[6:40] Good evening everyone. At this time,
I'll call to order the regularly
[6:43] scheduled board meeting for the village
of Lotheian, Wednesday, December 10th,
[6:47] 2025 at 7 p.m. Roll call, please. Clerk
must
[6:50] » Trusty Brevette
>> here.
[6:52] » Trusty Cwley
>> here.
[6:54] » Trusty Hilly.
>> Trusty Jed
[6:57] » here.
>> Trusty Johnson
[6:58] » here. Trusty Killer Lee. Mayor Luru
>> here.
[7:02] » You have a question, sir.
>> Thank you, sir. Please stand for the
[7:04] pledge of allegiance. Remain stand for a
moment of silence for our fall.
[7:13] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
[7:17] republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[7:23] justice for all.
[7:31] Thank you.
[7:37] » Before we move on to tonight's meeting,
uh we have the pleasure of swearing in
[7:42] Michael Golden as a Mealthian Fire
Department engineer. Michael, you hope
[7:46] you're here. Oh,
[8:06] » raise your right hand and repeat after
me. I
[8:08] » I
>> state your name.
[8:09] » Michael Golden. Having been appointed
>> Having been appointed
[8:12] » to the position of engineer
>> to the position of engineer
[8:14] » of the fire department
>> of the fire department
[8:16] » in the village of Mloian
>> in the village of Mloian
[8:19] » in the county of Cook
>> in the county of Cook
[8:20] » a foresight do solemnly swear
>> I foreset do solemnly swear
[8:23] » that I will support the constitution of
the United States
[8:26] » that I will support the constitution of
the United States
[8:28] » the constitution of the state of
Illinois
[8:30] » the constitution of the state of
Illinois
[8:31] » and the ordinances of the village of
Mlotheian
[8:34] » and the ordinances of the village of
>> and that I will faithfully discharge the
[8:37] duties
>> and I will faithfully discharge the
[8:39] duties of the position of engineer.
>> of the position of engineer
[8:42] » according to the best of my ability.
>> according to the best of my abilities.
[8:45] » CONGRATULATIONS.
[8:59] » Before you leave, I believe uh
>> when you're finished with my wife.
[9:05] » Oh, my daughter. My daughter and my my
son.
[9:09] Do you have the bed?
>> No.
[9:26] » Stand.
[9:35] Good job.
[9:51] I believe Chief Reed has something to
read.
[9:54] » Just a real quick good evening everyone.
Today we gather to recognize and
[9:58] celebrate one of our own as he takes a
well-earned step forward. Michael
[10:03] Golden,
you were pinned with a badge of
[10:07] engineer, a rank that carries new
responsibility,
[10:10] new authority, and the trust of every
person who rides behind you on that
[10:14] apparatus.
For more than 5 years, Mike has shown up
[10:18] every shift with the same quiet
professionalism he learned in the
[10:22] military.
Respectful, honest, and steady under
[10:27] pressure. He's the guy who always is in
a good mood, even at 3:00 a.m. on the
[10:32] third call of the night. Truth be told,
he makes me feel like a comedian because
[10:36] it doesn't take much to get him to
laugh.
[10:39] » But what truly sets Mike apart is deeper
than that ready smile. It's his work
[10:43] ethic, his kindness, and the rare common
sense approach that cuts through the
[10:48] noise and gets the job done. He leads by
doing. He teaches without preaching. and
[10:53] he treats every patient, every proby,
and every officer with the same level of
[10:57] respect. Mike, we're proud of you. We're
grateful for you. And today, we're
[11:02] excited for you. This promotion engineer
is in the finish line. It's the first
[11:06] rung on a ladder we all know you're
built to climb.
[11:25] Got it.
[11:29] » Okay.
[11:36] » Congratulations, Engineer Gordon.
[11:56] So, as I always say, after one of these
swearing in, you're not obligated to
[11:59] stay. You're welcome to stay, but uh
you'd like to leave.
[12:15] to trust me.
[12:29] » All right, at this time we will move on
to public comment. I will open the floor
[12:32] to public comment. Is there any public
comments?
[12:39] » Hello.
>> Uh I'm going to try to take this out.
