The Park Ridge City Council met Oct. 3 to approve board appointments.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as proivded by the council:
CITY OF PARK RIDGE
505 BUTLER PLACE
PARK RIDGE, IL 60068
TEL: 847-318-5200
FAX: 847-318-5300
TDD: 847-318-5252
www.parkridge.us
J O U R N A L O F T H E P RO C E E D I N G S
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARK RIDGE CITY COUNCIL
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
505 BUTLER PLACE
PARK RIDGE, IL 60068
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2016 AT 7:00 P.M.
Acting Mayor Maloney called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
I. Roll Call
City Clerk Henneman read the roll call and the following Elected Officials indicated their presence:
Ald. Moran, Milissis, Van Roeyen, Shubert, Knight, Mazzuca, and Acting Mayor/Ald. Maloney.
II. Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting attendees pledged their allegiance to the United States flag.
III. Approval of Minutes
1. Regular City Council Meeting – September 19, 2016
Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Milissis.
Motion carried; voice vote.
IV. Consent Agenda
*All items listed with an asterisk are considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be
no separate discussion of those items unless an Alderman so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the
Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
VII.F.1. Approve and authorize the City Clerk to issue a Livery Certificate of Operation for Park Ridge Dispatch,
Inc. for a 4-year period, expiring 10/2/2020
VII.F.2. Approve first reading of Council Policy Statement (CPS) 35 to allow City Council members to vote
when participating by electronic means
VII.I.1. Approve FY17 warrants for period ending September 30, 2016 in the amount of $2,177,322.57
reviewed by Alderman Mazzuca
VII.I.2. Approve the first reading of Ordinance authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds,
Series 2016, for the City of Park Ridge, refinancing Series 2006A
Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Shubert.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Ald. Milissis, Van Roeyen, Shubert, Knight, Mazzuca, Maloney, and Moran (7)
NAYS: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
Motion carried, 7 – 0.
V. Reports of City Officials
A. Mayor’s Report
1. Legislative update
Acting Mayor Maloney encouraged residents who are confronted by election candidates running for state office to ask
them direct and difficult questions relating to what they will do in Springfield for you and for the City of Park Ridge.
2. Proclamation – 2016 Park Ridge/Niles Crop Walk 25th Anniversary
Acting Mayor Maloney read and presented a Proclamation to members of the Park Ridge/Niles Crop Walk organization,
Journal of the Proceedings of the October 3, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Park Ridge City Council (Cont.)
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and recognized its 25th anniversary by proclaiming October 16, 2016 as Crop Walk Day in the City of Park Ridge. Hunger
Walks are communitywide events organized by local congregations or groups to raise awareness and collect donations to
end hunger in their own community and around the world. Since 1992, the local organization has raised over $500,000.
3. Proclamation – American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
Acting Mayor Maloney read and presented a Proclamation to the Planning Committee of the American Breast Cancer
Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Park Ridge Walk recognizing its event to be held in Hodges Park on
October 15, 2016. The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness and collect donations so that lives can be saved and no
person faces breast cancer alone.
4. Approve appointments to Boards and Commissions:
Planning & Zoning Commission for a 4 year term, expiring 9/30/2020
James P. Hanlon (new), and Rebecca Klem Mills (new)
Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca.
Motion carried; voice vote.
Community Health Commission, for a 3 year term, expiring 9/30/2019
Angela Plewa (re-appointment); Jack Barnette (new); and Tricia Williams (re-appointment)
Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca.
Motion carried; voice vote.
a. City Council
No report.
b. City Attorney
No report.
c. City Clerk
No report.
d. City Manager
No report.
5. Citizens Who Wish to Address the City Council on a Non-Agenda Item
No comments.
6. Reports of Boards, Commissions and Committees
a. Planning and Zoning Commission – Ald. Van Roeyen
1. Approve first reading of Ordinance approving a Map Amendment / Rezoning for a Mixed-Use
Development (1110 S. Courtland Avenue)
Moved by Ald. Van Roeyen. Seconded by Ald. Milissis.
Attorney Tappendorf provided background information regarding the case, including brief specifics about its two public
hearings. The Planning & Zoning Commission did not provide a positive recommendation for this case.
