Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Public Affairs and Safety Committee met June 9

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 P.M. by Chair Brennan

2. Roll Call

Committee Members Present: Chair Brennan, Alderman Sienko, Alderman Belanger

City Staff Present: City Manager James Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson, Deputy Police Chief James Gandy, Fire Chief Dick Dufort, History Museum Director Dave Oberg, City Engineer Ted Sianis

Elected Officials: Aldermen Michael Bram, Chris Jensen, Rex Irby, and Mike Baker

3.  Public Comments

Resident Mary Pat Lambke commented on Traffic Study #4 and expressed her concerns with speeding vehicles and truck traffic along Illinois Street. 

4. Receipt of Written Communication

None

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Public Affairs & Safety Committee Meeting, May 27th,  2025, Minutes

Alderman Sienko motioned to approve the minutes; Alderman Belanger seconded. Roll call vote: Brennan Aye, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motion carried.

B. Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest Request- Draft Report

Cathy Jordan, Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest Chair, spoke to the committee regarding the planned event. She explained this was the 10th year for the Craft Beer Fest, and last year they had over 1000 attendees. She also provided a historical background from previous years and emphasized the number of people from other communities that attended the event and then patronize businesses in the downtown area. Chair Brennan had questions regarding the maximum capacity for ticket sales, and what the capacity for the event could hold. Chair Brennan also questioned if there were historically repeat vendors. Alderman Sienko motioned to approve the report, Alderman Belanger seconded. Roll call vote: Brennan Aye, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motioned carried. 

C. Rideshare Access Program Reimbursement Agreement with Pace (Ride DuPage)- 2025 Committee Report

Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson provided a recap of the program and related the purpose of the report was to finalize the 2025 agreement. Johnson provided some data and other information regarding the program and figures from previous years. Johnson explained a modified table, which was also provided to the committee, would assist with presenting data. Johnson spoke of the positive impact Uber had on the program. There was discussion on the increased costs, and the amount of money which would be needed over the budgeted amount of $60,000.00. Alderpersons Sienko and Belanger advised that the discussions that were had in previous meetings were very helpful. Chair Brennan related he still had some questions with the historical data; however, he was in support of the report. Chair Brennan also related there needed to be more discussion about this program to provide accurate information when determining the budget. Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the report, Alderman Sienko seconded. Roll call vote: Brennan Aye, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motion carried.  

D.  Neighborhood Traffic Study 4- Draft Report

City Engineer Ted Sianis and Mike Worthman from KLOA presented the report to the committee. Traffic volume, speed counts, and recommendations were discussed.  Several aldermen had numerous questions and comments regarding various streets and intersections listed in the report. Alderman Sienko questioned if turns from North Ave were addressed within the report. Chair Brennan sought clarification regarding one-way streets surrounding Field School, including Emroy and Melrose. Chair Brennan also questioned the difference between a community collector street versus a subdivision collector. There was discussion regarding parking restrictions on Third Street near Field School, as well as school zone speed regulations near Immanual Lutheran School, as well as the intersection of Willow/Schiller. Alderman Jensen had several concerns he wished to address, including parking restrictions near Grantley/Emroy, the lack of stop signs on Grantley, and cut through traffic on Grantley and Columbia. Aldermen Jensen also had questions regarding parking restrictions at Third/Emroy, speeding on Illinois and Indiana, and traffic issues surrounding Immanual Lutheran School.  Finally, Aldermen Jensen had questions on the feasibility of prohibiting left turns from southbound Kenilworth to eastbound North Ave. Alderman Bram reiterated many of the same concerns that Alderman Jenson related, and explained cut thru traffic and truck traffic had significantly increased. Finally, Alderman Bram asked about the traffic engineering at the intersection of North/Clinton. There was discussion regarding the on-going construction traffic on I 294 and the impact it was having on the studied area. 

E. Neighborhood Traffic Study 5- Draft Report

City Engineer Ted Sianis and Mike Worthman from KLOA presented the report to the committee. Traffic volume, speed counts, and recommendations were discussed. There was discussion about several streets and intersections. Chair Brennan noted the unique configuration of many of the streets east of Poplar. There was discussion regarding cut- thru traffic in the neighborhood. Alderman Baker expressed his concerns regarding speeding vehicles on Park and questioned the lack of stop signs on Park. There was also discussion regarding sight lines at the train crossings with traffic along Park, including the intersection of Park/Arlington. 

F. Referral- Stop at Third and Glenview- Draft Report

City Engineer Sianis updated the committee on the steps and analysis conducted at the intersection, which included speed and volume counts, as well as an analysis of school bus stop usage. Alderman Sienko asked if there was a York High School bus stop at the intersection. Chair Brennan related it was time to move forward and the data justified the report. Alderman Belanger motioned to approve the report, Alderman Sienko seconded.  Roll call vote: Brennan Aye, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye. Motioned carried.

G. Pending List Review

Chair Brennan deferred the item to a future meeting.

6. Other Business

Alderman Belanger requested an update on the police response to E-scooter complaints, and Deputy Chief Gandy updated the committee on the steps the police department has taken. City Manager Grabowski also mentioned the Elmhurst Walk and Rollers Working Group was currently examining the concerns of E-scooter as well. 

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alderman Sienko and seconded by Alderman Belanger. Roll call vote: Brennan Aye, Sienko Aye, Belanger Aye, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50  P.M.   

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