City of Elmhurst City Council met Dec. 15

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Executive Session - Mayor Levin called executive session to order at 6:33pm.

Present: Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Michael Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, and Mike Brennan

Absent: None

14 Present, 0 Absent

Also present: Treasurer Curran, City Attorney Storino, City Attorney Acker, City Manager Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Johnson, and Chief Dufort (entered 7:00pm)

Alderman Sienko moved to convene into executive session. Alderman Nudera seconded.

Ayes: Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Michael Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, and Mike Brennan

Nays: None

14 Ayes, 0 Nays

Motion carried

Alderman Veremis moved to adjourn from executive session. Alderman Brennan seconded.

14 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 Absent

Motion carried

2. Call to Order - Mayor Levin called the regular meeting to order at 7:33pm.

2.1 Pledge of Allegiance

2.2 Roll Call - Ward 1

Absent: None

14 Present, 0 Absent

Also present: Treasurer Curran, Clerk Tamer, City Attorney Storino, City Attorney Acker, City Manager Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Johnson, Chief Dufort, Finance Director Coyle, Public Works Director Balicki, Museum Director Oberg, Police Chief McLean, and IT Director Kravets

3. Public Hearing - Mayor Levin called the public hearing to order at 7:34pm.

3.1 Special Service Area 16

Absent: None

14 Present, 0 Absent

There was no public comment for the hearing. Alderman Virgil moved to adjourn from the hearing. Alderman Nardini seconded.

Nays: None

14 Ayes, 0 Nays

Motion carried

4. Receipt of Written Communication from the Public - Posted on BoardDocs.

5. Public Forum

• Dan Gibbons - Spoke in support of Republic Services.

• Eric Pailor - Spoke in support of Republic Services, General Manager.

• George Strom - Spoke in support of LRS waste contract, Area VP.

• Tish Powell - Spoke in support of Republic Services.

• Bill Kenney - Spoke in support of LRS.

6. Announcements

• Committee Chairs Brennan, Bastedo, Jensen and Talluto canceled committee meetings for 12/22.

• Alderman Hill announced delays in concrete resurfacing after water main work across the City. Residents should contact their alderman, Elmhurst alerts, or the City.

7. Consent Agenda

7.1 Executive Session Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on December 1, 2025

7.2 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on December 1, 2025

7.3 Accounts Payable - December 15, 2025 - $ 3,676,439.47

7.4 Appointment to the Senior Citizens Commission - Pintozzi

7.5 Report - Referral: Improvement and Renovation Business Grant Program Review Team Constituency (DP&Z)

7.6 Report - Audit Services for Fiscal Years 2025-2029 (F,CA&AS)

7.7 Report - Increase of One Percent (1%) to the Hotel-Motel Tax Rate for Police Station Project (F,CA&AS)

7.8 Report - Public Arts Commission Request-Bernard Williams Sculpture (PA&S)

7.9 Report - Rideshare Access Program Reimbursement Agreement with Pace-2026 (PA&S)

7.10 Report - NW Elmhurst Roadway Reconstruction - Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Resolution for Improvements (PW&B)

7.11 Report - 2026 Watermain Lining Improvements - Construction Bids (PW&B)

7.12 ZO-23-2025 - An Ordinance Amending Ordinance Number ZO-04-2024 to Authorize the Extension of Time for the Variations Granted to the Property Commonly Known as 524 And 526 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois

7.13 ZO-24-2025 - An Ordinance Approving A Final Planned Unit Development and a Final Plat of Subdivision for the Reconstruction of the Joanne B. Wagner Center On the Property Commonly Known as 615 N. West Avenue, 447 W. Armitage Avenue, 397 W. Armitage Avenue And 493 N. Oaklawn Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois

7.14 O-40-2025 - An Ordinance or the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for The Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025, and Ending December 31, 2025, In and for Special Service Area Number Six of the City of Elmhurst

7.15 O-41-2025 - An Ordinance for The Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025, and Ending December 31, 2025, in and For Special Service Area Number Thirteen of the City of Elmhurst

7.16 O-42-2025 - An Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025, and Ending December 31, 2025, in and for Special Service Area Number Sixteen of the City of Elmhurst

7.17 O-43-2025 - An Ordinance for the Levy And Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 And Ending December 31, 2025 of the City Of Elmhurst, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois

7.18 O-44-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment of Principal and Interest Accruing Upon an Issue of $9,925,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019, of the City Of Elmhurst Dated December 30, 2019

7.19 O-45-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment of Principal and Interest accruing Upon an Issue of $9,570,000 general Obligation Bonds, Series 2021, of the City of Elmhurst Dated April 29, 2021

7.20 O-46-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy For the Year 2025 for the Payment of Principal and Interest Accruing Upon An Issue Of $9,375,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014b, of the City of Elmhurst Dated November 4, 2014

7.21 O-47-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment Of Principal and Interest Accruing Upon an Issue of $16,000,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2015, of the City of Elmhurst Dated July 1, 2015

7.22 O-48-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment Of Principal And Interest Accruing Upon An Issue Of $25,000,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2016, of the City of Elmhurst Dated June 22, 2016

7.23 O-49-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment of Principal and Interest Accruing Upon an Issue of $6,770,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017a, of The City of Elmhurst Dated June 20, 2017

7.24 O-50-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment of Principal and Interest Accruing Upon an Issue of $9,615,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017b, of the City of Elmhurst Dated August 1, 2017

