Votes at a glance: Oak Park council approves consent items, legal retainers, ordinances and demolition change order

At its Dec. 16 meeting, Oak Park City Council approved a series of routine and substantive items including payment approvals, ordinance changes and a demolition change order.

Key formal actions recorded by roll call included: - Consent agenda: Approved (includes payment applications and 2024 landscape maintenance contract items to Capital Landscapes of Oak Park). - Payment to Garrin Luca Miller, P.C.: Approved for $17,064.88 for legal services. - Schiffman Fournier retainer: Approved for $20,000 covering 01/01/2025–03/31/2025 after staff explained prebilling and prior retainer increases. - Ordinance (9A) adopted on second reading: Amendment to Chapter 30 (elections) to permit permanent combination of specific voting precincts; council cited early and absentee voting and poll-worker shortages as reasons. - Ordinance (9B) first reading: Repeal of Article 6 (mechanical amusement devices) in Chapter 10 because portions are preempted by state liquor control/licensing; city attorney explained the change and council approved first reading. - Contract approval: Council approved a MDOT-linked contract for the Z03 Plaza Deck (Victoria Plaza/Church Street) replacement. - Demolition change order (Blue Star): Approved. Testing at 13200 Oak Park Boulevard revealed significant asbestos in basement tiling and foundation; a $21,400 change order will raise the total demolition cost from $118,900 to $140,300. According to staff, these costs will be assessed to the property owner and demolition will likely start after the new year.

All votes referenced in the meeting were recorded by roll call where noted. Where the meeting transcript did not clearly state a single dollar total for a contract, the minutes and meeting audio should be consulted for precise contract figures.