[12:43] I'm going to try to say what I need to
say uh in as few words as possible. Uh I
[12:48] live here in Mlotheian and I take the
metro every single day uh up to the city
[12:52] for school. And uh right now I do not
own a car and it is not possible for me
[12:57] to own a car right now. So I've
typically relied on riding my bike uh
[13:01] down 147th Street to the metro station
every single day. Um, now with the
[13:07] recent snow, it has been impossible to
try to bike. Uh, especially
[13:12] on the portions near like Kenton, uh,
where the sidewalk is directly up to the
[13:16] road. Uh, the snow and ice just packs up
and is so rough, it it's hard to even
[13:22] walk on, let alone ride a bike. Um, and
then even past that, uh, when the
[13:28] sidewalk is off from the easement, it's
just a sheet of ice on on those
[13:33] sidewalks. And um I've slid a few times.
I've haven't fallen yet, thank God. But
[13:39] uh I've slid a few times and um so what
I think about with the snow just not it
[13:46] it just sits there. The library, they
always clear their sidewalk, but
[13:49] everything else just sits there. Uh what
I think about is if I can't ride a bike
[13:53] on the sidewalk, how is someone going to
ride a wheelchair on the sidewalk? How
[13:57] is someone going to use a a a walking
stick, a cane, a walker? Um, and then
[14:03] where there is ice, uh, you know, like I
said, I haven't fallen yet, but if I
[14:08] fell, I mean, I my body is young. My
body can take a fall. There are people
[14:12] whose body cannot take falls. Uh, I knew
someone personally who fell on ice and
[14:17] for the last four years of her life
never walked again without a walker or a
[14:21] cane. Um, and so I I printed out the
ordinance here under title nine of the
[14:27] village code regarding snow removal on
sidewalks. And uh it it reads that the
[14:33] the property owner or the tenant of the
property is legally obligated to clear
[14:38] the sidewalks within what is it 3 hours
since the snow has fallen or accumulated
[14:44] if it's in the day. And on a Sunday or
at night the following morning. Uh and
[14:50] today the the snow and ice is gone
because it was warmer out. But for a
[14:55] week and a half the snow never moved.
And uh even worse, the plows seem to
[15:01] love pushing all the snow into big
mounds at the end of every sidewalk on
[15:05] driveways. So, I'd have to go in the
street and walk around those. Basically,
[15:09] what I'm asking uh to sum this all up is
a, what are the penalties for a property
[15:15] owner or tenant who does not clear their
sidewalk? And b, how can the village
[15:19] make sure that this ordinance is
enforced because they have not been?
[15:24] Uh, we have to look into the act exact
orders and what the penalties are, but I
[15:28] I know for a fact that our public works
department does get out there as soon as
[15:32] they're humanly possible with the Bobcat
to clear the sidewalks on 147. We hear
[15:38] you. We understand you. Uh, our goal is
to make a better place to bike and walk
[15:43] safer. Um, so we'll have to keep an eye
on that. our our other uh issue that we
[15:50] have in Bloian and I think you probably
know and you probably know that 147 is a
[15:54] state road we have no control over how
they they plow or don't plow same with a
[16:00] county road same with the county county
so um I I don't we'll have to look
[16:05] through the ordinance and superintendent
Swanson I I've seen you guys out there
[16:09] clearing I know it took a little bit but
you were guys were trying to get the
[16:12] streets cleared first so any input to
sidewalks on 47
[16:17] Yeah, we're we're slowly clearing them
all away. Uh we try to do the heavily
[16:21] traffked areas first and then work out
from there.
[16:24] » But uh we did clear by cutting
everything.
[16:29] » And then uh is there anything extra that
can be done to ensure that property
[16:33] owners are clearing their sidewalk or is
that again something you have to just
[16:35] look into to see what exactly says?
>> Well, from the building department
[16:39] standpoint of our code enforcement
property maintenance officer get
[16:45] subsidy. Okay.
>> Bring them up to date on our work and
[16:51] see that they can take care of that in
the future.
[16:53] » All right. All right. Thank you.
>> Appreciate you coming up and talk to us.
[16:56] Uh I today's day world, but today's
world I would actually like to have our
[17:02] legal team look into the uh legalities
of forcing people to I know there's been
[17:08] lawsuits of slip and falls after they've
been cleared. Um, so you know, it's good
[17:14] good point you brought up that we can
hopefully do something all together to
[17:18] make this better for for everyone. So,
thank you.
[17:21] » Thank you.
