I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Trustee Estrada Volpe? Here. Trustee Zavage? Here. Trustee Conte? Here. Trustee Sargent? Here. Trustee Kaminsky? Here. Trustee Lolino? Here. PRESIDENT SAVIANO. HERE TO EXCUSE THE ABSENCE OF CATHY LULINO. I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. ALL IN FAIR SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OF THE AYES HAVE IT. OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC COMMENT. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT? AYE. CATHY ACOSTA. I JUST WANT TO MAKE, YOU KNOW, IN ALL THE STREETS AND EVERYTHING, OR SO MANY WERE GETTING REPAVED And that, and I'm just making a comment for the next time that they're gonna do this stuff, the company, that around the schools, can't they do it in the summertime? I mean, I saw kids coming out in trucks, bringing heavy equipment. The kids were trying to get out of school. The trucks were coming down. And even the guards, the crossing guards, This was over at Celestine, and I saw them at the other places too, but the timing was just kind of screwy because the kids were in school. So, I mean, I know we have how many schools? Five schools. You know, and it's a Catholic school, and you've got Lutheran schools, whatever. But there's got to be something because I was really concerned, and even the guards were too. And plus... the kids getting across the street and it was tar. So I don't know if they can be done during the summer. I mean, I know you have baseball and everything else, but something that's 10 years down the line, but you're in charge. Thank you. Okay, is there anyone else? All right, move on. Okay, this evening, President Saviano will administer the oath of office to Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Flaherty on his promotion to Fire Chief of the Elmwood Park Fire Department. Okay, everybody's ready in? my ability. For those of you that know me, I'm usually pretty short on words, so this will be odd. What are you laughing at, Mom? This will be odd for me to speak tonight, but President Saviano, Manager Volpe, honored trustees, I'm both humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as the Fire Chief of the Elmwood Park Fire Department. I thank you for your trust in such an important position, and I will work diligently to meet the high standards of the Village of Elmwood Park in this capacity. To my fellow chiefs, both past and current, thank you for your presence here tonight. For this occasion, I'm eager to continue our work together within Mabus Division 20, and I look forward to working with all of you. To my Elmwood Park Fire Department members, fellow firefighters, brothers and sisters in blue, past coworkers and friends, thank you for being here to show me your support. I promise to return that support as we work together to keep this department one of the finest and most professional anywhere. I've come to be known to have a certain phrase when greeting others in the firehouse. When asked how am I doing, I usually respond with, guys? Just shy wonderful. To me, this means enjoy and admire your success and feel good about it, but don't forget that there's always room for improvement, no matter what we've already achieved. We are always just shy of our next level. My challenge is to honor those achievements so rightfully earned and continue to strive to be better in what we do. So I ask you all to join me in that challenge as well. To my family here tonight, in person and in spirit, thank you for joining us for such a special occasion. I have many brothers and sisters, brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces, and nephews and significant others joining to help celebrate. And I thank you all for being such part of a big night. To my mom, thanks for putting your fear aside 30 years ago when your son told you he was offered a position as an Elmwood Park firefighter. I know you didn't like the idea of me entering a dangerous and unpredictable occupation, but you chose instead to support me and encourage me to take the job. You and dad are a big part of why I stand here tonight. And finally, to my wonderful wife, Anna, and to my boys, Andy, Scott, and Jack, thank you for all your years of support, sacrifice, and understanding. It's a chaotic lifestyle in the fire service, and you all adjusted so I could do the job that I love. Tonight is an accomplishment that we all share together. Thank you. TO SAY, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS AND A COUPLE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE PLANTED IN THE GARDEN BOXES AT CENTENNIAL PARK, THE COMMUNITY GARDEN BOXES. THEY WERE REALLY FULL AND FLUSH ALL YEAR IN THE ROUGH GROWING SEASON. WE DO STILL HAVE A WAITING LIST, SO IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED TO GET ON THAT LIST, LET ME KNOW, GIVE ME A CALL, BUT OTHERWISE, JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. PRESIDENT SAVIANO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT FRIDAY, THE SLIP AND THRILL WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT, AND I WANTED TO THANK THE VILLAGE AND THE EMPLOYEES FOR DOING A GREAT JOB. Mr. President, on Monday, August 18th, Plan Zoning and Development Commission heard a request for a facade improvement grant at the old Turning Point Dance Studio, which they made the unanimous request for approval. As you can see right now, she's already started demolition and taken our last dilapidated older storefront and brought it into the 2025, so we're happy to see the investment in our circle. Thank you, Mr. President. Just a little bit from District 401, our school district. THIS YEAR WE WELCOME 21 NEW MEMBERS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FROM PRESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS. LOTS OF THINGS GOING ON THERE FROM OPEN HOUSES TO PICTURE DAY TO HOMECOMING. SO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE OR YOUR NEWSLETTERS FROM THE SCHOOL FOR THEIR ACTIVITIES. FROM THE TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, 2025 APPEALS TO THE ASSESSOR ARE OVER. YOU DO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE TO CONTEST YOUR ASSESSMENT WITH THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF REVIEW. SO CHECK WITH THE LYDON TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR'S OFFICE MID-OCTOBER. This Friday, September 12th, is a Relay for Life to Benefit Cancer at Elm Middle School. You can check all those details if you'd like to participate or to donate, relay.life at gmail.com. That's all I have. No report, Mr. President. Mr. President, the Finance Committee met this evening, reviewed the bills and vouchers for the month of August. and unanimously recommended same for approval tonight. And I would like to take the opportunity to commend yourself, the village manager, and all of the village departments on the fine taste of Elwood Park that you guys were able to organize this past month. You did a great job. Mr. Durkin. Yes, item H on the consent agenda. Manager Volpe is going to report on that. I just want to advise that we do need to file a certified copy of that ordinance with the Illinois Department of Revenue by October 1st. And so I will speak to Clerk Pesco, and we will arrange for that filing. That's all I have. Thank you. Mr. Volpe. Mr. President. As