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 Zavaznevich. Here. Trustee Conte. Here. Trustee Sargent. Here. Trustee Kaminsky. Trustee Lolino. President Saviano. Here. Motion to excuse Trustees Kaminsky and Lalino, Mr. President. I'll second that motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, yikes, have it. Okay, we'll move on to public comment. Any public comment? Anyone want to come up and address the board? Hold on. Okay. To the podium, please. If you could just give us your name for the record, please. Holly Grimes. So I live near Triangle Park. and just wondered what was going to happen. The park had some vandalism, I'm going to call it, done. So I wondered what was going on with that. And then I completed all the paperwork for the lead connection to the house and just wondered. I haven't gotten any notices in the last few weeks when that was going to start. And that was just a survey? Yeah, we had to do by law an inventory. Yeah. I did that, but then I got paperwork to agree for right of entrance to change the connection. We're starting the project this year, so I don't know where you live, but you might be in that area when we're starting it. Oh, okay. We're going to award the contract tonight. Oh, okay. It seemed like it was eminent and just wanted to. Thank you. Thanks. Hi, good evening. My name is Diane Reyes. I'm a resident here of Elmwood Park, and thank you for the opportunity to speak in public comments tonight. I currently work for the United States Department of Interior as a grants management officer. Though I am on administrative leave until the end of September, having accepted a deferred resignation before signing away, I asked the agency ethics office for guidance on speaking in community platforms such as this, And I was told that it was fine to share from a personal autobiographical perspective. So I hope that you'll allow me to do so. I grew up in Franklin Park and graduated from East Lydon High School in 2004. I spent my 18th birthday in the United States Army basic training. And by the time I was 21, I deployed to Iraq. Upon return, I spent my civilian career in public service working at the Department of Labor on workforce development grants, at FEMA on disaster recovery and hazard mitigation projects, on projects around the Great Lakes states and tribal nations, at the Environmental Protection Agency managing environmental funding for clean air, air quality, and underserved communities. In my role at the Department of Labor, Interior Department, I was an award official on funding for environmental restoration and orphan oil and gas wells remediation on both state and tribal land. My job, like that of many federal workers, has been about enforcing the regulations and guidelines that protect our health, our land, and our future. I share this not to make it political, but to highlight something that many people often don't see, that Much of our daily safety, our clean air, our safe drinking water, and disaster readiness is made possible by behind-the-scenes public works, as you may very well know. And as many of those guard rails begin to disappear at the national level, some quickly and some quietly, the responsibility for resilience shifts closer to home. As these protections roll back, we must begin asking, what does it mean to be a prepared community? And that's why I'm here today. Not to make a political statement, but a community one. Not to make an ask or a specific proposal, but to encourage residents that if we were ever in a moment to talk about what it means to be a sufficient and united community, this is it. If there's ever been interest in building a community garden, this is the moment. If there's ever been curiosity and what it takes to pass an ordinance on backyard chickens, this is the moment. If there's concern about extreme or unusual weather, vulnerable populations and food insecurity, this is that moment. It's time to start thinking about what local resilience could look like and how we show up for one another in meaningful ways. And lastly, while I know immigration can be a complex issue. I want to address the deep concern I feel when I see reports of immigrants being swept off the streets and work sites. Regardless of status, they are human beings. Many of them are working families, and some of them are part of the same community ecosystem we all belong to. If Elmwood Park stands for peace, as the monument outside this building declares, Let's make sure we embody that in both word and in practice. My husband and I chose Elmwood Park as a place to raise our children, just like many families who value a strong, connected community. Let's make sure that community resilience includes everyone. