Minutes Archive

July 07, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Public comment will be taken electronically and in person.  To submit a comment electronically, 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 Robert Barnett called the regular meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Downers Grove to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Downers Grove Village Hall. Mayor Barnett noted the meeting began late due to some technical difficulties in the Council Chambers.

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

Non-Voting: Village Manager David Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca, Village Clerk Megan Miles

3. Minutes of Council Meetings

MIN 2020-8604 - A. Minutes:  Village Council Minutes - June 16, 2020.

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

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried by voice vote.

4.  Mayor's Report

RES 2020-8610 - A. Resolution:  Appoint Members to Village Boards and Commissions

Mayor Barnett asked Village Clerk Megan Miles to read the resolution.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING COMMISSION

Appoint Christopher Saricks to a one-year term expiring August 31, 2022

Appoint Jeremy Shiliga to a two-year term expiring term expiring August 31, 2023

Appoint Allison Heverin to a three-year term expiring term expiring August 31, 2024

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBERS TO VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

RESOLUTION 2020-29

Motion:  Commissioner Hosé moved to adopt "A Resolution Appointing Members to Village Boards and Commissions" as presented.  Commissioner Earl seconded the motion. 

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried by voice vote.

5.  Public Comments

David Rose, addressed the Council regarding the topic of Black Lives Matters, the inequities of school funding across the State of Illinois including those in property poor districts as compared to those in property rich districts, and this Council's goal to maintain property values in the village.  Examples followed.  He asked the Council to consider the physical property damage from the riots as compared to the damage being done by the lack of funding for Illinois K-12 education.  He asked if the Council was courageous enough to take on such issues.  Mayor Barnett asked that Mr. Rose email his comments to the members.

6. Consent Agenda

COR 2020-8606 - A. Claims Ordinance:  No. 6367, Payroll, June 19, 2020

BIL 2020-8607  -  B. Bills Payable:  No. 6534, July 7, 2020

RES 2020-8595  -  C.  Resolution: Extend the Term of the Downers Grove Human Service Ad Hoc Committee

Summary: This extends the term of the Downers Grove Human Service Ad Hoc Committee

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE DOWNERS GROVE HUMAN SERVICE AD HOC COMMITTEE

RESOLUTION 2020-30

 

RES 2020-8596 -   D. Resolution:  Authorize a Second Extension to the Agreement with SAFEbuilt Illinois LLC

Summary: This authorizes a second extension to the agreement with SAFEbuilt Illinois, LLC

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND EXTENSION TO THE AGREEMENT WITH SAFEBUILT ILLINOIS, LLC

RESOLUTION 2020-31

 

RES 2020-8597 -   E. Resolution:  Authorize a Second Extension to the Agreement with TPI Building Code Consultants, Inc.

Summary: This authorizes a second extension to the agreement with TPI Building Code Consultants, Inc.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SECOND EXTENSION TO THE AGREEMENT WITH TPI BUILDING CODE CONSULTANTS, INC.

RESOLUTION 2020-32

 

MOT 2020-8594 - F. Motion:  Award $556, 470.51 to Schroeder Asphalt Services for the 2020 Street Resurfacing Contract

Summary: This awards $556,470.51 to Schroeder Asphalt Services for the 2020 street resurfacing contract

 

RES 2020-8608 - G. Resolution: Authorize an Agreement for Prosecution Services with McMahon Law Offices

Summary: This authorizes an agreement for prosecution services with McMahon Law Offices

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR PROSECUTION SERVICES WITH MCMAHON LAW OFFICES

RESOLUTION 2020-33

 

MIN 2020-8605 - H. Minutes:  Note Receipt of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Summary: Plan Commission - May 18, 2020; Library Board of Trustees - May 27, 2020

 

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

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried by voice vote.

7. Active Agenda

8. First Reading

The following two items were discussed together: 

ORD 2020-8598  -  A. Ordinance:  Rezone Certain Property located at 4725, 4733, 4737, 4744 and 4809 Douglas, 440 and 445 Prairie and 444 Wilson for the St. Mary of Gostyn Parish and School

ORD 2020-8599  -  B. Ordinance:  Adopt an Institutional Master Plan for the Property located at 4725, 4733, 4737, 4755 and 4809 Douglas; 440 and 445 Prairie and 444 Wilson commonly known as the St. Mary of Gostyn Parish and School

Stan Popovich, Director, Community Development reported this request is coming from the Church which is proposing the demolition of an existing home in order to construct a new playground to tie into an existing playground and the school.  The playground is triggering all of the area to be rezoned to an INP2 zoning district and such zoning requires a master plan, which he referenced.  The Village's comprehensive plan supports such community investment.  The Plan Commission supported the request.  Mr. Popovich stated the stormwater issues on the north side of the site were addressed. 

