Village Board Report – July 28, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on July 28th:

• Authorized creation of Citizen Hot Line to report alleged ethics violations by elected officials and employees.
• Approved new union contract for Public Services department.  The new contract extends to April 30, 2012.
• Accepted the bid for water system leak detection services ($16,000).
• Accepted the bid for seven new police squad cars ($163,000).
• Approved monthly financial report, subject to subsequent audit.

Village Board Report – June 23, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on June 23rd:

• Received the resignation of Trustee George Alpogianis.  A successor Trustee will be appointed by the Mayor later this year.
• Recognized the financial donation and volunteer time provided by Home Depot to build-out the newly expanded Teen Center at Golf Mill.
• Approved the new tax rate for use of natural gas.  New rate is 3.0 cents per therm.
• Approved two agreements required to establish a dedicated Village Public Access cable TV channel.
• Approved monthly financial report, subject to subsequent audit.

Village Board Report – May 26, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on May 26th:

• Swearing in of newly elected Board Members – Mayor Robert Callero, Trustee George Alpogianis, Trustee Louella Preston and Trustee Andrew Przybylo.
• Swearing in newly appointed Trustee Alan Weel, filling the unexpired term of retired Trustee Bart Murphy.
• Recognized the distinguished career of Police Dog Max.  Max, and his K-9 handler Joe Romano served as a great team for over six years.
• Approved the annual appropriation (spending) ordinance totaling $69 million.
• Abated the property taxes for 2009 debt service payments.  These payments will be made from other revenue sources such as water revenues, sales taxes or TIF increment.
• Increased Village water rate from $4.20 per thousand gallons to $4.59 per thousand gallons.  This 9% increase was required to offset a 15% increase for Lake water charged by Chicago.  The Niles water rate remains one of the lowest in Cook County.
• Approved monthly financial report, subject to subsequent audit.

Village Board Report – April 28, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on April 28th:

• Recognized and congratulated Notre Dame Senior Joseph Mahoney for his First Place win in the Illinois High School Association Congressional Debate.
• Approved the creation of the Village Board of Ethics and the Citizens Compliance Plan Committee.
• Approved the renewal of the Water Supply Agreement between the City of Chicago and the Village of Niles.  This is a ten year agreement, expiring December 31, 2019.
• Approved bid award for 2009-2010 Road Salt Purchases at $73.97 per ton.
• Approved lease contract with General Growth Properties (Golf Mill) to expand area dedicated to Teen Center.
• Approved monthly financial report, subject to subsequent audit.

Village Board Report – March 24, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on March 24th:

• Approved issuance of Private Revenue Bonds to refinance 2004 series.
• Approved the seeking of bids for 2009 sidewalk replacement and road salt contracts.
• Awarded low bid contract for 2009 routine landscape maintenance.
• Approved monthly financial report, subject to subsequent audit.

Village Board Report – February 24, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on February 24th:

• Approved retention of Special Counsel to advise Citizen’s Compliance Committee.
• Approved payment of extraordinary trash hauling invoice related to Sept. 2008 flood.
• Approved the seeking of bids for 2009 road resurfacing project.
• Accepted monthly financial report, subject to annual audit.

Village Board Report – January 27, 2009

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on January 27th:

• Reported formation of Ethics Committee.  See minutes for full discussion.
• Appointed Alan Weel as Chairman of Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Approved 2009 service contract with PACE for Niles Free Bus operations.
• Approved purchase of supplemental road salt due to high use this winter.
• Accepted monthly financial report, subject to annual audit..

Village Board Report – November 25

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on November 25th:

• Approved four separate residential zoning variances, all related to the size of storage structures or garages.
• Approved the annual levy of property taxes for the Village.  No increase over last year.
• Approved the contract for the purchase of twelve onboard video cameras for police squads.
• Approved the proposal for 2009 insurance coverages.  No cost increase over prior year.
• Accepted monthly financial report, subject to annual audit..

International Taste of Niles !

Successful Event Benefits Niles Sister Cities Program

 

The Village of Niles hosted the fourth annual International Taste of Niles (formerly known as the Taste of Sister Cities) on Sunday, November 23^rd at White Eagle Banquets, located at 6839 N. Milwaukee Avenue.  The event featured culture and cuisine from eighteen local restaurants, representing more than eight countries around the globe.  Also on hand were live musicians, dancers and other entertainment that reflects the culture and history of the Niles sister cities in Greece, Ireland, Italy and Poland.  In addition, the International Taste of Niles featured a silent auction and a complimentary prize drawing.  For the kids, there was a special children’s activity area. 

According to Acting Mayor Robert Callero, “The Taste was a wonderful opportunity for people to explore the heritage of the different ethnicities found in our community.  Many people have never sampled the traditional dishes of their own heritage, much less the favorite foods of other cultures and countries.  This is a great chance to enjoy old family favorites or try something new and different—and it all benefits the Sister Cities Program.”

Participating restaurants included:

Filipino
Filipiniana Restaurant

Greek

Kappy’s Restaurant

Marilyn’s Restaurant

Mykonos

Korean

Woori Village

Arirang

Irish

Unforgettable Edibles Catering

 

Italian

Graziano’s

Amici’s

Mexican

Taco Burrito King

Polish

Niles Polish Deli

Forest View Bakery

Alexandra’s Café

White Eagle Banquets

Lone Tree Manor

 

Misc.

Howard Street Inn

Farmer’s Best Intl. Market

Dairy Queen

The International Taste of Niles is an annual event and serves as the primary fundraiser in support of the Sister Cities Initiative, whose mission is to “promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation – one individual, one community at a time”.  Niles is proud to have four Sister Cities:  Nafplion, Greece; Leixlip, Ireland; Pisa, Italy and Limanowa, Poland. 

For more information on the International Taste of Niles, please contact Denise Joseph at (847) 588-8449.  For more information on the Sister Cities program, please visit www.sister-cities.org.

Village Board Report – October 28

The following items were addressed by the Village Board at their meeting on October 28th:

• Approved two special-use ordinances to locate cell antennas on existing towers.
• Approved a renewed cable TV franchise agreement with Comcast.  Within the agreement is a provision for an exclusive Niles public access channel along with a twenty-five cents per month subscriber fee to pay for the channel.
• Approved the purchase of a new ambulance ($204,000) to replace 1996 model.
• Accepted the 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (annual audit).  This report is on file at the Village Hall, the Niles Library and online.
• Approved tax-exempt lease financing for E-911 communications equipment at the North Suburban Emergency Communications Center (NSECC).  NSECC is a consortium of four municipalities that do emergency dispatch.