MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING
HELD ON NOVEMBER 23, 2009

The Board of Commissioners of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois held its regular meeting on Monday, November 23, 2009. Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney. Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk were not in attendance. 

Also in attendance were Carol Bryson, Village Clerk; Patricia Jones, Village Administrator; Tom Bayer, Village Attorney; Joe Miller, Chief of Police; Jacob Karaca, Assistant Village Attorney; Barbara Maziarek, Finance Director; Steve Manning, Community Development Director; Sheila Sosnicki, Library Director; Kathleen May, Deputy Clerk and Cathy Gabel, Deputy Clerk. 

STUDS TERKEL HUMANITIES AWARD: Mayor Mahoney was pleased to announce Dr. Joseph Matheu, a recipient of the 2009 Studs Terkel Award. The Studs Terkel Humanities Award is bestowed on individuals who have made a lasting contribution to the cultural life of their communities. It is awarded biennially. Only Mayors may select nominees and complete the nomination form. Miriam Zayad, former Board Member of the Illinois Humanities Council announced 44 recipients were selected this year by their Mayors for exemplary efforts to champion the humanities in their communities. Individuals demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to furthering public understanding of the humanities in their communities. Dr. Matheu spearheaded the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial exhibit at the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center. As a collector of Civil War Period artifacts himself, Dr. Matheu sought assistance from other collectors to display original weapons, clothing, personal items and letters. The exhibit displayed several hundred artifacts and items. Mayor Mahoney stated “the Village of Palos Park is indebted to Dr. Matheu for volunteering his time and energy to offer an exhibit of this scope and excellence to our community and for creating a memorable experience for the many children and adults who attended”. Dr. Matheu received a solid bronze medal designed especially for the Awards Program engraved with his name and community. Dr. Matheu thanked the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center and his family for all their help in preparing this exhibit.                                                                                                           

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 9, 2009: Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on November 9, 2009 as presented.  

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

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

`           NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS/RECREATION, NICOLE MILOVICH-WALTERS: Commissioner Milovich-Walters had no formal report this evening however, she reminded residents the Village Tree Lighting and Holiday Bazaar would be Friday, December 4^th from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.  

COMMISSIONER OF BUILDING & PUBLIC PROPERTY, JAMES PAVLATOS:

BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT: In Commissioner Pavlatos’ absence, Commissioner Milovich-Walters reported the Building Department issued 18 building permits totaling $3,727.00 in fees through November 23, 2009. The Building Department conducted 29 building inspections. One certificate of occupancy was issued. No exaction fees were collected.

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, DANIEL POLK:

COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S YOUTH SERVICE MEDAL OF HONOR: In Commissioner Polk’s absence, Mayor Mahoney announced Palos Park Police Cadet Sergeant Bill Delaney and Palos Park Police Cadet Tony Delaney have received the Cook County Sheriff’s Youth Service Medal of Honor. This is an award for high school teens that have completed more than 100 hours of community service. The Cadets duties include traffic control and the holiday food drive. This is the 9^th consecutive year that a member(s) of the Palos Park Police Cadet Program has received this award.  

OPERATION SAVE 100: Mayor Mahoney reported the Palos Park Police is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety in Operation Save 100 – a program that could save 100 lives and $100 million for the state. The goal of the program is to have at least 100 less fatalities on Illinois roads this year as compared to last year. The National Safety Council estimates the average cost per motor vehicle fatality is more than $1 million. If Illinois has less than 1,000 fatalities on its roadways this year, it will set a historic record by experiencing the fewest motor vehicle fatalities in one year since 1921. Operation save 100 officially began November 12^th and will run through the end of 2009.  

COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE, MARY O’CONNOR: In 2002, Commissioner O’Connor stated enough signatures had been acquired to put a referendum question on the November 5, 2002 ballot pertaining to the creation of a Police Pension Fund. An additional question was also placed on the ballot asking to fund the pension fund. Commissioner O’Connor explained that the residents voted to approve the creation of a Police Pension Fund but not fund it. The monies that currently fund the pension come out of the General Fund. Commissioner O’Connor is proposing a referendum question be placed on the ballot at the General Primary election to be held on February 2, 2010 increasing its limiting rate for the Village to adequately fund the Police Pension Fund. Currently it costs the Village approximately $268,000.00 to fund the pension. Mayor Mahoney and Commissioner O’Connor felt this was the most appropriate solution. Commissioner O’Connor introduced Dan Forbes, Speer Financial who spoke about the financial impact of the proposed rate increase on homeowners in Palos Park. Dan Forbes reiterated the Village is proposing to increase the limiting rate for the 2009 Property Tax Levy. The monies generated would be used to help fund the Police Pension Fund. Dan Forbes presented several actual tax bills from Palos Park and calculated the resulting estimated tax increase in 2010 tax bills. A home with an Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) of $108,004 would likely see an increase of approximately $107.00. To calculate your estimated property tax bill increase, Dan Forbes stated residents can multiply their 2008 EAV as shown on their second installment property tax bill for 2008 by .00099.  

RESOLUTION FOR SUBMISSION OF A BINDING QUESTION ON THE BALLOT AT THE GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 2010:

Commissioner O’Connor moved, seconded by Commissioner Milovich-Walters, to pass a Resolution providing for and requiring the submission of a binding public question concerning increasing the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, Illinois to appear on the ballot of the electors of the Village of Palos Park at the General Primary Election to be held on February 2, 2010. 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk 

MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Mahoney had no formal report this evening. 

CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Bryson has no formal report this evening however, she wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.   

ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT LEASE: Administrator Jones reported the Village is working with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for a long term lease to use approximately 12.8 acres of land located at Cal-Sag Road and 86^th Avenue for constructing and maintaining a bike or walking path.   

DECEMBER/JANUARY NEWSLETTER: Administrator Jones reported the December/January Village newsletter is at the printer. The Village newsletter is available online, however about 500 copies are still printed. Residents wishing to receive a hard copy of the newsletter are asked to call Village Hall.  

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 Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to: 

1.        APPROVE PAYMENT OF INVOICES ON THE WARRANT LIST FOR NOVEMBER 23, 2009 IN THE AMOUNT OF $216,071.22 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk 

OLD BUSINESS: None 

NEW BUSINESS: None 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Mike Gaichas – 8502 W. 121^st Street, Palos Park, IL – Mr. Gaichas congratulated the Marist High School Varsity football team on reaching the IHSA Class 8A championship game to be held in Champaign, IL on Saturday, November 28^th.  

Maria Rogers –12021 93^rd Avenue, Palos Park, IL – Mrs. Rogers thanked those attending the grand re-opening of the Library and those stopping by the Palos Historical Society Room. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: In open session at 8:51 p.m., Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to recess to executive session to discuss acquisition of real property, pending litigation and probable or imminent litigation and approve and review for release executive session minutes. 

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

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk 

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION: At 9:46 p.m. Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adjourn the executive session and return to open session.

Upon voice vote, the motion carried with 3 yes votes.   

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

            NAYS: -0-

            ABSENT: -2- Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk 

ROLL CALL: At 9:47 p.m. roll call was taken. Answering to roll call were Commissioners Milovich-Walters, O’Connor, and Mayor Mahoney. 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Commissioner Milovich-Walters moved, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor, to adjourn the meeting at 9:48 p.m. 

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

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

            Nays: -0-

            Absent: -2- Commissioners Pavlatos and Polk 

________________________

Cathy A. Gabel
Deputy Village Clerk