City of Palos Heights City Council met June 7

By Philip Gonzales

Sep 14, 2022

City of Palos Heights City Council met June 7.

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

Ward 1 Jeffrey Key & Donald Bylut

Ward 2 Jack Clifford & Robert Basso

Ward 3 Heather Begley & Brent Lewandowski

Ward 4 Jerry McGovern & Michael McGrogan

V. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Ashley Vinson was sworn in as a Palos Heights Police Officer

VI. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes: City Council Meeting – May 17, 2022

B. Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending June 3, 2022.

C. Motion to approve a request from the Southwest Chicago Christian Schools for a Special Event Permit to conduct their annual Light the Knight Family Fun Run on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

D. Motion to approve a request for a Special Event Permit from St. Joachim & Anne Armenian Church to hold their annual Family Picnic on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by Alderman McGovern.

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

None

VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

A. Mayor:

● The Mayor requested approval to appoint Dianne Key to the Library Board for a 3‐year term, expiring 06‐07‐2025. Alderman Clifford moved to approve the appointment seconded by Alderman McGovern. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

● The Mayor requested a Motion to approve Letter of Agreement with Mac Strategies Group regarding ward remap due to census. The Mayor explained that during the 2020 census the City lost 500 residents likely due to the absence of Trinity students because of covid. The Mayor explained that this hire would prepare the City to adjust the ward maps due to the census and after a special census more accurately reporting the number of residents, the wards would be remapped again. Alderman Lewandowski moved to approve the agreement seconded by Alderman McGovern.

On roll call, the motion to approve the agreement was:

Ayes: (8) Begley, Basso, Bylut, Clifford, Key, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan

Nays: (0) None

With eight (8) affirmative votes the motion carried.

● The Mayor announced the formation of a Community Park Ad‐Hoc Committee appointing Ald. Begley, Chairman of Building & Grounds, Ald. Key, Chairman of Recreation, Ald. Clifford, Chairman of Roads & Construction, and Ald. Basso, Chairman of Public Safety.

● The Mayor requested approval up to $6,000.00 for the purchase of a volunteer recognition display to be placed in the foyer at City Hall. Alderman Key moved to approve the purchase seconded by Alderman McGovern.

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.

B. Clerk: No Report

C. Treasurer: No Report

D. City Attorney: No Report

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS

Alderman Lewandowski announced the recognition of Meagan Doornos, Assistant Principal of Palos South Middle School, for receiving the Award of Excellent for promoting safe schools and the Palos South Save Promise Club.

Alderman McGovern reported on the recent Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall and thanked those involved with the presentation.

IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL

Harlan Wiegota 7640 West 135th spoke regarding water runoff collection at his residence due to the construction of his neighbor’s home since 2013 and requested City assistance dealing with this problem.

Marceleste Reisler 6150 West 124th Street spoke about Republic Services and that she has lived at the address for 32 years and beginning in March was notified that she did not have recycling services. She detailed her difficulties with Republic having to replace her recycling container and the fee associated with it believing that she is allowed to have one container. The Mayor explained that he would address the issue with Republic.

X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

A. Finance—Chairperson Alderman McGrogan: Reported on a special meeting of the Finance committee regarding the budget and contract negotiations.

B. Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman Basso: No Report

C. Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Begley: No Report

D. Planning and Zoning—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No Report

E. Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key: No Report

F. Roads and Construction - Chairperson Alderman Clifford reported on the finalization of 123rd Street construction, bridge work on Ridgeland and the beginning of the Roads Program as well as Ridgeland Avenue corridor construction.

G. License, Permits & Franchises: Chairperson Alderman Lewandowski: Reminded residents to be mindful of weed growth in excess of the ordinance limit.

H. Water and Sewer—Chairperson Alderman Bylut:

● Alderman Bylut moved to go to bid for the 2022 Sewer Rehabilitation Program seconded by Alderman Key. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

● Alderman Bylut moved to approve the sanitary manhole rehabilitation for the Southwest Highway Lift Station discharge point with Airy’s Inc. in the amount of $19,749.53 seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve the project 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 the annual Beehive Software license in the amount of $12,000.00 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 third partial payment for the 123rd Street Water Main Project to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $6,881.03 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 10 year CIP Engineering in the month of March with Strand Associates, Inc. in the amount of $4,671.57 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 to RJN Group in the amount of $26,199.89. Engineering services include GIS updates to sanitary and storm structures, MWRD Submittals, Palos Gardens CCTV review, 2022 Sewer Rehabilitation Program 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 professional services for the CIP Project Development for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Public Water Low Interest Loan in the amount of $18,800.00 seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve the services 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 professional services for the 70th Ave Lift Station Rehabilitation with LAN, Inc. in the amount of $49,500.00 seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve the 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 - No Report

B. Ad Hoc Cable TV: Alderman McGovern - Announced from Comcast regarding changes regarding regional sports programming.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

None

XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS None