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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-2023 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 AUGUST 8, 2023 CALL TO ORDER I. & II. In the absence of Village President Dan DiMaria (absent with notice), Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the Regular Meeting of the Village Board to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall. She then asked the Board for a motion to approve one of their colleagues to serve as President pro-tem for tonight’s meeting. Trustee Travis moved to name Trustee Witko as President pro-tem for this meeting, seconded by Trustee Thill. Clerk Harford called the roll: Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye President pro-tem Witko then led the Board and assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Saba Khan, Rita Minx, Ashur Shiba, John Thill, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Trustee Minx moved to approve the Minutes of the July 25, 2023 Village Board Meeting as presented. Trustee Thill seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. IV. 1. a. SPECIAL REPORTS Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam was a guest at tonight’s meeting, here to provide a Legislative Update Report. Senator Villivalam said it was an honor to be here, and thanked Mayor DiMaria and the Board for their partnership with him at the intergovernmental level. He said he’s now in his second term and he really enjoys working together at the local level. Senator Villivalam said that about 6,000 bills are introduced at the beginning of the legislative session. By the end, only about 570 actually reach the governor’s desk. The senator expressed pride in the fact that Illinois has now passed its fifth balanced budget in five years, and the State has had eight credit rating upgrades as well in that time. Minutes of Aug 8, 2023 Board Meeting 2 IV. b. c. d. SPECIAL REPORTS (continued) Senator Villivalam said the new State budget invests heavily in education, public safety, and healthcare. There is also an increase in the local government distributive amount—not 10%, as hoped, but nevertheless, an increase. He noted that, as Transportation Chair, he has secured $2.1 million in grant monies for his partnership with the Village. Further, he’s worked with the Township Supervisor to pass legislation that would allow townships to do more for their communities. And he’s been able to get another $145,000 in grants to Morton Grove and $95,000 for funding replacement equipment for the MG Fire Department. Senator Villivalam said, in response to what occurred in Highland Park on July 4, 2022, and after listening to municipal police departments saying what they need, Drone Legislation has passed to allow the police to use drones. The senator promised to always make himself available and told the Board and the assemblage to “never hesitate” to reach out to him, whether it be a matter of “everyday needs” (i.e., a pool pass) to passing multi-million dollar budgets. President pro tem Witko thanked the senator very much for making time to be here today and for his efforts on behalf of the Village. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. 1. a. 2. a. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn had four cases to present tonight. Plan Commission Case PC 23-12, Request by Parkland Preparatory Academy South for Approval of a Special Use Permit for a School, Non-boarding, and House of Worship on a lot less than 3.5 acres in an R-2 Single Family Residential District for the Property Commonly Known as 7800 Lyons Street in Morton Grove, Illinois. Ms. Heidorn said the Applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit to operate a private, therapeutic school for students with special education eligibility and diagnostic needs at 7800 Lyons, along- side an existing House of Worship. Plan Commission Case PC 23-13: Request by Moody Nolan on Behalf of Fifth Third Bank for Approval of a Special Use Permit for a Drive-Through Facility Associated with a Financial Institution in a C-1 General Commercial District with select waivers to Section 12-2-6:G, 12-5-5:B.4., and 12-11-3:B.1 for the Property Commonly Known as 6210 Dempster Street in Morton Grove, IL. Ms. Heidorn explained this is a request for a Special Use Permit to construct a 2,800-sq. ft. bank branch with two drive-through lanes and 16 accessory parking spaces at 6210 Dempster Street. Minutes of Aug 8, 2023 Board Meeting 3 VI. 3. a. 4. a. b. