South Cook News

City of Blue Island City Council met June 11

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1) Call to Order 

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Blue Island was called to order by Mayor Bilotto at 7:00 p.m. on June 11, 2024. 

2) Pledge of Allegiance 

3) Roll Call 

Roll Call indicates the following: 

Present: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee

Present Also: 4 Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, City Clerk Erin Blake, City Attorney Thomas Wogan, City Administrator Mark Patoska, Deputy City Administrator 

4) Presentation of Journal of Proceedings 

Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman Carr to approve the City Council Minutes from the May 16, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Motion by Alderman Fahrenwald, second by Alderman Carr to approve the City Council Minutes from the May 28, 2024, City Council meeting. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

5) Public Comment 

The Mayor informed members of the public regarding the City's public comment policy. Specifically, he reminded the public that City Council listens to the publics' comments; but does not engage in a discussion or debate with the public relating to the same. He informed the public that after the meeting, during work hours, or via appointment, City staff and officials are available for discussion with residents. 

Mission Covenant Church has invited everyone to their Father's Day service at 10:30 a.m. on 6/16/24, a motorcycle blessing on 6/23/24 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a parade, a friends and family gathering on 6/30/24, and the Church's participation in the 4th of July parade. 

Mr. Thomas Shepard invited everyone to the Blessing of the Waters at the waterfall on Fulton and Chatham on 6/23/24 at 3 p.m. 

Mr. Stevo noted that the people vote for aldermen and mayors and he is perplexed as to why the city requires city administrators and why the city administrators are making decisions. He wants to know how much the city administrators make and why the City needs two administrators. He then asked why the streets and alleys were not completed ten years ago, and where did the funding from current street projects come from. He then asked who received the five million dollars. Finally, he questioned why the accounts payable hadn't been updated on the website. 

6) Old Business 

No old business. 

7) New Business 

No new business. 

8) Mayor's Report 

a. Motion for Approval of Payroll for June 7, 2024, for $497,924.54 (gross). 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Carr to approve Payroll for June 7, 2024, for $497,924.54 (gross). 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

b. Motion for Approval of Accounts Payable dated June 12, 2024, for $1,051,162.95 (gross). 

Motion by Alderman Montoya, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to approve Accounts Payable dated June 12, 2024, for $1,051,162.95 (gross). 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

c. Motion to Award the Bid for the Sale of City Owned Property at 3127 141st Place to Rembrandt Builders. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Carr to Award Bid for Purchase of 3127 141st Place to Rembrandt Builders. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Alderman Johnson inquired about the amount of the bid. City Attorney, Erin Blake stated $11,000.

d. Motion to Award the Bid for the Sale of City Owned Property at 2845 141st Place to Rembrandt Builders. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Carr to Award the Bid for Purchase of 2845 141st Place to Rembrandt Builders. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

Alderman Johnson asked about the amount of the bid. City Attorney, Erin Blake stated $12,000. 

e. Resolution 2024-021: A Resolution of the City of Blue Island, Cook County, Illinois, Authorizing and Approving a Proposal from Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. for Mobile Vehicle Insurance from AGCS Marine Insurance Company. 

Motion by Alderman Johnson, second by Alderman Roll for Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-021. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

f. Mayor's Announcements/Comments. 

The Mayor indicated that the season is going well, with few water leaks; but, on Sunday, there was an issue, that Public Works handled very well. He encouraged residents and Aldermen to report any water on the street to Public Works. 

The Mayor announced that the City had received a $150,000 grant for tree maintenance, which over 100 towns had sought, and that Mr. Schroeder had accepted on behalf of the City. This will help trim over 400 trees throughout the city. He thanks Val Kehoe and the Forestry Board for their assistance with obtaining this grant. 

9) City Clerk's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Clerk's Announcements 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, encouraged everyone to attend the annual blessing of the waters on Sunday, 6/23/24 at 3 p.m. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, welcomed everyone to the grand opening of the Beloved Family Wellness Center on 6/27/24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, informed everyone that junior golf had begun, but there is still time to register. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, stated that the First Evangelical Lutheran Church will host The Lunch Bus (free lunches) on Mondays through Fridays from 10:40 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, invited everyone to the motorcycle blessing organized by Mission Covenant Church on 6/23/24 at 10:30 a.m. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, welcomed everyone to attend TGIF on Friday, which would feature eight vendors, music, and food. This year, there will be a new farmer, Produce Brothers. 

City Clerk, Raeann Cantelo-Zylman, asked everyone to attend the John D. Rita Center on 6/29/24 from 11 a.m. until dusk for Blue Island Blues and Barbeque. 

10) Treasurer's Report 

a. Motion to Approve May 2024 Treasurer's Report. 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Carr for May 2024 Treasurer's Report. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

b. City Treasurer's Announcements/Comments 

No report. 

11) City Attorney's Report 

a. Attorney's Announcements/Comments 

No report 

12) City Administrator's Announcements/Reports/Comments 

a. City Administrator's Announcements/Comments 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, notified the City Council that the city stickers are now available for purchase at the Clerk's office and online. 

City Administrator, Thomas Wogan, stated homeowners who have defaulted on their payment schedules for water service will receive red tags. 

Alderman Montoya inquired how late the Community Service Officers work. Chief Farr stated until 6 p.m. 

13) Aldermanic Announcements/Reports/Comments 

Alderman Johnson commended Public Works for resolving the water issue in his Ward. Also, he requested that the Forestry Board contact a new trucking company in Posen whose trucks park along California Street to encourage them to add trees to their lot. Finally, he began a conversation regarding the enforcement of curfew within the City. 

14) Adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss litigation that has been filed and is pending before a court or an administrative tribunal and actions of probable or imminent litigation. 

No Executive Session. 

15) Motion for Adjournment 

Motion by Alderman Roll, second by Alderman Fahrenwald to adjourn the regular meeting. 

Ayes: 5 Carr, Roll, Johnson, Montoya, Fahrenwald 

Nays: 0 

Absent: 2 Rita, McGee 

Abstention: 0 

There being five (5) Affirmative Votes, the Mayor declared the motion carried. 

The meeting was adjourned 7:33 p.m. 

The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled June 25, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

https://blueisland.org/wp-content/uploads/government/city-council/city-council-agenda-minutes/City-Council-Minutes-06-11-2024.pdf