May 12, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting is being conducted remotely.  Public comment will be taken electronically.  To submit a comment, please click on the "Submit Public Comment" link on the Current Week's Meeting page of the Village website any time before or during the meeting. Thank you.

1. Call to Order

Mayor Barnett said the Village continues to do its part to facilitate the Governor's stay at home order and to be mindful of social distancing.  He announced that the majority of the Council team is participating by conference call including Commissioners Hosé, Earl, Walus, Sadowski-Fugitt, Kulovany and Gray, and Village Clerk Megan Miles. Present in the Committee Room in Village Hall are Mayor Barnett, Village Manager Dave Fieldman, Deputy Village Manager Michael Baker, and Village Attorney Enza Petrarca. The meeting was held in the Committee Room in an effort to improve the audio quality for those listening and participating. Public input was solicited prior to the meeting via a variety of sources. That information will be placed into the public record of this meeting. The Mayor said that every attempt will be made to respond to comments made at the end of the meeting in the comments section, but noted that in some cases a reply may take longer. 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Mayor Barnett led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2. Roll Call

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

Absent:  None

MOT 2020-8564 - A. Motion:  Conduct the May 5, 2020, Village Council meeting electronically.

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to conduct the meeting electronically.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion. 

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

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

3.  Proclamations

A.  Public Works Week - Mayor Barnett proclaimed the week of May 17-23, 2020, as Police Week in the Village of Downers Grove.

B.  Celebrating the Class of 2020 - Mayor Barnett noted that this would have been the graduation month for many students.  Many students are struggling to figure out how to finish their year.  He proclaimed Friday, May 22, 2020, as Class of 2020 Day in the Village of Downers Grove.  He encouraged all parents, students and residents of Downers Grove to celebrate the achievements of our seniors in accordance with Restore Illinois Phase 2 guidelines regarding social distancing and gatherings, and to come together as a community while staying apart and give a 20 second cheer at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, May 22, by honking horns, banging pots, or singing out loud in celebration and support of our graduates.  

4.  Minutes of Council Meetings

MIN 2020-8565 - A. Minutes:  Council Minutes - May 5, 2020

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

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

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

5. Consent Agenda

COR 2020-8563 - A. Claims Ordinance:  No. 6361, Payroll, April 24, 2020

BIL 2020-8562 - B. Bills Payable:  No. 6524, May 12, 2020

MOT 2020-8561 - C. Motion:  Award a Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $223,101.00 to Detroit Salt Company, LLC, Detroit, MIC, for the Purchase of Bulk Rock Salt

Summary:  This authorizes a contract for the purchase of bulk rock salt from Detroit Salt Company, LLC of Detroit, Michigan at a cost of $82.63 per ton up to an amount of $223,101.00.

MOT 2020-8544 - D. Motion:  Award a Building Permit Fee Waiver in the Amount of $21,795.00 for a New Downers Grove Township Building at 4341 Saratoga Avenue

Summary:  This authorizes a fee waiver in the amount of $21,795.00 to the Downers Grove Township for building permit fees.

MIN 2020-8560 - D. Minutes:  Note Receipt of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Summary:  Library Board of Trustees - February 26, 2020

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

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

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

6. Active Agenda

ORD 2020-8559  -  A. Ordinance:  Repeal Ordinance No. 5785 and Amend the Rates Charged for Water

Summary:  This repeals Ordinance No. 5785 and amends the rates charged for water.

AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 5785 AND AMENDING THE RATES CHARGED FOR WATER                   

ORDINANCE NO. 5815

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé, moved to adopt "An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 5785 and Amending the Rates Charged for Water," as presented.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.

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

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

ORD 2020-8558  -  B. Ordinance:  Provide for Emergency Orders Regarding Liquor and Massage Licensing and Temporary Use Permit Provisions

Summary:  This provides for emergency orders regarding liquor and massage licensing and temporary use permit provisions.

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR EMERGENCY ORDERS REGARDING LIQUOR AND MASSAGE LICENSING AND TEMPORARY USE PERMIT PROVISIONS                    

ORDINANCE NO. 5816

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé, moved to adopt "An Ordinance Providing for Emergency Orders Regarding Liquor and Massage Licensing and Temporary Use Permit Provisions," as presented.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.

