South Cook News

City of Blue Island City Council met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1) Call to Order 

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Blue Island was called to order by Mayor Bilotto at 7:00 p.m. on November 7, 2023.

2) Pledge of Allegiance 

3) Roll Call 

Roll Call indicates the following:

Present: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson (7:04 pm), Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Absent: 0

Present Also: 5

Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, City Clerk 

Jairo Frausto, Treasurer

Erin Blake, City Attorney

Thomas Wogan, City Administrator

Mark Patoska, Deputy City Administrator

4) Presentation of Journal of Proceedings 

Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman McGee to approve the City Council Minutes from the October 24, 2023, Regular City Council meeting.

Ayes: 6 Carr, Roll, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 1 Johnson

Abstention: 0

There being six (6) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

5) Public Comment 

No comment.

6) Old Business 

No old business.

7) New Business 

a. Firefighter Swearing In Ceremony.

The Mayor swore in five new firefighters Evan Dykstra, Alex Kieruzel, Kirk Blank, Cody Quillin, and Ethan Smith.

b. Scarecrow Contest Results 

Elected Official Winners 

3rd Place - Alderman Nancy Rita 

2nd Place - Alderman Joshua Roll 

1st Place Treasurer, Jairo Frausto

City Departments 

3rd Place - Building Department 

2nd Place - Fire Department

1st Place - Finance Department

Businesses 

3rd Place Tie - Blue Island Eagles and Three Sisters

2nd Place - Double Play

1st Place Vans Maplewood Inn

Community Group & Organization 

3rd Place - Day of the Dead

2nd Place - Blue Cap

1st Place - Pentecostal Church

The Mayor thanked the City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman and her staff for all of their work in putting this event and contest together.

8) Mayor's Report 

a. Motion for Approval of Payroll for October 27, 2023 for $476,672.96 (gross).

Motion by Alderman Carr, second by Alderman Johnson to approve Payroll for October 27, 2023 for $476,672.96 (gross).

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

b. Motion for Approval of Accounts Payable dated November 8, 2023 for $724,621.45.

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to approve Accounts Payable for November 8, 2023, for $724,621.45.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

c. Resolution 2023-036: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Accepting a Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority's Strong Communities Program - Round 2. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Montoya for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-036. 

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

d. Resolution 2023-037: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Approve and Authorize Proposals between Flashing Thunder Fireworks and the City of Blue Island. 

Motion by Alderman Carr, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-037. 

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

The Mayor stated this Proposal will cover fireworks at the City's New Year's and 4th of July events.

e. Resolution 2023-038: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve Amendment No. 2 to the Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement Between the City of Blue Island and Meade, Inc. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Fahrenwald for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-038. 

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

The Mayor stated Meade, Inc. maintains all traffic signals in town.

Alderman Roll inquired into the price difference from year to year? Deputy City Administrator, Mark Patoska, stated he will send that information to Alderman Roll.

Alderman Johnson asked if the maintenance service includes calibration. Deputy City Administrator, Mark Patoska, stated yes.

f. Motion to Approve the 2024 City Council Meeting Dates.

Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to Approve 2024 City Council Meeting Dates.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

g. Motion to Approve Mayoral Appointment of Mark Patoska to the Blue Island  Fire Pension Board. 

Motion by Alderman Carr, second by Alderman Roll to Approve Mark Patoska's Appointment to the Blue Island Fire Pension Board.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0 

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

h. Resolution 2023-039: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve the Purchase of a Seagrave Model TB70CA Marauder Pumper from Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC.

Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Johnson for Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-039. 

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

The Mayor stated it will be at least 900 days prior to receipt of the equipment.

i. Resolution 2023-040: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve An Agreement Between the City of Blue Island and Hartford Fire Insurance Company.

The Mayor stated this insurance was not required by the IDHA for the Strong Community grant; and therefore, this resolution was removed from the Agenda.

j. Resolution 2023-041: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois to Authorize and Approve a Proposal from Olde Western Blue Island, LLC. 

The Mayor stated the parties are working on an agreement; but it was not yet ready for City Council.

k. Mayor's Announcements/Comments.

The Mayor informed the City Council that the City is working on its appropriation and that the administration is arranging staff/aldermanic meetings regarding the same.

10) City Clerk's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Clerk's Announcements 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, announced that Costeno Spices, a new company on Everett Street, had dropped off two baskets of spices and that anyone was welcome to take anything. She noted that she had an amazing time at the store's opening and that their facilities are excellent.

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, expressed gratitude to all those who took part in the Scarecrow contest, particularly Salo and Public Works.

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, praised the Day of the Dead Committee. She noted this year's event had the largest turnout to date and that moving forward the event would take place on Saturday. She expressed her gratitude for the support of the Blue Island community.

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to the Kringle Mart on 12/2/23 and encouraged vendors to stop by the City Clerk's office to sign up and participate.

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to the New Year's Eve Ball Drop in front of the Lyric Theater.

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone for the 4th of July parade.

The Mayor complimented City Clerk Raeann Cantelo-Zylman and her committee for putting together an unforgettable Day of the Dead event in collaboration with the Lyric Theater. There were merchants, dancers, a terrific atmosphere, and perhaps 1,000 attendees.

11) Treasurer's Report 

a. Motion to Approve October 2023 Treasurer's Report.

Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Rita to Approve October 2023 Treasurer's Report.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

b. City Treasurer's Announcements/Comments 

No report.

12) City Attorney's Report 

a. Attorney's Announcements/Comments 

No report.

13) City Administrator's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. Tax Levy Announcement: The City will be passing its tax levy at the December 12, 2023 meeting.

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, stated the City intends to pass its tax levy during the December 12, 2023 meeting. The levy will not exceed 105%.

b. City Administrator's Announcements/Comments 

City Administrator Thomas Wogan, stated that he will send invites to the alderman to set up a schedule based on availability with relevant department heads to work on appropriations.

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, reported that the City is awaiting the final audit.

14) Aldermanic Announcements/Reports/Comments 

Alderman McGee voiced concern about the potholes and expressed a desire for a plan of action to address the same.

15) Adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss litigation that has been filed and is pending before a court or an administrative tribunal and actions of probable or imminent litigation.

Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Rita to enter Executive Session.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Carr to Reconvene.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

The Mayor stated the City Council discussed possible litigation.

16) Motion for Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Rita, second by Alderman Carr to adjourn the regular meeting.

Ayes: 7 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, Fahrenwald, McGee

Nays: 0

Absent: 0

Abstention: 0

There being seven (7) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned 7:56 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled November 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.

https://www.blueisland.org/wp-content/uploads/government/city-council/city-council-agenda-minutes/City-Council-Minutes-11-07-2023.pdf