City of Oak Forest City Council met Nov. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Kuspa called the City Council meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows:
Present: Alderman Gray
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
Also Present: City Clerk John F. Janozik
Treasurer Ericka Vetter
City Administrator Timothy Kristin
Public Works Dir. Darlene Milanowicz
Community Planner Paul Ruane
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller
Absent: Alderman Simon
Alderman Emmett
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Expo 2021 can be seen on the City website by clicking on CIC-TV Programming, or Comcast channel 4, WOW channel 6, or AT & channel 99.
Please be advised that the Eligibility Report, Housing Impact Study and Redevelopment Plan and Project documents, relative to the proposed Cicero Avenue and I-57 Tax Increment Financing District (TIF District #8), are now available for public inspection at the Oak Forest City Hall, Monday through Friday, from 9:00a.m. until 5:00p.m., except holidays. For further information relative to reviewing said documents, please contact the City Administrator Tim Kristin or the City Planner Paul Ruane.
Veterans Day is Thursday, November 11th. The City of Oak Forest has been broadcasting a video on www.oak-forest.org honoring Veterans throughout this week. Mayor Kuspa invited Mr. Dennis Mitzner to the podium. Mr. Mitzner, Mr. John Perales, and Mr. Jim Pioth stepped forward. Mr. Mitzner thanked all veterans watching at home and in the audience. He explained a patch with 7%, which reads, “7% of Americans have worn a U.S. military uniform, keeping our country free for 100% of the Americans”. Mr. Perales read a note regarding the history of Veterans Day. Mr. Mitzner then read a Veterans Day prayer.
Mayor Kuspa invited Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller to speak. Commissioner Miller thanked the Veterans Commission for their work, and informed Council she is Vice-Chair for the Veterans Committee for Cook County, which has recently gotten a new director.
Alderman Selman announced that November 10th is the 246th year for the United States Marine Corps. Mayor Kuspa thanked all veterans who have served and are serving.
4. MOTION TO ESTABLISH CONSENT AGENDA
Alderman Gray made the motion to establish consent agenda.
Alderman Danihel seconded.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to establish consent agenda carried 5/5.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes
1. City Council - October 26, 2021
B. Consideration of the following Lists of Bills dated:
1. Regular Bills: FY 2021-22 - November 9, 2021
2. Supplemental Bills: FY 2021-22 - November 9, 2021
C. Consideration of the following minutes:
1. Veterans Commission - September 16, 2021
2. Emergency Telephone System Board (911) - October 5, 2021
3. Economic Advisory Council - October 6, 2021
4. Planning & Zoning - October 20, 2021
D. Consideration of the following reports:
1. Baxter & Woodman Project Status Report - October 29, 2021
Alderman Selman made the motion to approve Consent Agenda.
Alderman Gray seconded.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve Consent Agenda carried 5/5.
6. ADMINISTRATION
A. Approval of Ordinance No. 2021-11-0872O increasing the number of Class E liquor licenses due to the change in ownership of Rose Liquor at 4142 West 167th Street. The attached memo from Mayor Kuspa, dated November 3, 2021, provides supporting details.
Alderman Gray made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2021-11-0872O.
Alderman Wolf seconded.
Mayor Kuspa explained this is due to a change in ownership, but no change to the business model.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve Ordinance No. 2021-10-0872O carried 5/5.
B. Approval of Ordinance No. 2021-11-0873O increasing the number of Class BVG liquor licenses due to the opening of Grey’s Social Kitchen and Bar at 5420 West 159th Street (Kingsberry Waffle House site). The attached memo from mayor Kuspa, dated November 3, 2021, provides supporting details.
Alderman Danihel made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2021-11- 0873O.
Alderman Gray seconded.
Community Planner Ruane invited the applicant to the podium to give an overview of what was provided to Staff.
