December 03, 2019

1. Call to Order

Mayor Robert Barnett called the regular meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Downers Grove to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Downers Grove Village Hall.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Mayor Barnett asked the Cub and Boy Scouts from Pack 57 to help lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2. Roll Call

Council Attendance (Present):  Commissioner Hosé , Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Walus, Commissioner Kulovany, Commissioner Gray, Mayor Barnett

Absent:  Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt

Non-Voting:  Village Manager David Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca, Village Clerk April Holden

The Council meeting is broadcast over the local FM radio station, WDGC. In addition, a tape recording and videotape of the meeting are being made using Village-owned equipment. The videotape of the meeting will be used for later rebroadcast of the Council meeting over the Village cable television Channel 6. 

The Council will follow the rules of conduct for this meeting as provided in Sec. 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code. These offer the public the opportunity to comment at several points in the meeting. First, immediately following approval of the minutes of past meetings, an opportunity will be given for public comments and questions of a general nature. If a public hearing is scheduled for this meeting, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions related to the subject of the hearing. Finally, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions on items appearing on the Consent Agenda, the Active Agenda and the First Reading. 

The Mayor stated that at the appropriate time the presiding officers will ask if there are any comments from the public. Individuals wishing to speak should raise their hand to be recognized and, after acknowledgment from the presiding officer, approach the microphone and state their name. Remarks should be limited to five minutes, and individuals are asked to refrain from making repetitive statements.

Mayor Barnett said there are agendas located on either side of the Council Chambers, and he invited the audience to pick up an agenda and follow the progress of the Council meeting.

3. Minutes of Council Meetings

MIN 2019-8433 - A. Minutes:  Council Minutes - November 19, 2019

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.

Votes:  Yea: Commissioners Hosé, Earl, Walus, Gray, Kulovany; Mayor Barnett  

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

4. Public Comments

This is the opportunity for public comments.

1.   David Rose said he had additional remarks about environmental sustainability.  He addressed Commissioner Hosé's comments in reply to remarks he made at the November 12 Council meeting.  He said Commissioner Hosé listed achievements in response to his remarks which made Mr. Rose realize that the difference between the Council's sense of what they are doing and Mr. Rose's assertion of what should be done is grounded in different interpretations of the word "sustainable."  Mr. Rose said that what the Village is doing should not be characterized as stewarding environmental sustainability, but rather as environmental protection or environmental enhancement or environmental improvement.  He said when talking about the environment in a political economic context, the word sustainable has come to mean enhance and protect as in being environmentally sensitive as in less harmful, more friendly to nature than one has been in the past as in less polluting, more efficient as in more recycling, less wasteful and especially more energy efficient.  This loose interpretation is how Village officials use sustainable, as do almost all people, governments, businesses in the media.  He said if one is truly serious about the issue of environmental sustainability, one must address the question as to whether economic growth is environmentally sustainable.  He realizes that this question makes little sense in the way he intended it to those who use the loose definition.  He thought rephrasing the question specific to Downers Grove might help clarify.  If our present way of life is not environmentally sustainable and if we remain committed to economic growth, what does growth look like that results in our way of life becoming environmentally sustainable.  He said even this rephrasing does not make sense if one holds to a loose definition of sustainable.  With respect to achievements, using the loose definition of protect and enhance, one might expect to see the Council encourage green businesses, green practices or green products.  He noted that Council members reference these things when replying to his comments.  On November 12, Village residents enumerated multiple other steps and ideas the Council should consider, which may be seen by the Council as an unending set of requests.  He said the question is what does the Council decide to do and not to do.  Under the loose definition, any decision is an achievement and there is no reason to do more and no motivation especially given financial constraints and balancing this objective against others.  He said that absent voter mobilization unless a Council member is particularly committed to the matter, little or nothing is done. Under the more demanding meaning of sustainable, as the quality and condition of the relationship between ourselves and our environment, achievements are relative to targets.  A reduction of some kind would be relative to a long-term rate of reduction to reach a targeted long-term outcome over a predetermined timeframe, such as the Paris Climate Accord goal.  For each factor being addressed, the target amount would be operational not solely for the Village bureaucracy as an organization, but for the Village as a whole.  Given that understanding, the Council in conjunction with other taxing bodies and supported by citizens would have established targets across a variety of factors.  These would fall under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the head of the Village's Department of Sustainability, a department the Council would have created.  The community's commitment would have been further facilitated by a public-private partnership between Village government and the Village's Sustainable Environment Development Corporation. If the Village retained a separate Economic Development Corporation the two development bodies would likely have needed to partially overlap in leadership to ensure proposed economic development projects were compatible with the Village's effort to attain environmental sustainability. 

