HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW Minutes 03/10/2026
Village of Mount Prospect Meeting of
theCommitteeof the Whole
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 / 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro-tem Terri Gens called the Meeting of the Village Board to order at 6:03 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 Pro-tem Terri Gens, Trustee Beth
DiPrima, Trustee Bill Grossi, Trustee John Matuszak, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli
Absent: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee Vincent Dante
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
No public comment
DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1. Fire Department Operations Update
Fire Chief Tom Wang provided a comprehensive operational update for the fire department,
focusing on the successful implementation and impact of Station 11, which opened in July 2024
after the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District closed Station 11 in September 2023.
Chief Wang explained that the closure initially left manufactured homes south of I-90 and the
Oakton corridor without fire services, but through collaborative efforts with neighboring
departments, they were able to maintain seamless service coverage until Station 11 reopened. The
department now has a full year of operational data from 2025 demonstrating significant
improvements in service delivery.
Fire Prevention Accomplishments: Chief Wang that stated Deputy Chief Loomis and his team
successfully inspected all 40 newly incorporated business properties and occupancies, bringing
them up to life safety codes. The department also implemented a highly successful smoke alarm
grant program for manufactured homes using $10,000 from Elk Grove Township. Twenty-six
homes participated, with the installation of 90 smoke alarms. Chief Wang noted that
approximately 25% of these homes had zero working smoke alarms and 75% had inadequate
numbers of working alarms before the program.
Staffing Evolution: Chief Wang provided historical context on department staffing changes,
noting that daily staffing increased from 17 in 2003 to the current level of 21 personnel. Key
milestones included adding a fourth ambulance in 2023 (bringing daily staffing to 20) and adding a
third person to Tower 13 in 2024. Chief Wang emphasized that the fourth ambulance has been "a
game changer" and that Mount Prospect is one of only three departments in the area with four full-
time ambulances.
District Reconfiguration Impact: The transition from three to four stations required extensive call
data analysis from 2021-2023, with the department plotting all calls to optimize district
boundaries. The new configuration significantly balanced call volumes across districts.
Previously, District 12 handled over 3,000 calls annually (44% of all calls), while in 2025, the
workload was more evenly distributed with Districts 11 and 12 each handling approximately
2,300-2,400 calls (27-28% each).
Response Time Improvements: Chief Wang presented detailed statistics showing dramatic
improvements in meeting NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1710 standards. For building
fires, the department achieved a 90% success rate for first engine arrival times (meeting NFPA gold
standard), compared to 80% under the three-station model. Second engine arrival times also
improved to 90%, and full alarm response (17 personnel) was achieved 95% of the time compared
to only 40% previously. When including all code three responses, the department achieved 90%
first engine, 92% second engine, and 95% full alarm response rates.
Equipment Updates: Chief Wang announced the anticipated arrival of the new Tower 13, which
has been inspected and is expected to arrive within weeks.
Future Plans - Rescue 13: The department plans to implement Rescue 13, a smaller two- person
vehicle similar to those used by neighboring departments like Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows,
and Buffalo Grove. This vehicle would respond primarily to EMS calls, allowing fire apparatus to
remain available for subsequent calls. Chief Wang explained they would outfit an existing pickup
truck rather than purchasing an expensive specialized vehicle, estimating costs around $500,000-
$600,000 for commercial versions. The rescue would operate only on days with extra staffing,
approximately 10% of the year.
Chief Wang responded to questions from the Board.
Public Comment:
Debbie Geavaris
Resident, Audrey Lane
Shared her recent positive experience with the fire department responding to a stove fire at
her home, praising their professionalism and quick response.
Mayor Pro Tem Gens commended Chief Wang and the department for their exceptional service,
resourcefulness in overcoming challenges, and dedication to residents. She particularly noted the
tedious work involved in resolving the Elk Grove Rural District issue and how it resulted in
improved service for residents and better work-life balance for firefighters.
Village Manager Cassady announced that Mount Prospect received an $850,000 federal grant
through Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi's office to offset the $1.7 million expense for Station 11
renovation.
VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
5.1. As submitted
Village Manager Mike Cassady reported on the valet parking situation for Triangle area restaurants.
Several restaurants requested extending valet parking through May 20th at a cost of just under
$10,000.
Manager Cassady plans to schedule a meeting with restaurant owners within the week to explore
arrangements where they would participate in funding, with options to be brought back to the
Board for consideration at next week's meeting.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Pro-tem also announced two scheduling changes due to early voting: Coffee with Council
would be held Saturday, March 14th at 9 AM in the boardroom (moved from the Farley Community
Room), and the next Village Board meeting would be Monday, March 16th instead of Tuesday,
March 17th due to the primary election.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Gens announced the Board would enter closed session to discuss:
LITIGATION 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11)
LAND ACQUISITION 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5)
PERSONNEL 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2)
PERSONNEL 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1)
DISPOSE OF LAND 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6)
Motion by John Matuszak, second by Colleen Saccotelli to enter closed session:
Yea: Beth DiPrima, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli
Nay: None
Absent: Vincent Dante
Resolution: Motion Passed
The Board entered closed session at 6:57PM.
(Clerkâs note: Mayor Hoefert joined the closed session at 7:02PM)
Mayor Pro-tem Gens announced that the regular meeting would adjourn at the conclusion of closed
session with no further discussion or action.
ADJOURNMENT
With no additional business to conduct, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Grossi
seconded by Trustee Gens motioned to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the March 10,
2026 Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen M. Agoranos
Village Clerk