Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst City Council met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Executive Session - Mayor Levin called Executive Session to order at 7:05pm.

1.1 Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing: Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, pursuant to Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)Act 5 ILCS 120/2

Roll Call

Present: Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Marti Deuter, Jennifer Veremis, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, and James Nudera

Absent: Emily Bastedo and Jacob Hill

12 Present, 2 Absent

Also Present: Treasurer Curran, City Manager Grabowski, City Attorney Storino, and Assistant City Manager Kopp 

Alderman Irby moved to convene into Executive Session.  Alderman Bram seconded.

Ayes: Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Marti Deuter, Jennifer Veremis, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, and James Nudera

Nays: None

12 Ayes, 0 Nays, 2 Absent

Motion carried

2. Call to Order - Mayor Levin called the regular city council meeting to order at 7:34pm.

2.1 Pledge of Allegiance - Boy Scout Troop 417

2.2 Roll Call-Ward 6

Present: Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Marti Deuter, Jennifer Veremis, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, and James Nudera

Absent: Emily Bastedo and Jacob Hill

12 Present, 2 Absent

Also Present: Treasurer Curran, City Manager Grabowski, City Attorney Storino, Finance Director Coyle, IT Director Kravitz, Public Works Director Balicki, Police Chief McLean, and Interim Fire Chief Dufort

3. Presentation

3.1 Mayor Levin recognized the successes of Elmhurst Youth Baseball 12U Little League Team with a proclamation.

3.2 Mayor Levin  recognized the successes of Elmhurst/River Forest Baseball 14U Little League Team with a proclamation.

4. Receipt of Written Communication from the Public - None 

5. Public Forum

James Hodapp - Code Enforcement and Homegrown National Park 

6. Announcements

Alderman Sienko announced there will be a 2nd Ward Town Hall meeting along with Alderman Hill on September 27th at 6pm, 399 W. Lake St.

Clerk Tamer announced the Commission on Youth is accepting applications for the youth advisory committee which can be found on the city website, deadline is September 10th to apply. 

7. Consent Agenda

7.1 Executive Session Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on August 7, 2023

7.2 Executive Session Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on August 21, 2023

7.3 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on August 21, 2023

7.4 Accounts Payable - September 5, 2023 - $ 4,706,520.64

7.5 Report - 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (F,CA&AS)

7.6 Report - West Avenue Parking Restrictions (PA&S)

7.7 Report - DuPage County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (PA&S)

7.8 Report - Alley Vacation Request-Myrtle/Walnut (PW&B)

7.9 Report - NE Elmhurst Sidewalk Funding (PW&B)

7.10 O-40-2023 A - An Ordinance Waiving Bid and Accepting the Proposals of Xylem Water Solutions USA, Inc. for the Purchase of Two Replacement Pumps for the North Elmhurst Sanitary Lift Station

7.11 O-41-2023 - An Ordinance Approving and Ratifying the Execution of a Non-Exclusive License Agreement by and Between Elmhurst University and the City of Elmhurst, Dupage and Cook Counties, Illinois

7.12 O-42-2023 - An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Non-Exclusive License Agreement by and Between 1911 Club, Inc. and he City Of Elmhurst, Dupage And Cook Counties, Illinois

7.13 R-72-2023 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of A Professional Design Engineering Services Agreement Between The City of Elmhurst, Illinois and Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the 2024 Storm Sewer Televising Project

7.14 R-73-2023 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of A Professional Engineering Services Agreement Between the City of Elmhurst, Illinois and Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer and Manhole Rehabilitation Project

7.15 R-74-2023 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Change Order No. 3 for the Water Reclamation Facility Bundle 4 Improvement Project

7.16 R-75-2023 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of Change Order No. 1 for the 2023 Storm Sewer Lining Project

7.17 R-76-2023 - Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of a Notice of Award and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract for the City Hall Security Camera Project

Alderman Cahill pulled items 7.8 and 7.9 from the consent agenda to bring back to committee.  Alderman Deuter moved to accept the consent agenda minus items 7.8 and 7.9.  Alderman Nudera seconded.

Ayes: Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Marti Deuter, Jennifer Veremis, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, and James Nudera

Nays: None

12 Ayes, 0 Nays, 2 Absent

Motion carried

8. Reports and Recommendations of Appointed and Elected Officials

Mayor Levin announced he attended Que for a Cause the past Sunday.  He also attended funerals for Rich Rosenberg and Willis Johnson.  Patriot Day Event 9/11 8:30-9:30am at Firestation 2.  Rock the Block September 8-9th.  Beer Fest is on September 16th.  Elmhurst was rated top 35 in the country for best small cities and tied at number 1 for Illinois.  October 10th will be a zoning and planning training after committee meetings.

City Manager Grabowski is working with the tollway to attend a future council meeting for updates on construction.  Zoning ordinance revision draft is being reviewed and there will be two open houses, 9/20 9am-2pm and 9/21 3pm-8pm at city hall.

9. Committee Reports

9.1 Report - Stormwater Funding (F,CA&AS)

Alderman Talluto moved to accept the report.  Alderman Jensen seconded.  Alderman Talluto spoke in support of the report and thanked all that assisted in the process.  She informed council of the history of the stormwater discussions dating back to 2016 where the .25% implemented wasn't enough and there would be an imbalance of 3.2 million per year the next 10 years.  Alderman Talluto reviewed the three options the committee considered (increase property tax, new fee for stormwater, and increase home rule sales tax), and are recommending the third option of a .5% home rule sales tax increase beginning January 2024 and ending 2034 which would total about 4 million dollars a year.  The combined rate will be 2.5% which is comparable to other communities she listed in the surrounding area.  Alderman Brennan spoke in support of the report and agrees it is the best option for the city.  Alderman Nardini does not support the report and informed council he would vote no as a small business owner relating to small businesses in Elmhurst and hoped the outcome would've been a different revenue stream.

Ayes: Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Marti Deuter, Jennifer Veremis, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, and James Nudera

Nays: Guido Nardini

11 Ayes, 1 Nay, 2 Absent

Motion carried

10. Other Business - None

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:22pm

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