Guido Neri, of Neri Architects was present with his client, the applicant. Additional handouts of the site plan were
distributed to the City Council and staff. He explained that the property is currently zoned R-2; they are asking that the
north 70 feet of the lot be rezoned to P-Parking District and the southern15 feet of the lot be zoned B-1. If approved, it
would be sold to the owners of the corner property at Courtland and Talcott and be incorporated into the redevelopment.
The whole lot is owned by the Park Ridge Community Bank. The 70’ frontage would be utilized as additional parking for
the bank, allowing for an additional 33 parking spaces. The lot would also be used as shared overflow parking for the
Courtland/Talcott Development for its commercial leased tenants.
Gene Carter, Chairman of the Park Ridge Community Bank, explained that the bank currently has 35 spaces; 33 regular
and 2 disability spaces. Employing 25 persons, the lot is normally very full. Therefore, he indicated that additional spaces
are needed. The vacant lot and home next door was purchased many years ago for the purpose of additional parking.
Mary Jo Peterson explained that she is a lifelong resident and has raised three children with her husband in the
community. She has a business in the South Park area and is a member of its Merchant Association. She spoke about
the slow depletion of the South Park Shopping Area, a once lively and energetic shopping destination. Currently, she
indicated there are eleven vacant storefronts and spoke about the benefits of businesses helping other businesses. She
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is grateful for the proposed project. Parking lots allow for cars to be taken off the street. Skyline is a highly recognized
developer and she would like to see the south end of town revitalized.
Jason Christopoulos learned that people who tend to be against this project seem tend to have personal reasons for doing
so. Those who support the project are offering more community based comments and vision the benefits of the project.
He believes that the residents of the community today owe it to the residents of tomorrow to do the best it can to better the
City.
Kevin Buschmann shared his unique perspective, living in various communities throughout the nation. He is not against
redevelopment but wants to make sure that there is sufficient evidence that supports the development of additional
parking spaces. So far, he has not seen or heard any facts presented.
Missy Langan (1924 Canfield) believes there was discussion about dividing the lot although it was never voted on. The
Map Amendment was the only item heard and she believes it should be on the entire 85 feet of frontage. A sub-division
process would be required to divide the lots.
Attorney Tappendorf believed Mr. Branham responded to an inquiry at a Planning and Zoning meeting as part of the
hearing testimony. The property is currently owned by one property owner. If there is a sub-division, it would require a
separate process. She indicated that the City Council is not prohibited on acting on the zoning.
Joy Hunter (1104 Courtland) was concerned about the storm water run-off after the lot is developed and spoke about the
frequent flooding of her back yard, taking run-off from adjacent properties.
Dianne Hammill (1067 Bonita) is a customer of the Park Ridge Community Bank and agreed that additional parking is
needed. She spoke favorably about the revitalization of the Uptown area and would like to see more business
opportunities in the South Park area so it too can thrive.
Karen Berg (1117 Courtland) supports the development of the office building. She indicated that she, her husband and a
neighbor attended a meeting via an invitation from Skyline Investments to learn more about the project. She recalls
Skyline indicating that they did not need the parking; the bank needed the parking. In her opinion, the bank does not
need the parking. She believes the parking lot will increase traffic on Courtland and the lot would be used as a cutthrough.
She did not support the proposal.
Mary Ronzy (1029 Courtland) spoke about the numerous meetings and continuous changes affecting those who oppose
the development. She opposes the development which she indicated is located partially within a residential area. She
believes it would change the nature of her neighborhood and street and suggested that the developer look at other
existing sites that are vacant in South Park. She asked the Council to uphold the decision of the Planning and Zoning
Commission.
Kirsten & John Stumpf (co-applicant) of Skyline Home Investments explained that their company wants to improve the
entire community, not only the corner of Courtland and Talcott. Their company has revitalized and brought in new
businesses to the South Park area and agreed that parking is a problem. She believes development should benefit all
and provide ample parking for patrons. She touched briefly on the vote of the Planning and Zoning Commission, its
failure, and read an excerpt of the Comprehensive Plan regarding development, specifically related to the South Park
area. He spoke about the development at 807 – 817 Devon and how his business cleaned the area up and found good
tenants. He indicated that the development is addressing two major problems; water run-off/flooding and parking. He
spoke about future development plans for the South Park area, zoning issues, and suggestions from the Comprehensive
Plan. She spoke of a petition signed by many of the South Park merchants that support the proposed project.
