January 05, 2021
1. Call to Order
Mayor Robert Barnett noted that all of the Commissioners in attendance would be doing so remotely by conference all from their homes. Commissioner Kulovany was not in attendance. Village Manager Dave Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca and Village Clerk Rosa Berardi were in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Barnett called to order the Village Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. He explained the protocol for the remote meeting and the guidelines to submit public comment.
2. Roll Call
Council Attendance (Present): Mayor Barnett; Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Walus, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Gray
Absent: Commissioner Rich Kulovany
Non-Voting: Village Manager Dave Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca, Village Clerk Rosa Berardi.
MOT 2020-8800 A. Motion: Conduct the January 6, 2021 Village Council meeting electronically.
Motion: Motion by Commissioner Hosé to conduct the January 5, 2021 Village Council meeting electronically. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.
3. Minutes of Council Meetings
MIN 2020-8804 - A. Minutes: Council Minutes - December 15, 2020
Motion: Commissioner Hose made a motion that Council adopt the minutes of the December 15, 2020 meeting, as presented. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Votes: Yea: Commissioners Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried.
4. Consent Agenda
COR 2020-8803 - A. Claims Ordinance: No. 6391 - Payroll, December 18, 2020
BIL 2020-8802 - B. Bills Payable: No. 6568 - January 5, 2020
RES 2020-8797 - C. Resolution: Authorize an Agreement with Total Parking Solutions, Inc.
Summary: This authorizes the Village to enter into an agreement with Total Parking Solutions, Inc.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH
TOTAL PARKING SOLUTIONS, INC.
res 2021-01
RES 2020-8796 - D. Resolution: Authorize an Extension to the Contract with SNI Solutions, Inc.
Summary: This authorizes an extension to a contract with SNI Solutions, Inc.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION TO THE CONTRACT WITH SNI SOLUTIONS, INC.
res 2020-02
RES 2020-8785 - E. Resolution: Express Intent to continue Participation in the Suburban Tree Consortium and Authorize Certain Purchases for FY2021
Summary: This authorizes the Village of Downers Grove to continue participation in the Suburban Tree Consortium and authorize certain Purchases for FY2021
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING INTENT TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBURBAN TREE CONSORTIUM AND AUTHORIZE CERTAIN PURCHASES FOR FY2021
res 2021-03
RES 2020-8799 - F. Resolution: Authorize an Extension and Supplement to the Agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co.
Summary: This authorizes an extension and supplement to the agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co.
A Resolution authorizing an extension and supplement to the agreement with Robert W. Baird & Co. Res 2021- 04
RES 2020-8801 - G. Resolution: Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality under the Illinois Highway Code
Summary: This authorizes maintenance of streets and highways by municipality under the Illinois Highway Code
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAINTENANCE OF STREETS AND HIGHWAYS BY MUNCIPALITY UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE
res 2021-05
Motion: Commissioner Hosé moved that the Council adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Votes: Yea: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett Nay: None
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried unanimously.
5. Active Agenda
6. First Reading
ORD 2020-8789 - A. Ordinance: Annex 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue to the Village of Downers Grove
Summary: This ordinance annexes 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue to the Village of Downers Grove.
ORD 2020-8787 - B. Ordinance: Rezone Certain Property located at 5416, 5418, 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue
Summary: This authorizes the rezoning of certain property located at 5416, 5418, 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue.
ORD 2020-8788 - C. Ordinance: Authorize a Special Use for 1111 Ogden Avenue to Permit a Multi-Tenant Retail Building with Drive Through
Summary: This ordinance authorizes a special use for 5416, 5418, 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue to permit religious assembly and private school use.
During a PowerPoint presentation, Director Popovich discussed a petition for the annexation, rezoning and special use of the properties located on the west side of town; on the southwest corner of Belmont Rd. and Inverness Ave. A portion of the site, located in the Village, consists of properties currently zoned B-2; the other properties on the site are unincorporated. The petitioner is looking to annex the parcels that are unincorporated into the Village and they will automatically be zoned R-1. Once the annexation is complete, the property is to be rezoned into an INP-1 classification; a neighborhood scale institutional and public use classification. The new construction is estimated to be 32,000 sq. feet and will be used as a church and school building. A review of the site plan included diagrams showing two entrances to the building's parking lots; one from Belmont and one from Inverness. A review of the pedestrian connections followed, which included connections from both Belmont and Inverness to the building. The focus was placed on a Honey Locust tree located along Inverness Avenue and the sidewalk that is curved around the tree. Director Popovich reviewed two concepts that were presented by the petitioner in an attempt to preserve the tree. Neither concept proved viable due to the work involved, the right of way and the improvements on the site. Twelve native trees will be planted in place of the Honey Locust tree. Elevations and building materials were also reviewed. The Plan Commission supported the petition and recommended approval at its December 7, 2020 meeting.
