South Cook News

City of Palos Heights City Council met March 4

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Straz called to order the regular meeting of the City of Palos Heights City Council at 7:05 p.m. in the City Administrative Center, 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL

II. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Straz the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

III. ROLL CALL

Roll call indicated the following were present:

Mayor Robert Straz Ward 1 Dan Brennan & Jeffrey Key

City Clerk Shannon Harvey Ward 2 Robert Basso

City Treasurer Jim Daemicke Ward 3 Heather Begley & Brent Lewandowski

City Attorney Tom Brown Ward 4 Pat Scully

Absent: Mike McGrogan and Jack Clifford

IV. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

Mayor Straz presented the winner of designer of the City Vehicle Sticker to Violet Sugg, a fifth grader at Palos East. Violet’s teacher is Mrs. Casey. Ann DeBrees, on behalf of the Palos Heights Women’s Club, explained this is a contest in neighborhood schools and was grateful for Violet’s drawing of the Palos Gazebo, of which the Women’s Club helped create and build.

Mayor Straz presented a Certificate of Achievement to Violet. Violet explained that she attended a carnival, saw the gazebo, and thought it would make a pretty picture. Violet also included a Cardinal, like her winning sticker last year.

V. CONSENT AGENDA

• Approval of Minutes 1. City Council Meeting-February 18, 2025.

• Approval of Payroll and Voucher Lists for the period ending February 28, 2025.

• Approval of a Special Event Permit request from St. Alexander to conduct their annual 5k on May 8, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Approval of a Special Event Permit request from Saint Spyridon to conduct their annual festival on July 12th and July 13th, 2025.

• Approval of a Special Event Permit request from City of Palos Heights Recreation Department to conduct their 5k run on April 19, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• Approval of a Special Event Permit request from Palos Baseball Organization (PBO) and Palos Power Girls Softball (POWER) to conduct their opening day parade on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Alderman Key moved to approve the consent agenda seconded by Alderman Begley.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski, Begley

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried.

VI. OPENING OF SEALED BIDS

None.

VII. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

• Mayor:

• General Remarks and Updates.

• Mayor Straz reminded residents that the City will host an e-waste event at the Palos Heights Metra Station on April 5, 2025, from 7:00 am -11:30 am.

• The Candidate Debate will be held this Thursday at 6:00 pm and broadcast by the PHTV4. The Women’s League of Voter will host the debate.

• Motion to direct the City Attorney to draft Ordinance to annex Shepard High School into the City Limits.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Scully.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

• Approval of request from Palos Baseball Organization (PBO) and Palos Power Girls Softball (POWER) to waive all fees for their opening day parade on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Alderman Key moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Brennan.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

 With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

• Clerk: No report

• Treasurer:

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

• Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending January 31, 2025.

• General Fund:

i. Began December with $4,467547

ii. Revenue: $163,926

iii. Expenses: $1,156,858

iv. Other source use: $167,902

v. Ending Cash Balance: $4,206,712

• Total of All Funds:

i. Began December with $28,787,415

ii. Revenue: $1,863,812

iii. Expenses: $1,533,743

iv. Other Source Use: $557,822

v. Ending Cash Balance: $28,559,663

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Scully.

On roll call, the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, McGrogan,

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

• City Attorney: No report

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS: None.

IX. CITIZENS ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL: None

X. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

A. Finance—Chairperson Alderman McGrogan: No Report

B. Public Safety—Chairperson Alderman Basso:

▪︎ Motion to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for 2020 Chevrolet Silverado VIN# REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES Finance: Chairperson Alderman McGrogan Public Safety: Chairperson Alderman Basso 1GCUYAEF2LZ222102 to be declared surplus and sold. Sale proceeds to be deposited back into the Drug Asset Forfeiture Account.

Alderman Basso moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Begley.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (7) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado police pickup truck from Currie Motors for $48,688.00. Vehicle pricing set by State of Illinois purchasing cooperative. Drug asset forfeiture funds to pay for purchase.

Alderman Basso moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

Alderman Basso warned residents of recent tollway fee scams that are being sent to residents through text messages. Alderman Basso noted that the Illinois Tollway will not send a text about violations. Alderman Basso also warned residents about different bitcoin scams. Mayor Straz noted that Senator Cunningham and Representative Gill will bring representatives of the Sheriff’s office to the Rec Center to discuss different scams. The event will take place at 10:00 am.

