City of Oak Forest City Council met Oct. 8

Oak Forest Mayor Henry Kuspa | City Of Oak Forest Website

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Nov 1, 2024

City of Oak Forest City Council met Oct. 8

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Henry L. Kuspa called the City Council meeting to order at 7:33 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows:

Present: Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel

Also Present: City Clerk Nicole Tormey

Treasurer Ericka Vetter

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz

3. Announcements

➤ Applications for the Public Works Maintenance Worker position are due on Friday, October 11. Download the packet at oak-forest.org.

➤ Save the date for the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce's Community Expo on October 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at Arbor Park Middle School. The free expo includes exhibitors and crafts, DJ, games, raffles and giveaways, and kids costume parade at 10 a.m.

➤ Bremen Township will host a Women's Wellness Walk on October 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 15350 S. Oak Park Avenue. Enjoy vendors, food trucks, raffles, and giveaways. All donations support the Crisis Center for South Suburbia.

➤ Early voting begins October 21 at City Hall. For hours, visit oak-forest.org.

➤ Trick or treat hours are from 3 to 7 p.m. on October 31, rain or shine.

➤ Bremen Township is a drop-off center for the annual Bremen High School's Stuff the Bus Food Drive. Canned goods and other non-perishable items can be dropped off at 15350 Oak Park Avenue until November 12.

➤ A Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held at Orland Park's Village Hall at 14700 S. Ravinia Drive on November 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for more information or register, visit orlandpark.org.

4. Motion to Establish Consent Agenda

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman Selman seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

The motion carried 7/0.

5. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of minutes:

1. City Council - September 25, 2024

B. Consideration of the following list of bills dated:

1. Regular bills - FY 2024-2025

2. Supplemental bills - FY 2024-2025

C. Consideration of the following minutes:

1. Veterans Commission - August 15, 2024

2. Fire & Police Commission - June 24, 2024

3. Fire & Police Commission - September 7, 2024

4. Fire & Police Commission - September 12, 2024

5. Emergency Telephone System Board - September 3, 2024

6. Planning and Zoning Commission - September 18, 2024

7. Civil Service Commission - September 3, 2024

D. Proclamation No. 2024-10-0309P recognizing Ashleigh Konecny for completing the Venturing Summit Rank

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Keeler

Alderman Selman

The motion carried 6/0/1.

Alderman Selman read Proclamation No. 2024-10-0309P into the record.

6. Public Works

A. Approval Pay Estimate No. 1 to Iroquois Paving in the budgeted amount of $856,452.07 for the 2024 MFT Road Program.

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman McCarthy seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported the total amount of the contract was $1,061,670.10. The amount of work completed to date is $951,613.41. 10% reduction for retainage in the amount of $95,161.34. Currently due to the contractor is $856,452.07. Mayor Kuspa asked as of the date of the invoice how are things looking. Mike replied that the only thing that remains is the final inspection to make sure all punch list items have been addressed and striping of Oak Park Avenue.

Alderman Danihel inquired as to paving Oak Park Avenue before striping. Mike replied there is grant funding to redo Oak Park Avenue but it does not kick in until 2026.

Alderman Hortsman asked if the grant will take care of the area of Justamere. Mike answered it would not include that. The City is still working with the Forest Preserve on that.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

The motion carried 7/0.

B. Approval of the Illinois Department of Transportation's Joint Funding Agreement for engineering services from HR Green for the completion of the Phase II study for Sidewalk Improvements Project in the amount of $79,320.00.

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Hortsman seconded.

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz reported there are two sidewalk projects going, on the southside 155th through 158th from Long to Lamon and the northside 147th and 151st. Baxter and Woodman completed the Phase I study and submitted it to IDOT for approval. This is Phase II, preparation of plans, bid documents and right of way acquisitions. A Request for Qualifications was completed. HR Green was the only submission. The actual engineering agreement with HR Green is $79,320.00 with an 80/20 split. The City's match would be $15,864.00. Mike noted the typos in the memo regarding incorrect amounts.

Alderman Wolf asked what sidewalk project is on the agenda. Mike clarified this is for 147th through 151st. Mike stated there are some houses with sidewalks and this will fill in the gaps.

Alderman Emmett stated this project is to put sidewalks in so the children can get to school.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

The motion carried 7/0.

7. Citizen Participation

None.

8. Old Business

Alderman Emmett asked Mike about the progress of contacting the County regarding cutting 151st from Oxford to Hille School. Mike stated he has contacted them numerous times but will try again.

9. New Business

None.

10. Executive Session

None.

11. Adjournment

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn. Alderman Hortsman seconded.

Roll call vote was taken as follows:

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT

Alderman Danihel

Alderman Keeler

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf