City Council - Regular Meeting

Elmer City Council for Monday, May 4, 2026. And I ask that you all rise for the pledge of pledge of allegiance. And honor guard, please approach. Careful. SC. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[clears throat] Up face forward.

Please be seated. [clears throat and cough] All right. Clerk Tamer, please call the role. Nardini here. Steo here. Herby here. Brennan here. Brimis here. Bellinger here. Shenko here. Hill absent. Bram here. Jensen here. Toudo here. Baker here. Nera here. Virgil here. 13 present, one absent.

13 present, one absent. We have a quorum. Um on to item two on the agenda. We're going to administer some oaths of office to three of our police personnel who are being promoted. And I'm going to come out in front to handle this portion of the program.

[clears throat]

Well, we have three promotions today and I want to say that I have the pleasure of knowing all three of the people who are being promoted. Um, got it right, Chief. You got got three quality guys. And, um, I'm very proud of all of them. Um, and I always tell people uh that every mayor says they got the best police department around, but we really do. And when I say it, I mean it. And it's the idea that we can have a retirement and we have so many individuals ready to step up and fill the void and step right into the offices they're about to take. So, we're going to start with uh Tim Jorgensson, who we're promoting to sergeant. We'll come up here. And Tim, if you have any family that you like to bring along [clears throat and cough] stand behind you image All right. Uh, and Tim, who do you have with you tonight?

I have my wife Courtney, my daughter Meline, my son Cameron, and my mom and dad, Marita Online. All right. Great. Uh, for those of you who don't know Tim, he's a 14-year member of the Elmer's Police Department. He served as a patrol officer, strategic mission team officer, school resource officer at York High School, a drone pilot, an investigator for DuPage Merit Major Crimes Team, and for the last three years as a detective with the department. Um, so we'll proceed directly. Raise your right hand. I, Tim Jurgensson, I, Tim Jorgensson, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution that I will uphold the Constitution the Constitution of the State of Illinois

the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the chartered laws of the city of Elmerst and the chartered laws of the city of Elmherst and that I will faithfully discharge and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of police sergeant the duties of police sergeant according to the best of my abilities. according to the best of my abilities.

Congratulations. [applause] Slide [cheering] [applause] [applause] [clears throat] over a little bit there. Four shots. [applause] I think everyone would like to congratulate you. So, we might do it at this time. Don't fall down. Congratulations. [cough and clears throat]

Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. Well deserved. Congrats. And Anthony, while they're doing that, you want to come up with your August family. Congrats the other way. Congratulations. Congrats. So cute. Congratulations. Congratulations. [snorts] From the days of an SRO. Congratulations. [clears throat] Who's doing today? All right. Uh, do you want to tell us who you have with you today?

Yes. My wife Kristen, my son Anthony, daughter Elelliana, my daughter Zoe, my mother and father Tony and Marie Kazone, and my godmother, my aunt Mary Joe Merrick. Welcome everyone. And Tony, welcome back to City Hall. [laughter] We got we got some jobs for you. Um, so Anthony Kazone, and I was surprised you're a 20 member of the Elmer's Police Department. Uh, Tony served as a patrol officer, field training officer, evidence technician, DARE officer, detective, police sergeant, ad assistant commander of the DuPage Merit Crisis Negotiation Team, and most recently, he served as the administrative sergeant for the past three years. Are we ready to proceed?

Yep. All right. So, if you'll face me and you want to fall in behind him here or you can stay there. That's all right. All right. Raise your right hand. I, Anthony Kazone, I, Anthony Kazone, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I'll uphold the Constitution of the United States that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of Illinois the Constitution of the State of Illinois and the chartered laws of the city of Elmherst and the chartered laws of the city of Elmherst. That I will faithfully discharge the duties. and I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of police commander of the office of police commander according to the best of my abilities. according to the best of my abilities. Congratulations. [applause]

[applause]

two hands. [applause]

[applause] [clears throat] Commander, get heavier. Congrats. Thanks for your service. [snorts] Congratulations.

There you are. S Steve, come on up. Bring your family. [clears throat] See, I haven't seen you for a while. All right, Tony. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Congratulations, ladies. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. One of my favorite police. I know. That's your job. I know. I have to remind everyone. All right. Uh Steve, you want to tell us who you have with you today? My mom and then Morgan, Aubrey, and Paige.

Welcome everyone. So, Steve is getting promoted to deputy chief of police. He's a 23-year member of our Elmherst Police Department. He served as patrol officer, DARE officer, mission team officer, uh state police task force officer. Is that correct? Yes. All right. Uh detective, police sergeant, administrative sergeant, field training supervisor, and most recently, he's been the watch commander for the past three years. Are you ready? All right. And who's going to be doing All right, raise your right hand. I, Steve Mandet, I, Steve Mandet,

do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution of the United States that I'll uphold the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of Illinois constitution of the state of Illinois and the chartered laws of the city of Elmerst and the chartered laws of the city of Elmerst. And that I will faithfully discharge And I will faithfully discharge the duties of police. Sorry, what do we have? Deputy police chief. The duties of deputy police chief. According to the best of my abilities. According to the best of my abilities.

Congratulations. [applause] [applause] [applause] Stay up there. [applause]

[applause]

Deputy Chief, good job watching your stuff. Congrats. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congrats. I also want to recognize somewhere here our police commissioner Jim Parker's here. Jim, congratulations to you.

Thank you. Congratulations. [applause] [applause] Watch your step. [clears throat] I just wanted to say a few words. Um, it's great to see so many uh here in support of uh the three uh supervisors that just got promoted here. What makes Elmer's PD what it is? You know, our motto is providing the best, but you don't get the best unless you have the best people. The quality of our officers, the quality of the community that supports the officers, the city council that supports uh the officers, that's what makes Elmherst what it is today. So, um I thank all of you for being here in support uh not just of them but of the entire Elmer's Police Department and uh I thank the three newly promoted uh supervisors for taking the responsibility beyond just taking responsibility for themselves but the responsibility for the officers under their command. [clears throat] It's a truly awesome responsibility and they should be congratulated for taking this on. Thank you. [applause]

[applause]

Honor guard retire the colors. I don't think so. Mark. [clears throat] I'm done. You can dive. Ready, go. 27 house order up house left face or okay I want to thank everyone for coming out and I I have a feeling that the majority of you don't want to stay for the rest of our fascinating meeting. So, we're going to take about a threeinut break and for those of you who are on to the celebratory festivities, um, feel free to take leave of the council and thank you all for coming out tonight. [applause]

[applause] Good, man. That's a very good job.

I hope it's not They say he's call this we're going to resume the meeting. Uh the next item on the agenda is a proclamation.

Um and uh I have with me from St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Pastor Chris,

Pastor Amanda, and the vice president of the church, Ken Sans. Um, and I have a proclamation that it's my pleasure to present. Actually, uh, we had a little confusion cuz I asked the city manager, "Why is it up here? It's supposed to be at the podium." He said, "I'll put it down." They're like, "I figured it out." We have two of them. So, never happened before. Um, all right. So, here we go. And I'm sorry for the noise, but we got to keep the doors open. Whereas St. Peter's United Church of Christ was established in May of 1876, 6 years before the village of Elmherst was incorporated. And whereas the first Protestant church built as the first Protestant church built in Elmherst, St. Peters has maintained a foundational partnership with Elmer's University, serving as a church home for students and establishing an endowed scholarship. And whereas the congregation has a history of pioneering leadership, notably in the 1970s, calling the first woman minister as well as a professional minister of counseling to meet the needs of the growing community. And whereas St. Peters remains a vibrant community anchor, housing the Elmharst Walkin Assistant Network and organizing its own little library program to promote literacy. And whereas the church's commitment to justice, service, and generosity is reflected in [clears throat] its partnership with more than 20 mission agencies contributing over $50,000 in financial support in the past year alone. [snorts] And whereas for 150 years, St. Peters has stood as a source of hope and a spiritual home. And this anniversary on May 17, 2026 marks a renewed dedication to its longstanding tradition of faith, service, and unity. Now therefore, I,

Scott M. Leven, mayor of the city of Elmer's, do hereby proclaim May 17, 2026 in honor of St. Peter's United Church of Christ 150th anniversary and St. Peter's United Church of Christ day. [snorts] Congratulations, [applause] And Alderman Baker, if you will join us here, is a an esteemed member of the church. And uh I'll we'll let Alderman Baker hold it if you if he wants and you can make some comments. You can hold it.

We'll do a picture first. Thank you very much. Make a few comments.

I just want to say thank you very very much uh Scott and and uh we are so proud of St. Peter's Church. I've been a member there for almost 50 years and uh it has been an incredible environment and uh we've been very very blessed with our our two our two new ministers that have been there uh for a total of about 10 years. Uh she has he's been there for just two years and we are so blessed because they are fantastic and uh we are so proud to be part of Elmerst. We know that you here do a fantastic job, you know, of serving the city of Elmer. So, thank you for all the things you all do for us. [applause] But I think one might surprise

[clears throat]

All right, let's move on the agenda. Uh, receipt of written communications from the public. Is there any member of the public that has a written communication that he or she would like to deliver to the council? If so, please raise your hand. Seeing none, we'll move on to There is I have done so. I have it. You have it. All right. It's posted. And there's one posted. Thank you. We'll move on to public forum. Click tamers, anyone signed in for public forum this evening? Yes, mayor. We have Mike Cicero, please.

All right. Uh the way we'll do public forum as always is approach the microphone in the back. Um you please state your name. Address is optional. It helps us if we need to follow up with you. You have three minutes to speak on any topic you like and start advising people that your opportunity to speak to the council. We do not engage in uh discussion with the public forum presenters, but please know that we are listening. Mr. Lisro, good evening. Mike Lisro, 659 [clears throat] Cedar in Elmherst here on behalf of the Walk and Rollers to talk about National Bike Safety Month. Uh May is National Bike Month. Um we've got a lot of events coming up. Wanted to share with you uh to highlight some of those things. Starting with one of the most important events coming up, Wednesday, May 6th is Walk and Roll to School Day. And I'm proud to to be able to announce that 100% of Elmherst schools are participating in this week's Walk and Roll to School Day. That's all public schools and all private schools. That is the first time ever. So, we're very proud that in light of our bike friendly community status that we're kind of catching fire with people getting interested in biking and walking, particularly the school. So, we're really excited about that. One of the biggest events that's going to happen that day, if you've never seen a bike bus, Emerson Elementary School on the north side, uh their parents, teachers are organizing what we call a bike bus, which is a big group of kids all riding together protected by adults at intersections and uh at the beginning and at the end. They did one last year, but they're going to do it again this year. We're hoping that's another trend that continues to build at all of our

schools. Uh Elmherst TV is going to be there to film it. If you get a chance to be there in person to encourage the kids, please do so. If not, you will get to see it on Elmharst TV. Uh after that on May 13th or Wednesday, is ride to work day. So, it's not a council night or a committee night where you can, you know, kind of pedal here, but anywhere else you're working, feel free to to pedal there. Uh May 15th, uh the Elmherst Bike Club's conducting a community ride that's going to start here at city hall. The 17th on a Sunday, Elmherst YMCA, uh we are participating in conducting a bike rodeo. Armalene Moretti will be the head instructor doing that. That's from 12 to 2. On the 20th, uh which again is a Wednesday, the ride of silence starting here at city hall at 6:45. a solemn event to commemorate those cyclists that have lost their lives over the last year. Uh on the 22nd Friday, uh the movie at the Elmer's Public Library, Breaking Away, at 2:00, if you ever seen that, great movie about Indiana University and the Little 500. And on the 26th, Armain again is going to be giving a talk at the public library from 7 to 8. Uh she'll be talking about biking in Chicagoland, places to go in Elmherst, things like that. Um, recently the Walk and Rollers attended the Elmhurst uh Park District Health and Wellness Day and talked to a lot of people and we're also participating in the history museums rescue and ready day on Sunday. Uh, and the biggest event coming up, as you all well know, in June 6th is the Elmherst Cycling Classic. And we'll have a presence there all day. And again, our aim is to promote safer biking, walking, uh, and we're trying to impart the new information that the city's put together with the police chief about what ebikes and ecooters are legal and what aren't. There's a lot of good charts that have been out there on ENS and everywhere

else. So, we're trying to educate as much as we can. Uh, we [clears throat] want everyone to be safer out there. Uh we want make sure that drivers understand they need to share the road. I know for some that's an odd and and foreign concept, but that really is what the law is. Uh so we appreciate your support and look forward to hopefully seeing you on some pedals in the future. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Lisro. Kathleen Bernber. Hello. This is my right of freedom of speech.

You just state your name first for the record. Thanks.

My name is Kathleen Bernice Eckberg spelled K A T H L E N B E R N I C E K E B E R G. My husband is Gregory spelled G R E G O R Y Eberg. We live at 677 Van Aen Street in the third ward with Alderman Bram and Jensen. To the mayor and council tonight, I wanted to focus briefly on a few topics. Before talking about the topics, I wanted to state that my husband and I have a marriage credo philosophy of the top three most important things in our lives. summarized my price is my life. The three principles we live by are first faith, second family, and third freedom per the US USA constitution and the Illinois state constitution. All residents have the federal rights of the first amendment, freedom of speech, and the right not to be a victim of the violation of the 13th US amendment. Now, my main talking points are all public service announcements to remember our state and US Constitution and this 250th year America's anniversary. First, we completely disagree with the no king's protest in Elmhers for common sense reasons. Second, I would like to remind all residents of their certain US and Illinois state constitutional rights. For example, the 13th amendment prohibits acts of modern human slavery, job trafficking, money debts, home pinage, and servitude. Hypothetically, if a person is a victim, they could call the national trafficking hotline. Also, hypothetically, I feel that the city council should start or continue an ongoing discussion. Third, one of the most important rights is the first amendment freedom of speech. For

example, this right can be violated by interception of cell phone calls, text, hacking of a person's internet, postal mail theft, monitoring everywhere you go by illegally GPSing your car, etc. In particular, our police who are getting a new station built should be able to do a service for residents where they check for illegal GPS devices hidden on cars. Hypothetically, people's lives could be in physical danger if they are victims of GPS with stalking, harassment, and privacy acts. In addition, the security cameras in Elmherst houses could be used for violating the law, either registered or not registered. Hypothetically, I feel the council should start an ongoing discussion about freedom of speech. Finally, and similar to the constitutional rights, hypothetically, the federal law of FURPA, spelled FRPA, is a college students right to exercise for up to 60 years. Hypothetically, if a college in DuPage County violates a student's FURPA rights, you should contact the US Department of Education. For example, if a college steals your social security number or does identity theft, also contact the US Department of Education. This was mine and my husband's public service announcements. Finally, happy 250th birthday to the United States of America. My husband and I have family members who've served in about every war since World War II. Thank you very much to the mayor and council members for your time.

Thank you. David Terrell.

David Terrell, 683 South Prospect. Uh, I've been an Elmer's resident since 1982. At that time, Elmer was famous for its great location, good schools, and struggling downtown. My wife Kathy and I raised our two daughters here and sent them through District 205 schools. We lived in Southwest Elmharst during the flood of 1987. We celebrate the massive effort and expense to alleviate the floods since 1987. Decisions about what to build and where to and where to have it uh have positive and negative impacts that last for decades. In 2026, Alminist is now famous for many things, including excellent public schools and a vibrant downtown. This is a heads up. the proposal for a 34 dock warehouse uh trucking facility on the current Clarion Hotel property 933 South Riverside is currently in the zoning committee. This proposal has a lot of problems that require careful attention and may reach city council. Over the past year, a growing group of citizens have been organizing under the banner of Team Southwest Elmherst. I live in southwest Elmhurst, as I said, on the 600 block. Our youngest daughter lives in the 400 block of West Avery, very near where this warehouse might be built. My four concerns that I hope to alert you to are one, Salt Creek Elementary School is just a stones throw from this 933 South Riverside. The safety and education of these young children could be disrupted by the construction phase and then by the continuous heavy traffic if this is built. Should Elmerst allow these risks to our school children. Hazardous intersection at Route 83, trucks would turn east into Riverside Drive from

Route 83 at a stoplight. This very hazardous intersection is under study, but a solution is not possible for several years. Should Elmherst allow heavy truck traffic through this hazardous intersection before a safer intersection is built? Three, environmental hazard to Salt Creek and possibly Salt Creek flooding. 933 South Riverside ats directly to Salt Creek. Hazardous materials could spill from semi-truckss and go directly into Salt Creek. Conversely, flooding at Salt Creek might easily get into 933 and cause problems. Fourth problem, warehouses across the US are being converted into prisons by Homeland Security and ICE. The company who wants to build this warehouse has already sold two warehouses to ICE. We all know what the village of Broadview has become famous for in 2025. Could Elmherst eliminate this potential hazard while the city still has some control? If the later if the warehouse is later built and later sold to the federal government, has the city lost all control? Would Elmherst allow a prison warehouse to be built near to any of its primary elementary schools? This is a heads up. It's likely this issue is likely to be a bigger than normal zoning issue than you normally face. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Mayor, that's the end of the uh list of people who signed up to give public comment. Is there anyone in the audience who would like to make public comment but did not have the opportunity to sign in? If so, please raise your hand. All right, seeing none, we'll close public forum at this time. We're on item six, announcements. Are there any announcements from the dismanos?

Thank you, mayor. Next Saturday, May 16th, is the 33rd annual Spring Road pet parade. My favorite event of the season. Um, so please come out. We will have activities, family fun activities for all ages. There will be pet contest. Local animal rescues and shelters will be on site for adoption. Um there will be a craft center. My dog Bradley Cooper and I will be handing out pup cups and the parade kicks off at 1:00 on Spring Road, but the events start at 11:30.

Thank you, Alderman Vamus. Anyone else? All right, we'll move on to the consent agenda, which is lengthy. Clerk Tamer. No problem. 7.1 minutes of the regular meeting of the Elmer City Council on April 20th, 2026. 7.2 Executive session minutes of the city council of Elmer on April 6, 2026. 7.3 Accounts payable May 4th, 2026. 4,290,52320 7.4 referral proposed amendments to 81, excuse me, B1 and B2 licenses allowing limited chill single serve alcohol sales. 7.5 Meeting schedule proposed summer schedule adjustment. 7.6 Annual mayoral appointments and reappoints of commission members. 7.7 Report case number ZBA01 side yard setback 447 South Hawthorne Avenue. 7.8 8 report case number 26 PO4 Kintori amended conditional use permit 1033 and 1037 South Illinois route 83 7.9 report purchase of one 2026 Polaris UTV 7.10 10 report referral banning the use of styrofoam food containers. 7.11 report 2026 Asphalt rejuvenation program 7.12 report 2026 concrete pavement patching program 7.13 report 2026 crack sealing and seal coating program 7.14 report 2026 pavement striping program reject bid 7.15 report station construction management services contract 7.16 report 2026 agreement for bioolids loading ing, hauling, and spreading services. 7.17, an ordinance to amend section 51.13 entitled skateboards and inline skates of chapter 51 entitled offenses against public peace, safety, and morals of the Elmerst

Municipal Code. [clears throat] 7.18, an ordinance authorizing the acceptance of execution of a temporary easement agreement for Planket Park, buying between Elmer's Park District and the city of Elmerst, Dwage and Cook Counties, Illinois. 7.19 an ordinance annexing certain property of the city of Elmerst, Dw Page, and Cook Counties, Illinois. 7.20, an ordinance granting and amending conditional use permit for a plan unit development with site development allowances for the construction of building additions an outdoor courtyard and additional signage and approving a plat of subdivision for the property commonly known as 188 West Butterfield Road, 0 South 620, 0 South 630, and 0 South 650 Ucllet Avenue, Elmherst, Illinois, Timothy Christian Schools. 7.21 resolution authorizing the execution of a professional engineering services agreement with Clark Deetsz for the 2026 2027 uh water system master plan 7.22 a resolution to approve and authorize the execution of intergovernmental agreement between the city of Elmerst and Elmer school district 205 in connection with the school resource officers 7.23 a resolution approving the 2026 community grant recommendations and awarding the community grants 7.24 24, a resolution approving and authorizing the execution of the professional construction engineering services agreement by between the city of Elmer's and BLA, Inc. for the Indiana Street Sidewalk Improvements Project. 7.25, a resolution authorizing the issuance of a notice of award and authorizing the execution of a contract for the Indiana Street Sidewalk Project, project 26-10 for the city of Elmherst, Illinois. 7.26, 26, a resolution authorizing the execution of a letter of intent for continued participation in the DUP page police records management system. In 7.27, a resolution approving a service a services agreement between Vertex 1 Software LLC in the city of Elmherst, Illinois.

Thank you, Clerk Tamer. Is there any uh item on the consent agenda that any alderman would like to remove either for further discussion or to vote against? Alman Bram 7.10 10 7.10 7.17 7.17 Okay. Uh I'll ask for a motion to approve the consent agenda minus items 710 and 717. Alderman Nardini with a motion. Alderman Nuda with a second. Clerk Tammer, please call the role. Nardini, I. Estido, I. Herby, I. Brennan, I. Verimis I Bellinger I Shenko

I absent Bram I Jensen I Tudo [clears throat] I Baker I Nudara I Virgil I 13 I's zero nays 13 I's zero nays the consent agenda minus 7.1 and 7.17 passes clerk tamer please read the report for 710 it is therefore the recommendation of the public affairs and safety committee that the City Council does not consider a local ban at this time and instead wait on the outcome of the state legislation. Sign Alderman Michael Brennan, chair, Alderman Karen Shenko, vice chair, and Alderman Brian Bellinger.

All right. [clears throat] Can I have a motion to put uh 710 before the council? Alderman Brennan with a motion. Alderman Shenko with a second. Alderman Brennan.

Thank you, Mayor. Um I [clears throat] think that the the summary that the city clerk uh read is pretty succinct. Uh that said, I just want to provide a little more color uh with respect to the topic. Um you know, I think it's it's super important that that everyone understands that in the Senate in Springfield, uh last year they they passed a bill uh you know, banning um you know uh styrofoam uh vehicles, if you will, for for for food. Um but there's a transition that that it you know because of the supply that some of these big uh you know restaurants have uh because it became abundantly clear in our deliberation that the lead time is also needed and I I think the Senate bill states that uh beginning January 2030 that that this would go into effect. Um, and the reason for that, it's not only inventory, but also some of these these uh restaurants, uh, they've devised and prepare their foods. And I I see Alderman uh Nardini look looking at me. He's in the business. But but they they prepare their food. they have predictability with respect to how their the quality of their food will will um uh coexist with with this particular styrofoam, you know, vessel. And if they have no longer have that as an option, they need to figure out how are they going to make sure that food that's being picked up at the restaurant being take taken home from the restaurant as a result of leftovers doesn't get soggy or or you know take on

some form that they they don't choose to to have as a reputation of of their their their product. So, so wi with that even though this bill has has passed the the the Senate there there's also a bill uh that that's required to pass in the House and you know we're anticipating that that bill will pass um and um we have a condition in this report where if for some reason this does not get out of Springfield and and go into effect or it somehow you know stalls that we would want to revisit this. We we do think that it's it's prudent to to look at and and phase styrofoam out of um out of our uh surrounding and in our environment. That said, um you know, we we didn't want to put um you know, local restaurants at a disadvantage. If we were to get ahead of of state statute, we we feel that, you know, restaurants, surrounding restaurants would, you know, uh be able to still use styrofoam, you know, for for example. So, that was one one driving, you know, factor. And I also mention it's going to take these restaurants some time to figure out how they're going to incorporate you know different um you know container u technology or uh materials into their takeout. So so with that we're we're proposing that that we don't do anything at this point at the local level. Uh follow what the state is going to you know hopefully deliver for everyone. So there's a a level playing field with respect to this what we feel felt is an important topic and uh with that I will

yield back to the mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Discussion alderman Bram.