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, my name is Linda Springer, and I live on the corner of Lathrop and North Avenue, right by Larrabee Herbs. I just want to know, I've spoken to Andy several times, there's always accidents there, and they have signs up there, no right turn. I'm telling you, they do. Can't you put a camera up there or a stoplight or something? There's always accidents. You're talking about, you live at 76 Court. Right across from Larrabee Herbs in Casa Dior. So a right turn or are you talking a left turn? Going north. No, going east. East, east. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. No. Well, when you come down North Avenue, there's Larrabee Herbs where you're going to be making a left. No, a right. a right, you're going to be turning a right down right by Casa Dior, by Larrabee Herbs. You know where it is, John. So you're saying they're going the wrong way down the one-way street? Yes, they are. And I mean, sometimes they're going straight down to Avancia. We need a light there or something. And in the wintertime, there's always accidents. They hit the tree right in front of Larrabee Herbs. They don't pay attention to the stop signs. Well, North Avenue's terrible, but that's a state highway. But there's signs right there. They come right off, and you know where they're going when they pull in the parking lot there? They're going into Larrabee Herbs. And there's more cars now. Since you made those circle arounds and the gates, there's more cars coming through the alleys, too, in back of my condo building. I mean... I'm just thinking the safety of the people, and they're not obeying the rules. And I know you don't have a lot of police that you can put out on the street and this and that. We could occasionally do that. You can't put a camera up there or something? There are cameras in the parking lots. Yeah, but you don't have them coming off of North Avenue onto Larrabee. I mean, onto my street. Well, do we have do not enter? Yeah, but a camera's not going to allow us to ticket somebody. The only cameras you can do that are no right turn. They're signs. They don't obey them. Believe me, I had somebody turn to go westbound on Waubonsia when I was right approaching at 72nd Court to make the right turn to go to my physical therapy class Friday. The guy almost head-on'd me. Laying on the horn didn't help. I mean, people are driving like maniacs. I'm just, you know, I'm concerned of, you know, the residents that live in our building, too. But, I mean. Have you talked to Andy? We'll figure something out for that. I mean, Andy knows. I've talked to him a long time ago about it. But there's no change. People don't read signs. Even if you had a stop sign, a blinking stop sign, even where the signs are no return. At least they're going to stop and they'll see the signs. Yeah, but as the President said, we cannot put a sign on North Avenue traffic, a stop sign. We can't control it. No, not on this. No, it would be, oh, yes, right. It would be right in front of the condo building. I think traffic and safety could study it. We can get back to her probably, right? Yeah. I mean, I'm just letting you know what's going on. There could be barricades up and people still make left turns around them. It's... It's very frustrating. To me, too. I live there. I see it. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Okay. My name is Dolores Sotero, and I live on 75th Court. My issue is with people that are renting. They have... by my block and the 1700 block. I've talked to the police about it, and they said that there wasn't too much you could do. But why can't they have an Elmwood Park sticker? All the residents have to have a sticker. First of all, if it's a rental, they have to go through our program and be licensed to rent, number one. Number two, their vehicle sticker, if the car is not registered to the village, they're not obligated to buy a village sticker. But we are. Because we live in the village. But they're living here. But they're living here. They've lived here for two and a half years. And I just want to know why. It won't allow us. Our ordinance is compliant with state law. We can't impose a fee for a vehicle sticker on a car that is not registered in our village. Shouldn't they be registered for our village if they live here? The state controls that. I understand. I like vehicle stickers because I like to know, the police like to know that those are residents of the town. Exactly. People who don't have them are not residents of the town. But there are instances, people who have businesses that live in Elmwood Park that register their cars for their businesses outside Elmwood Park, they don't have an Elmwood Park vehicle sticker. They may have River Forest, wherever. But they would have some kind of vehicle sticker. These cars, five cars, have none. We can't enforce that if the cars are not registered here. We'll take a look. We can run the plates. If they're registered here, we'll write them a ticket. Okay. If you provide the chief with that address, we can take a look and see if they're registered in Elmwood Park and haven't purchased an Elmwood Park