City of Blue Island City Council met June 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1) Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Blue Island was called to order by Mayor Bilotto at 7:01 p.m. on June 27, 2023.
2) Pledge of Allegiance
3) Roll Call
Roll Call indicates the following:
Present: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Present Also: 5 Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, City Clerk
Jairo Frausto, Treasurer
Erin Blake, City Attorney
Thomas Wogan, City Administrator
Mark Patoska, Deputy City Administrator
4) Presentation of Journal of Proceedings
Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Johnson to approve the City Council Minutes from the June 13, 2023, City Council meeting.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
5) Public Comment
The First Evangelical Lutheran Church cordially invites everyone to the Lyric Theatre to join them in celebrating 160 years of ministry. They will begin with worship at 10 a.m. in the church at 2519 Grove Street, followed by lunch at noon at the Lyric Theatre. To purchase tickets, please call the office. They will also have an ice cream social from 4 to 6 p.m. on 7/7/23, followed by rock painting. On 7/14/23, they will do TikTok recipes, and on 7/21/23, they will provide a tie dye event.
Mission Covenant Church expressed gratitude to the Mayor and City Clerk for attending the motorcycle blessing on 6/25/23. They noted that they had an event booked for 7/22/23, however it has been postponed for 8/5/23. Details will be provided later.
A Blue Island resident would want to thank Public Works for patching potholes in her alley. She also requested that her alley be added to the roaster for pavement.
6) Old Business
No old business.
7) New Business
a. Presentation of Future Innovators Awards.
Brian Meadows is the Executive Director of the Center of Future Innovators and is also a member of the Forestry Board. The Center of Future Innovators had a group of students of all ages participate in a “Save the Earth" event and submit several designs during Arbor Day/Earth Day. The Forestry Board chose one of the students to receive the Earth Day Awareness Award, and the award winner received a free robotics session.
8) Mayor's Report
a. Motion for Approval of Payroll for June 23, 2023, for $426,658.45 (gross).
Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to approve Payroll for June 23, 2023, for $426,658.45 (gross).
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
b. Motion for Approval of Accounts Payable dated June 28, 2023, for $332,065.15.
Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Montoya to approve Accounts Payable for June 28, 2023, for $332,065.15
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
Alderman Fahrenwald noted that he wanted to discuss reimbursement for golf ball damage by the City at the Committee of the Whole meeting, as he is concerned about setting a precedent for making payments on these property damage claims.
c. Motion to Approve Manual Check to Ford Motor Company in the amount of $45,210.26.
Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Roll for Approval of Manual Check.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
d. Ordinance No. 2023-031: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois, Granting a Special Use and a Parking Variance Permitting Blue Island's Bodega, Inc. to Operate a Food Store within the R-1 (Single Residential) District (2218 Desplaines Street).
Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Fahrenwald for Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-031.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
e. Ordinance No. 2023-032: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County Illinois, Granting a Special Use and Two sign Variances Permitting TLC Learning Center to Install an Electronic Message Board Sign Within the C-2 (Highway Commercial) District (2844 W. 127th Street).
Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Fahrenwald for Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-032.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
f. Ordinance No. 2023-033: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Amending Title VII (“Traffic Code”), Chapter 72 (“Parking Regulations") of the Code of Blue Island, Illinois.
Motion by Alderman Montoya, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to TABLE Ordinance No. 2023-033.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
Alderman Fahrenwald proposed a small change be made to the ordinance that would allow a resident to sell a vehicle once a year on the property.
g. Ordinance No. 2023-034: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Amending Title XI (“Business Regulations"), Chapter 121 ("Scavengers, Peddlers and Merchants") of the Code of Blue Island, Illinois.
Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman McGee for Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-034.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
Alderman Johnson inquired as to what we were discussing. The City Attorney, Erin Blake, informed him that this ordinance amendment was not making any changes regarding scavengers and all changes are directed to solicitors.
h. Resolution No. 2023-018: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement for 2418 James Street.
Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Johnson for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-018.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
i. Resolution No. 2023-019: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement for 3127 W. 141st Place.
Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-019.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
j. Resolution No. 2023-020: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve the Proposal from the Maxx Group for Commercial Liability Insurance for the Meadows Golf Club of Blue Island.
Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-020.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
k. Motion to Permanently Transfer Funds from Golf Course to General Fund for Golf Course Insurance.
Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman McGee for Approval of Motion.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
1. Resolution No. 2023-021: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Award Burke, LLC's Bid for Construction Engineering Services for the Olde Western Avenue Streetscape Project.
Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-021.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
m. Resolution No. 2023-022: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve the Proposal from Play Illinois for Playground Equipment at the John D. Rita Center.
Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman McGee for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-022.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
Alderman Roll added that he totally supports this but would like to see more accountability in how the recreation center is run in the future.
Alderman Fahrenwald noted that while he supports the cause, he has not seen this facility run very efficiently.
n. Mayor's Announcements/Comments.
The Mayor mentioned that it has taken seven years for this administration, the previous administration, and notably former and current staff as well as council members such as Tom Hawley and Jason Berry, among others, to break ground on the streetscape project, which will be completed in three parts. He thanked the City's State Representative Robert Rita for his assistance with the IDOT grant for Olde Western Avenue. He noted that nothing has been improved on Olde Western since 1974.
The Mayor notified the Council that the alleyways will be paved on 7/11/23 and would be finished in four to five days.
The Mayor stated that the 2023 roadway resurfacing project will be put out to bid. All bids are due on 7/14/23, and an additional 75 trees will be planted as part of this project.
The Mayor notified the Council that water meters have been put out for bid.
The Mayor announced that the remaining sewers in the City will be televised, producing real data for a five-year plan for engineering projects.
The Mayor invited everyone to the 7/1/23 Fireworks at the Falls.
9) City Clerk's Announcements/Reports/Comments
a. City Clerk's Announcements
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, notified the City Council that the Guildhaus is preparing a 5k run/walk on September 24, 2023.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, encouraged everyone to attend an Ice Cream Party on 7/7/23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at First Lutheran Church.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, informed everyone that there would be a free community yard sale this year on the first weekend of August.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, told the City Council that the Rock Island Public House would conduct a fundraiser "Ruff Around Blue Island" to help raise funds for the stray dogs held in the City on August 5, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, reminded everyone that TGIF is every Friday on York and Western.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, reminded everyone to mark their calendars for National Night Out on 8/1/23.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, encouraged residents to sign up for Junior Golf at the Meadows.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to Fireworks at the Falls on 7/1/23. There will be food vendors, crafts, face painting, a massage tent, a reptile show, inflatables for kids, and drinks will be served by the Blue Island Beer Company.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, reminded everyone that vehicle city stickers are on sale.
City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, reminded aldermen that if they required fireworks signs, they should notify her.
10) Treasurer's Report
a. City Treasurer's Announcements/Reports/Comments
No comment.
11) City Attorney's Report
a. Attorney's Announcements/Comments
No comment.
12) City Administrator's Announcements/Reports/Comments
a. City Administrator's Announcements/Comments
City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, stated that there are roadway closures due to railroad repairs. The City has been in contact with CSX and CSX admitted that the maintenance/construction at these railroad crossings were poorly organized and that their contractor's communication with the City was insufficient. Therefore, the agreed to begin work on the crossing on 119th after completing construction and reopening the railroad crossings on Union and Broadway.
Alderman Fahrenwald suggested that Kevin Donohue may be able to assist.
Alderman Johnson inquired whether Mr. Wogan knew when Ashland would be fully operating. The City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, stated that he did not know; nonetheless, he would inquire about the timeframe.
13) Aldermanic Announcements/Reports/Comments
Alderman Montoya inquired as to when the residents on Olde Western will be notified of the Streetscape project. The mayor indicated that the notifications would occur after July 4th. Alderman Montoya also wished Mark Potaska a happy birthday.
Alderman Fahrenwald stated that it was wonderful to see Tom Hawley at the meeting and that he missed him, that he had learned a lot from him, and that all of his mistakes were not Hawley's responsibility.
Alderman Johnson agreed with Aldermen Fahrenwald and Alderman Roll regarding the Recreation Center. He noted it was important for the Recreation Center and Aldermen to disseminate information regarding events at the Recreation Center to all of the residents. He noted that the Recreation Center had an event on Juneteenth that was a fantastic event he would have liked to see more Aldermen and residents present because it was informative and benefited a lot of people.
14) Adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss litigation that has been filed and is pending before a court or an administrative tribunal and actions of probable or imminent litigation.
Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman McGee to go into Executive Session.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman Roll to resume regular meeting.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
The Mayor stated that they discussed possible litigation during the executive session.
15) Motion for Adjournment
Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to adjourn the regular meeting.
Ayes: 5 Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald, McGee
Nays: 0
Absent: 2 Carr, Rita
Abstention: 0
There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned 8:04 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled July 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
https://www.blueisland.org/wp-content/uploads/government/city-council/city-council-agenda-minutes/City-Council-Minutes-06-27-2023.pdf
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