Village Board Bits: Student Leaders, Hookah Lounge and Walmart Lots

The Village Board looked a bit, how to put this, younger at the start of its meeting Monday evening.

That's because students from , and filled out the board room before the regular board meeting to run their own. Thirteen student leaders were present, each with a different title of someone who would usually be at a Village Board meeting (including mayor).

A few weeks ago, the students spent a Friday at Village Hall to learn about the various jobs and to create an agenda. But "these meetings are not just for show," Mayor Tim Baldermann said. In the past, real issues have been discussed, such as safety for people walking along roads without sidewalks.

The students' meeting will be aired on Channel 6 at a time to be determined.

More from the meeting:

Hookah Lounge Parking

The village approved a shared parking plan between A Cozy Fireplace and Mr. Shesha's, a that would be in the location where Cafe on Cedar was. The businesses would share 23 total spots to meet village requirements because the hookah lounge wouldn't open until 6 p.m., after A Cozy Fireplace closes at 5 p.m.

Resident Kevin O'Connor, who lives just north of the business on Oak Street, had concerns over customers who would pour into the street. He said he has 3- and 5-year-old children and was worried about parking, especially if the hookah lounge is open until midnight.

"We had a big issue with Cafe on Cedar," he said. "I'm nervous for the kids."

Baldermann said the village would look into street parking rules in that location, and the business owners would be responsible for keeping customers from loitering outside.

Day Care Center Moves Past Tragedy

In February, tragedy hit a day care home in New Lenox Township when a . Investigators discovered that the residents were operating the day care without a license, but they did not face criminal charges for the death; reports showed that the residents were not at fault and that

Now, David and Karen Wheeler are moving forward and trying to do business the right way. On Monday, they were granted a special use permit to operate a day care home for eight children younger than school age and four children of school age.

"We had a sad situation there, but we're in the process of getting our license through the state," Karen Wheeler said.

Walmart Lot Plans Updated

The board had a first read on an ordinance to sub-divide an 80,000-square-foot lot to the west of . Plans have called for an Aldi's grocery store there, but additional plans were submitted to the village that would include both an Aldi's and a Goodwill store.

Summer Fun

• The New Lenox Community Park District was awarded a permit to hold a carnival and to sell liquor at the annual Proud American Days, which are July 28-31. 
• Baldermann said 4,452 of the 5,000 total tickets to the Triple Play Concert Series have been sold. The first show is June 4 featuring Starship, and future shows will be headlined by Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon. Tickets are $60 and available at , 1 Veterans Pkwy. 
• Sometime this week, people will be able to purchases tickets for the Sean Kingston concert associated with the on the village's website. There is a football camp run by Devin Hester, a basketball camp by Dwyane Wade and a music camp by Jim Peterik. Tickets for the concert may also be purchased at Village Hall.