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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-2022 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 MARCH 14, 2022 CALL TO ORDER I. & II. Village President Dan DiMaria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. Mayor DiMaria said the news continues to be heartbreaking regarding the invasion and conflict in Ukraine, and has no doubt impacted Morton Grove residents profoundly. He said, “As a Board and as a Village, our collective hears are with the Ukrainian people. We see you. We see your distress and send much love and prayers.” He then asked for a moment of silence for those in this war who have been killed or wounded, and t hose who’ve lost loved ones. III. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Bill Grear, Saba Khan, Rita Minx, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Trustee Minx moved to accept the Min utes of the February 28, 2022 Village Board meeting as presented, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. V. SPECIAL REPORTS Announcement of “Dine Morton Grove” Winners Mayor DiMaria said that, once again, the Village celebrated National Restaurant Month this past February by holding its annual “Dine Morton Grove” contest. Both residents and non -residents were encouraged to submit receipts and/or photos of their Morton Grove restaurant take -out or dine-in experiences during the month. A total of 82 entries were received from 22 house- holds. Ten participants were randomly drawn from all entries earlier today, and will receive in the mail a $25 American Express gift card. The winners are: David Bates-Jefferys Chuck Gelber Jack & Beth Lanners Gary Rubin Josephine Meehan Lisa Matsumoto Susan Filerman Christine Stancy Mitchell Cohen Marilyn Davis Mayor DiMaria thanked all who participated and encouraged everyone to patroniz e the many diverse restaurants in Morton Grove throughout the year. Minutes of March 14, 2022 Board Meeting 2 VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VII. 1. 2. a. b. c. d. e. f. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS Plan Commission Case PC 22-01: Request for Approval of a Plat of Vacation for a Portion of Chestnut Street Right-of-Way Located Directly West of Lehigh Avenue Right-of-Way. Plan Commission Case PC 22-02: Request for Approval of a Preliminary Plat of Subdivision and Special Use Permits for a 24-Unit Mixed-Use Development With Bar and Microbrewery in a C/R Commercial Residential District, With Variations. Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn said she was pleased to introduce these two cases, which are being presented for a first reading tonight as Ordinances 22 -02 and 22-03, respectively. She said PC 22-01 is a request for approval of a vacation of a portion of Chestnut Street, to be vested to the applicants and future abutting business owners Loyal Order of Moose #376 and MHDC SLF LLC. The proposed vacancy would expand and optimize the Village -owned redevelopment site at 8500–8550 Lehigh Avenue. PC 22-02 is a request for approval of a subdivision in consolidation and special use permits for a mixed-use development by applicant MHDC SLF LLC at 8500 –8550 Lehigh Avenue. Ms. Heidorn explained that the Village issued an RFQ for redevelopment of the property in 2020 and selected this project because it presented the best balance of commercial and residential uses, activated the public realm, incorporated a public plaza as a focal point for the community, and was the most fitting to and respectful of the surround ing neighborhood. The development includes a restaurant, a microbrewery with food service, a coffee shop, and accessory bar and dining uses on the ground floor, and 24 apartment units on the second and third floors. Ms. Heidorn said, on February 3, the Traffic Safety Commission reviewed the proposed vacation, subdivision, and special use permits, and unanimously recommended approval with comments. On February 7, the Appearance Commission reviewed the project and also unanimously recommended approval with conditions. On February 21, the Plan Commission reviewed Cases 22-01 and 22-02 and unanimously recommended approval with conditions, which have been incorporated into the Ordinances before the Board this evening. Ms. Heidorn said, after working closely with the developer, Greg Stec, present this evening, and working through 18 site plan iterations, staff is pleased to introduce a project that is deserving of this community and of the Board’s consider ation. She said she or Mr. Stec would be happy to answer any questions from the Board. Minutes of March 14, 2022 Board Meeting 3 VII. g. h. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS There were no questions from the Boa rd, but Trustee Grear commended the Board and staff, saying it’s been a long time since the Village purchased that property and he’s glad to see good things finally happening there. Mayor DiMaria thanked the Moose for their input and being cooperative neighbors in this matter. He reminded everyone that this development will be a great complement to the train station, which is slated to be remodeled soon. He said, “After many years, I think the train area, which has been sitting like this for years and years, will finally come to life, and when people come in and out of Morton Grove, they will look at the updated train station and Greg’s project and realize that Morton Grove isn’t a sleepy town anymore.” He said that was by design, adding he’s very proud of the Village staff. He also thanked Greg for coming to town and taking a risk. Mayor DiMaria said he told Moretti’s and Cooper’s Hawk to “come to Morton Grove— I guarantee you’ll be successful.” In both cases, it’s been true, so he told Greg he guaranteed that his project will be successful, and thanked him again for investing in Morton Grove. VIII. