Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Public Affairs and Safety Committee met Jan. 27

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Acting Chair Hill.

2. Roll Call

Committee Members Present: Chair Brennan (teleconference), Vice Chair Hill (Acting Chair), and Alderman Nardini

Absent: None

Elected Officials: Mayor Levin  

City Staff Present: City Manager James Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson, Police Chief Michael McLean, Deputy Police Chief Brett Kaczorowski, Fire Chief Dick DuFort, Communications Manager Kassondra Schref, History Museum Director Dave Oberg, Human Resources Director Emily Wagner, Human Resources Assistant Director Stojana Ivancevic, City Engineer Ted Sianis   

Guests: Elmhurst Residents Ryan Leitner and Sean Prowter                                     

3. Public Comment

Elmhurst Resident Ryan Leitner spoke of his request for restrictions on short term residential rental properties. Leitner stated he has an AirBnB next door to his home and since inception he has experienced numerous issues related to parties. Leitner stated they experience a lot of traffic in and out of the property as well as parking congestion problems on the street. Leitner stated he is not requesting a complete ban, but believes there should be limits on minimum lengths of stay as well as occupancy limits. 

Elmhurst Resident Sean Prowter lives on same block as the AirBnB described by Leitner and stated he has experienced similar neighborhood problems.   Prowter stated he was also in favor of restrictions on short term residential rental properties that included crime free certifications.    

4. Receipt of Written Communication

Written communication was received from Leslie and Ryan Leitner in support of eliminating or implementing regulations for AirBnb and short term rentals in Elmhurst. The Leitner’s created a change.org petition in August 2024 and received 407 signatures in support of those efforts.

Written communication was received from Elmhurst Resident Stephanie Joslin. Joslin stated that although she has not been negatively affected by those staying in short term rentals, she believes this would be an opportunity to set a precedent for welcoming visitors into Elmhurst with regulations such as length of stay, requiring rental keys to be picked up at the Police Department, limit short term rentals owners to those who reside in Elmhurst, and limit the number of short term rentals to a certain percentage of the housing market in Elmhurst.

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the January 13th, 2025 meeting of the Public Affairs & Safety Committee

Alderman Nardini motioned to approve the minutes of the January 13th, 2025 meeting. Chair Brennan seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Aye, Hill Aye, Nardini Aye. Motion carried.

B. Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th – 2025 Race

Bob Richards of the Elmhurst Running Club appeared before the Committee to discuss the upcoming proposed 4 on the 4th race. Richards described that the event course and operations would remain the same as in previous years. Alderman Hill inquired about the cost of personnel and how that is handled. Chief McLean replied that the costs for staff are invoiced to the Elmhurst Running Club. Alderman Hill inquired about how billing works for charitable events. Chief McLean replied that those decisions are left to the Public Affairs and Safety Committee and many special events in Elmhurst have long standing agreements. Alderman Nardini motioned to approve the report. Chair Brennan seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Aye, Hill Aye, Nardini Aye. Motion carried.

C.  Twilight 5K Run

Dan Gibbons of the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot Foundation appeared before the Committee to discuss the proposed inaugural Twilight 5k Run. Dan Gibbons noted that the event would benefit the following Elmhurst nonprofit organizations; United Community Concerns Association, Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network, Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, and Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry. Alderman Nardini inquired about the Knights of Columbus and Olympia Chiropractic being listed as support services, Gibbons related he has spoken to both groups and encouraged them to have activities after the race has concluded. Alderman Nardini inquired about how many police staff are required for this event, Chief McLean replied that approximately 10 police officers would work the event with additional support staff and volunteers. Chair Brennan inquired about the expected attendance of the event. Gibbons replied that he has 10,000 individuals in his email database he would notify, but does not expect a large turn-out for the first year. Chair Brennan asked if this was planned to be an annual event and Gibbons replied that it was. Alderman Hill asked when the last time this original Turkey Trot route was used and Gibbons stated it was approximately 12-13 years ago with an attendance of 6,000 runners at that time. Alderman Hill inquired about parking for the runners at that time, Gibbons noted that runners would park on the residential streets in the surrounding neighborhoods. Chief McLean noted that the Police Department works with Public Works to post “No Parking this side of street” in the immediate residential areas to ensure safe flow of vehicular traffic. Alderman Nardini asked about the use of parking lots in the area and Gibbons replied that he would also obtain permission from surrounding businesses to use their parking lots. 

Alderman Hill noted that we are beginning to have a lot of events during this time frame. Chief McLean stated that the police department will first ask for officers to volunteer to work these special events and if necessary, officers are mandated to work after their shifts or on their days off. McLean noted this added event is unique in that it will make it so that the police department will be required to staff three special events for three weekends in a row, but can be accommodated if approved. Alderman Nardini inquired if 100% of the proceeds are going to charity, Gibbons replied yes. Alderman Nardini asked about how payment is completed for city resources, City Manager Grabowski stated that overtime hours are charged at time and half rate and staff would recommend we follow the same pay structure for any new special event in that we invoice for city staff time. Gibbons stated that is understood which is he he recruits sponsors. Chief DuFort noted he would recommend the event to be staffed by two bike medics. Alderman Nardini noted that since this is a new event it is important to get notifications out to the residents to be able to provide feedback. It was agreed that Gibbons would provide approved flyers to the affected residents prior to the next Committee meeting so the Committee is able to receive feedback before being voted. Chair Brennan noted this would be brought back to the February 10th, 2025 Committee meeting with a draft report.     

