At our last committee of the whole meeting we had discussions on a couple of important issues.
First, was our facilities master plan. Like our roads and parks, the capital improvements to our facilities were behind. We have a plan over the next 5 years to catch up. The key portions of this include:
- Removing the old jail cells in the recreation building and creating storage space so that recreation can have the majority of its storage in one place. Currently, materials are stored throughout the village in various locations, which is a logistical challenge.
- Replacing buildings at public works that are beyond their useful life and adding to the public works facility so that all of our public works department vehicles are at one location.
- Giving the Cultural Center to District 135 for their additional space needs.
- Repurposing space at the Loebe Center and Civic Center for the recreation programs currently housed at the Cultural Center.
- Discontinuing use of the police firing range which does not meet safety requirements. In the meantime, there are ranges locally that can be utilized by our officers.
- Discontinuing use of the museum. Museum displays will be moved to the John Humphrey House, Stellwagen Farm and new display cases at the Village Hall and Orland Park Library.
- Also, we will be removing one pump house. The remaining pump houses will be removed as the buildings become unusable.
Next, we discussed Pete’s Fresh Market and approved a variance that was needed to accommodate a slight expansion to the building. Pete’s indicate they now expect to open in the spring of 2023, driven largely by supply chain shortages.
Lastly, Edwards Realty presented their recommendations for the Triangle. These recommendations will be included in the RFP. The board did make a change to reduce the maximum amount of residential allowed in the project to 45% from the recommended 55%, and I pointed out that this project needs to benefit the current residents of Orland Park and we are better off waiting than accepting a bad project. Additionally, we made it clear that this is a maximum and the less residential the better. The concept can be seen here file:///C:/Users/Authorized%20User/Downloads/Conceptual%20Site%20Plan.pdf
Just to be clear, this is simply a concept for the RFP which is being released on May 16th and will need to be submitted by the end of June. At that point we will evaluate the proposals and choose a developer. I am excited to get this project off of the ground by the end of the year.
Following the committee meeting we held the regular board meeting, which was very short. The highlight was the swearing in of our new Police Chief, Eric Rossi.
From the Campaign Trail
I have the following upcoming events:
Additionally, you may have seen this article about fire commissioner Glenn Kraemer. https://richardfreepress.substack.com/p/orland-park-man-claims-pending-fire?r=53fj4&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Unfortunately, similar letters were sent to many of my donors, to those who endorsed me and to several volunteers. They were also sent to Commissioner Morrison’s wife, my wife and to neighbors of Commissioner Morrison. These letters said vile and disgusting things about Mr. Kraemer, Commissioner Morrison, me, my wife and Trustee Katsenes. The pack of weasels behind these attacks are the same low life individuals who were behind previous letters and robocalls.
This is why I continue to point out that the most important race in the June 28th primary is for Republican Committee Person. Please support Trustee Katsenes! She also has a fundraiser on June 8th and you can purchase tickets here Event at Fox’s – Citizens For Nelson Katsenes (cindykatsenes.com)
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