South Cook News

City of Palos Hills City Council met Jan. 18.

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, January 4, 2024 as presented. SECONDED by Ald. Nowak. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: AYE: Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price NAY: None

ABSTAIN: Brachman 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.

There were no 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: No report this evening.

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 had no report this evening.

C. COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Ald. Price had no report this evening.

D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

Ald. O’Connell provided an update on the proposed developments at the Kiswani plaza as well as commercial properties recently purchased, and those that are for sale.

Ald. O’Connell announced that Economic Development and the Resource and Recreation department are having a snowman building contest which ends on Monday, January 22nd.

E. FINANCE:

Ald. Lebarre MOVED to authorize the expenditure of a Vendor Warrant dated, January 18, 2024 in the amount of $396,161.75. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: AYE: Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre MOVED for consideration of An Ordinance Relating to Compensation for City Officers & Employees. SECONDED by Ald. Pasek. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: AYE: Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Number 2024-2 was assigned to that proposed Ordinance.

Ald. Donahue MOVED to waive the reading of proposed Ordinance 2024-2. SECONDED by Ald. Abed. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: AYE: O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre MOVED for PASSAGE of Ordinance 2024-2, An Ordinance Relating to Compensation for City Officers & Employees. SECONDED by Ald. Stratton. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: AYE: Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre suggested the purchase of 5-6 holiday trees to plant at Bennett Park if we receive the tree grant this year.

F. LEGISLATION & ORDINANCES:

Ald. Donahue had no report this evening.

G. PARKS:

Ald. Nowak had no report this evening.

GOLF:

Ald. Pasek had no report this evening.

H. PLANNING & ZONING:

Ald. Nowak had no report this evening.

Mayor Bennett added that the hearing for the drive-thru at 111th and Southwest Highway took place on Monday, and it was approved by the Plan Commission; once the minutes come in, a motion will be made to have the Ordinance drawn to allow it.

I. PUBLIC SAFETY:

Ald. Kleefisch presented and read the Palos Hills Police Department Activity Report for the month of December 2023 as follows: 170 traffic tickets were issued, 79 parking tickets, 12 misdemeanor complaints and 5 felony complaints, there were no criminal homicides, there was 1 rape, there were no robberies, there was 1 aggravated assault and battery; there was 1 burglary, there were 6 thefts, there were 3 motor vehicle thefts, there were no arsons, and our CID Division handled a total of 32 cases.

Ald. Kleefisch provided a Police Department update which included information on different training for officers and details on system upgrades paid for by Asset Forfeiture Funds.

J. PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER:

Ald. Brachman reported that there will be an increase to the water bill.

Ald. Brachman requested a number be assigned to the previously presented Ordinance entitled An Ordinance of the City of Palos Hills, Cook County, Illinois Approving a Third Amendment to the Water Sale, Purchase and Service Agreement Between the Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois and Certain of its Municipal Customers.

Number 2024-3 was assigned to that proposed Ordinance.

Ald. Donahue MOVED to waive the reading of proposed Ordinance 2024-3. SECONDED by Ald. Lebarre. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

Ald. Brachman MOVED for PASSAGE of Ordinance 2024-3, An Ordinance of the City of Palos Hills, Cook County, Illinois Approving a Third Amendment to the Water Sale, Purchase and Service Agreement Between the Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois and Certain of its Municipal Customers. SECONDED by Ald. Kleefisch. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Brachman MOVED to have the City Attorney amend the Ordinance concerning delinquent bills by changing the turn on and turn off fees of $35.00 to $50.00. SECONDED by Ald. Pasek. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted: AYE: Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Pasek NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

10) REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None

11) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

12) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: None

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 7:19p.m.

https://www.paloshillsweb.org/docproxy?docId=5151466