C. Municipal Grounds and Property—Chairperson Alderman Begley:

▪︎ Motion to approve CNC Lawn Care for the 2025 Maintenance Contract servicing the Art Park, Raised Planters, and Plant Beds for the months of April through October for $2,930.00 per month, equaling a total amount of $20,510.00.

Alderman Begley moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Brennan.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve Donegal Services to demolish the City-owned home in the amount not to exceed $15,000.00.

Alderman Begley moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Brennan.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve planting and installation of 18 hanging flower baskets on Harlem Ave for the 2025 growing season with Country Landscape and Supply in the amount of $6,100.00.

Alderman Begley moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Brennan.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve payment for professional engineering services to Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd for the Cal-Sag Trail at Lake Katherine, Phase III project in the amount of $7,723.96.

Alderman Begley moved to approve the Motion was seconded by Alderman Brennan.

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

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

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

E. Recreation—Chairperson Alderman Key : No Report

F. Roads and Construction—Chairperson Alderman Clifford: No Report Alderman Lewandowski noted that Alderman Clifford reported he is sick and asked for apologize for not being at the meeting. His report further noted that additional work will be done on Melvina and Cypress in coming weeks.

G. License, Permits & Franchises—Alderman Lewandowski: No Report

H. Water and Sewer—Chairperson Alderman Brennan: No Report

▪︎ Motion to approve payment No. 5 to Calumet City Plumbing for the Water Meter Replacement Program in the amount of $54,937.00.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve purchase of 1,000 3/4” meters and 1,000 smart point touch couplers from Core & Main for the meter replacement program in the amount of $272,000.00.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve painting of approximately 200 hydrants by Giant Maintenance & Restoration in the amount not to exceed $20,000.00.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve final payment for the 70th Ave Lift Station Rehabilitation to Marc Kresmery Construction LLC in the amount of $73,002.00.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve to outfit the 2023 Ford Transit van though Regional Truck Equipment in the amount not to exceed $7,000.00.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve the replacement of the existing transformer at the Hospital Pump Station with MarchOne Electrical Design, Inc. in the amount of $11,147.00.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve soliciting of bids for the 300,000 Gallon Reservoir at the 80th Ave Pump Station.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve payment for professional engineering services with RJN Group for the 2024 Sewer Rehabilitation Design and Construction, rendering through January 31st, 2025 in the amount of $10,422.50.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

▪︎ Motion to approve payment for professional engineering services with Strand Associates, Inc. for the 131st Street Water Main Lining and Alternative Water Supplier Analysis rending through December 31, 2024 in the amount of $22,002.19.

Alderman Brennan moved to approve the amendment to proposed Motion was seconded by Alderman Key.

On roll call, the motion to approve a proposed amendment was:

Ayes: (6) Brennan, Begley, Basso, Key, Scully, Lewandowski

Nays: (0) None

With six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried

Alderman Brennan noted that we are coming to close with water replacement program and there will be just a couple more homes where we are not receiving responses from residents.

XI. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES

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

B. Ad Hoc Cable TV— Chairperson Alderman Scully: No Report.

XII. OLD BUSINESS: None

XIII. NEW BUSINESS: None

XIV. CITIZENS ASKING QUESTIONS REGARDING THE EVENING’S BUSINESS

Mr. Michael Vanderwheel thanks Alderman Clifford and the Public Works Committee for their follow up on the unsafe crossing at Oak Park Avenue and Route 83. He appreciated the responsiveness of the public officials. Mr. Vanderwheel also noted that there may be a plan to close some of the entrances to the high school, and he requested that someone talk to an expert relating to the safe street program. Mr. Vanderwheel is concerned it may cause additional traffic at the crosswalk. Alderman Basso noted that he does not think they are closing off the parking lot but create a porkchop entrance. Mr. Vanderwheel suggested that City post signs of businesses that are off the bike path and that may attract business. Mayor Straz noted that it may be an idea that needs to be discussed with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

At 7:30 p.m. Alderman Lewandowski requested a motion to adjourn of which Alderman Key and was passed unanimously. 

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03042025-1141