Village of Harwood Heights Committee of the Whole Met Oct. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER at 7:00pm by Mayor Arlene C. Jezierny
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. ROLL CALLMayor Arlene C. Jezierny
Clerk Marcia L. Pollowy
Trustees Annette Brzezniak-Volpe
Anna Brzozowski-Wegrecki
Zbigniew Lewandowski
Therese Schuepfer
Lawrence Steiner
Giuseppe Zerillo
Attorney Rob Bush
Also present: ChiefJohn DeVries
Public Works Foreman/Project Manager George Assimakopoulos
Accountant Mary Ventrella
IT Rep - Larry LaPorta
D. AGENDA ITEMS
Approval ofCommittee of the Whole Minutes for the meeting held on September 3. 2020
Motion by Trustee Brzezniak-Volpe, seconded by Trustee Lewandowski:
• Approval ofCommittee of the Whole Minutes for the meeting held on September 3,2020.
On a voice vote, all in favor, the motion carried and the minutes of September 3,2020 Committee of the Whole meeting were approved.
Resident Complaint regarding aggressive dog
• The board reviewed the information regarding pit bulls/aggressive dogs that the resident submitted to the board at the September 24,2020 board meeting.
• Discussion ensued regarding fence heights, leashing animals when in private backyards, leashed when walking dogs and other solutions to calm an immediate neighbors fears of a large dog jumping on the fence.
• Mayor Jezierny stated that we will try to rectify the matter by speaking to the owner of the dog regarding his neighbors' fears.
Municipal Aggregation - Com Ed
• Mayor Jezierny stated that the information she received from NIMEC regarding municipal aggregation with ComEd would not substantially be a cost savings for our residents so the village will not pursue the changeover.
• She will provide the board with memo regarding rates from NIMEC so they can make their own determination if the village should or should not join the municipal aggregation program.
Comcast - Phone & Internet Service
• Mayor Jezierny provided the board with a cost proposal from Comcast fora complete phone and internet service for the Police Department, the Recreation Center, the Village Hall and Public Works. She stated our current phone system is from about2006 and it has become very outdated and costly when we need to replace individual phones and any other maintenance to the current system.
• The current monthly fee for internet service only is $963.10a month and the monthly fee for our current phone system is $926.02 for a total monthly charge of $1,889.12. The ComcastBusiness service agreement would include internet and a new phone system plus all maintenance for a cost of $1,732.55a month.There will be a onetime installation/activation fee of $2,203.80.
• After a brief discussion on the advantages of having one carrier a motion will be placed on the October 8,2020 Consent Agenda for board approval of a 5-year Comcast Agreement for a new phone and internet system.
COV1D-19 Reimbursements
• Mayor Jezierny stated that the village will be receiving grant money from Cook County in the amount of $264,000 which will reimburse the village for all items purchased related to COV1D-19 prevention. (Some of the items include Police salaries; all sanitation items; all prevention supplies/masks/gloves/disinfectants).
ABT - Board Room Sound System
• Mayor Jezierny provided the board with cost estimates from ABT for the purchase of additional speakers for the Board Room, the Community Rooms and the entire Recreation Center and the purchase of a new wireless microphone system to replace the current microphone system in the Board Room.
• The cost for these upgrades is $31,302.71 plus a 4-year warranty for an additional $3,389.00 for a total of$34,691.71.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding these improvements and any additional equipment outlined in the proposal. It was stated that hopefully the cost would be covered under the Cook County COVID-19 grant. The accountants are working on the paperwork regarding all our expenses relating to COVID-19.
• A motion will be placed on the October 8,2020 Consent Agenda for board approval. Hiring of additional Auxiliary Police Officer
• Chief DeVries updated the board in detail regarding his current roster ofAuxiliary Officers, work schedule constraints and the possible open position of the CSO Officer.
• Chief DeVries is requesting approval to hire at least two (2) more additional Auxiliary Officers at this time in addition to the two (2) Auxiliaries' that were approved at the March 26,2020 Board meeting to bring his Auxiliary staff up to nine (9); previously he had a staff often (10).
• A motion to approve and authorize Chief DeVries to hire two (2) additional Auxiliary Officers will be placed on the October 8, 2020 Consent Agenda for board approval.
Video Gaming
• Mayor Jezierny stated that she is getting requests for Video Gaming from some of our Gas Stations.
• After a brief discussion the consensus of the board was to deny Video Gaming in our Gas Stations.
Other Items
• Reminder that the village will be doinga Halloween "Trick-or-Treat"Drive-Thru on Friday,October30,2020 through the village parking lot from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Village Boardwill be in attendance to distribute goody bags/candyas well as police personnel directing traffic.
• Mayor Jezierny stated that Judy Bauer from Cook County will be meeting with her and Public Works Foreman George Assimakopoulos on October 6,2020 to do a final inspection of the Recreation Center to close out the PARC Grant and the village can receive the final payout of grant money.
• Yesterday 65 trees were planted throughout the village. Mayor Jezierny thanked all those who came out to help;
Public Works, Elected Officials and Morton Arboretum representatives.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Joe Russo: Inquired when the 'Car Wash" would be opening at the new Lawrence Avenue Gas Station?
Mayor Jezierny: Stated that they are still waiting for a part to come in; current estimate is about 4 to 6 weeks.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to enter into Executive Session: pursuant to (5 ILCS 120/2) Sec.2. Open meetings © Exceptions. A public body may hold closed meetings to consider the following subjects:
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Trustee Steiner, seconded by Trustee Lewandowski to adjourn. On a voice vote, all present being in favor, the motion carried and the Committee of the Whole Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Harwood Heights was adjourned by Mayor Arlene Jezierny on Thursday, October 1,2020 at 7:58pm.
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