South Cook News

City of Oak Forest City Council met Nov. 26

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Henry L. Kuspa called the City Council meeting to order at 7:30 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 Danihel 

Absent: Alderman Hortsman 

Also Present: City Clerk Nicole Tormey 

Treasurer Ericka Vetter 

City Administrator Tim Kristin 

Human Resource Director Bridge Parfitt 

Public Works Director Mike Salamowicz 

Asst. Director of Community and Economic Development Paul Ruane 

Police Chief Jason Reid 

Deputy Police Chief Scott Durano 

3. Announcements 

➢ The city has job openings for the positions of city administrator and community planner. For more information or to apply, visit www.oak-forest.org. 

➢ Yard waste collection ends on November 30. Yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, branches, etc. can be placed curbside on your scheduled garbage day. 

➢  Enjoy some holiday cheer at the Jolly Jamboree on December 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at City Hall. Walk from station to station with friends, family and neighbors. Activities include photos with Santa, cook decorating, a visit from Marshall from Paw Patrol, a giant inflatable snow globe, holiday music and more. Trim a tree winners will be announced. 

➢  Tickets are on sale for the Madrigal Dinner and Show at Oak Forest High School on December 7 and 8. For more information or to purchase tickets call (708) 687-0500 ext. 3603. 

➢ City Hall is a collection site for Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation and Toys for Tots toy drives. Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy to one or both of these very worthwhile organizations. 

4. Motion to Establish Consent Agenda 

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman McCarthy 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 6/0. 

5. Consent Agenda 

A. Consideration of the following list of bills dated: 

1. Regular bills - FY 2024-2025 

2. Supplemental bills - FY 2024-2025 

B. Consideration of the following minutes: 

1. Protection Commission - November 13, 2024 

2. Cable Commission - November 14, 2024

3. Planning and Zoning Commission - November 6, 2024 

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Selman seconded. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any questions or comments. Seeing none. 

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 6/0. 

6. Administration 

A. Approval of Ordinance 2024-11-10150 approving a supplemental agreement regarding amendment and restatement of redevelopment agreement between the City of Oak Forest and Kensington Oak Forest LLC 

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman Wolf seconded. 

City Administrator Tim Kristin reported this is to amend the original RDA regarding the Aldi property, 4250 W. 167th Street. Current owners approached the City and would like to sell the property. Part of the original RDA they were to receive TIF incentives from the city. The TIF incentives will remain with the original developer, Kensington and will not go to the new purchaser. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for questions. Seeing none. 

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 6/0. 

B. Approval of renewal of Property & Casualty insurance with ICRMT for a total of  $563,927.00 for the term of 12/1/2024-12/1/2025 

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded. 

Human Resource Manager Bridget Parfitt reported this is a reasonable renewal and nothing surprising. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for questions. Seeing none. 

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 6/0. 

C. Approval of renewal with ICRMT, with a $300,000.00 self-insured retention, for workers compensation premium of $459,178.00 

Alderman McCarthy made the motion. Alderman Keeler seconded. 

Human Resource Manager Bridget Parfitt reported being pleased with the renewal. There is a decrease in the workers compensation insurance liability. 

City Administrator Tim Kristin stated a couple years ago the city choose to go with the self retention policy and it has worked in the city's favor. As claims go down hopefully the premiums will decrease. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for questions. 

Alderman Danihel asked how much money is in the account. Tim Kristin replied the city budgets ahead of time for the total which is $900,000.00. Alderman Danihel asked if there is a nice cushion in the account. Tim Kristin answered absolutely. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any other questions. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

The motion carried 6/0. 

7.  Community Development 

A. Approval of Resolution 2024-11-0464R appointing Paul Ruane as the successor Local  Government Director of the South Suburban Land Bank & Development Authority 

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Danihel seconded. 

Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Paul Ruane reported Oak Forest is one of the founding members of the South Suburban Land Bank. An intergovernmental agreement was approved stating the city would have a representative on their board. Now that Paul has this position and the vacancy of the director position, the city has a qualified person to be sitting on the board. Mayor Kuspa asked Paul to describe the land bank and how it helps the city. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for questions. Seeing none. 

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 6/0. 

B. Approval of Ordinance 2024-11-10500 Class F Liquor License for MIRA313  Corporation dba 7-Eleven #33838B at 4901 W. 167th Street 

Alderman McCarthy made the motion. Alderman Keeler seconded. 

Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Paul Ruane stated corporate has found a long term franchisee to take over the business. They are not looking to change anything with the operations. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for questions. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Alderman McCarthy 

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman 

Alderman Emmett

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

The motion carried 6/0. 

8. Public Works 

A. Approval of proposal from Colfax Corporation for both asbestos abatement base bid and the air sampling alternate bid in the total amount of $41,617.00 

Alderman Emmett made the motion. Alderman Selman seconded. 

Public Works Director Michael Salamonwicz reported the police department was looking to replace flooring in their facility. Some testing was done and it was determined that the old flooring contained some asbestos. An RFP was put together and on November 12 was a mandatory pre-bid meeting. Three companies attended. He is recommending approval of the proposal from Colfax Corporation. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for questions. Seeing none. 

Roll call vote was taken as follows: 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Alderman Emmett 

Alderman Danihel 

Alderman Keeler 

Alderman McCarthy

Alderman Wolf 

Alderman Selman

Alderman Hortsman 

The motion carried 6/0. 

B. Approval of amendment no. 3 to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the City of Oak Forest for pedestrian access improvements to the Oak Forest Metra Station 

Alderman Danihel made the motion. Alderman Emmett seconded. 

Public Works Director Michael Salamonwicz reported this is for the sidewalk project from 155th and 158th Street from Long Avenue to Lamon. The city entered into a Intergovernmental Agreement with RTA for sidewalk and other access improvements to the Metra Station. The RTA has agreed to pick up portions of the local match for the project up to an amount of $112,977.41. Due to delays in obtaining easements and other parts of this project, it is necessary to extend this agreement. 

City Administrator Tim Kristin reported that he obtained signatures for the easements with Mr. Cage. They were submitted to IDOT. They were returned to the city stating they needed to be on a different form of paperwork. Mike and his team got the signatures again. IDOT returned them again stating they needed to be on different form. 

Alderman Wolf asked about the paperwork. Michael Salamowicz replied IDOT requested additional documentation to be signed. The easements are temporary easements that are required from the homeowners because there will be some grading down on private property. The sidewalk itself will be on public property. Alderman Wolf asked about the residential property being fixed if disturbed. Mr. Salamowicz stated this is funded with Federal funding so the money has to be funneled through IDOT's requirements. Alderman Wolf stated he appreciates all Mike's work on this. 

Mayor Kuspa asked for any questions. Seeing none. 

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 6/0. 

9. Citizen Participation 

None. 

10. Old Business 

Alderman Emmett asked for more Christmas decorations on 147th Central. The city talked about buying more and there is money in the Social Services fund. He would like more of the intersections lit up. Tim Kristin suggested Alderman Emmett make a presentation to the Social Services Committee to get more Christmas decorations. Mayor Kuspa seconded it. Alderman Danihel stated the new decorations look lovely. 

11. New Business 

None. 

12. 

Executive Session 

None. 

13. Adjournment 

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn. Alderman McCarthy 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 6/0. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.

https://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11262024-2032