City of Park Ridge Committee of the Whole met April 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
I. Roll Call
Mayor Maloney called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
City Clerk Henneman read the roll call and the following Elected Officials indicated their presence at the meeting: Mayor Maloney, Aldermen Moran, Milissis, Wilkening, Shubert, Melidosian, Mazzuca, and Joyce (Absent), There was a quorum.
II. Citizens Who Wish to Comment on a Non-Agenda Item
Alice Dobrinsky, City resident wanted to publicly thank Mayor Maloney and the Mayor’s Advisory Board for beginning to track the attendance of appointees and also publish attendance records twice a year. Ms. Dobrinsky also wanted to add she would like Liaison attendance to be tracked and published as well. Full comments have been uploaded to the Cities website for your review.
III. Finance and Budget
A. Action Items
1. Approve a one-year contract extension for K-Plus Engineering Services
Motion by Alderman Mazzuca, seconded by Alderman Moran
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, In May of 2016 the City Council approved a contract for Engineering and Drainage Plan Review Services (K-Plus Engineering), K-Plus performs site plan review and site inspections for compliance with City grading and engineering standards on an as-needed basis. Reviews are part of the building permit application review and approval process for residential land uses. Director Brown wanted to note that staff has been highly satisfied with K-Plus’s performance over the two years, and we are asking for an extension for another year.
Motion carried, 6/0, by voice vote
2. Approve purchases estimated to exceed $10,000 in Fiscal Year 2019
Motion by Alderman Mazzuca, seconded by Alderman Moran
Finance Director Lamberg stated, staff is requesting Council approval for Fiscal Year 2019 purchases that are estimated to exceed the City Manager’s purchasing authority of $10,000. This year’s list is streamlined and does not include purchases Council has already approved via multi-year contracts, contract extensions, collective bargaining agreements, Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) or Resolutions. The list also omits payments for non-purchase items such as payroll taxes, pension contributions, unemployment compensation payments and other payments required by state.
Alderman Mazzuca noted ADP (Automatic Data Processing) and CCMSI (Canon Cochran Management) last went out to bid in FY12 and FY13. Will we be going out to bid anytime soon?
Finance Director Lamberg responded that with these two services we will not be going out to bid after a five (5) year period as it takes time to integrate the data, and make full use of the software/ systems.
Motion carried, 6/0, by voice vote
B. Discussion Items
None
C. Human Resources
1. Review/Update on each Union Body, Labor Negotiation(s), Grievance(s)
None
2. Review/Update on the Non-Union Body
None
3. Staffing Changes
Finance Director Lamberg noted the following staffing changes:
• The Police Department hired two new police officers, Robert Burke and Francesco Pavone. They were sworn in on March 29, 2018.
• We are currently in the process of receiving applications and/or interviewing for Plans Examiner/Inspector (ft) and Seasonal Laborers (temporary ft). We are also recruiting police candidates.
4. Pension Update
City Manager Gilmore stated, the next Police Pension Board quarterly meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at City Hall (505 Butler Place). The next Fire Pension Board quarterly meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at Fire Station 36 (1000 N. Greenwood Avenue).
D. Department Head Report
None
IV. Procedures and Regulations
A. Action Items
1. Approve waiver of certificate of operation requirement for American Taxi
Motion by Alderman Wilkening, seconded by Alderman Mazzuca
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, American Taxi is providing, pursuant to a contract with Maine Township School District No. 207, student transportation services for hire. The City contacted officials at School District No. 207 (D207) concerning the operations of American Taxi within the City. D207 officials, including their legal counsel, reviewed Section 10-2-1 of the Municipal Code, and concluded that the ordinance does not apply, since the vehicles are not available to the public; riders are not paying the fare, all payments are made under a publicly bid contract held by the school district and the school district is a multi-jurisdictional body. The issue here is American Taxi is soliciting livery business from non-student City residents while in Park Ridge and in the course of providing the student transportation services.
Mary Kalou, Assistant Superintendent at Maine Township High School stated the agreement the district has with American Taxi is to transport special education students that are outside the districts boundaries, Park Ridge to Park Ridge pick up for students who are transported to job sites, and transportation for the alternative school students.
Mayor Maloney asked Community Preservation Director Brown, how we know American Taxi is soliciting services in our City.
Alderman Melidosian stated the solicitation is on the American Taxi website.
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, City Manager Gilmore sent a letter to American Taxi and we are awaiting a response.
Mary Kalou stated, she would like to work with the City to get this resolved so they can continue to transport students and find the right pathway forward.
