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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-2024MINUTES 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 JANUARY 23, 2024 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. II. 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 Mayor DiMaria asked for a motion to approve the Minutes of the January 9, 2024 Village Board Meeting as presented. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously. IV. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE V. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS NONE VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) NONE Minutes of January 23, •024 Board Meeting VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor DiMaria announced that the Citizens Police & Fire Academy will be back in 2024. It will take place for 12 weeks every Wednesday starting March 6, 2024 to May 22, 2024. Class will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. He encouraged people to register to participate if they're interested in getting an up -close look at what police and firefighters do. The program is designed to give participants an understanding of the operation of the Morton Grove Police and Fire Departments, and a working knowledge of what law enforcement and firefighting are all about. The classes will be held at Village Hall and are limited to 20 students, so register early. There is no cost for residents to participate. Access the Village's website for the online application form or more information. 2. Mayor DiMaria also announced that February is "National Restaurant Month" and, once again, the Village will be holding a contest encouraging residents to dine at a local eatery, so that they can be in the running to win one of ten $25 gift cards. a. To enter, you need to submit a phot of you, your friends, or your family dining at a Morton Grove restaurant or submit receipts totaling at least $25 and bearing a February 2024 date. Entries are due by Monday, March 11. Dine -in, take-out, and delivery are all eligible. Submit your receipts and/or photos to w.mor+ : . There's no need to submit photos if you're submitting receipts. The winning entries will be announced at the March 19 Village Board meeting. Only one winner per household. And, new this year, the Village will be featuring on its social media accounts discounted coupons for participating Morton Grove restaurants! 3. Mayor DiMaria invited residents to attend the upcoming Neighborhood Outreach event, taking place at Melzer Elementary School, 9400 Oriole Avenue, Morton Grove on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. a. Mayor DiMaria said this is a great way for people to meet and talk with elected officials and staff to learn about what's happening in the Village, ongoing and new projects, discuss issues one-on-one, ask questions, and meet your neighbors. He added that, for this particular neighborhood outreach, all of Morton Grove's State representatives have been invited to attend, so anyone within the Village who feels that "Springfield" isn't listening will have a chance to talk directly to their State legislators. IX. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening. 2 Minutes of January 23, 2024 Board Meeting X. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: 1. Mr. Czerwinski said the Village is offering "holiday lights recycling" through February 1, 2024. A holiday light recycling bin is located 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. a. 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. 2. Mr. Czerwinski introduced Morton Grove's new Economic Development Administrator, Brandon Nolan. Zoe Heidorn, who has been in that role, has accepted the position of Assistant Village Administrator. 3. Mr. Czerwinski then presented Resolution 24-08, Authorizing Participation in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) and Authorizing the Village Administrator to Approve Contracts for Electricity for Village -Owned Buildings, Facilities, and Infrastructure. a. He explained that, since 2007, when Illinois deregulated the purchase of electricity, electricity suppliers have been able to compete against Commonwealth Edison for the purchase of electricity. ComEd no longer offers a fixed energy rate for large or medium sized commercial accounts. In 2017, in order to secure a fixed rate for electricity for municipal buildings, water pumping stations, and parking lot lighting infrastructure, the Village evaluated qualified electrical energy brokers and selected NIMEC to serve as its electrical energy broker. NIMEC has represented over 170 member municipalities, park districts, water districts, and libraries in northern Illinois, and the Village has worked with NIMEC since 2008. Village staff has recommended the Village continue to use NIMEC as its electrical energy broker in 2024. If the Village chooses an electricity supplier recommended by NIMEC, NIMEC's compensation will be included in the contracted electricity prices, so there will be no direct payment made to NIMEC by the Village. Mr. Czerwinski noted that using NIMEC has been very beneficial to the Village in the past—it's been a great success. b. Mr. Czerwinski said this Resolution designates NIMEC as the Village's broker for purposes of obtaining electricity. Due to time constraints and procedures required for the acceptance of a competitive bid for the supply of electricity, this Resolution will also authorize the Village Administrator to negotiate and execute a contract with the most optimal bidder for the acquisition of electrical energy for the Village -owned buildings, facilities, and infrastructure, including its water pumping stations and parking lot lighting, for a term of up to 36 months. This authority shall begin upon the adoption of the Resolution and terminate at the end of the current calendar year. Mr. Czerwinski asked that this Resolution be supported by a motion and second of the Board. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded by Trustee Shiba. 3 . J. ' . 23, 21024 Board Meeting X. A. Village Administrator: (continued) STAFF REPORTS (continued) c. Trustee Thill asked if NIMEC would handle the Village's residential customers as well. Mr. Czerwinski responded no, but they could. Right now this is just about getting competitive electricity rates for Village -owned buildings, facilities, water pumping stations, and parking lot lighting. He added, in recent years, ComEd has been competitive for providing residential and small business electricity. Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 24-08. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx a.y& Tr. Shiba Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis Ayg Tr. Witko aye B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Khan: Trustee Khan had no formal report this evening. B. Trustee Minx: 1. Trustee Minx presented Resolution 24-09, Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement Between the Village of Morton Grove and Johnny Rockets Fireworks Display Corporation, for the 2024 Morton Grove Days Fireworks Display. a. She explained that, for several decades, the Village's Morton Grove Days festivities have included a fireworks display as part of its Fourth of July activities. The Village conducted a competitive bidding process for the fireworks display in 2023 and the Johnny Rockets Fireworks Display Corporation of Vernon Hills, IL was determined to be the successful bidder. The Johnny Rockets Fireworks Display Corporation provided the fireworks display for the 2023 Morton Grove festivities met or exceeded the Village's expectation for safety, quality, and duration. The 2023 proposal from this vendor also included the option for the Village to extend the contract for three (3) additional years (2024, 2025, and 2026) at the Village's sole discretion. 4 Minutes of January 23, 2024 Board Meetin: XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) B. Trustee Minx: (continued) b. This Resolution will authorize a contract extension for 2024 and further authorizes the Village Administrator to execute a contract extension for 2025 and/or 2026 without further Village Board action if said contract extension(s) are warranted by the then -existing circumstances. The 2024 contract extension specifications include a full-scale, safe display for a fee of $30,000.00. Trustee Minx moved to approve Resolution 24-09, seconded by Trustee Witko. c. Trustee Thill questioned whether the money for this comes out of the Village's funds. Mr. Czerwinski said it does not. The Morton Grove Days Commission is a 501( c )3 entity which raises all the funds to pay for the entire Morton Grove Days event annually. Mayor DiMaria called for the vote on Resolution 24-09. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan ave Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye C. Trustee Shiba: Trustee Shiba had no formal report this evening. D. Trustee Thill: 1. Trustee Thill presented Resolution 24-10, Appropriation of 2024 Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the Maintenance of Streets and Highways. a. Each year, the Village receives a portion of the motor fuel taxes collected by the State. These funds must be spent on the eligible improvements of roadways. The State requires an estimate and statement of the maintenance expenses for each year of the program. For 2024, the estimate is $738,000.00. Trustee Thill moved, seconded by Trustee Travis, to approve Resolution 24-10. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye 5 Minutes of January 23, •124 Board Meeting XI. D. Trustee Thill: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) 2. Next, Trustee Thill presented Resolution 24-11, Authorizing the Purchase of a New 2024 John Deere 544P Front End Loader From West Side Tractor Sales Company. a. Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Division routinely reviews vehicles and equipment for fuel economy, safety, dependability, age, and excessive repair cost. During this review the staff has recommended the 1996 John Deere 544G be replaced. b. The purchase of a new John Deere 544P Front End Loader was competitively bid through Sourcewell Procurement Agency pursuant to Contract #011723-JDC with West Side Tractor Sales Company of Wauconda, IL being the authorized regional John Deere dealer for this contract. c. Village staff negotiated a contract with West Side Tractor Sales Company, who has agreed to take the 1996 John Deere 544G Front End Loader, one 1996 Front End Loader Bucket, and one 2014 V -Plow as a trade-in. The trade-in value for those three items totals $23,000, which has been deducted from the list price of $319,267.22. The financial impact of this Resolution is $296,267.22. Trustee Thill moved to approve Resolution 24-11, seconded by Trustee Travis Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx ly± Tr. Shiba �e Tr. Thill ave Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko ave E. Trustee Travis: Trustee Travis had no formal report this evening. F. Trustee Witko: 1. Ordinance 23-32, Approving a Text Amendment to Clarify Regulations Relating to Short -Term Dwelling Units in Morton Grove, Illinois. a. Trustee Witko said she was presenting for a third reading Ordinance 23-32, which approves a Text Amendment to clarify regulations relating to short-term dwelling units in the Village. b. Village staff currently enforces a Village -wide prohibition on short-term dwelling units pursuant to Section 12-17-1 of the Village Code, which excludes "tourist homes" from the definition of a "dwelling," and Section 12-4-1: E.4, which states that uses not specified in the district classification lists are not allowed. 6 Minutes of January 23, 2024 Board Meeting XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) F. Trustee Witko: (continued) c. The Unified Development Code (Title 12) does not define "tourist home," does not list the use as allowed in any zoning district, and does not establish use standards. Due to an increasing number of short-term dwelling units (e.g., Airbnb and VRBO rentals) in Morton Grove and resident com- plaints received by staff relating to the unauthorized use, staff made an application under Plan Commission Case PC 23-16 requesting a text amendment to define "short-term dwelling units" and list the use as a prohibited use in the zoning district matrices to provide greater clarity in the code and support enforcement efforts ("Application"). d. Trustee Witko said, at public hearings held on August 15, September 19, October 17, and November 21, 2023, the Plan Commission considered the proposed amendments relating to short-term dwelling units and considered public comment both in support of and against legalization of the use. At the request of the Plan Commission, staff prepared draft language that legalized the use and established use standards, which was considered by the Plan Commission at the November 21, 2023 meeting. At that meeting, staff appeared before the Commission to present the draft language legalizing short-term dwelling units. The Commission voted 4-2 to recommend legalizing short-term rentals in the Village, subject to certain conditions. e. Ordinance 23-32 legalizing short-term dwelling units as recommended by the Plan Commission was presented to the Village Board for a first reading on December 12, 2023, and a secon reading on January 9, 2024. Due to concerns with legalization of that use, the Village Board, at their January 9 meeting, voted to continue the case and requested that Ordinance 23-32 be rewritten to conform to the original Application confirming and clarifying the prohibition on short-term dwelling units. Trustee Witko moved to adopt Ordinance 23-32 as presented, seconded by Trustee Travis. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye Mayor DiMaria noted that, although people often think the Village Board votes as a "rubber stamp" or that he, as mayor, "drives" the Board's votes, he can honestly say that's not the case, because he was not anti-Airbnb, he said, and would not have voted on prohibiting them. 2. Trustee Witko then presented for a first reading Ordinance 24-02, Approving a Final Plat of Subdivision and Accepting Certain Improvements for the Ponto Collection Subdivision Located on Property Commonly Known as 9312 Shermer Road in Morton Grove, Illinois. a. She explained that the property commonly known as 9312 Shermer Road is a 1.565 -acre site and is zoned R-1 Single Family Residence. Based on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Special Use Permit and the Subdivision Applications submitted for the subject property by Varda and Company, LLC ("Developer") under Case PC 22-13, on January 24, 2023, the Village Board of Trustees passed 7 Minutes of January 23, 2024 Board Meeting XI. TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) F. Trustee Witko: (continued) Ordinance 23-02 approving for the subject property a PUD Special Use Permit authorizing the development of six (6) single-family detached dwellings and a preliminary plat of subdivision to create seven (7) new Tots of record, one of each new single-family residence and one for the common areas to be owned and maintained by a homeowner's association. b. The Village Engineer has provided a certificate of conformance for the development's required improvements and the Develop has fulfilled the requirements and obligations required by Section 12-8-3 prior to the Village Board's approval of the final plat of subdivision. Upon the approval of the Board of the final plat of subdivision, the plat and declaration will be recorded with the Cook County Clerk and the Department of Building and Inspectional Services will be able to issue permits for vertical construction of the six (6) single-family residences. Trustee Witko said, as this is the first reading of this Ordinance, no action will be taken this evening. XII. OTHER BUSINESS NONE XIII. WARRANTS Trustee Khan presented the Warrant Register for January 23, 2024 in the amount of $468,006.14. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis Tr. Witko XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS 1. Laura Yates, 7821 Linder said she had wanted to comment regarding Ordinance 23-32 and didn't realize she should have done so under "Residents' Comments—Agenda Items Only." a. She said she and her husband have been Airbnb hosts for the last year. She felt that having " short-term dwelling units" would be of benefit to the community and sited the Village's "four pillars" as presented in the recently updated Strategic Plan. "Community" is one such pillar. One of the things the Village desires is to continue and enhance senior services. One thing seniors primari- ly want to do is live in their homes, to maintain their independence, including financial independ- ence. Mrs. Yates said tonight's ruling will mean that they can no longer make the money they did by renting out their home, and therefore, will probably end up selling it. 8 Minutes of January 23, 2024 Board Meeting XIV. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (continued) b. "Economy" is another pillar. Mrs. Yates felt that Airbnb's in the Village would continue to attract small businesses, and would provide potential tax benefits. She said studies show that travelers like to shop and dine near their motel. The Village only has two motels and neither has garnered positive reviews. On the other hand, short-term rentals are spread throughout the Village and drive travelers and shoppers to the interior of the Village. She pointed out that, in the 2.5 months since Oak Park passed its new Airbnb ordinance, 37 short-term rentals have been licensed, and Oak Park officials state that those Airbnb's have brought in $62,868 in revenue. She asked, "Rather than banning us, wouldn't it have been better to partner with us?" c. Mrs. Yates said Airbnb's provide a pleasant alternative to hotels or motels. The most common objection to Airbnb's is that people don't want strangers right next to them. In 2017, the Board voted in favor of a "welcoming" ordinance which would preserve and protect inclusion. The vote on Ordinance 23-32 has already been taken, but she asked the Board to think with a clear head, and to not look at Airbnb hosts as irresponsible slum lords. The majority of our neighboring towns already has approved of Airbnb's. She said she was very disappointed in the Board's vote. 2. Rudy Vilk. Mr. Vilk said the mayor is not responding to his queries and the Village Administrator is telling him the matter is closed. He wondered why his concerns were being ignored. Mayor DiMaria asked Mr. Vilk if he had anything new to comment about, because these are all claims and accusations he's been making for the last couple of years. Seeing that Mr. Vilk had nothing new to bring up, Mayor DiMaria called for the meeting to be adjourned. 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 7:29 p.m. 9 i1Minutes.of 9anuan/23, 024 Board Meeting PASSED this 13th day of February, 2024. Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Shiba Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko APPROVED by me this 13th day of February, 2024. Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 14th day of February, 2024. ti / Eileen Harford, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by Teresa Cousar 10