April J Arellano

The agenda for the meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and the swearing in of Thomas Ferris as Chief of Police and Carlos Lazcano as Police Department Commander. The meeting structure incorporated public comments, various committee reports (Finance and Special Events; Water and Sewer; Police and Fire; Streets, Alleys, and Fleet Maintenance; Property, Planning, Zoning, Building, and Tree Preservation Commission; Health, Human Resources, Sustainable Practices and Senior Services), and staff reports. The Consent Agenda covered the approval of the previous month's minutes, approval of a substantial voucher expenditure list amounting to $3,820,013.80, approval for federal lobbying services with Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, approval for a new phone system agreement with First Communications, LLC, approval for street resurfacing construction using Motor Fuel Tax Funds ($60,235.67), approval for pavement investigation services with Soil and Material Consultants, Inc. ($9,100.00), and approval for community video segment production with Dobson Entertainment, Inc. ($16,500.00). New Business, Clerk Comments, and President Comments sections were also scheduled, followed by a Closed/Executive Session to discuss matters including the purchase or lease of real property, pending litigation, and employment matters.

The board meeting agenda includes the swearing-in of two new firefighters/paramedics, and committee reports covering finance, water and sewer, police and fire, streets and maintenance, property and planning, and human resources. The consent agenda features the approval of a voucher expenditures list, resolutions establishing guidelines for a senior grass cutting program, expedited permit processes for village work, a youth internship program, and a tax assessment application. Additionally, ordinances were proposed regarding a collective bargaining agreement with the police labor council, water supply loan agreements for infrastructure projects, and multiple grass cutting service contracts. Other business includes proposals for software renewals and property tax assessment classification agreements, followed by a closed/executive session to discuss legal, financial, and personnel matters.

The meeting addressed several key operational and project updates. Discussions included the ongoing Morton Arboretum tree distribution, securing a recently awarded CRTI planting tool kit for future use with local groups, and noting the extension of the Bee City USA renewal deadline to May 31st. A seed swap event was scheduled for February 14th, featuring a winter seed-sowing demonstration. An update was provided on the Bee Board spring presentation, and a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the November VOFP Buckthorn removal event was delivered to the Village Board. Future buckthorn removal efforts, particularly concerning railroad-owned property, were noted as requiring significant future effort due to past ineffective spraying methods. A prior Tree Board member was reinstated with voting privileges resuming at the subsequent meeting. A detailed Tree Board budget proposal was presented, explained, and accepted pending final review by Village Trustees. The Director reported on the Village's Christmas tree decoration theme and shared 2025 tree planting numbers.

Key discussions centered on significant concerns within the Fire Department regarding recruitment, retention, experience loss, and long-term stability, with multiple requests for an executive session meeting on these matters. Committee reports covered finance and special events (no report), water and sewer issues including several main breaks and significant water loss incidents due to broken pipes, police and fire matters including the passing of K9 Officer Ivar, street maintenance, and building department activity such as permit applications and contractor registration. The Property, Planning, Zoning, Building, and Tree Preservation Commission report highlighted recognition received for the Climate Resiliency Plan development. The President provided an update on coordinating suburban communities regarding the stormwater credit trading program. Business approved under the Consent Agenda included the approval of previous minutes, voucher expenditures, a resolution declaring surplus property at 10500 Grand Avenue, an ordinance amending the water meter deposit code for contractors, approval of a raffle license, and three consulting agreements with Johnson Research Group, Inc. for TIF district designations, as well as engineering services for the Crown Road Drainage Improvements Project. An executive session was held to discuss pending litigation and collective bargaining negotiations matters.

The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting primarily focused on two Text Amendments proposed by the Village of Franklin Park. The first amendment addressed Section 9-9-2 & 9-9-3 concerning the Use Matrix Table and Principal Use Standards. Key discussions involved removing data centers from the C-5 District, establishing clear standards for Day Care Centers, consolidating standards for Data Centers with a geographic limitation south of Belmont Avenue, clarifying standards for Vehicle Dealership or Rental facilities, and restructuring Wireless Telecommunications standards for improved clarity and legality. The second amendment addressed Section 9-2-3 regarding definitions, focusing on clarifying and expanding definitions for Primary, Accessory, Temporary, and Prohibited zoning terms. Both amendments were recommended for approval to the Village Board of Trustees.