Alderman Moran asked Community Preservation Director Brown what’s the best way to handle this is.
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, a waiver for American Taxi with the sole purpose of fulfilling their contract agreement with the district, the other option is to amend the taxi regulations to exempt taxis that do business with district 207.
Alderman Mazzuca asked to make a motion to amend 10-6-12 to allow for student transport by non- licensed livery vehicles when operating under contract with district 207 and 64. Seconded by Alderman Moran.
City Manager Gilmore agreed with the amendment and stated the City Attorney can help broaden this up if needed to include other districts.
Motion carried, with substitute motion 6/0, by voice vote
2. Review Potential Zoning Amendments and Forward to Planning & Zoning Commission for Public Hearing
Motion by Alderman Wilkening, seconded by Alderman Mazzuca
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, at the March Committee of the Whole meeting Procedures and Regulations where discussed. Per the March meeting I have drafted language for two of the six issues: personal services establishments and parking requirements for the Uptown area. Staff has prepared information describing the nature of the issue, the current zoning regulations, and our recommendations of the draft language.
Director Brown stated the Department of Community Preservation and Development increasingly fields inquiries about “microblading” or “micropigmentation.” These inquiries come from both existing beauty and cosmetology businesses as well as people who want to open new businesses offering such services. Tattoo parlors or body art establishments are not allowed in the City of Park Ridge, and our department interprets microblading and micropigmentation to be a form of tattooing and the interpretation is consistent with statements from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP). Draft amendments to allow personal service establishments would read as follows:
Add the following definitions to Chapter 16 (Definitions) of the Zoning Ordinance:
Cosmetic tattooing. The practice of placing ink or other pigment into the skin or mucosa by the aid of needles or any other instrument used to puncture the skin for the purpose of permanent cosmetic enhancement or restoration of the eyebrows, lips, hair line on the top of the skull, or for areola re- pigmentation. Cosmetic tattooing does not include other forms of body art such body piercing or the adornment of the body with letters, images, drawings, or other illustrations. “Cosmetic tattooing” is a form of tattooing, and is also known as: permanent cosmetics, micropigmentation, dermal implantation, microblading/microstroking, eyebrow embroidery, and long-time/long-lasting makeup.
Amend the definition of “Personal Services Establishment” in Section 16 as follows:
An establishment or place of business primarily engaged in the provision of frequent or recurrent needed services of a personal nature. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, beauty shops, barbershops, tanning salons, cosmetic tattoo establishment, massage parlors, shoe repair, laundromats, pet groom establishments, rental and repair shops, dry cleaners and tailors. Body art, including but not limited to tattooing (except for cosmetic tattooing) and body piercing, are not permitted in or as part of a personal services establishment.
Alderman Shubert stated if this is on consensus and comes back at some point, I would like to see another community(s) that have some type of language.
Consensus was reached among Alderman, 6/0
Community Preservation Director Brown stated the current off-street parking requirements for the B-4 districts and for some B-1 and B-2 commercial areas are not as business- and development-friendly as they could be. Parties wishing to establish a new business often must seek relief from strict adherence to the parking standards through the variance process. The Uptown parking study conducted by Gewalt Hamilton & Associates last year concluded that, generally, there is adequate parking space in the Uptown area to meet demand. Staff would like to propose language that will clarify a rather confusing paragraph in the zoning code rather a 1,000 foot threshold applies to just business in the Uptown area or throughout the City. Staff recommends amend the ordinance so that all permitted and special uses in the B-4 district are exempt from the parking standards contained in Section 12 and amend the ordinance to clarify that the 1,000 square foot exemption applies to all commercial (and not residential or institutional or other) land uses in all B districts. Staffs proposed language:
12.13 Required Off-Street Parking Spaces:
(b) Commercial land uses in any commercial zoning district that are 1,000 square feet or less in gross floor area are exempt from the parking standards of Table 9 of this Section. For commercial land uses in any commercial district that are over 1,000 square feet in gross floor area, the first 1,000 square feet of gross floor area shall be exempt from the parking standards of Table 9 of this Section.
(c) Commercial permitted and special land uses in the B-4 District shall be exempt from the parking standards of Table 9 of this Section. The City may impose parking requirements as a condition of special use approval.
Community Preservation Director Brown noted that this approach would be a big step toward making the zoning ordinance more business friendly, while not impacting nearby residential neighborhoods.
Alderman Moran stated I think this is something we should consider doing to make it easier for folks who want to open a business to fill our Uptown neighborhood. I rather they not have to jump through hoops in the process to get the same information we already have.
