HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2021 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT
AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE
RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS
OCTOBER 11, 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, Saba Khan,
Rita Minx,John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Trustee Minx moved to accept the Minutes of the September 27, 2021 Village Board meeting as
presented, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote.
IV. SPECIAL REPORTS
1. Outstanding Neighbor Recognition
a. Mayor DiMaria introduced Community Relations Commissioner Kristey Chalabi to present the
Commission's Outstanding Neighbor Award tonight to Aaliya Rana.
b. Commissioner Chalabi explained that the mission of the Community Relations Commission (CRC)
is to foster, encourage, and improve our sense of community through positive interactions
among all Morton Grove residents regardless of age, gender, religion, national origin, or eco-
nomic status. She said she was pleased to represent the Commission this evening in acknowl-
edging another extraordinary neighbor through the Outstanding Neighbor Recognition Program.
This program gives all Morton Grove residents the opportunity to acknowledge an outstanding
neighbor for doing special things that make your neighborhood a better place.
c. Ms. Chalabi invited Aaliya, her family and friends, and her nominator, Ruhenna Mohammed,
along with Mayor DiMaria,Trustee liaison Travis, and any other Community Relations
Commissioners, to come to the podium to present Aaliya with this recognition.
d. Ms. Chalabi noted that Ruhenna, in her nomination of Aaliya, said "Aaliya is a very kind and
helpful neighbor who lets the community know about any events taking place that benefit her
neighbors. She spreads smiles and goes the extra mile to be helpful. She is active when it comes
to donations and participates in packaging donations. She is a neighbor you can count on."
Ruhenna also said Aaliya is the neighborhood's "Morton Grove yellow pages."
Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
IV. SPECIAL REPORTS (continued)
e. Mayor DiMaria thanked everyone for being here this evening and said that it's nice to see
neighbors being neighbors. It proves that the Village is, as its tagline states, "Amazingly Close.
Incredibly Open." He then presented Aaliya with a pen, an Outstanding Neighbor certificate, a —
$25 gift card for any Morton Grove restaurant, and a special pin as tokens of appreciation from
the Village Board and the CRC. He noted that the pin is never given to just anyone—only to
those who are assets to the Village. Mayor DiMaria also gave out a shout-out to all MEC
residents and said he was humbled and honored to present these to Aaliya.
f. Aaliya thanked her friends, family, neighbors, and the Village Board as the MEC President
presented her with flowers. The Board and assemblage congratulated Aaliya, her family, friends,
neighbors, and nominator as photos were taken of the group.
g. Ms. Chalabi commented that the Commission is always looking for new members. She invited
anyone who is interested in serving the Village to join the Commission. The CRC meets the
second Tuesday every month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at Village Hall in the second floor
conference room.The meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled due to the Budget
Workshop, so the next meeting is November 9, 2021. All are welcome!
Mayor DiMaria thanked Kristey and the other members of the CRC for doing a great job.
2. Presentation of 2020 Traffic Safety Award and Railroad Crossing Safety Specialty Award
a. Mayor DiMaria introduced Morton Grove Police Chief Mike Simo, who in turn introduced Scott
Christiansen from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP). Scott is the project manager
for the Traffic Safety Challenge. Chief Simo invited Mayor DiMaria and Trustee liaison Grear to
the podium, and also introduced several MGPD personnel, in attendance this evening to help
accept this award: Officers Tim Walsh, Matt Mayberry, Dan Dahm, and Mike Schram. Chief Simo
said these officers and others have worked hard to accomplish the things the department is
being recognized for this evening.
b. Scott said this is the best part of the program. He explained that the Traffic Safety Challenge is a
friendly state-wide competition between similar size and type agencies throughout Illinois.The
program is coordinated by the ILCAP Traffic Committee and supported by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
c. The program honors agencies that have successfully implemented comprehensive traffic safety
programs. Scott noted there are many components that go into winning this recognition; it's not
simply who writes the most tickets or makes the most arrests.This is a comprehensive traffic
safety program recognition.
d. The elements include sound policy, officer training, recognition programs, public safety
information and education, and targeted traffic data-driven enforcement.
e. Scott said the IL Traffic Safety Challenge encourages agencies to set and meet comprehensive
goals, and to develop positive programs that help reduce the number and severity of crashes
that occur in the community.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
IV. SPECIAL REPORTS (continued)
f. The program targets four specific areas: occupant protection, distracted driving, impaired
driving, and speeding.
