HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-2023MINUTES 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
NOVEMBER 14, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
I.Village President Dan Di Maria convened the Regular Meeting of the Village Board at 7:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers of Village Hall.
II.Village Clerk Eileen Harford called the roll. Present were Trustees Saba Khan, Rita Minx,
Ashur Shiba, Connie Travis, and Janine Witko. Trustee John Thill was absent with notice.
Ill. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Mayor DiMaria asked for a motion to approve the Special Meeting, Budget Workshop Minutes of
October 16, 2023 and October 18, 2023. Trustee Minx moved to approve these Special Meeting
Minutes, seconded by Trustee Travis. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote (with 1 absent.)
2.Trustee Minx then moved to approve the Minutes of the October 24, 2023 Village Board Meeting
as presented. Trustee Khan seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote
(with 1 absent).
3.Mayor Di Maria thanked Trustee Witko for filling in for him at the October 24th Board Meeting.
IV. SPECIAL REPORTS
NONE
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.2024 Village Budget for the Village of Morton Grove and the Morton Grove Public Library
a.Mayor Di Maria opened the Public Hearing on the 2025 Proposed Budget and turned it over to
Village Administrator Czerwinski.
b.Mr. Czerwinski noted that there had been two Budget Workshops held to discuss this budget, on
October 16 and October 18.
Minutes of November 14, Z023 Board Meeting
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued)
c.The total budget for the Village is $84.48M, which is $6.3M (or 8.11%) higher than the 2023
Budget. The major increases are in the funds budgeted for:
•the Lincoln-Lehigh TIF projects ($2.9M),
•General Fund increases ($2.46M) caused by pension fund and health insurance
increases, as well as increased personnel costs to keep the Village competitive
with its staffing needs, and
•increases in capital projects and infrastructure ($500,000) mainly for new water
mains and sewers.
d.The proposed 2024 Budget is characterized as a "Reactionary Managed Budget," as the Village
needs to react to increased costs due to inflation and increased health insurance costs, which are
fixed costs the Village must pay.
e.Mr. Czerwinski said the Village's funding priorities are keeping the bond rating stable, capital
projects development, appropriate personnel costs, meeting inflationary pressures, marketing
impact and recruitment, economic development, maintenance of public facilities, and systematic
replacement of operational equipment.
f.The General Fund (which pays for the Village's normal, everyday operating costs) is proposed to be
$37.92M, an 8.02% increase over 2023's General Fund budget. Contributing to this increase:
•increased pension contributions ($654,000 higher than 2023);
•increased health insurance costs ($400,000 higher);
•increased personnel costs ($950,000 higher);
•increased technology costs ($150,000 higher to have cloud-based Village software plus
higher licensing costs); and
•increased street improvement and public building costs ($200,000 higher).
g.Due to these increased costs, Mr. Czerwinski is recommending a 9% increase in property taxes,
which comes to an annual increase of $114.61 to homeowners with a $400,000 residence.
Mr. Czerwinski is also recommending a 3% increase in the Village's water rates, a 5% increase in
the trash fees, a 1% increase in the Food & Beverage tax, and a one-cent/gallon increase in the
local gas tax. Certain other charges, such as ambulance fees, will also be higher, but residents of
Morton Grove do not pay any ambulance fee. The higher water rate, for a homeowner with a
$400,000 home, would be $19.80 annually, and the higher trash fees (which have not gone up in
several years) would be $11.88. All told, the owner of a $400,000 home would see his taxes in
crease annually by $146.29, or about $12.19/month.
h.Mr. Czerwinski said that staff is comfortable presenting the Board with this Budget. He said the
first reading of the Budget Ordinance and Tax Levy Ordinance would be this evening, with the
second reading and vote on each occurring on November 28. A tax levy public hearing will also
take place on November 28.
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Minutes of November 14, 2023 Board Meeting
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued)
i.Mayor DiMaria invited public comments. He cautioned speakers about repeating topics and asked
that they refrain from doing so.
j.Bob Burkhardt said he appreciates the Village's funding priorities. He noted that the Village has
lost many ash trees in previous years. He has spent some time speaking with Bill Burns, formerly
the Village arborist, about the Tree Replacement Program and how fantastic it is. Mr. Burkhardt
said he'd like to see the amount budgeted for tree replacement doubled.
k.Andrew Hoffman, a 30 year resident, was also concerned about the decreased.amount budgeted
for tree planting. He talked about how beneficial a healthy tree canopy can be.
