South Cook News

City of Palos Hills City Council met May 1

Here are the minutes 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, Stratton, Abed, Nowak

ABSENT: Pasek

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, April 17, 2025 as presented. SECONDED by Ald. Stratton. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSENT: Pasek 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: City Clerk Mulderink announced that there is a Resolution for the Canvass declaring results of the General Municipal Election held on April 1, 2025 and requested Ald. Donahue to present the Resolution.

Upon request of Ald. Donahue, City Clerk Mulderink assigned Resolution number 692 to A Canvass Resolution Declaring Results of the General Municipal Election held on April 1, 2025.

Office Total Votes Cast

Mayor – 4 year

Gerald R. Bennett 1,573

A.J. Pasek 794

City Clerk - 4 year

Dawn M. Nowak 2,053

Treasurer – 4 year

Kenneth J. Nolan 2,020

Alderperson 1st Ward – 4 year

Michael A. Price 375

Haytham Elyyan 148

Alderperson 2nd Ward – 4 year

Mark H. Brachman 196

Stanley Lagodzinski 137

Alderperson 3rd Ward – 4 year

Jennifer R. Frankowicz 444

Sandy Szczygiel 216

Alderperson 4th Ward – 4 year

Phillip S. Abed 203

Anna Biedrzycki 105

Alderperson 5th Ward – 4 year

Donna M. O’Connell 458

After the reading of Resolution 692, Ald. Donahue MOVED for ADOPTION of same. SECONDED by Ald. Price. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSENT: Pasek MOTION CARRIED

Ald. O’Connell presented City Clerk Mulderink a gift on behalf of the City Council, Mayor Bennett, and the Palos Hills residents thanking him for all his years of service.

B. CITY ATTORNEY: At this time City Attorney Cainkar administered the Oath of Office of 1st Ward Alderperson Michael A. Price, Office of 2nd Ward Alderperson Mark H. Brachman, Office of 3rd Ward Alderperson Jennifer R. Frankowicz, Office of 4th Ward Alderperson Phillip S. Abed, and Office of 5th Ward Alderperson Donna M. O’Connell.

City Attorney Cainkar administered the Oath of Office to the Office of City Clerk Dawn M. Nowak, and the Office of Treasurer Kenneth J. Nolan.

City Attorney Cainkar then administered the Oath of Office to Gerald R. Bennett to the Office of Mayor of the City of Palos Hills.

C. MAYOR: Mayor Bennett congratulated everyone on their elections, and is excited for the future of this City.

Ald. O’Connell congratulated all, and is looking forward to working with everyone.

Ald. Frankowicz thanked City Council and Mayor Bennett for being so welcoming and encouraging. Ald. Frankowicz also thanked her family and friends who are always so supportive and loving.

Ald. Price is thankful for the support, and is looking forward to another four years.

Ald. Lebarre congratulated all the newly or reelected officials, and thanked Rudy Mulderink for doing an amazing job for our City.

City Clerk Nowak expressed her gratitude to Rudy Mulderink for all of his contributions to the City of Palos Hills. City Clerk Nowak is grateful to every resident who cast a ballot and to the entire City Council for their help throughout the campaign. City Clerk Nowak thanked Ald.

Lebarre for being supportive and encouraging, and thanked Ald. O’Connell for their experiences together over the last six years with helping the residents of the fifth ward. City Clerk Nowak thanked her daughter Taylor, her better half Rob, and her best friend Michelle.

Treasurer Nolan thanked the voters of Palos Hills for electing him, and the support from his wife and son.

Ald. Abed thanked his wife and everyone that supported him through the campaign.

Ald. Brachman is looking forward to working with a great group of people, and thanked his wife.

Mayor Bennett thanked everyone’s families for their support and encouragement through the ups and downs.

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

A. BUILDING & LICENSING:

Ald. Abed had no report this evening.

B. CITY ADMINISTRATION:

Ald. Stratton provided an Administration update as follows:

• Administration is working with department heads on gathering documents to begin our annual audit

• Business licenses and liquor licenses are currently being processed and issued

• No fee vehicle window stickers are available at City Hall – the requirement to obtain a window sticker is a current registration showing a Palos Hills address

• Animal tags are available for $5.00 per tag with a valid rabies vaccination certificate

• Garage sale permits are available for $2.00

• We encourage residents to call City Hall any time at 708-598-3400 with any questions they might have

C. COMMUNITY RESOURCES:

Ald. Price had no report this evening.

D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

Ald. O’Connell met with Mid-America Orthopedics and they have invited all the elected officials for a walkthrough as they’ve never had a grand opening.

Ald. O’Connell thanked her family for their support, and fifth ward residents Pat and Bob, as well as Tom, Kylie and Linda for all of their help.