Ald. Knight indicated that he walked the property in addition to conducting much research on the proposal. He is
persuaded to vote in favor of the request. He likes that the proposal addresses flooding and parking, two issues faced by
the City.
Ald. Mazzuca recognized that the applicant met all 12 standards for a Map Amendment. Therefore, he will vote to support
the matter.
Ald. Moran also spent time in the area. He believes it is a good for the area that is in need of development. He
recognized that the developer is doing all it can to minimize the impact to the neighbors.
Acting Mayor Maloney explained that he serves as Alderman of the Seventh Ward. He recognized that the property will
be developed; it will not remain vacant. Making this change allows the developer to obtain top tenants in Park Ridge,
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giving the city the best opportunity to revitalize South Park. He appreciates the concerns of the neighbors and committed
to them that if there are issues in which they are negatively impacted, the City will address those issues.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Ald. Van Roeyen, Shubert, Knight, Mazzuca, Maloney, Moran, and Milissis (7)
NAYS: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
Motion carried, 7 – 0.
b. Zoning Board of Appeals – Ald. Moran
No report.
c. Liquor License Review Board – Acting Mayor Maloney
No report.
d. O’Hare Airport Commission – Ald. Mazzuca
No report.
e. Historic Preservation – Ald. Shubert
Ald. Shubert reported that the Commission will be reconvening on Wednesday, October 5.
f. Procedures and Regulations Committee – Ald. Mazzuca
1. Approve and authorize the City Clerk to issue a Livery Certificate of Operation for Park Ridge Dispatch,
Inc. for a 4-year period, expiring 10/2/2020 / Approved by omnibus vote
2. Approve first reading of Council Policy Statement (CPS) 35 to allow City Council members to vote when
participating by electronic means / Approved by omnibus vote
g. Public Works Committee – Ald. Shubert
Discussion
1. Uptown Message Board Kiosk Repair and Refurbishment
Public Works Director Zingsheim provided a report on the kiosks which included making repairs on some and relocating
others to more prominent locations. There will be a total of 5 kiosks, the two damaged ones will not be repaired, and the
cost for the work is $4,981.92.
Ald. Shubert inquired about the metal rod reinforcement approach which Director Zingsheim proposed.
Ald. Knight recognized the cost reduction from the original proposed cost of $40K.
There was consensus among the City Council to move ahead with the proposed plan.
Director Zingsheim also provided a report regarding the oversizing of the Dempster sewer pipe on the proposed
MWRD/IDOT project. In response to a question from Acting Mayor Maloney, Zingsheim explained there is an alternative;
bringing in a force main running it directly to the creek. In his opinion, the City could not do it any faster on its own.
h. Public Safety Committee – Ald. Milissis
No report.
i. Finance and Budget Committee – Ald. Knight
1. Approve FY17 warrants for period ending September 30, 2016 in the amount of $2,177,322.57 reviewed by
Alderman Mazzuca / Approved by omnibus vote
2. Approve the first reading of Ordinance authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds,
Series 2016, for the City of Park Ridge, refinancing Series 2006A/ Approved by omnibus vote
3. Approve the first reading of Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Park Ridge Amending Article 11,
Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code of Park Ridge Regarding the Establishment of the Stormwater Utility Fee
Moved by Ald. Knight. Seconded by Ald. Moran.
Ald. Knight explained that this would delay the implementation of the fee until September 2017.
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Ald. Milissis thanked Acting City Manager Gilmore for providing the requested analysis. In his opinion, this is more about
optics and less about protecting the taxpayers’ rights. The entire City will pay will pay to fix this and this is just a delay.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Ald. Knight, Mazzuca, Maloney, and Moran (4)
NAYS: Ald. Milissis, Van Roeyen, and Shubert (3)
ABSENT: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
Motion carried, 4 – 3.
7. New Business – For announcement, deliberation, and/or discussion only; no official action will
be taken.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm.
Note: The minutes are a summary of business transacted at the meeting.
They are not a verbatim copy of the recording.
Transcribed by:
______________________________
Cheryl L. Peterson, Deputy Clerk
Approved by the City Council this 17th day of October, A.D., 2016.
_____________________________ __________________________________
Marty Maloney, Acting Mayor Betty W. Henneman, City Clerk
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