>> Any
[17:27] Okay. All right. Then I'll close the
floor with public comment and move on to
[17:30] tonight's consent agenda. Number one,
approval of the ordinance number 2180,
[17:36] an ordinance providing for the levying
and assessment of the taxes for fiscal
[17:39] year beginning May 1st, 2025 and ending
April 30th, 2026. Number two, approval
[17:45] of Ordinance 2181, an ordinance amending
title 4, chapters 3, 23, and 24,
[17:50] Municipal Code of Village
in Cook County, Illinois. Number three,
[17:55] approval to enter a professional service
agreement with Hera Property Registry
[17:59] LLC for the property registry
registration services for the villages
[18:03] foreclosure and vacant property
registration.
[18:06] Number four, approval of the resolution
251210A,
[18:11] a resolution of the village in Cook
County, Illinois, authorizing
[18:14] reimbursement of redevelopment project
costs for 14440 Pilaski, otherwise known
[18:20] as Mealthian Plaza. Number five,
approval of resolution number 251210B,
[18:28] a resolution of the village of Mealthy
and Cook County, Illinois, authorizing
[18:31] reimbursement of redevelopment project
cost for 4042
[18:36] 147th Street with for mixed use. Number
six, approve of the wave the property
[18:41] lean in the amount of $1,387.89
for the 14730 Costner Avenue. Number
[18:49] seven, approval of Chief Rita to roll
over one week of vacation by his
[18:53] anniversary date. Number eight, approval
of the building department monthly
[18:57] report, October 2025 monthly report.
Number nine, approval of the November
[19:02] 12th, 2025 board meeting minutes. Number
10, approval of the November 19th, 2025
[19:08] committee meeting minutes. Number 11,
approval of the November 19th, 2025
[19:13] close session meeting minutes. Number
12, approval of the November 26th, 2025
[19:19] board meeting minutes. And number 13,
approval of the list of bills. Is there
[19:23] any item any trustee would like offer
tonight's consent agenda?
[19:27] Hearing no dension. I'm looking for a
motion to approve tonight's consent
[19:30] consent agenda as read.
>> I'll make the motion.
[19:33] » I'll second.
>> Any discussion?
[19:35] » Roll call, please. Gordon Mos.
>> Trusty Cwley.
[19:38] » I.
>> Trustee Johnson.
[19:40] » I.
>> Trusty Burbette.
[19:41] » I.
>> Trusty Jed.
[19:43] » I. Motion carries.
>> Thank you, sir. Moving on to trusty
[19:46] business. Trusty Johnson.
>> Uh, thank you, mayor. Um, tonight I just
[19:50] wanted to remind the board that we do
have five Wednesdays this month. So,
[19:54] please be aware that, um, invoices
received after today will not be paid
[19:59] until January. Um, Ivonne sent all the
department heads an email on December
[20:03] 2nd outlining the dates of when invoices
are due, when they'll be approved, when
[20:08] they'll be processed. So, just wanted to
make everybody aware with the holidays
[20:12] and the fifth Wednesday things needed to
be in by today if you're looking for
[20:16] payment before the first of the year.
And that's all I have tonight. Thank
[20:19] you.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Trusty Bourbon.
[20:22] » Thank you, sir. Trusty J.
>> I have nothing tonight, sir.
[20:25] » Thank you, ma'am. Trusty Corral.
>> Uh, just a couple things tonight. First,
[20:28] I put on the agenda um I gave everybody
the information regarding um the new the
[20:33] position that will be available for the
police department. Um, I wanted to make
[20:38] sure everybody uh saw the need for job
descriptions and the salary. There is no
[20:43] additional impact to the budget, but I
just wanted to make everybody aware of
[20:47] that. Um, next on my agenda, um, I have
the discussion regarding uh the new
[20:53] camera in the police department that we
need to add. The total cost is not to
[20:58] exceed 1,00 I'm sorry, $3,190.
Um, and that's for the software the
[21:06] licensing and the equipment. Just
wondering if anybody had any questions.
[21:12] » Okay. If not, um I will put that on my
agenda for approval for next week.
[21:18] » That's all I have to say.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Moving on to
[21:22] department head chief.
>> Uh I just add one thing, mayor. U
[21:28] extension of what we had talked about a
couple weeks ago with the ZO leasing
[21:33] program. Um, I I did want to let the
board know that the prices do go up
[21:39] starting January 2026. Um, if it's
something that you would like for me to
[21:44] work on with Trustee Ellie um for the
17th meeting approval, I can do that.
