HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-08-2021 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT
AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE
_ RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER
MARCH 8, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
I. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers of Village Hall and led the Board and assemblage in the Pledge
of Allegiance.
II. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Bill Grear, Rita Minx,
Ed Ramos,John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor DiMaria asked for an approval of the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of
February 22, 2021. Trustee Minx moved to accept the Minutes of that meeting as presented,
seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote
IV. SPECIAL REPORTS
1. Dine Morton Grove Winners Announced
a. Trustee Grear pulled the names of the following winners of the Dine Morton Grove contest:
• Christine Jamruszka • Sandy Hoffman
• Cindy Tanaka • Ruta Palaitis
• Nancy Diaz • Jennifer Hoover
• Lisa Matsumoto • Margaret Mersch
• Jon Cole • Erin Mears
b. Trustee Grear and the Board expressed their thanks to everyone who entered the contest by
supporting local restaurants. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card.
•
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE
Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS
1. Plan Commission Case PC 21-01, Requesting a Special Use Permit to Allow the Expansion of a
Non-boarding School at 8701 Menard Avenue, Morton Grove, Illinois
a. Mayor DiMaria explained that Land Use Planner Zoe Heidorn is on maternity leave and wished
her well. He then invited Interim Land Use Planner Anne Ryder Kirchner to present this case.
b. Ms. Kirchner said that the Applicant,Tria Architecture, on behalf of the Niles Township District
for Special Education #807, has submitted a request for a Special Use Permit to allow the
modification and expansion of the existing Julia S. Molloy Education Center, located at
8701 Menard Avenue in Morton Grove. The Applicant is requesting variances from several
dimensional and landscape requirements of the Village's Unified Development Code (UDC) to
legalize certain existing conditions and allow the proposed project as presented. Because, prior
to 2016, public school districts in Illinois were exempt from local zoning requirements, no
Special Use Permit is currently on file for the Molloy Education Center.
c. The Applicant is proposing a reconfiguration of the building's interior and an expansion that will
increase the building's total floor area to 61,940 square feet, resulting in a net increase of
17,777 square feet. A larger gymnasium will be constructed at the building's north end and a
second story will be constructed above the gym for administrative offices and a staff training
and conference room. On-site parking facilities will also be increased by eight parking stalls.
d. On February 1, the Appearance Commission approved an Appearance Certificate for the _
proposed project, with landscape waivers, and recommended approval by the Plan Commission.
On February 4, the Traffic Safety Commission forwarded a recommendation for approval, with
comments, to the Plan Commission. At the Plan Commission hearing, parking and traffic
questions were asked by several neighbors. After some discussion, Commissioner Kintner
moved for the requirement of five (5) marked visitor parking spaces and for Village staff to
investigate placing restricted parking on Menard Avenue and adjacent streets.The Plan
Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
e. Ms. Kirchner said she'd be happy to answer any questions of the Board, and noted that
Ronald McGrath, representing the Applicant, was also present tonight to respond to any
questions.
Mayor DiMaria thanked Ms. Kirchner for doing a great job on this presentation.
VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only)
1. Chris Labno of 5801 Crain Street said that he is the owner of the property but doesn't reside
there. However, his elderly mother does, and he visits her often. He said he had made
comments at the Plan Commission hearing expressing three major concerns about the traffic
situation in his mother's neighborhood, and his mother has spoken with the Superintendent of
the School District.These concerns have been address, but not resolved.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) (continued)
a. Mr. Labno said his mother lives right across from Molloy School. He said everyone parks in front
of his mom's house, even school employees.The school has said it would do a traffic and
enforcement study. He hoped that study would find that problems exist and that steps would be
taken to resolve these problems, possibly by implementing permit parking only.
b. The bigger issue, Mr. Labno said, is the matter of school buses idling on Menard. He said he
could understand buses idling in the mornings, because it takes a while for the heat to work, but
these buses are kept idling even in the afternoons, even though it's not needed. He said he
drove down Menard today at 3:00 p.m.—there were four buses idling and he could smell their
fumes even with his mask on. Two of the buses were idling in the turnaround, waiting to pick
up children.That was understandable. Now six buses will expand to 16 buses (once operations
return to normal after COVID) and that will be problematic. He said, as a taxpayer and a resident
for over 50 years, his mother is entitled to enjoy her property without smelling diesel fumes. If
the buses don't need to be idling, why should idling be allowed? He hoped the Village could
possibly work something out with the bus company, and offered to film the buses idling if that
would help.
c. Mr. Labno said traffic patterns in the area are also questionable. He said buses leave the
turnaround circle and very often go south on Menard.This is very hard on his mother when
she's trying to use her driveway, and it's also hard on her neighbors. He said a possible
resolution would be to make buses go north on Menard, noting that sometimes they do go
down Crain Street or Capulina Avenue. He asked the Board to please address and resolve these
concerns, and thanked the Board for listening. He also thanked Plan Commissioner Saba Khan,
who noted that this isn't just a Molloy issue, it's an MCC issue too, and it needs to be resolved.
d. Mayor DiMaria said staff is looking at these issues, and assured Mr. Labno that nothing would
be voted on this evening regarding this matter.
VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
1. Mayor DiMaria sought the Board's concurrence for his appointment of Jan Pietron (for a
three-year term) and Sarah Tag(for a one-year term)to the Environment and Natural Resources
Commission.Trustee Minx moved to concur with these appointments, seconded by
Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.
2. Mayor DiMaria said that vaccine supply continues to be the largest limiting factor across the
country for vaccination distribution.Village staff has and will continue to seek partnerships with
local pharmacies toward the development of local vaccination opportunities. All of our
pharmacies have expressed willingness to work with us, but vaccine availability is the current
hurdle. He reiterated that the best place for current COVID-19 information is the Village's
website. It contains the most up-to-date information on vaccination sign-up, as well as resident
and business support.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued)
3. Mayor DiMaria said that individuals who do not have access to a computer, email, or the
internet can call the Cook County COVID-19 Vaccine Enrollment Help Line at 833-308-1988 on
Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to sign up for the vaccine.This number may
experience a large volume of calls, so it is important to keep trying. He said that, over the past
week, the Vaccine Registration/Sign Up Call Center received more than 61,000 calls, averaging
more than 12,000 calls per day.
3. Mayor DiMaria said Morton Grove's current COVID positivity rate is 3.8%. He encouraged
everyone to continue to follow some simple safety measures to fight COVID-19 by remembering
the three W's: Watch your distance; remain at least 6 feet away from those outside your
immediate household; Wear face coverings any time social distancing is not possible—especially
indoors, and Wash your hands often and for a minimum of 20 seconds each time. Wash with
soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
4. Mayor DiMaria announced a new program from Commonwealth Edison, called the "ComEd
Cares" Assistance program. For customers who struggle to cover their energy expenses, the
ComEd Cares program offers a range of financial assistance options, but only while funding is
available, to help eligible customers pay their energy bills. Residents can call ComEd or visit
their website for more information
5. Mayor DiMaria urged everyone to please continue to patronize local businesses, restaurants,
and bars, as you feel comfortable, during the ongoing pandemic. He said we all have to work
together to help these local establishments get through the winter months so they can remain
open in the spring. 2020 was an incredibly difficult year for local restaurants, so it's more
important now than ever to show our support.
6. Mayor DiMaria noted that landscape waste collection season begins on March 16 and goes
through December 15, 2021. Residents have several options regarding the disposal of landscape
waste. Groot offers the Landscape Sticker Program, or you can participate in the Landscape
Waste Subscription Program, or the Landscape Waste/Food Scrap Subscription Program. For
more information, visit the Village's website or call Public Works for details. Mayor DiMaria said
that Landscape Stickers are available at Village Hall, the Jewel Foods at Milwaukee and Oakton,
the Morton Grove Food Mart at Lincoln and Marmora, and, new this year, at Menards.
5. Mayor DiMaria reported that the Village is once again offering residents an opportunity to
participate in the Village's 50/50 Tree Planting Program.This program offers a choice of certain
types of trees you can select to be planted in the parkway by paying 50%of the cost, which is
$45 per tree this year.The Village will pay the other 50%of the cost and will plant the tree. For
more details and to see the list of trees you can choose, please visit the Village's website.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
IX. CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk Harford had no report this evening.
X. STAFF REPORTS
A. Village Administrator:
Mr. Czerwinski had no report this evening.
B. Corporation Counsel:
Corporation Counsel Liston was absent; there was no report.
Xl. TRUSTEES' REPORTS
A. Trustee Grear:
1. Trustee Grear introduced for a first reading Ordinance 21-05,Approving a Special Use Permit to
Allow the Expansion of a Non-Boarding School at 8701 Menard Avenue, Morton Grove, Illinois.
a. He said this Ordinance had been explained earlier by Interim Land Use Planner Anne Ryder
Kirchner, and, as this a first reading, no action will be taken this evening.
Trustee Grear verified that the Village is still reviewing traffic patterns in the area of this project.
