City of Oak Forest Economic Advisory Council met Feb. 4
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order at 12:01 p.m.
Present: Member Patricia Griffin
Member Patrick Gericke
Member Paul Hosman
Member Kim Malecky-Iles
Member Brian Martello
Member Dan Walsh (present at 12:20)
Paul Ruane, staff liaison
Hunter Heyman, staff
Absent: Chairman Don Vacha
Member Jim Emmett
2. Approval of Minutes from November 12, 2025
Member Patricia Griffin made a motion to approve the minutes from November 12, 2025.
Motion was seconded by Member Kim Malecky-Iles. Minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0, with three members absent.
3. New business
A. Cook County Class 8 Incentive Renewal – Oak Forest Marathon – 15301 S. Harlem Avenue
Mr. Ruane presented the application via PowerPoint for the incentive renewal for 15301 S. Harlem Avenue. The petitioner, requested a class 8 incentive renewal. The original Class 8 incentive was approved in 2013. The subject property is a gas station with a convenience store.
The applicant is proposing to continue the existing use as it exists today. Mr. Ruane remarked that this is the first renewal request.
Member Patrick Gericke made a motion to recommend approval of the class 8 incentive renewal. The motion was seconded by Member Paul Hosman. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0, with three members absent.
B. Cook County Class 8 Incentive Renewal – HD Hotels (Spark by Hilton) – 4375 Frontage Road
Mr. Ruane presented the application via PowerPoint for the incentive renewal for 4375 Frontage Road. The petitioner, requested a class 8 incentive renewal. The original Class 8 incentive was approved in 2016. The subject property is a hotel. The applicant is has rebranded the hotel in the last year providing significant reinvestment in the property. Mr. Ruane remarked that this is the first renewal request.
Member Patricia Griffin made a motion to recommend approval of the class 8 incentive renewal.
The motion was seconded by Member Brian Martello. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0, with three members absent.
C. Discussion about Business Update and Business Improvement Grant
Paul Ruane asked the members to provide some feedback about the Business Update event and the Business Improvement Grant. To the members that were present for the meeting they all enjoyed the meeting and saw this as a great opportunity to connect with the businesses and keep everyone informed of incentives available and project updates on the current developments around town.
4. Project Updates
Paul Ruane updated the members on the current and upcoming projects:
5. Old business
6. Adjournment
Member Patricia Griffin made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Member Paul Hosman.
All in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:04 p.m.
http://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03042026-2292
