Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst City Council met July 15

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

1.1 Pledge of Allegiance

1.2 Roll Call-Ward 2

Present: Jake Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, James Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, and Marti Deuter

Absent: Noel Talluto, Guido Nardini, and Jennifer Veremis

11 Present, 3 Absent

Also Present: Treasurer Curran, City Attorney Acker, City Manager Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Johnson, IT Director Kravitz, Police Chief McLean, and Fire Chief Dufort

2. Receipt of Written Communication from the Public - Written communication posted on Board Docs and delivered to aldermen.

3. Public Forum

Lynn McCreadie - Spoke in regard to trees.

Jim Schuetz - Spoke in regard to his learnings.

Monica Cook - Spoke in regard to property rights.

Cathy O'Neil - Spoke in regard to affordable housing.

Reid Stanton - Spoke in regard to the EHP Commission.

Dan Virgil - Spoke in regard to affordable housing and ADU's.

Peter Defilippio - Spoke in regard to sidewalks.

Kathleen Ekeberg - Spoke in regard to previous council meeting televised, request of Republican party official from the state to speak, and issues with mail.

4. Announcements - Mayor Levin delivered a statement in regard to the recent attempted assassination of former President Trump.

5. Consent Agenda

5.1 Executive Session Meeting Minutes of the Elmhurst City Council on June 17, 2024

5.2 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on July 1, 2024

5.3 Accounts Payable - July 15, 2024 - 3,613,714.34

5.4 Referral - Tree Ordinance - PW&B

5.5 Referral - No Mow - PA&S

5.6 Referral - TIF Incentives - DP&Z

5.7 ZO-12-2024 - An Ordinance Granting a Variation From the Interior Side Yard Setback Requirement to the Property Commonly Known as 370 N. Addison Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois

5.8 ZO-13-2024 - An Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development with a Site Development Allowance for the Construction of Additions and Façade Renovations to the Building Located on the Property Commonly Known as 300 W. Grand Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois

5.9 ZO-14-2024 - An Ordinance Rezoning (Map Amendment) and Approving a Final Plat of Subdivision for the Construction of a Single-Family Residence on the Property Commonly Known as 292 S. Arlington Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois

5.10 O-39-2024 - An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Non-Exclusive License Agreement by and Between the Jackson Elementary School Parent Teacher Association and the City of Elmhurst, Dupage and Cook Counties, Illinois

5.11 O-40-2024 - An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Vacant Land Contract and Accepting a Grant of Utility Easement in the City Of Elmhurst, DuPage And Cook Counties, Illinois

Alderman Irby removed 5.9 from the consent agenda. Alderman Jensen moved to accept the consent agenda minus item 5.9. Alderman Cahill seconded. City Manager Grabowski commented on item 5.11 on consent agenda.  He stated the sale of the city property is $282,000 at 644 Bryan. 

Ayes: Jake Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, James Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, and Marti Deuter

Nays: None

11 Ayes, 0 Nays, 3 Absent

Motion carried

After consult with City Attorney, council returned to a vote before adjournment pulling the item 5.11 from the consent agenda as mayor needed to vote due to only 11 Ayes in consent vote.

Ayes: Jake Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, James Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Marti Deuter, and Mayor Levin

Nays: None

12 Ayes, 0 Nays, 3 Absent

Motion carried

5.9 Alderman Deuter moved to accept the ordinance. Alderman Park seconded. Alderman Irby stated he will be voting "no". He stated he has concerns about process issues and history of house purchase/sale including second owner's intentions.  Mayor Levin stated after the vote that procedure was followed correctly as the Mayor had been following along the process.

Ayes: Jake Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, James Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Mike Brennan, and Marti Deuter

Nays: Rex Irby

10 Ayes, 1 Nay, 3 Absent

Motion carried

6. Committee Report(s)

6.1 Report - New Sidewalk Installation Policy (PW&B) - Alderman Bastedo moved to accept the report. Alderman Cahill seconded. Alderman Bastedo summarized the report and requested council support. Alderman Dueter referenced last year's report stating policy shouldn't change and the city should look into TIF funding where the city would commit to 100 percent of the cost. She supports changes if it didn't include the cost/share. Master plan currently in committee. Alderman Hill feels the current policy has failed and that changing the cost/share amount will change sidewalks being built. He fully supports the report. Alderman Brennan stated he generally supports the report. He motioned to change the cost/share from 75/25 back to 50/50 from the current policy. Alderman Deuter seconded. Further discussion ensued. Alderman Bastedo felt current policy failed due to cost and stands behind 75/25. Alderman Deuter stated the city is still looking for funding for Crestview and there is no identified source of funding to support cost/share program so she supports the amendment. Alderman Bastedo stated voting either 50/50 or 75/25, already the budget still falls short. Alderman Park spoke on safety and sidewalks and supports the updated policy including 75/25. Alderman Bram spoke in support of the report and highlighted the history of past policy. He supports the new policy including 75/25.  

Vote on amendment

Ayes: Mike Brennan and Marti Deuter

Nays: Jake Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Mike Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, Jim Nudera, Emily Bastedo, and Rex Irby

2 Ayes, 9 Nays, 3 Absent

Motion failed

Discussion continued on report with Alderman Nudera and Alderman Jensen speaking in support. Alderman Brennan concluded he will support the report with 75/25 cost/share in the original report.

Ayes: Jake Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, James Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, and Marti Deuter

Nays: None

11 Ayes, 0 Nays, 3 Absent

Motion carried

7. Reports and Recommendations of Appointed and Elected Officials

7.1 Mayor Levin - No reports due to tornado sirens ending the meeting.

8. Other Business - None

9. Adjournment - Alderman Jensen moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Deuter seconded. A voice vote was taken. Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:56pm.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/coe/Board.nsf/Public