Mayor Barnett asked Mr. Rose to send his comments to the Council as this setting is not effective in terms of the Council taking in all this information.  He said Mr. Rose's comments are interesting and worth thought. 

Mr. Rose continued that none of what he was describing happened which he thinks is because of the loose definition.  He said the difference between his understanding and the Council's may rest in the assessment of the current condition.  He contends the Village has no idea how far away from being environmentally sustainable its way of life is for one of two reasons.  Either Council members do not see the objective as an indicator due to their loose definition, or they do understand it but assume the relationship is okay.  They may believe it is okay because they believe the Village is doing at least as well or better than everyone else.  He said that not only is the way of life in Downers Grove unsustainable, the American way of life is unsustainable.  Unsustainable seems normal rather than alarming because it is all around us.  He referenced the 2019 report of the United Nations regarding the emissions gap which affirms this state of affairs.  The gap is the difference between the annual amount of CO2 actually being released and the increasingly smaller amount that should be released annually to reach the goal of avoiding a temperature rise of more than 1.5 degrees Centigrade by the end of century.  According to the report, the per capita emissions in the United States are twice those of the EU and China, the next higher emitters. 

2.  Christina Martin said she drives over the tracks on Maple going east toward Fairview Avenue.  She said the asphalt construction is uneven.

Mayor Barnett asked Ms. Martin to speak with Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker.

3.  Preston Straub, Village Square III Condominium Association, asked Council to look at the requirements of the Village Code as it relates to fire alarms, inspections and removals.  He presented materials to the Mayor and Council.

4.  Steve Jagilo, 4908 Highland and 4913 Main Street, said he sent an email and received a reply from Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt in which she commented that until Dr. Jagilo spoke at the November 19 meeting, she had not heard of opposition.  He opposes Option 3 of the new SSA 2.  He said the commercial property owners have been following the future of the downtown draft plan since its inception via video and online documents.  They became visible when at a meeting on September 23, 2019, Mike Baker mentioned that there was an option to remove the residential property owners from the new SSA.  On October 1, 2019, he addressed the Council and spoke against this.  He also spoke at the Downtown Management Corporation (DMC) board meeting on October 3 and he spoke against this at the commercial owners' meeting with Mike Baker on October 23, which led to a recommendation by the DMC.  He wanted to make sure the Council knows the commercial businesses have been following this, but were not involved until there was a need to be.  He said he and Mayor Barnett have a little bit of a disagreement in terms of the addition of landscaping and beautification to the recommendation of the DMC.  His dispute was that the addition of landscaping and beautification was not part of the recommendation.  He provided a copy of the November 19 Manager's memo regarding the future downtown draft plan.  He highlighted the recommendation.  He noted that Commissioners Kulovany and Hosé stated that they have either received emails or heard from residents within the SSA that they are willing to pay some of their proportionate share.  The commercial property owners would like the residential property owners to contribute to the downtown instead of the burden being placed on only 171 commercial property owners, which is why they asked if the Council would consider a separate SSA for landscaping and beautification funded entirely by the residential property owners.  The cost would be a fraction of what they are currently paying into the SSA now and would alleviate an additional $100,000 on top of what the commercial property owners are paying to fund the DMC budget.  There could be a separate board for the residential property owners.  It would show the commercial property owners that the Village Council is making an attempt to be fair.  The residential property owners purchased a condominium or townhome based on location so that they can enjoy the benefits of living in downtown Downers Grove. 

Mayor Barnett said Dr. Jagilo's comments make sense but he noted that the process is that the Council is very deliberately working through the Downtown Management Corporation as an organization.    

