Village of Flossmoor Board of Trustees met March 20
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
Village Clerk Gina A. LoGalbo took roll.
PRESENT: Mayor Nelson, Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros, Mustafa
ALSO PRESENT: Village Manager Bridget Wachtel; Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue; Flossmoor Police Department Deputy Chief Keith Taylor; Fire Chief Bob Kopec; Finance Director Scott Bordui; Director of Public Works John Brunke; Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic; Village Attorney Kathi Orr; Village Clerk Gina A. LoGalbo; 14 residents
Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order. Mayor Nelson noted that the meeting was being held in person and via Zoom, which is permitted by Public Act 101-0640. Mayor Nelson noted that the public was invited to monitor the meeting via Zoom or attend the meeting in person. Public participation would be permitted only in person during the citizen comment portion of the agenda. Members of the public could submit comments on items on the agenda by emailing info@flossmoor.org. Emailed comments would be shared with the Village Board.
Recognitions and Appointments:
None.
Mayor Nelson referred to the Consent Agenda (which encompassed Agenda Items 1-5, 7):
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held on March 6, 2023
2. Presentation of Bills for Approval and Payment as Approved by the Finance Committee (March 20, 2023)
3. Consideration of a Resolution Approving the Third Amendment to Site Agreement by and between the Village of Flossmoor, Cook County, Illinois and T-Mobile Central, LLC
4. Consideration of a Resolution Requesting Temporary State Highway Closures for the Hidden Gem Half Marathon
5. Consideration of a Resolution Requesting Temporary Cook County Road Closures for the Hidden Gem Half Marathon
7. Consideration of the Purchase of Thermal Imaging Cameras Funded by the Office of the State Fire Marshall Small Equipment Grant.
Mayor Nelson noted that item #6, Consideration of a Contract Award for the Installation of Security Glass at the Village Hall Front Desk Area, would be pulled off of the Consent Agenda. Mayor Nelson called for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Trustee Daggett so moved, seconded by Trustee Lofton.
Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as amended. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #6 – Consideration of a Contract Award for the Installation of Security Glass at the Village Hall Front Desk Area. Mayor Nelson called for a motion for Consideration of a Contract Award for the Installation of Security Glass at the Village Hall Front Desk Area. Trustee Mustafa so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll.
Finance Director Scott Bordui explained that included in the FY23 Budget is $100,000 for municipal complex improvements, which includes the installation of security glass at the Village Hall front desk area. Included with the information for the Board is a recommendation from Public Works Director John Brunke regarding the successful bidder and a recommendation from Deputy Chief Keith Taylor regarding the security aspect of the project.
Trustee Driscoll noted that he has not been a fan of this project for several years and objected to it in the past. The security glass creates a barrier between residents and Village staff and there shouldn’t be barriers. He added that the project has been scaled down to a fair compromise on all sides, and that if Deputy Chief Taylor believes the security concerns are still there, then Trustee Driscoll would be in favor of it.
Deputy Chief Taylor stated that yes, he thinks the security concerns still exist.
Trustee Bradley-Scott stated that in previous discussions about this project, the Pubic Works area and the Building Department area would also be included. She wanted to know what the plan was for the Building Department.
Public Works Director John Brunke answered that when they previously looked at making building improvements to the Building Department and the Public Works Department, the cost was very high. They would still like to make safety improvements but are looking to do them in smaller projects because of the costs involved. The latter two improvements are not in the budget for this upcoming year. There are other improvements that are much needed, like the Fire Department locker room, along with other competing priorities. Staff takes these concerns seriously and will make plans to address each one.
Mayor Nelson called for a vote on the motion as presented. Motion passed by a roll call vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros, and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
Reports of Committees, Commissions and Boards:
None.
Action Items:
None.
Discussion Items:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #8 – Discussion of the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Equipment Fund Budget. Village Manager Bridget Wachtel explained that the Capital Equipment Fund funds the replacement of all Capital Equipment used throughout the departments. This is how the Village saves for and pays for cars, ambulances, fire engines, and Public Works equipment. The funding is received by a contribution coming from the General Fund and the Water & Sewer Fund. Staff schedules out a ten-year replacement schedule and then funds the Capital Equipment Fund every year for ten years to be able to pay for the equipment with cash on hand. The fund also includes computer equipment and information technology equipment across all departments. With the sophistication of operations increasing over time, the fund has become more robust and has become a staple in the budgeting process. Wachtel noted that many communities have to go into short term debt to pay for equipment. The Village of Flossmoor is fortunate that with this planning tool in place, the Village is able to replace the Village’s equipment over time with cash on hand, which is a part of the save then spend philosophy.
