South Cook News

City of Palos Hills City Council met Feb. 15

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, Abed, Nowak

ABSENT: Pasek

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, February 1, 2024 as presented. SECONDED by Ald. Price. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, Kleefisch, Stratton, Abed, Price

NAY: None

ABSTAIN: O’Connell, Nowak

ABSENT: Pasek 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 male resident from the Timbers approached Council and asked if there is a way to make the City’s website more user friendly. Mayor Bennett replied that our IT person is looking to upgrade the website.

The resident also raised questions on how information on grants can be pushed out to HOAs, not for profit organizations, or local businesses. Mayor Bennett responded that there are currently energy efficiency programs through ComEd and Nicor, and he will speak with the Public Works Commissioner about getting that information from ComEd and Nicor on the City’s website.

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: 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 announced that the Hills Chamber Expo is on Saturday, March 23rd from 9:00am-12noon at Conrady.

Ald. O’Connell reported that there are a lot of ‘Help Wanted’ signs posted at the businesses in town. A list of those businesses looking for help will be available on the Economic Development page.

E. FINANCE:

Ald. Lebarre MOVED to authorize the expenditure of a Vendor Warrant dated, February 15, 2024 in the amount of $453,909.69. SECONDED by Ald. Brachman. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSENT: Pasek MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre announced that Budget Hearing meetings will be held on March 21st, and April 4th

We will know the schedule for each date at our next City Council meeting.

F. LEGISLATION & ORDINANCES:

Ald. Donahue had no report this evening.

G. PARKS:

Ald. Nowak had no report this evening.

GOLF:

In the absence of Ald. Pasek there was no report this evening.

H. PLANNING & ZONING:

Ald. Nowak MOVED to accept the recommendation of the Plan Commission to grant the Special Use under B2 for a drive thru restaurant at 11056 Southwest Highway and have the City Attorney draw the Ordinance. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSENT: Pasek MOTION CARRIED

I. PUBLIC SAFETY:

Ald. Kleefisch presented and read the Palos Hills Police Department Activity Report for the month of January 2024 as follows: 147 traffic tickets were issued, 73 parking tickets, 14 misdemeanor complaints and 5 felony complaints, there were no criminal homicides, there was 1 robbery, there was 1 aggravated assault and battery; there was 1 burglary, there were 5 thefts, there were no motor vehicle thefts, and our CID Division handled a total of 41 cases.

J. PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER:

Ald. Brachman MOVED to have the Public Works Commissioner apply for the grant for the Electric Vehicle charging stations. SECONDED by Ald. Lebarre. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSENT: Pasek MOTION CARRIED

10) REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None this evening.

11) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mayor Bennett announced that District 118 will be making a presentation before the Council regarding their referendum.

12) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: None this evening.

13) ADJORNMENT:

No further business, Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to adjourn. SO MOVED by Ald. Stratton.

SECONDED by Ald. Price. By voice vote, all voted AYE.

The Meeting adjourned at 7:18p.m.

https://www.paloshillsweb.org/docproxy?docId=5199821