5.  Francis Soresi commented in reference to Mr. Rose's comments that there is no Planet B.  The earth will die in 11 years. He then spoke about the issue regarding his dog that has been ongoing since 2017.  He has worked hard to reduce the volume of the dog's barking.  He reviewed the steps and products he has used to calm his dog.  He wanted to show his efforts to address this issue.  Mr. Soresi said he has another court date coming up.  He reminded the Council that the barking episodes happen in the afternoon.

Following public comments, Mayor Barnett proclaimed Tuesday, December 3 at Giving Tuesday in the Village. 

5.  Public Hearings

PUB 2019-8365 - A. Public Hearing:  2019 Aggregate Tax Levy and Abatements for the Village of Downers Grove

Mayor Barnett called the public hearing to order at 7:33 p.m. to consider the proposed 2019 tax levy of the Village of Downers Grove.  Notice of this hearing was published in Enterprise Newspapers, Inc. (The Bugle) on November 20, 2019, and a certificate of publication is made a part of these proceedings.  He then summarized the procedures to be followed for the public hearing.  

Village Manager Dave Fieldman asked Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker to make a presentation regarding the 2019 Aggregate Tax Levy and abatements.

Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker said this discussion is a continuation of a process that began when the budget was made public in October.  He clarified that the proposed levy includes debt service that is recommended to be abated.  If other revenue sources are available, debt service can be abated.  The total debt service to be abated is $9.7 million. The total amount of taxes to be collected is $14.6 million.  The Village's portion of the tax bill represents 9.56% of the overall tax bill, or $579.29 for the typical residence.  This is an increase of $32.79 from the amount paid in 2019.

Mr. Fieldman said there are some levies for Special Service Areas. Only two of them are active - SSA 2, the downtown Special Service Area, and SSA 6, a tax on an area outside the Village for which the Village provides fire protection and EMS services.  We are levying $0 for all the other Special Service Areas as required under County procedures to make sure that those areas remain active should the Village ever need to levy taxes in the event that private owners fail to maintain stormwater management facilities and the Village would have to step in.  Those taxes would only apply to the properties that benefit from those stormwater detention enhancements. 

Commissioner Earl thanked staff for the explanation.

Commissioner Kulovany thanked staff for answering his questions.

There being no further questions or comments, Mayor Barnett adjourned the public hearing at 7:39 p.m.

6. Consent Agenda

COR 2019-8434 - A. Claims Ordinance:  No. 6339, Payroll, November 22, 2019

BIL 2019-8435 - B. Bills Payable:  No. 6494, December 3, 2019

RES 2019-8432  -  C. Resolution:  Authorize a License Agreement with TMobile Central, LLC, to Install, Maintain and Operate Antenna Equipment on Village Property (4318 Downers Drive)

Summary: This authorizes a license agreement with TMobile Central, LLC, to install, maintain and operate antenna equipment on Village property (4318 Downers Drive).

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND TMOBILE CENTRAL, LLC TO INSTALL, MAINTAIN AND OPERATE ANTENNA EQUIPMENT ON VILLAGE PROPERTY (4318 DOWNERS DRIVE)

RESOLUTION 2019-87

RES 2019-8429  -  D. Resolution: Authorize a  Memorandum of Understanding with the Downers Grove Park District Regarding Prince Pond

Summary: This executes a memorandum of understanding with the Downers Grove Park District regarding Prince Pond.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND THE DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT                                              

RESOLUTION 2019-88

RES 2019-8411  -  E. Resolution:  Authorize an Agreement with Concentric Integration for SCADA System Improvements  

Summary: This authorizes an agreement with Concentric Integration for SCADA System Improvements.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND CONCENTRIC INTEGRATION

RESOLUTION 2019-89

RES 2019-8404 - F. Resolution: Authorize an Extension to the Agreement with Hyland Software, Inc.

Summary: This authorizes an extension to the agreement with Hyland Software, Inc.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN EXTENSION TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND HYLAND SOFTWARE, INC.

RESOLUTION 2019-90

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.

