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Home My WebLink About07/08/2025 Special Village Board and Committee of the Whole MinutesVillage of Mount Prospect Special Village Board Meeting and Committee of the Whole Burning Bush Community Center 1313 N. Burning Bush Lane Tuesday, July 8, 2025 / 6:00 PM CALLTO ORDER Mayor Paul Hoefert called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m., thanking everyone for attending the special meeting held at the Burning Bush Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present upon roll call by the Village Clerk: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee Vincent Dante, Trustee Beth DiPrima, Trustee Bill Grossi, Trustee John Matuszak, and Trustee Colleen Saccotelli Absent: Trustee Terri Gens CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Curt Carlson Mount Prospect resident Spoke aboutthree concerns: The need for fire and police departments to disclose information about vehicle models involved in garage fires to raise awareness for public safety • Questions about the Village's expenditures on housing for migrants Relayed a story about finding a lost wallet in a construction dumpster and returning it to the owner, expressing concerns about neighborhood honesty. Dutch DeGroot 217 S. I Oka • Addressed the Board regarding the Lions Club golf cart usage at the Fourth of July Fest, defending the Lions Club against what he characterized as unfair criticism from a resident regarding safety concerns about golf carts used at their events. Carole Martz Mount Prospect resident • Clarified that the concern was solely about safety issues with golf carts, not an attack on the Lions Club. • Regardingthe golf cart reimbursement line item on the list of bills, she asked whether it was for the Village's use or for reimbursing the Lions Club. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey clarified that the Village pays forgolf carts used bystaff during parades, while the Lions Club leases its golf carts. Carole Delahunty Mount Prospect resident • Expressed concerns about the defamatory language used by a previous speaker when speaking about undocumented immigrants. She expressed that such language was inappropriate and suggested that Board members should speak out against such terminology. CONSENTAGENDA Motion by Vincent Dante, second by Beth DiPrima, to approve the consent agenda as presented: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Absent: Terri Gens Final Resolution: Motion Passed 4.1. List of Bills -June 11, 2025, to June 24, 2025 - $2,626,461.06 4.2. Waive the rule requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt AN ORDINANCE MAKING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE ANNUAL BUDGET ADOPTED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2025 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025 Ordinance No. 6794 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 5.1. Wheeling Township Presentation Maria Zeller Brauer, Wheeling Township Supervisor, delivered a comprehensive presentation about Wheeling Township services. She explained that Wheeling Township, established in 1850, is the largest of the 29 townships in Cook County, serving 156,000 residents in over 58,000 households. Key points from her presentation included: • Townships provide services closest tot he people they serve, functioning as the social service agency of local government. • The three state -mandated functions of townships are: providing general assistance, maintaining unincorporated roads, and assessing property taxes. • The Township Clerk handles voter registration and election -related matters. • Wheeling Township manages approximately 5 miles of unincorporated roads • The Township Assessor helps residents appeal property taxes and ensures seniors, veterans, and disabled residents receive proper exemptions. • The Township provides funding to social service agencies, granting over $203,000 to organizations serving Township residents. • A Community Mental Health Board was established through referendum two years ago, providing $800,000 in funding for mental health services, substance use disorder programs, and services for individuals with disabilities. • General Assistance programs help those who don't qualify for federal or state aid, providing up to $900 monthly for able-bodied unemployed persons or those waiting for disability approval. • Emergency Assistance offers one-time help over an 18-month period for life -threatening circumstances like eviction or utility shutoffs. • The Township assists residents with applications for LIHEAP (energy assistance), SNAP benefits, Access to Care (health insurance), and the Noble Dental Clinic. • The Township's food pantry operates entirely on donations, serving over 13,400 people in the last fiscal year, with 42% of users being seniors. • Senior services include a transportation program providing over 20,000 rides annually, home -delivered meals (11,000 meals delivered), Medicare registration assistance, and property tax exemption help. • Support groups for visually impaired residents and Alzheimer's caregivers meet regularly at the Township. Mayor Hoefert and the Board expressed appreciation for the Township's work and inquired about volunteer opportunities, cross -township transportation services, and future collaboration between governmental entities. Ms. Brauer indicated plans to initiate meetings with other elected officials and agencies to improve government efficiency through cooperation. 