City Council - Regular Meeting

I'd like you to please stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. 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. in the roll. Nelac here. Gustoson. Kenny here. Leansky here. Shower. Stampinado here. Sullivan here. Five present and two absent.

We have a quorum that takes us to questions and comments and announcements of a general nature. This is on our agenda for anyone who would like to present something that's not on the agenda to the city council tonight. Is anybody in the audience have anything they'd like to present to the council? If not, we move to approval of minutes. I'm looking for a motion to approve the minutes of the April 20th 20 26 city council meeting. Moved by Alderman Kenny, seconded by Alderman Belzac. Questions and comments? If on the roll, Kenny I. Belzac, hi. Leansky. Hi. Stanado. I Sullivan. Hi.

Five eyes and two absent. The minutes have been approved. Now we're receiving a communications. Do any of the aldermen have communications they want to share with the council? Alderwoman Sullivan.

Thank you. Um, I have received um several emails um from residents in W 5 um regarding a planning and zoning economic development commission meeting this Wednesday, May 6th, about a special use um request for a rectory to be um moved into a home, a private residence in the Terra Hill North subdivision. So, I've passed all those on to um Brian Murphy to share with the planning and zoning commission. I will not be able to attend that meeting because I will be in Springfield with other council members and the mayor and um administrator Vanna representing DuPage mayors and managers um in Springfield to to meet with our legislators. But I've conveyed those um messages. I know some residents will come and um I think everyone's um answers will be met if they haven't already been met with communications.

Thank you, Mary. Anybody else? If not, then we move on to the mayor's report. And as many of you know, it's always a privilege for me to introduce to you a student in our area who's performed uh an outstanding accomplishment. Tonight we have a young man who is an eighth grader at Kingswood Academy, went down to Carbondale, participated with 900 other students, and took home uh first place state science fair junior high division. Uh which is quite an honor. Uh I don't know how many were in the junior high division, but he won the state championship in his division. He will represent uh he will be attending the Illinois Junior Academy of Sciences state science fair and will be representing Illinois at the National Association of uhmies of science in the American Junior Academy of Science conference in February and all those are be paid will be paid for because of his winning. So tonight I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Samson Kuram. Samson, you want to come up? GIVE YOU I used to have a darian pin to give you Samson, but I don't have a darian pin to give you tonight. We have to get some more. Uh, tell us a little bit about your project so people understand what you did and what why you

There's a podium there. Podium. Make it official. So, I chose my project because my dad came from Lebanon, a third world country, and only had the three kinds of water I used in which is bottled water, waste water, and rain water. And I used those three waters on live bean plants and recorded the data and to see which one grow the most to see which variety of water was the best to use. What What was the best use? What made the plants grow best? Bottled water. Bottled water. certain brand. And how long um did you do this test? How long? 30 days. Oh, great.

What what what was the difference? Uh yeah, like as a percentage of growth, like what was the worst and how did it Well, the bottled water was the best then rainwater and lastly waste water. Uh the standard deviation for the rainwater was closest to the average and waste water last. Sam, what were you judged on? Tell us all the different components that you competed on. You had to write a paper or

Oh, uh yeah. So, I had background research, um uh the data, the standard deviation. So, all the scientific method independent dependent and controlled variables and uh analysis. Well, I did analysis of variance and that's great. And Mr. Bannet found a pen. You have congratulations. So, when's the next competition? You said you going in March, February. February. February of next year.

Next year. This is his week. So, thanks to all of her hard work with him. Can you come too? Please.

I love the connection with your father, too. That's that makes it real. Thank you.

Okay. I'm sorry. Okay, thank you.

Wonderful. Congratulations. That's cool. Okay. Good evening, members of the city council, residents of the city of Dearan. I want to take some time this evening to speak to you about an issue that has the potential to significantly shape the future of Darian and other municipalities. Specifically, Governor Pritskar's proposed build program. Would also like to address related changes to the state's funding, specifically LGDF cutbacks. The build legislation being proposed is not simply a housing discussion. It is fundamentally a conversation about local control, fiscal stability, and the ability of communities like Darien to guide their own future. The Build program, short for building up Illinois development, has been introduced as part of the governor's most recent budget proposal is one of the most far-reaching pieces of legislation to come out of Springfield in many years. The stated goal is to address a significant statewide housing shortage by supposedly making it easier to build new homes. The problem it seeks to address is real. Illinois faces a shortage of housing unions and affordability is a concern for many residents across the state. However, the method proposed by the build program represents a major shift in how land use decisions would be made in Illinois. At its core, the build

