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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-2024MINUTES 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 MAY 14, 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 and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. 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 April 23, 2024 Village Board Meeting as presented. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded by Trustee Khan. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. IV. SPECIAL REPORTS NONE V. PUBLIC HEARINGS NONE VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS 1. Plan Commission Case PC 23-09: Request by Jamar Group for Approval of an Extension to a Special Use Permit for a Drive -Through Facility in a C-1 General Commercial District for the Property Commonly Known as 5843 Dempster Street in Morton Grove, Illinois. a. Brandon Nolin, Community Development Administrator, presented this report. In the case of PC 23-09, the proposed Ordinance is an amendment to the Special Use Permit authorizing the construction of a new Dunkin' restaurant with a drive -through at 5843 Dempster. It would grant the Applicant a one-year extension to May 23, 2025. The Village Board approved a Special Use Permit for this project in 2023 under Ordinance 23-13. Per Village Code, a Special Use Permit is valid for one year unless a building permit is issued and construction has begun. The Village does have a complete permit application as of April 29, 2024, which is being reviewed, but the building permit will not be issued prior to the May 23 deadline. Minutes of May 14, ,024 Board Meeting VI. PLAN COMMISSION REPORTS (continued) b. Mr. Nolin said the proposed amendment to the deadline would not change any aspect of the approved use or the site plan; it is eligible for approval as a minor amendment to Ordinance 23-13. The Applicant is here this evening if the Board has any questions. c. Trustee Thill asked why the Applicant needed a one-year delay. A representative of the Applicant responded, stating that they are in the process of obtaining permits from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and from the Illinois Department of Transportation, and they are unsure how long that process will take. Trustee Thill said he has just seen a new Dunkin open up on the other side of the highway. The rep said that was a relocation; they moved the operation about 150 to 200 feet. It was not a drive through previously, but it is now. 2. PC 24-03: Request by Apex Pediatric Therapy Services for Approval of a Special Use Permit for the Operation of a Commercial Tutoring/Learning Center at the property commonly known as 8120 Lehigh Avenue In Morton Grove, IL, with a variation from Section 12-7-3:H for off-street parking, all within a M-O/R Office/Research Manufacturing District, pursuant to Section 12-4-4:E. a. Mr. Nolin explained that this is a request for a Special Use Permit for the operation of a tutoring and learning center at 8120 Lehigh, which is the eastern half of the North Grove Corporate Park/ office complex. The Applicant is currently leasing over 3,000 square feet to accommodate a business that provides therapy services to children and adolescents with autism. They operate other similar facilities in Illinois, including locations in Gurnee, Lisle, and Palatine, in similar office campus environments. Mr. Nolin said the Applicant has been operating at the subject property without a business compliance certificate since April 2023 and has entered into a compliance and escrow agreement to obtain the required Special Use Permit retroactively. b. Mr. Nolin said it should also be noted that, in 2017, a similar business, By Your Side Autism Therapy Services, was permitted by Special Use in the western building at North Grove Corporate Park. He stated that the Traffic Safety Commission had unanimously voted to recommend approval of this request, and the Plan Commission also unanimously recommended approval of this request at its Public Hearing. He noted that the Applicant was present in case any members of the Board would like to ask a question. c. Trustee Thill had a comment: he said this is now the third business going into North Grove on which the Village is not receiving tax revenue. Mr. Czerwinski said that, prior to this spate of activity, most of these spaces were used for warehousing or offices, not retail, so no sales tax revenue was provided. Mr. Czerwinski said he didn't see this as a loss in this situation, but rather an opportunity to fill those spaces and make more property tax revenue because of being occupied. Mayor DiMaria added it also brings more people to Morton Grove. VII. RESIDENTS' COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) NONE 2 Minutes of May 14, 2024 Board Meeting VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. Mayor DiMaria proudly proclaimed the week of May 19-25, 2024 as "Public Works Week." He said, since 1960, National Public Works Week has been celebrated throughout the US and Canada during the third week of May to educate the public on the importance of public works in their daily lives. a. The Morton Grove Public Works Department maintains a well -trained staff of 39 full-time employees who serve as the backbone of all Village maintenance services. The department is comprised of five divisions: Water and Sewer, Streets, Vehicle Maintenance, Engineering, and Facilities Maintenance. Our Public Works professionals are responsible for the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of the Village's public works systems, including storm drains, sewers, water mains, streets, bridges, streetlights, traffic signals, public buildings, public fleets, street trees, solid waste collection, and recycling, which are essential to meeting the needs of Morton Grove residents. b. Mayor DiMaria said the members of the Village's Public Works Department are dedicated to ensuring an excellent quality of life for residents by keeping Morton Grove a safe, sustainable, and resilient community. He urged all citizens to join with the Village Board and him to pay tribute to our public works professionals, and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protect our health, safety, and to advance our quality of life. Mayor DiMaria presented the proclamation to Public Works department head Mike Lukich accompanied by extended applause. 