Thank you. Uh first and for foremost I want to thank the committee and staff for the research that they have done on this topic. Um I am one of two uh individuals who referred this to the committee. Um, I also want to upfront and apologize. I took a lot of notes and I left those notes at home in regards to what I wanted to highlight tonight. So, um, I'm kind of going to wing it. Um, I do agree with a lot of the points that Alderman Brennan has stated. I don't agree with the point of not moving forward. Uh, one of the comments I believe that was in the recommendation report was to wait for the state and Alderman Brennan mentioned it here tonight. um to put everybody on fair ground and making sure that Elmer's businesses aren't at a disadvantage. Um what I would say, I don't agree with that statement. I don't think a couple pennies uh extra. Um and I agree that it could be more than that, but just looking Oak Park, I think, passed this in 24 2024. Um, so over two years ago now and I think they have a thriving downtown and a thriving community and they if they had some of the cha challenges that Alderman Brennan has stated and the committee has stated in their recommendation report um they must have conquered them because they're thriving with with no issues in regards to you know different types of food being in food containers uh in regards to cost. um the points that's stated in the report in regards to cost. It even states in the report that essentially it would be passed on to the consumer anyway. So that's not hurting the business in any way. You could say indirectly maybe that those 10 cents per container is going to somehow put them at a disadvantage. Um but like I said, Oak Park has already done this and it's been successful for two years. The city of Chicago has already done it and it's been successful. I don't remember when

they passed theirs and that's where my notes come in. Um, so I do think and Alderman Brennan and I believe the committee has concurred that yes, we need to eliminate styrofoam food containers. Um, and obviously if the state of Illinois moves forward with that, that's a good thing. But that's four years away possibly if they do it and if they do it in the time that they forecast uh that they wanted to in regards to 2030. I think it's something that's uh is easy to do. Even in the referral, it stated that we understand that there will need to be some transition period. Whatever that transition period is, um Oak Park, I believe, did a year for any business that uh I think their revenue was under 500,000. Um we could do the same thing essentially. we can do exactly the same process, the same ordinance um that Oak Park did and did it successfully. Um I did look on their website, Oak Park's website, and I think the information I got from city staff a little bit earlier today was saying that styrofoam containers are 16 cents a piece. And there are some options that are even cheaper, at least uh documented on the Oak Park uh website, um showing that the aluminum containers are 12 cents. um and up. Now, it's hard to do an apple comparison because I don't know what size styrofoam was quoted by staff. I don't know what size we're talking in regards to the aluminum, but I don't even buy the argument of a cost being an issue. One, because it would be passed on to the consumer, and two, at least according to Oak Village of Oak Park, there's cheaper options out there already. Um, in regards to the argument of waiting for the state, um, I think Alderman Brennan just pulled this off the consent agenda tonight. Ebikes, we didn't wait for the state to pass, um, their ordinance. We moved ahead with ebikes. So, why [clears throat] is one

thing good for one and not the other? So, I don't see the argument of waiting for the state. If we believe that styrofoam is a product we need to get out of here, why aren't we doing it ahead of the curve? You know, we we talk a lot about leadership and that Elmerst is a a a leader in a lot of areas. Well, this is an area that not many communities here in Illinois have done this, but we can be one of the first and be ahead of the curve and get rid of a a really a toxic product that takes a long long time to break down. I don't remember the exact years again in my notes at home. um but many a years to break down and it's very difficult to even recycle and throw food in it. Essentially, you're negating that being recyclable at all. So, even though the report states that yes, it's a good thing to eliminate. Um I think that I disagree with the recommendation paragraph saying we shouldn't do anything. And this is kind of rare to issue a report that says don't do anything because I can't even make a motion to do something. Um, but with that said, I wanted to get it out there that there's many of things that to me, a community pretty close to us has already done this and done this successfully. It didn't it didn't harm any of their businesses. We've taken the advanced steps in regards to when it comes to ebikes and didn't wait for the state. Why can't we do that here? In regards to inventory, sure, let's wait a year. Let's give them let's put an ordinance in play that gives the businesses a year to transition. I highly doubt any business and maybe Alderman Nardini can speak to this, but has a year of food containers stocked up ready to go um you know in order to to be prepared um for any uh takeout delivery. So again, thank you committee,

thank you staff, but um I cannot support not doing anything right. Uh Alderman Brandon,

thank you. Um certainly appreciate the the comments uh with with respect and point of view of Alderman Brams. Um I just wanted to respond to a couple of things. um you know in our discussions with with staff we didn't see any cheaper alternatives. though if if uh there's a cheaper alternative that that didn't rear itself in our discussions. Um e even if it had I I think that it's my belief that the state is looking at 2030 with such significant lead time because you think about some of the franchises that are in the state. Portillos would have a tremendous overhaul that they'd have to go through. They they not only have styrofoam, you know, containers for every it for everything that that goes out of through their their drive-thru, which they're brilliantly at. I don't, you know, quite sure not sure how they they've mastered that, but you know, they also have uh styrofoam, you know, drink vessels. Um so, so it's a pretty big deal for Portillos. I think they're probably just one example. So, I don't I personally don't think it is as easy to to do it in a year or even two years for for some for some restaurants, especially the big chains. And and I remember, you know, back in the day where where McDonald's proactively did some things and it took them a while. I mean, the feedback that they got on their product as it sat in the bag and they drove home the first time they did it, it was not good. It's like, what what's going on here? And so, so there is something to it. I'm not in this industry, but I do believe that, you

know, the temperature of the product, what it's enclosed in, and how long it's in that, you know, uh, container, uh, there's something to it. Um so I I think it's very uh it's our recommendation that that we wait for the state because we do think that you know they have experts looking at this and this is thoroughly being vetted and um I I do want to you know just respond. It's sort of off topic. Um, but you know, the lion share of uh the ebike and e scooter, you know, statute or ordinance uh is state statute. And so what we have in our ordinance are things that specific we want to [clears throat] see happen in Elmherst. And the state currently has uh this under consideration even further because and I'll get to this but you know it's not a fair comparison. You know we we are absolutely leveraging uh what what the state is is has established for ebikes and e scooters. We've added things that we thought were were pertinent for our downtown or Elmherst. Thank you.

All right. Any other discussion? Alman Baker.

Thank you, Chair. Um, thanks to the committee for considering this and reviewing it. Um, I was approached to sign on to this referral u based on uh sustainability and to improve our situation in Elmherst as a city to show that we can lead the way as far as sustainability goes. Styrofoam packaging can take 500 years to um dissolve to go away in the environment. And I think that's a valid concern when you have takeout containers, whether it be for takeout or for leftovers that are in styrofoam. This isn't about hurting business. If I was to take what the committee said that this is an inevitable legislation coming forward, [snorts] then I would presume that businesses have been thinking about it. And if they haven't been, they should be thinking about it because the state's going to eventually put something forward. I'd like to be at the forefront uh on this issue. I think it's an important issue. As mentioned previously, several chains have already come forward and done a good part of um moving in the direction of non-styrofoam containers. And so I think that if other restaurants were to interact, if our economic people, our business people here can discuss it in groups, perhaps there could be some savings or minimal costs involved in adjusting to this. If we wait for the state, we might end up like the Chicago Bears, waiting for a decision to be made. And I'd rather know that we have something on the books that is going to make a difference uh than not. And then finally, I think sustainability has to continue to be a priority for us as a council, whether it be in this area or other areas. And I do think that this is a good idea, an easy one for us to pass along, especially

with the time frame that we make as compared to being forced into it at some given point in time by the state. So that's why I supported the referral. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Alderman Herby.