Wachtel stated that this year, recent supply chain issues, cost of equipment, and inflation have all impacted the rising cost of equipment. The contributions from the General Fund and Water & Sewer Fund are at an all-time high. She noted that staff went through a second round of review of the equipment prior to presenting this budget to the Board. No replacement of equipment is automatic, and every year staff looks at equipment scheduled for replacement and evaluates the equipment to determine if the replacement can be postponed and/or if budget figures need to be modified. This year, staff went through that process a few times and made some adjustments over the next couple of years. Wachtel noted that when the Village has gone to a bond rating review, financial planning tools such as this one used by the Village have been looked at favorably by bond raters S&P. Everyone should be proud of how long the Village has been using these methods.
Wachtel explained that the Village ordered some equipment in FY23 that will not to be delivered until FY24 due to supply chain issues. Those funds will be carried over to FY24. The Village replaced generators and that project is still finishing up. There are other projects still scheduled to be replaced this year, including new carpeting at Village Hall. In FY23 the roof of the Village Hall was replaced along with the bay floors in the Fire Department. The flooring in the Village Hall complex is still scheduled to be replaced this year, as are a few pieces of equipment in the Police Department. In FY24, a few pieces of Public Works Department, two police squad cars, closed captioning TV system, and police rifles are scheduled to be replaced. Updating the pistol range will be split up between FY24 and FY25. Several pieces of technology are scheduled to be updated, including network infrastructure, laptops, and mobile data terminals that are used by the Police Department. A few copiers in the Village departments and a couple of smaller pieces of equipment are due for replacement. The only piece of Fire Department equipment to be replaced is one ambulance. All of the bay doors at the Fire Department need to be replaced over the next couple of years. The HVAC system for the server room, the Vollmer Reservoir roof, and the Public Works Service Center parking lot are all going to be replaced/ updated. Wachtel noted that several pieces of equipment were evaluated and deferred for replacement from the current FY into future years. Wachtel noted that ten years ago, the Village suffered a multi-day power outage that impacted the main water pumping station and the lift stations, which caused great concern. As a result, the Village has put in generators at the main pumping station on Sterling Avenue and also put together a plan to have generators at each of the Village’s sanitary sewer lift stations. Public Works has proposed purchasing a portable generator that could be moved from each of the facilities depending on power outages.
Wachtel explained that the proposed plan is a prudent one that will allow for the replacement of equipment needed in FY24 and beyond. Finance Director Scott Bordui provided a true-up of the capital equipment schedule to ensure that while the Village is saving over the course of the ten years, the Village does not over-save. For example, if a piece of equipment is deferred for a year, it is accounted for so that the Village does not save for an eleventh year. Wachtel requested direction to be able to include the plan as presented or with any modifications in the final proposed budget.
Mayor Nelson thanked Wachtel and the Village Departments for their hard work putting the information together.
Trustee Mitros inquired about the life span of some Public Works equipment.
Public Works Director Brunke noted that backhoes are used daily and that their life span is about ten years. Trustee Lofton inquired about the resale value of Village vehicles.
Village Manager Wachtel answered that there is a resale value. When a piece of equipment is replaced, the equipment can be traded in for consideration, vehicles can be moved down in the department, and they can be sold at auction. Proceeds from sales go back into the Capital Equipment Fund.
Chief Kopec noted the shared reserve ambulance program with Homewood and Hazel Crest, so based on the rotation, the three towns share in a 1/3 of the cost for the extra ambulance.
Trustee Daggett shared his appreciation for the Village staff managing all of the Village’s equipment and assets, which is no small task.
Trustee Bradley-Scott inquired about the generators that were purchased, and the shared ones that are going to be purchased.
Village Manager Wachtel answered that two of the facilities have permanent generators that will not move, Butterfield Lift station will have one installed in FY25 and the Woods Lift Station which currently has a generator, and then a portable generator will be available for all of the smaller facilities.
Trustee Mustafa inquired about the new vehicles that the Village plans to purchase and whether purchasing energy efficient ones would make a difference, including electric vehicles. She also inquired about insurance costs and where it’s listed in the budget.
Village Manager Wachtel answered that some of the hybrid vehicles that the Village purchased had mechanical issues that caused delays in repairs. She wasn’t sure if they could quantify the efficiency they’ve seen. Wachtel added that all of the Village’s insurance coverage is through IRMA, which includes property and workers’ compensation coverage.
