Will County Gazette

City of Crest Hill City Council met Aug. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the City of Crest Hill was called to order by Mayor Raymond R. Soliman at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 20600 City Center Boulevard, Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.

Roll call indicated the following present: Mayor Raymond Soliman, City Clerk Christine Vershay-Hall, City Treasurer Jamie Malloy, Alderman Scott Dyke, Alderman Angelo Deserio, Alderman Darrell Jefferson, Alderwoman Claudia Gazal, Alderperson Tina Oberlin, Alderman Mark Cipiti, Alderman Nate Albert, Alderman Joe Kubal.

Also present were: City Administrator Blaine Wing, Police Chief Ed Clark, Finance Director Glenn Gehrke, City Engineer Ron Wiedeman, Community & Economic Development Daniel Ritter, City Attorney Mike Stiff.

Absent were: Interim Public Works Director Julius Hansen, Community Development Consultant Ron Mentzer, Interim Human Resource Manager Dave Strahl, Building Commissioner Don Seeman.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Soliman presented the minutes from the Regular Meeting Held on August 4, 2025, per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

(#1) Motion by Alderman Jefferson seconded by Alderwoman Gazal, to Approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting Held on August 4, 2025, per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Dyke, Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert, Kubal.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

CITY ATTORNEY: There were no agenda items.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Blaine Wing reported that he had no agenda items. He noted that he had forwarded information regarding upcoming agenda items for both the workshop and future Council meetings in his Friday update and was available for questions. No questions were raised.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT: Mayor Soliman noted that the Interim Public Works Director Julius Hansen was on vacation and would be returning the following week. There were no agenda items.

CITY ENGINEER: City Engineer Ron Wiedeman requested to Approve a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising Bid and Oversight Services by and between the City of Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois and Robinson Engineering, Ltd. For an Amount of $22,400.00 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

(#2) Motion by Alderperson Oberlin seconded by Alderman Albert, to Approve a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising Bid and Oversight Services by and between the City of Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois and Robinson Engineering, Ltd. For an Amount of $22,400.00 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert, Kubal, Dyke.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

Resolution #1338

City Engineer Ron Wiedeman requested to Approve a Resolution Approving a Construction Agreement for CIPP Water Main Rehabilitation Phase 1 Improvement by and between the City of Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois and Fer-Pal Construction, Ltd. For an Amount of $2,479,975.70 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

(#3) Motion by Alderman Dyke seconded by Alderman Deserio, to Approve a Resolution Approving a Construction Agreement for CIPP Water Main Rehabilitation Phase 1 Improvement by and between the City of Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois and Fer-Pal Construction, Ltd. For an Amount of $2,479,975.70 per the memo dated August 18, 2025. On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert, Kubal, Dyke, Deserio.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

Resolution #1339

City Engineer Ron Wiedeman requested to Approve a Resolution Approving a Revision to the Construction Agreement for the 2025 Roadway Rehabilitation Program to Add Abbey Lane and Increase the Contract Amount to $813,911.65 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

(#4) Motion by Alderman Albert seconded by Alderman Jefferson, to Approve a Resolution Approving a Revision to the Construction Agreement for the 2025 Roadway Rehabilitation Program to Add Abbey Lane and Increase the Contract Amount to $813,911.65 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert, Kubal, Dyke, Deserio, Jefferson.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

Resolution #1340

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Community & Economic Development Director Daniel Ritter reported that there were no agenda items but had several updates. He announced that a new City Planner, Atefa, started with the City and he invited Council members to stop by and meet her.

Director Ritter also announced two upcoming grand openings that would be open to the public:

1. Morning Delight Café - Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. at 2400 Caton Farm Road.

2. O'Reilly Auto Parts - Ribbon Cutting on September 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a community event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. featuring classic cars and free food at the former Big Lots location.

Director Ritter also noted that there were several more new businesses coming to fill vacancies, which he would announce as the dates get closer.

Alderman Dyke asked about the opening timeline for the gas station at Broadway and Caton Farm Road. Director Ritter replied that while they did not have a final date, the station was waiting for the pumps to be delivered and expected to open within a month.

POLICE DEPARTMENT: Police Chief Ed Clark requested to Approve a Special Event Police Services Agreement with the Crest Hill Lions Club per the memo dated August 18, 2025. Chief Clark commented that this is for the Lions Club annual Lions Luau on August 31, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and the agreement would provide two officers and two vehicles.

(#5) Motion by Alderperson Oberlin seconded by Alderman Jefferson, to Approve a Special Event Police Services Agreement with the Crest Hill Lions Club per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Cipiti, Kubal, Dyke, Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin.

NAYES: None.

ABSTAIN: Ald. Albert.

ABSENT: None.