Ms. Maryam Brown introduced herself and her plans for Grey’s Social Kitchen and Bar which will be a restaurant serving lunch and dinner, with occasional brunch options. Ms. Brown will be adding outdoor seating and a bar area for socialization or watching games. There will be a small gaming area at the front away from the main seating space. Ms. Brown presented a Power Point, which contained concept images of the exterior, interior and footprint, patio, and menu. Mayor Kuspa asked for the proposed hours of operation, and Ms. Brown explained that after looking at the area, they are looking to open at 11am for days with brunch and 1pm other days, with closing around midnight to accommodate late games. Mayor Kuspa verified she would like a liquor license until midnight, and Ms. Brown answered 1 – 2am to be safe, but right now, they are proposing midnight. The kitchen will be open until 11:30p – 12am based on allowing staff proper time to rest and return the next day.
Alderman Selman pointed out the outside seating area is currently parking spaces, and asked if she is ok giving those up. Ms. Brown said they have been looking into heating options to allow for more extended outdoor eating options through early spring and ate fall. Planner Ruane explained it hasn’t been looked at yet, as it has not been determined how many spaces they will need. He added the applicant will need to go through a special use process for outdoor seating.
Alderman Hortsman asked if part of the East side parking lot is City property, and if it will need to be mapped out properly. Planner Ruane said yes, the City will have to get a plat of survey to determine what is and what isn’t, and that would be part of the parking discovery before the business license would be issued.
Alderman Wolf complemented the décor and asked if that is Ms. Brown is going to do or if it’s just ideas. Ms. Brown said she was told to present ideas, but yes, in general that is what she is doing. Ms. Brown is a Certified Project Manager working in Engineering and Construction; she works for an engineering construction design company. Alderman Wolf asked if she will be there full-time when it opens, and Ms. Brown is hoping to at some point, but will be part time. Alderman Wolf then asked if it would be more restaurant than bar. Ms. Brown explained the current restaurant is about 6,000sqft. with a full kitchen, they will be adding additional refrigerators, freezers, and different pasta steamers to support the menu; it will be a full restaurant. Planner Ruane added there has not been any formal design approval for this evening that will be something, when they are ready to move forward, that will go through Planning & Zoning for approval. Alderman Wolf asked what the BVG liquor license covers. City Administrator Kristin explained it's the restaurant, liquor, and gaming. Alderman Wolf asked, if ever in the future it turns more into a bar than a restaurant does the City look at receipts to see if it’s more bar; Administrator Kristin answered if what is intimated tonight is not actually what happens, it’s a condition of their liquor license. Administrator Kristin explained to Ms. Brown that this has nothing to do with her presentation; there was a change in ordinance a few weeks ago. He continued to Alderman Wolf, if what happens is not what was presented tonight, Ms. Brown could lose her liquor license based on the presentation.
Alderman Gray complemented the building and menu, and then explained another potential business was recently approved and explained there is a condition on their liquor license with a closing time. She asked Ms. Brown if there was a condition put on hers, would that be an issue if it was for 12pm., down the road she can reapply if she needs more than a midnight license. Alderman Gray stated she is trying to find consistency. Ms. Brown answered it is a kitchen and a bar, she wanted to be transparent; she would prefer the flexibility to be able to close after midnight, but not more significantly than that. From what Ms. Brown has seen in the area, there’s a lot more socialization that continues after twelve o’clock, and she would like to be able to take advantage of patrons having that option. Alderman Gray asked if there were any plans for live music, and Ms. Brown is unsure at this time.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve ordinance No. 2021-10-0873O carried 5/5.
7. PUBLIC WORKS
A. Approval of Agreement No. 2021-11-0316A, an Intergovernmental Agreement with the County of Cook for the Invest in Cook Grant Funding for the proposed L-Street sidewalk initiative in Oak Forest. The attached memo from Public Works Director Milanowicz, dated November 2, 2021, provides supporting details.
Alderman Selman made the motion to approve Agreement No. 2021-11- 0316A.
Alderman Danihel seconded.
Public Works Director Milanowicz informed Council in February of 2021, the City applied for the 20-21 Invest in Cook Grant, which would subsidize 50% of the Phase II Engineering and Right of Way Acquisitions; it was received in July. Cook County will be reimbursing Oak Forest $59,500 for this project.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve Resolution No. 2021-11-0316A carried 5/5.