g. Scott said the Challenge provides law enforcement with an opportunity to make a significant
difference in their community.This year, Morton Grove won 15t Place in the State in the
"Municipal: 36 to 50 sworn officers" category. Morton Grove was also selected for a Specialty
Award for Rail Safety.This award has the same kind of comprehensive aspect of making the
public aware of rail safety, helping people understand the importance of it, and the
enforcement of rail initiatives in the Village.
h. Scott said that, while the inscription on the awards says "Morton Grove Police Department,"
he felt he was presenting the award to the Village, because the program itself wouldn't be
successful without the support of the Village Board and the community at large. It's the support
of the business community, clubs, etc. Scott said he could see from the previous presentation
(the Outstanding Neighbor recognition)that Morton Grove is a tight, involved community. It's
the community that is being recognized tonight. He then presented two plaques to Chief Simo
and Mayor DiMaria, who gave the plaque to the officers present who had worked so hard for
this recognition.
i. After photos were taken, Mayor DiMaria commented that he wasn't surprised; there's a very
good group of men and women in the Morton Grove Police Department.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
NONE
VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS
NONE
VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only)
a. Pete Friedman, 6143 Lincoln Avenue, spoke about the TIF ordinances on tonight's Agenda.
He said he had been at the Public Hearing two weeks ago. He supports creating a TIF for the
development of that area, but the testimony regarding residential development had him
concerned. He felt the testimony was compelling, especially regarding the potential impact and
burden it would place on the schools if the residential development ended up being fairly high
density. He felt that would be a burden that should not be placed on the schools without giving
them an adequate chance—and funding—to actually expand their capacity. Mr. Friedman said
that overcrowded classrooms are not effective classrooms.
b. Additionally, he said one of the speakers had suggested that there would be no provision for an
environmental impact study. He hoped that wasn't the case, and that the Village does have such
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) (continued)
a provision, and if it does not, he hoped the Village would make it a priority to always have
environmental impact studies on any development near sensitive land. He noted that this TIF
area is very close to the forest preserve and "dangerously close" to a moving body of water.
c. Lastly, Mr. Friedman said that he spent the length of the public hearing on his smart phone try-
ing to find the public hearing documents on the Village's website, to no avail. He said it's one
thing for the Board and staff to find things on the website; they're likely on it more often. He
said he recognized that the Village upgraded the website several years ago, and felt it's been
greatly improved, but, if a resident can't find documents related to a public hearing or a Board
Meeting, that's a problem. He asked the Board to make it another priority to update the
website to make it much more user-friendly, so these types of documents can be more easily
found by interested residents.
Mr. Friedman thanked the Board for their attention and consideration.
VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
1. Mayor DiMaria proclaimed October 24, 2021 as "World Polio Day" in the Village. He noted that
this also celebrates the 82"d anniversary of the Skokie Valley Rotary Club. Mayor DiMaria said
that Rotary launched Polio Plus in 1985 and helped establish the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative in 1988. The Initiative includes the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates _
Foundation.The Initiative's goal is to immunize the children of the world against polio, thereby
eradicating the disease. Polio cases have dropped by 99.9%since 1988, and the world stands on
the threshold of fully eradicating the disease.
a. Mayor DiMaria said it was interesting that polio was once thought of as a pandemic, but since
1988, cases of polio have 99.9% disappeared. With COVID, he said we should all realize that this,
too, will pass. He acknowledged it doesn't always happen quickly, but he was confident that
we'll get through COVID, too. He said, "It's always good to look to the future."
2. Mayor DiMaria encouraged non-vaccinated individuals to get vaccinated, and reminded
everyone that all people are required to wear a face covering when in Village facilities.
3. Mayor DiMaria said he gets more calls on this than almost anything else: Village vehicle stickers.
He reminded everyone that the 2021-2022 Village vehicle sticker was required to be displayed
on your vehicle(s) as of Wednesday, September 1, 2021. He said that currently, about 1,500
Morton Grove residents have not gotten their stickers, and said he knows they will call and
complain, especially if they have to pay the double fine. Mayor DiMaria said, rather than call,
"Just get the sticker."The Village would like to see 100%compliance with this regulation.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
IX. CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk Harford had no report this evening.
X. STAFF REPORTS
A. Village Administrator:
Mr. Czerwinski said he had several TIF-related Ordinances to present this evening. These are all
first readings only.
