Palos Hills City Council met Nov. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bennett called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
2) PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Mayor Bennett led everyone in the Pledge to the Flag.
3) ROLL CALL: Upon roll call the following Aldermen responded:
PRESENT: Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Marrotta, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Moore, Nowak ABSENT: None
4) QUORUM: Mayor Bennett declared a quorum was present.
5) READINGOFTHEPREVIOUSMEETINGMINUTES:
Ald. Kleefisch MOVED to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes dated November 7, 2019 as presented. SECONDED by Ald. Moore. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: Brachman, Lebarre, Marrotta, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price NAY: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
6) CITIZENS PETITION: None this evening
7) CITIZENSHEARING:
Mayor Bennett, the meeting is open to the public for any comments or questions.
Resident, Denise Lipinski, addressed Council again on matters surrounding cannabis, requesting that the Mayor and Council reconsider and to review the petition she presented reflecting support from 75 other residents that share her view.
There were no other comments or questions from the public; the public portion of the meeting was closed.
8) REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS: A. CITY CLERK: No report this evening.
B. CITYATTORNEY:
o City Attorney Pappas provided an update on the house at 10505 82nd Avenue, stating that demolition action has been delayed due to the new judge reviewing everything and requesting additional evidence with condition of the premises.
o City Attorney Pappas stated that the house on Meryton Court which is something that Nick is very concerned about. The house is in foreclosure and there’s a possibility that (inaudible) and demolish that property.
o City Attorney Pappas provided an update on the Racquetball club stating it is going to be put on tax sale list again next month, and we are first in line (inaudible).
Ald. Stratton asked City Attorney Pappas for an update on the house at 10524 S. 82nd Avenue as the front grass was being cut, but not in the back and the weeds were so high that you could not see the building.
Commissioner Hardison said he will get an update from Ordinance officer and provide that back.
C. MAYOR: Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to go into Executive Session. SO MOVED by Ald. Moore. SECONDED by Ald. Marrotta. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: Lebarre, Marrotta, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price, Brachman NAY: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
9) PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN:
A. BUILDING & LICENSING:
Ald. Price MOVED to accept the bid from All American Exterior Solutions at $63,530.00 for the roof repairs to the Community Center. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: Marrotta, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre NAY: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
Ald. Price MOVED to accept the bid from Cittrix Building Services for roof repairs on the Police department in the amount of $48,783.00. SECONDED by Ald. Stratton. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Marrotta NAY: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
Mayor Bennett announced that there was a counter offer on 8811 W. 103rd at $70,000.00. Ald. Moore MOVED to accept the counter offer as presented. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell.
Ald. Stratton said that she would like to know if we can hold off until spring to see if we can get a better price.
Ald. Marrotta asked City Clerk Mulderink what he thought of the market price of that property.
City Clerk Mulderink stated it is where it’s worth right now on the market.
Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: Kleefisch, Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Marrotta, O’Connell
NAY: Stratton
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
B. CITYADMINISTRATION/GOLF:
Ald. Moore had no report this evening.
C. COMMUNITYRESOURCES:
Ald. Nowak announced that the Resource and Recreation Center will have a mitten tree at the
Community Center. Individuals can drop off items such as mittens, hats and scarves to hang on the tree. They will then be donated to Beds Plus for those in need. We will accept items for pets such as collars, leashes, and toys. Collections for the mitten tree will end January 3rd.
Ald. Nowak stated that there will be a mailbox for letters written to Santa in the Community Center lobby beginning December 2nd. Drop off your letter in the special mailbox; don’t forget to include your name, address, city and state. Santa’s elves will stop taking letters at the end of the day on December 13th.
Upon request of Ald. Nowak, City Clerk Mulderink assigned Resolution number 636 to A Resolution Authorizing the signing of the PACE Agreement for 2020.
After the reading of Resolution 636, Ald. Nowak MOVED for ADOPTION of same. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: Stratton, Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Marrotta, O’Connell, Kleefisch NAY: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Ald. O’Connell had no report this evening.
E. FINANCE:
Ald. Lebarre MOVED to authorize the expenditure of a Vendor Warrant dated November 21, 2019 in the amount of $434,366.36. SECONDED by Ald. Marrotta. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:
AYE: Pasek, Moore, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Marrotta, O’Connell, Kleefsich, Stratton NAY: None
ABSENT: None MOTION CARRIED
Ald. Lebarre stated that at the next Council meeting he will be presenting two ordinances, one providing budget for the city and one for levying taxes.
F. LEGISLATION & ORDINANCES:
Ald. Marrotta announced that yesterday the U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to legalize marijuana on a federal level; removing it from Schedule 1 controlled substances act, attached 24-10.
G. PARKS:
Ald. Stratton said that the Community Resource and Recreation department will be holding their evening with Santa and tree lighting on Thursday, December 12th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Come join us for dinner and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. For information on how to register, please contact the Community Center at 430-4500.
Ald. Stratton said to start looking for your 2020 Winter/Spring newsletter in your mailbox. If you do not receive your newsletter by Friday, November 29th, please call the Community Center at 430-4500.
H. PLANNING & ZONING:
Ald. Nowak had no report this evening.
I. PUBLIC SAFETY:
Ald. Kleefisch had no report this evening.
J. PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER:
Ald. Brachman provided a Public Works update as follows:
Chipper Service
Crews are making a nal run through town this week to pick up any last piles of branches.
Street Sweeper
Next Monday the en re town will be swept as part of our contract with Allied Waste.
IT Report
There will be a scheduled telephone and internet outage beginning tomorrow evening, Friday, November 22, at 5:15 pm un l 7:15 pm. “IT” will be modifying network equipment layout in prepara ons for future system upgrades. The outage will a ect telephone services for City Hall, Public Works and the Resource and Recreation Center. Internet services a ected will include por ons of the City's website and email services.
Ald. Brachman announced that next week he would like to vote on the 3 cents per gallon gas tax that communities can levy to gas stations. Ald. Brachman discussed with Commissioner Oeffling and he commented that the small amount of money would yield between $40,000-$50,000 per gas station. The money received last year for the Motor Fuel Tax was $450,000.00.
Ald. Kleefisch does not think he can support this tax, as the state has already added 19 cents to the gallon.
Mayor Bennett responded that 80% of retail sales tax comes from the outside of the town. The gas is taxed at the wholesale level, not the retail level. The impact to the consumers will not be that great.
Ald. Marrotta and Ald. Stratton stated they would not be supporting this tax.
10) REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None this evening
11)UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Mayor Bennett announced that City Council is going into Executive Session and will return to close the meeting.
City Council went into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m. City Council returned from Executive Session at 7:43 p.m.
Mayor Bennett announced that City Council went into Executive Session to discuss personnel and the item being the salary contract, which (inaudible) the next City Council meeting and present a salary ordinance to (inaudible) all city personnel.
Mayor Bennett wanted to comment in response to all the discussion regarding taxes stating that Palos Hills continues to have one of the lowest initial property tax rates in Cook County at about five percent.
12)MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: None this evening.
13)ADJORNMENT:
No further business, Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to adjourn. SO MOVED by Ald.Pasek. SECONDED by Ald.Stratton. By voice vote, all voted AYE.
The Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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