Public Works Director Brunke noted that they haven’t seen a big difference in gas expenditures. He noted that the costs of everything are really high right now, and that it’s difficult to get a government cost on equipment. He stated that he thinks there will be more opportunities for electric vehicles in the near future.
Mayor Nelson noted that the Board supported Village Manager Wachtel’s presentation.
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #9 – Discussion of the Fiscal Year 2024 Additional Funding Requests. Village Manager Bridget Wachtel explained that she was requesting direction from the Board on what to include in the final budget for the Board’s consideration. The first item was the Fire Department’s KeySecure System for a cost of $12,000, which would allow the Fire Department to access ambulance narcotics with increased accountability. The Village last updated this system fifteen to twenty years ago. The second item was a request to update the Police Department records room, including records storage, furniture, flooring, and a cleanup of old phone lines. The estimated cost for this project is $25,000.
Trustee Driscoll stated his support for the Police records room remodel.
Trustee Bradley-Scott inquired about whether the records room could be repurposed if the Village would transition to an electronic records system.
Village Manager Wachtel explained that the records room, the room where the Police Department’s front counter is located, is also employee workspace, so it wouldn’t be repurposed. There could be a reduction of files over time, but she noted that the Village was really short on storage space for files.
Wachtel stated that the next item was for Laserfiche software, which is an electronic document managing system. The Village uses paper and electronic files, and the Village has records that go back to the beginning of the Village. Many old files don’t have an electronic counterpart, so it can be very difficult and cumbersome when staff is doing research or responding to a FOIA request. Many municipalities use Laserfiche. If the Village used it, staff would be able to store documents and search them electronically. The cost of the software is $12,850, with an annual maintenance and storage cost of $4,100.00. The other cost is converting any paper documents to electronic files. Staff were able to estimate based on the Village’s paper files, that it would be about $260,000 to scan all of the documents, so she recommends allocating $50,000 per year (for five years total) for the project to make meaningful progress on the project each year.
Wachtel gave an example of staff in the building department responding to a FOIA request when there were only paper files. Staff had to go through each address file to look for the information requested in the FOIA request. She explained that the Village has had to request FOIA extensions because the searches can take so long, and that the Laserfiche would save staff time.
Trustee Driscoll stated his support for the project.
Trustee Daggett stated his support for the project. He inquired about what would happen if they were ahead of schedule with the scanning.
Wachtel explained that once the Village would hit the $50,000.00 threshold they would stop for the year.
Trustee Mustafa stated her support for the project, and discussed all of the costs involved. She stated that the Board would really be approving $285,000.00 for the project.
Wachtel explained that the $50,000 fee per year for scanning would be for a third party to scan the documents and that the $4,100 annual maintenance cost would continue even after the old documents were scanned.
Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue explained that going forward, the Village staff would be responsible for scanning in current documents.
Trustee Mitros stated his support for the project.
Trustee Lofton stated his support for the project and inquired about the costs for the project.
Wachtel explained how staff estimated the scanning cost based on the amount of documents that the Village has. They’re proposing $50,000 per year to make meaningful progress every year until the project is done.
Wachtel explained that the next program is for a shared-cost sidewalk program. Public Works staff was asked to examine the possibility of offering such a program to Flossmoor residents. She noted that the Village has traditionally budgeted about $100,000 to replace sidewalk throughout the Village. The standards for sidewalk replacement are set at 1 ½ inches or greater vertical displacement between two squares or any other significant trip defect. These standards are set by insurance and for liability purposes, and the Village generally doesn’t replace sidewalk based on cosmetic or discoloration. Without having the GIS fully implemented, gathering the full cost of needed sidewalk replacement throughout the Village is an unknown figure. Wachtel stated that the appendix section of the budget shows that since 2009, the Village has been annually replacing sidewalk from a few hundred to nine hundred squares per year. The focus in recent years has been to allow the MFT program to do as much street resurfacing as possible, and not sidewalk replacement, to maximize the MFT dollars. The sidewalks of the streets that are included in the annual street resurfacing program are replaced in a given year. The Village does some of the sidewalk replacement in house and some of it is contracted out. If a sidewalk defect is brought to the attention of the Village, Public Works will go out and address the issue by adding cold patch or grinding down the hazard, and then the area is added to the list to be addressed. Wachtel explained that a shared cost sidewalk program could be structured in a couple of ways. One could be looking at defects that are less than 1 ½ inches, or looking at replacement of sidewalk for cosmetic purposes. Wachtel suggested that the Board be mindful that if they are interested in doing more sidewalk replacement, she would suggest lowering the defect standard for replacement and/or allocating additional funds as opposed to shifting to a shared cost program. The Village did not see a great interest when the Village did the shared cost tree program. Other communities that have a shared cost sidewalk program did not see great participation, and there could be equity issues between residents who could pay for the replacement and those that could not.