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE IX. 1. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mayor DiMaria said the Police Department is still accepting applications for the 2022 Citizens Police Academy, although spaces are almost gone. The academy will be every Tuesday, starting March 22 and ending on May 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If you are interested in getting an up-close look at what police do, this program is for you. The 10-week program is designed to give participants an understanding of the operation of the MGPD and a working knowledge of what law enforcement is all about. The academy classes are held once a week and the class is limited to 20 students, and there are only a few spaces left, so register ASAP. There is no cost to participate. More information can be found at the Village’s website at mortongroveil.org/cpa. X. CLERK’S REPORT Clerk Harford had no report this evening. XI. A. STAFF REPORTS Village Administrator: Mr. Czerwinski had no formal report this evening. Minutes of March 14, 2022 Board Meeting 4 XI. B. STAFF REPORTS (continued) Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. XII. A. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear had no formal report this evening. B. 1. a. 2. a. Trustee Khan: Trustee Khan introduced for a first reading Ordinance 22-02, Approving a Plat of Vacation of a Portion of Chestnut Street Right of Way Located Directly West of Lehigh Avenue and Measuring Approximately 0.531 Acres in Morton Grove, IL. She explained this Ordinance was pursuant to Plan Commission Case PC 22-01, which had just been presented by Ms. Heidorn. As this is a first reading, no action will be taken on this Ordinance at this time. Trustee Khan next introduced for a first reading Ordinance 22-03, Approving a Preliminary Plat of Subdivision and Special Use Permits with Associated Waivers for a 24-Unit Mixed-Use Development Property Commonly Known as 8500–8550 Lehigh Avenue and a 0.531-Acre Portion of Chestnut Street Right of Way Petitioned for Vacation in Morton Grove, IL. She explained that this Ordinance was pursuant to Plan Commission Case PC 22-02, which had just been reviewed by Ms. Heidorn. As this is a first reading, no action will be taken on this ordinance at this time. C. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no formal report this evening. Minutes of March 14, 2022 Board Meeting 5 XII. E. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS (continued) Trustee Travis: Trustee Travis encouraged everyone to “save the date” of Saturday, April 16, 2022, for the 12th Morton Grove Community Artists Performance, sponsored by the Community Relations Commission. The event is free to the public and will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Civic Center. It will feature live performances on stage per COVID guidelines at the time and will also be available via livestream. This is a platform for people of all abilities to celebrate our diversity and uniqueness. Submissions can be made from February 1 through March 11 at noon to www.identityperformingarts.org/projects.aspx. Anyone who has questions should email Ginny at Ginny@identityperformingarts.org. F. 1. a. b. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko presented Resolution 22-14, Authorizing a Contract Extension With Al Warren Oil Company, Inc. Through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative for the Annual Purchase of Gasoline and Diesel Fuel. She explained that, as a member of the Northwest Municipal Conference, the Village participates in the joint purchasing program offered by the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC), in which gasoline and diesel fuel is competitively bid, reducing costs for multiple communities. Resolution 21-05 was approved to purchase gasoline and diesel fuel from Al Warren Oil Company of Hammond, Indiana, under Contract #198 of the SPC. The Village has the right to extend Contract #198 through July 5, 2023, under the same terms and conditions of the original contract. This Resolution will authorize the Village Administrator to extend the contract through July 5, 2023. The fiscal impact of this contract is $328,141. Trustee Witko moved, seconded by Trustee Grear, to approve Resolution 22-14. Trustee Thill asked if higher gasoline prices will be passed on to the Village. Mr. Czerwinski responded that there’s a “market rate” for fuel which the Village is locked into. However, when the rate is determined it is still subject to the inflationary aspects of the commodity. However, doing it this way is the cleanest, most appropriate, and fairest way to get fuel. Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 22-14. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye Minutes of March 14, 2022 Board Meeting 6 XIII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIV. WARRANTS Trustee Grear presented the Warrant Register for March 14, 2022 in the amount of $495,826.81. He moved to approve this evening’s Warrant Register as presented, 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 XV. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS Ruldolf Vilk, 7508 Emerson, appeared before the Board to complain about Corporation Counsel Liston’s job performance and her unwillingness to use her microphone . He encouraged Mayor DiMaria to fire her. However, he said, it’s not personal. XVI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Grear. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.