Palos Heights aldermen voted this week to approve request-for-proposal documents for a downtown development plan, moving the project forward despite opposition from Alderman Michael McGrogan.
The council also approved sign grants for two local businesses, reviewed city finances for April, and greenlit contracts for pool improvements and pedestrian walkway repairs. Mayor Bob Straz reminded residents about the upcoming Memorial Day service and confirmed the date for the next council meeting.
Council meeting highlights:
- Alderman Heather Begley introduced the motion to approve the downtown development plan RFP documents. Mayor Bob Straz said the Committee of the Whole spent about an hour discussing the plan earlier this month. Alderman Michael McGrogan voted against the motion, saying, “One hundred percent, I’m against it.” Alderman Jack Clifford voted in favor, and the motion passed.
- McGrogan also introduced two sign grant motions to support local businesses: $1,900 for Hunan Inn at 7222 W. College Drive, which opened that day, and $2,000 for Absolute Vision Care at 6515 W. 127th Street, which relocated from Crestwood. Both grants were approved.
- City Treasurer James Daemicke reported April’s finances. The General Fund started at $6.12 million, collected $989,968 in revenue, and spent $889,831, ending with $6.22 million. All city funds combined rose from $28.2 million to $29.36 million after revenues of $1.82 million and expenses of $1.59 million.
- The council approved selling surplus city equipment, including a 2018 Toyota Highlander and a boat trailer, with no discussion.
- A revised ordinance correcting the legal description for Shepard High School’s annexation passed. Mayor Straz said the previous version had an incorrect PIN number; the update now includes all four required parcel numbers.
- Alderman Jeffery Key presented two payments related to the city’s pool improvement project: $40,378 to Simpson Construction and $11,549 for shade covers. Key said the project appears to be on budget.
- The Palos Baseball Organization received approval to extend field lighting until 11 p.m. on June 7 at Pony Field and North Field.
- The council approved a $25,000 contract with Christopher Burke Engineering to assess needed repairs to the Southwest Highway pedestrian walkway retaining wall.
Palos Hts council spent an hour discussing the merits or need to hire another expensive consulting firm to improve 2 blocks on Harlem . Palos previously hired 5 consultants over the recent years for similar recommendations. These reports have cost tax payers thousands!
As a member or Chairman of the PH Finance Committee for 24 years I m concerned about unnecessary spending. I voted against this report for MANY reasons. I even presented an alternative no cost proposal to accomplish the same recommendation s.
I am very interested if PH residents feel another consultant is needed? Maybe your comments would persuade the Council to reconsider before hiring another consultant?