Votes:  Yea: Commissioners Hosé, Earl, Walus, Gray, Kulovany; Mayor Barnett  

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

7. Active Agenda

ORD 2019-8361  -  A. Ordinance: Adopt the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget in Lieu of Passage of an Appropriation Ordinance

Summary: This adopts the fiscal year 2020 budget in lieu of an appropriation ordinance.  As provided by law, proper notice has been given, the budget has been available for inspection for at least ten days, and a public hearing was held on November 12, 2019.

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET IN LIEU OF PASSAGE OF AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE  

ORDINANCE NO. 5783

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to adopt "An Ordinance Adopting the Fiscal Year 2020 Budget in Lieu of Passage of an Appropriation Ordinance," as presented.   Commissioner Walus seconded the motion.

Commissioner Earl said she will vote no on this item.  She feels the increase for operations could be absorbed over the course of the year.  We don't need to collect this; we could make it up over the year.

Commissioner Hosé thanked staff for their work.  This document is easy to understand.  He said he will support the budget.  The eight-year streak of no property tax increases for operations has to come to an end.  He spoke of the priorities and serious issues facing the Village.  He said the only source of revenue we can count on 100% is the property tax.

Commissioner Kulovany said he will support the budget.  He noted that just inflation would have raised the budget over the eight years of no increases.  A number of reductions have taken place in that time.  If there is a surplus, it could be rebated or used as an additional down payment on facilities.  He said staff works in a responsible and frugal way.

Mayor Barnett said the Scouts asked him about the hardest decision he has had to make.  He said this is a hard decision.  The Council takes this seriously and is transparent.  It is an exercise in prioritization and balancing needs.

Votes:  Yea: Commissioners Hosé, Walus, Gray, Kulovany; Mayor Barnett  

Nay: Commissioner Earl

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

8. First Reading

MOT 2019-8410 - A. Motion:  Authorize $1,376,811.35 for Five 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrids, One Bobcat S740 Skid-Steer Loader, One Stepp SPHD Asphalt Patching Trailer, One 2020 Ford Expedition, One 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid, One Ford F-450, Four 2021 Peterbilt 348 Snow Plow Trucks and One 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan

Nan Newlon, Director, Public Works, said this is requesting authorization of 15 replacement vehicles totaling $1,376,811.35.  The Village's Fleet team evaluates the need for replacements and recommends those to be replaced.  She reviewed the requests by department.  In the Police Department, six vehicles are scheduled to be replaced with hybrid vehicles.  In Public Works, four front-line snow plows, a loader, a trailer and a service truck are recommended to be replaced.  In the Fire Department, a training vehicle and the Public Education van is recommended to be replaced.  All of these vehicles will be purchased through cooperative purchase agreements. 

Mayor Barnett noted that this is budgeted in Equipment Replacement, Fund 530, which is funded annually.  The amount in the fund goes up and down based on purchases.

In response to a resident's question, Mr. Fieldman said these vendors are not in Downers Grove.  This is part of a cooperative purchasing agreement and many dealers choose not to participate.

RES 2019-8407 - B. Resolution:  Grant Historic Landmark Designation for 5329 Meadow Lane

Stan Popovich, Director, Community Development, showed the location of this home in Denburn Woods.  It is a Mid-Century Modern architectural style house constructed in 1964.  The Architectural Design Review Board (ADRB) reviewed this petition and found it met the landmark designation criteria found in Section 12.302 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Kathy Nybo, Friends of the Edwards House, said she loves this house.  She loves living in Downers Grove.  This is a beautiful house.  She thanked the former owners, the Mochels and the current owners, the Trucanos.

Chuck Holtzen, 5226 Carpenter, said she supports this. 

Amy Gassen, 5320 Benton, thanked the owners for deciding to landmark their home.

Christina Martin said members of the Friends of the Edwards House helped work with the owners.  She said Mrs. Mochel had such vision.

Mayor Barnett said it is important and good when people help work through this process.  He extended his thanks to the Friends of the Edwards House.

Commissioner Kulovany said he is a long-time friend of the Mochels and he's been in their home many times.  He said he appreciates them doing this.