sticker. Okay. Another issue are alleys. Our alleys are starting, especially because I'm right off of North Avenue, two blocks, not even, a block and a half. People are throwing their garbage outside on their property line. One particular house I'm thinking of. The property line is right there on the alley. There is no place for him to store his garbage. So now, garbage is picked up on Thursday for us. Sunday, he puts out his garbage. Now, it's all over the alley. I've called, they've picked it up, but it's just, when I first moved here, I've been here 54 years, and when I first moved in, we got a nice little booklet telling us the rules and regulations of our village. We've got that on our website and in our newsletters. Well, I don't know if these people... They get a welcome letter with all the rules when they first move in because we get the water bill address. The other thing is, we are very aggressive in writing tickets for alleys. We could provide you how many tickets we've written, because that's one of my pet peeves, is alleys. People who don't cut their weeds in the alleys, because that harbors rodents. People who put their garbage on the ground so that rodents could eat it. We are very aggressive. We've got, how many guys do we have? We have people just driving the alleys writing tickets every day. Well, you're going to write another one because it's right there on my block. 1700 block. Okay. I'll give it to him. Believe me. It's just that this is the second time that I've complained about it. And the first time they had styrofoam and it was all over because it was a windy day. All over the alley. And it's right across from me so I'm running over it. I'm tired of picking it up, so it's not my job. I keep my property nice and clean. I keep my garbage cans inside my yard. So I think they can do the same. Thank you. We'll make sure. Thank you. Okay. Madam Clerk, do you have any reports? I do not this evening, sir. Thank you. Our Elmwood Park Youth Commission bike ride will be at Centennial Park this month on June 25th at 7 p.m. Mr. President, just a couple quick notes. First, our Elmwood Park seniors are having their annual summer luncheon on June 16th at Elmcrest Banquet, so please see Tina or Aske to get signed up for that. And secondly, I just want to apologize to Director Consiglio because we were having problems with the robocall the other night, but the library had their kickoff to their summer reading program. So I think a text and email still went out and go to the library and if you've got a youngster in town, get registered. Thank you, Mr. President. No report tonight. Mr. President, just a reminder to the residents that Friday, June 13th, the Circle Car Show and Concert will be in the Circle. Starts at 6 p.m. and it's always one of my favorite village events. That's all I have. Mr. Durkin? Yes, I have a couple of items. The first is item D on the consent agenda, which is a motion to approve payment bills and vouchers for the month of May. That needs to be taken off the consent agenda. We need to modify that motion. As you can see, two members of the finance committee were not in attendance tonight nor at the finance committee meeting that was scheduled right prior to to this board meeting, so we need to remove that from the consent, but we will still have the ability to pay our bills when we remove that from the consent and then take that item up separately. Item J on the consent agenda will be addressed by Manager Volpe in his remarks, but I just wanted to comment that that item concerns a collective bargaining agreement, which we successfully negotiated. with Teamsters Local 705. Mr. Volpe will provide a little more detail in his remarks, and I want to let everybody know there were some firefighters here earlier that we just successfully concluded our negotiations with that bargaining unit, and you'll see that contract we anticipate on the July village board meeting. That's all I have for tonight. Thank you. Mr. Volpe? Mr. President, the Board will consider an amendment to the redevelopment agreement entered into on December 2nd for the property at 2720-28 North Harlem. This amendment adjusts the project schedule, so if approved, the developer will have 60 days to secure zoning, 90 days to secure permits. The closing will take place in 120 days, and construction will commence within 45 days thereafter. Under this amended schedule, the business should be open for business within 21 months. The board will consider an ordinance tonight regulating designated children's play areas in town. The ordinance recognizes that certain portions of parks are intended to provide for the needs and play behavior of minor children in the village who are supervised by adults. In order to keep these play areas safe, it shall be unlawful for any adult to enter and remain in a designated play area unless that adult is supervising and or accompanying a child or children age 12 or