City of Palos Heights City Council met April 5.
Here are 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
V. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None
VI. CONSENT AGENDA
Ward 1 Jeffrey Key & Donald Bylut Ward 2 Jack Clifford & Robert Basso Ward 3 Brent Lewandowski & Heather Begley Ward 4 Jerry McGovern & Michael McGrogan
● Approval of Minutes: City Council Meeting - March 15, 2022
● Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending April 1, 2022.
● Approval of Proclamation for National Child Abuse Month, April 2022.
Alderman Clifford moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by
Alderman Bylut.
On roll call, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
VII. OPENING OF SEALED BIDS
2022 Road Resurfacing Program
1. Lindhal Brothers $402,135.95
2. McGill Construction $457,302.90
3. M&J Construction $445,983.95
4. K5 Construction $499,291.45
5. Gallagher Asphalt $472,339.55
6. Brothers Asphalt Paving $430,110.80
All bidders submitted proof of a bond and insurance
Alderman Clifford moved to refer the bids for consideration to the Roads and Constrution Committee seconded by Alderman Begley. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
A. Mayor:
● The Mayor requested the approval of request for a Special Event Permit from Palos Baseball Organization (PBO) and Palos Power Girls Softball (POWER) to conduct their annual Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on a designated route from Palmer Park to Memorial Park.
Alderman Key moved to approve the request seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
● The Mayor introduced a request from Palos Baseball Organization (PBO) and Palos Power Girls Softball (POWER) to waive all fees for their opening day parade on Saturday, April 30, 2022, in the amount of $1,501.15.
Alderman Begley moved to approve the request seconded by Alderman Key. On roll call, the motion to approve the request was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
B. Clerk: No Report
C. Treasurer: No Report
B. City Attorney: No Report
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
None
IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL
None
X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Finance—Chairperson Alderman McGrogan: No Report
B. Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman Basso: Cautioned residents not to ride motorized scooters on the public way and to be alert to IRS related scams.
C. Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Begley:
● Alderman Begley moved to approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer from Kunes Auto Group to replace the current Administrative vehicle, 2007 Chevy Impala and the Channel 4 vehicle, 2011 Chevy Tahoe in the amount of $27,293.00. Purchase to be made utilizing the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative for vehicles seconded by Alderman Clifford.
On roll call, the motion to approve the purchase was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Begley moved to approve the purchase of an 18,000 lb. vehicle lift from Rotary in the amount of $30,378.27 under the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, contract #061015-RRL seconded by Alderman Clifford.
On roll call, the motion to approve the purchase was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Begley moved to request declaration of the following equipment as surplus to be sold on Ibid: i. Mueller B-100 Water Main Tapping Machine ii. Hydraulic Cast Iron Pipe Cutter seconded by Alderman Clifford. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
● Alderman Begley moved to approve the Republic Services Contract Renewal. The current contract expires on August 31, 2022, and the renewal would extend the current contract for an additional (5) five-year period seconded by Alderman Lewandowski.
Alderman McGrogan moved to refer the motion to the Finance Committee seconded by Alderman McGovern. Alderman McGrogan stated that he has issues with the contract. First that it should be divided into two contracts but that he has an issue with the lack of a pick up during a recent storm. The Mayor stated that the incident referred to was an isolated incident. Alderman McGrogan stated that the term of the contract is too long. Alderman Bylut stated that the contract term is lower over five years than renewals based on a shorter term. Alderman Bylut stated that the annual increase rate over five years is more cost effective. Alderman McGrogan stated that the increase nonetheless is too high. Alderman Bylut stated that this contract was the product of a negotiated process and that had Republic asserted its rights to renew the contract over two years the increase would have been much higher. Alderman McGrogan inquired regarding other bids submitted for consideration and that the missed pick up caused problems. The Mayor stated that the pick up was done on the next scheduled date. Alderman Bylut stated that the missed pick up was an anomaly and that the City has had a productive working relationship with Republic over the years. Alderman Key stated that referring the matter to the Finance Committee would not be the appropriate way to evaluate the bids and that four Alderman had the opportunity to consider the bid on the merits. Alderman Key stated that referring matters to the Finance Committee based only on the fact that a contract is at issue would set a negative precedent. Alderman Begley stated that referring the matter to a different committee after due deliberation is not appropriate. Alderman Lewandowski stated that the expiring contract is a five year contract and that the increase over the five years was 3 percent. The only difference between the expiring contract and the one under consideration was an increase of 3.75 percent. Alderman Lewandowski stated that three options were presented to the committee for consideration: first, a renewal at a higher increase over one or two years totalling 11 percent over that time frame. An effort was undertaken to reduce that higher rate by entering into a longer term contract; second, the missed pick up was due to a storm and was addressed by the committee; third, the extensive negotiations were undertaken between City personnel and Republic prior to the proposed contract under consideration. Alderman Lewandowski stated that dividing the contract between the residents and the municipality was not considered. Alderman Lewandowski inquired if the secondary motion to refer the matter to committee supersedes the original motion.
