Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 Minutes 08/06/2025Village of Mount Prospect Regular Meeting of the Village Board Wednesday, August 6, 2025 / 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hoefert called the Regular Meeting of the Village Board to order at 7:14 p.m. in the Board Room at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St. ROLL CALL Members present upon a roll call by the Village Clerk: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee Vincent Dante, Trustee Beth DiPrima, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee Bill Grossi, Trustee John Matuszak, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli Absent: None 2.1. Pledge of Allegiance — Led by Trustee Colleen Saccotelli APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1. Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board - July 15, 2025 Motion by Terri Gens, second by Vincent Dante to approve the regular meeting minutes of the Village Board of July 15, 2025: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed MAYORS REPORT 4.1. Mayor's Comment No comment. 4.2. Reappointments to Board and Commissions • Audit Commission -Timothy McDermott • Economic Development Commission - Dan Novak Motion by Bill Grossi, second by Vincent Dante to approve the reappointments to the Audit Committee and the Economic Development Commission: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS - CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Barbara Kulp Mount Prospect resident • Addressed the Board about noise problems with her neighbors; she reported sleep disturbances and physical discomfort caused by car door slamming and late -night car movements from neighbors. • Suggested solutions to hold neighbors responsible, including forming a task force to handle neighbor issues, and left documentation with the Village Clerk for the board to review. Louis Goodman 310 N. School St. • Expressed concern regarding electric scooters, inquiringwhat the Village plans to do about them. Mayor Hoefert informed him that the Board would be discussing the scooter issue in September. Jeff Nejdl 313 N. MacArthur • Spoke about his family history in Mount Prospect and shared that his grandmother had passed away the previous Saturday at the age of 98. He expressed his gratitude to the community that gave so much to his family, which motivated him to run for trustee in 2019. Mayor Hoefert thanked him for his comments and expressed condolences for his loss. CONSENTAGENDA Trustee Grossi announced his intention to recuse himself from voting on item 6.1, List of Bills, which includes two small items on page 4 regarding supplies for the Lions Festival and Carnival paid to Menards, due to his role on the Lions Club Executive Board. Trustee DiPrima requested that item 6.6 be pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion. Motion by Colleen Saccotelli, second by Bill Grossi to approve the consent agenda as amended (with item 6.6 removed): Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed 6.1. List of Bills - July 9, 2025, to July 29, 2025 - $5,140,199.15 Recuse: Bill Grossi 6.2. Approval of Minutes - June 17, 2025 Closed Session meeting of the Village Board 6.3. Motion to waive the rule requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt an ORDINANCE GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE FOR A MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENT ATTHE PROPERTY 1518 NORTH ELMHURST ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS (PZ-09-25) Ordinance No. 6796 6.4. Motion to approve change order request from Engineering Resource Associates for supplemental Phase I and Phase II Engineering Services for the Schoenbeck Road Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $163,226. 6.5. Motion to approve change order request from Patrick Engineering for Rand/Kensington/Route 83 Intersection Improvements Phase II Engineering Services for an amount not to exceed $159,585. Lane Crosswalk Modifications for an amount not to exceed $258,247. 6.7. Motion to approve A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PLAT OF EASEMENT GRANT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 112 EAST NORTHWEST HIGHWAY, MOUNT PROSPECT, IL 60056 Resolution No. 23-25 Item removed from the consent agenda: 6.6 Motion to accept the lowest -cost, responsive bid to construct the Central Road & Weller Lane Crosswalk Modifications for an amount not to exceed $258,247. Sean Dorsey, Director of Public Works, presented information about the project to replace the existing rectangular rapid flash beacons at the intersection of Central and Weller. He explained that the current pedestrian crossing signals had been installed for approximately 10 years, and this project would replace them with overhead -style posts and arms. The recommendation came from the 2017 Central Road corridor study and an additional pedestrian crossing study led by the Federal Highway Commission in response to a 2015 accident at that crossing. Mr. Dorsey explained that overhead signals and signage would make the crossing more apparent to drivers on four -lane highways. He noted this model had been adopted for other pedestrian crossing signals installed since then, including Central and Emerson, Main and Busse, and Central and Cathy. He added that the pedestrian crossing signal on Busse Road at Lonnquist would be replaced with an overhead system as part of the Busse Road reconstruction project next year. The Village received bids from four contractors, with the lowest cost bid submitted by Lions Electric for $234,770. Mr. Dorsey noted that the bids were fairly close, indicating good interest in the project. He explained that the project had experienced some cost increases, primarily due to material costs and the lengthy process (18 months) to obtain an IDOT permit. Mr. Dorsey also mentioned that the existing solar -powered signals would be replaced with a hardwired connection to the electric system, which has proven more reliable in other locations. Mr. Dorsey answered questions from the Board. Public Comment: Pam Nelson Mount Prospect resident • Spoke about safety concerns at the crossing; she relayed that several mothers at Westbrook