Uh thank you, Mayor. Uh I appreciate the comments of uh everybody who's uh has spoken for on this topic. Um the chair it's it's a good report. Um it does have some deficiencies that Alderman Bram has mentioned. I kind of I do concur with some of those. Uh but more importantly, I I I champion Alderman Baker's point of the sustainability and us being a leader, which as well as Alderman Bram said, we need to be a leader as well. Um it is time to be a leader on this. Um, McDonald's has been doing this in paper. God, I I want to say up to a decade. Uh, it's been a long time McDonald's has been in paper. Uh, speaking at the Legion where I volunteer on every Friday night, most most parts. Uh, we have both containers, both styrofoam and the metal. And styrofoam is our largest consumer of space at the American Legion for the kitchen. Uh it's a huge amount of space. So we can't buy a lot because at the Legion we don't have a huge warehouse to store them. So we buy just enough for maybe two to 3 weeks max because they have they they just dominate the the storage where they can actually push your food storage. They can push cups out. You know, all kinds of things get pushed out because of the styrofoam main containers, the the to- go containers, the larger ones. Um you're going to have cups either way. Um so the cups aren't as big an issue for me. But when you do use styrofoam, you have to spend extra labor and we have to put foil liners in them because when you put hot food in a

styrofoam container, it melts. Then after you put the food in there, you have to quickly get it out to the customer and the timing has to be very close because you can't put them under the heat lamp. Within 10 to 15 seconds, the styrofoam box will start melting. So, you have to carefully label them, you know, put the customer's name on it, what's in it, and you have to get it out to them quick. So, they're very labor intensive, and we love the metal ones. We don't use them because it's not a part of the operations for that night. But the point is, we can get this done. I don't really see a problem. I think with the time delay of getting the stock like at the restaurant depots and where people are buying stock, I really don't see an issue with it. It's it's the right thing to do. So, I'm going to be uh not supporting the report tonight uh and and wishing that we could have uh an action item that starts this as soon as possible. I'm not sure how to do that, but that's where I stand. Thank you. All right, Alderman Ramos, then Alderman Nuda.

Thank you, mayor. I just want to make a quick comment here. If you own a franchise, you [clears throat] do not have the ability to go out and decide who you do business with and who your suppliers and who your vendors are. Most of the time, the franchiseor tells you, "This is where you order your containers from. This is where you order, you know, your your oat milk for the lattes." So, it's not so cut and dry to think that they have a lot of choices that comes from the corporation. I just want to make note of that.

Nuda, thank you, mayor. I I'm in support of uh holding off on this ban. I know we get a lot of packaged goods. You know, I just bought a wagon full of styrofoam, tons of styrofoam, more than a carry out. I think our businesses right now, they have um inventory that they have to maintain and I think giving it time, allowing this to take place through more investigation and not following anyone else. If you want to be a leader, then be a leader. But I think there's a lot more investigation that needs to take place. And I support holding off on this ban of styrofoam containers.

All right. Anyone else who has not spoken yet? Alderman Tutu.

Thank you. Um I support the report tonight and if the state law does not go through, um I would encourage significant additional investigation by our committee if we choose to look at this again. Um I think that there are some assumptions being made um by some of the aldermen. That's some of the information. I would like to see the other side of the information. Businesses represented, restaurants represented, um other evidence about the um process of recycling, what happens in the garbage areas. I mean, there's way more complicated information on this topic than coming in and disagreeing with a report that has been vetted through the committee. Um that's my opinion. Thank you.

All right. Anyone else? All right. Alderman Bram,

thank you. So, just a few notes. Uh, Alderman Brennan, I totally concur with you in regards to Portillos, and I visit way too often. Um, so, um, with that, I didn't even think about the the consideration of styrofoam cups. I don't know what Oak Park and the city of Chicago did. And in regards to comments about franchises, I think both Village of Oak Park and the city of Chicago has a quite a few franchises and somehow they passed this with no issues. Or maybe I shouldn't say no issues, that's speculation, but they were able to move forward with banning styrofoam food containers, albeit many many of businesses, franchises, as well as independent businesses as well. So I don't have any concern in regards to the franchise question because it's already been resolved by the city of Chicago which is huge and Oak Park is is relatively large as well. In regards to styrofoam packing, I agree and I don't think we can I don't think we could take that on as a community and I don't think that the state is ready to take that on as a comm community as as the state. Um but eliminating styrofoam altogether would be the right in my opinion right sustainable way to go but this is just one step right how do you boil an ocean one gallon at a time you take a step towards the right direction and this would be in my opinion the right direction in regards to inventory I already touched on that but uh since there was another comment on that there's no business in town and I I don't know this is my anecdotal but that has a year of inventory of styrofoam food containers ers and like I said the referral itself said yes make sure that we consider giving X time for that transition. So Alderman Baker and myself conceded to that right away that something would be needed to be done so

they're not just throwing out um the inventory that they had is that a year two years whatever but whatever that time frame would be is better than waiting the 2030. the comment in regards to leadership essentially saying we're following the state of Illinois. So, we're not leading. If we're waiting for the state of Illinois, we're then following what the state of Illinois may or may not do. We don't know what they're going to do, if anything. So, you know, things don't always run so smooth in the state of Illinois, so we don't know if that's actually going to even materialize. they have a lot of major issues to conquer um besides styrofoam food containers. Lastly, I'll just say, you know, what's the difference between 2030 and 2026, 2027? What's the what's the difference? If we're saying, hey, we should move forward with the state. It's going to happen. Alderman Baker touched on it, but it's going to happen. So, why not do it now? It's the right thing to do. We we as a leader should be doing what the right thing is, not waiting for if the state may do something, if anything.

All right. And Alderman Virgil,

um, just a couple thoughts on this. So, I mean, I do believe that the environmental impact of these containers is is substantial. They do last for a long, long time as has been noted. Um however uh I I am a little bit concerned about if we go if we were to go ahead with our own uh ordinance on this I am concerned about the the effort and cost of enforcement uh with sort of a go it alone strategy with the state uh I think that becomes a lot simpler uh where it's kind of universal and you know we don't have uh differences between one municipality and and another. If for some reason the state did not go forward, I would support revisiting this and then taking a look at it at that point. Thank you.

All right. Um let's uh we try to get like five minute limit, three bites at the apple, whatever, but let's briefly Alderman Herby and then Alderman Bram and then I'll let

Yeah. Thanks. Just real brief a note from last year on this bill. Um the [clears throat] manufacturers of the styrofoam, they were expecting this to go to veto last year and get passed and it didn't. Our own uh uh distinguished council member who's now our rep, Marty Dorder, signed on May 16 of 2025, almost exactly a year ago. Uh so they were expecting this to pass in last year's fall veto session at the latest. It didn't because of the vendors like Dart, Inos, etc. Several of the vendors who make styrofoam and they're still continuing that battle now. Um, so I'm suspect that this thing will pass because the same force that was there a year ago is still there today. Uh, maybe it will pass, but again, these are tea leaves, uh, hedge bets, whatever. And I, like I said, I think the restaurants are getting ready to make a jump and they know they're going to have to change if they haven't already. And so it it's coming. The question is when. And uh the state will be last probably in my opinion. So [snorts] maybe we'll have to revisit this again. If we can't get anything done tonight, then yeah, we'll have to revisit like the report says. So, um, we can always handle this another time, but the problem exists today. Pollution is incredible. So, with that, I'll turn back.