Mayor Barnett invited commissioner input.
Commissioner Earl discussed her visit to the site and explained what she saw, including bug infestation, lightning scarring and signs of bark separation. She did not think the tree would live very long after construction. She supported removing the tree and the annexation.
Commissioner Gray was also in support of the annexation.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt favored the use of permeable pavers but was saddened to see the tree razed. She asked for the timing of the second phase and asked if there was documentation on the health of the tree.
Commissioner Walus appreciated the petitioner planting native trees in lieu of the Honey Locust tree and also wanted to know the health of the tree.
Mayor Barnett supported the annexation and was pleased to see continued investment in the community at a catalyst site. However, he inquired about the calculation of the permeable area and whether there was a policy on whether the Village straightens previous curved sidewalks around trees.
Mr. Fieldman stated that staff would look into responses to the Council's questions and discussions would continue at next week's Council meeting.
ORD 2020-8791 - D. Ordinance: Establish Special Service Area Number 11 (Downers Grove Downtown Service Area) in the Village of Downers Grove
Summary: This ordinance establishes Special Service Area Number 11 (Downers Grove Downtown Service Area) in the Village of Downers Grove. Mr. Fieldman stated that funds from the SSA would be used for funding the Downtown Management Corporation, additional snow/ice control/enhanced services, economic development activities in the area and enhanced landscaping/beautification, etc. The tax will be levied on commercial properties only in the downtown area in an amount not to exceed 1.0% He reminded commissioners that this project was part of a future plan for the downtown with the Downtown Management Corporation being a working partner with the Village on this matter.
Commissioner comments were positive and included expression of appreciation to staff, the Downtown Management Corporation, and property owners who worked on the project.
Mayor Barnett reminded the public of the uniqueness of the downtown area and explained how that uniqueness is funded by the Downtown Management Corporation.
7. Manager's Report
8. Public Comments
9. Attorney's Report
Pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, the following are presented for Village Council consideration:
- An ordinance annexing 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue to the Village of Downers Grove.
- An ordinance rezoning certain property located at 5416, 5418, 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue.
- An ordinance authorizing a special use for 5416, 5418, 5430 Belmont Road and 2097 Inverness Avenue to permit religious assembly and private school use
- An ordinance establishing Special Service Area Number 11 (Downers Grove Downtown Service Area)
10. Mayor and Council Member Reports
Commissioner Hosé asked for everyone to keep Commissioner Kulovany in their thoughts and prayers.
Commissioner Earl reiterated the same sentiments and reminded the public to wash their hands and wear masks. She was pleased to see that the street work was completed at the intersection of 55th Street and Main Street.
Commissioner Gray reminded residents that Christmas tree pickup starts this week through December 15th from resident homes. Residents can also drop off Christmas trees through December 11th at McCullom Park and Whitlock Park. He shared what he has learned over the past year -- to enjoy the tiny joys - and he expressed sentiments to Commissioner Kulovany.
Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt shared her thoughts about Commissioner Kulovany. She asked residents to follow the health safety guidelines and to follow the Governor's Executive Orders. She told everyone to stay safe and healthy.
Commissioner Walus also reiterated the sentiments expressed for Commissioner Kulovany. She asked all to keep him in their prayers. She asked residents to follow health safety rules as we will have to keep navigating this pandemic for the next several months ahead.
Mayor Barnett reminded the residents to watch the last five minutes of this meeting on the Village's YouTube channel; pointing out that the commissioners are part of the community and do their best to make the best choices for the Village. Lastly, he encouraged residents to bookmark the DuPage County Health Department's website to sign up for its weekly COVID-19 newsletter email at www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine .
11. Adjournment
Mayor Barnett asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion: Commissioner Hosé made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Earl seconded the motion.
Voice Votes: Aye: Commissioner Hosé, Commissioner Earl, Commissioner Gray, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt, Commissioner Walus, Mayor Barnett
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosa Berardi
Village Clerk
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