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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/2026 VB Minutes Village of Mount Prospect Regular Meeting of the Village Board Tuesday, September 1, 2026 / 7:00PM CALL TOORDER Mayor Hoefert called the Regular Meeting of the Village Board to order at 7:03 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 Paul Wm. Hoefert, Trustee Vincent Dante, Trustee Beth DiPrima, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee Bill Grossi, Trustee John Matuszak, and Trustee Colleen Saccotelli Absent: None A quorum was present. 2.1. Pledge of Allegiance - Trustee Beth DiPrima APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board/Committee of the Whole - August 18, 2026 Motion by Terri Gens, second by Vincent Dante, to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2026 regular Village Board/Committee of the Whole meeting: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak and Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed MAYORS REPORT Mayor's Comment No comment. PROCLAMATION: National Suicide Prevention and Action Month - September 2026 Mayor Hoefert read the proclamation designating September 2026 as Suicide Prevention and Action Month in the Village of Mount Prospect. Patricia Crawford, representing Ascension Center for Mental Health, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization. She expressed gratitude for the Village's efforts to increase visibility around mental health issues and noted that Ascension Center, along with Kenneth Young Center, operates a 24-hour crisis line. She reminded residents that help is available by calling 988. PROCLAMATION: Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 Mayor Hoefert read a proclamation recognizing September 11, 2026 as a Day of Remembrance for the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Fire Chief Wang accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Fire Department and invited all residents to attend a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony to be held on Friday, September 11th at 9:00 AM on the Village Green outside Village Hall. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION — Village Employees celebrating Quinquennial Anniversaries Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey honored and highlighted the careers of the following Public Works employees celebrating quinquennial anniversaries: Chuck Lindelof — 30 Years of Service (Project Engineer) Kristina Jakupovic — 20 Years of Service (Superintendent of Administration) Dave Hull — 20 Years of Service (Forestry and Grounds Superintendent) Kyle Slesicki — 20 Years of Service (Forestry and Grounds) Recognition certificates were also noted for Mike Hoffman and Tonya Bracher, who could not attend. Following the individual recognitions, Village Manager Michael Cassady recognized Director Dorsey for 35 years of service with the Village of Mount Prospect. Manager Cassady highlighted key milestones of Dorsey's tenure and the many notable achievements throughout his career. 1st reading of an ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13 (ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS) OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF MOUNT PROSPECT. This ordinance increases the number of Class "P-3" liquor licenses by one (1) MOM'S ORGANIC MARKET INC. d/b/a MOM'S ORGANIC MARKET located at 201 W. Rand Road, Mount Prospect, IL. Jennifer Kulp, the General Manager of Moms Organic Market, addressed the Board, describing the company as a family-founded organic grocery chain established in 1987 and now operating more than two dozen locations. The Mount Prospect store, scheduled to open on October 16th, will be the first Moms location in Illinois. The liquor license request covers a selection of certified organic, biodynamic, and sustainably produced wines, as well as craft, local, organic, and gluten-free beer. Staff confirmed that all required alcohol training and fingerprinting had been completed. Ms. Kulp answered questions from the Board. Motion by Colleen Saccotelli, seconded by Vincent Dante to waive the rule requiring two readings of an ordinance and adopt the ordinance: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed Ordinance No. 6859 COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS - CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Note: At the Mayor's request and with no objection from the Board, the Communications and Petitions item was taken up ahead of the Mayor's Report, as several residents were present to speak. Robert Harms and Jane Chyrka 701 Huntington Commons Dr. Addressed the Board regarding the continued displacement of condominium unit owners following the storm damage sustained more than one year prior. Expressed frustration over a lack of information regarding insurance funds, construction budgets, and the overall timeline for repairs. Raised concerns about rising property tax bills despite being unable to occupy their units, and about continuing HOA fee assessments. Requested that the Village designate a point of contact for residents to reach when encountering Village-related obstacles, and asked what steps the Village could take to accelerate the permit and construction process. Village Manager Michael Cassady responded that the Village sympathizes with the residents and had been actively engaged, including issuing citations to the management company to expedite the schedule. Manager Cassady indicated that momentum was building toward a resolution among the insurance companies involved, which would enable a permit application to be submitted. Village Attorney Lance Malina clarified that the case had been in adjudication for months, with the management company appearing regularly in court. He explained that the primary obstacle was the involvement of multiple layers of insurance carriers. Staff member Pauric Lynch (Compliance Inspector with the Building and Inspections Department) was identified as the key point of contact, having managed the file since day one. Manager Cassady directed staff members Alex Bertolucci, Julie Kane, and Archana Mohanchandra to convene immediately with the residents in a conference room to provide a direct update and to establish ongoing communication. Steve Polit 601 N. Wilshire Drive Thanked the Board for installing the round blue "pedestrian walkway- walk your wheels" markers in the downtown area but said they need better enforcement. Suggested developing a comprehensive education plan in partnership with the park district and the police department. CONSENT AGENDA List ofBills - August 12, 2026toAugust25, 2026 - $4,373,888.99 ApprovalofClosedSessionMinutes - August11,2026andAugust18,2026 Motion to accept the lowest cost, responsive bid for the Melas Park North Parking Lot Resurfacing Project for an amount not to exceed $263,890. Motion by Vincent Dante, seconded by Bill Grossi, to approve the consent agenda as presented: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS Motion to approve the Auditing Services Agreement with Sikich LLP for a five- year period from 2026 to 2030 Finance Director Amit Thakkar presented a recommendation to engage Sikich LLP as the Village's auditor for the five-year period from 2026 to 2030. He explained that the Illinois Governmental Account Audit Act requires home rule communities to have their financial statements audited by a certified public accounting firm, and that the Village has consistently received clean audit opinions and filed on time. Director Thakkar explained that although not legally required, the Village has voluntarily rotated its auditors every five to six years to strengthen auditor independence, provide fresh perspectives on internal controls, and reduce the risk of familiarity that can affect auditor objectivity. With the prior engagement with Lauterbach & Amen concluding, the Village issued a Request for Proposals in May 2026. The Village received two responses: one from Lauterbach & Amen and one from Sikich. While Sikich's year-one fee of approximately $62,500 is higher than Lauterbach & Amen's offered renewal fee of $44,700 (down from $52,000 paid for the 2025 audit), Sikich proposes 350 audit hours annually compared to the incumbent's 315. Sikich also indicated a willingness to revisit the engagement fee if AI-driven efficiencies reduce required staff time in future years. The Audit Committee met and unanimously recommended Sikich, citing the company's audit approach, technical skills, and the quality of the staff proposed for the engagement. Staff concurred with that recommendation. Trustee Grossi, a member of the Audit Committee, noted that both firms are highly capable in a specialized field, and observed that the limited number of responses underscores the changing landscape of the profession. He suggested that the Village consider formalizing its auditor rotation policy in writing at a future date. Motion by Bill Grossi, seconded by Terri Gens to approve the Auditing Services Agreement with Sikich LLP for a five-year period from 2026 to 2030: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Motion to waive the competitive bidding requirements and purchase a Freightliner M2 Ambulance with Power Cot and Power Load at a total not to exceed $506,051. Fire Chief Tom Wang presented a request to purchase a Freightliner M2 ambulance with a Stryker Power Cot and Power Load, for delivery in 2029. The Village's ambulance fleet currently consists of six units: four frontline ambulances (model years 2019, 2019, 2022, and 2024) and two reserve units (a 2018 Freightliner and a 2012 Ford). The purchase is intended to replace the older of the two 2019 ambulances, which, by 2029, is projected to reach approximately 140,000 miles and meet the threshold for replacement under the Village's vehicle condition evaluation scoring system. The Chief noted that in December of the prior year, the Board approved a separate ambulance for delivery in 2028 to stagger the replacement of the two 2019 units. The new ambulance also features low-emission technology, liquid spring suspension for patient comfort, and a medium- duty chassis with an anticipated service lifespan of 10 to 12 years. The apparatus committee determined to move to an all-red color scheme consistent with the Village's new tower, departing from the traditional white-over-red design. The purchase is made through the Northwest Suburban Purchasing Cooperative via the Northwest Municipal Conference, satisfying competitive bidding requirements. Purchasing the Power Cot and Power Load with the ambulance rather than separately results in cost savings. The total purchase cost is $506,051, comprising $414,545 for the vehicle and the remainder for the cot and load system. Motion by John Matuszak, seconded by Vincent Dante to approve the purchase of the Freightliner M2 Ambulance with Power Cot and Power Load at a total not to exceed $506,051: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed Motion to accept bid for the Gregory Street Lighting Improvements for an amount not to exceed $444,043. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey presented the bid results for the Gregory Street Lighting Improvements project, a residential streetlight installation running from Route 83/Elmhurst Road westward to the Village's western limits near Meadows Park. The project involves installation of approximately 19 new streetlight fixtures, a new electrical service, and underground conduit work. Consultant Ciorba Group designed the project, and the Village awarded the contract through its online bidding system. Only one bid was received, from Utility Dynamics Corporation of Oswego, Illinois, in the amount of $403,675 — approximately 4.3% above the engineer's estimate of $386,785. Staff indicated this outcome is not unusual; a review of the last eight streetlight bid projects showed that only one or two bids were received on most occasions, with single bids on three prior projects. The limited bidder interest was attributed to a small pool of qualified streetlight contractors in the region who tend to be territorial in their service areas, and to high current demand from IDOT and tollway projects keeping contractor crews occupied. Staff analyzed the option of rebidding and concluded that doing so would likely result in higher — not lower — prices, given increased material costs (particularly copper), anticipated union labor rate increases, and uncertainty around fuel costs that typically causes contractors to bid conservatively. Staff was confident in Utility Dynamics' qualifications, citing prior successful streetlight projects on Lonnquist Boulevard, Seminole, Burning Bush Lane, and around Randhurst. The recommended award amount of $444,043 includes a 10% contingency for field adjustments. In response to a question from the Board, Director Dorsey said construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026. Public Comment: David Schein 512 Na Wa Ta Ave. Inquired about dark-sky compliance and light shielding. Director Dorsey confirmed the selected luminaires are dark-sky approved, with full cut-off optics that prevent light from escaping past 80 degrees. He added that the luminaires are LEOTEC Comfort View fixtures rated at 2,700 Kelvin (soft white). Motion by Vincent Dante, seconded by Bill Grossi, to accept the bid for the Gregory Street Lighting Improvements from Utility Dynamics Corporation in an amount not to exceed $444,043.00: Yea: Vincent Dante, Beth DiPrima, Terri Gens, Bill Grossi, John Matuszak, Colleen Saccotelli Nay: None Final Resolution: Motion Passed As submitted No additional items were presented. ANY OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed. ADJOURNMENT With no additional business to conduct, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Dante, seconded byTrustee Matuszak, moved to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the September 1, 2026 Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agoranos Village Clerk