5.2. Amendments to the Village Code Prohibiting the Sale of Illicit THC Products, Kratom and Tianeptine Jason Shallcross, Director of Community and Economic Development, presented a proposed ordinance to prohibit the sale of illicit THC products, kratom, and tianeptine in the village. His presentation included: • An explanation of the difference between cannabis (regulated under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act) and hemp (containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC). • Information about unregulated hemp -derived THC products like Delta-8, Delta-10, and THC-O, which has high THC concentrations (70-85%) but exists in a legal gray area. • Details about kratom (a supplement from Southeast Asia used for pain relief and totreat opioid withdrawal) and tianeptine (a drug with opioid-like effects sold under names like "Tiana" and "Zaza"). • Public safety concerns regardingyouth access to these products, their addictive nature, and lack of regulation for potency, testing, packaging, and taxation. • A list of municipalities that have enacted local bans or regulations on these products. Mr. Shallcross stated the proposed ordinance would: • Prohibit the sale, marketing, and distribution of illicit THC products, kratom, and tianeptine • Establish a $200 fine and not more than $750 for each offense • Provide a 120-day grace period for compliance • Does not affect state -licensed cannabis dispensaries Board Comments: • Emphasized concerns about children accessingthese products and the dangers they pose; noted that vape stores often primarily sell these unregulated products rather than tobacco. • Suggested that 90 days would be sufficient time for businesses to deplete their inventories and asked about potentially increasingfines for repeat violations and revoking business licenses for non-compliance. • Supported the ban until the state or federal government implements better regulations and testing. • Suggested a phased approach during the grace period, limiting sales to those 21 and over before the complete ban takes effect. • Questioned the inclusion of language about taxation in the ordinance's findings, preferring to focus solely on safety concerns. Mayor Hoefert expressed support for the ordinance, stating he would prefer a shorter grace period of 10 days rather than 90-120 days. Public Comment Laura DeGroot Shared concerns about these products being sold at gas stations, where children can easily access them Based on the discussion, staff indicated theywould draft an ordinance with a 90-day grace period, with the first 10 days allowing continued sales, followed by 21 + only sales until the full ban takes effect. Staff would also consider adding provisions regarding the possession of these substances. 5.3. Citizens Round Table Mayor Hoefert asked Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey to provide an update and Information about stormwater management improvements in the north Mount Prospect area. Mr. Dorsey provided the following: • Levee 37 protects the area from Des Plaines River flooding • A supplemental pump station that increased pumping capacityfrom 60 to 200 cubic feet persecond • Addition of 30 acre-feet of storm water detention at Aspen Trails Park • Completion of over 26 miles of street resurfacing north and east of Rand Road at a cost of $16 million • Plans for an $18 million intersection improvement project at Route 83 for 2026-2027 Mayor Hoefert highlighted the history of flooding in the area and the progressive improvements made by successive administrations. David Schein Mount Prospect resident Expressed concerns about electric skateboards and scooters, particularly their dangerous use byteenagers who ride them at high speeds through playgrounds and streets. He requested an aggressive education and outreach effort targetingthese vehicles, placing responsibility on parents to educate their children. Several Trustees acknowledged the issue. Village Manager Michael Cassady indicated that micro -mobility devices (e-bikes, scooters) would be addressed in an upcoming initial baseline report to the Board following Strategic Planning workshops, where this was identified as a priority. Eleanor Slesicki Mount Prospect resident • Expressed concern regarding the Williams Street traffic -calming initiative, arguing against permanently narrowing the street. Mr. Dorsey clarified that the Transportation Safety Commission would be sending out revised plans based on feedback from the trial modifications, with a meeting planned forAugust to discuss the project further. Karen Giambalvo Mount Prospect resident • Concerned about aggressive solicitors and asked whether the village could implement a permit process for door-to-door sales, similar to other communities. Mayor Hoefert stated staff would investigate this issue. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Mike Cassady highlighted the successful Fourth of July celebration, thanking the Public Works, Police, and Fire departments for their efforts with the parade and carnival. He thanked the Lions Club for making the celebration wonderful for the community. Trustee Saccotelli thanked the Special Events Commission for hosting the Family Bike Ride. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Hoefert announced Coffee with Council will be held this Saturday at 9:00 am in the Farley Community Room at Village Hall. He thanked everyone for attending the meeting and emphasized the importance of holding meetings in different parts of the communityto increase engagement. ADJOURNMENT With no additional business to conduct, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Grossi, seconded by Trustee Matuszak, motioned to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the July 8, 2025 Special Village Board Meeting and Committee of the Whole of the Village Board of Trustees adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M.Agoranos Village Clerk