1. Call to Order

Mayor Barnett called to order the Village Council meeting at 7:00 pm, and the Boy Scout Pack #48 led those in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Mayor explained the protocol for the meeting and the guidelines to submit public comment.

2. Roll Call

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

Council Attendance (Not Present): None

Non-Voting: Village Manager Dave Fieldman, Village Attorney Enza Petrarca, and Village Clerk Rosa Berardi

MOT 2023-9836  -  A. Motion: Allowing for Electronic Participation for the March 7, 2023 Village Council meeting 

3. Proclamation

A. National Social Work Month

Mayor Barnett read the Proclamation, and Village Social Worker Heather Lippe accepted the proclamation.

4. Minutes of Council Meetings

Minutes: Village Council Executive Session Meeting Minutes for Approval Only - February 21, 2023

MIN 2023-9864  -- B. Minutes: Village Council Meeting Minutes - February 21, 2023

MOTION: To adopt the February 21, 2023, regular Village Council meeting minutes and the Executive Session meeting minutes, as presented.   

RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by roll call. MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Hosé       

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Walus

AYES: Commissioners Hosé, Walus, Glover, Gilmartin, Kulovany, Sadowski-Fugitt, Mayor Barnett

NAYES: None

5. Consent Agenda

BIL 2022-9766  -  A. Bills Payable: Bills Payable: No. 6718 - March 7, 2023

COR 2022-9767  -  B. Claims Ordinance: No. 6495, Payroll - February 24, 2023

MOT 2023-9863  -  C. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Meade, Inc. of Willowbrook, IL for the Traffic Signal Modernization Project

Summary: This motion approves an agreement for the Traffic Signal Modernization project with Meade Inc. of Willowbrook, Illinois in the amount of $172,998, which includes a 5% contingency.

MOT 2023-9849  -  D. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Globe Construction, Inc. of Addison, IL for the 2023 Sidewalk Replacement Program

Summary: This motion approves an agreement for the 2023 Sidewalk Replacement Program with Globe Construction, Inc. of Addison, Illinois in the amount of $472,100.

MOT 2023-9855  -  E. Motion: Approve an Agreement with J & F Snow, LLC of Elgin, IL for Debris Hauling Services

Summary: This motion approves an agreement for the provision of debris hauling services to J & F Snow, LLC of Elgin, Illinois in amount of $96,850.

MOT 2023-9866  -  F. Motion: Approve a Three-Year Agreement with Ultra Strobe Communications, Inc. of Crystal Lake, IL for New Vehicle Upfitting Services

Summary: This motion approves a three-year contract with Ultra Strobe Communications, Inc., of Crystal Lake, IL, in the amount of $435,000 for new vehicle upfitting services.

MOT 2023-9829  -  G. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Alliance Contractors, Inc. of Woodstock, IL for the 2023 Downtown Business District (DBD) Crosswalk, Accessibility and Traffic Signal Improvements Project

Summary: This motion approves an agreement with Alliance Contractors, Inc. of Woodstock, Illinois, for the 2023 Downtown Business District (DBD) Crosswalk, Accessibility and Traffic Signal Improvements Project to in the amount of $1,576,939.65, which includes a 10% contingency.

MOT 2023-9857  -  H. Motion: Authorize a Contribution to the DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) for the Meals on Wheels Program for FY23

Summary: This motion authorizes a $30,000 contribution to the DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) for the Meals on Wheels Program for FY 23.

RES 2023-9865  -  I. Resolution: Appoint Lindsey Shively as Deputy Village Clerk for the Village of Downers Grove RES 2023-16

Summary: This resolution appoints Lindsey Shively as Deputy Village Clerk to perform the duties of the Village Clerk in the absence of the Village Clerk.

