $1,356,117.79 of which $1,028,596.30 is for the Village and $327,521.49 is for the Library will be considered for approval at the December 10, 2007 Council meeting.  

MAYOR’S REPORT:

PLAQUE TO THE SANDERS FAMILY – 75^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CENTER: Mayor Mahoney requested Rev. Frank Sanders and Dave Sanders to step to the podium for a presentation of a plaque commemorating the 75^th Anniversary of The Center. Mayor Mahoney stated “The Center and Village hold fast to the same philosophy that our natural environment is essential to our quality of life and affects the lives of those who live here and those who come here to find peace in their lives.” The Community Center Foundation was founded in 1932 by Rev. Paul Sanders. In 1974 the property was annexed to the Village of Palos Park. Rev. Sanders dream of helping others strengthen their spiritual and emotional foundations, appreciate the natural environment and promote stewardship of the environment became a reality. Rev. Paul Sanders’ son, Rev. Frank Sanders, continued this same mission for many years. Now his son, Dave Sanders, is the Director of The Center. The Center has enriched the lives of so many people in Palos Park and surrounding areas. The Center sponsors a Fall festival, a haunted farm, weddings and many educational activities. Mayor Mahoney “was very pleased to acknowledge that the Village’s relationship with The Center is stronger than ever and expect it to continue for the next 75 years and more.” Dave Sanders thanked the Village and said it was an honor to be a part of the Village. Mayor Mahoney thanked the Sanders family again as did Commissioner Pavlatos.  

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:  

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT LETTER: Patricia Jones reported a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) asking for direction on how to proceed with amending our lease to allow for the construction of a parking lot to serve the bike trail and eventually our vision of a satellite museum facility. It is hoped that in Spring 2008 we could build the parking lot with access off Route 83. 

VILLAGE NEWSLETTER: Patricia Jones reported the Village Newsletter for December/January will be going out the end of November for delivery December 1^st. The newsletter is a great opportunity to check out our very own Village businesses for shopping, dining and services. 

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 Milovich-Walters to: 

1.        WAIVE RAFFLE MANAGER BOND FOR MCCORD GALLERY & CULTURAL CENTER FOR RAFFLE TO BE HELD DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER WITH DRAWING HELD ON DECEMBER 22, 2007 

2.        APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LIST DATED NOVEMBER 26, 2007 IN THE AMOUNT OF $133,501.01 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -0- 

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Polk moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

ABSENT: -0-

_______________________________________

Cathy A. Gabel
Deputy Village Clerk