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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-25-2022 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 JULY 25, 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. He asked for a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of former Morton Grove Village Clerk and Trustee Ed Ramos. Many Morton Grove residents will remember Mr. Ramos for his community efforts as he served as Clerk, and then as Trustee from 2013–2021. Mayor DiMaria said he and the Board send their deepest condolences to Becky, Ed’s wife, and the rest of his family, and their heartfelt thanks for the time and effort Ed invested in his Village. Mayor DiMaria said “Ed made Morton Grove a better place.” III. Village Clerk Eileen Harford was absent with notice, so Deputy Clerk Saba Koya 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 Minutes of the July 11, 2022 Village Board meeting as presented, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. V. SPECIAL REPORTS Outstanding Neighbor Recognition: Zack Scafuri Mayor DiMaria noted that this “special” Special Report would be presented by Trustee Travis. Trustee Travis explained that, each month, the Community Relations Commission (CRC) acknowledges an “Outstanding Neighbor” from nominations received by residents regarding someone in their neighborhood for doing special things that make the neighborhood a better place. This month’s Outstanding Neighbor is Zack Scafuri, who, unfortunately, could not be here tonight. Zack was nominated by Christopher Spielburg. Christopher’s nomination of Zack stated “Zack takes absolute care of everything for us when we are out of town or otherwise unavailable. He picks up packages and mail, shovels the driveway, and checks on things. He offers a helping hand for projects and makes life easier in every way.” Trustee Travis congratulated Zack and said the Village will send him a pen, a special pin, an “Outstanding Neighbor” certificate signed by Mayor DiMaria, and a gift card. The Board and assemblage applauded Zack. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 2 VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VII. 1. 2. a. b. c. d. e. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS Plan Commission Case PC 22-08, Requesting Approval of a Map Amendment to Rezone the Property at 8350 Lehigh Avenue from M-2 General Manufacturing to C/R Commercial/Residential Plan Commission Case PC 22-09, Requesting Approval of a Preliminary Plat of Subdivision, Final Plat of Subdivision, and Planned Unit Development (PUD) Special Use Permit for an 89-Unit Townhome Development These cases were presented by Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn. Ms. Heidorn noted that both cases were being presented tonight for a first reading as Ordinance 22-13 and Ordinance 22-14. For both Plan Commission cases, the Applicant is M/I Homes of Chicago, LLC, and they are present at tonight’s meeting. Case PC 22-08 is a request for a map amendment to rezone the 7.6 acre property at 8350 Lehigh, the former site of Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals, from M-2 General Manufacturing to C/R Com- mercial/Residential. This amendment will align the property’s zoning classification with a town- house development proposed under Case PC 22-09. The current owner has sought reuse or redevelopment of the vacant 95,000 square foot building for several years, but due to the building’s functional obsolescence for modern industrial uses, the building has not attracted any industrial businesses for redevelopment. Under Case PC 22-09, M/I Homes is requesting approval of a subdivision and Planned Unit Development to authorize the construction of 89 townhomes within 16 buildings and the future sale of townhomes on individual lots, with common areas to be owned and maintained by a future homeowners’ association. The development will feature 220 enclosed and open accessory parking spaces, internal vehicular and pedestrian access ways, a landscaped detention basin, and shared open space. On June 2, the Traffic Safety Commission recommended approval of PC 22-09 with comments, and on June 6, the Appearance Commission also recommended approval of the case, with conditions. On June 20, the Plan Commission recommended approval of both PC 22-08 and PC 22-09 with conditions. The draft Ordinances under consideration contain conditions relating to site design, tree planting, parking lot screening, the burial of underground utilities, signage, fire suppression, and mosquito abatement. The Applicant, M/I Homes, intends to close on the property by the end of the year and will begin construction in 2023. Ms. Heidorn said she’d be happy to answer any questions of the Board, as would the Applicant. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 3 VII. f. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS (continued) Trustee Thill indicated he had some questions but that he would review them in a meeting tomorrow with Ms. Heidorn. VIII. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE IX. 1. 2. 3. 