City of Elmhurst Public Affairs and Safety Committee met June 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Levin called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Committee Members Present: Chairman Levin, Alderman Polomsky, Alderman Dunn (Items 4.B. through 6)
Committee Members Absent: Alderman Dunn (Items 1 through 4.A.)
Elected Officials: Alderman Bram (Item 4.E.)
City Staff Present: City Manager Grabowski, Police Chief Michael Ruth, Deputy Fire Chief William Anaszewicz, Elmhurst Deputy Chief of Police Michael McLean, Museum Director Dave Oberg, Finance Director Tom Trosien
Guests: Grayson Haller, Mike LoCicero, Reid Stanton, Cathy Jordan, Bill Shanklin, Mike Baker, Ruth Maple, Robbi Ellis, Barbara Lonergan, John Kane
3. Public Comments
Barbara Lonergan spoke about the City Sustainability Plan. City Manager Grabowski reported a new Assistant City Planner will begin employment with the City in approximately two weeks and sustainability is anticipated to be a duty of that position.
4. Business Before the Committee
A. Minutes of the June 11, 2018 meeting of the Public Affairs & Safety Committee
Alderman Polomsky motioned to approve the minutes. Chairman Levin seconded the motion. Voice Vote. Motion carried. Unanimous.
B. Ride DuPage
Finance Director Tom Trosien presented information on Ride DuPage, which involves coordination between DuPage County and Pace Suburban Bus to improve transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities in Elmhurst and throughout DuPage County.
Trosien indicated his research indicated companion passengers and second riders are considered the same, with no cost increase for the second rider. City senior citizen ridership has dropped in recent years and $72,000 is the estimated cost of the new program. Alderman Dunn asked how the program costs were calculated. Trosien indicated the total program cost divided by the City’s percentage of miles driven. Alderman Dunn asked how our participation level was determined and Trosien indicated the estimate was determined by comparing Elmhurst to Wheaton’s ridership which is approximately 400 rides annually. Elmhurst Senior Commission Chair Cathy Jordan spoke in favor of this new transportation plan.
Alderman Polomsky motioned to approve the Committee Report recommending the Ride DuPage program. Alderman Dunn seconded the motion. Voice Vote. Motion carried. Unanimous. Committee Report Signed.
C. American Legion Grant
Chairman Levin indicated the City has received the grant application from the American Legion. Manager Grabowski indicated that staff met with the Legion to request the needed details and learned the Legion is adding weekly car show events. Bill Shanklin with the American Legion related to the Committee that the Legion’s visibility is better than 2-3 years ago and their strategy is to partner with other community groups. The Legion has made improvements, including the electronic sign and redecorated ballroom. The Legion has partnered with Elmhurst College, the Library, and Rotary. The Legion is looking into partnering with Elmhurst Hospital to improve services to veterans. The Legion is looking to develop new revenue streams. Shanklin indicated a new weekly car show event is being planned that will use the combined parking lots of the Legion, bank, and doctor’s office. Further, the third annual Military Ball will be November 3, 2018 and in 2019 the Legion will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Shanklin explained he felt the grant is a good investment in local veterans and the community.
Chairman Levin indicated he felt the full grant application will help the City Council. Alderman Polomsky summarized the financial reports of the Legion and asked if the $30,000 grant were approved, would the Legion still not be able to fully pay their building fund? Shanklin related that they had increased the budgeted amount for their building fund, but it was flexible. Alderman Polomsky stated the Legion’s revenues did not support their expenditures. Shanklin related the Legion owned their building, they have funds, and they are not going out of business. He added that the Legion is not broke, has assets, and is grateful for the past grants given by the City. Alderman Polomsky inquired about the Legion posts membership and Shanklin indicated they had approximately 500 members.
Chairman Levin asked for public comment on this item. Mr. Reid Stanton indicated the Legion website did not refer to PTSD services and inquired if a grant would be forthcoming next year. Chairman Levin related he recognized the contributions of veterans though wants to see progress on the post’s sustainability. Chairman Levin indicated he would support this year’s grant funding. Alderman Dunn explained on a grant like this, the City provides it to benefit residents and for community events. Alderman Polomsky related that the City contracts with Metropolitan Family Services for counseling which can also serve veterans. Chairman Levin indicated he is supporting the grant this year though he’d expect further reporting before supporting in future years. Alderman Polomsky and Shanklin discussed the planned car shows in regard to their revenue generation. Chairman Levin indicated he’d like future grant requests from the American Legion to be passed through the community grant committee first. Alderman Dunn indicated he felt this grant was a stop-gap to keep the Legion viable when video-gaming did not pass in Elmhurst. Dunn concurred with Chairman Levin in approving this year’s Legion grant request. Alderman Polomsky expressed that the American Legion website needs renovation and perhaps a nonprofit consultant is needed by them.
The Committee agreed to table this item until the next Public Affairs & Safety Committee Meeting.
D. Elmhurst History Museum Craft Beer Fest
Museum Director Oberg presented the request for the fourth annual Craft Beer Fest to be held on the grounds of the Museum on September 15, 2018 for the Elmhurst History Foundation. Oberg explained the site plan is the same as past years with minimal changes due to the new Palmer Drive landscaping. The current site plan can accommodate 800 patrons. Oberg indicated the event was planned in consultation with the Police & Fire Departments as well as the City Centre. Chairman Levin recommended the Foundation volunteers checking identification be BASSET trained. Cathy Jordan asked if the History Foundation could apply for a community grant. Chairman Levin indicated they could examine if the Foundation could apply during the grant application period next year.
Alderman Polomsky motioned to approve the Committee Report recommending the approval of the Craft Beer Fest event. Alderman Dunn seconded the motion. Voice Vote. Motion carried. Unanimous. Committee Report Signed.
E. FAiR Presentation
Chairman Levin asked for public comment on this item. Barbara Lonergan spoke about past FAiR and ONCC meetings she has attended and indicated she was very encouraged by the solutions FAiR was presenting. Lonergan also spoke about O’Hare runway 2021 being expanded and her concern for banking airplanes toward Elmhurst. Alderman Dunn explained there was a referral to examine airplane noise and pollution organizations and FAiR Allocation in Runways was on the agenda for presentation tonight.
Mr. John Kane from FAiR then made a presentation to the Committee regarding O’Hare Airport and airplane traffic in relation to Elmhurst. Kane indicated diagonal runways are more often used during inclement weather, which affects air traffic over Elmhurst. FAiR analysis indicated O’Hare air traffic has declined however noise complaints have increased in recent years. Kane related O’Hare runway patterns direct air traffic over both the north and south sides of Elmhurst and FAiR wishes to influence laws in the fifteen most impacted municipalities. Kane requested the City of Elmhurst participate in monthly municipal roundtable discussion meetings to address airplane noise and health issues.
Alderman Dunn explained that Elmhurst is a deliberative town and the City would explore what is best for Elmhurst. Dunn thanked Kane for his presentation.
Alderman Bram indicated IFQ Test 3 will impact Elmhurst and the SOC (Suburban O’Hare Commission) is affecting Elmhurst. Alderman Bram indicated his support for the City to participate with FAiR.
5. Other Business
Museum Director Oberg briefed the Committee on the Old-Time Baseball Game held by the Museum last weekend. Oberg indicated it was successful and had good attendance. Chairman Levin thanked Oberg for his efforts for the event.
Chairman Levin indicated he wished the American Legion Grant and the Referral for City Commissions Rules be placed on the next Committee agenda.
6. Adjournment
Alderman Polomsky motioned to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Dunn seconded. Voice Vote. Motion carried. Unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
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