The Homewood Public Works Department was the star of the Tuesday, Nov. 11, Board of Trustees meeting, with a staff member honored for service to the village and kudos from the board for keeping costs low on two big projects.
gratulations for his 20 years
of service to Homewood from
Public Works Director John
Schaefer.
Street Department Supervisor Brian Long was honored by the board for his 20 years of service. Public Works Director John Schaefer lauded Long for his work helping keep streets in good repair and clear of snow during recent winters.
The department got good marks for getting grants to cover costs of lighting upgrades and a street resurfacing project.
The board approved a bid of $45,008 to Jasco Electric Corporation to install more energy efficient lighting at Village Hall, the Fire Department, Public Works Department, Brian Carey Training Center and Water Plant No. 1 and No. 2.
Schaefer said the village’s portion of the project cost would be $789, with the rest of the cost being covered by grants.
The grants followed a free assessment by 360 Energy Group to identify energy efficient upgrades for village facilities, according to a report provided by Allisa Opyd, Homewood community events manager.
The 360 Energy Group worked with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to secure grant funding for the project, according to the report. The DCEO grant was for $27,985. ICEF provided $16,234.
“Compliments to the staff for getting those grants,” Village board President Richard Hofeld said. “Job well done.”
Members of the board echoed Hofeld’s sentiment.
The board also approved an intergovernmental agreement with Hazel Crest to resurface a portion of 183rd Street from Sacramento Avenue to Brentwood Drive. The project will complete the resurfacing in Homewood.
Schaefer said Homewood’s portion of that project would be about 20 percent of the total local share. Homewood will pay about $100,000. Hazel Crest’s share will be $400,000, and a grant from the federal government will cover $1.5 million of the $2 million project.
“Once again, grants are paying for the bulk of that work,” Hofeld said.
In other business, the board approved an extension of the intergovernmental agreement with East Hazel Crest to develop property west of Halsted Street and south of Interstate 80/294.
The two villages still hope to attract a casino to the site, an effort that began two years ago when the state appeared poised to approve new licenses that would have enabled a casino to be developed in the south suburbs.
The legislature could revisit the issue during the upcoming veto session. Hofeld said in an email message that the extension will keep the agreement with East Hazel Crest active through January 2015.
The board also approved:
- A resolution authorizing the village to apply for $80,000 in funding from the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association Transportation Committee for the Intermodal Rail Station Improvement Project,
- A license for Team Breezer for a single raffle to be held Nov. 22,
- A zoning variance to allow a 192-square-foot shed to be located on property at 1250 Jamie Lane,
- A resolution authorizing the adoption of the Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, and
- The sale of surplus village property.
The next meeting of the board will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Village Hall, 2020 Chestnut Road.
Photo by Quinn Crump/Homewood Chronicle
Contact Eric Crump at [email protected]