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS (continued) Plan Commission Case PC 23-14: Request by Jianxin He, Foot Smile Spa, for Approval of a Special Use Permit for a Massage Establishment–Full Body in a C-1 General Commercial District for the Property Commonly Known as 9231-35 Waukegan Road in Morton Grove, Illinois. Ms. Heidorn said this is a request by Foot Smile Spa for a Special Use Permit to operate a full-body massage establishment in a 2,200-sq. ft. commercial unit within the Beckwith Center at Waukegan and Beckwith. The Applicant currently operates a limited massage establishment at the same property. Plan Commission Case PC 23-15: Request by Soar High Holdings LLC for Approval of a Special Use Permit for an Assisted Living Facility in a C/R Commercial/Residential District for the Property Commonly Known as 5520 Lincoln Avenue in Morton Grove, Illinois. Ms. Heidorn said this is a request by Soar High Holdings LLC to operate an assisted living facility at 5520 Lincoln Avenue, which was developed as an assisted living facility under a Special Use Permit granted in 2009. A new Special Use Permit is required due to the facility’s extended period of vacancy. Ms. Heidorn noted that, on July 5, the Appearance Commission reviewed the proposed bank branch (PC 23-12) at 6210 Dempster and unanimously recommended approval of the application, with conditions. On July 5, the Traffic Safety Commission reviewed all four cases and in each, recommended unanimously approval of the applications. On July 18, the Plan Commission heard all four cases and also unanimously recommended approval of each application, with conditions that were made part of each particular draft ordinance. Ms. Heidorn said she’d be happy to answer any questions of the Board, but there were none. VII. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS (Agenda Items Only) NONE VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT President pro-tem Witko reported that National Night Out, which was held on August 1 at the American Legion Memorial Civic Center, was a great success for the community and was quite well attended. This free event was hosted by the Morton Grove Police Department with participation from all Village departments as well as the Morton Grove Park District. The event helped to enhance the relationship between residents and law enforcement, while fostering a greater sense of community. Family-friendly activities, entertainment, and refreshments were provided. President pro-tem Witko complimented and congratulated the Police Department for organizing this great event. Minutes of Aug 8, 2023 Board Meeting 4 IX. CLERK’S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening. X. A. STAFF REPORTS Village Administrator: Village Administrator Czerwinski had no formal report this evening. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. XI. A. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS Trustee Khan: Trustee Khan had no formal report this evening. B. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. C. 1. 2. Trustee Shiba: Trustee Shiba encouraged everyone to “mark their calendar” for the upcoming Morton Grove Sustainability Expo on Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Morton Grove Civic Center, 6140 Dempster Street. Enjoy family-friendly activities, kid’s crafts, and connect with eco-friendly vendors! New this year will be a “Recycling Fest” at the Expo—a convenient one-stop drop-off recycling event for various items. For more information, see the Expo webpage on the Village’s website. Trustee Shiba also invited everyone to attend Assyrian Food Fest on August 19 and 20 at 6834 Dempster. The event is free and opens at 2:00 p.m. Everyone’s welcome! Minutes of Aug 8, 2023 Board Meeting 5 XI. D. TRUSTEES’ REPORTS (continued) Trustee Thill: Trustee Thill had no formal report this evening. E. Trustee Travis: Trustee Travis reminded everyone that the Summer Photo Contest is up and running and ends on September 4 (Labor Day.) Photographers are encouraged to submit photos of people having summer fun at Village Hall or via the Village website. F. 1. 2. 3. 4. Trustee Witko: Trustee Witko presented four (4) Ordinances this evening. Each is a first reading, so no action will be taken. These Ordinances are based on the Plan Commission cases reported out earlier this evening by Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn. Ordinance 23-17, Approving a Special Use Permit for a Nonboarding School and House of Worship on a Lot Less Than 3.5 Acres at 7800 Lyons Street in Morton Grove, Illinois. Ordinance 23-18, Approving a Special Use Permit For a Drive-Through Facility Associated with a Financial Institution in a C-1 General Commercial District with Select Waiver for the Property Commonly Known as 6210 Dempster Street in Morton Grove, Illinois. Ordinance 23-19, Approving a Special Use Permit for a Full-Body Massage Establishment in a C-1 General Commercial District for the Property Commonly Known as 9231-35 Waukegan Road in Morton Grove, Illinois. Ordinance 23-20, Approving a Special Use Permit for an Assisted Living Facility in a C/R District for the Property Commonly Known as 5520 Lincoln Avenue in Morton Grove, Illinois. XII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE Minutes of Aug 8, 2023 Board Meeting 6 XIII. WARRANTS Trustee Khan presented the Warrant Register for August 8, 2023 in the amount of $170,952.72. She moved to approve the Warrant Register as presented, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye XIV. RESIDENTS’ COMMENTS NONE XV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business being brought before the Board, Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Khan. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.