had described dangerous conditions when crossing Central Road. • Thanked the Board for addressing the issue and offered to help petition for a real stoplight at this crosswalk. Mr. Dorsey responded, explaining that they had previously explored options for a flashing red light or HAWK system, but IDOT would not allow either in District 1. He also noted that the intersection did not meet any of IDOT's warrants for a traffic signal, making the current proposal the best available solution for improving pedestrian safety. No fu rther d iscussion. Motion by Colleen Saccotelli, second by Vincent Dante, to accept the lowest -cost -responsive bid for the Central Road and Weller Lane crosswalk modifications as submitted by Lions Electric for an amount not to exceed $258,247: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed OLD BUSINESS —None NEW BUSINESS 8.1. Motion to waive the rule requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 "ZONING" and AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE TO OPERATE AN ART STUDIO ATTHE PROPERTY 350 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD SUITE 117 (PZ-08-25) Jason Shallcross, Director of Community and Economic Development, presented a text amendment proposal for 350 West Kensington to allow art studios as conditional uses in the 131 zoning district, and a conditional use request for Bloom and Brush Art Studio. Mr. Shallcross described the proposed business as a small art studio with two instructors and no more than ten students at a time, creating small artistic works. He explained that the location was just south of the Pickler Center off Rand Road, with single-family homes to the west and a daycare and office uses to the east. The center was fully improved with light office uses, including physical therapy offices. He explained that currently, art, woodcraft studios, and sculptor/composer studios were not allowed in the B-1 zoning district. The petitioner was requesting a text amendment to make these conditional uses rather than permitted uses, which aligned with best practices for introducing new uses. Mr. Shallcross noted that dance and music academies were already permitted in the B-1 district, and the proposed art studio wouldn't be more intense than those uses. Mr. Shallcross reviewed the floor plan and business materials, noting that if approved, the petitionerwould be restricted to using only the materials listed in their business plan -typical light intensity items such as scissors, canvases, Mod Podge, and acrylic paints. The parking analysis showed the center had 31 stalls above code requirements. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval with conditions including: requiring a business license, restricting materials to those proposed, limiting occupancy to two instructors and ten students, restricting the business to painting and floor design (prohibiting incompatible uses like "rage rooms"), requiring an additional conditional use request if ownership changed, and meeting all applicable building and fire codes. PJ Jelen, representing Bloom and Brush, explained that the business concept was born from her mother's previous 20-year floral design business. She planned to join her mother as a secondary instructor, creating a calm space for art classes while being respectful of the surrounding neighbors. Mr. Shallcross and Ms. Jelen answered questions from the Board. Mr. Shallcross explained that any materials requiring venting would be addressed duringthe building permit process, but based on the proposed materials list, staff did not anticipate this being necessary. Board Comments: • Confirmed with the petitioner that there would be no kilns, glassblowing, or other heating systems, and that the business had no immediate plans to serve alcohol. • Thanked the petitioner for choosing Mount Prospect Public Comment: Pam Nelson Mount Prospect resident • Expressed interest in potential partnerships with local non-profit boards such as the Library Foundation and Mount Prospect Historical Society for events. Motion by Colleen Saccotelli, second by Terri Gens to waive the rule requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 14 zoning and an ordinance granting a conditional use to operate an art studio at the property 350 West Kensington Road. Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed Ordinance Nos. 6797 (text amendments) and 6798 (conditional use) 8.2. Motion to Waive the Rules Requiring Two Readings of an Ordinance and Adopt AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING A MUNICIPAL GROCERY RETAILERS' OCCUPATION TAXAND A MUNICIPAL GROCERY SERVICE OCCUPATION TAX FOR THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT Amit Thakkar, Director of Finance, presented the proposed grocery tax. He explained that a 1% grocery tax had been in place since 1990, generating revenue of $806,000 in 2022, $886,000 in 2023, and $923,000 in 2024. Public Act 103-0781 would remove this 1 % tax effective January 1, 2026, but would allow municipalities to adopt their grocery tax up to 1 %, which the state would continue to collect and administer. Mr. Thakkar explained that to prevent disruption in revenue, the Village will need to adopt and file the ordinance before October 1. He observed that many neighboring communities, including Des Plaines, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Morton Grove, Palatine, and Schaumburg, had already adopted orwere in the process of adopting similar ordinances. Mr. Thakkar emphasized that adopting the grocery taxwould not add a new burden, and staff proposed using the revenue to fund public safety pensions and reduce property taxes. He explained that the State of Illinois requires pension funds to achieve 90%funding by 2040, but Mount Prospect has taken a more aggressive approach to fund 100% of its unfunded pension liability by that date. Between 2020 and 2025, required pension contributions increased by 55.1 %. The Village currently budgets $2 million to abate property taxes for pensions, and with the additional $923,000 from the grocery tax, could abate nearly $2.9 million in property taxes. Mr. Thakkar also discussed recent changes to the sales tax law affecting out-of-state