RESOLUTION 2023-16

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING LINDSEY SHIVELY AS DEPUTY VILLAGE CLERK FOR THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE

MOT 2023-9869  -  J. Motion: Authorize the Allocation of 4,000 Tons of Rock Salt with DuPage County and 1,700 Tons with the State of Illinois for the 2023/2024 Season

Summary: This motion authorizes the allocation of 4,000 tons of rock salt with DuPage County and 1,700 tons with the State of Illinois for the joint purchase of bulk rock salt for the 2023/2024 season.

MOT 2023-9850  -  K. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Alliance Contractors, Inc. of Woodstock, IL for the 2023 Right-of-Way (ROW) Accessibility Improvements

Summary: This motion approves an agreement with Alliance Contractors, Inc. of Woodstock, IL for the 2023 Right-of-Way (ROW) Accessibility Improvement in the amount of $497,297.50.

MOT 2023-9867  -  L. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. of Warrenville, IL for Engineering Services for the Fairview Box Culvert and Warren/Prospect Drainage Analysis

Summary: This motion approves an agreement with Engineering Resource Associates, Inc., of Warrenville, IL for engineering services for the Fairview Box Culvert and Warren/Prospect Drainage Analysis in the amount of $54,626.00.

MOTION:  To adopt all items on the Consent Agenda, as presented

RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by roll call

MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Hosé

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Walus

AYES: Commissioners Hosé, Walus, Glover, Gilmartin, Kulovany, Sadowski-Fugitt, Mayor Barnett

NAYES: None

6. Active Agenda

RES 2023-9847  -  A. Resolution: Approve a Plat of Subdivision with an Exception for 1300-1418 Butterfield Road

Summary: This resolution approves a Plat of Subdivision with an Exception for 1300-1418 Butterfield Road.

RESOLUTION 2023-17

MOTION:  To adopt A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PLAT OF SUBDIVISION WITH AN EXCEPTION FOR 1300-1418 BUTTERFIELD ROAD, as presented

RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by roll call

MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Hosé       

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Walus

AYES: Commissioners Hosé, Walus, Glover, Gilmartin, Kulovany, Sadowski-Fugitt, Mayor Barnett  

NAYES: None

ORD 2023-9846  -  B. Ordinance: Authorizing a Special Use for 1300-1418 Butterfield Road to Permit a Restaurant with Drive Through and Parking Variation for the Butterfield Road Plaza ORDINANCE 5977

Summary: This ordinance authorizes a Special Use for 1300-1418 Butterfield Road to permit a restaurant with drive through and parking variation for the Butterfield Road Plaza.  

MOTION: To adopt AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE FOR 1300-1418 BUTTERFIELD ROAD TO PERMIT A RESTAURANT WITH DRIVE THROUGH AND PARKING VARIATION FOR THE BUTTERFIELD ROAD PLAZA, as presented.  

RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by roll call.

MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Hosé

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Walus

AYES: Commissioners Hosé, Walus, Glover, Gilmartin, Kulovany, Sadowski-Fugitt, Mayor Barnett

NAYES: None

7. First Reading

MOT 2023-9851  -  A. Motion: Approve an Agreement with R.W. Dunteman Company of Addison, IL for the 2023 Street Resurfacing Contract B

Public Works Director Andy Sikich presented Item A. via Power Point.  This item wasregarding the Annual Street Resurfacing Program, also part of the Roadway Maintenance Program, and included crack sealing and patching as separate contracts. Mr. Sikich explained that R.W. Dunteman Company was the lowest bidder at $3,548,469.62.  They were awarded the contract for 7 miles of street resurfacing, with the scheduled work to be completed from April through October of 2023.  He mentioned that a list of the streets scheduled to be resurfaced was included in the Village Council meeting packet located online on the Village website, downers.us. 

Village Council Comments/Questions

The Mayor reiterated that the list of streets to be resurfaced could be found on the Village's website.

MOT 2023-9854  -  B. Motion: Approve an Agreement with Holiday Sewer & Water of Wauconda, IL for the 2023 Water Main Improvements Contract A.