I.Jon Cole, a 32-year resident, noted that, on pages 32-34 of the Public Works budget, it states that
251 trees were planted in 2023, but only 100 trees are forecast to be planted in 2024. He was
concerned especially because "Environmental Sustainability" is one of the four pillars of the
updated Strategic Plan. He felt that neighboring towns were focusing far more intently on planting
more trees than Morton Grove is.
m.Ahktar Sadiq, 5736 Main Street, said he supports the previous speakers and hopes the Village will
work on keeping Morton Grove Green.
n.Bill Page noted that the numbers in the first slide of the budget presentation didn't line up, but
they were corrected in later slides. He suggested to Mr. Czerwinski that the first slide be corrected
accordingly. He will speak with Mr. Czerwinski once tonight's Board Meeting has adjourned.
Mayor DiMaria asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded
by Trustee Witko.
Motion passed: 5 ayes, 1 absent.
Tr. Khan
Tr. Thill
aye
absent
Tr. Minx
Tr. Travis
aye
aye
Tr. Shiba
Tr. Witko
VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS
1.PC 23-16. Requesting Approval of a Text Amendment to Sections 12-2-5, 12-4-2. 12-4-3, 12-4-4,
12-5-5, 12-7-3, 12-12-1, and 12-17-1 to Establish and Modify Regulations Relating to Accessory
Uses and Structures, Off-Street Parking, Massage Establishments, Truck-Related Uses, Truck
Parking Requirements, Automotive and Truck Repair Uses, and Design Standards.
2.PC 23-17, Requesting Approval of a Preliminary Plat of Subdivision, Final Plat of Subdivision, and
Special Use Permits for a Subdivision and Consolidation of the Subject Property into Two Lots and
the Development of a Mixed-Use Development with Ground-Floor Commercial Uses and
36 (thirty-six) Residential Units.
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Minutes of November 14, 2023 Board Meeting
VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS (continued)
Mayor DiMaria invited Community Development Administrator Zoe Heidorn to the podium to
present these two Plan Commission cases.
la. Ms. Heidorn said that PC 23-16 is a request by the Village for a Text Amendment to various
sections of Title 12 to modify regulations relating to accessory uses and structures, massage
establishments, select industrial uses, truck parking, automotive and truck repair uses, and
exterior building modifications, only in the Commercial district.
lb. The Plan Commission considered this case at its August 15 and October 17 meetings, and on
October 17, voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Text Amendment as presented,
with the exception of proposed regulations relating to short-term rental units, which are still
under consideration.
2a. PC 23-17 is a request by MHDC SLF LLC for approval of a subdivision and special use permit
authorizing the construction of a 36-unit mixed use development with ground floor restaurant
and bar uses, 126 accessory parking spaces, and a pedestrian plaza at 8500-8550 Lehigh Avenue,
which is currently Village-owned property. Nine of the thirty-six units will be affordable to
households earning no more than 60% of the area median income. A 24-unit mixed use
development previously proposed by the Applicant was approved under Ordinance 22-03, but it
did not move forward due to increased construction costs and a lag in funding.
2b. The Traffic Safety Commission and Appearance Commission chairperson waived review of this
application, and on October 17, the Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend
approval with conditions.
Ms. Heidorn noted the developer was in attendance this evening and said that he would be
happy to answer any questions from the Board, as would she.
2.c. Trustee Minx said she had some questions on behalf of Trustee Thill regarding Case PC 23-17.