7.25 O-51-2025 - An Ordinance Abating the Tax Levy for the Year 2025 for the Payment of Principal and Interest Accruing Upon an Issue of $9,715,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, of the City of Elmhurst Dated December 5, 2018

7.26 R-106-2025 - A Resolution Approving And Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Relating to the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission

7.27 R-107-2025 - A Resolution to Approve and Authorize the City of Elmhurst’s Support of the DuPage Senior Citizens Council

7.28 R-108-2025 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the Geographic Information Consortium Service Provider Contract Between Municipal GIS Partners, Incorporated and the City of Elmhurst, Illinois

7.29 R-109-2025 - A Resolution to Authorize Supplemental Funding or the City of Elmhurst’s Portion of the Engineering and Construction Costs For the Phase II Traffic Signal Modernization Improvements Along the Illinois 64 Corridor

7.30 R-110-2025 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the First Amendment to the Engineering Services Agreement by and Between Clark Dietz, Inc. and the City of Elmhurst for the 2025 Watermain Improvements Project (25-01) – Construction Phase Services Project

7.31 R-111-2025 - A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of Change Order Number 2 for The Water Reclamation Facility Bundle No. 5 Improvements Project

Alderman Veremis removed item 7.3 from the consent agenda. Alderman Hill removed item 7.5. Alderman Bastedo moved to accept the consent agenda minus items 7.3 and 7.5. Alderman Bram seconded.

Nays: None

14 Ayes, 0 Nays

Motion carried

7.3 Alderman Talluto moved to accept the accounts payable report. Alderman Hill seconded. Alderman Veremis pulled item to vote present. Under accounts payable there is an advertisement payment for the chamber directory.

Ayes: Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Michael Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, and Mike Brennan

Nays: None

Present: Jennifer Veremis

13 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Present

Motion carried

7.5 Alderman Jensen moved to accept the report. Alderman Veremis seconded. Alderman Jensen spoke in support of the report highlighting the background and stating there aren't any changes recommended at this time. Alderman Hill questioned the title of the report being the same as the report on 10/20/25, which was clarified by the mayor that there wasn't a reason for the same title. Alderman Hill stated he would be voting no as he feels there is value to having the north side geographic representation. Alderman Veremis spoke in support of the report stating it wouldn't be a good idea to have a potential competitor on the review team who would see the business plan of the applicant. Alderman Irby questioned if a Lake St. representative attended any committee meetings, which Alderman Jensen responded they did not. Alderman Bram stated he'd be voting yes on the report but stated in the future he'd like to look into if the members are appropriate for the grant committee. Alderman Hill stated he thinks it would be the best interest to be inclusive of business organizations going forward. Alderman Jensen added in support of business organizations having plenty of opportunities for input.

Ayes: Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Michael Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, and Mike Brennan

Nays: Jacob Hill

13 Ayes, 1 Nay

Motion carried

8. Reports and Recommendations of Appointed and Elected Officials

Mayor Levin - The mayor announced the passing of William Bauer, long time judge and attorney. He also thanked council and staff for their work the past year.

City Manager Grabowski - City Hall will be closed 12/23 and 12/24. Community Grant applications are open on city website. Deadline is 2/6/2026.

Alderman Bram inquired about the opening of the 294 ramp to North Ave. City Manager stated it would be opening shortly but hasn't heard the final date.

9. Committee Report (s)

9.1 Report -Resolution to Authorize Reimbursement of Expenses from 2026 or 2027 Debt Obligation (F,CA&AS) - Alderman Talluto moved to accept the report. Alderman Nudera seconded. Alderman Talluto spoke in support of the report highlighting that the 3.5-million-dollar bond issue for the police station will continue. Also, there will be an opportunity to refinance the 2015 bond issued to save $300,000.

Nays: None

14 Ayes, 0 Nays

Motion carried

9.2 Majority Report - 2026-2031 Residential Solid Waste Collection Services RFQ-RFP (PW&B) - Alderman Bastedo moved to accept the report. Alderman Baker seconded. Alderman Bastedo spoke in support of the report and the history with Republic Services. Alderman Brennan spoke in support of the report highlighting the good service residents have received from Republic. Alderman Bram had inquiries pertaining to the calculation mistake in the original report that was corrected over the weekend, the new number has a higher difference with more of a savings with Republic. Alderman Bastedo, City Manager Grabowski, and Public Works Director Balicki provided clarification to inquiries.

Alderman Nardini moved to obtain more information from Republic Services during the meeting in council chambers. Alderman Virgil seconded. A voice vote was taken. Motion passed unanimously.

Republic Services representatives spoke and answered questions from members. Discussion ensued.

Alderman Hill called to question. Alderman Talluto seconded.

Ayes: Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Michael Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Emily Bastedo, and Mike Brennan

Nays: Michael Bram, Guido Nardini, and Rex Irby

11 Ayes, 3 Nays

Motion carried

Vote on report

Ayes: Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Michael Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, and Mike Brennan

Nays: Michael Bram and Rex Irby

12 Ayes, 2 Nays

Motion carried

9.3 Minority Report - 2026-2031 Residential Solid Waste Collection Services RFQ-RFP (PW&B) - There was no minority report due to majority report passing.

10. Other Business - None

11. Adjournment - Alderman Nardini moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Veremis seconded. A voice vote was taken. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm.

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City of Elmhurst City Council met Dec. 15

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