South Cook News

City of Oak Forest City Council met March 26

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

City Clerk Nicole Tormey called the City Council meeting to order at 7: 30 p. m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows:

Present: Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel

Absent: Mayor Henry Kuspa

Also Present. City Clerk Nicole Tormey

Treasurer Ericka Vetter

City Administrator Timothy Kristin

Public Works Dir. Mike Salamowicz

City Clerk Nicole Tormey asked for a motion for mayor pro tem. Alderman Danihel made a motion for Alderman Hortsman to be mayor pro tem. Alderman Emmett seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

The motion carried 7/ 0.

3. Announcements

City Hall will be closed on March 29 in observance of Good Friday. During nonbusiness hours, please use the night deposit mail slot at City Hall, pay parking and ordinance tickets online or sign up for online water bill payments.

➣ The Oak Forest Hometown Heroes Banner Program honors current or former residents, who have served or are currently serving in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Each banner includes name, photo, rank, and branch of the military. The banners costs $ 75. 00 each and will be displayed on Cicero Avenue and 159' Street. Applications are available at City Hall or www.oak-forest.org.

➣ The Public Works Department is hiring seasonal maintenance workers to perform manual labor and general unskilled or semi- skilled work. You must be at least 17 years old to apply. For more details, visit www.oak-forest.org.

➣ Beginning April 1, yard waste can be placed curbside in brown paper yard waste bags, reasonable- sized bundles tied with twine or string, or a Homewood Disposal yard waste cart on your scheduled garbage day. Yard waste only stickers are only needed for regular 35 gallon garbage cans. Stickers are available at the Clerk' s Office at City Hall.

➣ Spring Cleanup Week is April 22- 26. Residents of single-family homes may dispose of multiple bulk items at the curb on their regular pickup day. Public Works chipping crews will be following Homewood Disposal' s pickup schedule. Please leave your branches at the curb by 7 a. m. on your pickup day. Also, they will take TVs but you have to tell them ahead of time.

➣ Tim Kristin read a letter from FCL Builders' project manager acknowledging the outstanding work done by Building Department and professionalism of Melissa Peters.

4. Motion to Establish Consent Agenda

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

The motion carried 7/ 0.

5. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of minutes:

1. City Council February 27, 2024

2. City Council March 12, 2024

B. Consideration of the following list of bills dated:

1. Regular bills FY 2023- 2024

2. Supplemental bills FY 2023- 2024

C. Consideration of the following minutes:

1. Fire & Police Commission January 11, 2024

2. Fire & Police Commission January 18, 2024

3. Fire & Police Commission February 8, 2024

4. Cable Commission March 14, 2024

5. Protection Commission March 13, 2024

6. Veterans Commission February 15, 2024

7. Planning and Zoning Commission February 7, 2024

D. Proclamation No. 2024- 03- 0301 P recognizing Vincent Alaska for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout

Alderman Selman read the proclamation into the record.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for a motion to approve consent agenda.

Alderman Wolf made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tem)

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

6. Building Department

A. Approval of a purchase of a 2023 Ford F- 250 pickup truck in the CIP budgeted amount of$ 45,000.00 through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative ( SPC) from Currie Motors.

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman McCarthy seconded.

City Administrator Tim Kristin reported that Commissioner Forbes could not be at the meeting. The purchase of the vehicle is to replace some aging vehicles in his fleet. This vehicle will accommodate many of the tools, ladders, etc. that Commissioner Forbes will need. His vehicle will be passed down through the departments.

Alderman Hortsman asked about the timing of availability. Tim Kristin answered that it is ready right away.

Alderman Selman remarked that the amount looks a deal. Tim Kristin believes that it being a brand new 2023 and since it is through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative, they get the best deals.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for any comments.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tem)

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

7. Public Works

A. Approval of purchase of a Bandit Model 2550 track stump grinder in the budgeted amount of$ 62,757.20.

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Selman seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported they are looking to replace the current stump grinder which is constantly breaking down and in need of repairs. They did research on different types and models. They did a demo of this model and they liked it.