Mr. Sikich went on to present Item B, also via PowerPoint. He explained that the work of repairing 2,230 feet of water main replacement on Chase Avenue, between Hobson Road and 63^rd Street, was to be completed between April and June of 2023 by Holiday Sewer and Water.  Holiday Sewer and Water was the lowest bidder at $1,085,000 and also satisfactorily completed the William Street water main improvements for the Village in 2022.  Mr. Sikich stated that a second contract, Contract B, would be bid in the spring of 2023, with construction scheduled to take place in the summer and fall of 2023. 

8. Manager's Report

Deputy Village Manager Mike Baker presented an update on the Civic Center Project. He played the latest video with an update on the construction status of the project.  Mr. Baker recapped the history of the project and emphasized the coordinated team effort to keep the project on schedule and under budget.  He said the Civic Center project was expected to be substantially completed by early 2024.  He concluded by stating that further information about the Civic Center Project was located on the Village website, downers.us.

Village Council Comments/Questions

Village Manager Dave Fieldman reminded all that Coffee with the Council was scheduled for Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 9:00 am to 10:00 a.m. at the Downers Grove Public Library.

REP 2023-9871  -  A. Report: Greenest Region Compact Report

Village Manager Dave Fieldman presented the GRC (Greenest Region Compact) Report via PowerPoint. He detailed the history of the Council's request for staff to put a report together with the GRC framework. He explained the processes to join the GRC and the Village procedures. Manager Fieldman noted that the GRC produced the framework for municipalities to take appropriate, sustainable actions. He said the foundation of the report included 49 high level goals tailored to municipalities and the GRC was supported by 10 Framework Categories: Climate, Economic Development, Energy, Land, Leadership, Municipal Operations, Sustainable Communities, Water, Waste & Recycling and Mobility. Manager Fieldman spoke of the alignment between the Village's efforts and the GRC framework. He further discussed the Village's sustainability efforts, highlighting three key takeaways:

• The Village had taken over 200 actions in support of the Village's Strategic Goal: Steward of Environmental Sustainability.
• The Village took steps to inform the public about its sustainability efforts. He calculated over 60 top stories published in the last five years.
• The Village's current efforts were significantly aligned with the GRC framework - with 94% of the goals supported by the 200 listed actions taken by the Village. The strongest alignments were in the areas of Land, Water, Waste & Recycling, and Mobility.

Manager Fieldman reviewed 4 options to consider for GRC participation, with options ranging from low impact to high impact.  He asked the Council for direction by selecting from the following options:  

Option 1: No Operational or Policy Changes

Option 2: Enhance Reporting

Option 3a: Prepare & Implement a Sustainability Plan with a Small Scope

Option 3b: Prepare & Implement a Sustainability Plan with a Large Scope and Engage the Public and the ECC (Economic Concerns Commission)

Manager Fieldman thanked Village Management Analyst Joshua Dausener for putting the report together. He also explained the policy direction received from the Village Council would determine if the item would be placed on a future agenda and how the item would be implemented. 

Village Council Comments/Questions

Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt stated that she reviewed the GRC twice since it went live the Friday before the meeting. She said she was in favor of joining the Compact, specifically Option 3b. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt noted the fact that there had been conversations on this before and that there was no staff expertise. She realized this would have an impact on the budget, but said she believed it was in the community's best interest in order to benefit from the long-term effects. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt expressed her belief that this was the perfect time to re-engage the ECC and dedicate resources toward this goal. She stated she was in favor of looking at this in a holistic manner.

Commissioner Gilmartin was in favor of joining the Compact and was also in favor of Option 3b.  He thanked the residents who raised the idea of joining the GRC, Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt for asking staff to look into it and the staff who did exhaustive work to collect information. Commissioner Gilmartin stated his belief that the report helped evaluate options for joining the GRC and it also provided the Village with a scorecard as to what past and current environmental efforts had been made. He said the Council should take pride in the number of efforts that matched up with the important standards. He said he thought the report showed where there could be improvement and that was an opportunity to develop a strategic plan. Commissioner Gilmartin said that he looked forward to the next steps in solidifying the sustainability commitment, which would include a plan with a significant enough scope to make an impact.

