South Cook News

City of Palos Hills City Council met Oct. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bennett called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:00p.m. 

2) PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Mayor Bennett led everyone in the Pledge to the Flag.

3) ROLL CALL: Upon roll call the following Aldermen responded:

PRESENT: Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak 

ABSENT: None

4) QUORUM: Mayor Bennett declared a quorum was present.

5) READING OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: 

Ald. Kleefisch MOVED to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes dated, October 5, 2023 as presented. SECONDED by Ald. Pasek. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: 

AYE: Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price

NAY: None

ABSTAIN: Brachman, Stratton 

MOTION CARRIED 

6) CITIZENS PETITION: None this evening.

7) CITIZENS HEARING: 

Mayor Bennett, the meeting is open to the public for any comments or questions.

A resident approached Council mentioning that last year she had a new water meter installed by the City when her water meter stopped working. The resident also requested updates on several items including: the condos being built on 111th Street across from Sacred Heart, the townhouses that are to be built on 111th near Kean Avenue, the Chinese restaurant, and the intersection on 111th & Roberts Road where there is supposed to be another lane.

Mayor Bennett replied that the development on 111th Street is near completion, and Commissioner Lesnicki added that they are approximately 80% completed. Commissioner Lesnicki said that the second development on 111th will likely not begin until sometime next year, and that the Hong Min property is in the process of obtaining a demolition permit. Mayor Bennett addressed the concern regarding the intersection at 111th and Roberts Road, indicating that in order for the right turn lane to go westbound on 111th Street there has to be property acquisition to create that lane; a hearing will take place in December to determine if the County can get a temporary easement for that property.

Ald. Kleefisch asked if there was an update on the property at 103rd and 78th Avenue. Commissioner Lesnicki responded that they’ve been issued citations for the broken glass with no response from the owner. Mayor Bennett said that the City Attorney will likely need to get involved and send the owner a letter.

Ald. O’Connell asked if there is a specific timeframe that the City has allowed Hong Min to complete the demolition. Commissioner Lesnicki responded that they have been given until the end of this year.

Mike, owner of Alpha Carrier Experts approached Council with a proposal to gain a partnership and become the impound yard for the City.

There were no further comments or questions from the public; the public portion of the meeting was closed.

8) REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS: 

A. CITY CLERK: No report this evening.

B. CITY ATTORNEY: No report this evening.

C. MAYOR: Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to have City Attorney Cainkar draw an Ordinance regarding liens on delinquent water accounts. SO MOVED by Ald. Price, SECONDED by Ald. Donahue. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman 

NAY: None 

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Bennett announced that the City received a State of Illinois Law Enforcement Grant of $66,000.00.

9) PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES  BY ALDERMEN: 

A. BUILDING & LICENSING: 

Ald. Abed had no report this evening.

B. CITY ADMINISTRATION: 

Ald. Stratton reported that Administration is working with our accountants and auditors to finalize our audit for fiscal year 2023. Ald. Stratton added that the annual Treasurer’s report has been published in the October 19th publication of the Reporter newspaper.

C. COMMUNITY RESOURCES: 

Ald. Price announced that tomorrow and Saturday will be the Haunted Hayride. Non-scary rides are from 6:00-6:30pm, and regular rides are from 7:00-9:30pm.

Mayor Bennett thanked Public Works and the Resource department for putting it all together.

D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: 

Ald. O’Connell had no report this evening.

E. FINANCE: 

Ald. Lebarre MOVED to authorize the expenditure of a Vendor Warrant dated, October 19, 2023 in the amount of $471,423.63. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre 

NAY: None 

MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre reminded all that the Budget Review meeting is November 2nd at 5:30pm at City Hall prior to the regular scheduled meetings.

F. LEGISLATION & ORDINANCES: 

Ald. Donahue had no report this evening.

G. PARKS: 

Ald. Nowak announced that the bathrooms and the reception area of the Community Center are being remodeled.

GOLF:

Ald. Pasek reported that the course has been very busy on a daily basis. There will be Fall projects starting next week that’ll include correcting some drainage issues on number 6 fairway, and the irrigation system will be closed down as well. The tentative closing date for the course will be November 30th.

H. PLANNING & ZONING: 

Ald. Nowak had no report this evening. Mayor Bennett reminded all of the Plan Commission hearing on October 23rd.

I. PUBLIC SAFETY: 

Ald. Kleefisch had no report this evening.

J. PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER: 

Ald. Brachman had no report this evening.

10) REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None this evening.

11) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None this evening.

12) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Ald. Brachman asked what currently happens with impounded vehicles. Police Chief Cucio replied that we use CCU Towing.

Ald. Pasek asked about the possibility of switching to Alpha Carrier, and Mayor Bennett said that discussion would need to take place with the Police Chief.

Ald. Nowak asked if we have a contract with CCU, and Mayor Bennett replied that we do not have a written contract, but we have been using them for many years. Ald. Lebarre mentioned that with Alpha Carrier being in town, we should take a look at working with them. Mayor Bennett said that he will talk with the Police Chief regarding that.

Ald. Donahue mentioned having a meeting in the Fall on the status of the flood project. Commissioner Oeffling said that there are some sign offs still needed on the Federal Grant, and once that is finalized the meeting can take place where FEMA will be present.

Ald. Lebarre reminded all that the Veterans Day event will take place on November 11th at 11:00am.

Ald. O’Connell thanked Andrea Walsh from the Timbers for organizing the Meeting of the Minds which is a meeting of Presidents and Vice Presidents of all the different associations on 111th Street.

13) ADJORNMENT: 

No further business, Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to adjourn. SO MOVED by Ald. Stratton. SECONDED by Ald. Pasek. By voice vote, all voted AYE.

The Meeting adjourned at 7:31p.m.

https://www.paloshillsweb.org/docproxy?docId=3357099