4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mayor DiMaria asked everyone to continue to remember the distressing events in the Ukraine, stating that “our hearts and thoughts are with the Ukranian people.” Mayor DiMaria announced that the Police Department will be hosting its 7th Annual National Night Out at the Civic Center, 6140 Dempster, on Tuesday, August 2, from 5:30 pm until 8:30 pm. This is a free educational and fun event that just gets better every year! Mayor DiMaria also announced that the 2nd Sustainability Expo will take place on Saturday, September 10, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Civic Center. Mayor DiMaria gave a shout-out to the Public Works crews who spent most, if not all, of their weekend working on Oak Park Avenue X. CLERK’S REPORT In Clerk Harford’s absence, Deputy Clerk Koya had no formal report this evening. XI. A. 1. a. STAFF REPORTS Village Administrator: Mr. Czerwinski presented Ordinance 22-15, An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution of An Economic Incentive and Tax Increment Financing Development Agreement by and Between the Village of Morton Grove, IL and P & P Properties, LLC in Regard to Certain Real Property Located in the Lehigh-Ferris Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Area and the Expenditure of Funds from the Lehigh-Ferris Tax Increment Financing District Fund. He explained that the Village has, for decades, owned the vacant properties known as 8720–8726 Ferris Avenue and 8733 Narragansett Avenue and the adjacent public alley, all of which are in the Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 4 XI. A. b. c. STAFF REPORTS (continued) Village Administrator: (continued) Lehigh-Ferris TIF District. The Village marketed these properties for redevelopment for several years and included them in an RFQ for redevelopment in 2020, but no feasible development project or desirable use was presented. P & P Properties, LLC (“Developer”) owns the properties in the Lehigh-Ferris TIF District known as 8721 and 8735 Narragansett Ave. The Developer’s property and the Village’s property are vacant, underutilized, and exhibit conditions of blight as defined by the TIF Act. The Developer has proposed to develop its property and the Village’s property as a 10-unit townhome development and a one-unit duplex development with an estimated EVA of $6 million. In May, the Board approved requests for the Village to vacate a portion of public alley, a Special Use Permit and Subdivision for a ten-unit townhome development, and a Special Use Permit for a two-unit apartment complex. The Developer submitted a TIF application stating that the developments are not financially feasible without financial assistance. The application was reviewed and was deemed a reasonable request. Currently, the total project costs for the developments (without assistance) are estimated to be between $6.6 and $6.9 million. The Developer and Village staff negotiated an Economic Incentive and Tax Increment Allocation Financing Development Agreement, which provides reimbursement to the Developer for certain TIF-eligible expenses not to exceed $350,000 and the forgiveness of a $420,000 loan to the Developer for the purchase of the Village’s property. The combined incentive is valued at $770,000, and accounts for approximately 11% of the total development costs. Mr. Czerwinski said he hoped the Board would support this Ordinance. Mayor DiMaria asked for a motion to approve it. Trustee Minx moved, seconded by Trustee Thill, to adopt Ordinance 22-15 as presented. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 5 XII. A. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS Trustee Grear: Trustee Grear had no formal report this evening B. 1. 2. Trustee Khan: Trustee Khan had two ordinances presented this evening for a first reading. Both were related to the Plan Commission cases that had earlier been reported out by Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn. Ordinance 22-13, An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone the Property Commonly Known as 8350 Lehigh Avenue in Morton Grove, IL From M-2 General Manufacturing to C/R Commercial/Residential. This Ordinance is per PC Case 22-08, reported out by Ms. Heidorn earlier this evening. Trustee Khan said, as this is the first reading of this Ordinance, no action will be taken tonight. Ordinance 22-14, Approving a Preliminary and Final Plat of Subdivision and a Planned Unit Development Special Use Permit for an Eighty-Nine Unit Townhome Development on Property Commonly Known as 8350 Lehigh Avenue in Morton Grove, IL. This Ordinance is per PC Case 22-09, reported out by Ms. Heidorn earlier this evening. Trustee Khan said, as this is the first reading of this Ordinance, no action will be taken tonight. C. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. D. Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no formal report this evening. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 6 XII. E. 1. a. 2. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS (continued) Trustee Travis: Trustee Travis presented Ordinance 22-12, Amending Title 6, Chapter 1, Section 3 Entitled “Offenses Against Public Peace” of the Municipal Code of the Village of Morton Grove. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. She explained that Village staff continuously reviews and proposes updates to the Village Board to ensure the Code remains contemporary and adequately addresses the needs of the community. The Chief of Police has proposed revisions to Title 6, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the Municipal Code of Morton Grove to (1) remove the prohibition against soliciting or begging on public ways, as solicitation regulations are addressed in Title 4, Chapter 6E of the Code, and to comply with recent court rulings regarding First Amendment rights with respect to solicitation and begging; and (2) to remove the prohibition against public intoxication from this section to comply with an Illinois state statute which precludes municipalities from adopting or enforcing any law that includes intoxication as the sole basis of an offence. This Ordinance will codify the Chief’s proposed revisions. Trustee Travis moved to adopt Ordinance 22-12, 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 Trustee Travis reminded everyone to remember to water their planter if they adopted one. Public Works waters them once a week, but with the heat and lack of rain, they need to be watered more often. She also reminded everyone that the Community Relations Commission’s summer photo contest continues until Labor Day. People should send in pictures they have of how they or their friends/neighbors enjoy the summer in Morton Grove. F. 1. a. