City of Palos Heights City Council met Aug. 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. The Mayor called to order the regular meeting of the City of Palos Heights City Council at 7:00 p.m. in the City Administrative Center, 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL
II. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Mayor led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
III. ROLL CALL
Roll call indicated the following were present:
Mayor
Robert Straz
Ward 1 Donald Bylut & Jeffrey Key
City Clerk
Thomas Kantas
Ward 2 Robert Basso & Jack Clifford
City Treasurer James Daemicke
Ward 3 Dolores Kramarski & Brent Lewandowski
City Attorney
Tom Brown
Ward 4 Michael McGrogan & Jerry McGovern
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
The Beautification Committee presented checks to the winners of the Car Classic raffle.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes August 6, 2019.
B. Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending August 16, 2019.
Alderman Clifford moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by Alderman Kramarski.
On roll call, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGover, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
VII. OPENING OF SEALED BIDS
None
VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
Mayor: (1) Reported on the passing of former Palos Heights Police Officer Jim Nix. (2) Requested a Motion to approve the amended Opioid litigation agreement originally approved at the February 19, 2019 City Council meeting. Alderman Kramarskt moved to approve the agreement seconded by Alderman Bylut.
On roll call, the motion to approve the agreement was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
Clerk: No Report
Treasurer: Treasurer's Report for the month ending July 31, 2019.
General Fund:
Beginning cash balance $3,883,169.58
Revenues $1,513,560.71
Expenses $976,514.40
Other $2,833.30
Ending cash balance $4,417,382.59
Total of All Funds:
Beginning cash balance $16,799,896.05
Revenues $2,561,267.40
Expenses $1,477,623.45
Other $61,582.23
Ending cash balance $17,821,957.77
Alderman Bylut moved to approve the treasurer's report seconded by Alderman McGovern.
The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
City Attorney: No report
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
Alderman Kramarski thanked public works for their excellent work following the recent storm,
IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL
None
X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Finance-Chairperson Alderman McGrogan: No Report
B. Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: (1) Reported that school is back in session and urged motorists to use caution. (2) Reported on the Lock it or Lose It program alerting residents to lock car doors. (3) Thanked the police department for the recent Night Out.
C. Municipal Grounds and Property-Chairperson Alderman Basso: Reported that chipper service is ongoing.
D. Planning and Zoning-Chairperson Alderman Clifford: No Report
E. Recreation---Chairperson Alderman Key:
Alderman Key moved to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with School District 128 for use of the school facility (Chippewa Elementary School) to hold the "Power Play" before- and after-school program seconded by Alderman Bylut. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Alderman Key thanked CNB Bank for their sponsorship of the summer concert and movie season.
Announced that Lake Katherine Butterfly Festival is upcoming.
F. Roads and Construction-Chairperson Alderman Kramarski:
Alderman Kramarski moved to direct the City Attorney to draft an amendment to the Ordinance updating City Code Chapter 76 Traffic Schedules Ordinance - Schedule IV, to correspond with changes made as a result of the approved 2017 Traffic Control Ştudy seconded by Alderman Clifford.
Alderman Lewandowski stated that residents in his ward believe that the removal of certain stop signs could be hazardous.
Alderman Kramarski stated that the ordinance is consistent with applicable law and guidelines and with the traffic control study. The failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in the loss of funding and liability.
Alderman Basso urged residents to use caution when approaching and crossing intersections.
Alderman Kramarski stated that she recently observed unattended children travelling on 76th Avenue.
Alderman McGovern stated that the speed limit in the City is 20 miles per hour.
Alderman Clifford stated that the traffic study conducted appears to have been productive and recited certain statistics and findings from the report.
Alderman Key stated that the traffic and engineering studies conducted state that unwarranted stop signs can cause harm to motorists.
Alderman McGovern stated that state law requires a study be conducted before the placement or removal of stop signs.
Alderman Lewandowski states that pedestrians and residents use the streets and inquired if the City had ever been denied funding for deviating from any applicable studies. The Mayor indicated that no such applications have been initiated presently. Alderman Lewandowski inquired about any prior litigation from deviations from traffic studies.
On roll call, the motion to approve the amendment was:
Ayes: (7)
Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (1) Lewandowski
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
Alderman Kramarski moved to approve Engineer's Payment Estimate #1 to Triggi Construction Inc. in the amount of $64,641.56 for the Rt. 83 Şidewalk Project seconded by Alderman Clifford.
On roll call, the motion to approve the payment was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
Alderman Kramarski moved to approve Engineer's Payment Estimate #1 to Lindahl Brothers Inc. in the amount of $128,003,28 for the 2019 MFT Project seconded by Aldeman Clifford.
On roll call, the motion to approve the payment was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
G. License, Permits & Franchises-Chairperson Alderman Lewandowski: No Report
H. Water and Sewer-Chairperson Alderman Bylut:
Alderman Bylut moved to remove the from the table the motion to approve a 3% increase to the current water rates to compensate for the Alsip and City of Chicago rate increase seconded by Alderman Key.
Alderman McGrogan stated that a meeting to discuss the matter in committee has not yet occurred since the motion was tabled at the last meeting. Alderman McGrogan stated that the matter requires further consideration in committee.
Alderman Bylut stated that by tabling the motion it is to be considered for discussion at the next meeting which is what should occur at this time.
The motion to bring the matter off the table and allow discussion passed by voice vote.
Alderman Bylut stated that the matter received sufficient consideration in committee and that consideration by the council is appropriate at this time.
Alderman McGrogan stated that the sewer and water fund has sufficient capital to consider whether or not the increase is appropriate.
Alderman Kramarski stated that she is open to further discussion regarding certain city services and charges.
Alderman Bylut stated the amount in water and sewer capital fund is necessary because emergencies in this department are expensive. Often these expenditures are mandatory and not discretionary such as sanitary sewer breaks and water tower installation. Alderman Bylut stated that residents expect water and sewer matters to be addressed within the confines of the budget and not resort to referendum to pay for unanticipated water and sewer expenditures. Alderman Bylut stated that the increase is due largely to Chicago increases. Alderman Bylut stated that residents will pay on average $1.25 more per month 80% of which will go to Chicago.
Alderman McGrogan stated that a referendum is not necessary should an emergency arise because the City has sufficient resources to manage such a situation.
Alderman McGrogan moved to refer the matter to committee seconded by Alderman Basso. The motion by voice vote failed.
Alderman McGover stated that water and sewer requires extensive work which requires heavy equipment and many workers.
The Mayor stated that the City provides excellent water and sewer services.
Alderman McGrogan moved to defer the vote to the next city council meeting for action seconded by Alderman Basso. The matter requires a second by no vote.
XI. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
A. Business/Economic Development: Alderman Key reported that on Friday from 10-1 the Welcome Back to Trinity will take place and thanked local businesses participating in the program.
B. Ad Hoc Cable TV: No Report
XII. OLD BUSINESS
• Alderman Basso stated that the water billing issue requires additional consideration.
• Alderman Key stated that regarding traffic signal placement, the council relies on expertise from engineering, traffic and police personnel when making decisions.
• Alderman Kramarski stated that funding was denied on 123rd place in the past.
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
None
XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING'S BUSINESS
None
XV. CLOSED SESSION
None
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:50 p.m. the Mayor requested a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08202019-244
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