Board of Trustees Meeting

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING TUESDAY - MAY 25, 2021 VILLAGE HALL BOARD ROOM CALL TO ORDER: President Hofeld called the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Hofeld led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Clerk Marilyn Thomas called the roll. Those present were Village President Richard Hofeld, Trustee Barbara Dawkins, Trustee Lisa Purcell, Trustee Vivian Harris-Jones, Trustee Lauren Roman, and Trustee Jay Heiferman. Trustee Karen Washington was absent. President Hofeld introduced staff: Village Manager Jim Marino, Attorney Christopher Cummings, Director of Finance Dennis Bubenik and Assistant Village Manager Napoleon Haney. MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting of May 11, 2021 were presented. There were no comments or corrections. A motion was made by Trustee Purcell and seconded by Trustee Roman to approve the minutes as amended. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Harris-Jones, Roman and Heiferman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. CLAIMS LIST: The Claims List in the amount of $2,128,958.80 was presented. There were no questions from the Trustees. A motion was made by Trustee Purcell and seconded by Trustee Roman to approve the Claims List. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Harris-Jones, Roman, and Heiferman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. President Hofeld said two items on the list totaled 91 percent of the charges: $1,621,406.84 to Burns & McDonnell Engineering for work on the water line conversion project, and $307,610.21 to the City of Harvey for Lake Michigan water. HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE: No comments were offered. PRESENTATION: Edie Dobrez, executive director of the Homewood Science Center, gave an annual report on the work at the center this past year. The COVID-19 pandemic put most activities on hold, but the center staff has worked to develop virtual activities. The center also made Pop-Up Science at-home kits distributed to nearly 13,000 students in the South Suburbs. The center was able to complete its contract with the U.S. Census Bureau for outreach. It also moved into a new space at 2018 Ridge Road allowing for STEM Saturday programs. Summer camps will be available this year, and the Homewood Science Center is planning to team up with the Homewood Arts Council. Dobrez said fundraising has been difficult and she and her staff have appreciated the village’s ongoing support. Trustee Jay Heiferman, a member of the center’s board of directors, said he appreciated the work being done there and the impact the center is having on not just Homewood but the community at-large. APPOINTMENT: A motion was made by Trustee Purcell and seconded by Trustee Dawkins to approve the appointment of Joe Sherman to the Beautification Committee for a five-year term ending May 25, 2026. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Harris-Jones, Roman and Heiferman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. OMNIBUS VOTE: Consider a motion to pass, approve, authorize, accept, or award the following items “A” through “H”: A. RESOLUTION R-3082/RESTORATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTIVE FUND REVENUE: Pass a resolution supporting the restoration of Local Government Distributive Fund revenue from the State of Illinois. B. ORDINANCE MC-1048/INCREASE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL GARAGE SALE DAYS: Pass an ordinance increasing the allowed number of days for residential garage sales from two to three. C. ORDINANCE M-2183/SIGN VARIANCE/PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT/17958 HALSTED STREET: Pass an ordinance approving a sign variance and Planned Unit Development amendment for 17958 Halsted Street. D. ORDINANCE M-2184/DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY: Pass an ordinance declaring five Protech ballistic shields owned by the Village of Homewood as surplus property and authorizing their sale to the Village of East Hazel Crest for $1. E. ORDINANCE M-2185/VARIANCE/FRONT YARD PARKING/1620 TERRACE ROAD: Pass an ordinance approving a variance for front yard parking at 1620 Terrace Road. F. ORDINANCE M-2186/VARIANCE/MINIMUM DWELLING UNIT FRONT YARD/18462 DIXIE HIGHWAY: Pass an ordinance approving a variance for minimum dwelling unit at 18462 Dixie Highway. G. ORDINANCE M-2187/DECLARATION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY: Pass an ordinance declaring four vehicles, two cargo trailers, and a Pipehunter 7845 owned by the Village of Homewood as surplus property and authorizing their sale or disposal by intergovernmental sale or auction, trade-in, private sale or sealed bid. H. CONTRACT RENEWAL/LEAK DETECTION SERVICES/M.E. SIMPSON COMPANY, INC.: Approve a contract renewal with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc. of Valparaiso, IN to perform a water distribution system leak survey. President Hofeld asked if there were any questions from the audience. Danielle Ragland thanked the board for continuing Zoom presentations of the board meeting. She also commented on Trustee Washington’s absence. A motion was made by Trustee Purcell and seconded by Trustee Dawkins to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Harris-Jones, Roman and Heiferman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION/LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST: Finance Director Bubenik presented the board with a proposal for a beer/wine liquor license and gaming license for a proposed coffee house at 18322 Governors Highway. Sophia Gilbertson will manage the coffee house. She said it will serve salads, soups, sandwiches. She said she wants it to be a coffee house where people can come and mingle. The drive-thru at the location will remain open. A motion was made by Trustee Purcell and seconded by Trustee Dawkins directing staff to prepare the necessary paperwork for the two licenses for future board action. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Harris-Jones, Roman and Heiferman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. GENERAL BOARD DISCUSSION: Trustee Heiferman said he would be at the Starbucks on Harwood June 7 to meet with residents. A motion was made by Trustee Purcell and seconded by Trustee Roman to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Roll Call: AYES—Trustees Dawkins, Purcell, Harris-Jones, Roman and Heiferman. NAYS –None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Thomas Village Clerk