Chicago Ridge board approves grant applications for 2027 ADA ramp improvements and adopts consent agenda

The Village of Chicago Ridge Board of Trustees on Feb. 17 approved resolutions authorizing applications for Cook County’s Invest in Cook grant program and for Community Development Block Grant funding to support a 2027 ADA ramp accessibility improvements project.

The actions were part of a broader consent agenda the board adopted unanimously. Trustee Meslar moved to approve the consent agenda as amended and Trustee Kowalski seconded. The board voted AYE: Trustees Davenport, Kowalski, Lenz, McFarland, Meslar and Siegel; NAY: none. The consent agenda included Resolution #26-02-02 (Invest in Cook grant application) and Resolution #26-02-03 (CDBG application). The board also postponed Agenda items 7A and 10B by unanimous vote.

The meeting opened at 6:04 p.m.—President Lind called the meeting to order and led the pledge—then briefly adjourned earlier in the evening to an executive session to discuss hiring and firing and the purchase and/or sale of real estate; Trustee McFarland moved to adjourn to executive session and Trustee Siegel seconded, with the motion carrying unanimously. The public meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m., and Clerk Barbara M. Harrison recorded the trustees present and a roster of attending officials, including Attorney Pat Roberts and department chiefs and directors.

Under routine business the board authorized expenditures per a Feb. 17 resolution totaling $103,665.21. The minutes and a pending projects status report were entered as matters of record. The board also recorded larger SUR/board-approved totals associated with prior dates: $687,551.54 (SUR/Board Approved dated Feb. 4, 2026) and $252,003.34 (SUR/Board Approved dated Feb. 11, 2026). Line-item vendors noted during the bills presentation included audit and consulting fees to Kasperek, legal and bargaining fees to Clark Baird Smith and Odelson, bond fees to ABOC, and engineering reimbursements and T&M charges to Burke Engineering.

The consent agenda bundled several operational and administrative items. Among them: a presentation by 7 Brew Coffee regarding 9900 S. Ridgeland; approval of a business license for La Rose Lounge Wear LLC dba La Rose at 551 Chicago Ridge Mall pending required inspections; authorization to issue an RFP for the firehouse apparatus bay floor; authorization to hire one part-time desk/clerical position; approval of a memorandum of understanding amending the post-retirement healthcare funding plan (VEBA) at no cost to the Village; approval of a contract with Total Technology Solutions Group for copiers; and adoption of the Village retirement/milestone gift policy. The board also discussed the 911 cellphone bank program during the meeting.

Trustees used the meeting’s closing time for community announcements: Trustee Kowalski promoted the Lions Chili Cook Off at the Oak Lawn Elks Club (3–7 p.m., $2 entry), and Trustees Kowalski and Siegel encouraged support for the St. Baldrick’s fundraising event on March 7 (11 a.m.–4 p.m., Bourbon Street).

There were no formal roll-call votes recorded against the consent agenda items or the payments noted; the meeting was adjourned following routine closing motions.

The board’s next procedural steps referenced in the meeting record include the postponed agenda items (7A and 10B), and the Village’s applications for Invest in Cook and CDBG funding for the 2027 ADA ramp accessibility improvements project. The minutes were signed by Village Clerk Barbara M. Harrison.