2. Mayor DiMaria sought the Board's concurrence of his appointment of Christopher Sheehan to the Traffic Safety Commission. Trustee Minx so moved, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. 3. Mayor DiMaria congratulated Public Works and the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) for a very successful Electronics Recycling and Document Destruction event this past Saturday, May 11, which welcomed residents from the ten eligible participating SWANCC communities to this drive -up event at the Public Works facility. A total of 530 cars dropped of two semi loads of electronics and two semi loads of paper documents, successfully diverting these items from landfills. Mayor DiMaria said he was very proud of this event. 4. Mayor DiMaria said that there's still time to get a free Kids Explorer Kit for getting involved in the Village's sustainability efforts. They only need to sign the Kid's Sustainability Pledge found in the Earth Month edition of the Village newsletter, than bring it to Village Hall to receive a free Kids Explorer Kit. 5. Mayor DiMaria reminded everyone that the Morton Grove American Legion will host the annual Memorial Day Parade on Sunday, May 26. The parade begins at the Legion Post at 6140 Dempster at 1:30pm, goes to the Doughboy Statue at the Library, and returns to the Legion at about 2:30pm. He encouraged all to attend as a sign of our respect to our veterans. 3 Minutes of May 14, 21324 Board Meeting VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT (continued) 6. Mayor DiMaria announced that the Village is seeking volunteers to assist at various events throughout the year —especially for the upcoming Morton Grove Days event. Anyone interested in doing any volunteering should sign up on the Village website or contact Village Hall. 7. Mayor DiMaria encouraged all to stay up to date on the latest Village events and news by signing up for E-News and following the Village on Facebook and Instagram. IX. CLERK'S REPORT Clerk Harford had no formal report this evening. X. STAFF REPORTS A. Village Administrator: 1. Mr. Czerwinski presented for a first reading Ordinance 24-07, Amending Title 4, Chapter 2, Section 1 entitled "Definitions," and Title , Chapter 6D entitled "Liquor Control," Section 8 entitled "License Classifications and Fees," and Section 14 entitled "Regulations for Licenses Operating Video Gaming Terminals on the Licensed Premise." a. He explained the Village's 2023 Strategic Plan establishes goals of enhancing economic development programs and efforts, and preserving and promoting the character of the Morton Grove community. To help achieve these goals, staff has developed a Legacy Restaurant Assistance Program to support the continued success and longevity of restaurants that have operated under common family ownership in Morton Grove continuously for at least thirty (30) years. These establishments help define Morton Grove's identity and character, are cultural assets, and have contributed significantly to the local food and beverage sales tax base. b. This Ordinance amends Title 4. Chapter 2, Section 1, and Title 4, Chapter 6D, Sections 8 and 14, to support the proposed program as follows: • Amends Section 4-2-1 to clarify the definition of a "restaurant" as an establishment deriving more than fifty percent (50%) of its gross sales from prepared food. • Amends Section 4-6D-9 to allow the issuance of additional Class E-V restaurant and video gaming liquor licenses to Legacy Restaurants pursuant to the Program. • Amends Section 4-6D-14 to relocate requirements for video gaming establishments to the Program requirements and determined on a case -by -case basis through economic development agreements between the Village and the licensee. 4 Minutes of May 14, 2024 Board Meeting X. A. Village Administrator: STAFF REPORTS c. Mr. Czerwinski noted that this is a first reading of this Ordinance; therefore no action will be taken this evening. B. Corporation Counsel: Corporation Counsel Liston had no formal report this evening. Xl. TRUSTEES' REPORTS A. Trustee Khan: Trustee Khan had no formal report this evening. B. Trustee Minx: Trustee Minx had no formal report this evening. C. Trustee Shiba: Trustee Shiba wanted to remind residents about two upcoming events to remember: • Crayon Recycling Program —Collection points are at Village Hall and the Library. This program began April 1 and runs through June 30, 2024. • Morton Grove 2024 Tree Walk —This event takes place on Saturday, June 8, at 10:00 a.m. and starts at the Morton Grove Civic Center D. Trustee Thill: 1. Trustee Thill presented Ordinance 24-06, Approving Amendments to the Agreement Establishing the Solid Waste Agency of Norther Cook County as a Municipal Joint Action Agency and to the Bylaws of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. This is the second reading of this Ordinance. 