There being seven (7) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

Police Chief Ed Clark requested to Approve a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Crest Hill, Richland School District 88A, and Chaney- Monge School District 88 for the School Resource Officer Pilot Program per the memo dated August 18, 2025. Chief Clark asked if the agreement be post-dated for August 11th.

(#6) Motion by Alderperson Oberlin seconded by Alderman Albert, to Approve a Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Crest Hill, Richland School District 88A, and Chaney-Monge School District 88 for the School Resource Officer Pilot Program per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Kubal, Dyke, Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

Resolution #1341

Following the vote, Chief Clark expressed his excitement to see the program start and committed to keeping the Council updated as it progressed.

Alderman Gazal reminded Chief Clark about the speed monitoring car that needed to be placed. The Chief confirmed they would charge it and place it soon.

Mayor Soliman remarked that this was "a great day in the city of Crest Hill" as the School Resource Officer program was long overdue but greatly welcomed. He acknowledged the strong partnership formed between the Crest Hill Police Department, including Chief Clark, Deputy Chief Dobczyk, and Deputy Chief Reavis, and the school superintendents Phil Robb (Richland) and Andy Siegfried (Chaney-Monge). The Mayor expressed hope that eventually there would be one resource officer in each school.

Alderman Dyke asked if they are going forward with something to help at that intersection of Ludwig and Nicholson. Chief Clark commented that there have been three traffic crashes over the last five years and only one was intersection related but he is not sure if there is anything we can do sign wise and would discuss this with the Engineer.

Alderman Albert voiced his strong support for the program and congratulated Officer Outlaw on being selected as the first School Resource Officer. Mayor Soliman added that Officer Outlaw has done fantastic work with the DARE program for the past 10-12 years and is highly respected by teachers and students in both schools.

MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor Soliman had no agenda items.

CITY CLERK: City Clerk Christine Vershay-Hall requested to Approve a Block Party Request for Thaddeus Castrejon on Saturday, September 13, 2025, per the memo dated August 18, 2025. This would be a request to close off Sycamore Street from Route 30/Plainfield Road to Parkrose from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

(#7) Motion by Alderman Albert seconded by Alderman Deserio, to Approve a Block Party Request for Thaddeus Castrejon on Saturday, September 13, 2025, per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert, Kubal, Dyke, Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

Alderwoman Gazal wanted to confirm that barricades are supplied for block parties and was told they do supply barricades.

Chief Clark noted that they were coordinating the barricade placement because a business on the corner would be operational that morning, so they were planning to place barricades west of that parking lot to allow access.

Clerk Christine Vershay-Hall also reported that the city-wide garage sale held the previous weekend had sixty applications despite the heat and rain, which was a good turnout.

CITY TREASURER: City Treasurer Jamie Malloy requested to Approve the List of Bills Issued Through August 19, 2025, in the Amount of $757,920.84 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

(#8) Motion by Alderman Jefferson seconded by Alderman Dyke, to Approve the list of bills issued through August 19, 2025, in the amount of $757,920.84 for Council approval per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Albert, Kubal, Dyke, Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti.

NAYES: None

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

City Treasurer Jamie Malloy presented the Regular and Overtime Payroll from July 28, 2025, through August 10, 2025, in the amount of $284,576.15 per the memo dated August 18, 2025.

City Treasurer Jamie Malloy presented the Monthly Cash & Investment Report for June 2025, and July 2025 were included in the Council packets. Finance Director Glenn Gehrke was present to answer any questions.

Finance Director Gehrke explained that this was a report format that had been used years ago that they were reintroducing and mentioned that additional reports would be implemented in the system moving forward. He confirmed these reports would be provided monthly.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was no unfinished business.

NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business.

COMMITTEE/LIAISON REPORTS: Alderman Jefferson announced that the Winter Fest will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025. There will be more information to come.

CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS: Alderman Albert reminded everyone about the Lions Club Luau at St. Joe's Park on Sunday, August 31. The event would run from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM with a car show, vendor fair, live music all day, bingo, and raffles. General admission would be free. He thanked all the volunteers and sponsors who helped make the event possible.

Alderwoman Gazal thanked the Public Works staff for delivering barricades to Remington Homes for their seal coating project and picking them up afterward, helping to keep everyone safe.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments.

There being no further business before the Council, and no action needed from an executive session, a motion for adjournment was in order.

(#9) Motion by Alderman Dyke seconded by Alderman Albert, to adjourn the August 18, 2025, Council meeting.

On roll call, the vote was:

AYES: Ald. Deserio, Jefferson, Gazal, Oberlin, Cipiti, Albert, Kubal, Dyke.

NAYES: None.

ABSENT: None.

There being eight (8) affirmative votes, the MOTION CARRIED.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

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