Chicago Ridge board approves consent agenda, narrowly OKs liquor-license change for Randa’s Gaming Café

The Village of Chicago Ridge Board of Trustees approved a broad consent agenda at its May 4 meeting that included promotions in the police department, several business licenses and a purchase of a Motorola radio paid from an IPRF grant.

President Lind called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and, after roll call by Village Clerk Barbara M. Harrison, the board swore in Police Commander James Davey and promoted Corporal Jonathon Hill to sergeant. Trustees then considered routine financial and administrative items, including the payment of bills and the establishment of a consent agenda that incorporated meeting minutes, two proclamations (Motorcycle Awareness Month and Professional Municipal Clerk’s Week) and a series of business and licensing approvals.

Trustee Siegel moved to approve payment of bills; Trustee Lenz seconded, and the motion carried on a recorded roll call with all trustees voting in the affirmative. The consent agenda, moved by Trustee Meslar and seconded by Trustee Kowalski, was adopted as amended during committee meetings. Items approved under the consent agenda included business licenses for a food truck (Yalla Meat at 10600 Ridgeland Ave.) and an ownership-change license for Southwest Hwy Vape & Smoke LTD (10343 S. Highway), a raffle license for Oak Lawn Elks Lodge No. 2254, promotions in the police department (James Davey to commander and Jonathon Hill to sergeant), hiring authorization for a village IT systems administrator, approval to purchase a Motorola APX 8500 radio for $8,216.17 to be paid from an Illinois Public Risk Fund (IPRF) grant, and a contract for a 250 Block Party drone show.

A separate, contested motion to approve a liquor-class change for Randa’s Gaming Café at 10602 Ridgeland (from class BV to AV), moved by Trustee Meslar and seconded by Trustee Lenz, passed 4–3. Trustees Kowalski, Lenz and Meslar and President Lind voted AYE; Trustees Davenport, McFarland and Siegel voted NAY. The motion specified the approval was pending all applicable inspections.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, resident John Kuba read a letter disputing a recent Code Enforcement notice about high weeds at his property and said he believed the notice was unwarranted because he maintains his yard. Resident Deb Pyznarski commended the village’s inclusivity efforts but said she was disappointed there was no proclamation marking April as Autism Awareness Month despite other proclamations on the agenda. Police Chief Tony Layman described a multi-jurisdictional traffic enforcement action on Harlem Avenue under a ‘‘Traffic Stay Alert/Stay Alive’’ initiative that resulted in multiple citations and arrests.

The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote. Minutes were signed by Village Clerk Barbara M. Harrison.