The actual CIP amount is $ 110, 000. 00. This is a lower amount than what was anticipated.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for questions or comments. Seeing none.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tem)

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

B. Approval of 2022 Water Main Improvement Project — Pay Estimate No. 5 in the budgeted amount of$ 834, 290. 24— corrected amount $ 449,082.35.

Alderman Selman made the motion. Alderman Wolf seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported there was a typo and the correct amount requested is $ 449,082. 35. The contractor is basically done with the primary work of the project. There are some punch list items they are still working on and restoration.

With the work that has not been paid yet and the retainage, there is $ 372, 000.00 left to pay the contractor.

Mayor pro tem asked the motion maker if he approves changing his motion to approve to the new amount.

Alderman Selman revised his motion to approve to include the corrected amount of payment to be $ 449, 082. 35. Alderman Wolf seconded.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for any questions or comments.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tern)

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

C. Approval of 2024/ 2025 road salt bid procurement commitment including execution of the Certificate of Authority as required by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman Selman seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported this is a commitment to order salt for next year. Public Works will be ordering the same amount of salt as last year, 1, 250 tons.

Minimum have to order is 1, 000 tons but can go up to 1, 500 tons. Part of the approval process, the State Purchasing is requesting the execution of the Certificate of Authority by vote.

Alderman Emmett asked if Public Works is preserving the extra salt in the dome. Mike stated the yes.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tern, asked for any questions or comments.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tem)

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

D. Approval of 2022 Water Main Improvement Project, Engineering Services Agreement Supplement No. 2.

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported the construction is nearing completion.

There are punch list items remaining and the restoration. Because of slow movement by the contractor, additional work with valves and some unforeseen work with a storm sewer that needed to be replaced, the construction engineering is going to be beyond the budgeted amount by an estimate of $24, 239. 00. With that amount, the project will still be under the project cost. Mike had a conversation with the contractor and because some of this is a result of their slower than anticipated construction, they have agreed to compensate the city $12,000.00.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for any questions or comments.

Alderman Selman asked if we are still going through the process of retention, holding back a percentage of the contract value. Mike replied yes, that is part of the pay estimate that was previously approved.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for any other questions. Seeing none.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman ( mayor pro tem)

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

E. Approval of Crescent Green Lift Station Replacement — Engineering Design & Bid Services Agreement.

Alderman Selman made the motion. Alderman Keeler seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported Crescent Green is a problem lift station.

Workers are constantly having to go out there to remove debris from the pumps. There is a lot of overtime associated with that work. A request for proposal was issued last year.

No submittals. They did research and found that not only would the pumps need to be replaced, the valves, electrical panel and floats would need to be replaced. The lift station is not meeting code. Public Works is looking to replace the whole lift station.

They did a request for proposal and one engineering firm, HR Green, submitted a proposal. The proposal is for a not to exceed amount of $72,040.00.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for questions or comments.

Alderman Wolf asked if this takes care of Public Works' budget. Mike replied for this week.

Alderman Selman remarked that the lift station was installed in 1969. He asked if the station is designed to last this long. Mike replied that is why they are looking at replacing the entire lift station including the structure in the ground.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for any other questions. Seeing none.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tem)

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

8. Economic and Community Development

A. Approval of Ordinance No. 2024- 03- 10210 authorizing special use permit to allow a gasoline station with a convenience store in the C2 — General Service Commercial District at 16702 S. Cicero Avenue.

Alderman Keeler made the motion. Alderman McCarthy seconded.

City Administrator Tim Kristin reported the Shell Gas Station at 167th Cicero is going through a change of ownership. A special use permit was not issued back when it opened. The approval of the special use will transfer to the new owner.

Alderman Hortsman, mayor pro tem, asked for any questions or comments from the aldermen. Seeing none.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman ( mayor pro tem)

Alderman Danihel

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

9. Citizen Participation

None.

10. Old Business

None.

11. New Business

None.

12. Executive Session

None.

13. Adjournment

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Emmett seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman (mayor pro tem)

The motion carried 6/ 0, Alderman Hortsman mayor pro tem, did not vote.

Meeting adjourned at 7: 58 p. m

https://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03262024-1889