Mr. Durkin just referenced, the state recently repealed the longstanding 1% tax on groceries, and while the state's action did not have an impact on the revenue that flows to the state, the state's action would certainly have an impact, a reduction on revenue to municipalities, which includes Elmwood Park. So to avoid a corresponding impact on services or increase in property taxes, the board will consider tonight an ordinance to maintain the 1% tax on groceries in Elmwood Park. The board will consider an agreement with the Illinois FOP Labor Council beginning May, actually retroactive to May 1st, 2025 and ending April 30th, 2029. This agreement maintains the relationship between the village and the employees covered by the agreement and allows for the continuation of efficient public service by the sworn peace officers in the police department. The proposed agreement provides for a wage increase of 12.5% over the four-year period, as well as certain modifications to the longevity incentives, as well as certain equity adjustments. The board will consider an agreement with HERA and a corresponding ordinance regarding the registration of vacant properties and or properties that are subject to foreclosure action. The ordinance requires that all property that is subject to a foreclosure action be registered. The village will retain HERA To provide an online registration service, HERA will monitor all foreclosure details, I'm sorry, defaults, and will collect all registration fees for the village. They will be paid $125 per registration. The bank or mortgagee filing the foreclosure action will be required to pay a $300 registration fee. Properties that are vacant but not subject to foreclosure action are still required to be registered with the village. Village staff will manage those registrations All properties subject to registration shall be maintained and secured. The board will consider authorizing the buyout of a lease for the 2017 Ford E450 ambulance. If approved, the village will pay $15,000 to Bennett 3 Leasing. The board will consider a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a grant to make improvements to Kitty Corral. If the grant is awarded, the project must be fully complete within two years. The board will consider a contract to purchase the property at 7243-45 West Grand Avenue. The purchase price is $485,000, and the closing shall take place on January 7, 2026. The liquor store that's there now will surrender possession of the premises it occupies at closing. The beauty shop has a lease that expires on April 1st, and the village will assume that lease at closing and honor its terms through its expiration. The board will consider modifications to the code governing abandoned and illegally parked vehicles. Among other changes, the fees associated with towing and storage have been updated to be consistent with the village's actual cost. Further, the police department has proposed to include certain vehicles that violate street maintenance and or vehicles that have no current registration. And lastly, the board will consider a second amendment to the redevelopment agreement between the village and Lions Share Elmwood Park LLC. The plan to build and operate an ACE hardware remains unchanged by this amendment. We are simply adjusting the dates to allow for permits from the MWRD and IDOT. The developers have submitted a complete set of permit-ready plans, and the village has already completed its initial review. Thank you, Mr. Volpe. I have no report. We'll run a consent agenda. This evening on the consent agenda, we have approval of the minutes of the meeting of the President and Board of Trustees held on August 4, 2025. Approval of the minutes of a special meeting of the President and Board of Trustees held on August 20th. We'll receive and file minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held July 7th, 2025. Receive and file minutes of the Plan Zoning and Development Commission meeting held July 21st, 2025. We need a motion to ratify payment of the bills and vouchers for the month of August 2025 by the Village Manager without prior authorization from the Finance Committee in the amount of $5,047,193.05. Various license applications received and processed by the village clerk's office. An ordinance of the village of Elmwood Park, Cook County, Illinois, authorizing and approving execution of a certain agreement for purchase and sale for the acquisition of the property commonly described as 7243-45 West Grand Avenue, Elmwood Park, Illinois. An ordinance imposing a municipal grocery retailer's occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax for the village of Elmwood Park. A resolution approving a collective bargaining agreement between the Village of Elmwood Park and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, FOP Lodge Number 48. An ordinance amending Section 32-70 and Section 32-79 of the Code of the Village of Elmwood Park. An ordinance amending Chapter 41E, entitled Vacant Buildings of the Code of the Village of Elmwood Park. An ordinance authorizing the purchase of an ambulance. A resolution authorizing the Village of Elmwood Park to apply for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant for the Kitty Corral Park Improvements Project. A resolution approving the Second Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement between Lion's Share Elmwood Park LLC and the Village of Elmwood Park. And an ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of an agreement with Harrah Property Registry LLC for services related to the registration of vacant and foreclosed property. Motion to approve, Mr. President. I'll second. Seeing no discussion, Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Trustee Estrada-Volpe. Yes. Trustee Zavaznovic. Yes. Trustee Conte. Yes. Trustee Sargent. Yes. Trustee Kaminsky. Yes. President Saviano. Yes. Communications. First one we have is a request from Sherry Millard, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicagoland, a request to solicit for fall product sale from September 19th to October 15th of this year and cookie sales from December 12th to January 15th, 2026, various booth locations throughout the village. Move to approve. I'll second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. We have a raffle application submitted by Kevin Kumar of Aging Care. Oh, not car. Aging Care Connections. This is for their fundraiser that they are hosting September 19th at Elmcrest Banquets. Move to approve. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. And a recommendation that was submitted by Marissa Maschioni, Secretary of the Planned Zoning and Development Commission, to approve a facade application submitted by Turning Point Dance Studio. Motion to receive and file, Mr. President. I'll second. Okay, being no old business. Got to vote. We've got a motion and a second. Okay, just to put, okay, all in favor say aye. Aye. Just to receive and file. Aye to have it. Okay, old business moving on to new business. We have a resolution authorizing the execution of a facade improvement program agreement between the Village of Elmwood Park and Nicole Wilk Mahone. Motion to approve, Mr. President. Second. Okay. Second. Call the roll. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.