Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst City Council met Feb. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. Executive Session - Mayor Levin called executive session to order at 7:01pm.

1.1 Executive Session for the Purpose of Discussing: Employment of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). 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.& Pending /Probable Litigation pursuant to the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11)

Roll call

Present: Karen Sienko, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Brian Cahill, Jim Nudera, Tina Park, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, Mike Brennan, Jennifer Veremis, and Brian Belanger

Absent: Jacob Hill

13 Present, 1 Absent

Also Present: Treasurer Curran, City Attorney Acker, Assistant City Manager Johnson, and HR Director Palm

Alderman Bastedo moved to convene into executive session. Alderman Bram seconded.

Ayes:  Karen Sienko, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Brian Cahill, Jim Nudera, Tina Park, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, Mike Brennan, Jennifer Veremis, and Brian Belanger

Nays: none

13 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Absent

Motion carried

2. Call to Order - Mayor Levin called the regular meeting to order at 7:30pm.

2.1 Pledge of Allegiance

2.2 Roll Call - Ward 2

Present: Jacob Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, Jim Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Brian Belanger, and Jennifer Veremis

Absent: None

14 Present, 0 Absent

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

3. Receipt of Written Communication from the Public

3.1 Receipt of Written Communications from the Public - Posted on BoardDocs

4. Public Forum

Tom Altergott - Spoke in regard to consent agenda item 6.20.

5. Announcements

Alderman Bastedo announced No Frills Fun Run Sunday 2/23 at 9am, more information at nofrillsfunrun.org. She also reminded the public to stop at crosswalks for pedestrians.

6. Consent Agenda

6.1 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on February 3, 2025

6.2 Accounts Payable - February 18, 2025 - $ 4,603,256.81

6.3 Commission on Youth Reappointments - Derek Schlager, Rick Mojek and Mary Smith

6.4 Report - Sidewalk Improvement Funds Accrual (F,CA&AS)

6.5 Report - Dan Gibbons Twilight Run (PA&S)

6.6 Report - 2025 Elmhurst French Market (PA&S)

6.7 Report - Explore Elmhurst Trolley Contract for 2025 (PA&S)

6.8 Report - Sidewalk Master Plan (PA&S)

6.9 Report - Spring & Eggleston Area Stormwater Improvements - Design Engineering (PW&B)

6.10 Report - 2024 Sidewalk Replacement Program - Balancing Change Order (PW&B)

6.11 Report - 2025 Contract Paving Program - Construction Bids (PW&B)

6.12 Report - Streetlight Controller Upgrades (PW&B)

6.13 Report - Streetlight and Signal Pole Purchase (PW&B)

6.14 Report - Purchase of Heavy Duty Log Body and Rear Mounted Loader (PW&B)

6.15 Report - PW115 Refurbishment and Replacement of Dump Body (PW&B)

6.16 Report - Flooring Purchase (PW&B)

6.17 Report - Two (2) Ford Escape AWD Hybrids (PW&B)

6.18 Report - IPWMAN Mutual Aid Agreement (PW&B)

6.19 ZO-06-2025 - An Ordinance Granting an Amended Conditional Use Permit to the Property Commonly Known as 600 W. North Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois

6.20 MCO-04-2025 - An Ordinance to Add Section 24.24 Entitled “Window Wells in a Flood Inundation Area” of Article III Entitled “Drainage” of Chapter 24 Entitled “Building Code” of the Elmhurst Municipal Code

6.21 O-07-2025 - An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Non-Exclusive License Agreement by and Between the Elmhurst Running Club, Inc. and the City of Elmhurst, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois

6.22 O-08-2025 - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for Special Service Area Number Sixteen of the City of Elmhurst for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 And Ending December 31, 2025

6.23 O-09-2025 - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for Special Service Area Number Six of the City of Elmhurst for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 And Ending December 31, 2025

6.24 O-10-2025 - An Ordinance Making Appropriations for Special Service Area Number Thirteen of the City of Elmhurst for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 And Ending December 31, 2025

6.25 R-14-2025 - A Resolution to Adopt the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference 2025 Legislative Action Program

6.26 R-15-2025 - A Resolution to Approve and Adopt the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan

6.27 R-16-2025 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Resident Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. for the 2025 Contract Paving Program

6.28 R-17-2025 - A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of a Notice of Award and the Execution of a Contract for the City of Elmhurst 2025-2027 Tree Removal and Tree Trimming Project

6.29 R-18-2025 - A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of a Notice of Award and Contract for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Lining and Manhole Rehabilitation Project Project No. 25-15 for the City of Elmhurst, Illinois

6.30 R-19-2025- A Resolution to Approve and Authorize the Execution of A Highway Authority Agreement, a Supplemental Highway Authority Agreement, and an Agreement to Reimburse Costs with Mehta Motors, Inc.