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

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.

7. First Reading

8. Manager's Report

Village Manager Dave Fieldman said this is the last Council meeting in May.  Meetings will resume in June with a modified format with in-person Council members in attendance.  He noted there are a number of substantive items on future agendas.

9. Mayor and Council Member Reports

Commissioner Hosé reminded everyone that this is Police Week.  He thanked the brave Downers Grove police officers who put their lives on the line each day to keep the Village safe.  He thanked all of those in law enforcement who serve our community.  He said it has never been an easy job and noted that one can see on television mask-free protesters screaming in the faces of police officers who are doing their jobs. They face new and different risks in the age of COVIS-19.  He hopes images like that give everyone pause.  There are even more disturbing images around the State.  These actions are not to disagree, but to demonize and to create an argument.  This is unacceptable.  We share a community and common goals, a safe return to normalcy.  He urged people to debate in a safe and civilized manner.  He thanked everyone who has done just that.

Commissioner Earl said the uptick in frustration is palpable.  She urged people to give each other a break and to show grace.  However we get there, we are all going to go together.  Pointing fingers and name-calling is not helping the situation.  She urged people to share their ideas. 

Commissioner Gray said the Village is working hard for all of us.  He thanked an individual of the Village.  It is hard to see how much work is going on behind the scenes.

Commissioner Kulovany thanked the residents for following the guidelines as well as the staff for their work and to the businesses that are struggling and trying to persevere.  He said he is data driven.  He said he called six restaurants.  The businesses are down 60 to 80%.  He encouraged people to continue to frequent the businesses by ordering out. 

Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt expressed her thanks to the Downers Grove Police Department.  She also noted that this is National Hospital Week and thanked all healthcare workers.  She appreciates everyone complying with the State orders.  She asked that people respect and give empathy to those making decisions and to keep in mind that this is a virus no one has ever seen.  She said she looks forward to June and beyond.

Commissioner Walus urged people to continue to support local businesses, to show patience, kindness and understanding.  She also thanked the Police Department for their work. 

Mayor Barnett said the Council represents the residents.  How we treat each other is important.  He urged people to heed the advice of the Council.

Mayor Barnett said he had one order of business.  A liquor license application was received for a Class R-1, full liquor, on-premise consumption from Brinker Restaurant Corporation, doing business as Chili's Bar and Grill, located at 1330A W. 75^th Street.  Pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Liquor Control Ordinance, a hearing may be waived and the application may be placed on file for two weeks subject to public comment prior to the issuance of the new license.  The Mayor said he is placing the application on file in the Clerk's Office at this time.  Barring any objection once the two-week waiting period has passed, a liquor license shall be issued.

10. Public Comments

Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker said there were no public comments during the course of the meeting, but a few e-comments were received prior to the meeting.

The Mayor said three remarks were received related to where the Village stands relative to the opening of the State.  The Mayor said the stay-at-home order is an Executive Order issued by Governor Pritzker and applies to the entire State of Illinois.  The Village, like all other municipalities, does not have the authority to lift or amend the order.  Further, the Village will not direct anyone to act in ways inconsistent with the order.  The Village is committed to promoting and protecting the physical and economic wellbeing of our residents and businesses.  To that end, we are participating in a County-wide effort led by the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, Choose DuPage, the economic development agency for the County, and the DuPage County Health Department preparing recommendations for the Governor to consider further modifying the order and the Restore Illinois Plan to safely reopen our local and regional economy.  This effort will result in the publication of a Reopen DuPage Plan presented to Governor Pritzker soon.  We encourage everyone to continue to voluntarily comply with the Governor's order.  Since the authority to enact and modify the order rests entirely with the Governor, this Village stands ready to work cooperatively with Governor Pritzker as he considers next steps.

11.  Adjournment

Mayor Barnett asked for a motion to adjourn.

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to adjourn.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.    

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

Nay: None

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Megan Miles

Village Clerk