Mayor Nelson stated that she would like to keep the shared cost sidewalk program on the table and that it makes sense to defer it until the Village gets a true index of sidewalk conditions throughout the Village. Mayor Nelson has been asked by residents throughout the Village to look into the program. She would like more information about additional liability and insurance costs for replacing sidewalk with defects under the 1 ½ inch threshold but not including cosmetic issues.
Trustee Daggett agreed that cosmetic work should not be done by the Village and added that there is enough safety work to do. He inquired about the program and noted that in regard to the equity portion of the program, there could be a donation component to help other residents who can’t pay for their portion of the sidewalk replacement.
Wachtel explained that there continues to be $100,000 allocated in the annual budget for the sidewalk replacement program. She stated that the money is being allocated to the replacement of sidewalk along Flossmoor Road.
Public Works Director Brunke stated that the Village will probably carry over the sidewalk replacement funds to the next fiscal year because they are still waiting on permits. They are planning to replace the sidewalk owned by the Village along Flossmoor Road and Governors Highway along the State and County right-away, which are in very bad shape.
Trustee Bradley-Scott inquired about the timeframe for the GIS to be fully studied and the past street/ sidewalk repairs.
Wachtel answered that she thinks some of the information will be ready to present at the second Board meeting in April, with implementation to follow much later.
Brunke explained that there are millions of dollars in sidewalk work to be done in the Village. He stated that last year the Village did a two-million-dollar street project, and $430,000.00 of that was for sidewalk work. In previous years, the sidewalk work has been half of the cost of the street projects. It is important to get the inventory done of the sidewalk conditions so they can see what the ratings are. Rating the sidewalks based on things like trip hazards will allow Public Works to plan accordingly to address them. He noted that there is no grant money available for sidewalk repairs, so they have to find other ways to pay for the work.
Trustee Mustafa stated that she previously asked about a plan for the sidewalks and was glad there is one now. She asked whether the most damaged sidewalks would be addressed first, and whether residents should continue to let the Village know about hazards.
Assistant Director of Public Works Dan Milovanovic responded that the program would have sidewalk ratings of one to five, and the intent would be to address the worst ones first. They will also designate some routes as a higher priority, such as the routes that have higher pedestrian traffic. Milovanovic stated that residents should still report their concerns about sidewalks to the Village.
Trustee Mitros suggested that it may be possible for residents to be asked if they wanted to participate in cost sharing to replace their sidewalk in certain areas, which could increase production, and that’s worth a try to look into a cost sharing program.
Trustee Lofton inquired about the sidewalk replacement process.
Milovanovic answered that it would be a complete replacement of the concrete square that is defective.
Trustee Driscoll stated that he was a huge fan of the tree cost sharing program and that it has worked out well over the years. He agreed with Trustee Mitros, and thinks that residents would want to participate in cost sharing if it moves their sidewalk up on the priority list.
Wachtel explained that the last additional funding request was in regard to Flossmoor’s Centennial in 2024. Staff is suggesting allocating $50,000 to support the celebration of the Village’s Centennial and incorporate a birthday element into other events. The Village doesn’t have the capability to put on another major event, so the Village could celebrate during events like the Flossmoor Fest, 4th of July Parade and the tree lighting.
Trustee Bradley-Scott stated that she supports the proposal for the Centennial funds.
Trustee Mustafa stated that she supports making the existing events special, and added that there will be opportunity for resident input and for celebration of the neighborhoods, residents, and youth. She inquired about the status of the traffic study and the implementation of the results in relation to the Centennial.
Wachtel noted the Central Business District improvement project and that it will be discussed more at a subsequent meeting. The purpose of the project is to address pedestrian traffic safety concerns and to make permanent some of the temporary improvements that have been in place. In 2021, the Board confirmed the geometric layout of the downtown plan and made modest changes to the overall configuration. The other part of the project will be amenities like benches and signage. Staff have sought grants for the construction, and the Village was fortunate to receive a Cook County Invest in Cook grant for the Phase I engineering that was completed. The Village has made one application for a state grant which was denied, and the Village has another grant application that is pending determination. The Village was hopeful that the project would align with the Village’s 100-year anniversary for a refresh of the downtown area, but it’s unknown if the Village will meet that mark.