younger. The designated areas are Torpy Park, Kitty Corral, and Triangle Park, as well as portions of John Mills Park, Bambi Park, and two splash pads in town. Following approval, signage will be posted notifying the public of these regulations. On May 15th, 2025, the Village received six bids for the 2025 MFT Street Resurfacing and Alley Reconstruction Project. The bids were reviewed by Christopher Burke Engineering. The apparent low bidder is Builders Paving LLC. who submitted a bid in the amount of $2,083,083. Christopher Burke recommends the award of a contract to builders. The board will also be asked to ratify a contract with Dukes to perform the required sewer cleaning and televising for this 2025 MFT program. Bids were accepted on April 9th, and Dukes was the lowest responsible bidder. The board will be asked to consider a proposal related to our medical, dental, and life and voluntary vision insurance. The proposal was provided by our insurance broker, Provant Group. Our current contract expired June 30th, 2025. The board has been provided with an executive summary prepared by Provant. In summary, Provant again recommends that we renew health and prescription drug coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Total cost is $4,333,989. which is approximate 19.1% increase from their current costs. This reflects all discounts associated with the renewal of ancillary products with Blue Cross Blue Shield. This is the second consecutive year of rather large increases, and it is again largely based on our experience and reflects a relatively high number of large claims. The ancillary lines, which include dental, life, AD&D, vision, short-term disability, are all renewing with no increase in premiums. The board will be asked to award a contract to Strata Construction Company. Strata submitted the lowest initial bid for the 2025 sidewalk removal and replacement program. Following its rejection of all bids submitted in connection with that initial offering, the village accepted best and final proposals on May 2nd. Strata submitted the lowest bid in this best and final round at $11.23 per square foot. The board will consider an amendment to the consulting agreement with Mack Communications. As you know, Mack provides consulting services to the village, including communication and public relations services, media relations, and public affairs matters. The amendment will adjust their pay from $4,000 per month to $5,000 per month in consideration of the services that Mack provides. The board will consider a resolution required by IDOT in connection with the Grand Gateway grade separation project. This resolution recognizes that IDOT's criteria that requires an on-road bike lane is simply not practical for Grand Avenue and this project. The grade separation provides significant benefit to the community addressing both safety and access issues. While the project does include continuous... seven-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides, and on-road bike lane would require either widening Grand Avenue, removing street parking, reducing the number of traffic lanes, and or creating the need for additional displacements. The Board will consider an engagement with GW and Associates to provide additional accounting services to the Village. These services will assist the Village to prepare for its annual financial audit. As part of this engagement, it is envisioned that a representative from GWA will meet with Village staff weekly or as needed. The board will consider approving a contract to purchase the property at 1612 North 77th Avenue. Purchase price is $470,000, consistent with the recent appraisal. If approved, the closing date will be June 27th. Possession will be surrendered on or before November 1st. Following possession, the village will demolish the existing structure and take the necessary actions to build another public parking lot. As Mr. Durkin indicated, the board will consider a collective bargaining agreement tonight between the Village and the Teamsters Local 705. The agreement begins May 1st, 2025 and continues through April 30th, 2029. Under the agreement, wages will increase each year by 3%. The agreement also reflects certain one-time equity adjustments for various titles. Insurance contributions will increase by $20 per month per employee for each year of the agreement. On March 5, 2025, the Village opened five bids for the 2025 lead service line replacement. In this first phase of the project, it includes replacement of lead service lines at 400 locations. The Village engineer reviewed the proposal and has recommended the award of a contract to the low bidder, Joel Kennedy Construction Corporation. Their bid was $2,762,500. The board will consider a contract to purchase 7243-45 West Grand Avenue. Purchase price is $485,000. If approved, the closing will take place on July 3rd. Possession of 7243 West Grand Avenue will be provided on the day of