South Cook News

City of Palos Hills City Council met Oct. 17

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

1) CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Bennett called the City Council Meeting to order at 7:00p.m.

2) PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: Mayor Bennett led everyone in the Pledge to the Flag.

3) ROLL CALL: Upon roll call the following Aldermen responded:

PRESENT: Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak

ABSENT: Stratton

4) QUORUM: Mayor Bennett declared a quorum was present.

5) READING OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:

Ald. Kleefisch MOVED to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes dated, October 3, 2024 as presented. SECONDED by Ald. Nowak. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Brachman, Lebarre, Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price

NAY: None

ABSTAIN: Donahue, O’Connell

ABSENT: Stratton MOTION CARRIED

6) CITIZENS PETITION: None this evening.

7) CITIZENS HEARING:

Mayor Bennett, the meeting is open to the public for any comments or questions.

There were no comments or questions from the public; the public portion of the meeting was closed.

8) REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS FROM MAYOR AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS:

A. CITY CLERK: No report this evening.

B. CITY ATTORNEY: No report this evening.

C. MAYOR: Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to authorize the Police Department to purchase 8 Dodge Durangos through Republic Bank for a 5-year loan at 4.30% interest rate in the amount of $334,852.00 and for the loan documents to be signed by the Mayor and City Treasurer. SO

MOVED by Ald. Price. SECONDED by Ald. Kleefisch. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman

NAY: None

ABSENT: Stratton MOTION CARRIED

9) PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN:

A. BUILDING & LICENSING:

Ald. Abed had no report this evening.

B. CITY ADMINISTRATION:

In the absence of Ald. Stratton there was no report this evening.

C. COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Ald. Price had no report this evening.

D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

Ald. O’Connell announced the Amir Styles at 8106 W. 111th Street is having their grand opening on Saturday, November 2nd at 11:00am-6:00pm.

E. FINANCE:

Ald. Lebarre MOVED to authorize the expenditure of a Vendor Warrant dated, October 17,

2024 in the amount of $1,480,897.73. SECONDED by Ald. Pasek. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre

NAY: None

ABSENT: Stratton MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre discussed the overview of the grants received in the last three years. Parks received $557,463.07, Police received $123,414.00, and Public Works received $16,274,000.00.

Ald. Lebarre reminded City Council that the 6 month Budget hearing will take place on November 21st at 5:30pm.

Ald. Lebarre complemented our new Ordinance officer on the great job he is doing.

F. LEGISLATION & ORDINANCES:

Upon request of Ald. Donahue, Deputy Clerk Ryan assigned Ordinance number 2024-19 to An Ordinance Amending Title 8, Health and Safety, Chapter 8.36, Fireworks, Section 8.36.050, Penalty for Violation, of the Palos Hills Municipal Code.

After the reading of proposed Ordinance number 2024-19 entitled An Ordinance Amending Title 8, Health and Safety, Chapter 8.36, Fireworks, Section 8.36.050, Penalty for Violation, of the Palos Hills Municipal Code Ald. Donahue MOVED for its PASSAGE of same. SECONDED by Ald. Lebarre.

Ald. Brachman requested clarification from City Attorney Cainkar for the portion where it states “each day”, and asked if it could read “each time”.

City Attorney Cainkar stated that it’s a general penalty clause – each day that a violation occurs or is permitted to continue, so each time it happens; if you blow off one firework, and then blow off another firework it’s technically two violations.

Mayor Bennett said that if somebody gets caught and fined, and two hours later they blow off another firework, they can be fined again.

City Attorney Cainkar stated that every time you violate the Ordinance, you get fined.

Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: O’Connell, Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue

NAY: None

ABSENT: Stratton MOTION CARRIED

G. PARKS:

Ald. Nowak reported that the Recreation Department will be hosting their Haunted Hills of Palos event Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th, the cost is $5.00 for adults and children over 10 years of age, and $3.00 for under 10 years of age. There will be a less scary wagon ride beginning at 6:00pm, the scary ride begins at 7:00pm and the event ends around 9:30pm. Tickets will only be sold until 8:45pm. For more information call the Palos Hills Community Center at 708- 430-4500.

Ald. Nowak MOVED to approve the Volunteer Park improvement project. SECONDED by Ald. Price. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Kleefisch, Pasek, Abed, Nowak, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell

NAY: None

ABSENT: Stratton MOTION CARRIED

GOLF:

Ald. Pasek reported that the golf course is in great shape, and our revenue is starting to show that people are coming back.

H. PLANNING & ZONING:

Ald. Nowak had no report this evening.

I. PUBLIC SAFETY:

Ald. Kleefisch announced that he has departmental salutes for three of our police officers recommended by Lieutenant Rasmason to Chief Cucio. The following officers received departmental salutes: Officer Tyler Hook, Officer Amir Haleem, and Officer Jacob Alberts.

Ald. Kleefisch reported that we received a check from Carfax in the amount of $5.00.

J. PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER:

Ald. Brachman had no report this evening.

10) REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None this evening.

11) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None this evening.

12) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: None this evening.

13) ADJORNMENT:

No further business, Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to adjourn. SO MOVED by Ald. Kleefisch. SECONDED by Ald. Pasek. By voice vote, all voted AYE.

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