Trustee Mitros stated that he was in favor of the Village’s proposed plan for the Centennial. Trustee Lofton stated his support for the Village’s proposed plan for the Centennial.
Trustee Driscoll noted the Village’s success with events like Flossmoor Fest, and would like to see a major emphasis on the Centennial at the other celebrations.
Trustee Daggett stated that the Village’s proposal is a responsible way to handle the celebrations and that he supports the proposal. He inquired about the cost of Flossmoor Fest for reference.
Wachtel answered that Flossmoor Fest costs about $65,000 and that the Village has received about $25,000.00 in donations to offset that amount. The $65,000 does not include staff overtime. She stated that it’s the Village’s largest event and that the rest of the events are very low cost. She also noted that the costs of celebrating the Centennial could extend over two fiscal years since it would be celebrated all calendar year long, but the $50,000 proposal is to be used for both fiscal years.
Upon receiving all of the feedback, staff will incorporate these additional funding requests into the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board:
Mayor Nelson reminded everyone of the Board policy for public comments and that each person is only allowed to speak once during public comment, for a maximum amount of five (5) minutes, and that all attendees must act with decorum. There is a total allotted time of thirty (30) minutes for the public comment portion of the agenda. She noted that she would first call on people who signed the sign in sheet.
Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board on a Non-Agenda Item
(It should be noted that in reporting these comments, the Village has not researched the accuracy of any comments.):
Dr. Jacqueline Mitchell’s comments, in summary, were that she was concerned about the litter in Flossmoor (especially off of Vollmer Road), she inquired about what Flossmoor does to address the litter, and what the Village’s responsibility is to address the issue. She stated that she is concerned about the South Suburbs overall, and noted that the parkways in Tinley Park were much cleaner than in Flossmoor. She thinks the litter problem is the worst she’s ever seen since she moved to the community in 1996. She inquired about a community pick up drive to address the issue.
Mayor Nelson stated that she would introduce Dr. Mitchell to Public Works Director Brunke to address her questions.
Cheryl Brown’s comments, in summary, were that she is the president of the Baythorne Condo Association and was gathering information. She inquired whether all residents have smart meters at their homes for Com Ed services.
Village Manager Wachtel responded that yes, they should all have smart meters.
Ms. Brown noted that over the years, the residents of the Condo Association have requested snow removal on Baythorne Drive, and that they understand there is a document in place that restricts them from having snow removed from Baythorne Drive by the Village. She asked whether the streets could be pre-treated by the Village prior to the winter, and whether the Village could provide salt on Baythorne Drive which wasn’t addressed in the original agreement. Ms. Brown inquired about sidewalk and street repair issues, and whether the Condo Association would be eligible for the sidewalk repair program.
Mayor Nelson stated that she would introduce Ms. Brown to Public Works Director Brunke to address her questions.
Brunke noted that in regard to Ms. Brown’s sidewalk question, the sidewalk on Baythorne is all private, which is addressed in the ROW dedication document.
Warren Engelberg’s comments, in summary, were about recent mass shootings, characteristics about the shooters, and other ways to address mass shootings. He also discussed the influence of the fast food industry.
Tom Ricci’s comments, in summary, were that accountability is important. He stated that when police fail to protect people, and they die as a result of their interaction with police, he doesn’t take that lightly. He noted that in Oak Lawn, police brutalized a teenager to the point of hospitalization. Police are supposed to be stewards of the community and be accountable. He stated that Madeline Miller’s life mattered, and the police didn’t treat her like it mattered.
Percy Scott’s comments, in summary, were that over forty local dads went to the Homewood Flossmoor High School on March 20th to support the students. He stated that there has been an influx of new residents in Flossmoor, and that people don’t know that they should be talking to teachers, for instance. Mr. Scott noted how when he and his wife moved to Flossmoor, a neighbor welcomed them to the community and shared important information. He encouraged the Village to come together and get to know each other. He said that new residents don’t know about the Village’s ordinances, and that they should be shown what the Village’s values are. He would like for new residents to receive a packet about the community and its values, and include other resources that people may need. He encouraged the Board to think about creating a way for community members, school boards, and teachers to get together to help parents and the community as a whole.
