South Cook News

Village of East Hazel Crest Village Board of Trustees met April 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Officials: Mayor Thomas A. Brown, Administrator Lazuka and Clerk Minnis

Roll Call:: Trustees Forte, Kearns, Johnson, Ewan Wideman were present; Tr. Ortiz was absent.

Invocation & Prayer: Mayor Brown asked members to remember in prayer Fred Kolodziej (who passed away last week) and Rep. Davis (who is in the hospital). He asked for silent prayer for this business meeting; immediately followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

Guests: PW Dir. King, PD Chief Janich, FD Chief Vallow and Dpt. Chief Mills, P. Newton, Joan Hale, Monica Elsey, L. Dutka & Linda, S. Sokolowski, and J. Murry.

Minutes: Trustees Johnson and Wideman made the motions to approve the minutes of the 3/8/23 regular meeting (the 3/22/23 meeting had been cancelled). Tr. Ortiz was absent. All trustees present were in favor. Mtn. carried.

Reports of Village Officials:

Mayor: 1) Ordinance 22-12. Agreement for water sale and purchase between the Villages of Homewood and East Hazel Crest. Trustess Wideman and Ewan made the motions to approve Ord. 22-12, Roll Call: all trustees present were in favor; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried.

2) Approval to execute Ryan, Kane, McKenna contract.. Trustees Kearns and Ewan made the motions to authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with RKM for economic development services including the Wind Creed Casino Project. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried. the motions to approve Ord. 22-12. Roll Call: all trustees present were in favor; Tr Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried.

3) Approval to execute the Flock Camera Agreement. Trustees Wideman and Ewan made the motions to approve the purchase and implementation of five (5) cameras at locations within the Village at the cost of $39,000.00. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried.

4) Approval of plat of Subdivision of 17201 Throop St. - Ordinance. 22-13 Trustees Johnson and Ewan made the motions to approve the subdivision of the village owned property. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye. Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried.

5) (#1 under the Adm.'s report on Agenda) Approval to execute the Phase 1/11 Engineering Joint Funding Agreement for Center Avenue from 175th St. to 171st Street with Robinson Engineering after the new water main is constructed. There will be no cost to the village. Trustees Forte and Kearns made the motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye. Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried.

Clerk: no report

Administrator's report:

-Discussion and direction for the Lathrop Ditch storm sewer enclosure. Use of TIF money can only be used on this type of project. Trustees Jhnsn and Kearns made the motions to approve the enclosure of the Lathrop ditch with TIF funds. All trustees present were in favor; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried.

Open to Visitors:

Trustees Johnson and Wideman made the motions to open this segment of the meeting to the public. All trustees present were in favor; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 7:30 pm.

L. Dutka had questions about Homewood Scavenger.dust in town from grinding g;ass, MFT about plans to fix village streets, and about salt purchases,

Monica Elsey inquired if a public meeting could be held to get input from residents about enclosing the ditches on the east side of town.

Stan Sokolowski asked who puts items on the agenda. Mayor Brown responded: "the administrator or any member of the board". He also asked about the order of the agenda.

Carol Cook complained about residents allowing their dogs to defecate on public property; and why doesn't the PD ticket offenders.

Tr. Kearns is upset that something isn't being done about littering on village streets and under the viaducts. He suggested the village put cameras at various locations to 'catch' offenders,

CLOSE TO VISITORS: Trustees Wideman and Ewan made the motions to CLOSE this segment of the meeting to the public. All trustees were in favor. Mtn. carried. Time: 7:56 pm

Reports of Standing Committees:

Streets: No report by Tr. Forte.

Signs: No report by Tr. Kearns.

Finance: Trustees Johnson & Forte made the motions to pay all bills on the 3/8/23 and 4/12/23 Claims sheets in the amount of $52,099.09 and $50, 027.10 for a total of $102.126.19. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye. Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried,

Health, Safety, Personnel: No report by Tr. Ewan

Water & Sewers: No report by Tr. Wideman

Police/Fire: Tr. Ortiz was absent.

Old Business: none

New Business: none

Announcements: Tr. Kearns announced the 4/13/23 (7 pm) meeting of American Legion Post 1139 will have information on veterans benefits. The meeting will be held in the 1906 Room of the Village Hall.

Mayor Brown reminded residents to include Fred Kolodziej's family and Rep. Davis in their prayers.

Adjourn to Executive Session: Trustees Wideman and Ewan made the motions to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss PD negotiations and FD issues. All trustees present were in favor; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 8:55 pm

Reconvene to Regular Session. Trustees Forte and Johnson made the motions to reconvene to regular session, All trustees present were in favor. Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 9:00 pm

Adjourn: Trustees Forte and Johnson made the motions to adjourn; Tr. Ortiz was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 9:05 pm

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