ORD 2019-8390 - C. Ordinance:  Amend the 2020 Stormwater Utility Rate

Judy Buttny, Finance Director, said this and the next two items are FY 20 budget implementation items.

The stormwater rate will be increased to align with the recommendations of the 2012 Stormwater Study, and the 2016 Stormwater Utility Report.  Staff is recommending an increase of 8.7% in stormwater utility rates effective 1/1/2020, consistent with the report.  The fee will increase from $12.40 per Equivalent Runoff Units (ERU) to $13.48 per ERU.    

ORD 2019-8399 - D. Ordinance:  Amend the Rates Charged for Water

Ms. Buttny said water rates will be increased 4.6% effective 7/1/2020 to align with the recommendations of the 2019 Water Rate Study. 

RES 2019-8431 - E. Resolution:  Amend the Downers Grove Compensation Plan by Adopting a Revised Plan Effective May 1, 2020

This is an adjustment of salary ranges in the Compensation Plan.

Mr. Fieldman said the remainder of the items under First Reading relate to the 2019 taxes and were addressed in the Public Hearing. 

ORD 2019-8366 - F. Ordinance:  2019 Aggregate Tax Levy

ORD 2019-8367 - G. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #2 (Downers Grove Downtown Service Area)

ORD 2019-8368 - H. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #4 (Green Acres Subdivision)

ORD 2019-8369 - I. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #5 (Atwood Subdivision)

ORD 2019-8370 - J. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #6 (Fairview Fire Protection District)

ORD 2019-8371 - K. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #7 (Dunham Subdivision)

ORD 2019-8372 - L. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #8 (Nelson Meadow Subdivision)

ORD 2019-8373 - M. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #9 (35^th and Saratoga Subdivision)

ORD 2019-8374 - N. Ordinance:  Levying of Taxes for the Fiscal Year Commencing on the First Day of January 2019 and Ending on the Thirty-First Day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #10 (Bridgepoint Downers Grove Subdivision)

ORD 2019-8375 - O. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010

ORD 2019-8376 - P. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010B

ORD 2019-8377 - Q. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2012

ORD 2019-8379 - R. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014

ORD 2019-8380 - S. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015

ORD 2019-8381 - T. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016

ORD 2019-8382 - U. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017

ORD 2019-8417 - V. Ordinance:  Abate a Portion of the 2019 Tax Levy Related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019

9. Manager's Report

Mr. Fieldman thanked the Council for clear direction on the 2020 budget.

10. Attorney's Report

Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, the following are presented for Village Council consideration: An ordinance amending the 2020 stormwater utility rate

1. An ordinance amending the rates charged for water
2. An ordinance adopting the 2019 aggregate tax levy
3. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #2 (Downers Grove Downtown Service Area)
4. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #4 (Green Acres Subdivision)
5. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #5 (Atwood Subdivision)
6. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #6 (Fairview Fire Protection District)
7. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #7 (Dunham Subdivision)
8. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #8 (Nelson Meadows Subdivision)
9. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #9 (35^th and Saratoga Subdivision)
10. An ordinance for the levying of taxes for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of January 2019 and ending on the thirty-first day of December 2019 for the Village of Downers Grove Special Service Area #10 (Bridgepoint Downers Grove Subdivision)
11. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010
12. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010B
13. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2012
14. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2014
15. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015
16. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2016
17. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2017
18. An ordinance abating a portion of the 2019 tax levy related to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019

11. Mayor and Council Member Reports

Commissioner Walus asked residents to please consider giving today, Giving Tuesday.  There are many health benefits associated with giving.  She said Facebook is matching up to $7 million in eligible donations.  Local donations could be made to the Bonfield Express Foundation, Community Adult Day Center, District 58 Foundation, District 99 Foundation, Dive Heart Foundation, Downers Grove Public Library Foundation, Hope's Front Door, Noah's Hope, Hope for Bridget, the Grove Foundation, Pads Shelter, People's Resource Center, Rotary Club of Downers Grove, Sharing Connections, SEASPAR, Watts of Love, West Suburban Community Pantry, West Suburban Humane Society, Indian Boundary YMCA.  There are so many great places in Downers Grove where residents can give in terms of monetary