All right, Alderman Bram.

Thanks. I I just have three more points to make. Um, according to staff, five businesses were contacted. Five. And that's the recommendation that we're following. five businesses that are impacted directly were contacted out of all our businesses in town. I don't think anecdotally that's relevant and of course a business is going to say no it's going to impact them, right? Um they're going to have to change, they're going to have to do a little bit of research, etc. So that's all that's been contacted to my knowledge, at least what I've been told by staff. Enforcement to me, state law, local ordinance irrelevant. Still need to enforce it. Um, so I don't see any problem there. And lastly, I do want to thank the committee for putting that that line in the report in regards to committee members noted that if the state does not move forward with the Illinois Senate Bill 1531, the public affairs and safety committee will revisit the referral, but that's ambiguous. Is that a year from now? Is that 2030? Are we going to wait until 2030? I I don't know if that will ever happen. Uh because the statement, albeit well intended, it [snorts] doesn't really tell me if it's ever going to be reconsidered because it could lag in the state forever.

I actually would like to ask a question of Alderman Nardini. Uh to my knowledge, I didn't think that styrofoam was banned already in the city, but you were a restaurant. Do you know that to be true?

Um styrofoam isn't banned in Chicago. There are certain things that are banned. Um, I forget the specific details and I also uh forget size uh controls. I know what Oak Park does is home rule to Oak Park. I believe in the city of Chicago based on size of business. There are different obligations. I Club Lago Restaurant, my restaurant is below a threshold of employees that a portillos is above. Uh so I'm not certain if I can speak to with authority about what a portillos does. I I will say uh having kept quiet this whole time, I don't like uh disagreeing with uh a report or the committee because I know they've done the work. Um businesses belly ache. That's what we do. We want to spend as little money as possible. Um I tend to agree that this is a leadership or a following issue and um uh it is absolutely the case that there is a moisture issue, there is a humidity issue and that uh businesses have to accommodate for the change of uh styrofoam to those uh biodegradables which are great but they're horrible or uh aluminum. And uh businesses have a hard enough time making their meatballs and selling their meatballs, but as a local body of government, we can lead or follow on styrofoam. And uh I think we should lead.

All right. Lead. Alderman [clears throat] Brennan, do you want to close on anything? Are we good? No, I I think we're good. I I mean, it's good discussion, debate, and uh I think we should vote on it. We absolutely will. And [clears throat] on that, Tamer, please call the role. Nerdini, no. Best, I. Herby, no. Brennan, I. Bamis, I. Bellinger, I Jenko, I Hill, absent. Bram, no. Jensen, I Tudo, I Baker, no. Nuda, I Virgil,

I. Nine eyes's four nays. Nine eyes's four nazs. Report 710 passes. Thank you all for the discussion. We're on to report 7 ordinance 717. Clerk, please read the ordinance. An ordinance to amend sections section 51.13 entitled skateboards and inline skates of chapter 51 entitled offenses against public safety, public peace, safety, and morals of the Elmer's municipal code. All right. Can I have a motion to put 717 to a motion to pass before the council? Alman Brennan with a motion. Alman Shenko with a second. Alman Brennan.

Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Um, predominantly this uh this was pulled uh to uh amend something quite minor uh in the the ordinance. Before I go there, I just want to talk to a couple of points here. Um, you know, first off, I I see Mr. Lysero is still here. Uh, the the walk and rollers have been excellent partners with respect to, you know, this entire journey. Um I I think you know outside of of traffic and you know intersection control concerns you know one of the common calls I get is with respect to ebikes and e scooters and uh you know um I so w with that said it it be became abundantly clear we need to do something w with respect to this um and the state does have legislation that that covers what's permissible in Illinois [clears throat] and we can we certainly have the ability to override that and make something local uh if if we want to this this ordinance before you tonight really addresses where we believe is is the biggest concern that we have and that is in in those areas of our our town where where there's a lot of congestion, there's a lot of people coming in and in and out of storefronts. Um and um it's plain and simple whether it's a skateboard, whether it's a a good old-fashioned scooter that you're, you know, pushing with your feet or electric scooter, ebike, etc., or a regular bike. We want those wheels walked through

these these areas and our the the way it was way it read in in our prior uh ordinance it didn't include ebikes and e scooters etc. So we took advantage of that and we wanted to make sure that that we made this very specific you know to to where you know we we really prohibit you know these types of devices in these these concentrated areas. [sighs] Now when you take a step back and I want to call to to everybody's attention there are two documents on the dis you know one talks about five rules for ebikes and e scooters and the other you know just talks about and lays it out in sort of a grid format what what's permissible you know uh on the roadways whether it's sidewalks bike paths streets and uh roadways etc. Um, and the the reason, you know, the the chief and and city staff is is pulling this together, we're trying to take what what's sort of been a very convoluted or complex thing and simplify it. A and so these two documents basically based on what we have in this ordinance and based on state law, this lays it out in a very graphical way. And I would encourage encourage any resident uh who have children to review this be because there are age restrictions with respect to you know ebikes and e scooters. There are state you know regulations ba b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b based on those apparatuses as well. So, um I'm very confident that as a parent, um you know, I knew I couldn't buy my my

child a car and let them drive it down the road because I was aware they needed a license to do so and they couldn't get a license till they're 16. So, I ask for the community to take a look at these two simple documents and and educate yourself on what's allowed and what's not allowed and based on that, you know, factor that into your buying decision. Uh because I see a number of kids on devices that by state statute are illegal. And every time I go to Costco, I I I see these really cool things and they're sitting there. They're $169. It's like, oh my gosh, you know, if if I had a kid, I would certainly think twice, but I would definitely not do it if I knew it was against the law. So, so I really encourage everybody to take a look at, you know, anything that's out on elmer police department.org. Um and we're going we're going to continue and uh Mr. L Cicero has done a fabulous job with with sort of leading and his team leading the charge around education. So we need to spread the word in our community with respect to this. Now uh that that said um the the whole spirit of all this is to not overstep but really complic uh complement what what I believe that the state will eventually get even better. The states recognize that, you know, the manufacturers, the the the purchase habits of of the parents um h have really outpaced what is currently legislation in our state. And there's a a bill in front of uh them

right now where where they're really looking at this and reconsidering and making this much more comprehensive and much more applicable to all the communities within the state. So with that we want to piggyback on that. So we're what what are on the graphics are you know Elmherst is as well as state and what's you know permissible or not permissible today we may tweak this a little bit based on what comes out of state statute and this may come back in front of committee once that that bill is passed. So the ordinance that that is before us tonight, everybody should have this on on the the the dis and um I was super impressed. Uh a number of people, you know, uh reached out to their u their alderman w with respect to hey, you know, this doesn't make sense. it it seems like, you know, we're, you know, these things aren't allowed on public property. Well, the roads are public property. And so that was just an omission. And so on page two of this document underlined and highlighted um in in paragraph B in the middle of the page uh we would like to I'd like to make a motion to add nonroadway uh to that sentence and would read um non-roadway public property located in commercial zoning districts as those districts are set forth in the official official zoning map of the city of Elmherst. All

right, we have a motion and as old Brennan says on the dis before you is the written version of the motion. It would appear on the second page of the document and so the motion is [clears throat] to insert the word hyphenated word nonroadway before public property as indicated second by Alderman Shenko. Any additional discussion on the motion to amend? Alman Nardini then Arman Nudair. I think we just did that. All right. Thanks. Um, this is discussion briefly on the report, not the motion to amend. If I may. No. No.