program would establish statewide standards that override many local zoning development rules. Under this proposal, municipalities like Darian would be required to allow housing types that may not align with current zoning uh units such as duplexes, town homes, and accessory dwelling units located in areas previously reserved for single family homes. For example, Darien now has a minimum lot requirement of 10,000 square feet for a single family home. The build program would reduce that to 2500 square feet. Lots up to 5,000 square ft would be required to have four dwelling units. Lots over 7,500 ft would be required to have eight dwelling use units. Imagine your neighbors sell their home next door to you and the developer comes in, demolishes the house, and builds a four-story condo complex. A good example of this is when we proposed the Chestnut Court Shopping Center. We originally talked about having, I believe it was 100 apartments, tearing down part of it. We went through a zoning process. We had a hearing. We had public people, public uh talk about it. They were against it. we dropped it. Under this program, we'd be looking at 100 units being built at Chestnut Court. We would not have that same kind of say. The program would also limit the ability of local government to deny or modify certain developments, require strict timelines for permit approvals, restrict zoning regulations to those deemed clear and objective, and standardize impact fees and development requirement across the state. These changes would not be optional. They would be mandated at the state level. For a community like Darien, this raises important questions. Our city has developed over time through careful planning, community input, and

local decision-making. Zoning is not arbitrary. It reflects infrastructure capacity, traffic considerations, school impacts, storm water management, and the character of our neighborhoods. The bill program would significantly reduce our ability to make those decisions locally. Instead, it would introduce a one-sizefits-all framework that may not reflect the unique needs and constraints of our community. For example, decisions about density could be made without full consideration of local infrastructure. Development approval could proceed with limited input from local officials. standard shape for large urban centers could be applied equally to suburban communities like ours. Residents would not be able to have an imp any impact on a new development in their neighborhood or the house next door. In effect, Darren would remain responsible for managing growth, but with less authority to guide it. Any potential benefits of the build program must be weighted against a fundamental trade-off, the loss of local control. Local governments are closest to the people they serve. They understand the specific needs of their communities in a way that cannot be replaced at the state level. At the same time that the state is proposing to reduce local authority, it is also proposing changes that impact local funding. The budget being proposed includes a reduction in our share of the local government distributed fund or commonly known as LGDF. While the percentages percentage change may seem small, they want to go from 6.47 to 6.23%. The practical effect is flat. Funding for municipalities across the state. Our costs are not flat. Public safety,

infrastructure maintenance, and personal expenses continue to rise each year. When revenues remain stagnant, municipalities are forced to make difficult choices. They can reduce services, delay critical infrastructure projects, or shift the burden to local taxpayers, none of which we want to do. In other words, what appears to be a minor adjustment at the state level translates into financial pressure at the local level. Together, these two policies to build program and the LGDF adjustment point to a broader issue. They represent a shift in the relationship between the state and local government. Less authority for municipalities and fewer financial resources to meet growing demands. This combination places communities like ours in a challenging position. We are expected to do more with less control and fewer resources. The question then is not whether Illinois should address its housing challenges. It should, but the question is how. Should decisions be driven by local communities who understand their residents, infrastructure, and long-term plans, or should they be dictated through statewide mandates that limit local input and flexibility? As we consider these proposals, it is crit critical that the voice of communities like Darien be heard. I ask that you contact our state representatives and let them know your feelings. You can contact Representative Nicole Laa at laa lilhousegop.org. Representative Marty doer marty at re martyd.com or senator John Curran our state senator at senatorgmail.com and we will have those uh email addresses published. uh a group of us and I may alleoman Sullivan mentioned this will be going

down to Springfield this Wednesday. We'll be spending the day down there as we do every year and we'll be uh lobbying again against an issue like the build program. This program has a lot of money and support from the state realators association. And I don't mean to I know I got a state real a real re realer over there but the state realer association is putting a lot of money and we don't give that money to state legislators but the state realer association does and that convinces a lot of politicians to vote the way they vote. So right now it is important that people understand what we could lose in this city if this bill program goes through. And I'm not saying that we don't need more affordable housing. I have a lot of senior citizens who would like to get rid of their big homes and move to something nice, smaller, maybe a ranch style home, and we don't have that. So, it is an issue. Affordable housing is an issue, but this is not the way to solve the problem. So, I ask that you contact your state legislators. I can't ask that you get a hold of them and you say you are against the build program. Let them know that and let them know that you're against LGDF cutbacks. LGD LGDF of cutbacks go towards infrastructure, public safety, critical issues that we have to face every year. Our maintenance budget increases includes infrastructure. It includes police and in public safety and all that comes from the money that we get from LGDF. Between 2011 and 2023, Darian lost $14.7 million in LGDF money. That's like somebody going to the bank, putting $1,000 in the bank, and six

months later going to the bank and saying, "I liked my $1,000." and they look at you and they say, "We're going to give you six." Then you say, "What about the other four?" Well, we know better what to do with it than you do. That's what the state is basically saying. So, contact your state legislators. This is critical. This is an important piece of legislation and I can't emphasize enough that you need to let your state legislators know. Not just the ones who represent us, but you need to let as many state legislators know that. And when we go down to Springfield on Wednesday, we're going to let people know that. So, thank you. Um, with that, then we'll move on to the city clerk's report. Joanne, no report this evening, Mayor. See the administrator's report. Mr. No report, mayor. Thank you.

Department had information questions. Any questions for Mr. Don or for deputy chief Norton? Okay. Um, treasures report. Uh, treasure cor. Thank you, Mayor. This evening, I'm requesting council's approval of warrant number 252625 in the amount of $141,685.88 from the listed funds payroll for the period ended April 30th in the amount of $338,4820 for a total be approved of $479,7348. Motion to approve Sullivan, second by aldermanado. Any questions or comments for Mike? If not the roll.

Sullivan. Hi. Stampinado. Hi. Leansky. Hi. Kenny. Hi. Belzac. Hi. Five eyes and two absent. Warrants been approved. Um. Other warrant. Mike. Requesting council's approval of first warrant of the new fiscal year of 262701 in the amount of $180,585.99 from the listed funds. Motion to approve. Alagansky. Seconded by Alderwoman Sullivan. Any questions or comments? None. The role. Leansky. Hi. Sullivan. I. Stampinado. I. Belzac. I. Kenny. I. Five eyes and two absent.

That warning's been approved. Uh, two standing committee reports. Do the chairman have any reports they wanted? Mary. The administrative finance uh committee had a meeting this evening and we'll meet once again on Monday, June 1st at 6 PM in the city hall conference room. Thank you. Uh this Thursday, uh May the 7th at 6 p.m. the police pension board will be meeting across the street at the police training room. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The next municipal services committee meeting will be uh 3 weeks from today on uh the 25th of the month or is that is that is that um um

no that's memorial right it'll be two the 26th then uh at 6 p.m. in council chambers county thank you Mr. Premier Police Committee will meet on Monday, May 18th at 6 p.m. across the parking lot of police training room. Pending agenda items. Thank you very much.

This is the questions or comments agenda related. Anybody in the audience have anything they'd like to say about anything on our agenda tonight? If not, we move to old business. There being no old business, we move to our consent agenda. And please bear with me. Item A, motion to approve a proposal from emergency vehicle tech EVT in amount not to exceed $23,000 to upfit a 2026 Dodge Durango using cannabis fund. Item B, motion to enter into an agreement with Lamp Law LLC for municipal prosecutor prosecutotorial services in the amount of $40,000. Item C, motion authorizing the purchase of one new FIN T60T hydro seedar from Burus Equipment in an amount not to exceed $45,57625. Item D, motion to accept the proposal of a 12 month subscription renewal of the mini road weather information system sensors from frost solutions LLC an amount not to exceed $19,600. Item E. Motion authorizing the purchase of one new model 1599 FB flatblad trailer from Saubber Manufacturing Company in an amount of $38,56 and plates and registration in amount not to exceed $350. Item F, motion authorizing the purchase of one new 10tonon dovetail trailer from A&W truck and trailer for $15,248. Item G, motion authorizing a proposal for retrofitting the reheat coils on the variable air volume VAV boxes for the

police department HV AC system to Amber Mechanical Contractors and amount not to exceed $20,53256. Item H, an ordinance granting a variation in the city's zoning and regulations PCC 26-6 25576 Street Hussein quida. Item I, an ordinance approving a one-year extension of time for a special use and variations from the durian zoning ordinance PCC 26-5 Investia Darian LLC 7409 Cass Avenue. And item J, an ordinance approving a minor uh amendment to a plan unit development, a preliminary plat of subdivision, two special use permits, and zoning variations for two drive-thru eating and drinking establishments at the Darian Town Center Shopping Center, PCC 26-4 220176th Street, Core Acquisitions LLC. Motion to approve. Alman Belzac, second by alderman Stompanado. And the role.

