Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that is occupying most of our lives right now, the Village of Orland Park continues to operate, including the most recent board meeting on Monday.
I also want to share the village’s approach to our employees. We want to do two things; keep them safe and ensure that essential operations in the village continue. Additionally, we want them to continue to get paid and recognize that our taxpayers are paying their salaries. For this reason, we are doing the following:
- Closing our buildings to the public, except by appointment, to limit social interactions with the public.
- Operations, will continue wherever possible. For example, our permitting and construction review continues so contractors, developer and homeowners can keep their projects on track.
- The Secretary of State operations are suspended indefinitely from the Village Hall.
- All employees able to work remotely will do so.
- Any non-essential employees who wish to take paid time off will be allowed to do so.
- All other employees, including part time employees will perform their regular duties if able.
- In the event that regular duties are not currently needed the village will redeploy employees to other necessary tasks.
It is critical that the Village of Orland Park operates as normally as possible and that everyone knows that our essential services will remain in place. We have planning in place for events such as this and we are executing those plans. While the situation is changing rapidly, the village staff will adapt as necessary.
At the meeting Monday night, we started with the Committee of the Whole where there were two items. The first was the homeless shelter at Hope Covenant Church. The church went through our legal zoning process as required, including public hearings. These hearings included the opportunity for the public and neighbors to be heard as they should be. In the end the church complied with all of our zoning requirements (including all of the requirements from our first letter to them in October of 2019). There were several additional requirements agreed to including operating just one day a week, hours of operation and time of year that the shelter will be opened. We also added a condition that requires Hope Covenant Church to follow the directives of the president, governor and mayor in the event that an emergency is declared (such as our current situation). I am thankful that the church elected to follow our processes and laws that are in place for everyone’s protection.
We also approved this year’s road program. Since the unit pricing was lower than expected we expanded the program to add another area in town.
The board meeting followed. At the board meeting there was only one notable item. That item changed the emergency powers ordinance. The changes were necessary due to the fact that pandemics were not contemplated when the ordinance was originally passed in 2012. The mayor had the ability to declare an emergency and make changes that lasted 48 hours for a variety of circumstances. We added pandemic to one of those potential circumstances and made the time frame last until the next board meeting (in the event that the village board is unable to meet in 48 hours). Additionally, it expanded the purchasing powers of the village manager if the mayor declares an emergency.
Due to COVID-19 I am sure that we will have other changes. These trying times are a significant challenge for our residents and businesses, particular with short term cash flows. Please support them whenever you can. For this reason, the village board has called a special meeting for Saturday March 21st.
At this meeting, the village board will be authorizing a debt relief program to help residents and businesses impacted by the corona virus. Additionally, it will give the mayor and village manager the ability to pay bills the village receives immediately rather than waiting for board approvals. This can speed up these payments by up to 30 days. I have also notified Cook County, the State of Illinois, the federal government and our neighboring towns of our intentions. I think it would be a good idea for all government entities to pay their bills immediately in order to help businesses manage through these difficult times. These are measures that will help our residents, contractors and businesses.
Please remember to follow proper hygiene and social distancing practices that you are all well aware of by this time. We all need to remain calm throughout these trying times. Americans are resilient, innovative and phenomenal problem solvers – especially when we work together. Please remember there are many ways to help the community, every little bit helps. Pitch in wherever you can. Together, we will all get through this and be stronger.