Um, just to keep it the way it's supposed to be. Alman, are you on the motion? Yeah. Uh, just a quick clarification. Not roadway define. Oh, so so, so yeah. So, so, um, sidewalk, parking garage. I mean, you know, back in the day when I was growing up, the skateboarders would, uh, love to go to places that, you know, they could do their jumps and go down the rails and all that stuff. So our intention is not to to ban you know bikes, ebikes, scooters from our roadways. I mean so not non-road not nonroadway is basically anything but roadway.

Thank you. All right. Any other discussion on the amendment? [clears throat] Uh clerk tamer. So we're the we're voting on the amendment to insert the the hypnotated word non-roadway into section B. Clerk Tamber. Nardini. I Brennan. I Bereas. Hi. Bellinger. Hi. Shenkeno. I Bill. Absent. Bram. Hi. Jensen. Hi. Toudo. I Baker. Hi. Nuda. I. Virgil. I. 13 eyes. Zero naz.

13 I zero naz. The amendment passes. We're now back to the main discussion of the ordinance as amended by the recent motion. Nardini.

Thanks. Briefly, uh, this is more th this is to the public directly, not to the city council. This work is great work. I had the privilege of sitting in on a public affairs and safety meeting when Chief Mike McClean was walking through a series of the the nexus of what kind of bike and what kind of regulation. And this is good, clean work. Parents need to know that um adults are dumb, kids are dumber, and uh there are vehicles that are going to go really fast, and there's no way that we will be able to outpol this. There's no way we will be able to outregulate this. Um these are faster and motorized than your grandma's scooter, than your grandma's bike. And uh we're going to raise awareness by talking about it or by a grievous accident. So, uh, take a look at what your kids are using cuz these things are fast and new.

All right. Any other discussion? Nuda. Thank you, mayor. Uh, just a quick clarification when it comes to low-speed electric scooters and mobility devices. When it comes to age, driver's license required, you have age 18 plus. Is that a typo? No. Because I see kids on these bikes all the time that are well below 18.

That That's not a typo. That's sort of that's sort of what I'm calling out. Um, and you know to to to be honest um you know when I when I think about um that right what one one if you if you take a hard look at it um one is 18 plus the scooter right uh and uh the the uh actually where here it is 16 so so class E bikes is 16 plus. In class one and two, there's no age restrictions. So, you know, it is um it's uncomfortable for for me, you know, class one and two ebike has no age restriction. And actually, if you look at a ebike, it's hard to tell if it's one, two, or three classification. But you know the the concern here is that but by state statute a one and two class ebike should be ridden in the street. So so now you know if a child is on that device you know they're they're technically forced to be riding in the street. They don't understand the rules of the road etc. a good oldfashioned bike you can ride on the sidewalk. So, um yeah, that's not a typo. That that now the age restrictions, etc. are subject to change. And that's why, you know, when this bill passes, we we'll take a look at this and see if we're aligned w with the the changes that that have have been made. Um and we'll stay on top of this. I think this is a very

important topic. I see volumes of this out there and I I love the the fact that we're getting some momentum with with District 205 and and you know private uh educators in our community because these are the types of things that we could be pushing out you know to the you know the kids in our classrooms as well. All right. Other discussion. Damer call the role. Hardini. I Bastto. I Herby. Hi Brennan. Hi Bimis. Hi Bellinger. Hi Shenko. Hi Hill. Absent. Bram. Hi Jensen. Hi Tudo. I Baker. I

Virgil I. 13 I's zero naz.

13 I zero naz. 717 passes. On to item eight on the agenda which is reports item 8.1 clerk camer please read the report recommendation again there. Therefore, the public works and building committee recommends the city council approve the recommendation of the architectural and building commission to approve concept one as a selected schematic design appearance for the police station project and the direct and to direct FGMA to proceed with the design development phase of architectural services under the existing project contract. Sign Alderman Emily Basto chair alderman Michael J. Bram vice chair alderman Mike Baker and Alderman Rex Herby. I have a motion to put uh the report before to pass the report. Alman Bast with a motion. Alman Bram with a second. Alman Bastto.

Thank you, mayor. Just to clarify, so we don't have a picture to put up, do we? Uh not on the screen. We have the board up front, which I'm happy to Okay, that's all right. So, if you look on the um agenda under committee reports, there's our report and right above it, it says for more information, click here. So, that's where you can find it on it takes you back to our meeting. Um, where there's pictures. There you go. Um, horizontal. [laughter] If you could just walk back and forth while I'm Thank you, Miss Merrill. All right. [clears throat] Okay. Thank you, Mayor

Bastigo. Um, okay. So, um, hopefully you're all aware that we are in the, uh, schematic design phase of the police station. Uh it's been a very busy year so far in 2026 for um the new police station. So the schematic design um phase includes a creation of drawings, the site plan, preliminary building plan, sections and elevations. So approval of the schematic design provides direction to our architects FGMA to proceed with more detailed design and development plans for the project. So to get to where we are today with the recommended um schematic design, uh the architects FGMA first updated our original space needs program which was completed in 2017. Uh there were a few minor changes uh that were needed and the upstate updated study did verify that the original space requirement of approximately 54,000 square ft and the current address at 125 East First Street site was accurate and met the current and future needs of the police department. So on January 26th of this year, we had a project visioning openhouse to solicit feedback um from the public and identify what the police station should look like. So it would be giving direction to our architects and to the um commission. So the architects FGMA prepared image boards similar to what you see showing photos of existing buildings around town and other places. So this wasn't designed yet. it was just existing buildings to see um what the public liked and did not and they were able to vote on their preferred appearance. So participants generally favored contemporary and understated appearance buildings that featured a balanced use of materials between masonry and windows glass was favored. So the results of the open house were then reported to the architectural and

building commission where they provided input on potential design features. So from that direction provided by the commission which is ABC uh the architects developed three distinct exterior design concepts. So each design was presented in both a twotory and a threetory option and each portrayed a light, medium and dark uh masonry shades. So, we had another open house on March 23rd of this year, uh, which was a project rendering openhouse to solicit more feedback from the community on preference for the designs and concepts. So, the results were overwhelmingly in favor of a two-story building with medium tone design concepts and design concept one received the most votes. So, the commission then reviewed um these results during their meetings in March and April. Um and the architects further developed the preferred design concept one which you see in front of you. At the April 8th, 2026 meeting, the commission reviewed and unanimous unanimously recommended approval of the police station site plan as presented in what you see here. So that is the two-story building with mixed material accents, contrasting color palette. Um and that is what you see there. So, our committee then uh also discussed this at our last meeting. Um we were really happy to see that the proposed concept includes a community plaza which is going to connect to the restored landscape terrace along Palmer Drive. It'll offer a spa green space and um a place where trees can be planted. Um it continues the use of the basement level of the Schiller Parking deck, Schiller parking deck for the police vehicles. Um and then the next phase is going to be if it is approved tonight the next phase will

be um what is it the design development phase of the architectural services under the existing project. So there you go. That is a very brief summary of what's um been so far a smooth but complicated process uh which involves as much feedback from both experts in our community who volunteer their time as well as the public in general. So um it's the left side the twotory side three different views of what you see and the public input is to the outward appearance not to the functional design of the interior. All right.

All right. Any discussion? Alman Tudo, I just have a question. I couldn't really tell from the um renderings that I saw on board docks. It it sort of looked like the side where there's currently parking on Commerce Drive is becoming a community park plaza area, too. Is that Are we losing the parking on that side? No. And there still could be some changes, but it will be a parking lot. There was discussion about if there's going to still be public parking there, if we're going to need that space for police vehicles only, at least during the day, but no, the parking lot will still be on the left side. So, there's a possibility that we are losing public parking spots there.

Yes, that will be determined later when there's a another assessment of the needs. I'd like to remind you we have a huge parking deck just steps away. I know it's but yeah and I just don't know if that we would need to like um you know change the percentages of the deck right you know as a result of potentially losing those on street level parking spots. Okay. Thank you. All right. Other discussion. Thank you for the report. Cler Cameron, please call the role. Nardini. I. Best I. Herby hi Brennan. Hi Verimis. Hi

Bellinger. I Hill absent. Bram I Jensen. Hi Tudo. Hi Baker. Hi Nuddera. I Virgil I 13 I's zero nays.