Commissioner Hosé expressed his agreement with both Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt and Commissioner Gilmartin. He was also in favor of joining the GRC. He believed the report was good in showing where the Village had been over the last 15 plus years. He stated he thought it was a good aggregate of information and it really gave the whole picture. Commissioner Hosé noted that he hoped the report would continually be updated, and he said he believed the Council should discuss it during Long Range Planning (LRP) over the summer. He expressed hesitation of going with Option 3b at that time, but stated his desire to take it piece by piece and continue to build toward sustainability. Commissioner Hosé thanked Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt and the staff for all their efforts.

Commissioner Kulovany also thanked those involved in putting together what he called a "brilliant piece of work".  He stated that he wanted to join the GRC right away regardless of the option the Council would move forward with.  He said he thought it was the perfect opportunity to engage the ECC and have more staff involvement. He expressed he was pleased the Village was already supporting 94% of the goals, but would like to have seen the objectives in the range of 75-80% versus the high 50's.  Commissioner Kulovany said he wanted the GRC to be a part of the Long Range Plan.  He compared the framework involved in this situation to that of the Human Service Commission and expressed his belief that the accountability of the group could be useful for improving on what had previously been accomplished. Commissioner Kulovany concluded by stating that he wasn't entirely sure what option he was for and that staff could decide based on his comments.

Commissioner Walus noted that this reminded her a little of the Leads Certification discussion, where there was a title put on something that the Village had already being doing. She explained that the Village was already implementing 94% of the goals on the report and she was not convinced the Village needed to join the GRC to simply have a title.   She explained at most she would opt for Option 3a.  Commissioner Walus expressed her pride in what the Village had accomplished up to this point.  She also thanked the staff for the work that was put into creating the report.

Commissioner Glover stated that everything the Village was already doing lined up with the GRC report. He said he was leaning toward Option 2, putting more reports out to inform the public. Commissioner Glover also stated he would be open to talking about Option 3a during Long Range Planning.

The Mayor stated he wanted a resolution to join the GRC to be placed an agenda in the near future.  He also said that he wanted to further discuss the GRC during LRP discussions.  The Mayor explained that the Village could not fix what was not measured, so it was important to continue to measure and know where the Village was at all times.

Manager Fieldman stated that staff would draft up the GRC Resolution for the next meeting on March 21, 2023, as well as make it part of the LRP discussion.

Commissioner Kulovany requested more recycling cans be placed throughout the downtown.

Manager Fieldman replied that he would carry out the request.  He also stated that many of the recycling containers that were in the downtown were in the process of being repainted.

9. Public Comments

Jody Harap, Board member of Equality of Downers Grove, discussed a program called One Book, One Town which includes a week of discussions that were to take place April 10-16. She said that information about the program was available on EQDG.org.

Ken Learner, Board member of the Pierce Downers Heritage Alliance, thanked Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt and staff for the GRC Report and said he hoped that a GRC Resolution would be adopted by the Village. He also said  it made a statement that the Village valued environmental and economic sustainability and it would integrate the Village's plans with those of other municipalities.

Steve Ruffalo, resident, also expressed his support to join the GRC and move forward with a resolution. He suggested Option 3b and stated that he wanted the reimplementation of the ECC.

Marshall Schmitt complimented the Council on the actions taken toward joining the GRC, highlighted the value of the collaboration with other communities, and said that he hoped that a resolution would be adopted.  He also spoke about the development (checkerboard) of the Longfellow Property.  He spoke of the questions he posed to Village staff and Council members and the responses he received; further thanking Village staff and Council members for the responses provided to him.

Carol Richart, resident, thanked the Council and staff for the work done on the GRC and said she supported what other speakers had said.  She agreed with joining the GRC. She expressed that she didn't look at this as a title, but as putting the Village, a well-respected community, with others that were working to mitigate damage to their communities.