Mr. Czerwinski said yes, we're actively reviewing traffic patterns.There was a meeting this morn-
ing with the Police and Fire Departments and Public Works to discuss this matter, and there will
also likely be a meeting with the residents. Mr. Czerwinski said the Police Chief may implement a
temporary (90-day) traffic control in an effort to figure out what works best for the schools and
the residents. The Deputy Chief will interview area residents to get feedback on how the
temporary traffic control is working, at which point a decision may be reached to either modify
it or make it permanent, if it's working well.
Trustee Grear said he understands Mr. Labno's concerns, especially regarding the idling buses.
B. Trustee Minx:
Trustee Minx had no report this evening.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
C. Trustee Ramos:
Trustee Ramos had no report this evening.
D. Trustee Thill:
1. Trustee Thill presented Resolution 21-22, Authorizing a Renewal of a Professional Services
Agreement By and Between the Village of Morton Grove and SAFEBuilt Illinois, LLC for Plan
Review, Code Enforcement, and Inspectional Services.
a. This Professional Services Agreement would run from January 1, 2021 through December 31,
2021. The fiscal impact is $460,000. The Village Administrator is also authorized to extend the
contract for two additional one-year periods.
Trustee Thill moved, seconded by Trustee Travis, to approve Resolution 21-22.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
E. Trustee Travis:
Trustee Travis provided two pieces of news from the Community Relations Commission (CRC).
1. The CRC is implementing an "Outstanding Neighbor Recognition Program."This program gives
residents the opportunity to acknowledge one of their neighbors who has made a positive
difference in their neighborhood. Nominees can be any age or background, a longtime resident
or someone new to Morton Grove, a local business, someone everyone knows, or an unsung
hero. Neighbors can be nominated for doing special acts of kindness, such as shoveling snow or
mowing a lawn for a neighbor who can't do it themselves; bringing a neighbor's trash carts to or
from the street; checking in on a sick or elderly neighbor; or organizing neighborhood parties or
gatherings. Selected neighbors will be honored at Village Board meetings as well as in Village
publications and online. To nominate your outstanding neighbor, complete the nomination form
available at Village Hall or on the Village's website, or call Deputy Clerk Saba Koya at
847-663-3007. Trustee Travis thanked CRC chairperson Arcie Pimentel for initiating this program,
and Dolores Elliot for submitting the first nomination.
2. The CRC wants to remind those who participated in the Winter "Adopt a Planter" program that,
weather permitting, Public Works will begin removing the evergreen trees from the planters and
bringing them to the Public Works building at the end of this month.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
E. Trustee Travis: (continued)
a. Any decorations remaining on the trees will be discarded. Participants will be receiving an email
with instructions on how they can take home and plant one of the trees used in this program.
If you did not receive an email and you're interested in taking home and planting one of these
trees, please call Saba Koya at 847-663-3007.Trustee Travis thanked everyone who participated
in this popular program.
3. Trustee Travis explained that the CRC is an all-volunteer commission of the Village. Its mission is
to foster, encourage, and promote positive relations among all Morton Grove residents of all
ages, genders, races, creeds, national origins, and economic and educational levels. The CRC is
always looking for additional community-minded residents to join it. The Commission meets the
second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor Conference Room at Village Hall.
The next meeting of the CRC is tomorrow, March 9, and people are invited to attend in-person or
via Zoom. Anyone interested in joining the CRC should contact Trustee Travis.
F. Trustee Witko:
1. Trustee Witko presented Resolution 21-21,Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement With
the County of Cook for the Oakton Street/Caldwell Avenue Sidewalk Connectivity Project.
a. She explained that the Villages of Morton Grove, Niles, and Skokie are working together to
cooperatively develop a facility to safely accommodate walking and cycling activities adjacent to
Oakton Street. Morton Grove has served as the lead agency for this project. The Villages applied
for and were awarded a grant from the Cook County "Invest in Cook" program in the amount of
$267,000, to be used for construction and construction engineering expenses for this project.
Morton Grove will be responsible for advancing the construction and construction engineering
costs and will be reimbursed by Cook County. The fiscal impact of this Resolution is $267,000.
Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Thill, to approve Resolution 21-21.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr.Thill ly± Tr.Travis aye Tr.Witko aye
2. Trustee Witko then presented Resolution 21-23,Authorizing a Contract By and Between the
Village of Morton Grove and the Automobile Mechanics Union Local No. 701 For the Period of
January 1, 2021 Through December 31, 2022.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
XI. •
TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
F. Trustee Witko: (continued)
a. She explained that, in 2004, the Mechanics and Maintenance Supervisor of Mechanics in the
Vehicle Maintenance Division of the Village's Public Works Department opted to join the
Automobile Mechanics Union Local #701.The Village and the union then entered into a
collective bargaining agreement, which has been extended and modified since then.
b. Trustee Witko said this resolution will approve a two-year contract extension with the
provision that any salary increase or modification to benefits for members of the bargaining
unit shall be consistent with those provided to non-represented Public Works personnel. The
contract extension will expire on December 31, 2022.
Trustee Witko moved to approve Resolution 21-23, seconded by Trustee Minx.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
3. Trustee Witko provided some exciting updates from the Environment and Natural Resources
Commission (ENRC). She noted that, after the Sustainability Plan was adopted in December, the
ENRC has hit the ground running to develop ways to support the Plan's goals and promote .—
sustainability throughout the Village. In support of Earth Day 2021 (April 22), the Village and
the ENRC are planning several ways for residents to participate and make a positive impact on
our environment:
a. First, a new "Passport to a Greener Morton Grove" game has been developed.This will be a fun
way for the whole family to be environmentally conscious and hopefully develop new habits that
help move the Village closer to its sustainability goals. During the month of April, four different
"Passport Cards" will be mailed to each household. Each card features one of the following
themes: Make an Impact From Home; Curb Waste at Home; Reduce Energy at Home; and
Transportation. Cards will also be available at Village Hall and on the Village's website.
Households mark off spaces on the card when they complete the designated environmental task.
Completed cards can be returned to the Village for a chance to win a prize.
b. Additionally, Mayor DiMaria is challenging residents to conserve water, energy, and other
natural resources by participating in the 2020 Wyland Foundation's Annual National Mayor's
Challenge for Water Conservation during the month of April.The Annual Mayor's Challenge is a
competition consisting of a series of informative, easy-to-use online pledges to conserve water,
energy, and other natural resources. Cities with the highest percentage of residents who make
pledges are entered in a drawing to win thousands of dollars in eco-friendly prizes, including a
Grand Prize of$3,000 toward home utility bills, home irrigation kits, home improvement store
gift cards, and a local charity will win a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.Trustee Witko said, "Let's all _.
work together to win this and give Mayor DiMaria some bragging rights!"
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
F. Trustee Witko: (continued)
c. Lastly, residents have opportunities to reduce energy usage with a free ComEd Energy
Assessment, which includes free and discounted products for their homes. ComEd offers either
an in-home or virtual home energy assessment and has partnered with NICOR gas to bring
electric and natural gas savings to residents. Residents can schedule an assessment by calling
630-929-2231.
d. Trustee Witko thanked Village staff and the ENRC commissioners for their time and dedication to
making a difference in the future of Morton Grove.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
NONE
XIII. WARRANTS
Trustee Minx presented the Warrant Register for March 8, 2021 in the amount of$469,532.55.
She moved to approve the Warrant Register as presented, seconded by Trustee Grear.
Motion passes: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr.Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko
XIV. RESIDENTS'COMMENTS
1. Rudy Vilk said he hopes everyone on the Board has received his letter from February 22; he had
asked that they bring the letter with them today. He hoped they'd read it and understood it. He
said this letter was his response to each point Mr. Czerwinski had raised, and wondered why the
Trustees aren't responding. Mr. Vilk said it was the job of the Trustees to respond. He said he
wanted monies he's already paid returned. He cited continuous problems and said the Village is
taking money out of his pocket. He asked if his next step would be to go to court.
Mr. Vilk also complimented the Village on the clean roads after the snowstorms last month.
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
XV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Trustee Thill. --
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx ly± Tr. Ramos
Tr.Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
PASSED this 22nd day of March, 2021.
Trustee Grear
Trustee Minx
Trustee Ramos
Trustee Thill
Trustee Travis
Trustee Witko
APPROVED by me this 22nd day of March, 2021.
Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President
Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois
APPROVED and FILED in my office this 23rd day of March, 2021.
Eileen Scanlon Harford, Village Clerk
Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois —
Minutes by Teresa Cousar
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Minutes of March 8,2021 Board Meeting
XV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Trustee Thill.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Ramos aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
PASSED this 22nd day of March, 2021.
Trustee Grear
Trustee Minx
Trustee Ramos ,
Trustee Thill
Trustee Travis
Trustee Witko
APPROVED by me this 22nd day of March, 2021.
Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President
Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois
APPROVED and FILED in my office this 23rd day of March, 2021.
Eileen Scanlon Harford, Village Clerk
_ Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois
Minutes by Teresa Cousar
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