On roll call, the motion to refer the matter to the Finance Committee was: Ayes: (3) McGrogan, McGovern, Clifford
Nays: (5) Basso, Bylut, Begley, Lewandowski, Key
With (3) affirmative votes the motion failed.
On roll call, the motion to approve the original motion to approve the contract was introduced by Alderman Begley and seconded by Alderman Lewandowski was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Key, Lewandowski
Nays: (3) McGrogan, McGovern, Clifford
With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Begley announced that the City of Palos Heights, in conjunction with Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens (Lake Katherine), are hosting a Public Information Meeting for the Cal-Sag Trail Link & Trailhead Parking Improvement Project at Lake Katherine on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022. The purpose of the meeting is to provide project information and seek public comments on the proposed improvements as part of the Phase I Engineering and Environmental Studies. The goal of this project is to increase parking capacity for Cal-Sag Trail users at Lake Katherine. The proposed improvement generally consists of constructing a new 52 stall permeable paver parking lot adjacent to the existing Lake Katherine surface parking lot as well as a turn-around. Improvements will also be made to the interface of the Cal-Sag Trail with the existing and proposed parking lots to improve safety and accessibility for trail users. Notifications of the Public Information Meeting will be posted in the Regional Newspaper, around the Lake Katherine Nature Center, on the City and Lake Katherine websites, and on the City’s Facebook page.
D. Planning and Zoning—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No Report
E. Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key: Reported that the annual Chocolate Chase Race will take place on April 16th from 9 AM to 11 at the Rec Center. Announced that the Farmers Market will begin on May 11th at the Municipal Parking lot from 8AM to 1 each Wednesday. Alderman Key announced that the Rec Department is seeking to hire a Pace van driver and to contact Lauren at the Rec Center.
F. Roads and Construction - Chairperson Alderman Clifford reported that Lindhal Brother, Morris Engineering and Public Works completed a “punch list” of items to address regarding the 123rd Street road construction project as well as sod and grass work. Chipper service began on April 4th and will continue to October 28th. Street repair work was undertaken at Lake Katherine and City Hall. Street sweeping commenced on April 4th and the clean up on Harlem Avenue will take place on April 6th. The areas of 123rd and Natchez and Oak Park and Golfview require culvert work which is under consideration. Ongoing patching and pothole repair around the City is ongoing. Most streets are evaluated by the engineering company and problems are addressed as need and funding permit.
G. License, Permits & Franchises: Chairperson Alderman Lewandowski: No Report. H. Water and Sewer—Chairperson Alderman Bylut: No Report.
● Alderman Bylut moved to approve payment for professional services for the 10 CIP Engineering in the month of January with Strand Associates, Inc. in the amount of $5,889.64 seconded by Alderman Key.
On roll call, the motion to approve the payment was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Bylut moved to approve payment for professional services for the 2MG Water Reservoir Recond from January 8 to February 4, 2022 with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. in the amount of $9,465.00 seconded by Alderman Key.
On roll call, the motion to approve the payment was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Bylut moved to approve a change order to Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. for professional services relating to MWRD permitting for the Menominee Lift Station Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $3,080.00 seconded by Alderman Key.
On roll call, the motion to approve the order was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski,
McGovern, McGrogan
Nays: (0) None
With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.
● Alderman Bylut moved to approve construction engineering services for the Menominee Lift Station Rehabilitation Project to Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. in the amount of $17,110.00. seconded by Alderman Key.
On roll call, the motion to approve the agreement for services was:
Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, 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 the Beautification Committee will again sponsor the adopt a pot program available for residents or businesses to make a sponsorship. Interested parties can sponsor a pot for $80. An E Waste disposal event will take place on April 30th at the Metra Station for residents from 8 AM to 11:30. Alderman Key reported that the E Newsletter from the City is delivered monthly and covers a wide range of interest in the community. Sign up can be done on the City website.
B. Ad Hoc Cable TV: Alderman McGovern - Reported that currently Channel 4 is covering the Kendall Coyne autograph signing.
XII. OLD BUSINESS
None
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
None
XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS
None
XV. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:33 p.m. the Mayor requested a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.
https://www.palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04052022-657
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