Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met June 13

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Aug 5, 2022

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees met June 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Board of Trustees of the Village of La Grange meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Village Clerk Paul Saladino. On roll call, as read by Clerk Saladino, the following were:

PRESENT: Trustees Augustine, Gale (arrived at 7:56), Kotynek, O'Brien and Peterson, with President Kuchler presiding.

ABSENT: Trustee McGee

OTHERS: Village Manager Andrianna Peterson

Village Attomey Benjamin Schuster

Public Works Director Richard Colby

Community Development Director Charity Jones

Finance Director Lou Cipparrone

Police Chief Robert Wardlaw

Fire ChiefTerry Vavra (arrived at 7:50)

President Kuchler welcomed the Village Board and thanked Truslees for attending the meeting. The video ofthe meeting is available on YouTube, and will also be available on Facebook and posted to the Village website.

President Kuchler invited three generations of the Uher Family, Ken Sr., Ken and Bryson Uher, to lead the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PRESIDENT'SREPORT

President Kuchler noted that the Community Diversity Group will host a Juneteenth event at the La Grange Community Center (200 Washington) on Monday, June 20 at 4:30 p.m. The featured speaker is Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr. civil rights activist, and special honoree will be Mrs. Renee Hodges, long time business owner. Everyone is welcome to attend. He thanked the Community Diversity Group, La Grange Park District and Sisters of St. Joseph.

Becky Lorentzen from the Community Diversity Group invited everyone to attend.

President Kuchler announced that Tates Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop will celebrate its 356 Anniversary on Thursday, June 16 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

President Kuchler congratulated Tates.

President Kuchler thanked Pet Parade Charities and the La Grange Business Association (LGBA) for the planning and hard work that went into the annual La Grange Pet Parade and Carnival over the June 3 weekend. He stated the Pet Parade and weekend camival activities were a wonderful way to showcase the truly special and dedicated community that we have in La Grange. On behalf of the Village Board, he also thanked the Village personnel (Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Development) for all of the planning and coordination provided prior to and during the event.

President Kuchler thanked the La Grange Garden Club for helping to design and plant the beautiful planters throughout downtown. He noted the plantings are the crowning touch to the streetscape. He noted the Board's immense pride and sincere appreciation for their hard work.

President Kuchler thanked the American Legion for a meaningful Memorial Day ceremony. He stated the ceremony recognized La Grange area residents who gave their lives in service to our country from the Civil War to the present.

President Kuchler thanked Pillars for their efforts and community service. He stated that over 8,800 COVID-19 vaccines were administered at their clinic at 27 Calendar Avenue. He noted that Pillars will close down the clinic and shift vaccine operations to their 110 Calendar location. He stated he appreciates all that Pillars and many other agencies do for our community.

President Kuchler stated that Hanson Quarry brought their motion to continue the trial before Judge Cohen. Our attomeys did a very goodjob arguing that any delay is detrimental to residents, and that if the Court was inclined to continue the trial, it should only be for a very short time. A Court Order was issued moving the trial to September t9-30,2022.

Dan Stanner, attorney for the Village, provided an update regarding the trial date and status of the litigation. He stated that he and President Kuchler appeared before Judge Cohen to convey the urgency of the litigation. Judge Cohen stated that he was aware of the time invested and was sympathetic. The trial was given a short continuance of60 days.

President Kuchler thanked Mr. Stanner for providing an update.

President Kuchler announced that at the August meeting there will be a closed session to discuss the litigation.

President Kuchler announced that the Board will be announcing an employee recognition program later this srrrnmer.

A. Appointments and Reappointments - Advisory Boards and Commissions

President Kuchler read into the record the recommended re-appointments for the advisory boards and commissions.

Trustee Kotynek made a motion to approve the re-appointments seconded by Trustee Augustine. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Trustee Peterson stated that in consideration of her relationship with the appointee to the Police Pension Board, she recused herself from voting for the Advisory Boards and Commissions Police Pension Board appointee.

Trustee Kotynek made a motion to approve the appointments seconded by Trustee Gale. Motion carried on a voice vote.

B. Employee Recognition - Police Department Life Saving Awards

President Kuchler recognized members of the Police Department for their actions in safely locating and evacuating an elderly resident from an upstairs bedroom inside a residential structure fire. In recognition of exemplary service, Chief Wardlaw awarded the La Grange Police Department Life Saving Award to: Sergeant Kenneth Uher, Officer Casey Gomorczak and Officer Parker Henderson. President Kuchler also thanked the Officer's families for their support and sacrifice.

3. MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Peterson announced that the last day to accept voter registration or transfers of registration for the June 28.2A22 Gubematorial Primary Election were on June 12 online. Residents may register to vote online at the Illinois State Board of Elections website with their Driver's License or State I.D., they can also check to see if they are already registered to vote, by using the State Board of Elections Voter Registration Lookup.

Residents may also register to vote in person at one of the six Cook County locations, or from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays in the Administration office on the first floor of the Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road. Two pieces of identification are required, including one with your current address (photo IDs are not required).

Any registered suburban Cook County voter may request a mail-in ballot online at the Cook County Clerk's Office. The deadline to apply, including email verification, is five days before an election. Applications for a mail ballot are also available at the Village Hall. Early voting will take place June 13 through June 27 at multiple locations throughout Cook County including Hodgkin's Village Hall, 8990 Lyons St., Hodgkins. Additional information regarding Early Voting, Vote by Mail and a list of Early Voting sites are available on the County's website - cookcountyclerk.com.

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes

Monday, June 13, 2022 - Page - 4

Manager Peterson announced that La Grange Memorial Hospital located at 5101 Willow Springs Rd. is a cooling center during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

None.

5. CONSENTAGENDAANDVOTE

A. Ordinance - Release ofan Easement Located at 536 and 610 East Avenue - Park District of La Grange

B. Award of Confiact - Copenhaver Construction Inc., Central Business District Streetscape Improvements

C. Purchase and Installation - New Office Fumiture and Removal of Old Fumiture - Police Department

D. Purchase - Public Works Department - Fire Hydrants

E. Engineering Services Agreement - 2022 Leak Delection Survey

F. Purchase - Public Works Department - Street Light Poles

G. Ordinance - Disposal of Surplus Property - Police Department

H. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, May 9,2022

I. Consolidated Voucher 220523

Trustee Augustine stated that in consideration of her relationship with the Village Prosecutor, she recused herself from each item on the voucher related to the Village Prosecutor.

A motion was made by Trustee Kotynek to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Trustee Gale.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, O'Brien and Peterson

Nays: None

Absent: Trustee McGee

6. CURRENTBUSINESS

None

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

None.

9. CLOSED SESSION