The Village of Park Forest will conduct its first Regular and Rules Meeting of the new year at Village Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The meetings usually take place on Mondays. However, due to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, this meeting will commence the following day.
During the Regular and Rules Meeting, the Environment Commission will present the 2024 Katherine "Katie" Armstrong Sustainability Award recipients. The three main award recipients will receive the Katie Armstrong Sustainability Award, while seven others will be recognized with Honorable Mention awards. Additionally, the Park Forest Board of Trustees will congratulate all recipients.
The Park Forest Police Department will host a swearing-in ceremony welcoming two new officers, Austin Behrens and Jessica Rodriguez, to the force.
Aside from ceremonies, Public Works Department currently has two items on the agenda. The department will ask the Park Forest Board of Trustees to approve purchasing two 2025 Ford E-Transit 350 Cargo Vans to replace two existing vehicles.
Assistant Director of Public Works Nick Christie stated that one of the goals in the Village's sustainability initiative is to begin converting the vehicle fleet to electric. However, he noted that this transition is challenging due to the nature of his department's work. He will ask the Board to approve replacing two vehicles that are primarily used by the Water Billing and Finance Department. These vehicles are used for water service appointments and are generally not involved in large utility repairs.
Ultimately, Christie recommends purchasing two 2025 Ford E-Transit 350 Cargo Vans through Suburban Purchasing Cooperative contract number 207, awarded to Currie Motors of Valparaiso, Indiana. The purchase price includes warranties, delivery, license plates, and titles for a total of $110,062.
Christie noted the Village qualifies for incentive rebates from Com-Ed and the Federal Clean Vehicle credit. These incentives are $7,500 for each program, and both vehicles qualify. Thus, the incentives total $30,000.
The other item on the agenda concerns the Public Works Department's request that the Board approve an Engineering Services Agreement Amendment for construction engineering services for the Water Plant Elevated Tower Replacement Project. The department is seeking an additional $35,000 to pay the final bill.
Public Works encountered various challenges throughout the construction process, including conflicts, utility relocations, material shortages, the need for new process controls, staff training, and numerous time extensions. These issues led to multiple setbacks and change orders, which increased the time required for oversight, work coordination, on-site supervision, inspections, IEPA reporting, and overall project administration.
Christie said because the overall cost is over the power authority of the village manager, he has to come to the Board for the approval of the additional funding.
Those who can't attend Tuesday's meeting can view it online by clicking here.