Alderman Brennan removed item 6.8 from the consent agenda.  Alderman Irby removed items 6.2 and 6.7.

Alderman Nardini moved to accept the consent agenda minus items 6.2, 6.7, and 6.8.  Alderman Bastedo seconded.

Ayes: Jacob Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, Jim Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Brian Belanger, and Jennifer Veremis

Nays: None

14 Ayes, 0 Nays

Motion carried

6.2 Alderman Talluto moved to approve the Accounts Payable report. Alderman Nudera seconded. Alderman Irby pulled the report to vote present.  He stated he's not on either board of the Legion but is an employee. The Mayor did not feel there is a conflict since Alderman Irby isn't on one of the boards of the Legion. Alderman Hill stated he will be voting present because he is on the board of the Legion. 

Ayes:  Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, Jim Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Brian Belanger, and Jennifer Veremis

Nays: None

Present: Jacob Hill and Rex Irby

12 Ayes, 0 Nays, 2 Present

Motion carried

6.7 Alderman Brennan moved to accept the report. Alderman Nardini seconded. Alderman Brennan spoke in support of the report highlighting a few changes. City staff will be taking over 100% of the advertising, historically it's been joint with the Chamber. Also, cost has gone up 3.5% from last year; the trolley company is good and reliable. Alderman Irby stated his issues in current report reflecting on last year's report and was expecting changes. Alderman Hill stated even though he didn't sign the report, he is voting yes. At the time of the committee meeting, he didn't have the data he has now such as about ridership. Alderman Bram spoke in regard to criteria for trolley stops. He supports the trolley and wants to continue to see it evolve. The Mayor clarified from Alderman Irby's inquiry that the vote on the report requires a majority while the ordinance would need 10 votes. Alderman Irby stated while he supports the report, he would like more stops added and hourly data. Alderman Irby motioned to bring report back to committee. Motion dies due to no second. Alderman Brennan stated the ridership is up 10% from last year where Alderman Irby commented about winter. Alderman Brennan stated the data will vary week to week depending on weather. Alderman Hill stated he hopes next year the program will try new things.

Ayes:  Jacob Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Noel Talluto, Tina Park, Jim Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Brian Belanger, and Jennifer Veremis

Nays: None

14 Ayes, 0 Nays

Motion carried

6.8 Alderman Brennan moved to accept the report. Alderman Hill seconded. Alderman Brennan spoke in support of the report explaining the history of referral and report. He reviewed the principles of planning and safety being the primary focus of the plan. Alderman Jensen spoke in support of the report providing further background of referrals for sidewalks. Alderman Bram spoke in support of the report with giving history of sidewalk issue. Alderman Bastedo spoke in support of the report stating public safety is the main issue driving the report. Alderman Irby spoke in support of the report stating safe roads to school is the number one priority. Alderman Talluto stated she is voting against the report. She would support the report if it was just phase one with safe routes to schools. However, the money will come from other line items in the report, and she stated safety should be prioritized in police station with the money allocated. Alderman Hill stated these issues weren't brought up in the committee and feels it's late in the report to bring it up with concern of an appeal process highlighted. He further addressed Alderman Talluto's concerns. Alderman Bram commented the report is doing better for the city as a whole with reflection back to stormwater issues.

Ayes:  Jacob Hill, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Brian Cahill, Tina Park, Jim Nudera, Emily Bastedo, Guido Nardini, Mike Brennan, Rex Irby, Brian Belanger, and Jennifer Veremis

Nays: Noel Talluto

13 Ayes, 1 Nay

Motion carried

7. Reports and Recommendations of Appointed and Elected Officials

Mayor Levin - The Mayor announced there will be a community conversation with tours at the police station Thursday evening 2/21 and stated the several resources where residents can receive further information about the police station.

8. Other Business - None

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:41pm.

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