City of Palos Heights City Council met Nov. 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. CALL TO ORDER
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
City Clerk Thomas Kantas
City Treasurer James Daemicke
City Attorney Tom Brown
Ward 1 Donald Bylut & Jeffrey Key
Ward 2 Robert Basso & Jack Clifford
Ward 3 Dolores Kramarski & Brent Lewandowski
Ward 4 Michael McGrogan & Jerry McGovern
V. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes: City Council Meeting, October 15, 2019
B. Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending November 1, 2019.
C. Approval of a request from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to allow door-to-door solicitation for cookie sales during the month of January, 2020.
D. Approval of a Proclamation for Veterans Day, November 11, 2019.
Alderman McGrogan moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by Alderman Clifford.
On roll call, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda was: cost $985,000.00 indicating the extent of the cost to install throughout the City.
Requested a Motion to adopt an Ordinance for the vacation and sale of a portion of the 126th Street right of way between 69th Court and 70th Avenue.
Alderman Bylut moved to adopt the ordinance seconded by Alderman Key. On roll call, the motion to adopt the ordinance was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
B. Clerk: No Report
B. Treasurer: No Report
C. City Attorney: No Report
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
Alderman Bylut welcomed Shepard High School AP Government students to the meeting.
Alderman McGovern recognized the Lions Club for the effort supporting first responders.
IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL
Trudy Erickson (12401 S. 69th Avenue) addressed the City Council regarding billing she received for 117,000 gallons of water for last winter’s quarterly bill. The water meter was read remotely without any evidence of a leak and that there is no conceivable way 117,000 gallons of water could have been delivered to her home during the winter. A recheck of the meter indicated usage of approximately 4,000 gallons during the subsequent quarter which is consistent with her past water use. The volume of water delivered (112,000 gallons) would require a large swimming pool larger than the size of her home to fill. Ms. Erickson indicated that the City should provide evidence of where such a massive amount of water could have gone or if there was a malfunction or defect with the meter. Ms. Erickson indicated that such an error, after discussing this issue with the manufacturer, would not be able to be discovered. Ms. Erickson indicated that Sensus, the manufacturer, has had this issue occur in the past. Ms. Erickson requested that the City not cancel her water and not require her to pay for the quantity of water at issue.
Alderman Bylut indicated that the bill was from last winter and that Ms. Erickson has appeared before the Water and Sewer Committee in the past. The process for contesting alleged defects in the readings would be to remove the meter and have it inspected. A faulty reader is replaced by the City and any adjustments are taken into consideration. The public works director offered this option to Ms. Erickson who declined to have the meter removed.
The Mayor stated that the City will investigate Ms. Erickson’s issue and delay enforcement of the notice to cancel her water.
X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Finance—Chairperson Alderman McGrogan: No Report
B. Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: Reported that Lock it or Lose it continues urging residents to use caution in order to avoid car and home thefts. Reported on a State legislative initiative to consolidate all police pension funds into one fund.
C. Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Basso:
● Alderman Basso moved to approve a payment to Trane for a boiler replacement unit in the amount of $22,766.50 seconded by Alderman Kramarski. 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 Basso to approve the purchase of a Groundsmaster 4000-D mower from Reinders through a State purchasing contract in the amount of $55,554.83 seconded by Alderman Kramarski. 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.
● Reminded residents that chipper service was extended for a week due to inclement weather.
D. Planning and Zoning—Chairperson Alderman Clifford:
● Alderman Clifford moved to adopt the City Comprehensive Plan seconded by Alderman Key. On roll call, the motion to approve the plan was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Clifford moved to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for a zoning Variance to allow an oversized structure (open-air pergola) measuring 16’ x 16’ to be erected in the rear lot of the residence located at 12312 S. 75 th Avenue PIN: 23-25-403-007-0000 seconded by Alderman McGovern. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
● Alderman Clifford moved to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for a zoning Special Use to allow a dog grooming salon to operate within a B District, specifically in the commercial shop space located at 13405 S. Ridgeland Avenue PIN: 24-32-300-039-0000 seconded by Alderman McGovern. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
E. Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key: Thanked Matt Fairbanks the Recreation Director on the success of the Touch a Truck Event which was very well attended. The Winter Market takes place in the Orchard Room on 11/16 from 8 to Noon.
F. Roads and Construction—Chairperson Alderman Kramarski: No Report
G. License, Permits & Franchises—Chairperson Alderman Lewandowski: No Report
H. Water and Sewer—Chairperson Alderman Bylut:
● Alderman Bylut moved to approve the Sanitary Sewer Lining project at Pottawatomi and Ishnala Drives by Hoerr Construction Inc. in the amount of $15,850.00 seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On roll call, the motion to approve the project was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Bylut moved to approve payment to Strand & Assoc. in the amount of $7,621.44 for engineering services on the Route 83 Water Reservoir seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. 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 Bylut moved to approve on-call engineering services for GIS assistance and sanitary sewer system studies to RJN Group in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On roll call, the motion to approve the service was:
Ayes: (8) Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Kramarski, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan.
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
XI. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
A. Business/Economic Development: Alderman Key reported that Holidays in the Heights will begin on 11/29 with the Tree Lighting at Lake Katherine followed by the Kringle Market on 12/6 and 12/7. Trinity and the Library are hosting events on 12/7 as well.
B. Ad Hoc Cable TV: Alderman McGovern reported that Homer Glen and Harvey have requested to visit the Channel 4 facilities based on the strength of Channel 4 programming and other efforts.
XII. OLD BUSINESS
None
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Clifford remarked on a recent trip to Arlington Cemetery.
Alderman McGrogan remarked on a recent news story on fires which have a propensity to take place during the winter from space heater and smoke detector malfunction and other such incidents.
XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS
None
XV. CLOSED SESSION
Alderman Kramarski moved to adjourn to executive session seconded by Alderman Key to discuss pending Litigation under Section 2(c)(11) and to discuss Personnel under Sections 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(2) of the Open Meetings Act. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:50 p.m. Alderman Kramarski moved to return to open session seconded by Alderman Key. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
At 7:50 p.m. the Mayor requested a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.
https://www.palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11052019-277
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