South Cook News

Village of East Hazel Crest Board of Trustee met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Officials: Mayor Thomas A. Brown and Clerk Minnis 

Roll Call: Trustees Kearns, Johnson, Ewan, Wideman & Ortiz were present: 

Tr. Forte was absent. (She arrived at 7:10 pm.) 

Also present: Dpt. FD Chief Grant Mills, PD Chief Roy Janich,, Stan Sokolowski, Sue Hawkins, Kris Szlembarzki, Paula Newton, Helen Kearns, Joan Hale, daughter Donna,, M. Fernandez, L. Dutka & Linda, Andrew Kielbanski, Brooke Vida & Julie, Dave Hunt. 

Invocation & Pledge. Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 

Mayor Brown announced the death this afternoon of long time resident Marcella Gill.. 

Minutes: Trustees Ortiz and Wideman made the motions to approve the minutes of the 2/14/24 regular meeting. All trustees present were in favor. Mtn. carried. 

OPEN TO VISITORS: Trustees Ortiz and Wideman made the motions to OPEN this segment of the meeting to the public. All trustees present were in favor. Motions carried. Time; 7:05 pm. 

L. Dutka said residents should 'clean up' their yards. He also remarked about enforcing 'no open burning'. M. Fernandez questioned 'the bills approved' (saying they should be itemized). He questioned Mayor Brown on how many hours he works weekly. When asked about Linda'a question at the last meeting about 'electronic signs', Mayor Brown replied: "we're working on it". JoAnn Murry thanked the Police Dept. for security offered to her daughter. Stan Sokolowski questioned the flushing of hydrants. Sue Hawkins questioned 'sale of property' listed on the Agenda. (that will be answered in the Mayor's Report). Trustee Ewan spoke of an incident last Sunday night when two (2) youths attempted to steal her dog. 

There being no other input from those present, Trustees Wideman and Ortiz made the motions to CLOSE this segment of the meeting to the public. All trustees were in favor. Mtn. carried. 7:12 pm. 

CLOSE-‘OPEN SESSION': There being no other input from those present, Trustees Wideman and Ortiz made the motions to CLOSE this segment of the meeting to the Public. All trustees were in favor. Mtn. carried: Time: 7:12 pm 

Reports of Village Officials: 

MAYOR'S REPORT: 

1) CONSIDERATION TO SELL properties at 1315 W. 172nd St..and 1515 W. 172nd St.. Trustees Kearns and Ortiz made the motions to sell the two lots for $45,000 to Desiree' Boss, member, DFB Homes, LLC. Roll Call: all trustees voted aye. Motions carried. 

2) Consideration and approval to renew the tollway contract for Fire Services. Trustees Wideman and Ortiz made the motions to renew the Contract with ISTHA for fire services. Roll Call: all trustees vote aye. Motions carried. 

3) Presentation of Project Fire Buddies. Fireman Brooke Vida spoke of the Support Program for ill children. She said donations should be dropped off at the Fire Dept. Trustees Johnson and Ewan made the motions to approve Project Fire Buddies. All trustees were in favor. Mtn. carried.

CLERK'S REPORT: No input 

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: 

1) In the absence of Adm. Lazuka, Mayor Brown asked for approval to purchase equipment for the new fire truck. Trustees Kearns and Ortiz made the motions to authorize purchase in the amount of $22,000 - not to exceed $25,000, for purchase of equipment for the new fire truck. All trustees voted aye on the Roll Call: Mtn. carried. 

2) Review & approval to purchase a SALT DOME. After a brief  discussion, Trustees Johnson and Wideman made the motions to approve the purchase of the Salt Dome. Roll Call: all trustees voted aye. Mtn. carried. 

3) Discussion & approval to purchase Vector Solutions training  software for the Fire Department. Trustees Ortiz and Ewan made the motions to approve the software purchase. Roll Call: all trustees voted aye. Mtn. carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Streets: Tr. Forte thanked the Police Department for their assistance recently in investigating an incident in Bruno's parking area. She then congratulated Joan Hale for her to the EHC Library Board. years of service to the EHC Library Board.

Finance/License: Trustees Johnson and Wideman made the motions to approve all bills on the Claims Sheets dated 2/28/24 in the amount of $125,256.63. Roll Call: all trustees voted aye. Motions carried. 

SIGNS: Tr. Kearns nothing to report. 

HEALTH/SAFETY/PERSONNEL; Tr. Ewan had nothing to report. 

WATER/SEWERS; No report by Tr. Wideman 

POLICE/FIRE: Tr. Ortiz.had nothing to report.

OLD BUSINESS - none 

NEW BUSINESS: Tr. Forte asked Mayor Brown to invite a representative of the 

CASINO to come and make a presentation to the Village Board. 

Mayor Brown said the CASINO would be at the Homewood Village Hall on March 20th, 2024 at 1 PM. He said in mid April, the CASINO would be holding a JOB FAIR" for EHC residents ONLY; and in mid May for the general public 

Mayor Brown spoke of the OPENING on Aug. 26th. He urged persons interested in employment by the CASINO should contact him for tickets to the event. 

Announcements: Dpty. Fire Chief Mills thanked everyone for their attendance to the EHCVFD 'CHILI FEST held last Saturday, February 24th from 4-8 pm. 

Executive Session: Trustees Wideman and Johnson made the motions to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss: Personnel and Contract. All trustees were in favor. Time: 7:40 pm 

RECONVENE to regular session: Trustees Ortiz and Wideman made the motions to Reconvene to Regular Session. All trustees were in favor. Mtn. carried. Time: 8:05 pm 

Adjournment: There being no other business to come before the Board,,Trustees 

Ortiz and Wideman made the motions to adjourn. All trustees were in favor. Mtn. carried. Time: 8:07 pm

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