1. Ordinance 21-8, Amending the Redevelopment Project Area and the Redevelopment Plan and
Projects of the Ferris Avenue/Lehigh Avenue Redevelopment Project Area to Remove Certain
Parcels of Property From the Redevelopment Project Area.
a. Mr. Czerwinski explained that this Ordinance will remove certain non-performing parcels from the
original Ferris/Lehigh TIF District, so that they may then be incorporated in a newly-created
TIF District.
2. Ordinance 21-09, Approving the Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Lincoln/Lehigh
Redevelopment Project Area.
a. Mr. Czerwinski said this Ordinance will approve a redevelopment plan and project area for the
Lincoln/Lehigh TIF District within the municipal boundaries of the Village.
3. Ordinance 21-10, An Ordinance Designating the Lincoln/Lehigh Redevelopment Project Area.
a. This Ordinance formally designates the Lincoln/Lehigh Redevelopment Project area.
4. Ordinance 21-11, Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Lincoln/Lehigh
Redevelopment Project Area.
a. This Ordinance allows the Village to adopt tax increment allocation financing for the new
Lincoln/Lehigh Redevelopment Project Area.
Mr. Czerwinski said the second reading and a vote on these ordinances will take place at the
Village Board meeting on October 25, 2021.
B. Corporation Counsel:
Corporation Counsel Liston had no report this evening.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS
A. Trustee Grear:
Trustee Grear had no report this evening.
B. Trustee Khan:
Trustee Khan had no report this evening.
C. Trustee Minx:
Trustee Minx had no report this evening.
D. Trustee Thill:
Trustee Thill had no report this evening.
E. Trustee Travis:
1. Trustee Travis reminded everyone that the Community Relations Commission is sponsoring a
"Student Photo Contest" for students to share their experiences about going back to school or life
around town. Winners will be announced at the Village Board meeting on December 13, 2021.
2. Trustee Travis noted that the 11th annual Community Relations Commission-sponsored
Community Artists Performance is scheduled for Saturday, October 30 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
She encouraged everyone to watch performances by area high school students and area residents
showing their talents. You can watch in-person or via livestream. Please see the Village's website
or the recently mailed Village postcard for a link to this event.
3• Lastly, Trustee Travis invited all residents and businesses to participate in the Village's 2021
Winter Adopt-a-Planter Program. The Public Works Department will plant 4-foot evergreen trees
in planters throughout the Village. Participants will be assigned a tree to decorate and care for
this winter, with the option to plant it in their yard for free when the program ends. If interested,
you must sign up before November 15, 2021. Program information is available at Village Hall or on
the Village website.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
xi. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
F. Trustee Witko:
1. Trustee Witko presented Resolution 21-62, Guaranteeing Municipal Work Performed on State of
Illinois Right-of-Ways Within the Village of Morton Grove.
a. She explained that this Resolution provides a routine guarantee to the State that all work
performed by the Village within the State's right-of-ways in 2022 and 2023 will conform to the
conditions on the permit granted by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
b. Trustee Witko said that municipalities have the option of either providing the financial security
for each repair or may opt to provide a written guarantee that all work performed by the Village
within State right-of-ways will conform to their requirements of the performance for the work.
Providing this guarantee eliminates the time and cost of procuring a bond for each permit.The
guarantee must also hold harmless the State of Illinois while performing permitted work.There
is no fiscal impact related to this Resolution.
Trustee Witko moved to approve Resolution 21-62, seconded by Trustee Minx.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye
Tr. Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
2. Next,Trustee Witko presented Resolution 21-63, Authorizing Contract Change Orders with
Bolder Contractors, Inc. For Main Street Improvements Project.
a. She explained that Resolution 21-48, approved in July 2021, authorized a contract with Bolder
Contractors, Inc. for Main Street Improvements Project in the amount of$1,108,832.76.
Construction began in September, and the contractor has encountered unforeseen utility work
during water main construction, totaling approximately$20,000 in extra costs.The construction
team assessed the condition of the soil in the excavation and considers it possible that the
structural capacity of the subgrade may need to be increased beyond the extent included in the
contract. Public Works staff anticipates other unforeseen challenges of a similar scale to those
already encountered may need to be addressed, which would increase the contract cost.
b. Trustee Witko said that Public Works staff feels it would be practical to authorize the Village
Administrator to issue contract change orders not to exceed 10 percent of the contract amount,
which is $110,883.28.
Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Minx, to approve Resolution 21-63.
Trustee Grear asked where these funds would come from. Mr. Czerwinski said they'd come out
of the Ferris/Lehigh TIF Fund.
Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 21-63.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
F. Trustee Witko: (continued)
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye
Tr.Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
3. Trustee Witko then presented Resolution 21-64,Authorizing the Execution of a Contract
Amendment With Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. For Preliminary and Design
Engineering Services for Oakton Street Pedestrian Facility Improvements Project.
a. She explained that the Village is cooperatively developing a project for a pedestrian facility along
Oakton Street and Caldwell Avenue with Cook County, the Village of Niles, and the Village of
Skokie. Resolutions 18-56 and 19-40 authorized two agreements for sharing costs for preliminary
and design engineering.
b. Resolutions 19-12 and 20-40 authorized the Village Administrator to execute a contract and
contract amendment for a professional services agreement in the total amount of$189,088.15 to
complete preliminary and design engineering for this project. However, additional engineering
work is needed to meet the project's needs. Structural engineering work is needed to design a
stable slope for a sidewalk on the edges of a steep earthen slope along the banks of the North
Branch Chicago River. Also, additional surveying was required for the area where the structural
engineering is required, as well as at intersections. Oakton Street requires permitting by the
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). IDOT required extra traffic analyses and
coordination that was not expected to be required.The contract amendment, therefore, would
be $49,937. The authorization to execute this contract amendment would be contingent upon
agreement by the Villages of Niles and Skokie to pay a fair share of the additional cost.
Trustee Witko moved to approve Resolution 21-64, seconded by Trustee Travis.
c. Trustee Grear asked Mr. Czerwinski if any "hiccups" have been encountered with the three
municipalities working together. Mr. Czerwinski responded no, and reiterated that no action
would be taken on this contract amendment until the other two Villages approve it as well.
Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 21-64.
Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye
Tr.Thill aye Tr.Travis ly± Tr. Witko aye
4. Trustee Witko announced that there are only three more French Market dates left.The Market is —
open on Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the Civic Center parking lot.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued)
F. Trustee Witko: (continued)
5. Trustee Witko reminded everyone to save the date for the Village's first Pumpkin Smash! It will be
held on Saturday, November 6, at the north end of Harrer Park. A Pumpkin Smash is an effort
communities are making to divert pumpkins from landfills by providing residents a location to
drop off jack-o-lanterns to be composted. She hoped everyone will take advantage of this event.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Mayor DiMaria noted that Budget Workshops for the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget will begin
tomorrow,Tuesday, October 12, at 6:00 p.m. at Village Hall. Another Budget Workshop is
scheduled for Wednesday, October 13, and a third, if needed, is scheduled for October 14th
Budget Workshops are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.
2. Mayor DiMaria also reminded the assemblage that the Village will hold its first Neighborhood
Outreach since 2019 on Thursday, October 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center. He encouraged
residents to come out and meet their elected officials, offer suggestions, talk to Village staff and
department heads, and learn more about what's happening in Morton Grove.
XIII. WARRANTS
Trustee Minx presented the Warrant Register for October 11, 2021 in the amount of$643,673.45.
She moved to approve this evening's Warrant Register as presented, seconded by Trustee Khan.
Motion passed: 6 ayes,0 nays.
Tr. Grear ae Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye
Tr.Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS
NONE
XV. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board,Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Trustee Witko.
Motion passed: 6 ayes,0 nays.
Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye
Tr.Thill aye Tr.Travis aye Tr. Witko aye
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
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Minutes of October 11,2021 Board Meeting
APPROVED this 25th day of October 2021.
Trustee Grear H
Trustee Khan
Trustee Minx !'1Y
Trustee Thill ,4yP
Trustee Travis ALA
Trustee Witko Aye
APPROVED by me this 25th day of October, 2021.
—
-
Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President
Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois
APPROVED and FILED in my office this 26th day of October, 2021.
`,)4A-Z-- 2;LI4,12
Eileen Scanlon Harford, Village Clerk
Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois
Minutes by Teresa Cousar
MIMMONI
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