South Cook News

City of Blue Island City Council met Jan. 9.

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 January 9, 2024. 

2) Pledge of Allegiance 

3) Roll Call 

Roll Call indicates the following: 

Present: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

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 McGee, second by Alderman Johnson to approve the City Council Minutes from the December 12, 2023. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

5) Public Comment 

Ceasefire informed City Council of their presence at the meeting. 

6) Old Business 

No old business. 

7) New Business 

No new business. 

8) Mayor's Report 

1.9.24 Meeting Minutes 

a. Motion for Approval of Payroll for January 5, 2024, for $434,936.26 (gross). 

Motion by Alderman Carr, second by Alderman Montoya to approve Payroll for January 5, 2024, for $434,936.26 (gross). 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

b. Motion for Approval of Accounts Payable dated January 10, 2024, for $1,130,873.69. 

Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Carr to approve Accounts Payable dated January 10, 2024, for $1,130,873.69. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Alderman Carr inquired about the $49,800 charge. Deputy City Administrator, Mark Patoska, stated it is for a repair of a water tank on Highland. 

c. Ordinance 2024-001: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Amending Chapter 165 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Schedule of Use Controls, Parking and Loading Facilities, and Definitions. 

The Ordinance was removed from the agenda, as the Alderman and Mayor were not ready to proceed with it and wanted to discuss it further during the COW meeting. 

d. Ordinance 2024-002: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois Approving a Variance for the Property located at 11901 Ann Street. 

Motion by Alderman McGee, second by Alderman Carr for Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-002. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

e. Ordinance 2024-003: An Ordinance of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois, to Set a Date for, and to Approve a Public Notice for, a Public Hearing for the Western Avenue Redevelopment Project Area. 

The Ordinance was removed from the agenda, as the City Attorney did not have all the necessary paperwork. 

f. Mayor's Announcements/Comments. 

The Mayor informed the City Council that the ball drop was highly attended, and that the fireworks were done by a new business. 

The Mayor informed the City Council that they are wrapping up on Olde Western and that everyone should go see what they expect to see in the near future for Blue Island. 

9) City Clerk's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Clerk's Announcements 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to the Blue Cap fundraiser on 2/4/2024 at 6:30 pm at the Blue Island Beer Company. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to the ribbon cutting of Unlimited Potential on 1/23/24 at 10 am at 13811 Western Ave., Blue Island, IL. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone for the pruning event hosted by the Forestry Board on 1/19/24 at the RIPH parking lot from noon to 3 pm and noted that they will also having another event on 2/16/24 at Memorial Park from noon to 3 pm. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to a Business Expo on 1/27/24 at Ophelia's Banquets from 10 am to 3 pm. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, encouraged everyone to drop off old holiday lights at the Calumet Township from now until 2/1/24. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, informed everyone that Butter Upon Bacon is opening Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, informed everyone that the City Clerk's office is now accepting Hometown Heroes applications. 

10) Treasurer's Report 

a. Treasurer's Report December 2023. 

Motion by Alderman Montoya, second by Alderman McGee for December 2023 Treasurer's Report. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

b. City Treasurer's Announcements/Comments 

No comment. 

11) City Attorney's Report 

a. Attorney's Announcements/Comments 

No report. 

12) City Administrator's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Administrator's Announcements/Comments 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan announced that the administration has prepared an appropriations draft that would be on display for 30 days for public review through January 27, 2024. 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, informed the Council that their statements of economic interest must be finished as soon as possible. 

13) Aldermanic Announcements/Reports/Comments 

Alderman Rita wished everyone a happy New Year and thanked Cease Fire for attending the meeting. 

Alderman Carr praised the Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works for their assistance throughout the year at the City events. 

Alderman Johnson complimented Public Works for keeping the streets clean and advised citizens to move their automobiles so that plows can easily clear the roadways. 

14) 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 McGee, second by Alderman Carr to enter Executive Session. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

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

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The Mayor stated possible litigation was discussed during executive session. 

15) Motion for Adjournment 

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

Ayes: 5 Carr, Johnson, Montoya, Rita, McGee 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Roll, Fahrenwald 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The meeting was adjourned 7:30 p.m. 

The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled January 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

https://www.blueisland.org/wp-content/uploads/government/city-council/city-council-agenda-minutes/City-Council-Minutes-01-09-2024.pdf