B. Approval of Resolution No. 2021-11-0417R authorizing the expenditure of $90,000 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds. The attached memo from Public Works Director Milanowicz, dated November 3, 2021, provides supporting details.
Alderman Danihel made the motion to approve Resolution No. 2021-11- 0417R.
Alderman Selman seconded.
Public Works Director Milanowicz explained these funds will be used for the upcoming MFT project; this is for design to look at the engineering construction costs for the upcoming year. These segments were taken with a payment management report received last year. It looks to be a $1.5 million dollar project next year, but street evaluations still need to be done.
Alderman Selman asked if she will be looking at all the streets as possibly fitting into next year’s budget, but if they don’t will the Pavement Management Plan be used to prioritize the alternates or will be resurfaced in further years. Director Milanowicz said that is correct.
Alderman Hortsman asked if the $90,000 is primarily for the engineering review of the streets, which was correct. He followed up with asking if any of the $1.5 million is for keeping up streets already repaired. Director Milanowicz said yes, in the past they have included crack sealing, which they will be doing again. Another thing she is proposing is to do large scale patching on some streets.
Alderman Selman wanted to clarify for residents, that while streets are being repaired so are curbs, gutters, sidewalks and other things. Director Milanowicz said he was correct; it is an evaluation they are doing and pointed out some streets can’t be redone until the water main project is complete. (As discussed in the 11/9/21 COW meeting)
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve Resolution No. 2021-11-0417R carried 5/5.
C. Approval of Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement No. 2021-11-0317A with Baxter and Woodman for preliminary engineering for the 2022 Resurfacing Project. The attached memo from Public Works Director Milanowicz, dated November 3, 2021, provides supporting details.
Alderman Selman made the motion to approve Agreement No. 2021-11- 0317A.
Alderman Danihel seconded.
Public Works Director Milanowicz informed Council this is an agreement to work with Baxter and Woodman on the preliminary engineering services to evaluate streets, create costs on the future program, and have the project go out to bid.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve Resolution No. 2021-11-0317A carried 5/5.
8. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
A. Approval of Resolution No. 2021-11-0415R supporting a Cook County Class 8 Incentive for Logistics Properties Company (LPC). The attached memo from Community Planner Ruane, dated November 3, 2021, provides supporting details.
Alderman Gray made the motion to approve Resolution No. 2021-10-0414R. Alderman Selman seconded.
Community Planner Ruane explained this is another step to get LPC started with the application process through Cook County, as it could be a long wait for final approval.
Proposed is a two building warehouse logistics facility, offering for two different uses or multiple buildings for a single use, as they have not put together the end-user. Planner Ruane presented a Power Point showing the building footprints, request breakdown and estimated property tax bill.
Mayor Kuspa stated the Class 8 Incentive is not given by the City of Oak Forest; it is a required step granted by the County of Cook and requires the authorization of the local municipality to move forward with the application.
Alderman Selman had questions about the building footprints and Planner Ruane explained each building is about 300,000sqft and the requirements call for quite a bit of landscaping to buffer it from Cicero Avenue.
Mayor Kuspa cited Planner Ruane referring to the property as depressed, and Alderman Gray having experience with that depressed property. Alderman Gray stated some of the Oak Forest Animal Control volunteers have been in that depressed area trying to capture pets that have been dumped there when the residents moved.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to approve Resolution No. 2021-10-0415R carried 5/5.
9. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
None
10. OLD BUSINESS
None
11. NEW BUSINESS
None
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Alderman Danihel made the motion to enter Executive Session.
Alderman Hortsman seconded.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to enter Executive Session carried 5/5.
Alderman Danihel made the motion to exit Executive Session.
Alderman Hortsman seconded.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The motion to exit Executive Session carried 5/5.
13. ADJOURMENT
Alderman Hortsman made the motion to Adjourn.
Alderman Danihel seconded.
Roll Call vote was taken as follows:
AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Alderman Gray Alderman Simon
Alderman Wolf
Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett
Alderman Hortsman
Alderman Danihel
The Council meeting ended at 8:18 pm.
Executive Session started at 8:19 pm and ended at 8:28
http://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11092021-1454
Alerts Sign-up