Franklin Park trustees approve consent agenda including climate MOU, PFAS litigation contract and community solar enrollment

At its March 2 meeting the Village of Franklin Park Board of Trustees approved a multi-item consent agenda by omnibus vote that included two ordinances and several contracts and purchases.

The consent agenda contained: approval of minutes; a voucher expenditures list totaling $1,781,692.85; Ordinance No. 2526 G approving an intergovernmental agreement to assign a police liaison officer and reciprocal video-camera reporting access with Leyden Community High School District 212; an ordinance providing for Franklin Park's termination from the Proviso-Leyden Joint 9-1-1 Authority; authorization to purchase rock salt for the 2025–2026 winter season through the State of Illinois CMS joint-purchase agreement; authorization of a kitchen remodel at Fire Station No. 1 with Inland Home Remodeling, Inc., not to exceed $36,170; approval of a contingency-fee legal-services contract with David Grossman & Associates concerning PFAS litigation and settlement-funding claims; the village's participation in the Illinois Shines community solar program and execution of a community solar subscription agreement; and a topographic survey from Regional Land Services not to exceed $9,600.

Procedurally, Trustee Andrés 'Andy' Ybarra moved (and Trustee Irene Avitia seconded) to deviate from the agenda to take up item 6; that motion passed on a roll call. Trustee John Johnson moved (seconded by Gilbert Hagerstrom) to approve item 6; the board recorded unanimous ayes. Later Johnson moved (seconded by Avitia) to approve the full consent agenda as read; the vote was unanimous (ayes recorded: Ms. Special, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Ruhl, Mr. Ybarra, Ms. Avitia and Mr. Hagerstrom). The minutes record no separate discussion on the consent items.

In staff reports Trustee Karen Special and Community Development Director Nicholas Walny noted that Franklin Park received $250,000 in Community Project Funding announced Feb. 19 with Congressman García to support streetscape improvements along Franklin Avenue in downtown Franklin Park; planned improvements include new street furniture, signage, landscaping, bollards and stamped concrete on an unfinished section.

No further formal action beyond the omnibus approvals was recorded; the board later entered executive session for collective bargaining and returned without reporting any action taken.