Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Public Affairs and Safety Committee met Aug. 12

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chair Brennan.

2. Roll Call

Committee Members Present: Chair Brennan, Vice Chair Hill, Alderman Nardini

Absent: None

Elected Officials: None

City Staff Present: City Manager Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Johnson, Chief of Police McLean, Fire Chief Dufort, Business Development Coordinator Bereckis, Museum Director Oberg, Communications Manager Schref

Guests: Dan Virgil, Evan Morris, David Pollitz, Joseph Rice, Lena Cuevas, Marc Molina

3. Public Comments

Dan Virgil spoke regarding residential speed limits, street design and road conditions. He also spoke in favor of residential chicken keeping options.

David Pollitz spoke in support of residential chicken keeping.

Lena Cuevas spoke regarding York & Diversey Street intersection safety and crosswalks.

4. Receipt of Written Communication

None

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the July 22, 2024, Meeting of the Public Affairs & Safety Committee

Alderman Hill motioned to approve the July 22, 2024, minutes. Alderman Nardini seconded. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Hill-Aye, Nardini-Aye. Motion carried. Minutes approved as submitted.

B. Elmhurst University Homecoming

Elmhurst University Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Marc Molina spoke regarding the university request to hold a homecoming parade and festival near their campus on September 28, 2024. The Committee discussed neighborhood notification requirements and learned the event would match last year’s events. Alderman Nardini inquired about staff and Molina indicated approximately 8-10 University Public Safety officers would supplement Elmhurst police officers. The Committee discussed the street closure plan and that approximately 300 homes would receive notification flyers. Alderman Nardini motioned to approve the special event request. Alderman Brennan seconded. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Nardini-Aye, Hill-Recused. Motion carried. Committee report signed. 

C. ElmhurstTV Broadcast Communication Services

Communications Manager Schref discussed the request to authorize the use of budgeted Communications funds for current City vendors Broadcast Production Services, Inc. and Sunrise Communications, Inc. for TV productions. Schref explained the City has used the current vendor since the 1980s and City communications processes have evolved over time. Schref stated the City intends to go out to bid for these services in the future to compare. The Committee discussed in-house staff compared to contract video production staff. Schref discussed ElmhurstTV on YouTube, the list of prior City productions, including the required recording of City Council meetings. Alderman Hill motioned to approve a Committee report recommending approval to continue to procure services. Alderman Nardini seconded. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Hill-Aye, Nardini-Aye.  Motion carried.  Committee report signed. 

D. Spring Road Business Association-ELMtoberfest

Evan Morris, co-owner of Phase Three Brewing spoke regarding the Spring Road Business Association request to hold an Oktoberfest-type event in the City parking lot adjacent to their business on September 28 & 29, 2024. The event was described as an authentic-style German fest under a tent that would be family friendly. The request was for the use of 18 spaces in the City parking lot with live music and City barricades. Liquor access would be controlled in the tent by Basset-trained staff. BDC Bereckis indicated the City would provide traffic barriers and barricades to close off the event area. Phase Three, Bottle Theory, and Robertos would provide food at the event. The Committee discussed the membership of officers of the Spring Road Business Association, and the donation of proceeds from the event to the group. Saturday is free entry and Sunday is limited hours with Phase Three ticketed entry. The Committee discussed neighborhood notification and Morris indicated door to door flyers would be distributed. The capacity limit of the event tent was reported to be 500, limited by seating. Morris related the Spring Road Business Association would apply for an event liquor license. Alderman Nardini motioned to approve the special event request.  Alderman Hill seconded. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Hill-Aye, Nardini-Aye.  Motion carried. Committee report signed. 

E. Residential Chicken Keeping

The Committee discussed the referral item of residential chicken keeping. Chair Brennan explained at the last meeting Staff was directed to draft a report to continue the prohibition of this activity. Alderman Hill spoke in support of a residential chicken keeping pilot program and indicated it seemed to work in other communities. Alderman Nardini spoke regarding the importance of maintaining homeowner’s property values and thanked staff for all the data complied to research the issue. Chair Brennan indicated he had been contacted by more residents opposing chicken keeping than supporting it. Alderman Hill thanked City Planner Franz for the staff research work. Alderman Nardini motioned to approve the Committee report maintaining the prohibition of residential chicken keeping. Chair Brennan seconded. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Nardini-Aye, Hill-Nay. Motion carried. Committee report signed (Brennan & Nardini). 

F. Foreign Fire Fund Purchasing Policy Update

Chief Dufort discussed updating the provisions of the Foreign Fire Fund insurance tax board purchasing policy to mirror the City of Elmhurst Purchasing Policy amended August 21, 2023. The committee discussed this would bring consistency to the City and Fund purchasing policies. Alderman Hill motioned to approve the Committee report recommending the update. Alderman Nardini seconded. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Hill-Aye, Nardini-Aye.  Motion carried. Committee report signed. 

G. Neighborhood Traffic Study 3 – Report

Assistant City Manager Johnson discussed the draft report and revised KLOA study language. The report outlined the uniqueness of the neighborhood south of St. Charles Rd and recommended retaining 20 mph speed limits. Alderman Hill spoke about speed limit consistency in past traffic studies and recommended staying with the original KLOA traffic study report. Alderman Nardini indicated the traffic study report from the engineering firm should not be changed due to the Committee’s policy discussion and proposed an adjustment to the language of the draft report. Chair Brennen requested the original KLOA study document be retained and asked for this item to return to the next Committee meeting for report action.

H. New Sidewalk Policy Review and Creation of New Sidewalk Master Plan – Referral

Chair Brennan spoke in support of Safe Routes to School locations having priority for sidewalk installations. The Committee reviewed City sidewalk maps and scoring. Discussion ensued prioritizing safe routes to school, then arterial streets, then collector streets in phases. Alderman Nardini spoke to sidewalks being a capital need for the public and the desire for a sidewalk master plan. The Committee discussed east-west connectivity to north-south safe routes streets. Chair Brennan asked staff to refine the sidewalk map model and limit the variety of color-coding, including a breakdown of point system scoring. Item tabled to a future Committee meeting.

I. Diversey and North York Street Intersection Safety Evaluation – Referral

Assistant City Manager Johnson briefed the Committee on the 2019 engineering study of the intersection. The City hired firm EEI to perform a traffic signal warrants study, reviewing 10 traffic standards. EEI reported none of the warrants were met to recommend a traffic signal at the intersection. This past winter there was a fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian at the intersection. Johnson outlined potential improvements listed in the 2019 study to improve traffic flow there: including changing the direction of streets in unincorporated north Elmhurst to one-way directions. The Committee discussed Addison Township having control of unincorporated streets and DuPage County having control of Grand Avenue traffic regulation. ACM Johnson outlined a study recommendation that curb cuts in York Street be reduced, and last year’s resurfacing of York did reduce them. Johnson discussed new lighted pedestrian crossings added at York & Wrightwood this year as well. Alderman Hill related that Addison Township should be part of this discussion. Chair Brennan asked the Committee members to study the 2019 traffic report and asked staff to develop creative proposals to improve safety at the intersection. Michael Rice (relation of the traffic crash victim) inquired about roadway jurisdiction responsibility for snow plowing. Item then continued to a future Committee meeting.

6.  Other Business

Alderman Hill asked staff to develop an electric bicycle/scooter safety message for the community to be shared with school students as well.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Hill, seconded by Alderman Nardini. Voice Vote: Brennan-Aye, Hill-Aye, Nardini-Aye. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned 9:32 p.m.

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