Park Ridge City Council met Sept. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I. Call to Order Mayor Maloney called the meeting to order at 8:40 p.m.
II. Roll Call Deputy Clerk Peterson read the roll call and the following Elected Officials indicated their presence: Mayor Maloney, Ald. Moran, Milissis, Wilkening, Shubert, Melidosian, Mazzuca, and Joyce. City Clerk Henneman was also present. Deputy Clerk Peterson recorded the minutes. There was a quorum.
III. Pledge of Allegiance Attendees of the meeting pledged their allegiance to the United States flag.
IV. Approval of Minutes
A. Regular City Council Meeting – September 4, 2018 Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Shubert. Motion carried; voice vote.
B. Committee of the Whole – September 10, 2018 Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Milissis.
Ald. Wilkening requested a change on page 3; name correction, from Wilkenson to Wilkening. Motion carried; voice vote. (Ald. Shubert abstained.)
V. Reports of City Officials
A. Mayor’s report
1. Proclamation – The Center of Concern Mayor Maloney read and presented a Proclamation to John McNabola, the Director of the organization recognizing its 40th anniversary. The organization provides affordable housing solutions, counseling services, and essential general assistance to seniors, the disabled and others in need enabling this population to live in dignity and with independence. Mr. McNabola indicated that the organization provided approximately 24,000 services to area residents last year and received close to $300K in-kind donations.
2. Proclamation – National Medicare Education Week Mayor Marty Maloney presented the Proclamation to Lisa Henry, a member of the United Healthcare Organization who resides in Park Ridge. The Proclamation encouraged Medicare beneficiaries and family members to learn about Medicare and the options that are available before its upcoming enrollment period.
3. Proclamation – Constitution Week Mayor Maloney presented the Proclamation to a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - 21st Star Chapter, in recognition of the 231st anniversary of the framing of the Constitution.
4. Approve the re-appointments of Mary Frances Sheffert and Patrick Shaunessy to the Youth Services Commission, terms ending June 30, 2019. Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca. Motion carried; voice vote.
5. Approve the re-appointment of Shealyn O’Sullivan and Charlotte Geier to the Youth Services Commission, terms ending June 30, 2020. Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca. Motion carried; voice vote.
B. City Council Ald. Mazzuca reported that the discussion of the future implementation of the storm water utility fee at the September 24 Finance and Budget Committee meeting. Discussion was moved to a Special Committee meeting on October 1, 2018.
C. City Attorney City Attorney Julie Tappendorf read the following transparency statement into the record that she received from Mayor Maloney on September 17, 2018:
I am sending this email to you to make you aware of campaign contribution I received from an appellant who will be appearing at the Special Committee of the Whole Meeting (Public Works) that we have scheduled for this evening.
As you are aware Section 2-5-1 of our Park Ridge Municipal Code defines certain terms that are relevant and which are different than the commonly used connotation. The term “Economic Relationship” is defined in a manner that includes, “campaign contributions totaling more than $150.00 (whether in cash or in kind) by the Petitioner made to or for the benefit of the City Official or the City Official's campaign committee or campaign fund in the past four-year time period.” In addition, to “act on a matter” means, among other things, “participating in the discussion or vote on a matter when it is before a Committee of the City Council for the purpose of discussion or vote.”
Furthermore, section 2-5-2(D) describes the City’s Policy on Disclosure of an Economic Relationship which does not rise to the level of a prohibited conflict of interest. It expresses that one of the primary duties of a City Official is to act on a matter where a Petitioner is seeking consideration from the City. The Code further states it is the intent of the City for the policy to be construed broadly for the purposes of granting the residents full knowledge of the dealings of the City Officials as those dealings may related to City Business. The requirements of this policy include the following:
When a City Official is called upon to Act on a Matter in the course of his or her official duties, the City Official shall publicly disclose any Economic Relationship the City Official has with a Petitioner prior to Acting on the Matter, where either: (1) the City Official has a current Economic Relationship with a Petitioner; or (2) the City Official has had a previous Economic Relationship with a Petitioner while the City Official knew that the Petitioner was seeking Consideration from the City; or, (3) the City Official is actively pursuing an opportunity to establish an Economic Relationship with the Petitioner. In the case of Disclosure of campaign contributions, the actual amount of the contributions shall be disclosed. The Transparency Statement shall be filed prior to the time of Acting on the Matter. The City Attorney shall read the Transparency Statement into the record at the regular meeting of the City Council occurring immediately after the Transparency Statement is filed.