Belzac. Hi. Stampinado. Hi. Legansky. Hi. Kenny. I. Sullivan. Hi. Five eyes and two absent. I believe we have representatives from the two new businesses. Would you like to come to the microphone and say anything? Welcome to Jarian.

Hi. Good evening. Uh my name is Adam Bell. I'm a partner with Core Acquisitions. Um the developer for the project. Just wanted to say thank you all for an amazing process. Ryan's been fantastic to work with and um you know, we're really excited to bring new business to Darian and um start some construction this summer. So again, it's it's been a wonderful process. We deal with a lot of communities throughout the Chicago suburbs and this is by far been one of the most streamlined and detail- oriented but um you know, affable communities that we've worked with. So, it's just it's been a great experience thus far and we're looking forward to continuing it over the next year or so. So, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.

He said it perfectly right there. Um I'm Robert Delquente with Andy's Frozen Custard. Um we just love the town. Uh the sense of community uh want to fit into the neighborhood just seemed like a perfect fit. And just to echo Adam's sentiments and we love that you have kids that are first in the state uh in in science. Um, and uh, no, we look forward to opening this store. You look forward to having you and we look we look forward we look forward to having you get to you. We look forward to having you in daring. Congratulations. Under new business, uh, item A is being pulled from the agenda.

So, we're going to go to item B. Motion authorizing the mayor to extend a contract for the 2026 landscape maintenance services within the 75th Street rightaways clock tower and nine entrance way planning beds in amount not to exceed 47,520 between the city of Darian and JC Landscaping and Try Services. Motion to approve. Alman Belzac, second by Alderman Kenny. Any questions or comments?

Just got a small one. um with the entrance on into the city at Cassie Avenue coming coming south off of 67th Street that sign I've noticed lately it's just kind of dilapitated for okay it's hard to see is any of this part part of you know any of that or no the actual sign reconstruction is in the budget for this year believe I believe there's was like three of them you identified or something yeah I just wanted to make sure that was that was one of them cuz I I Just just notice just just notice this item. This agenda item has nothing to do with that.

This is strictly for the landscaping. What you're referring to is the actual sign itself. They came up in the budget, I think. Yes. Anything else? This is all landscape mainten. We have a motion and a second. Any other comments? Not the roll. Belac. Kenny. I Wanssky I Stampinado I Sullivan I five eyes and two absent.

It's been passed. Item C, motion authorizing contingency with JC Landscaping and Tree Services in the amount of 20,450 for replacement of plant materials and plant enhancement for the 2026 landscape maintenance services. Motion to approve. Alman Stampinado, second by Alderman Belzac. Any questions or comments? None. The role. Stampinado. Hi. Belzac. Hi. Kenny. Hi. Sullivan. Hi. Leansky. I. Five eyes and two absent.

The item has been approved. It takes us to questions and comments and announcements of a general nature. The alderman have anything they'd like to share? I just wanted to briefly mention that on Friday night I had an opportunity to um act as a judge for the Zbralter group. Zibralar is a group that uh focuses attention on minority children participating in STEM STEM education. Uh Friday night, there were seven students who presented their projects at Hinsdale South High School. Three of them were awarded scholarships based on our judging. I'm going to ask all seven to come to our May 18th city council meeting. Uh but it was quite an honor to be part of that and you you would have been really impressed with these kids. Some outstanding outstanding children at UNL South High School. I'd also want to let you know that over the past week I've interviewed seven students, four from Downers Grove South and three from Hinsdale South for our summer internship program and the quality of the young men and women that I interviewed just outstanding. I sat there with a young woman today from Downers Grove South High School who probably named every science course as an AP course that she's taken and uh I had the same thing with the kids from Hinsdale South as well. Wonderful, wonderful children. Um outstanding students and it really speaks well to both Donners Grove South and Hinsdale South High School. And when these kids come in on the um uh to work with us, I I think you're going to I think people like Brian and Jason and those who were and Ryan who work with them over the six weeks are going to be

really impressed. This this the group last year was great. This group exceeds that group. So that's all I have. Motion to adjourn. Alderman Sullivan seconded by Almanzac. All in favor? I. Thank you everyone.