 

The following three items were discussed as one group: 

ORD 2020-8601  - C. Ordinance:  Amend Liquor License Renewals and Terms

ORD 2020-8602  - D. Ordinance:  Amend Massage License Renewals

RES 2020-8611 - E. Resolution: Extend and Amend Certain Emergency Orders regarding Outdoor Dining, Liquor and Parking Provisions and Utility Billing

Village Manager Dave Fieldman relayed that as part of the Village's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village extended the deadline for renewing liquor and massage therapy licenses.  It also amended the outdoor dining and liquor permit provisions, and stayed late payment penalties for utility bills, parking citations, and food and beverage taxes in response to the economic impact of the pandemic.  The resolutions/ordinances before the Council would permanently establish November 1st as the annual renewal date for liquor licenses; permanently establish September 1st as the annual renewal date for massage licenses; extend the outdoor dining and liquor provisions to November 1 or November 15, depending upon weather conditions; and reinstate late payment penalties as of September 1st for utility bills, parking citations, and food and beverage taxes. 

Commissioner Hosé said this was important for businesses and gives people time to plan.

Commissioner Earl asked if the Village was contacting all those affected. Village Attorney Enza Petrarca said yes.

Commissioner Kulovany said he was pleased the Village was doing this. Restaurant owners now had the opportunity to catch up. He said the Village should consider having a to-go cup (with specific logo) that allows a person to walk with an alcoholic beverage to other establishments within the Downtown District.  He said he intended to support these items.

ORD 2020-8566  -  F. Ordinance:  Make Certain Technical Amendments to the Downers Grove Municipal Code

Village Manager Dave Fieldman stated no substantive changes were made to the municipal code; however, the Village has completed its transition to new software to manage its code and has found a few technical changes that need to be addressed so it reflects the current code.  The changes were basically "housekeeping" matters.

9. Manager's Report

10. Attorney's Report

Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, the following are presented for Village Council consideration:

  1. An ordinance rezoning certain property located at 4725, 4733, 4737, 4744 and 4809 Douglas, 440 and 445 Prairie and 444 Wilson for the St. Mary of Gostyn Parish and School
  2. An ordinance adopting an institutional master plan for the property located at 4725, 4733, 4737, 4755 and 4809 Douglass; 440 and 445 Prairie and 444 Wilson commonly known as the St. Mary of Gostyn Parish and School
  3. An ordinance amending liquor license renewals and terms
  4. An ordinance amending massage license renewals
  5. An ordinance making certain technical amendments to the Downers Grove municipal code

11. Council Member Reports

Commissioner Kulovany encouraged the public to continue to wear their masks when they enter establishments.

Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt thanked the Village and police department for providing the release of information, she looked forward to community discussions, and reiterated Commissioner Kulovany's comments about the virus. 

Commissioner Walus reminded the Council and public about the school supply drive for Hope's Front Door with a drop off location at Evelyn Jane Boutique. 

Commissioner Gray thanked residents for their participation in three key areas:  race/diversity, law enforcement, and policy changes.  He encouraged the community to discuss the same topics amongst themselves and also echoed the same comments about the pandemic. 

Commissioner Earl relayed the conversation she and Commissioner Walus had with someone from Italy who was caught in the middle of the crisis when it was emerging and the restrictions placed on those citizens, which were not pleasant.  She asked that residents wear their masks. 

Commissioner Hosé also reiterated the importance of wearing a mask, referencing a personal experience of his own. 

Mayor Barnett discussed that the steps DuPage County and the Village have taken so that residents can adjust and go about their business on a daily basis has been helpful to slow the spread of the virus:  Daily new cases are down, positivity results are dropping, and deaths are decreasing.  However, he reiterated those results were due to the steps everyone was taking and needed to continue in the future.  Mayor Barnett reiterated that citizens should get tested at the DuPage County Complex where no appointment is needed.  Another remote testing site is located in Willowbrook but an appointment is need.  Residents can call:  708-745-5277.

13. Adjournment

Mayor Barnett asked for a motion to adjourn.

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

Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Megan Miles

Village Clerk

©2025 The Village of Downers Grove | All Rights Reserved