Palos Park approves $413,550.62 partial payment for McCarthy Road water main; board OKs warrants and reappointments

The Palos Park Board of Commissioners on Feb. 10 approved a $413,550.62 partial payment to Steve Spice Construction for work on the McCarthy Road water transmission main and unanimously adopted several routine financial and personnel items.

The payment is the third partial draw on a contract the board said has a total value of $1,876,684.80. "The contract amount was $1,876,684.80," Commissioner Patan said during the meeting, adding that the village contracted with Steve Spice Construction to install a 16-inch transmission main from the Holy Family Villa property to the Cog Hill property.

Why it matters: the board said the project is being paid from the village's water fund, with a mix of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) loan. Commissioner Patan told the board that $644,000 in ARPA funds would be used first "to lessen the amount of the loan," and staff recommended approval of the partial payment request for $413,550.62.

Board action and vote: the motion to approve partial payment distribution No. 3 for Steve Spice Construction passed on a roll-call vote. Commissioners Patan, Wade, Reid and Polk and Mayor Milovich Walters recorded "yes" votes.

Other board business: in a single consent motion the board approved the warrant list and payroll/supplemental payments and acknowledged the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau as the village's CVB of record. Specific items on the consent agenda included a $510.16 payment for 56 rides provided to Beals Park residents, payment of invoices totaling $53,565.74, and a supplemental warrant list for manual checks, payroll and recurring wire transfers totaling $449,478.20. The board also approved reappointments to local boards: Ed Marson (Plan Commission, term to expire June 1, 2029), Fonetta Wegman (Zoning Board of Appeals, term to expire June 1, 2029), Nancy Conyers (Zoning Board of Appeals, term to expire June 1, 2029), Loretta Gaitis (Recreation Board, term to expire June 1, 2027), Denise Cowan (Beautification Committee, term to expire June 1, 2027) and Betty Haresca (Beautification Committee, term to expire June 1, 2027). Each of those motions passed unanimously on roll-call votes.

Informational reports and reminders: Commissioner Patan delivered the public works and streets report describing the transmission main work and funding sources. The recreation report highlighted upcoming events including the April 5 "Brunch with the Bunny," a May 17 "Doggy Dash" 5K and the return of pickleball programs. Commissioner Wade reminded residents that village permits are required for work in Palos Park and said the building department processed six permits between Jan. 21 and Feb. 5, bringing fiscal year-to-date permit revenue to $212,768 (the transcript lists $13.57 for the most recent processing period; that figure appears likely to be a transcription error and the board did not provide an alternate number).

Public safety and other items: Commissioner Polk delivered the police activity report, saying the Palos Park Police Department handled 2,062 calls for service in the period reported and reviewed accident, arrest and traffic-stop statistics. Commissioners and staff also warned residents about phone and email scams and reminded the public of upcoming board and pension meetings. The auditors' presentation of the fiscal 2024 audit was scheduled for the next council meeting.

Votes at a glance: Partial payment — Motion: approve partial payment distribution No. 3 to Steve Spice Construction in the amount of $413,550.62 (related to McCarthy Road water transmission main). Mover: Commissioner Patan (recommended); second: not specified in transcript. Vote: Patan — yes; Wade — yes; Reid — yes; Polk — yes; Mayor Milovich Walters — yes. Outcome: approved. Approval of minutes (Jan. 27, 2025) — Motion passed on roll-call; all present voted yes. Outcome: approved. Reappointments — Motion: reappoint Ed Marson (Plan Commission) and five other residents to boards and committees with terms noted in meeting. Vote: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved. Consent agenda — Motion: approve warrant list dated 02/10/2025 (including $510.16 payment for rides), payment of invoices $53,565.74, and supplemental warrant list $449,478.20; acknowledge Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau as CVB of record. Vote: unanimous yes. Outcome: approved.

The meeting ended after a brief public comment period with no speakers, and the board adjourned. The auditors' presentation and additional committee meeting announcements were noted for upcoming dates.