retailers, noting that the Village had seen a 45.6% decrease in use tax allocation in April and could potentially lose close to $1 million annually. In response to frequently asked questions, Mr. Thakkar clarified that this was not a new tax, SNAP/food stamp purchases would remain exempt, all shoppers (notjust residents) would pay the taxwhen buying groceries in Mount Prospect, and the revenue would be earmarked for pension abatement purposes, with analysis presented at each annual budget session. Board comments: • Expressed support for maintainingthe tax, notingthat it had been in place since 1990 and helped fund Village operations. • Noted that not all items purchased at grocery stores are subject to the grocery tax, so the actual impact on families spending $12,000 annually on groceries would be less than 1 % of that amount. • Supports the grocery tax as a critical and diverse revenue stream that helps ensure financial stability, noting that, unlike property taxes, this burden is shared by nonresidents who shop in the community. • Emphasized the importance of protectingthe Village from economic uncertainty. • Expressed support for strengthening pensions with this tax revenue. • The grocery tax will help diversify income streams and maintain financial stability. Public Comment: Pam Nelson Mount Prospect resident • Opposes the tax; the seemingly minimal 1% tax causes anxiety and stress for residents already dealing with high food prices. Linda Waycie Mount Prospect resident • Shared data about cost -burdened households in the Village • Suggested that removing the grocery taxwould demonstrate compassion for residents facing difficult times. Motion by Bill Grossi, second by John Matuszakto waive the rules requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt an ordinance implementing a municipal grocery retailer's occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax for the Village. Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed Ordinance No. 6799 VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT 9.1. Motion to waive the requirements for public bidding and accept the proposal from LPS Pavement Company for brick sidewalk replacement associated with the Central Gateway Project for a cost not to exceed $198,675. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey presented a proposal for replacing brick sidewalks around the Central Gateway Project. He explained that the existing concrete brick paver sidewalk had frequently failed throughout town due to road salt, and the Village was replacing these with clay fired brick which is more resistant to chlorides and decay. Mr. Dorsey noted that similar replacements had been made at the train station, along Main Street, Route 83, Northwest Highway, and Emerson St. The proposed work included nearly 8,000 square feet of pink and gray brick around the perimeter and new brick installation in the center of the plaza, which would have a clock tower on a concrete foundation. The Village approached its current brick paver contractor, LPS Pavement Company, which had been awarded a competitive three-year bid in 2024. LPS submitted a proposal honoring their existing bid prices for 2025. Mr. Dorsey emphasized that LPS had completed good work for the Village and other communities, including the Rand/Central/Mount Prospect intersection and the Main and Bussie crosswalk improvement. Motion by Vincent Dante, second by Colleen Saccotelli to waive the requirements for public bidding and accept the proposal from LPS Pavement Company for brick sidewalk replacement associated with the Central Gateway Project for a cost not to exceed $198,675: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed 9.2. Motion to accept the lowest -cost, responsive bid for the Central Gateway Site Work Project for a price not to exceed $312,681.46. Mr. Dorsey presented information on additional site work for the Central Gateway Project. The scope included creating the base curb and parking lot, milling the existing parking lot on Trezero's property, creating a new platform for a garbage enclosure, and milling and resurfacing the alley from the parking lot to Elmhurst Avenue. The work also included establishing a concrete ribbon or curb adjacent to the new brick pavers and installing the concrete foundation for the clock tower. The Village received three bids, with the lowest from Alliance Contractors at $284,255.87. Mr. Dorsey noted that all bids were closely distributed, indicating sufficient interest in the project. Staff recommended including a contingency for unforeseen field conditions. Alliance had previously completed successful projects for the village, including the Rand/Central/Mount Prospect intersection and the Main and Busse crosswalk improvement. Mr. Dorsey answered questions from the Board. Motion by Vincent Dante, second by Colleen Saccotelli to o accept the lowest cost responsive bid for the Central Gateway Site Work Project for a price not to exceed $312,681.46: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima,Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed 9.3. As submitted Village Manager Michael Cassady noted that a workshop is scheduled for the followingweek at 6 PM, which would include presentations on the Space Needs study for the Community Connections Center, second-quarter financials, and the Community Investment Plan. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Saccotelli thanked the Village staff for a great Block Partyweekend and National Night Out, which had good weather and a high turnout. She also mentioned the upcoming Family Health Fair at Busse Pocket Park on Wednesday from 6-7:30 PM, which would include free health screenings. Mayor Hoefert echoed appreciation for the Block party and National Night Out events, noting the excellent attendance. Trustee Grossi mentioned that the Lions' free Hearing and Vision Screening truckwould be at the Family Health Fair. ADJOURNMENT With no additional business to conduct, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Matuszak, seconded by Trustee Grossi, motioned to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the August 6, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agora nos Village Clerk