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko presented Resolution 22-32, Authorizing a Contract With Hoerr Construction, Inc. For the 2022 Sewer Lining Program–Contract B. Trustee Witko explained that the Village has an annual program to rehabilitate the older sanitary and combined sewer pipes for improved flow capacity and elimination of groundwater infiltration and inflow in the Village’s sewer infrastructure. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 7 XII. F. b. 2. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS (continued) Trustee Witko: (continued) Trustee Witko said the Public Works Department developed contract documents for the lining of sewer segments on or near Suffield Street, Oleander Avenue, Church Street, Davis Street, and Arcadia Street. Bids were solicited on the Village website for 10 business days and two bids were received. Hoerr Construction, Inc. had the lowest bid submitted. Their qualifications have been evaluated and the company has been deemed qualified to perform this work. This contract conforms to the purchasing requirements of the Village. The bid amount is based upon unit pricing proposed by the contractor for the number of units estimated by the Village. This contract also must conform to the requirements of the Prevailing Wage Act. Trustee Witko noted that the fiscal impact of this Resolution is a not-to-exceed amount of $295,650, but, since this is a unit price contract, the final contract amount will be based upon the actual quantity of work performed. Trustee Witko moved to approve Resolution 22-32, seconded by Trustee Travis. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Grear aye Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye Trustee Witko said, regarding the upcoming Sustainability Expo, that the Environment and Natural Resources Commission is still accepting businesses, so if you know (or are) a business that helps the sustainability of our community, or of the planet, please call 847-470-5220, and we’ll help you along with the process to become an exhibitor at the Expo. Again, the Expo takes place on September 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. XIII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIV. WARRANTS Trustee Grear presented the Warrant Register for July 25, 2022 in the amount of $262,428.98. He moved to approve this evening’s Warrant Register as presented, 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 Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 8 XV. 1. a. b. c. d. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS Mayor DiMaria reminded speakers they would have four (4) minutes to speak, and asked the speakers to not repeat what a previous speaker has already said. Beverly Copeland stated that gun violence is tearing the fabric of our country and its communities apart and has to stop. She said, “Vigils, marches, therapy, thoughts and prayers give us temporary relief from our grief and pain, but we are counting on the people we elected to protect us from gun violence.” She thanked the Village for steps that have already been taken in this regard. She noted that “Ten miles away from us, in Highland Park, peoples’ lives were ruined or cut short on an iconic American holiday, the celebration of our independence from England, the celebration of our freedom. Yet it is our great national shame that, every single day, guns are eliminating our freedom—our freedom to send our children to safe schools; our freedom to worship in a synagogue, mosque, or church; our freedom to attend a movie or dance at a club, or even to shop for groceries. Our freedoms are being eliminated one by one.” She cited a number of towns that have been victims of the “killing machine: assault-style rifles that nobody outside of the U.S. military has any business owning.” Ms. Copeland said most of us know perfectly well what needs to be done—a ban on all high- powered assault-style rifles, which are made “not just to take our lives, but to eviscerate the human body.” She said that allowing those weapons into the general populace, much less the hands of angry, unstable teens, “makes an abhorrent and deadly public policy.” Ms. Copeland noted that these horrors don’t have to continue to happen, and suggested we all take them personally, because “the alternative is becoming numb to shooting after shooting after shooting” and that is unacceptable. Ms. Copeland reminded everyone that, in 1981, Morton Grove became the first community in the United States to ban handguns, an action that was widely heralded and applauded around the world. Sadly, in 2008, after 27 years, the ban was repealed because a similar ban had been struck down by the Supreme Court. Ms. Copeland said some steps we can take today include banning assault weapons in Morton Grove, noting that other towns, like Highland Park and Naperville, are working on doing