closing, while possession of 7245 will be tendered 60 days after the closing. The board will be asked to approve the acquisition of vehicles and equipment budgeted for Public Works. The first proposal is from Runyon Equipment Company for a Ford F550XL boom truck at a cost of $177,782. The second is from Bobcat to purchase a new stump grinder. The cost is $11,465.14. And the third proposal is from Roche Ford in the amount of $83,067, which is to buy a new 2024 Ford F450 with a steel dump body and plow hoist and hitch. The board will consider an agreement with Burke LLC to provide for the demolition of three village-owned properties. Properties are located at 7415 West Fullerton, 7417 West Fullerton, and 1614 North 73rd Avenue. Properties on Fullerton will be the location of a parking lot for the police and other village vehicles, while the property on 73rd Avenue will be another public parking lot. Guaranteed maximum price is $170,815. And lastly, the board will consider an amendment to the redevelopment agreement for 7528 West North Avenue, as well as a related right of entry agreement. The agreement adjusts the closing date to be no later than September 29, 2025, but the right of entry agreement grants the developer the right and obligation to begin excavation and installation of all underground utilities and structural improvements related to the New Creek Restaurant, which will be at this location. Thank you, Mr. Volpe. Okay, my report. Number one, we're looking forward to Pompeii opening up here in the circle within the next month. I think that's going to be a great addition to our community. They're famous all over the city, and we're very excited about that. And don't forget, we don't have a meeting until after the 4th of July, the 4th of July parade, which starts here, right? No, it starts at Fullerton. Oh, it starts at Fullerton, okay. Okay. It ends here in the circle. Right. So we'll see you on the 4th. Thank you. Consent agenda? Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to remove item D from the consent agenda and put it in the new business portion of the meeting. I'll second that. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. THIS EVENING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON MAY 5, 2025. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON MAY 5, 2025. RECEIVE AND FILE MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD APRIL 7, 2025. VARIOUS LICENSE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND PROCESSED BY THE VILLAGE CLERK'S OFFICE. A RESOLUTION REGARDING THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT A BICYCLE LANE OR PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY AS PART OF THE GRAND AVENUE GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTICE OF AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO DUKE'S ROOT CONTROL, INC., FOR THE 2025 COMBINED SEWER CLEANING AND TELEVISING PROJECT. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO A CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH MAC COMMUNICATIONS, INC. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO STRATA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE 2025 SIDEWALK REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. A resolution approving a collective bargaining agreement between the Village of Elmwood Park and Teamsters Local Number 705, an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. A resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Joel Kennedy Constructing Corporation for services related to the 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement Project, Phase 1. A resolution approving the First Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement between Lion's Share Elmwood Park LLC and the Village of Elmwood Park. An ordinance to approve and authorize the execution of a standard form at-risk construction management contract for designer-led design-build project by and between Burke LLC and the Village of Elmwood Park for the salvage, deconstruction, and demolition of the properties located at 7415 Fullerton Avenue, 7417 Fullerton Avenue, and 1614 North 73rd Avenue. A resolution approving the Fourth Amendment to Redevelopment Agreement between 7528 West North Avenue LLC and the Village of Elmwood Park. An ordinance amending Chapter 39A entitled Public Parks of the Code of the Village of Elmwood Park in order to regulate designated children's play areas. A resolution accepting the recommendation of the Provant Group for the Village of Elmwood Park's Employee Benefits Insurance Program for the July 1st, 2025 to the June 30th, 2026 policy term. A resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Builders Paving LLC for services related to the 2025 motor fuel tax resurfacing and alley reconstruction project, a resolution authorizing the execution of an engagement letter agreement for professional accounting services between GW and Associates PC and the Village of Elmwood