E. FINANCE:

Ald. Lebarre MOVED to authorize the expenditure of a Vendor Warrant dated, May 1, 2025 in the amount of $419,711.77. SECONDED by Ald. Stratton. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Leabrre MOVED to adopt the City Budget for fiscal year 2025/2026. SECONDED by Ald. Abed. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSTAIN: Frankowicz MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre thanked Mayor Bennett and all the department heads for the work put into the Budget.

Ald. Lebarre MOVED for consideration of An Ordinance Relating to Compensation for City Officers & Employees. SECONDED by Ald. Price. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: None

ABSTAIN: Frankowicz MOTION CARRIED

City Clerk Nowak assigned number 2025-7 to that proposed Ordinance.

Ald. Donahue MOVED to waive the reading of proposed Ordinance number 2025-7.

SECONDED by Ald. Abed. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed, Price, Brachman, Lebarre

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre MOVED for PASSAGE of Ordinance 2025-7, An Ordinance Relating to Compensation for City Officers & Employees. SECONDED by Ald. Stratton. Upon roll call the following

Ald. voted:

AYE: O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Lebarre MOVED for consideration of An Ordinance Amending Title 10, Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 10.08, Stopping, Standing and Parking, Section 10.08.162, Stop Signs, of the Palos Hills Municipal Code. SECONDED by Ald. Donahue. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

City Clerk Nowak assigned number 2025-8 to that proposed Ordinance.

Ald. Donahue MOVED to waive the reading of proposed Ordinance number 2025-8.

SECONDED by Ald. Abed. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald.Lebarre MOVED for PASSAGE of Ordinance 2025-8, An Ordinance Amending Title 10, Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 10.08, Stopping, Standing and Parking, Section 10.08.162, Stop Signs, of the Palos Hills Municipal Code SECONDED by Ald. Abed. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Frankowicz, Abed, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

F. LEGISLATION & ORDINANCES:

Ald. Donahue congratulated the reelected officials, and Dawn as our new City Clerk, and Jen as our new Alderperson.

Ald. Donahue thanked Rudy Mulderink for all of his service, dedication, and advice.

G. PARKS:

No report this evening.

GOLF:

No report this evening.

H. PLANNING & ZONING:

No report this evening.

I. PUBLIC SAFETY:

Ald. Kleefisch reported that we received a check from Consolidated High School district 230 in the amount of $14,830.51.

Ald. Kleefisch presented and read the Palos Hills Police Department Activity Report for the month of April 2025 as follows: 334 traffic tickets were issued, 98 parking tickets, 14 misdemeanor complaints and no felony complaints, there were no criminal homicides, there were no robberies, there was 1 aggravated assault and battery; there were no burglaries, there were 6 thefts, there were no motor vehicle thefts, there were no arsons, and our CID Division handled a total of 65 cases.

Ald. Kleefisch reported that on April 29, 2025 a traffic detail was conducted from 12:30 to 4:30pm by Officer Whirle, Officer Guerra, and Officer Alberts; during this detail 41 traffic citations were issued, of the 41 citations issued 37 were for moving violations and 1 misdemeanor for aggravated speeding.

J. PUBLIC WORKS/SEWER & WATER:

Ald. Brachman MOVED for consideration of An Ordinance of the City of Palos Hills, Cook County, Illinois Providing for the Sale of Surplus Personal Property. SECONDED by Ald. Lebarre.

Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Abed, Price, Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

City Clerk Nowak assigned number 2025-9 to that proposed Ordinance.

Ald. Lebarre MOVED to waive the reading of proposed Ordinance 2025-9. SECONDED by Ald. O’Connell. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

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

NAY: Stratton MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Brachman MOVED for PASSAGE of Ordinance 2025-9, An Ordinance of the City of Palos Hills, Cook County, Illinois Providing for the Sale of Surplus Personal Property. SECONDED by Ald. Abed. Upon roll call the following Ald. voted:

AYE: Brachman, Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed, Price

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

Ald. Brachman read the bid results received for the Cal-Sag Bike and Walking Path Extension

Project as follows:

• D. Construction - $607,511.92

• Matthew Paving - $710,888.00

• Schroeder Asphalt Services - $712,020.00

• McGill Construction - $767,643.50

• Beritus - $798,960.50

• M&J Asphalt Paving - $848,748.00

• Engineer’s Estimate - $656,309.50

Ald. Brachman MOVED to accept the Engineer’s Award Recommendation of the lowest bid from D. Construction for $607,511.92. SECONDED by Ald. Lebarre. Upon roll call the following Ald. vote:

AYE: Lebarre, Donahue, O’Connell, Kleefisch, Stratton, Frankowicz, Abed, Price, Brachman

NAY: None MOTION CARRIED

10) REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: None this evening.

11) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None this evening.

12) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Mayor Bennett stated that he will be contacting all the Aldermen about Committee structure, as there going to be some changes.

13) ADJORNMENT:

No further business, Mayor Bennett entertained a motion to adjourn. SO MOVED by Ald. Stratton.

SECONDED by Ald. Donahue. By voice vote, all voted AYE.

The Meeting adjourned at 7:38p.m.

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