that. Also, the Village could hold a Town Hall on community gun violence. The mayor and police chief need to keep the community alert and educated on the dangers of gun violence, as they do with the pandemic or an imminent, dangerous storm. Fliers and posters about gun laws and initiatives need to be posted at Village Hall and the police station. Gun safety information should appear on the Village’s Facebook page, its website, in each issue of the newsletter, and in the Morton Grove new resident handbook. The availability of gun locks needs to be widely advertised, and the safe storage of guns needs to be widely promoted. Firearm restraining order info should be widely publicized and implemented, and prompt action on expired FOID cards needs to continue to occur. Ms. Copeland noted that the very popular National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, and felt the event would be a perfect time to distribute gun safety materials to help keep MG children and families safe. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 9 XV. 2. 3. 4. a. b. c. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (continued) Ahkter Sadiq spoke. He said he had similar things to say as Ms. Copeland and said he seconds and supports what she said wholeheartedly. Eileen Queegan is an 18-year resident of The Woodlands and is a retired teacher/speech therapist. She, too, wholeheartedly supports Ms. Copeland, but added that, when important gun safety information, such as gun locks, safe storage, FOID cards, ”red flag” laws, etc., is communicated to Village residents, it should be provided in various languages, such as Spanish, Arabic, and Korean, because many people have limited English skills. For them to be able to read this information accurately and in their own language would be very helpful and would enhance the trust and respect of our Village government, including our police department. She thanked the Board for their consideration. Mayor DiMaria assured the speakers that Chief Simo and the MG Police Department are very proactive in the matter of gun safety. The MGPD currently offers residents free gun locks, and the department promotes gun safety on social media and via other lines of communication. Mayor DiMaria said he has worked closely with Highland Park’s mayor at the Northwest Municipal Conference and knows that Highland Park has some of the strictest gun laws in the State of Illinois, but that didn’t stop a deranged person from killing seven innocent people, wounding many, many more, and completely ruining the 4th of July for many people. What he did changed the community of Highland Park—and this annual event—forever, but it was done with a weapon that had been lawfully purchased. Mayor DiMaria said he has spoken to Ms. Copeland many times on this subject and applauds her passion. But, in his opinion, a patchwork of local ordinances won’t work. The State needs to have a unified voice for all of its municipalities. It does no good if Skokie has one set of rules, Morton Grove has another set of rules, Niles, Glenview, have their rules and it goes on and on. It needs to be uniform. Mayor DiMaria noted that, if it wasn’t for guns, he’d still have a brother. He said, addressing Ms. Copeland, “We need to have mental health issues addressed; mental health initiatives addressed; and, most importantly, I would love to see the energy you put into coming here to talk to us go instead to you going to Springfield and letting Governor Pritzker and the legislators hear what you’re saying.” He added, this is an issue for all of us, but it’s an issue that should be addressed at the State level. He said, “Doing it town by town just won’t work.” However, he said he did support local communities taking leadership in promoting gun safety as well as educational programs. Mayor DiMaria said he would write letters and reach out to our State representatives on this issue as well. He thanked Ms. Copeland and her supporters for coming out tonight and for caring. Minutes of July 25, 2022 Board Meeting 10 XV. 5. 6. a. b. c. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (continued) Rudy Vilk said he had some questions about the Village Administrator and the enforcement of certain rules. He felt the rules should be followed by everyone, including the mayor, not just the residents. Mr. Vilk said he didn’t feel he was being treated fairly by the Village and was considering suing. Eric Poders said to Mr. Vilk, if you sue the Village, you’re suing 23,000 people of Morton Grove, and I’m one of them. Mr. Poders apologies for not being present at MG Days on July 2nd or 3rd. He had a professional photographer from the Botanic Gardens set up to take pictures on July 4—she was going to do pictures and he was going to do video. He wanted to really do it up this year and had planned to take some hi-res shots of the fireworks for use in marketing the event next year. Mr. Poders noted that, when he was there on July 1, an incident occurred involving a woman who had been drinking too much and then needed her inhaler. He said the reaction time of the MG Police and Fire personnel was practically instantaneous. He commended the Village’s public safety personnel. He also noted he had a problem with his current job; he made Chief Simo award of it and the chief and others in the department have been most responsive and helpful. Mr. Poders said he’s getting back into experiential marketing and invited everyone to come see him at “the big bounce” in Busse Woods this weekend. 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 7:36 p.m.