13 eyes zero nays. The report passes. On to reports and recommendations of appointed elected officials. Mayor Leven, I only have seven. Um, [clears throat] first of all, I want to uh the senior commission put together the housing tour last Saturday and a number of us went to see Bellotera, the Indigo and Parkplace. I think for all those that attended in addition to the cool swag we got. It was very educational to see uh the variety and quality of the senior housing options. uh they will this will be repeated in the fall for alderman who want to join and see an additional three um facilities. Um, on somewhat [clears throat] of a sad note, I feel obligated to recognize the passing of Dave Noble, who was the Elmharst Funion author, publisher, uh, a York graduate of 1986 and, um, who brought a lot of apolitical levity to the entire town. Item C, the build legislation, which I discussed at the last council meeting, is still something that's out there. So, if you haven't contacted your legislators and to the public in in particular, um there's there only three weeks left to the session. It still seems alive to me. So, that's a call to action on build to unbuild. Um, pleased to say that I received a letter that Elmerst has been designated as a Tree City USA, uh, which requires that a city uphold four core standards, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and participating in an Arbor Day celebration. They've been giving this uh

foundation, the Armorday Foundation has been giving out the awards for 50 years and we've been a recipient for the past 45. Um I also want to thank the organizers of Art in the Park. This past weekend, Wilder Park was alive with artists and vendors and residents. The event brings about 8 to 10,000 people into the heart of Elmer each year. Item F. Um, the city of Elmer is proud to announce that longtime community leader Mark Pachanio has been named the recipient of Ralph Pachanio. Is that what it said?

I said Mark. How many heard is Mark? [laughter] You're off. All right. I've only known Ralph for 20 years. All right. Ralph Pachanio. uh recipient of the 2026 Daryl Whistler Special Service Recognition Award, which is the highest award the city gives to recognize volunteer service. Uh he's been a resident of Elmer since 1970 and has dedicated more than five decades to public service uh community leadership. He's probably best known for his leadership on the Elmharst Veterans Memorial Commission where he served as chair for decades and he played a key role in its creation as well as the Elmherst Veterans Memorial that was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1993. Um on Wednesday, I will be leading a group of with the DUP page mayors and managers to Springfield for our annual drive down to talk with our legislators. Uh, as I detailed last council meeting, there is some troublesome legislation. In addition to build, there's the um LGDF proposed small cut that we must be vigorously opposing. And I will give the council full report upon our expected return. And always want to end on a happy note. I'm told it's Alderman Michael Baker's birthday. So, happy birthday.

Um, that's enough for me, city manager. Thank you. Uh two items tonight. First, uh is our board dock situation. Uh we notified council last week that we've had intermittent outages with board docs. So, we're working with them as closely as we can. Uh our IT director, Larry Kravitz, has been very close in communication with them. Uh we're not exactly sure what the problem is, but to counter it, we have been making PDF copies of our agenda items and posting them to the website with notifications and links for people to get to them so that they can get to them. It w it was working all weekend uh from what we um spot tested. Uh so we were we're com well we're we're pleased that it's up and working, but we are looking at that. We're scheduled for an upgrade that they have. Uh but we're also looking at different options um in addition to the the upgrade. Uh the second thing is there were two items on the agenda tonight that were kind of small but uh they involved cooperation with the park district and the school district and I want to thank both of them and the superintendent and director for working with us. Uh one of them was the SRO agreement which Chief Mlan uh worked with the superintendent on and that uh clearly saves the city some dollars that we were spending. The other one is an easement, but it just proves our uh our great working relationship with and I know that the mayor has gone above and beyond to uh to make those relationships so that we can get things done for the community. Thank you.

Thank you. Alderman Baker, did you have a report this evening on O'Hare? Do you want it? You want to give it? Yeah, I can do it. Happy birthday. It's your It's your birthday present to us. Great gift. Thank you.

Yes. Uh the O'Hare Commission met last Thursday, April 30th. And if you think there's been a seemingly more activity, you would be right. Total monthly operations in March of 26 were 76,549. Uh in March it, I'm sorry, in February it was 65,233. Um takeoffs and landings were about equal um north and south. uh our runway which would go over Elmherst 19% of the takeoffs uh took off from runway 22 left um the annual average is 234 we average 28 a month um so we're below average for that uh overnight flights sometimes people hear the noise overnight uh 13% took that runway 22 left so um the other 87% went mainly east West in March. So, um, overall our numbers were a bit down. We did have 300 uh, I'm sorry, 528 complaints made by seven households in our town. That would be an average of 75 complaints per household. So, they're getting that message across. Um, the month before we had five households complain, nearly 400 complaints, and that was 78 um, reports per household. Um there were a couple other towns that had an average of over a hundred complaints per household that filed complaints on that month. Uh we did have an annual report um delivered and basically the uh commission is making movement still on projects of soundproofing residential homes around O'Hare as well as interviewing schools as to whether or not they need soundproofing. And they do that by testing the audio uh and noise and so forth in the schools. and then they decide whether or not to soundproof

those schools. So, that's some of the goals. Uh there will be a um uh runway uh tour next month, I think. And so, I'll be able to see firsthand how things and operations go on there. And that's all we've got. Thank you, Alman Baker. There any other reports or [clears throat] recommendations? Alderman Ram? Yeah, my I don't have a report. I just wanted to make a request in regards to the complaint hotline for O'Hare. If we could do a communication either, you know, social media, email, and or front porch, I'd appreciate that about saying [clears throat] what

I said about the hotline, just about the information on the hotline and that it's out there that how to how to actually register any complaints. I mean, seven households ain't a lot. I would like to see that higher. And like I've said in the previous discussions on this topic. I don't understand on why anybody even needs to call. I think FAA, Chicago, OD all know where their planes are going and making noise, but uh if we can just communicate that, that would be helpful. Um I think we'll look at that. I can't commit to it, but Alderman Bastto.

Thank you, mayor. I just wanted to make sure our residents were aware that um over the last few weeks, Republic Waste has sent some really helpful information in the mail. So, everyone should have received it. It's a uh city of Elmherst residential guide for race waste removal. So, it has a lot of helpful information about um size and cost of toters, how you can get a new to, what your uh collection day is, what holidays are observed, and therefore your collection might be delayed by a day. really helpful visuals about what you can and can't recycle. Um, if you'd like to start composting, there's information in there. And then, um, other information like how to responsibly um, dispose of batteries and light bulbs. So, anyway, if you or someone in your household um, accidentally put this in the recycling, which is what happened at the Bestito house, good news is there are um, a lot of extras at city hall. And all of this information is also on Republic's website. But um education is very important um to us as a council. We have a new contract with Republic and we really wanted to make sure our residents were aware of all the benefits and all the dos and don'ts um so that we can hopefully reduce waste, increase recycling and composting. So thank you.

Thank you VTO. We were just checking to see if it might be on our website. Maybe it will be but this this information. Yes. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh you have a report or recommendation question. All right. Thank you, mayor. Uh, regarding the Republic, um, I've gotten a couple of calls from constituents that when the water bill came with the trash number in it, um, our new contract, if I remember correctly, chair, was April 1 starting on the new contract or I'm looking

3:30 ending. Uh, my water bill and several other clients went 23 days into April. And I was curious from city staff's position why the old contract number was applied for the whole period for that. All right. I think that's something we'll take offline. Thank you. I think I see public works in the back. All right. Um is there any other business to be brought before the council? Seeing none that could have a motion to adjurnn. Alderman Shank with a motion. Alderman Baker with a birthday second. All in favor say I. I I any oppose say nay. We're ajourned. Thank you, my guest.