South Cook News

City of Palos Heights City Council met April 16

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor called to order the regular meeting of the City of Palos Heights City Council at 7:00 p.m. in the City Administrative Center, 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL

II. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Mayor led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

Roll call indicated the following were present:

Mayor Robert Straz Ward 1 Donald Bylut & Jeff Key

City Clerk Shannon Harvey Ward 2 Jack Clifford and Robert Basso

City Treasurer James Daemicke Ward 3 Brent Lewandowski

Ward 4 Michael McGrogan & Jerry McGovern

Absent: Alderman Heather Begley, City Clerk Shannon Harvey and Attorney Tom Brown

IV. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

Mayor Straz recognized that April 21-27th is Volunteer Recognition Week and noted that Palos Heights would not function without volunteers. Along with the Palos Heights Fine Arts Committee, the City created a volunteer wall in City Hall to honor Palos Heights volunteers. In 2024, retired Judge Susan Snow will be added for her role with the Daughters of the American Revoluation and having served in a leadership role at the Palos Library for many years. Bob Grossart will also be honored this year for his involvement as Chairman of the Business and Economic Development Committee, involvement with the Palos Heights Chamber of Commerce, volunteerism with Kriskringlemart and planning of the Welcome Back program at Trinity Christian College. Lois Duran will also be honored for involvement as a volunteer at the Children’s Farm, Lake Katherine and as an active member of the Beautification Committee.

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes: 1. City Council Meeting –April 2, 2024.

B. Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending April 12, 2024. 

C. Approval of a Proclamation recognizing April 21 – April 27, 2024, as Volunteer Recognition Week.

D. Approval of a Special Event Permit request from St. Alexander to conduct their annual 5k on May 9, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the designated route.

On roll call, Alderman Clifford moved to approve to approve the Consent Agenda and was seconded by Alderman McGovern:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With (7) seven affirmative votes the motion carried.

VI. OPENING OF SEALED BIDS:

70th Avenue Lift Station Rehabilitation

1) Markham Construction:

a. Bid: $748,115.00

2) Mark Cransbury Construction:

a. Bid: $547,600.00

3) Aries Incorporated:

a. Bid: $695,000.00

On roll call, Alderman Bylut moved to send the bids to the Water and Sewer Committee for consideration and was seconded by Alderman Clifford, of which all alderman present voted in favor of the motion.

2024 Clean and CCTV Program

1) Visu-Sewer of Illinois:

b. Bid: $447,790.00

2) Pipeview:

c. Bid: $223,651,50.

3) National Power Rodding:

d. Bid: $173,594.00

4) Sewer Tech LLC

e. Bid:$135,520,00

5) Dukes

f. Bid: $303,609.00 

On roll call, Alderman Bylut moved to send the bids to the Water and Sewer Committee for consideration and was seconded by Alderman Key, of which all alderman present voted in favor of the motion.

VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

• Mayor:

• General Remarks and Updates.

• Mayor Straz noted that Spring is here and many activities are taking place in Palos Heights that Alderman Key will further report on.

• Mayor Straz further noted that Palos Baseball’s season is starting April 27, 2024. Please be careful as more children will be on their bikes going to the park and fields.

• Mayor Straz made a motion to adopt a Resolution to close Harlem Avenue for the 4th of July Parade on July 4th, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alderman McGrogan moved to approve the Resolution, seconded by Alderman McGovern.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Consent Agenda was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the Motion carried.

• Clerk: No Report

• Treasurer:

• Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2024.

• Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2024.

• General Fund:

i. Began January with $ 3,758,684

ii. Revenue: $ 2,253,606

iii. Expenses: $ 916,140

iv. Other source use: $ 142,023

v. Ending Cash Balance: $ 5,238,174

• Total of All Funds:

i. Began January with $ 27,741,873

ii. Revenue: $ 4,258,503

iii. Expenses: $ 1,541,420

iv. Other Source Use: $ 178,020

v. Ending Cash Balance: $ 30,636,977

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the Treasurer’s report seconded by Alderman McGovern.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was:

Ayes: (7) Bylut, Basso, Key, Lewandowski, McGovern, McGrogan, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried

• City Attorney: No report

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS:

Alderman McGrogan noted that Fourth Ward Resident Bob Westphal passed away.

Mr. Westphal was a teacher and retired Chicago Police Officer. Alderman McGrogan sends his condolences to Bob’s wife, Stephanie. Alderman McGovern also recalled his friendship with Bob Westphal and that he will be waked on Thursday and a funeral on Friday morning at St. Alexander. Alderman McGovern also sends his condolences to the Westphal family. Mayor Straz also sends his condolences.

Alderman Key also noted that Chief Czajkowski suffered the loss of his son-in-law, Nik Hutto, in a tragic accident. Alderman Key sent his prayers to the Czajkowski family. Alderman Clifford further noted that the Marine Seargent Hutto served five tours in the Middle East and further sends his condolences.

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IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL

None.

