Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Public Affairs and Safety Committee met May 27

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Vice Chair Sienko.

2. Roll Call

Committee Members Present: Vice Chair Karen Sienko and Alderman Brian Belanger

Absent: Chair Michael Brennan

Elected Officials: None  

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

Guests: None                                                                

3. Public Comment

None

4. Receipt of Written Communications

None

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the May 12th, 2025 meeting of the Public Affairs & Safety Committee

Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the minutes of the May 12th, 2025 meeting. Alderman Sienko seconded.   Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Absent, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye.  Motion carried.

B. Discussion of minutes lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act

City Manager Grabowski spoke to the Committee reference the discussion of the minutes lawfully closed under the Open Meetings Act and advised the City Attorney is recommending the minutes remain closed for the Executive Session Meeting Minutes on December 10, 2018. Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the report. Alderman Sienko seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Absent, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motion carried.

C. Elmhurst Police Department Request to Declare Surplus Equipment

Deputy Chief Kaczorowski presented information to the Committee to declare surplus obsolete L3 in-car video camera systems that are outdated and retain no value. These in-car cameras were replaced by the Axon Body Worn Camera and in-car camera system last year in 2024. The Committee inquired if they were to be sold, Deputy Chief Kaczorowski advised that the equipment is obsolete, is of no value and will be destroyed. Alderman Belanger asked about the destruction and if they would be recycled. Deputy Chief Kaczorowski advised the memory cards will be removed and destroyed through the formal evidence destruction process and the remaining equipment would go to an electronics recycling. Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the report. Alderman Sienko seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Absent, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motion carried.

D. Ride Dupage

Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson provided information to the Committee on the costs of the Rideshare Access Program through Ride DuPage. Assistant City Manager Johnson provided detailed information on the draft report that the committee has been working on including the costs associated per ride. Johnson noted that the Committee signed a report to pay the 2024 bills and the 2025 program is now being discussed. Since the last conversation, Johnson noted he expanded the spreadsheet to include Uber rides and answer questions that were posed from the Committee. Johnson stated that the current budget is 60k and they would be seeking to authorize an additional 30k since expectations are that the final bill will be at 90k. 

Alderman Belanger noted that increased ridership is great and makes it easier to support the program. Alderman Belanger stated it would be interesting to see if there is additional data on where people are going and where they are coming from. Johnson stated they do receive specific analytics and can examine location data. This topic will be discussed at a future meeting.

E. Michigan Street and Belden Avenue – Intersection Safety Evaluation.

Assistant City Manager Johnson presented information to the Committee on the City Staff recommendation to replace the yield signs with stop signs at Michigan Street and Belden Avenue. Johnson noted that this intersection is part of the current traffic study, but that the number of accidents is a cause for concern and stated there were (3) accidents in a (2) week period. Johnson stated that when safety concerns such as this presented themselves at other intersections, they would be treated similarly and would not wait until the completion of the traffic study. Alderman Sienko asked if there was more traffic along Belden recently with the traffic light change. Chief McLean noted that more traffic has been related to construction projects in the area. Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the report. Alderman Sienko seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Absent, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motion carried.

F. Crosswalk Safety Evaluation – Addison between First and Second streets

Assistant City Manager Johnson presented information to the Committee on City Staff recommendation reference pedestrian safety in this area and the current safety measures that have been implemented. Johnson noted that the referral was for the City of Elmhurst to look at installing Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFB). Johnson stated that the City Staff would not be recommending the installation of RRFB’s at this time. Johnson noted that there were (2) pedestrian crosswalks along Addison and that 96% of accidents involved only vehicle vs vehicle with only (2) pedestrian involved accidents. Johnson stated additional pedestrian crossing signs were installed on March 26th for visibility. Alderman Sienko asked if the signs were installed on both pedestrian crossings and Johnson noted that they were on both crossings for consistency. Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the report to remove the referral. Alderman Sienko seconded. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Absent, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motion carried.

G. Pending List review

Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson provided an overview to the Committee for each item on the pending list review. 

6. Other Business

None

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderman Belanger and seconded by Alderman Sienko. Roll call vote: Chair Brennan Absent, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:04  p.m.

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