VIllage OKs Snow Removal Ordinance, Emergency Communications Plan

The agenda was light as village trustees met Wednesday night, voting to approve an ordinance that could impose a fine of up to $250 on business owners who fail to clear handicapped parking spaces within 24 hours of a snowstorm like last winter’s blizzard.

Village attorney Rich Vogel said ordinance change allows the village to locally implement a recent change to the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The ordinance now also prohibits property owners from allowing obstructions like trash bins to block handicapped spaces, unless alternative parking is made available for individuals with disabilities.

Board members unanimously approved the ordinance amendment, although trustee Ken Griffin said he wants to make sure business owners are given ample warning.

“We’ll give them some time to meet compliance and get used to (the change),” Village Manager Steve Gulden said.

Emergency communications

Trustees also signed off on an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Lemont Fire Protection District to create an emergency communications plan in the event that a rescue must be made near the fish barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

“We’re likely to be involved with that in terms of being the first responders,” Vogel told trustees. 

Trustees OK software licensing

The village will spend $179,117.19 on a three-year contract with IT firm CDW-G to secure licensing for updated software.

Assistant Village Manager Dawn Caldwell said the deal will allow village computers to be upgraded to Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 2007.

“In addition to that, we get on-site training and we get software assurance,” Caldwell said. The current budget sets aside $60,000 for the first year of the contract, she added.

Caldwell said CDW-G’s bid was the lowest of three received by the village.