Board of Trustees Meeting

VILLAGE OF HOMEWOOD BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2024 VILLAGE HALL BOARD ROOM CALL TO ORDER: President Hofeld called the meeting of the Board of Trustees to order at 7 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Hofeld led trustees in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: Clerk Marilyn Thomas called the roll. Those present were Village President Richard Hofeld, Trustee Julie Willis, Trustee Vivian Harris-Jones, Trustee Jay Heiferman, Trustee Phillip Mason, Trustee Lauren Roman and Trustee Allisa Opyd. President Hofeld introduced staff present: Village Manager Napoleon Haney, Village Attorney Chris Cummings, Director of Economic and Community Development Angela Mesaros, Police Chief Denise McGrath, Assistant Finance Director Lindsay Cabay, Director of Public Works Josh Burman and Assistant Village Manager Terence Acquah. MINUTES: The minutes of August 13, 2024, were presented. There were no comments or corrections. A motion was made by Trustee Mason and seconded by Trustee Harris-Jones to approve the minutes as presented. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Harris-Jones, Heiferman, Mason, Roman and Opyd. NAYS –None. ABSTAIN – Trustee Willis. Motion carried. CLAIMS LIST: The Claims List in the amount of $240,453.41 was presented. There were no questions from the Trustees. A motion was made by Trustee Opyd and seconded by Trustee Roman to approve the Claims List as presented. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Willis, Harris-Jones, Heiferman, Mason, Roman and Opyd. NAYS – None. Motion carried. President Hofeld said the Village had unexpected bills totaling $63,464.34 paid to Winkler Tree & Lawn Co. covering costs from the July tornado cleanup. HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE: President Hofeld invited any audience member to address the board on any subject not on the agenda. No comments were offered. MEET THE MERCHANTS: Economic Development Director Angela Mesaros introduced Denise Arnold who is opening the Arnold Group insurance agency at 1918 Ridge Road. She will be hosting a grand opening celebration in October for her Triple-A agency. Ms. Arnold said she has been a Homewood resident for 20 years. APPOINTMENTS: President Hofeld asked trustees to approve the appointment of Heidi Klekamp to a five-year term on the Beautification Committee serving through August 27, 2029. A motion was made by Trustee Mason and seconded by Trustee Roman to approve the appointment. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Willis, Harris-Jones, Heiferman, Mason, Roman and Opyd. NAYS – None. Motion carried. Clerk Thomas administered the oath of office to Heidi Klekamp. OATH OF OFFICE: Police Chief McGrath introduced two new officers. Officer Oscar Zendejas comes to Homewood from the Park Forest Police Department. He has been a police officer for three years. Officer Erin Oldenburg comes to Homewood from the Hazel Crest Police Department. She has been a police officer for more than five years. Since they already are certified law enforcement officers they do not have to attend the police academy and are currently in the Homewood Police Department Field Training Program. Clerk Thomas administered the oath of office to Officers Zendejas and Oldenburg. OMNIBUS VOTE: The board is asked to pass, approve, authorize, accept, or award the following items: A. R-3196/20 Years of Service/Maximilian Massi: Pass a resolution congratulating Maximilian Massi on 20 years of service to the Village of Homewood. B. M-2306/Disposal of Surplus Property/Bicycles: Pass an ordinance authorizing the donation of abandoned, lost, or stolen property recovered by the Homewood Police Department to Restoration Ministries, Inc. located in Harvey, IL. C. R-3197/Redevelopment Agreement/2049-2051 Ridge Road: Pass a resolution authorizing the Village President to enter into a redevelopment agreement with Invals International LLC to reimburse eligible expenses for improvements to the building and parking lot at 2049-2051 Ridge Road. D. M-2307/Special Use Permit/18154 Harwood Avenue: Pass an ordinance granting a Special Use Permit for a salon/spa establishment in the B-2 Downtown Transition zoning district to Destiny Wheatley of Des Beauty Galore at 18154 Harwood Avenue, Suite 202. E. M-2308/Variance/Driveway/1947 Miller Court: Pass an ordinance granting a variance from Subsection 44-05-05.D (1) of the Homewood Zoning Ordinance, to allow a second driveway at 1947 