South Cook News

Village of Hazel Crest Board of Trustees Met April 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

President Alsberry called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Trustee Rogers led the pledge of allegiance.

PRAYER

Prayer was led by Chief Davis

ROLL CALL

Clerk Wiseman called the roll. Present were President Alsberry; Trustees Grant, Moore, Ramsey, Rias, Rogers and Slayton. Also present were Village Manager Sawyer, Interim Fire Chief Hunter, Police Chief Davis, Inspectional Service Director Eldridge, and Director of Accounting Swiderek.

CONSIDERATION OF AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS ON ANY REQUESTS FOR REMOTE

PARTICIPATION IN THE MEETING

There was consideration for remote participation due to the COVID-19 all Elected officials, Department Heads and the Public remote participation through Zoom and Facebook regarding Administration and Regular Board meeting. https:wwwfacebook.com The-Official Village -Of-Hazel-Crest-298769380568778/

CORRESPONDENCE

None

REPORTS

A. Village President’s Report

Mayor Alsberry thanked all First Respondent and Staff on the Front Line that are dealing directly with COVID-19, he stated they are truly our hero. Mayor Alsberry went on to say that everyone should wear a mask and gloves when they are in the public and follow all guidelines by our Governor regarding social distance and the Stay at Home order until further notice.

B. Manager’s Report

• Village Municipal Government continues to operate under COVID-19 National Health Emergency Guidelines. Included are the most recent guidelines for employees. This document provides comprehensive overview of procedures and operations put into place in response to COVID-19 and the Illinois Stay at Home Order.

• Manager Sawyer submitted the form to Illinois Emergency Management Agency to be eligible for any reimbursements for COVID-19 expenses. Internally, a general ledger was created, and department heads are instructed to use the GL Account # for all COVID-19 related expenses. As of April14, the total amount for COVID-19 related expense are $2,009.71.

• Employees out due to COVID-19:

Police Department - 4

Fire Department - 3

Public Work - 2

Inspectional - 4

Accounting/HR - 1

Community Business Relations - 1

• Public Safety Building Phase 1 (Old VH)- Demolition portion of the project was completed. Progress schedule for the next two weeks includes:

Infill Openings (Masonry)

Tuckpoint Exterior (Masonry)

Frame New Partition Walls (Interior Rough Carpentry)

Remove Fixtures that are to be Relocated (Interior Electrical)

Install Above Ground Piping/ Vents (Plumbing)

Patch Concrete Floor (Concrete)

• The Village President Alsberry, Manager Sawyer, Chief Davis and Interim Fire Chief Hunter recorded a video on how the Village’s Municipal Government is responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency and guidance on how residents can help slow the spread of the virus. The video is running on the Village’s public access station, Channel 4, and is available on the Village’s Facebook page.

• March 11 - A public hearing was held on the proposed ordinance Village of Hazel Crest Appendix C zoning code, thereby adding new Article XV “Regulations for Cannabis Business Establishments”. The Planning and Zoning recommended the ordinance be referred back to the Village Board of Trustee to adopt this ordinance with the recommendation to change section 15.6 -Permitted locations for Cannabis business may be open between 12:00 Midnight and 6:00 a.m. to read “No allow Cannabis business may be open between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. A roll call for the motion was approved unanimously.i. Legal

On -going activities

ii. Police Report

• The Hazel Crest Police Department’s leadership is fully certified under FEMA Incident Command Systems. As part of our emergency preparedness, policies and procedures were reviewed earlier this year to ensure that they were up to date and relevant for the impending COVID-19 crisis. Deputy Mitchell has been spearheading most of the effort within the police department with the assistance of other HCPD personal.

• HCPD was one of the first known police departments in the State of Illinois that had to deal with the possibility of contamination within the police facility and the possible exposure of department personnel. After learning of a resident that had been confirmed positive with the virus after having visited HCPD, the police department was disinfected and all personnel that had come in contact with the citizen were self-quarantined at their homes through the 14-day period from their contact. No personnel ever developed symptoms, and all have since returned to work.

• HCPD has adjusted its methods of operations to decrease the likelihood of exposure to its officers. Officers will be notified when they are being dispatched to a residence that has a confirmed case of COVID-19 or if the dispatcher is able to determine through questioning whether anyone in the household is exhibiting symptoms, so that they can use the appropriate PPE. All calls for service that can be resolved over the phone will be handled in that manner. Citizens that need face to face contact are asked to come to HCPD, where there is an officer that will assist them through protective glass. If it is necessary to respond to a residence, citizens will be asked to come outside to address officers, when practical. Officers are disinfecting their squad cars before their shifts begin and after transporting any person. Staff are practicing social distancing when interacting with any person and while inside HCPD. Staff are asked not to enter or exit through the lobby.• HCPD has been able to obtain additional PPE from Cook County Emergency Management. Thornton Distillery also donated hand sanitizer to the department that they manufactured for this crisis. Senator Mike Hastings is also working with HCPD to gain access to additional PPE.

• Chief Davis, in his capacities as President of the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police and Vice President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, has been in frequent conference and communication with various entities at the county, state, and federal levels addressing concerns of first responders and assisting in the creation of policy and procedure, in addition to the dissemination of information to law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://hazelcrest.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file%3Dhazelcrest_69ba69249cc649034ced469b7f1cfeb7.pdf%26view%3D1