South Cook News

Village of East Hazel Crest President and Board of Trustees met May 10

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

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

Invocation & Prayer: Mayor Brown asked members 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, L. Dutka & Linda, S. Sokolowski, M. Fernandez, Carol Cook, Jay Janko, H. Kearns, Juanita Thompson, John White, Bud Grzan, Barb Bercik, Nick livers.

Minutes: Trustees Johnson and Ortiz made the motions to approve the minutes of the 4/12/23 regular meeting (the 23 meeting had been cancelled). Tr. Forte was absent. All trustees present were in favor. Mtn. carried.

Reports of Village Officials:

Mayor: 1) Swearing In of Newly Elected Officials moved to 'New Business". 

2) Resolution 22-12; Authorizing the Mayor & Clerk to execute the Redevelopment Agreement between EHC, Homewood and Wind Creek, LLC. After a brief explanation of the Agreement, Trustees Johnson and Ortiz made the motions to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the documents. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye; Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn carried 

3) Agreement with 'KNOW B-4" Cyber Security training with IRMA. Trustees Kearns and Wideman made the motions to authorize the execution of the AGREEMENT. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye; Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn. carried,

Clerk: no report

Administrator's report: 1) Adm. Lazuka gave a brief explanation/update on INVEST IN COOK PROJECT.. 

2) Adm. Lazauka gave an update on "USACE" for Lathrop ditch

Open to Visitors: 

Trustees Wideman and Kearns made the motions to OPEN this segment of the meeting to the public. All trustees present were in favor; Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn. carried Time: 7:17 pm.

Barb Bercik of 1925 W. 174th St. had questions about 'Noise Ordinance" and what time does it take place? 10 pm, on Weekdays and 11 pm on weekends. Can be found under "Nuisances" in the CODE,. Barb had other questions and the Mayor responded: We'll get back to you. PD Chief Janich said: call 911.

Barb asked about trailers parked in town and debris in yard. The Community Service Officer will 'check out' these complaints. She also spoke of a 'Crime Alert' needed.,

Louie Dutka complained about Homewood Disposal 'grinding' glass. Fragments of glass are prevalent throughout the area. PW's B. King will check this out.

Stan Slobowski questioned when fire hydrants will be 'flushed out'. This will be done in the Fall. 

Carol Cook complained about 'dogs' (running loose, defecating on private and public property. She suggested the village should increase the 'fines.

M. Fernandez complained about Board meeting minutes not being current on the 'web' He also spoke of hazardous waste being transported through town.

Linda of 1427 W. 172nd St,. said people are 'running the STOP signs'. She suggested "No Littering" signs and speed bumps should be posed throughout town.

Jay Janko of 1402 W. 174th St had complaints about needed street repairs. Bud Grzan echoed this complaint about needed 'cold patch' repairs needed, These repairs will be done this summer. 

CLOSE TO VISITORS: Trustees Ortiz and Wideman made the motions to CLOSE this segment of the meeting to the public. All trustees present were in favor; Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 7:750 pm

Reports of Standing Committees:

Streets: No report by Tr. Forte was absent..

Signs: No report by Tr. Kearns.

Finance: Trustees Johnson & Kearns made the motions to pay all bills on the 4/26/23

Claims Sheets in the amount of $76,383.40 and on the 5/10/23 Claims Sheets in the amount of $103,022.54 for a total of $179,860.94. Roll Call: all trustees present voted aye; Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn .carried.

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

Water & Sewers: No report by Tr. Wideman

Police/Fire: Tr. Ortiz was read the Mar. 23rd Police report.

Reports of Standing Committees, cont'd." 

Police & Fire: Tr. Ortiz read the Mar. & April reports of FD activities. These reports will be on file in the Clerk's office.

Old Business: none

New Business: Swearing In of newly elected officials.

Clerk Minnis called forward Zoe Ewan, John Kearns and Kevin Johnson and administered the 'Oath of Office" to them. She gave them 'certificates' sent by the Cook County Clerk and congratulated each of them.

Announcements: Tr. Kearns spoke of the American Legion Post 1139 upcoming "POPPY DAY”.

Adjourn to Executive Session: Trustees Ortiz and Wideman 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 Johnson and Ortiz made the motions to reconvene to regular session. All trustees present were in favor. Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 8:33 pm

Adjourn: Trustees Kearns and Ortizmade the motions to adjourn; Tr. Forte was absent. Mtn. carried. Time: 8:35 pm

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