Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst City Council met May 5

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

1.1. Presentation of Colors - Elmhurst Police and Fire Honor Guard

1.2. Pledge of Allegiance

1.3  Roll Call

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

Absent: Noel Talluto

11 Present, 1 Absent at Roll Call before new council members were sworn in.

1.4. Inauguration of Newly Elected and Re-elected Officials 

1.5 Roll Call including newly sworn in council members

Present: Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Mike Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, Emily Bastedo, Rex Irby, and Mike Brennan

Absent: Noel Talluto

13 Present, 1 Absent

Also Present: City Attorney Acker, City Manager Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Johnson, Clerk Tamer, Treasurer Curran, Finance Director Coyle, IT Director Kravitz, Public Works Director Balicki, HR Director Palm, Communications Manager Schref, Police Chief McLean, and Fire Chief Dufort

Council took a recess break at 7:54pm. and reconvened at 8:01pm.

2. Receipt of Written Communication from the Public - Posted on BoardDocs

3. Public Forum

• Hunter Springate - Spoke in regard to short term rental regulations.

• Jonathon Keenan - Spoke in regard to the redevelopment of downtown.

• Mike Locicero - Announced May is National Bike Month.

• Cherrie Fiyalko - Spoke in regard to short term rentals as an owner.

• Dave Thompson - Spoke in regard to short term rentals.

• Rhonda Dhiab - Spoke in regard to short term rental regulations.

• Laura Werly - Spoke in regard to PAC Huge Building proposal.

• Ryan Leitner - Spoke in regard to short term rentals.

• Lidia Hirny - Spoke in regard to short term rentals.

• Brian Cahill - Welcome to new alderman.

• Bob Brown - Spoke in regard to short term rentals.

• Shawn Proctor - Spoke in regard to short term rentals.

• Don Heck - Spoke in regard to short term rentals.

4. Announcements

• Alderman Veremis announced the Spring Rd. Pet Parade on Saturday 5/17. Event begin at 11:30 with parade starting at 1:00pm.

5. Consent Agenda

5.1 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on April 21, 2025

5.2 Executive Session Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Elmhurst City Council on April 21, 2025

5.3 Accounts Payable - May 5, 2025 - $ 1,786,486.32

5.4 Committee Appointments - 2025-28 (Mayor Levin)

5.5 Report - Case 25 ZBA 04 - Mastrino Rear Yard Variation - 757 S. Parkside (DP&Z)

5.6 Report - Referral Historic Preservation Ordinance and Historic Preservation Commission (DP&Z)

5.7 Report - ElmhurstTV Production Services (PA&S)

5.8 O-27-2025 - An Ordinance Authorizing the City of Elmhurst to Waive Bidding and Purchase of One (1) 2025 Ford Expedition Special Service Vehicle for the City’s Fire Department and Authorizing the Disposal and Trade-In of One (1) 2008 Ford Expedition Special Service Vehicle

5.9 R-52-2025 - A Resolution to Approve and Adopt the Elmhurst Improvement and Renovation Business Grant Program

5.10 R-53-2025 - A Resolution to Approve and Authorize the Execution of a Professional Design Engineering Services Agreement by and Between Bravo Company Engineering, Inc. and the City of Elmhurst for the Cayuga Avenue Reconstruction Project – Phase II

5.11 R-54-2025 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of A Professional Construction Engineering Services Agreement Between the City of Elmhurst, Illinois and Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. for the Alma Avenue Roadway Reconstruction Project

5.12 R-55-2025 - A Resolution to Approve and Authorize the Execution of a Professional Engineering Services Agreement by and Between Clark Dietz, Inc. and the City of Elmhurst for the 2025 Watermain Improvements Project (25-01) Construction Phase Services

5.13 R-56-2025 - 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 2025 Wastewater Flow Monitoring Assistance Project

5.14 R-57-2025 - Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the Third Amendment to the Contract for Biosolids Removal and Land Application Services with Stewart Spreading, Inc.

Alderman Virgil removed 5.2 from the consent agenda.  Alderman Virgil moved to accept the consent agenda minus item 5.2.  Alderman Sienko seconded.

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

Nays: None

13 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Absent

Motion carried

5.2 Alderman Brennan moved to accept the minutes. Alderman Jensen seconded. Alderman Virgil pulled the minutes to vote present as he wasn't on council yet for executive session.  Alderman Baker stated the same.

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

Nays: None

Present: Dan Virgil and Mike Baker

11 Ayes, 0 Nays, 2 Present, 1 Absent

Motion carried

6. Committee Reports

6.1 Report - Short Term Residential Rentals (PA&S)

Alderman Brennan moved to accept the report. Alderman Sienko seconded. Alderman Brennan delivered background information on the report. He made a motion to amend the report as explained by deletion item D and changing item F.  Alderman Sienko seconded.

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

Nays: None

13 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Absent

Motion carried

Continued discussion on amended report. Alderman Bram supported the report and requested review quarterly in the report. Alderman Brennan responded that he is committed to putting it on the agenda quarterly. Alderman Irby supports the report and states he's committed to getting it right going forward. Alderman Nudera supports the reports and states he's cautiously optimistic to moving forward monitoring with the boundaries set. Alderman Bastedo supportst the reports and stated she learned a lot in the public comments and wants to protect the assets and home values in Elmhurst. Alderman Veremis supports the report and regulations n place including committee review. Alderman Nardini spoke in support and is confident in the report out of the committee. Alderman Hill spoke in support of the report.

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

Nays: None

13 Ayes, 0 Nays, 1 Absent

Motion carried

7. Reports and Recommendations of Appointed and Elected Officials

• Mayor Levin - Memorial Day Parade 5/26 at 9:30am. The Mayor also announced the Ride Down to Springfield this week with fellow council members. New Fire Engine #2 ceremony was earlier that day.  It was purchased with the $850,000 grant money.

• City Manager Grabowski - City Hall will be closed Friday 5/9 for software upgrade (Thursday evening through Sunday). City staff will participate in all staff training.  He announced the Escooters and EBikes regulations in Elmhurst and Illinois.

8. Other Business

Alderman Hill stated his concern of the number of youths riding electric scooters and without helmets and encouraged adults to rethink letting kids have these.

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:35pm.

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