5 Minutes of May 14, i024 Board Meeting XI. D. Trustee Thill: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) a. The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is an intergovernmental agency established in 1988 to facilitate the delivery of effective, competitive, and environmentally sound collection, transportation, transfer, processing, treatment, storage, disposal, recovery, and reuse of municipal waste for its members. The function and operation of SWANCC are governed by an Agreement entered into by and among the Village and other municipalities which established SWANCC as a municipal joint action agency ("Agreement") and by SWANCC's Bylaws, which have been approved and amended from time to time by its members. b. SWANCC has asked all its members to approve amendments to the Agreement and Bylaws concerning the appointment of representatives authorized to act on behalf of the member at SWANCC meetings. Currently, each municipality's representatives must be one of its elected officials or its Village/City Administrator or Manager. These amendments will allow a Village staff member to be appointed as an alternative representative. Trustee Thill moved to adopt Ordinance 24-06, seconded by Trustee Witko. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx ly± Tr. Shiba Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis aye Tr. Witko aye 2. Trustee Thill extended his thanks to Mike Lukich and Chris Tomich for the wonderful job the Public Works Department did in bringing a water line successfully through Linne Woods and under the river. He said they really did a marvelous job —not only in the work and in the restoration. 3. Trustee Thill also wanted residents to know why they are seeing trees wrapped in fabric as they drive around town. He said the reason is because of the anticipated onslaught of cicadas to our ar- ea. There are about 200 new parkway trees that have been planted, and in order to keep the cica- das from damaging these fledgling trees, they're being wrapped in tulle. Cicadas could easily kill young trees unless the trees are thus protected. E. Trustee Travis: 1. Trustee Travis presented Resolution 24-36, Authorizing the Purchase of a Police Pursuit Vehicle Through the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative Bid Program. a. She explained the Police Department annually reviews their fleet of vehicles and equipment for fuel economy, age, dependability, reoccurring excessive repair costs, and safety, and recommends replacing or eliminative vehicles that no longer meet the requirements of the department. This review ensures that key equipment utilized by our officers does not fail during their duties as public safety first responders. 6 Minutes of May 14, 2024 Board Meeting XI. E. Trustee Travis: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) b. The squad vehicles are utilized 24 hours a day and they need to be always in excellent condition. Based on this review process, the 2024 budget allocated funds to purchase one squad car. c. The Village, along with 142 other municipalities, participates in the Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) Suburban Purchasing Cooperative to take advantage of volume purchasing discounts for vehicles. Currie Motors of Frankfort, IL was awarded contract #240 by the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative to sell 2025 Ford Police Interceptors. This Resolution will authorize the purchase of one Ford Police Interceptor from Currie Motors Fleet. The fiscal impact of this Resolution is $45,490.00. Trustee Travis moved to approve Resolution 24-36, seconded by Trustee Minx. Motion passed: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Tr. Khan aye Tr. Minx aye Tr. Shiba aye Tr. Thill aye Tr. Travis ly± Tr. Witko aye Trustee Travis reported the following on behalf of the Community Relations Commission. Details for the following upcoming Community events are on the Village website: • Next Neighborhood Outreach —will be held on Thursday, May 16, at Edison School • Community Garage Sale —scheduled for June 7-9. Check the Village website for details and to register by May 15. F. Trustee Witko: 1. Trustee Witko presented for a first reading Ordinance 24-08, Approving a Minor Amendment to Ordinance 23-13 Granting a Special Use Permit for a Restaurant with a Drive -Through Facility at 5843 Dempster Street in Morton Grove, IL. a. This Ordinance is pursuant to Plan Commission Case PC 23-09, which was reported out earlier this evening by Community Development Administrator Brandon Nolin. As this is a first reading of this Ordinance, no action will be taken this evening. 2. Next Trustee Witko introduced Ordinance 24-09, Approving a Special Use Permit for a Commercial Tutoring/Learning Center at 8120 Lehigh Avenue in Morton Grove, Illinois. 7 Minutes of Miyi$. 024 Board Meeting XI. F. Trustee Witko: (continued) TRUSTEES' REPORTS (continued) a. This Ordinance is pursuant to Plan Commission Case PC 24-03, which was reported out earlier this evening by Community Development Administrator Brandon Nolin. As this is a 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 May 14, 2024 in the amount of $2,533,583.81. She moved to approve the Warrants as presented, seconded by Trustee Thill. 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 Rudy Vilk. Mayor DiMaria cautioned Mr. Vilk about "rehashing" topics he's already brought up. Mr. Vilk said he has spoken with Trustee Thill about the Village's practice of auctioning obsolete property. He felt that, when mentioning items to be sold, there should be a more complete description, for example, what's the mileage on the vehicle. He said he's a resident and deserves answers. He also claimed that the Board "controls" the mayor and should occasionally say "no" to him. He doesn't get the information he needs and he doesn't like that. XV ADJOURNMENT Trustee Minx moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Khan. Motion passed unanimously via voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m. 8 Minutes of May 14, 2024 Board Meeting PASSED this 28th day of May, 2024. Trustee Khan Trustee Minx Trustee Shiba Trustee Thill Trustee Travis Trustee Witko APPROVED by me this 28th day of May, 2024 Daniel P. DiMaria, Village President Board of Trustees, Morton Grove, Illinois APPROVED and FILED in my office this 29th day of May, 2024. Eileen Harford, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois Minutes by Teresa Cousar 9 I