D.  Future Rollout Map of Neighborhood Traffic Study Areas – Information. 

City Engineer Ted Sianis appeared before the Committee to discuss the future rollout map of the neighborhood traffic studies. Sianis related that Area 6 had just started this fall. Alderman Hill inquired about the pace of which KLOA can complete a study, Sianis noted that Hill was correct and that the current pace is what can be accommodated by KLOA. Alderman Hill asked for feedback from Sianis on the next areas. Sianis replied that it was beneficial to alternate between North and South and that the orange area in the Northeast corner of Elmhurst receives significant truck traffic. Sianis noted the pink area in the Northwest corner has proposed Park District construction work upcoming. Alderman Nardini inquired about how much coverage can be done per year, Sianis noted it is approximately one square mile. Chair Brennan noted he would support the area that receives the truck traffic for the next wave of studies. Brennan noted the preference would be to the orange boxes next, pink, teal, then purple. Alderman Nardini noted the construction in the pink area as well as the potential for sidewalks to be added and stated he would defer to Sianis on the next step. Alderman Hill stated that most of his traffic complaints received are from the Northeast area and agrees with starting with orange first and likes the idea of alternating North and South. Alderman Nardini asked Sianis if it was his decision which would he do first. Sianis replied he would start in the Northeast orange area, pairing it with an orange in the South, and then re-discuss in the future. Sianis related he would come back to the Committee with a quote from KLOA on the next planned traffic study in the Northeast area of Elmhurst.  

E. ADA Self-evaluation and Transition Plan

Emily Palm and Stojana Ivancevic of the City of Elmhurst Human Resources appeared before the Committee to discuss the City of Elmhurst ADA Self Evaluation Report and upcoming plans. Palm related that the evaluation part of the report is what the City would like to do this year and will update this document once the inspections are completed. Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson explained that many communities approach this report differently. Johnson noted the City has been working on many of these initiatives and completing them for years, this reports helps document those efforts. Alderman Nardini inquired about the manpower to complete these studies. Johnson related it would be approximately 3-4 days per facility including the report and there are 14 facilities. Chair Brennan noted that he appreciated staff’s attention to detail and inquired about looking through the lens of employee access as well as public access. Johnson stated employee access will be included in the future updates.  Alderman Hill inquired about reporting duties and how often the City should review actions. Johnson noted that the report is annual, but if there are pressing issues it will be addressed in the interim. Alderman Nardini motioned to approve the report. Chair Brennan seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Aye, Hill Aye, Nardini Aye. Motion carried.

D.  Short Term Residential Rental Property 

Elmhurst History Museum Director Oberg provided a review of the referral. Chief McLean provided a summary of a meeting with AirBnB reference a law enforcement portal allowing exigent circumstance reports as well as a neighborhood support portal. Alderman Nardini asked how we currently handle ongoing problems at a short term rental facility. McLean noted that we would handle these complaints as any other property and described the steps of the Chronic Nuisance Ordinance. McLean noted that we have had few problems with public safety at short term rentals and most of the concerns come from neighborhood standards. Alderman Nardini inquired about procedures for loud music and parking complaints. McLean noted that there is a noise ordinance in place that can be enforced and if there are parking violations, officers would issue tickets noting that the Elmhurst Police enforce the law equally.

Chair Brennan described in summary an incident that occurred on Hillside avenue reference a significant police response. Brennan noted that his concern was that the homeowner was renting to another individual and that individual was listing the home on a short term rental website, noting that is two people removed from someone invested in the Elmhurst community. Brennan noted that home received a chronic nuisance letter and now no longer allows renters. Brennan noted he reviewed the information posted on Boarddocs from a recent Hinsdale ordinance. Brennan stated that 28 days may appear punitive, but a minimum of a week seems practical. Brennan noted this may be an opportunity to put restrictions in place as well address a concern for city revenue from a short term rental.

Alderman Hill noted he was open to the idea of minimum lengths of stay, but it is becoming more common to rent out a room in a home. Hill stated he would be fine if a resident was on site, but has concerns stem from a resident twice removed. Hill noted that there also has to be exceptions made. 

Alderman Nardini noted that if regulations are placed at a week, that short term rental operators may try to get around it and stated that having on site homeowner makes a lot of sense.

Chair Brennan stated this was a good first dialogue on the topic and will be discussed at a future meeting. 

G.  Referral – Kenilworth and Fullerton Intersection Evaluation

Assistant City Manager Johnson stated that this referral is included in the next traffic study and accidents at this intersection were light. Alderman Hill and Chair Brennan noted that this referral would be tabled until the next traffic study.

6. Other Business

Alderman Hill stated he would like to advise staff and the Committee he will take a fresh and comprehensive look at the Elmhurst Trolley program in the future. 

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderman Nardini and seconded by Chair Brennan. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Aye, Hill Aye, Nardini Aye, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 9:06 p.m.

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