Miller Court. F. Budget Amendment/America Rescue Plan Act Funds: Approve a budget amendment request to reallocate American Rescue Plan Act funds and to make adjustments based on current project needs. G. Agreement/SmartGov Permitting Software/Granicus, LLC: Waive competitive bidding due to Granicus, LLC being the sole source provider of SmartGov software; and, approve a five-year agreement with Granicus, LLC of Denver, CO for SmartGov software in the amount of $21,509.25, with a 3% increase each year for five (5) years. H. Bid Award/Street Resurfacing Improvements/Gallagher Asphalt: Award the bid for the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan for Marlin Lane, Marlin Court, and Lincoln Avenue street resurfacing improvements to Gallagher Asphalt of Thornton, IL, the lowest responsible bidder, in a contract amount of $408,288.96. Before the vote, Trustee Opyd asked for information on Item E—driveway addition for Miller Court. Economic Director Mesaros said concerns about delivery trucks and parking at Homewood Brewing have been clarified and this addition will be helpful to the flow of traffic. Trustee Opyd also asked for information on Item F. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds provided as pandemic relief money to municipalities. Homewood originally allocated ARPA funds for parking directional signs. Director Mesaros said the Village originally allocated funds for directional signs and an electronic kiosk, but when the kiosk cost came in higher than expected, staff recommended that the remaining signage funds be reallocated for matching grants of up to $5,000 to businesses for exterior work. Director Mesaros said the funds will be available to businesses in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts. To meet the federal guidelines, the money must be allocated by December 31, 2024. President Hofeld commented on Item A honoring Max Massi in the Public Works Department. He called Massi an asset for the Village. President Hofeld said the change for Miller Court is a reasonable request. He asked for a timeline on Item H. Public Works Director Burman said the work would be done in the fall. A motion was made by Trustee Opyd and seconded by Trustee Mason to approve the Omnibus Report as presented. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Willis, Harris-Jones, Heiferman, Mason, Roman and Opyd. NAYS – None. Motion carried. GENERAL BOARD DISCUSSION: Trustees Heiferman and Mason reminded the community that the final Village Block Party would be tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 28. All are welcome. Trustee Mason added his thanks to staff who have worked on the events. Trustee Roman thanked the Police Department for the special opening of schools assistance officers are giving at Homewood’s schools directing traffic and making certain students are safe. Trustee Opyd shared that Aurelio’s Pizzeria is celebrating its 65th anniversary. She offered her congratulations and stressed it was wonderful that the business is in Homewood. ADJOURN: A motion was made by Trustee Roman and seconded by Trustee Opyd to adjourn the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Roll Call: AYES --Trustees Willis, Harris-Jones, Heiferman, Mason, Roman and Opyd. NAYS – None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Thomas Village Clerk  PUBLIC COMMENTS – for the Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Board Meeting From: Jennifer Kellogg Sent: Friday, August 23, 2024 4:46 PM To: PublicComments <comments@homewoodil.gov> Subject: Questions for 08/27/2024 Village Meeting Good Evening, Hoping to have the following inquiries addressed during the 08/27/2024 Village Meeting:  Please provide an update regarding the Calumet Country Club. It was mentioned that the facility might be used to shelter migrants. Is this accurate? If so, please provide detail.  When will lane redesign of 183rd Street to slow traffic begin? If lack of funds is the issue, were there less expensive effective options that might be considered instead?  Yard upkeep seems to have declined drastically by homeowners. What does Homewood require from residents regards yard maintenance, weed removal, bush trimming, and grass cutting? Thank you, J. Kellogg From: Jennifer Kellogg Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2024 2:35 PM To: PublicComments <comments@homewoodil.gov> Subject: Re: Questions for 08/27/2024 Village Meeting One more topic to address:  Any updates on the vacant Walmart building on Halsted?