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Aldermen drop a proposal to hire their own lawyer
A proposal that would have created a legal adviser to aldermen made it to the agenda of a recent City Council meeting, but was scrapped on the motion of its sponsor, Brian Wilson.
Wilson and the other aldermen unanimously voted, without discussion, to delete the proposal, which named Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins Ltd. “to provide legal assistance, consultation and representation” to council members in their official roles. The law firm has offices in Chicago and Orland Park.
After the meeting, Wilson declined to discuss what prompted him to delete the proposal.
Wilson had justified the proposal as providing the council with legal advice from someone who doesn’t report to Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush in the event of disagreements.
The village attorney reports to the mayor, Wilson said. “He can’t represent both,” he said.
But Wilson denied any current strains between the council and mayor.
— Dennis Sullivan
JOLIET
Water, sewer fees to jump 35 percent effective Oct. 1
City Council members this week approved a 35 percent hike in water and sewer fees effective Oct. 1.
Rates also will increase by 5 percent in 2010 and 2011. The council also eliminated bill rebates which were once provided via gaming funds.
City officials said the increases are necessary to cover the increasing costs of providing water and sewer services. Council members had debated the increase over the last six weeks and held two public meetings to discuss the rates.
“I know this is not a popular thing to do,” Councilman Tom Giarrante said, adding the increases are necessary to avoid a $13 million shortfall next year.
Only Councilman Anthony Uremovic voted against the rate increases. He agreed rate increases were necessary, but said the economy may be turning around soon and perhaps lower increases would be better.
The rate change did include a flat rebate of $5.36 for senior citizens.
— Alicia Fabbre
MOKENA
Village faces gap in tax revenue of up to $250,000
Belt-tightening was in order when Mokena officials passed their budget two months ago.
Now, even more tightening is needed, Village Administrator John Downs said this week at the Village Board meeting.
State officials are forecasting an even steeper decline in income, use and sales taxes. As revenues sink, Mokena is facing a “revenue gap” totaling between $230,000 and $250,000, he said.
Village officials will have to devise a plan to close the gap and keep the budget in the black, he said.
While tax revenues may be declining, Mokena’s business mix is still growing, said Trustee Don Labriola, who noted that eight new businesses have opened in recent weeks. Mayor Joe Werner said shopping locally is “the best thing you can do for your community.”
— Pat Harper
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PALOS HEIGHTS
Dedication ceremony this weekend for art garden
After putting the finishing touches on a new community art garden, the city is holding a dedication ceremony Saturday with music and refreshments.
Formerly a vacant lot, the garden at 123rd Street and 72nd Court just off Harlem Avenue has statues of a horse with monarch butterflies on it, a large bird and a little girl holding a butterfly. There are also winding paths, a bike rack in the shape of bikes, three benches and flowers, shrubs and trees, which were planted by volunteers this summer. The garden will showcase local art.
Also being planned for the garden is a 6-foot statue of a purple coneflower, which is native to the area and is being commissioned by Keith Edmier, a New York artist who grew up in Tinley Park. The City Council this week approved the statue. Volunteers raised $6,000 for the sculpture commission as well as up to $400 for shipping.
“When I came home from work last night, I saw a young man sitting on a bench reading a book, which is kind of the idea of [the garden],” Mayor Bob Straz said.
The ceremony will be at 11 a.m. More information is at 708-480-3003.
— Janice Neumann
TINLEY PARK
Engineering firm is tapped to develop energy plan
Trustees this week agreed to hire a Chicago-based engineering firm to develop and implement the village’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation strategy — the village’s first step toward accessing $537,600 from the U.S. Department Energy for local energy-efficiency and conservation projects.
Trustees agreed to hire AECOM, ranked No. 1 by Engineering News-Record in pure design, transportation, general buildings and hazardous waste categories. The village will tap an Energy Efficiency and Conservation block grant to pay the firm’s fee, which trustees capped at $50,000.
— Dennis Sullivan