North Cook News

Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees met Feb. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Village President Kathryn Ciesla called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM 

1. ROLL CALL 

Attendee Name Title Status 

Kathryn Ciesla Village President Present 

Robert Israel Trustee Present 

Heather Ross Trustee Present 

Daniel Pepoon Trustee Absent 

Johannah Hebl Trustee Present 

Joy Ebhomielen Trustee Present 

Michelle Kohler Trustee Present 

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Village Manager Cara Pavlicek suspended the meeting due to a tornado warning at 7:35 PM Village President Kathryn Ciesla reconvened the meeting to order at 8:00 PM 

3. MINUTES APPROVAL 

A. February 13, 2024 Regular Board Meeting Minutes for Approval 

RESULT: APPROVED [4 – 0] 

MOVER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee 

SECONDER: Joy Ebhomielen, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Hebl, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Heather Ross, Trustee and Kathryn Ciesla, President 

ABSENT: Daniel Pepoon, Trustee

4. PUBLIC COMMENT TIME - None 

5. MANAGER'S REPORT 

Village Manager Cara Pavlicek requested the Village Board continue items 8c and 12a until the  March 12, 2024 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting

6. WARRANT LIST 

A. Review and Approval of Escrow Deposit/Performance Bond Refund List  Dated February 15, 2024 

RESULT: APPROVED [5 – 0] 

MOVER: Robert Israel, Trustee 

SECONDER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Ross, Hebl, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Kathryn Ciesla, President 

ABSENT: Daniel Pepoon, Trustee

B. Review and Approval of Payments to be Made for February 1, 2024 - February 15, 2024 

RESULT: APPROVED [5 – 0] 

MOVER: Robert Israel, Trustee 

SECONDER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Ross, Hebl, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Kathryn Ciesla, President 

ABSENT: Daniel Pepoon, Trustee

7. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 

President Ciesla stated the Village hosted a successful Cultural Fair.  The Village will be installing new digital water meters for all customers.  

Community coping kits from CATCH are available to the public. 

Community Moment 

Van Gilmore discussed the importance of diversity. He anticipates affordable housing will contribute to creating a more diverse community. Furthermore, he recognized the Village for their community support efforts. 

8. CONSENT AGENDA 

RESULT: APPROVED ITEMS A – B, D – L [5 – 0] 

MOVER: Robert Israel, Trustee 

SECONDER: Heather Ross, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Ross, Hebl, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Kathryn Ciesla, President 

ABSENT: Daniel Pepoon, Trustee

A. Resolution 2024-R-22 Approving and Accepting the Required Site  

Improvements for the 1910 Techny Road Sterling Place Residential Planned Development 

B. Resolution 2024-R-23 Approving and Accepting the Required Site  

Improvements for the 4000 Commercial Avenue Redevelopment 

C. Ordinance 2024-12 Amending the Annual Fee Ordinance to Alter Parking Restrictions on Greenview Road 

Continued until the March 12, 2024 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting 

D. Resolution 2024-R-24 Authorizing Renewal of an Agreement for Cemetery Burials and Related Services with Property Werks of Northern Illinois, Inc.  D/B/A Professional Cemetery Services of Dundee, Illinois 

E. Resolution 2024-R-25 Authorizing a Contract Renewal for Cemetery Landscape Maintenance Services with Fleck's Landscaping, Inc. of Wheeling,  Illinois 

F. Resolution 2024-R-26 Approving the Renewal of Agreements for Electrical Services with Kordick Electric Company, Inc. of Northbrook, Illinois; Title Electric Company, Corp. of Arlington Heights, Illinois; and LiteZone Electric,  LLC. of Skokie, Illinois. 

G. Resolution 2024-R-27 Approving a Renewal of a Contract with Advanced Elevator Company, Corp. of Aurora, Illinois for Elevator Maintenance Services 

H. Resolution 2024-R-28 Approving the Renewal of an Agreement for Fire Alarm Testing Services with Nelbud Services, LLC. of Indianapolis, Indiana 

I. Resolution 2024-R-29 Authorizing the Renewal of an Agreement for Material Hauling Services and Debris Disposal Services with Weidner Farms Material, Inc. of Cary, Illinois 

J. Resolution 2024-R-30 Authorizing a Renewal of an Agreement with Midwest  Power Industry, Inc. of Ringwood, Illinois for Generator Maintenance and Emergency Repair Services 

K. Resolution 2024-R-31 Approving an Agreement with Bulldog Security  Systems Inc. of Highland Park, Illinois for the Installation of an Addressable Fire Alarm Panel Systems at the Village Hall and the Water Treatment Plant 

L. Ordinance 2024-13 Approving Plan Commission Docket No. PCD-24-01 a  Zoning Relief Application for a Wall Sign for University of Chicago Medicine Located at 400 Skokie Boulevard

9. JOINT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND PLAN COMMISSION 

A. New Zoning Code Diagnostic Memo Discussion 

Commissioner Elisco called the Joint Plan Commission meeting to order at 8:13 PM 

ROLL CALL 

Attendee Name Status 

Steven Elisco Present 

Mark DeBartolo Present 

Jeremy Melnick Absent 

Allen Morgen Present 

Eric Schwager Absent 

Amy Torf Present 

Keri Halperin Present 

Jeff Sandler Absent 

Ken Walden Present 

Village Attorney Steve Elrod spoke on the joint meeting process. He provided a brief overview of  the Zoning Code's history. 

Jackie Berg, Houseal Lavigne, Practice Lead, discussed the new Zoning Code diagnostic  memo. She provided a brief overview of the following: project, diagnostic memo, focus areas, and next steps. She explained how the removal of FAR (floor area ratio) will benefit the public, which is trending in other communities. Furthermore, a variable setback requirement (based on building height) can be added to the Zoning Code. The goal is to create a standalone code to  prevent misinterpretation. 

Many of the categories and uses were consolidated into general retail categories. The  recommendations include converting special uses to conditional uses and removing the public hearing process. The next project phase consists of developing district/use standards. Currently, communities favor maximum parking for residential uses. A land-based approach for parking minimums and reduced parking stall allowance can be added to the code. 

The proposed changes will enhance and modernize the Zoning Code. To note, the Villages Climate Action Plan (CAP Plan) was taken into consideration. She requested policy direction from the Village regarding affordable housing. 

The Members favored the vendor's recommendations; however, they requested the vendor provide more data to support the changes. Furthermore, Members expressed concern regarding  the following: removal of FAR, condensing uses, parking minimums, and affordable housing. The vendor should evaluate streamlining certain procedures for staff approval only, removing the public hearing requirement. 

Commissioner Elisco adjourned the Joint Plan Commission meeting at 9:40 PM 

10. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE - None

11. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - None 

12. COMMUNITY AND SUSTAINABILITY 

A. January 23, 2024 Community and Sustainability Meeting Minutes for Approval Continued until the March 12, 2024 Regular Board of Trustees Meeting 

13. PUBLIC WORKS AND FACILITIES - None 

14. PUBLIC SAFETY - None 

15. COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH - None 

16. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER - None 

17. CLOSED SESSION - None 

18. ADJOURN 

RESULT: ADJOURN AT 9:30 P.M. [5 – 0] 

MOVER: Robert Israel, Trustee 

SECONDER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee 

AYES: Israel, Ross, Hebl, Ebhomielen, Kohler 

NAYES: None 

ABSTAIN: Kathryn Ciesla, President 

ABSENT: Daniel Pepoon, Trustee

https://northbrook-il.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=northbrook-il_ac0f122e41830945b1b2575b1b2016a5.pdf&view=1