First, the street will be vacated, but who will own it? Ms. Heidorn responded, that is correct, the
street will be vacated. She felt that¾ of it would be dedicated to the developer and¼ to the
Moose. Trustee Thill's next question was, will the developer and the Moose then be responsible
for the maintenance of the street because it would now be part of their property? Ms. Heidorn
said yes, but she expects that easements will be established which the Village would then
maintain. It hasn't all been worked out yet. Trustee Thill's next question was, will the new street
have a name, and if so, what? Ms. Heidorn said, for clarification, it's not really a new street, it's
really more like a private two-way driveway. She doubted that it would be named, but said that
a name could be considered. Trustee Thill's last question had to do with snow removal/storage,
noting that snow can no longer be pushed into the Forest Preserve. Ms. Heidorn responded that
the approved site plans has 9 parking spaces dedicated to snow storage.
2d. Trustee Minx had one question of her own. She noted that the Moose currently has a Chestnut
Street address, and wondering if the address would be changing. Ms. Heidorn said it would likely
be changing because there won't be a Chestnut Street anymore, but she wasn't sure what it would
be changing to.
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Minutes of November 14, 2023 Board Meeting
VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS {AGENDA ITEMS ONLY}
NONE
VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
1.Mayor Di Maria announced that Santa Claus would be coming to town on Saturday, December 2.
He encouraged everyone to mark their calendars for the Santa Comes to Town Parade which will
begin at Greenwood and Waukegan at 11:00 a.m. on December 2. His trip will end at Main Street
and Austin Avenue between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. Santa will then reappear at the Prairieview
Community Center, 6834 Dempster, to greet families and give gifts to children receiving specially
marked candy from the parade. Gift redemption is from 1:00-4:00 p.m. For a detailed map of
Santa's route through town, please go to www.mortongroveil.org/santa.
2.Mayor DiMaria encouraged the community to support the Morton Grove Police Department's
annual Toys for Tots drive. The MGPD's drive is affiliated with the US Marines Toys for Tots drive.
New, unwrapped toys can be place in the Toy Donation Box at the following locations until
December 11:
•MG Police Department: 6101 Capulina Avenue
•MG Fire Department #4, 6250 Lincoln Avenue
•MG Village Hall, 6101 Capulina Avenue
•MG Park District, 6834 Dempster Street
•MG Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Avenue
3.Mayor DiMaria also urged residents to participate in the Morton Grove Fire Department's annual
Food and Gift Drive. The Firefighters' Association is collecting monetary donations to purchase
gift cards, toys, and holiday meals for families in need until December 15. Checks should be made
payable to Firefighters Association of Morton Grove. People can mail their donation to the address
below or drop your check off. Any questions, please contact the MGFD at 847-470-5226.
IX.
Morton Grove Fire Station 4
Attention: Food Drive
6250 Lincoln Avenue
Morton Grove, IL 60053
CLERK'S REPORT
Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening.
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Minutes of November 14, 2023 Board Meeting
X. STAFF REPORTS
A.Village Administrator:
1.Village Administrator Czerwinski announced the holiday hours for Village Hall and Public Works:
•November 23 and 24: Village Hall and Public Works are closed.
•December 25: Village Hall and Public Works are closed.
•January 1, 2024: Village Hall and Public Works are closed.
2.Mr. Czerwinski said the Village will offer "holiday lights recycling" through February 1, 2024. There
will be a bin in the lobby of Village Hall for people to place their non-working or unwanted holiday
lights. He emphasized that it should be strings of lights ONLY-no garland or other adornment.
This program is being brought to the Village by the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County
(SWANCC) and Elgin Recycling. Mr. Czerwinski said residents should NOT place holiday lights in
their home recycling containers.
B.Corporation Counsel:
Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening.
XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS
A.Trustee Khan:
Trustee Khan presented two ordinances this evening, both for a first reading. She thanked Village
staff for their hard work on both of these ordinances.
Ordinance 23-21, An Ordinance Adopting the Budgets for all Corporate Purposes of the Village of
Morton Grove and the Morton Grove Library. Cook County, Illinois. for the Calendar Year Effective
January 1. 2024 and Ending December 31. 2024.
Ordinance 23-22, An Ordinance Levying and Assessing Taxes for the Village of Morton Grove, Cook
County, Illinois for 2023 to be Collected in the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024 and Ending
December 31, 2024.
B.Trustee Minx:
1.Trustee Minx presented Resolution 23-41, Auth orizing the Execution of a Contract for Ambulance
Billing Services.
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