South Cook News

City of Palos Heights City Council met Aug. 20

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 Jeffrey Key

City Clerk Shannon Harvey Ward 2 Alderman Clifford

City Treasurer James Daemicke Ward 3 Heather Begley & Brent Lewandowski

City Attorney Tom Brown Ward 4 Jerry McGovern

Absent: Basso and McGrogan

IV. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

V. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes: City Council Meeting – August 6, 2024.

B. Approval of Payroll and Voucher List for the period ending August 16, 2024.

C. Motion to approve a request from Chicago Christian High School for a Special Event Permit to conduct their annual Light the Knight 5K on September 20, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. on a designated route.

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by Alderman McGovern.

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

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

VI. OPENING OF SEALED BIDS

VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

• Mayor:

• General Remarks and Updates.

• Mayor Straz noted that his computer crashed and the City is working on recovery.

• Mayor Straz noted that over the years the City spends a lot of time and money on beautifying the City and wanted to specifically commended and thank Ed Obiala for always being at City Hall before anyone gets to City  Hall and spends all day maintaining and upkeeping the City. Mayor Straz noted that Ed’s work keeps Palos Heights beautiful for the residents and wanted to specifically thank him for his hard work and dedication to the City.

• Motion to adopt an Ordinance granting requested deadline extension in connection with PUD Ordinance O-15-20 and O-14-22 for the 2.85-acre lot at the NE corner of Harlem Avenue and College Drive, commonly known as 7150 W. College Drove (PIN 24-19-306-005)

Discussion: The Petitioner relating to this property (Kevin Griffen represent ownership, and the owner of the developer) explained they are looking for an extension to the development of the property. He explained that the plan was to build a fuel station, and the deadlines cannot be met. Mr. Griffen noted that the first deadline to apply with obtaining the permits of August 23, 2023 were met.

He further notified the City Council that there is an opportunity to have the property purchased that is currently under contract. If the closing does not go through, they need these extensions to continue with the construction. Alderman Clifford asked for clarification for the plans are, and Mr. Griffen explained that the current plan is to sell the property, but if the plan does not go through the current plan will move forward. Mr. Griffen does not believe the potential property owners do not have a plan to build a fuel station. Alderman Begley asked what type of extension is request, to which Mr. Griffen responded it would be until Augst 31, 2025 to commence with February 2026 to complete. Mr. Griffen expects that the schedule would likely be ahead of that scheduled.

Alderman Clifford asked for confirmation that the property will be maintained to which Mr. Griffen confirmed.

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman McGovern.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Clerk:

Clerk Harvey announced the following:

Notice is hereby given that the first day to circulate petitions for Mayor, Treasurer, Clerk, for the City of Palos Heights for the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election is August 20, 2024. The office of the City Clerk in and for the City of Palos Heights will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2024, through Monday, November 18, 2024, for the purpose of accepting  nominating papers.

Persons seeking information about the process and requirements for a candidate see king election to theabove offices can consult the 2025 Candidate Guide for the Consolidated Election which can be found on the Illinois State Board of Elections website, at www.elections.il.gov. Further questions regarding required documents to file as a candidate for election should be directed to the Illinois State Board of Elections at 312-814-6440 or to an attorney.

• Treasurer:

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

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

• General Fund:

i. Began August with $5,113,336

ii. Revenue: $1,902,645

iii. Expenses: $1,096,358

iv. Other source use: ($92,630)

v. Ending Cash Balance: $5,826,993

• Total of All Funds:

i. Began August with $30,533,860

ii. Revenue: $3,157,268

iii. Expenses: $1,955,303

iv. Other Source Use: $(35,999)

v. Ending Cash Balance: $31,699,826

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman McGovern, which was unanimously approved by the City Council.

• City Attorney: No report

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS:

None

IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL

None

X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

A. Finance—Chairperson Alderman McGrogan:

Motion to approve an Agreement with View Transit, LLC, for advertising at bus shelters within City limits between September 26, 2024, until September 25, 2034.

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman McGovern.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

B. Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman Basso: No Report

C. Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Begley: No Report

D. Planning and Zoning—Chairperson Alderman McGovern: No Report

E. Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key: Alderman Key thanked the Mayor and the Recreation Staff for the dedication of Orchid Park. Alderman Key also noted that the Concert in the Park, the Chicago Experience has been rescheduled due to rain until September 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

• Motion to approve payment application #4 to Hacienda Landscaping in the amount of $133,059.42 for construction work completed for the Orchard Park Project.

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Begley.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve payment #2 to Splashtacular LLC, in the amount of $41,260.00 for waterslide design, materials, freight and installation labor supervision as part of the pool project.

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Clifford.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve payment to Airy’s Inc. in the amount of $5,212.51 for an emergency water pipe repair for the pool.

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Clifford.

Discussion: Alderman Key noted that was done outside of pool hours to avoid shutting down the pool.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve payment of $47,770.00 for the first installment of the 2024-25 membership contribution to the South Wester Special Recreation Association (SWSRA).

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Begley.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

F. Roads and Construction—Chairperson Alderman Clifford:

• Motion to award the 70th Ct. Landscaping Restoration Project to Country Landscape & Supply for their lowest bid in the amount of $43,587.50.

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Lewandowski.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

• Motion to approve payment to Morris Engineering for engineering services for various projects throughout the City in the amount of $17,803.12.

Alderman Clifford moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

Alderman Clifford noted that the Road Construction Project will be starting soon.

G. License, Permits & Franchises—Alderman Lewandowski:

Motion to approve a Variance for an illuminated wall sign at 12801 S. Harlem Ave. to be larger than Code allows in the Harlem Overlay District.

Alderman Lewandowski moved to approve the Motion seconded by Alderman Begley.

Discussion: Alderman Lewandowski explained this is for Lou Malnati’s Pizza.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Motion was:

Ayes: (5) Begley, Key, McGovern, Lewandowski, Clifford

Nays: (0) None

Absent: (2) Basso, McGrogan

With five (5) affirmative votes the motion carried.

H. Water and Sewer: No Report

XI. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

A. Business/Economic Development—Chairperson Alderman Key: No Report

B. Cable TV— Chairperson Alderman McGovern: Alderman Clifford noted that the updates were successful on Monday and Thursday, August 12th and 13th and PHTV 4 is not on YouTube and broadcasted worldwide.

XII. OLD BUSINESS: None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS:

Alderman Clifford, on behalf of Alderman Basso, urging residents to be careful as school resumes and students will be walking to and from school.

XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS

None.

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

XV. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:19 p.m. the Mayor requested a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08202024-1045