November 13, 2009 Southwest News-Herald - Oak Lawn, Burbank, Bridgeview
Oak Lawn Board Goes ‘Green’
Trustee Lays Out Ground Rules for Question-and-Answer Period
At the Oak Lawn Board meeting Tuesday, Mayor David Heilmann was not present.
Instead, the board voted to have Trustee Robert Streit (3rd) sit in as acting president for the meeting.
Before the public comments portion began, Streit announced that people will not be allowed to slander any of the board members.
“For several years, we have not had the need to address the order and quorum at these board meetings,” said Streit.
He continued, “For the most part, when residents have addressed the board, they have done so within the context of the rules.”
After Streit’s explanation of the rules, the public comments portion brought forth Mike Slinkman from Countryside, of the Colonial Court Apartments at 9301, 9317 and 9333 S. Harlem Ave.
Slinkman addressed the board by reading through a list of code violations noted by the village.
He then commented on a PowerPoint presentation given by Village Manager Larry Deetjen at a past board meeting.
“We have gone through all of our police records,” Slinkman said. “Seventy percent of the police calls were made by tenants that we inherited when we purchased the building and/or no longer live at the property.”
He continued, “We’re very responsible landlords.”
Deetjen then responded to Slinkman’s comments by saying that the Colonial Court Apartments are still not in compliance with the building codes of Oak Lawn.
“The debris and garbage around the building still exist as of today,” said Deetjen. “This was based on an inspection that took over 60 days ago.”
After the public comments, the Green Team of Oak Lawn gave a presentation regarding America Recycles Day, which is Sunday, Nov. 15.
The presentation consisted of showing residents how to recycle, and which items that can and cannot be recycled.
For more information on the Green Team, visit greenteam@oaklawn-il.gov.
Trustee Jerry Hurckes (1st) then addressed the board with new business ideas.
Hurckes reminded residents that at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Cong. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) will have a town hall meeting at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway.
Another was the leaf-raking program for senior citizens, which will take place on Saturdays, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.
“If any students need community service hours, you can put in about four hours the next two Saturdays. There will be a lunch afterwards and transportation will be provided,” said Hurckes.
The program is open to all volunteers.
Lastly, Hurckes stated that the parking of commercial vehicles in front of residents’ homes are illegal in the village of Oak Lawn.
Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) then addressed the board about the senior snow shoveling program.
“We’ve had overwhelming responses from the seniors,” said Olejniczak.
He stated that residents with disabilities can also receive help with their snow shoveling.
Deetjen then stated that the quiet zone is nearly complete.
He stated that a median has been placed in front of the Hilton-Oak Lawn, 9333 S. Cicero Ave.
He then discussed the Pulaski Road repaving contract and the 95th Street repaving contract.
“The concrete continues to deteriorate. It will get worse this year as salt is applied,” he said.
Deetjen continued, “The state of Illinois’ response was to fill in some of the sections with asphalt, which is inappropriate.”
Included in the items under Heilmann’s report that the board did approve was an ordinance authorizing the sale of surplus property owned by the village.
Also approved was an ordinance authorizing implementation of certain traffic regulations in the area of Simmons Middle School and Columbus Manor School.
The meeting concluded with Village Clerk Jane Quinlan approving semi-monthly disbursements and the 2010 Census.