I am sending this to you as my Transparency Statement to notify the City that Michael Christopoulos did donate $1,000 to my campaign for Mayor on April 3, 2017, and he is a party to an appeal on which the City will be asked to act this evening. -- the denial of a permit to remove trees on a property in which he has an interest.
If there is anything additional that I need to do, please advise.
Attorney Tappendorf explained, it was not a statutory conflict of interest. It is a policy the City had adopted; a disclosure policy. It is about transparency and disclosure.
D. City Clerk City Clerk Henneman spoke about the April 2019 election in which residents of Wards 1, 3, 5, and 7 can vote for a candidate they would like serve as the Ward’s Alderman. Information is available on the City website or in the City Clerk’s office. Nominating petitions must be filed at the City Clerk’s office December 10 – 17.
E. City Manager No report.
F. Finance Director Report 1. Warrant Report C09122018 for the period ending September 12, 2018 Fiscal Year 2019 in the amount of $2,275,919.55 reviewed by Alderman Shubert
City Manager Gilmore explained that the warrant report is available on the City’s website and was reviewed by Ald. Shubert. Any questions can be sent to the Finance Director.
VI. 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.
VIII.I.1. Approve the contract for the FY19 Watermain Replacement Program, PW-FY19-04 to John
Neri Construction
VIII.I.2. Approve the contract for the driveway repair at the South Pump Station, PW-FY 19-12 with
A Lamp Concrete Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $30, 230.00
VIII.I.3. Approve an Ordinance amending 13-15-1 of the Municipal Code, Fifteen Minute Loading
Zone at 510 Higgins Road
VIII.J.1. Approve amending Chapter 3, Section 6.A., Education requirements of the Park Ridge
Board if Fire and Police Commissioners, Administrative Rules
VIII.J.2. Approve the amended Board of Fire and Police Commissioner Rules to implement the
Police Officer Cadet Program
VIII.J.3. Approve a Grant Award in the amount of $14,546 from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters
Grant Program
Moved by Ald. Milissis. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca.
Ald. Joyce requested to have Item I.3 be removed from the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL AYES: Ald. Moran, Wilkening, Milissis, Shubert, Melidosian, Mazzuca, and Joyce (7) NAYS: None (0) ABSENT None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Motion carried, 7 – 0.
VII. Citizens Who Wish to Address the City Council on a Non-Agenda Item No comments.
VIII. Reports of Boards, Commissions and Committees
A. Community Health Commission – Ald. Joyce No report.
B. Historic Preservation Commission – Ald. Joyce The Commission met in September after breaking for the summer. There is no new business pending.
C. Library Board of Trustees – Ald. Melidosian Ald. Melidosian reported that construction continues steadily. The Library met with the City to discuss holding the Winterfest Meet & Greet with Santa at City Hall.
D. Liquor License Review Board – Liquor Commissioner/Mayor Maloney Mayor Maloney reported that he attended a ribbon cutting at Reyes Steakhouse that recently opened on Touhy Avenue, commenting on the food which he said was excellent.
E. O’Hare Airport Commission – Ald. Mazzuca Ald. Mazzuca reported on upcoming meetings: September 19 at 9:30 am at the Norridge Village Hall – ONCC Residential Sound Insulation Committee September 19 at 7:00 pm at Park Ridge City Hall – O’Hare Airport Commission meeting
F. Planning and Zoning Commission – Ald. Wilkening 1. Approve the final reading of an Ordinance granting a Map Amendment from the B-1 Retail & Office District to the B-2 General Commercial District at 1036 Higgins Road (18-13-MA) Moved by Ald. Wilkening. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca.
Director Brown explained that the building is currently a one-story with a drive through, known as Al’s Beef. There is interest to redevelop the site into a multi-tenant commercial building. A Public Hearing was held before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Karkhanis was the architect for the project and testified at the meeting. The Commission voted 8 – 0 to approve the request. According to Director Brown, there are no substantial differences between B1 and B-2; B-1 allows for residential uses above the ground floor which would no longer be allowed if the property was rezoned. The drive-through would become conforming.
Mayor Maloney indicated that the applicant was present earlier but needed to leave due to another commitment.
ROLL CALL AYES: Ald. Moran, Wilkening, Melidosian, Mazzuca, and Joyce (5) NAYS: Ald. Milissis and Shubert (2) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Motion carried, 5 – 2.
