South Cook News

City of Oak Forest City Council met Jan. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CITY OF OAK FOREST 

City Council Meeting Minutes 

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 City Council Chambers 

Mayor Henry Kuspa called the City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows: 

Present: 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Also Present. 

City Clerk Nicole Tormey 

Treasurer Ericka Vetter 

City Administrator Timothy Kristin 

Fire Chief Garrick Kasper 

Police Chief Jason Reid 

Deputy Police Chief Scott Durano 

Community Planner Paul Ruane 

3. City Clerk Nicole Tormey swore in Probationary Police Officers David Fox and Ryan Perez. 

4. Announcements 

➤ Happy New Year. We would like to extend our appreciation to the residents and staff who generously contributed to the toy drive for Toys for Tots and Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. It was nice to see all of the gifts and toys stacked up in the lobby at City Hall. People were very generous this year. 

➤ As part of the Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act we are urging residents to complete the lead service line questionnaire on our website. The information provided will be used to create material inventory for all properties supplied with water in the community. Water service lines are the pipelines along your property that run from the city watermain to the water meter inside your home. Common water service lines materials found in homes include copper, lead, galvanized steel and plastic. For more information or to complete the survey, visit our website at www.oak-forest.org. 

➤ Spring sports registration for softball, lacrosse and soccer at the Oak Forest Park District is on Saturday, January 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. Stop by the main building at 15601 S. Central Avenue to register. 

 ➤ The 15th annual Oak Forest Fleadh is on Saturday, March 2. The celebration includes a 5K race at 5:30 a.m. and a family parade on Central Avenue at 11:00 a.m. After the parade, please stop by and visit one of our local bars and restaurants and enjoy food, drink and specialty entertainment. For more information you can visit the city's website. 

5. Motion to Establish Consent Agenda 

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman Wolf seconded. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

6. Consent Agenda 

A. Approval of minutes: 

1. City Council - November 28, 2023 

B. Consideration of the following list of bills dated: 

1. Regular bills FY 2023-2024 

C. Consideration of the following minutes: 

1. Cable Commission - December 14, 2023

2. Planning and Zoning Commission - December 6, 2023 

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman Selman seconded. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any questions or comments regarding the Consent Agenda. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

7. Administration 

A. Approval of Ordinance 2024-01-10140 approving a third amended and restated water sale, purchase and service agreement by and among the Village of Oak Lawn, Cook County, Illinois, and other municipalities, and authorizing the execution and delivery of said amended agreement. 

Mayor Kuspa reported item 7(A) is pulled this evening waiting for further legal review. 

8 Police Department 

A. Approval of five year contract with Flock Safety for the amount of $212,500.00 at $42,500.00 per year. 

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded. 

Deputy Chief Police Scott Durano reported the Flock Safety Program is a valuable tool for the investigators and patrol officers. There is no increase to the budget from the past three years. The program has been used to locate missing people, not only within the 250 agencies that information is shared with but from other states. With the ongoing success of this program, he asked for approval to continue the program and lock in the rate for another five years. 

City Administrator Tim Kristin stated any police officer who has used the program has reported that it is a valuable tool. He would concur with the Deputy Chief and recommend approval. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any questions or comments. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

9. Community Development 

A. Approval of Ordinance No. 2024-01-10110 authorizing a special use permit to allow a drive-thru in the C1 - Local Commercial District at 5301 W. 159th Street. 

Alderman Hortsman made the motion. Alderman McCarthy seconded. 

Mayor Kuspa reported this is for the new Taco Bell where KFC was. 

Community Planner Paul Ruane reported this is special use permit for a drive-thru at 5301 W. 159th Street. There is an existing restaurant with an existing drive-thru dating back to early 2000's. There is no existing special use permit on file for the drive-thru. To formalize and bring it into conformance, we need a special use on file. Paul Ruane presented the proposed changes which included removal of the existing pole sign and converting it over to a monument sign, an addition of an entrance on the northeast corner of the building including a sidewalk from the existing sidewalk, the removal of an existing vestibule, bike rack and the addition of a privacy fence. Planning and Zoning approved the proposal with conditions of a plat of consolidation consolidating the four existing lots into one, an updated landscaping plan, confirmation of the monument sign base and asphalt removal. An additional condition was landscaping to separate the neighbor to the south. Upon public comment before the Planning and Zoning Commission, they recommended the approval of a fence, specifically an eight foot fence. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any questions or comments. Seeing none. 

Any questions or comments from the architect. 

Jean Armando from MRV Architects approached the podium. She stated she is happy to bring this to the community and bring tacos. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

The motion carried 7/0. 

B. Approval of Ordinance No. 2024-01-10120 authorizing a special use permit to allow a drive-thru and an outdoor patio in the C3 - Central Business District at 4801 W. 159th Street. 

Alderman McCarthy made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded. 

Mayor Kuspa reported this is for the new Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins. 