Alderman Schubert stated, he is in support of for both options going forward to Planning and Zoning.
Consensus was reached among Alderman, 6/0
3. Approve filing of an application for landmark designation of the Berry Parkway Gates
Motion by Alderman Wilkening, seconded by Alderman Moran
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, at the January, February, and March 2018 meetings, the Historic Preservation Commission, along with helpful residents of the street, discussed details of the Berry Parkway Gates, assembling information and determining if they were worthy of local landmark designation. The Gates are considered a recognizable symbol of historic Park Ridge and are located on City right-of-way property on both sides of Berry Parkway at the entry from Northwest Highway.
Mayor Maloney asked Director Brown what would happen if this moves forward.
Community Preservation Director Brown responded the Historic Preservation Commination would hold a public hearing, then an ordinance granting landmark designation would then be prepared and come back to City Council for voting.
Motion carried, 6/0, by voice vote
B. Discussion Items
1. Discuss amending Farmers Market regulations to remove prohibition on alcohol
Motion by Alderman Wilkening, seconded by Alderman Mazzuca
Community Preservation Director Brown stated, at the March Committee of the Whole meeting two members of the Farmer’s Market Committee, David Arena and Deanna Madigan advocated for removal of prohibition on alcohol at the Park Ridge Farmers Market. Director Brown asked both Deanna and David to speak.
Deanna Madigan, stated she researched whether the consumption or sale of alcohol is allowed at other regional farmers markets and found that nearby municipalities such as Evanston and Niles prohibit alcohol, however Logan’s Square market in the City of Chicago and in the State of Michigan. Deanna wanted to make it clear that sampling would be limited to two ounces per sample and no patron may consume more than four samples. We are hoping the samples will encourage patrons to support their local businesses and visit the brick and mortar stores to then purchase the product (beer/ wine) they sampled. We only anticipate two vendors that would offer samples, as we would like to keep it small to see how things work out.
Alderman Mazzuca asked if there is will be a distinction in what the 2oz samples would be of, would this just be beer and wine or does this also include spirits.
Deanna Madigan responded we were thinking of having two vendors this year one sampling beer and the other sampling wine.
Mayor Maloney stated, the individuals who are on the Farmers Market Committee have a strong sense of pride and ownership of the Farmers Market. If something is not right, or something needs to be addressed they will take action and make sure it is handled appropriately.
Motion carried, 3/3, by voice vote
2. Discussion on Revision of Appendix G in the Handbook for Elected Officials: Warrant Review
Motion by Alderman Wilkening, seconded by Alderman Mazzuca
Finance Director Lamberg stated, this was discussed at the March 26, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting. At that meeting a clarification was made on Council’s role to review the warrant report, which differed from the past practice of approving the warrant report. Appendix G in the Handbook for Elected Officials is being revised to reflect this clarification and staff is seeking consensus on the revision of Appendix G.
Finance Director Lamberg stated is there consensus to revise Council’s current warrant review practice in which every warrant, regardless of amount, is reviewed and an affidavit is signed confirming that review?
Alderman Mazzuca stated his preference is have the Alderman look at everything over $2,500 dollars.
Alderman Melidosian is agrees with the $2,500 dollar limit and that we still will get the entire list for review.
Consensus was reached between the Aldermen.
Finance Director Lamberg asked is there consensus to revise staff purchasing authority in the Municipal Code as it has been several years since this has been updated.
Alderman Mazzuca asked what is the staffs view and what would the staff prefer?
Finance Director Lamberg stated if only one change was made I would like to see the City Managers purchasing authority increase to $20,000 dollars to coincide with the Municipal Code.
Alderman Mazzuca asked if it would be reasonable to have a backup in case the City Manager is absent and increase the Finance Directors purchase authority to $20,000 dollars as well.
Finance Director Lamberg stated she would not be opposed to that.
Alderman Melidosian asked if City Manager Gilmore is comfortable with the Finance Director also having the purchase authority of $20,000 dollars.
City Manager Gilmore stated he is comfortable with it, and he will still review the warrants for knowledge.
Consensus was reached between the Aldermen.
Finance Director Lamberg stated she will bring back a proposed revision of Appendix G at the May 29th, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
C. Upcoming P&R Items
Community Preservation Director Brown stated next month we will discuss: Boards/ Commissions, attendance, and the ambiguity within the Boards/ Commissions, Community Residence Restrictions, Annual Prevailing Wage Ordinance, and proposed language regarding the Farmers Market.
D. Department Head Report
None
V. New Business
None
VI. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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