Park, an ordinance approving, authorizing, and ratifying execution of a residential real estate contract for the acquisition of the property commonly described as 1612 North 77th Avenue, Elmwood Park, Illinois. An ordinance of the Village of Elmwood Park, Cook County, Illinois, authorizing and approving execution of an agreement for purchase and sale for the acquisition of the property commonly described as 7243 to 45 West Grand Avenue, Elmwood Park, Illinois. An ordinance authorizing acceptance of a proposal from Runyon Equipment Company for the purchase of a bucket truck. An ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a proposal from Atlas Bobcat for the purchase of a stump grinder. an ordinance authorizing the purchase of a 2024 Ford F450 dump truck from Roche Ford. Motion to approve, Mr. President. Second. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Trustee Estrada-Volpe? Yes. Trustee Zabajanik? Yes. Trustee Conte? Yes. Trustee Sargent? Yes. President Saviano? Yes. Moving on to communications. First one I'd like to read it to you, if I can. This is a letter that was submitted by longtime resident Linda Cielo. This is to the Elmwood Park Fire Department. Dear Chief Terzo, I have been a resident of Elmwood Park for 48 years. Thankfully, I have never had a reason to call the fire department. However, on Saturday, March 15th, we were visiting our friends Ken and Mary Trendle. Mary lost her footing and fell in her hallway and injured her shoulder. My husband and Mary's husband tried to get her up with no luck. Calling the fire department was the right thing to do. Lucky for Mary, Caitlin Michaels and Michael Brower responded to the call. They arrived quickly and entered the house and immediately assessed the situation and acted professional. We knew Mary was in good hands because they were emphatic, kind, and efficient. After she assisted her in the chair, they told Mary everything they were going to do to keep her safe. They used humor to help her relax in the stressful situation. Of course, she was embarrassed, but their gentle nature and empathetic nature was comforting and something my friend needed in this stressful situation. In no time, they secured her in the ambulance and safely transported her to the hospital. When they left, the four of us felt like we made two new friends. Mary's father was a lifelong Chicago fireman, and my son is a firefighter, medic in Charleston, South Carolina. The four of us have tremendous respect for the people who worked tirelessly to keep us safe. It was a difficult situation, but Caitlin and Michael should be commended for their service. Their kindness was much appreciated. They give the fire department and Elmwood Park a good name. Please commend them on a job well done. Gratefully, Linda Cielo. I think we have Caitlin here this evening. Stand up. Okay, and the second thing we have is a raffle application that was submitted by Ms. Bina Conti, President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Republican Voters League for Leiden Township. It's a raffle application for the Chicken Bingo Fundraiser, which is tomorrow, June 3rd, at Elmcrest Banquets. Motion to approve, Mr. President. I'll second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Okay. New business. We're going to do business? Mm-hmm. We need a motion to approve payment of the bills and vouchers for the month of May 2025 in the amount of $3,768,934.21, subject to approval of the Finance Committee. I'll make that motion, Mr. President. I'll second that motion. It's my understanding the Finance Committee has scheduled a special meeting. Thursday at 4.15 p.m. So the bills will be paid. Okay, that motion. Please call the roll. Trustee Estrada-Volpe? Yes. Trustee Zavagevic? Yes. Trustee Conte? Yes. Trustee Sargent? Yes. President Saviano? Yes. Okay. And we also have a special meeting to consider a liquor matter that we probably could have added to this agenda if we knew what the attendance was going to be at this meeting. I'll make a motion to adjourn. Okay. I'll second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, ayes have it. Another meeting to order. We can let the other roll call stand, right? Yes, the clerk can just note who's in attendance. Okay, no public comments on this matter. Under new business, we have an ordinance amending section 4-4.6 entitled restrictions on number of licenses of chapter 4 entitled alcoholic beverages of the code of the village of Elmwood Park. Make a motion to approve, Mr. President. I'll second. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Trustee Estrada-Volpe? Yes. Trustee Zavazanik? Yes. Trustee Conte? Yes. Trustee Sargent? Yes. President Saviano? Yes. Okay, 5-0. Motion passes. Is there any other business to be brought before the board tonight? Seeing none, I'll entertain another motion to adjourn. So moved, Mr. President. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY. IT'S A LITTLE EARLY, BUT...