X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

• Finance—Chairperson Alderman McGrogan: No Report

Alderman McGrogan noted that the Treasurers Report shows that the City is taking a good turn with numbers exceeding $30 million. Treasurer Daemicke noted that the costs are also up as well. 

• Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman Basso: No Report Alderman Basso noted that the Public Safety Committee meeting for next week is canceled.

• Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Begley: No Report

• Planning and Zoning—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No Report

• Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key:

• Motion to approve Williams Architects Legal Bid Notice for the Palos Pool Improvement project.

Alderman Key moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman Bylut.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve payment to Williams Architects in the amount of $29,777.44 for Construction document development, additional Bid services and unit billing items for Phase 1 of the Pool Project.

Alderman Key moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman Clifford.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve payment application #2 to Hacienda Landscaping in the amount of $72,960.30 for construction work completed for the Orchard Park Project.

Alderman Key moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman Bylut.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve FP United Landscaping proposal in the amount of $11,520.00 for spring and fall clean up at parks, the swimming pool, and recreation center. This includes weekly maintenance visits to the Recreation Center and monthly maintenance visits to Walsh-Westgate Park and bi-weekly for Dream Big Park.

Alderman Key noted that our City maintenance crew maintains the Park but FP United does further manicuring of the parks.

Alderman Key moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman Clifford

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern,

Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

Alderman Key noted that this weekend is the Chocolate 5K and runners can pick up their packets on the 18th and 19th with the race taking place on the 20th starting at 9:00 am. Alderman Key encouraged everyone to come support the runners and vendors. Alderman Key thanked the Police Department for helping with this race.

Alderman Key encouraged everyone to visit www.palosheightrec.org to register for the many events and activities taking place this Spring and Summer.

Alderman Key also noted that Orchard Park is being developed with a splash pad project. He further noted that the Palos Heights Pool House will be remodeled after the 2024 swim season.

• Roads and Construction—Chairperson Alderman Clifford:

• Motion to award the 2024 MFT Resurfacing Program for the Main Bid, Option 1 and Option 2 to M & J Asphalt Paving Co., for their low bid total of $688,925.00.

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman Basso.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

Alderman Clifford noted that these two motions are separate motions and that this intergovernmental agreement will provide for the school district to pay two thirds the cost of the resurfacing.

• Motion to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with School District #128 for two thirds reimbursement to the City for Option 2

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman McGrogan.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• License, Permits & Franchises—Alderman Lewandowski:

• Motion to approve an Ordinance amending the City Code regarding signs in the right-ofway.

Alderman Lewandowski moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman McGovern.

Alderman Lewandowski noted that we have a big election season coming up and noted that election signs are permitted in the right-of-way no more than 30 days before the election and seven days after the election.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern,

Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve a request from Richard’s Bicycles for a permit to allow outdoor sales of merchandise in a B District for their annual, “Tent Sale” from May 18 – May 29, 2024.

Alderman Lewandowski moved to approve the motion, seconded by Alderman McGovern.

On roll call, the motion to approve was:

Ayes: (7) Basso, Bylut, Key, McGrogan, Lewandowski, McGovern, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (1) Begley

With seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried.

Alderman Lewandowski sent a message from the building department and code enforcement officer, Frank Giordano. Mr. Giordano noted a friendly reminder that the front of all properties must be well maintained, including driveways, parking lots, walkways, sidewalks; roof and windows should be in good repairs and any painted surfaces should not be peeling. Any weeds should be no higher than 6 inches in height. Palos Heights adopted the Illinois International Property Code that requires property owners to maintain their properties. Alderman Clifford noted that there is a house in Palos that needs to be inspected and potentially dangerous conditions and that he would discuss further with Mr. Giordano.

• Water and Sewer—Chairperson Alderman Bylut: No Report

XI. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A. Business/Economic Development—Chairperson Alderman Key:

• Park Lawn on 7530 West College Drive is having an open house on May 2nd from 3:00-6:00 pm. Park Lawn provides adult therapy programs and it would be great to visit and support the open house.

• New businesses that have opened include Cervantinos, a Mexican food restaurant that also carries vegan food and pizzas (next to Great American Bagel.)

• Oranges Waffle House: Alderman Key noted how beautiful it is and how fresh. The grand opening is Thursday at 10:00 AM

• High 5 Heights: Alderman Key explained this is the store (where 218 continuing education sell and produce products) is always changing products with the season and encouraged residents to visit.

• Farmer’s Market will begin May 15, 2024.

B. Ad Hoc Cable TV— Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No Report.

XII. OLD BUSINESS:

• Alderman McGrogan asked for an update from the Mayor about meeting with Northwestern Hospital. Mayor Straz has noted he met with two doctors but is waiting on official communication from the hospital.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS:

None

XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS

Harlen Weivoda: 7640 West 135th Street: Mr. Weivoda asked Alderman Lewandowski whether he could provide clarity regarding his anti-Trump sign as he does not have a right-a-way at his home. Alderman Lewandowski to follow up.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:33 p.m. the Mayor requested a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05072024-1000