G. Zoning Board of Appeals – Ald. Moran 1. Approve the final reading of an Ordinance granting a Zoning Variance to allow an addition to 1345 S. Knight (18-14-VA) Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca.
Director Brown explained that the owner/applicants desire to add a second story addition. The home is non- conforming on an irregular shaped lot and is placed and on an off angle. Setback requirements are not met. They need the variance request. The Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5 – 0 to approve the request. One neighbor spoke in favor of its approval at the hearing; six statements of support were included with the application.
ROLL CALL AYES: Ald. Wilkening, Melidosian, Mazzuca, Joyce, Moran, and Milissis (6) NAYS: Ald. Shubert (1) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Motion carried, 6 – 1.
H. Procedures and Regulations Committee – Ald. Wilkening No report.
I. Public Works Committee – Ald. Moran
1. Approve the contract for the FY19 Watermain Replacement Program, PW-FY19-04 to John Neri Construction / Approved by omnibus vote
2. Approve the contract for the driveway repair at the South Pump Station, PW-FY 19-12 with A Lamp Concrete Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $30,230.00 / Approved by omnibus vote
3. Approve an Ordinance amending 13-15-1 of the Municipal Code, Fifteen Minute Loading Zone at 510 Higgins Road (from 7 am to 5 pm) Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Mazzuca.
Director Zingsheim reported that correspondence was distributed to businesses on the block. He received one call from a resident and an email from a business owner against the plan. The resident was happy when he learned that the City could place hours on the loading zone sign. After further discussion, it was determined that the time on the sign would be 15-minute loading zone between 7 am – 5 pm. A friendly amendment was made to the original motion by Ald. Mazzuca.
Ald. Moran reported that parking in the area is bad. He also indicated that there is a construction business that operates from an apartment in the immediate area that has three trucks and a trailer parked in front. The other business owners favored the idea of the Loading Zone sign as long as it could be used by their patrons also.
Ald. Melidosian appreciates the business owner sprucing up the unit but does not like the precedent this decision is setting. He would like to see more support from the business owners and seeks unanimous support.
Ald. Wilkening supported the motion. She pointed out that other loading zones were added in the City which benefits the area businesses.
ROLL CALL AYES: Ald. Shubert, Melidosian, Mazzuca, Joyce, Moran, and Milissis (6) NAYS: Ald. Melidosian (1) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Motion carried, 6 – 1.
Ald. Moran asked Chief Kaminski if anything could be done with the trucks that are parking in the spaces that have B plates. He said he would look into the matter.
4. Approve an ordinance amending 13-13-2 of the Municipal Code, Resident Parking on Stewart, Prospect to Cumberland Moved by Ald. Moran. Seconded by Ald. Joyce.
Director Zingsheim provided information regarding residents that wanted restricted parking on Stewart; it was a unique circumstance. He confirmed it was surveyed three times, meeting the criteria once.
Ald. Mazzuca will not support the motion. He was concerned if parking was added to both sides based on the width of the street.
Ald. Shubert did not support the motion. Parking problems are being relocated to another block. He would be open to permitting process that allow residents to park near the train station.
Ald. Melidosian indicated that all procedures were followed; criteria was met on parking requirements. He believes residents have the right to enjoy parking on their street.
Ald. Moran also supports the motion. With the information presented, he believes it is a fair interpretation based on the width of the street.
ROLL CALL AYES: Ald. Melidosian, Joyce, Moran, and Wilkening (4) NAYS: Ald. Mazzuca, Milissis, and Shubert (3) ABSENT: None (0) ABSTAIN: None (0) Motion carried, 4 – 3.
J. Public Safety Committee – Ald. Melidosian
1. Approve amending Chapter 3, Section 6.A., Education requirements of the Park Ridge Board if Fire and Police Commissioners, Administrative Rules / Approved by omnibus vote
2. Approve the amended Board of Fire and Police Commissioner Rules to implement the Police Officer Cadet Program / Approved by omnibus vote
3. Approve a Grant Award in the amount of $14,546 from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program / Approved by omnibus vote
Mayor Maloney congratulated the Chief and his team for the fine work tracking down the persons of the recent robberies in town. Chief Kaminski recognized help from other jurisdictions and benefits of cameras.
Fire Chief Sorensen spoke in regards to a fire in which the department responded at Potter and Ballard which took the life of an individual. Police Chief Kaminski indicated that CERT volunteers were also on the scene directing traffic.
K. Finance and Budget Committee – Ald. Mazzuca No report.
IX. New business No comments.
X. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
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Sept. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
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