Community Planner Paul Ruane reported this is a special use permit for a drive-thru and a patio. This is located at 4801 W. 159th Street, the southwest corner of Cicero and 159th. The orientation of the building and the way everything functions is built upon the Midlothian Creek that runs through. The proposal is for a brand new drive-thru facility including a bypass lane and a double drive-thru lane for two ordering stations. Currently, there are two proposed entry points, one off 159th Street and one on Cicero Avenue. The Cicero Avenue is currently proposed to have in and out access points. 159th would be right-in access point only. IDOT is working with them to confirm. Paul Ruane presented the proposed elevations and patio. This proposal went before Planning and Zoning Commission and received some public comments requesting additional screening along the south and west property lines. There were some comments and questions about traffic and in and out access points which the architect was able to provide information on. IDOT is ultimately the decision maker on what can be accessed and not accessed through their right-of-ways. 

Alderman Emmett asked about the welcome to Oak Forest sign and the 25 foot setback. He inquired as to who owns that 25 feet. Paul Ruane assumes it is IDOT's right-of-way. He does not have confirmation of it but there parts that are the city's right-of-way going west. Alderman Emmett remarked about the citizen who commented on police watching the traffic. He stated they do not have time to watch who makes a left and right on Cicero Avenue. As long as it meets IDOT's needs, the City does not have any control over that. Paul Ruane stated the concerns were more about 160th and Oak. Alderman Emmett stated when you bring in commercial businesses, residential areas will be impacted but do not think it will be impacted that much. 

Mayor Kuspa stated Alderman Emmett had asked previously a specific question about whether the developer can assist in getting a welcome to Oak Forest sign on the corner. He asked Paul Ruane if that is something they are discussing. Paul Ruane stated it has been discussed with them. They were welcome to it at that point in time without specific direction at that time. The City has not formally closed on this property yet. We can work with City Council on that. 

Alderman Hortsman stated 21 cars in the drive-thru should be sufficient, but he has seen in different fast food areas a lot of backup that goes on, especially on county roads. He asked Paul Ruane if he was confident that 21 spots are sufficient. Paul Ruane stated it is hard to tell. He stated the existing Dunkin on 159th and Laramie has 12-14 cars between the window and where you would exit out on Laramie. This business is highly desired on early mornings and it would be hard to determine until it comes in. Mayor Kuspa stated to Alderman Hortsman's point, heading to work north on Cicero Avenue there is a Dunkin Donuts a little further north and from where the window is to the street they can get 3 cars in line until they are backed up on Cicero Avenue. He understands the concern. 

Alderman Selman asked if this location will be operated by the same owner of the existing location. Paul Ruane stated yes. The existing operator currently leases at their existing location so this would be a brick and mortar of their own. 

Alderman Danihel asked if Oak is a one way street going south. Paul Ruane stated no but there is only one way to turn in and turn out. 

Mayor Kuspa asked if there are any other questions or comments. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

The motion carried 7/0. 

C. Approval of Ordinance No. 2024-01-10130 authorizing a variation request to allow additional signage in the C3 - Central Business District at 4801 W. 159th Street. 

Alderman McCarthy made the motion. Alderman Emmett seconded. 

Community Planner Paul Ruane stated this is another request for Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins. They are looking to allow additional signage beyond what is required by the code. Current code allows for one primary sign and two accessory wall signs for each. tenant space. The proposed site plan was shown. The uniqueness of the business is there are two operations in this, one being Dunkin and one being Baskin Robbins. Planning and Zoning recommended allowing the proposal. 

Alderman Hortsman asked if the council allows this, would it set a precedence for other businesses. Paul Ruane states there is one in particular - New York Slice Pizza and the video gaming portion. It is more a case by case scenario. He does not see it happen often. 

Alderman Wolf asked about the east side of the building and where the signs will be. Paul Ruane showed the elevations of the east side. 

Alderman Keeler asked if two business licenses are going to be required since it is two businesses. Paul Ruane stated he believes it would be under one license as that is how they operate now. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any more questions or comments. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

The motion carried 7/0. 

10. Fire Department 

A. Approval of an agreement with Johnson Controls to replace fire station 2 boiler in the amount of $49,560.00. 

Alderman Hortsman made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded. 

Fire Chief Garrick Kasper reported they have had many calls for maintenance for the boiler system in station 2. Back in December, there was a smell of gas and they ran without heat for the evening. DPW came out and they did what they could. Johnson Controls came out and they stated the boiler is at the end of its life. They currently do have heat. Johnson Controls patched it so it is barely getting by. Johnson Controls is part of the Source Well contract which is a self-sustaining government organization that does the contract purchasing nationwide and it falls under the purchasing policy. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any questions or comments. 

Alderman Hortsman inquired if it was budgeted. Fire Chief Kasper stated no. Replacing the boiler was not budgeted but the expenditure was allocated in the fiscal year 2026 capital budget program. 

City Administrator Tim Kristin clarified it was earmarked in the 26 fiscal year capital improvement plan. They have to bump it up and will prepare a budget adjustment. It has to be done now. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any other questions. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

The motion carried 7/0. 

11. Citizen Participation 

None. 

12. Old Business 

None. 

13. New Business 

None. 

14. Executive Session 

None. 

15. Adjournment 

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Hortsman seconded. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES                                    NAYS    ABSTAIN    ABSENT

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Hortsman 

The motion carried 7/0. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. 

https://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01092024-1839