10. Mayor's Report

Mayor Barnett continued with the environmental theme and spoke about the trees within the Village.   He spoke about how the value of trees had always been important to the Village from the standpoints of stormwater, air quality, soil control, energy consumption, property values, and mental well-being.  He said that trees were lost yearly, for different reasons, including new developments, safety issues, and to prevent the spread of disease. While referencing a book, the Mayor stated that a review of the history of the community made it clear that the population of trees was growing. He said the book talked specifically about the area of Downers Grove, specifically the Prince Subdivision, which had advertised that they would plant a tree in each yard of those who had purchased a home in the Subdivision. He noted that the Village had changed since the '60s and '70s, but with much improvement with regard to trees since then. He referenced a slow-down during COVID, but the year after almost 900 trees were immediately planted. The Mayor said that since becoming a "Tree City, USA community", the total number of trees had gone from 10,000 to over 20,000. He also explained that the Chicago Region Tree Initiative mapped and graded the Downers Grove urban canopy, which had increased over the last decade to higher than the Chicagoland average. He said the surrounding communities, where the amount of developed spaces were similar, generally had less canopy than Downers Grove. The Mayor expressed that even though more could be done, he was proud of the community's efforts. He noted that this was a good example of the last 40 years of leadership and it was a testament to what was a part of the fabric of the community.

11. Council Member Reports

Commissioner Kulovany stated the Downers Grove Historical Society was hosting a presentation, Architectural Styles of Downers Grove, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9^th at Another Round.  He said the presentation would be followed by the 2023 Annual Meeting. He encouraged people to go to downersgrovehistory.org to sign up.

Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt congratulated the Downers Grove North Boys Basketball team on their success in the Final Four Semi-finals. She also mentioned that tickets were on sale for the Grove Foundation's Annual Passport to Dining, taking place on Thursday, April 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Commissioner Sadowski-Fugitt also reminded everyone that it was Women's History Month and expressed the good fortune of having many women to celebrate in the Downers Grove community. She also offered thanks to Downers Grove Library Director Julie Milavec and her team.  The Downers Grove Library was recognized as a Five-Star Library by Library Journal and was also recognized as one of the top 10 libraries in the country.  The Commissioner also mentioned that the Library was named No. 1 Library in the Western Suburbs by Kid List Readers.

Commissioner Walus said she had no report but "Go DGN Boys Basketball".

Commissioner Gilmartin explained that at the last meeting he asked to table the Motion for the Contribution to the Meals on Wheels Program. He wanted to give an explanation as to why and also stated that he loved seniors.  He said the Village had received requests from the DuPage County Senior Citizens Council to increase the contribution.   Commissioner Gilmartin thought it was important to take a look at the request more closely to determine what more could be done. He explained the Meals on Wheels Program to be a long-standing operation providing meals each weekday to frail and homebound seniors across DuPage County, the majority of whom were at or below the poverty line. Commissioner Gilmartin said Downers Grove had donated $30,000 per year since 2016. He explained this had not kept up with inflation and the flat donation lowered the support each year. He said that after discussion with staff and colleagues, the idea of to whom and how the Village would contribute funds lead to a broader discussion.  The discussion seemed to fit that of a policy discussion that should take place during LRP discussions to decide how to support organizations moving forward. Commissioner Gilmartin also congratulated the DGN Basketball Team and wished them good luck in Super-Sectionals.

The Mayor explained that the Meals on Wheels Program not only included the delivery of meals to the elderly, but also provided daily wellness checks.

12. Adjournment 

Mayor Barnett asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION: To adjourn the March 7, 2023 Village Council meeting

RESULT: Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.  

MOTIONED TO APPROVE: Commissioner Hosé

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Walus

AYES: Commissioners Hosé, Walus, Glover, Gilmartin, Kulovany, Sadowski-Fugitt, Mayor Barnett

NAYES: None

 
Mayor Barnett declared the motion carried by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 

Rosa Berardi
Village Clerk