City of Palos Heights City Council met Sept. 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 7:02 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 Shannon Harvey
City Treasurer James Daemicke
City Attorney Tom Brown
Ward 1 Donald Bylut & Jeffrey Key
Ward 2 Robert Basso
Ward 3 Heather Begley & Brent Lewandowski
Ward 4 Jerry McGovern
Absent: Alderman McGrogan and Alderman Clifford
IV. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
V. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes:
1. City Council Meeting –August 15, 2023.
B. Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending September 1, 2023.
C. Approval of a request from Blue Cap to conduct tag days on designated corners in Palos Heights in accordance with the City’s Code on October 7th, 2023.
D. Approval of a request from POW-R Sertoma to conduct tag days on designated corners in Palos Heights in accordance with the City’s Code on September 22nd and 23rd, 2023.
E. Approval of Proclamation for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, September 2023.
F. Approval of a request from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana to allow local girl scouts to conduct their annual Fall Products Program from September 22 – October 15, 2023.
Alderman McGovern moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by Alderman Bylut.
On roll call, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
VI. OPENING OF SEALED BIDS
None.
VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
• Mayor:
• The Mayor requested a motion to approve a Resolution requesting permission from IDOT to close Harlem Avenue between 127th Street and Illinois Route 83 on Saturday, December 2, 2023, for a winter holiday parade in the City of Palos Heights between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Alderman Begley moved to adopt the Resolution and Alderman McGovern seconded.
On roll call, the motion to adopt the Resolution was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
• The Mayor requested a Motion to approve payment to Big Tent Events in the amount of $23,911.72 to advance the payment for the ultimate cost to be lowered by sponsorship and vendor fees. Mayor Straz advised that this cost includes the costs associated with the Kris Kringle Mart, which is an increase from past years (not exceeded $20,000.00)
Alderman Key moved to adopt the Motion seconded by Alderman Begley. On roll call, the motion to adopt the Resolution was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
• Clerk: No report
• Treasurer: No report
• City Attorney: No report
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
Alderman Key: Palos Heights Library will host the “Library Comes Alive” event, a fundraiser to meet their strategic goals. Different literary characters will be present for meet and greets. The event will take place on Saturday, October 14, 6:30-9:00. There is a fee for the ticket. Please call the library for information relating to ticket purchase.
Alderman Bylut: Received an email from John and Judy Belcik (Westgate residents) requesting September to be proclaimed as National Service Dog month. The Belciks raise puppies as canine companions for Canine Companions 501(c)(3) since 2007. In Illinois, there are 16,000 service dogs helping adult and children with disability dogs and 600 individuals on the waiting list. We are proud to have residents like the Belciks in our community.
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:
• Alderman Basso requested a Motion to approve the DACRA Municipal Enforcement System Contract for 3 years from the effective date until April 20, 2024, at $1,100.00 a month, May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, at $1,300.00 a month, and May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026, at $1,500.00 a month.
Alderman Basso moved to approve the motion seconded by Alderman McGovern. On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
• Alderman Basso emphasized the importance to protecting yourself from scam calls. Alderman Basso provided information he researched that phone scammers will attempt to determine the best time you are home based on the time you answer the call. Scammers then provide that time to spam callers.
• Alderman Basso emphasized that residents should watch their ingoing and outgoing mail placed in mailbox. Provided an example of a Palos Park resident who placed a check in the mail that was stolen.
C. Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Begley:
• Alderman Begley requested the approval of a Motion to approve payment to Wold Architects and Engineers for the design development for the City Hall renovations in the amount of $14,399.40.
Alderman Begley moved to approve the motion seconded by Alderman Lewandowski.
On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
• Alderman Begley requested the approval of a motion to approve payment for professional engineering services to Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. For the Cal-Sag Trail at Lake Katherine, Phase II project in the amount of $5,694.57.
Alderman Begley moved to approve the motion seconded by Alderman Lewandowski.
On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
D. Planning and Zoning—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No report
E. Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key
• Alderman Key reminded resided of the Lake Katherine Monarch Celebration that will take place on September 16th and 17th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. There will be a butterfly tent, petting zoo, crafts, hayrides and more. The entrance fee is $10. Lake Katherine will require reservations to go into the butterfly tent. Please go to lakekatherine.org to reserve your spot and learn additional information regarding the Monarch Celebration.
F. Roads and Construction—Chairperson Alderman Clifford:
• Mayor Straz reported that Alderman Clifford advises that: the 2023 Road Program is winding up with continued street patching (where needed); the parking lots at City Hall and Lake Katherine were refinished and restriped; and notice that the bridge over the Cal Sag Channel over Southwest Highway will begin this month.
G. License, Permits & Franchises—Alderman Lewandowski: No Report H. Water and Sewer—Chairperson Alderman Bylut:
• Alderman Bylut requested the approval of a motion to approve change order 1 approval to Airy’s for the College Dr. water main lining project in the amount of $55,208.72.
Alderman Bylut moved to approve the motion seconded by Alderman Begley.
On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
• Alderman Bylut requested the approval of a motion to approve payment to Giant Maintenance & Restoration, Inc. for blasting, priming, and painting of 209 fire hydrants in the amount of $19,228,00.
Alderman Bylut to approve the motion seconded by Alderman Key.
On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
Alderman Bylut advised this is a continuing project.
• Alderman Bylut requested the approval of a motion to approve payment for professional engineering services with RJN Group, Inc. for the 2023 Sewer Rehabilitation Design and Construction rendering through July 28, 2023, in the amount of $8,376.67.
Alderman Bylut moved to approve the motion seconded by Alderman Begley.
On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
• Alderman Bylut requested the approval of a motion to approve additional professional engineering services with RJN Group, Inc. for the 2022 Sewer Rehabilitation Design and Construction Service not to exceed the amount of $9,900.00.
Alderman Bylut moved to approve the motion seconded by Alderman Key.
On roll call, the motion to approve the motion was:
Ayes: (6) Bylut, Begley, Basso, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski
Nays: (0) None
Absent: (2) McGrogan and Clifford
With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.
XI. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
A. Business/Economic Development—Chairperson Alderman Key:
Tomorrow (9/6/23) will be a great day to visit the Palos Height Farmers Market. The Farmer’s Market is open Wednesday between 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and runs through October.
B. Ad Hoc Cable TV— Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No Report.
XII. OLD BUSINESS: None
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Straz: The Mayor introduced the Proclamation announcing September 2023 as National Service Dog Month in Palos Heights and encouraged all Palos Heights citizens to celebrate task trained dogs and to be respectful of the rights afforded to adults, citizens and veterans who lead more independent lives because of their assistance.
Alderman Basso: A bus tour of the Palos Heights sculptures will take place on September 30, 2023. Please contact the recreation center to sign up and for additional information.
XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS None.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:23 p.m. the Mayor requested a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09052023-885
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