Pastor Derrick Roberts’ comments, in summary, were that there was work done near his church and that workers left a drain uncovered in the yard. Pastor Roberts echoed Mr. Scott’s comments about new residents who move to Flossmoor and don’t know about the ordinances. When new people move in, Pastor Roberts will visit them and tell them about ordinances. He inquired about whether the Village passes out packets of information to new residents. Pastor Roberts noted a lack of signage about parking regulations near his home. Pertaining to young people, he talked about the success of Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduates, and that we need to celebrate the achievements of young people more often. He noted that he tries to encourage young people, praises them for their grades, and that his church is always welcome to them.
Jessica Groen’s comments, in summary, were that she is always at the Village Board meetings as an observer with the League of Women Voters but was speaking as a resident at that time. She noted some observations that have been concerning to her over some years, which include the sense that the Village Board and Village Hall can make residents feel like they are a threat. For example, when the residents pay the water bill, the bullet proof glass says that residents are seen by Village staff as a threatening entity. Mrs. Groen stated that being treated like that reduces moral and trust among the community. She noted that she was present when more people came to the Village Board meetings who were exhibiting emotions, and that the majority acted within the threshold of civil behavior. There were several non-verbal cues that the people were seen as a threat to the Trustees, such as when the tables were set in front of the Board. She stated that residents want to feel like staff are glad to have them in the Village Hall complex. There have been times when the gate was part way down at the front desk, and she once inquired about it and was met with a negative response by staff. She stated that signage or physical moving of furniture can have an impact on whether people feel welcome to bring concerns, complaints, and emotions to the Village Board/ staff.
Citizens Present Wishing to Address the Board on an Agenda Item
(It should be noted that in reporting these comments, the Village has not researched the accuracy of any comments.): No residents wished to speak on an Agenda Item.
Other Business:
Mayor Nelson referred to Agenda Item #10 – A Motion to go into Executive Session to Discuss the Employment of Specific Individuals, Property Acquisition and Litigation.
There was no need to enter into Executive Session.
Trustee Mitros noted that Vollmer was not a Flossmoor road. He understood the concerns about bulletproof glass and noted that residents should never feel unwelcome.
Trustee Lofton applauded Mr. Scott for his comments regarding dad’s day at the High School.
Trustee Driscoll stated that picking up litter should be a family and community activity. He thinks that during COVID, people weren’t following ordinances and that we have to bring it back together.
Trustee Daggett noted the Flossmoor Community Cleanup happening on April 8thand that litter is an ongoing challenge in many communities.
Trustee Bradley-Scott asked about plans to have more trash pick up days this year, and that the Village should encourage residents to be responsible in that regard. She also mentioned that she and Mr. Scott presented to the Homewood-Flossmoor High School on some of the topics he mentioned during open comments on Mach 20th. She noted how some residents don’t decipher between the different community entities, and added that it’s an opportunity for the community to partner on different initiatives because they believe in the children and Village. She stated that she thinks there will be more initiatives and more done to strengthen the community bonds.
Mayor Nelson noted the other cleanup days like the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Park Pride Day and the Flossmoor Baseball organization’s cleanup day.
Village Manager Bridget Wachtel thanked Dr. Mitchell for her concerns about the litter, and added that several of the routes she mentioned are state or county routes. Regardless, the Village still steps in to clean them up, and the Village is working with the County to close down the Vollmer viaduct so that the Village can safely clean up the viaduct.
Public Works Director John Brunke stated that Public Works staff have been working on cleaning up different roads and that they are working with Olympia Fields’ Public Works to shut down the Vollmer viaduct and have their Public Works’ Departments clean up the viaduct. They would like to have other volunteer efforts for litter pick up.
Mayor Nelson stated that the next Village Board meeting would be March 27, 2023, and that the April 3rd meeting would be canceled.
She noted that April 1st would be the new resident event at the Flossmoor Public Library and welcomed new residents to attend.
She also noted that there is a new resident section on the Village’s website that has recent updates and is a great place to point people to. She encouraged feedback on the website from residents. She also encouraged residents to host a block party for people to get to know each other.
Mayor Nelson noted that she has seen additional after school offerings by School Districts 161 and 233.
Also, Diversity Dinners is a Southland initiative, which works to bring people together and she is working with them to bring that programming back to Flossmoor.
Mayor Nelson stated that Flossmoor is in the Sweet Sixteen for the Strong Town competition. The Village was nominated for the initiative, and people need to vote online for the Village to move to the Elite Eight in the competition.
As there were no other items to discuss, Mayor Nelson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Mitros so moved, seconded by Trustee Driscoll and passed by a voice vote.
AYES: Trustees Bradley-Scott, Daggett, Driscoll, Lofton, Mitros and Mustafa.
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NAYS: None
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
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