HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW Minutes 01/13/2026
Village of Mount Prospect Meeting of the
Committee of the Whole
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 / 6:00 PM
CALL TOORDER
Mayor Hoefert called the Meeting of the Village Board to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Board Room at
Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson St.
ROLL CALL
Members present upon roll call by the Village Clerk: Mayor Paul Hoerfert, Trustee Vincent Dante,
Trustee Beth DiPrima, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee Bill Grossi, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli
Absent: Trustee John Matuszak
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Leonard Xavier
5 S. Pine St.
Expressed strong support for the Melas- Meadows pedestrian bridge project
Shared his experience chairing the transportation commission in Highland Park, where a
similar pedestrian bridge over Highway 41 was heavily used despite limited advertising and
accessibility.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1. Sustainability Plan Implementation: Update Report, Direction and Next Village Actions
Josh Allain, Assistant to the Village Manager, presented an update on the Village's sustainability
efforts. He explained that the Sustainability Implementation Guide originated from the 2021-2022
Strategic Planning process, with an ad hoc committee forming to develop goals and action items.
The plan consists of 7 goals, 39 action items, and 16 management progress items.
Mr. Allain categorized the action items into different types:
Truly completable actions (can be finished with a definite end)
Actions that will be repeated (ongoing efforts)
Evolving actions (completion leads to new objectives)
Organizational commitments (ongoing partnerships)
Communications-related items (the largest category with 21 items)
Key accomplishments from 2025 included:
Launch of "Sustainability News," a quarterly newsletter with a 50% open rate that has
grown from 289 to 379 subscribers
Increase in solar panel permits from 2022 to 2025
Creation of a speaker series with the first event focusing on native plantings
Community outreach at events including Block Party, Fall Fest, and Emergency
Preparedness Expo
Single-Use Plastic Utensil Reduction Program (SUPR) with 19 participating businesses
Implementation of a Green Business Grant to support sustainability projects
Priority items for future implementation were outlined:
Communications plan to carry forward the communication items
Working with action teams
Single-use plastic mitigation expansion
Speaker opportunities
Native planting encouragement
Community education
Global warming impact analysis
During the discussion, Trustees raised several questions and suggestions:
Trustee DePrima asked about the Village Community Solar Program, which staff clarified is
a program vetted through the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus that allows residents to support
community solar development and receive a 10-20% credit on their electricity bill.
Trustee Gens inquired about vetting solar panel solicitors and expressed concern about
residents knowing which companies are legitimate. She also discussed the importance of
tailoring any global warming impact study to Mount Prospect's specific conditions rather
than using generic data.
Trustee DePrima offered several suggestions regarding native plantings:
o Inventory and enhance existing monarch way stations before adding new ones
o Increase diversity of native plants beyond the standard grasses, serviceberries, and
black-eyed Susans
o Replace dead plants with appropriate native species
o Use QR codes on signs to provide updated plant information without expensive
replacement signs
Mayor Hoefert suggested combining the recycling newsletter with sustainability news to reach
more households. He expressed concern about several issues:
o Styrofoam disposal and reduction
o Glass bottles in restaurants not being recycled
o Faded recycling stickers on bins
o Converting unused public lands to parks
Trustee Dante emphasized the importance of physical mailings over emails for reaching
residents and expressed concerns about parkway plantings requiring more discussion.
Trustee Gens proposed changing the sustainability committee to a commission status to
recognize the authority and expertise of members, noting that most neighboring communities have
commissions rather than committees.
Mayor Hoefert suggested addressing this idea during the upcoming strategic planning session in
May.
No further discussion.
VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
5.1. As submitted
Village Manager Cassady had nothing further to report.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Public Comment:
Pam Nelson
Resident
Expressed concern about a swastika that appeared in the snow on Gregory Street.
Criticized dismissive comments on social media and urged the Village to make a
statement condemning such symbols
ADJOURNMENT
With no additional business to conduct, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Gens
seconded by Trustee Dante motioned to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the January
13, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen M. Agoranos Village
Clerk