[21:49] Um, I also have a a small presentation
if you guys were willing to hear it um
[21:54] on that date as well. Um,
and also the the ZO representative could
[22:00] be available if for any questions too.
Um I we went over this plan. A lot of um
[22:06] departments around us are using this
leasing program because of the price of
[22:11] the cardiac EKGs are going through the
roof.
[22:15] » I guess the main questions are are are
these do we need this do we need this
[22:19] equipment?
>> Yeah, we have aging EKG equipment at you
[22:23] know 13 years old. Um so we would
probably need to replace three of them
[22:28] in the next two years. uh being a total
of if we were just buy them outright
[22:32] 200,000.
>> Um
[22:36] this leasing program allows you to pay
um $40,000 annually for 10 years. Uh it
[22:42] also comes with a maintenance program.
Um so I think it's a really good deal
[22:46] that also other suburban fire
departments have taken advantage of and
[22:50] it's easier to kind of budget for these.
um if something does happen, you don't
[22:55] have to replace a 607 $70,000 unit all
at once.
[22:59] » So, you believe this is the way to go?
>> I think this is the way to go based on
[23:02] your research and
>> talking to other fire chiefs in the
[23:05] area. Yeah.
>> And since you'll be doing the budgets
[23:07] for the fire department, I think
[23:12] » you're staring at me like I'm lying.
[23:16] Uh I I would think if if you could just
send the packet to each board email and
[23:22] then we'll be ready to to vote next
week.
[23:24] » Okay.
>> Does anyone have any questions?
[23:26] » I just have a question. So for the
10-year lease, what's the percentage the
[23:30] interest rate?
>> 10-year lease. There's there's no
[23:34] percentage of interest. It's just 40,535
annually
[23:39] » and then broken down in 12 months.
>> Okay. And chief, is that already
[23:44] currently budgeted for or would you be
starting this in the next fiscal year?
[23:48] » It would have to Yeah, it's not
currently budgeted.
[23:54] » Okay,
you sir.
[23:56] » Thank you, Chief Delaney.
>> Okay.
[23:57] » Yes, sir. Uh, just one thing. Um, like
to recognize the owner of RB's Towing,
[24:01] Rob Lions, for his act of kindness.
Earlier this week, um, the officers were
[24:06] out with a mom and her three children
um, in the inclement weather. The kids
[24:11] were definitely underdressed for um the
weather at the time. She was trying to
[24:16] make it home to some family in Chicago.
Um we gave her a ride to the metro
[24:21] station and the owner RBs was kind
enough uh to give her enough cash to not
[24:26] only get herself and the children down
there but then some. So I'd like to
[24:30] thank him for his act of kindness and uh
the woman certainly appreciate it.
[24:34] » That's all I have sir.
>> Thank you.
[24:36] » Uh Superintendent Surf. Uh, nothing this
evening, sir.
[24:40] » Sir, superintendent Swanson.
>> Uh, nothing this evening, sir.
[24:43] » Thank you, sir.
>> Uh, thank you, Mayor. I just want to
[24:46] give the board an update. Um, the
contractor who's doing the demolition at
[24:50] 3831 147th Street, um, we were on a
schedule for him to be out the week of
[24:58] December 22nd to start work. And that
project should only be four or five
[25:03] working days.
Hopefully within those next two weeks
[25:07] before and after Christmas. That's all I
have.
[25:10] » Thank you, sir. What' you say, Trusty
Crowley? Christmas miracle.
[25:13] » Christmas miracle.
>> Thank you, sir. Director Redmond.
[25:17] » Nothing tonight, sir.
>> Thank you, ma'am. Attorney Castau,
[25:21] » no report.
>> Thank you, sir. Uh, following up with
[25:24] what uh Trustee Johnson said, there will
be no board meeting in two weeks on
[25:29] December 24th. So any trustee have
anything pertinent for December, please
[25:35] try to get it on the agenda for next
week's committee meeting. Uh we do have
[25:40] the option
uh if something comes up in emergency,
[25:43] we could do a special meeting. Um but we
need to make sure that uh court Moscow
[25:50] is made aware of that in a timely
fashion so they can be posted in agenda.
[25:55] So
there's no that's all I have clerk. I
[26:00] have nothing tonight, sir.
>> Thank you, sir. Then, seeing as no
[26:02] further business come for the board, I'm
looking for a motion to adjurnn.
[26:05] » I'll make the motion. I'll second.
>> All in favor?
[26:07] » I opposed.