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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes 08-17-2026CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL CLOSED SESSION RECONVENED PRAYER AND PLEDGE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2026 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by Mayor Goczkowski at 6:30 PM in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Monday, August 17, 2026. Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Walsten, Smith and Charewicz. Moylan and Merlin were absent. A quorum was present. Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka to adjourn to Closed Session for Probable and Imminent Litigation, Acquisition of Property, and Pending Litigation. Upon roll call, the vote was: AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Walsten, Smith Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 2 - Moylan, Merlin Motion declared carried. The City Council meeting was reconvened at 7:21 PM. Roll call indicated all aldermen were present. The prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America were offered by Mayor Goczkowski. PUBLIC COMMENT No announcements at this time. MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS ALDERMAN ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Goczkowski reported that the City’s Community Paper Shredding Event on August 15th had strong attendance and thanked City staff for their efforts. He encouraged residents to attend the Food Truck Roundup on August 18th at the Des Plaines Public Library, the upcoming open house for the remodeled Police Station, and the $1 movie program at the Des Plaines Theatre. He also encouraged residents to attend the Des Plaines Fire Department’s Fire House Open House on Saturday, September 20th, from 11:00 a.m. t o 2:00 p.m. Alderman Charewicz thanked City staff for their efforts in organizing National Night Out. Alderman Sayad thanked City staff for their efforts in organizing National Night Out and congratulated Agnes Podbial, Finance Director, on nine years of service with the City of Des Plaines. Alderman Merlin encouraged residents to attend the American Legion event on September 20th at the GenCenter. Alderman Walsten thanked City staff for their efforts in organizing National Night Out. CITY CLERK ANNOUNCEMENTS City Clerk Bronakowski reminded residents that municipal elections will take place in Spring 2027. He shared that the City Clerk’s Office has been working to expand transparency throughout the municipal election process and will be reintroducing candidate guides for prospective candidates. The guides will be available in the City Clerk’s Office beginning August 25th. CONSENT AGENDA #21. Page 2 of 7 8/17/2026 MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Wisniewski announced that the City of Des Plaines will begin livestreaming City Council meetings on YouTube. PROCLAMATION City Clerk Bronakowski read a proclamation honoring Ukrainian Independence Month. CONSENT AGENDA AWARDING BID FOR 2026–2027 CONTRACTUAL SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL TO DGO PREMIUM SERVICES Resolution R-178-26 APPROVING EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR INTERGOVERN- MENTAL AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES Resolution R-179-26 R-180-26 R-181-26 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 3 WITH LANDSCAPE CONCEPTS MANAGEMENT Moved by Sayad, seconded by Merlin, to Establish the Consent Agenda. Upon voice vote, the vote was: AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 0 - Motion declared carried. Moved by Oskerka seconded by Walsten, to Approve the Consent Agenda. Upon roll call, the vote was: AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 0 - Smith Motion declared carried. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-178-26, AWARDING BID FOR 2026–2027 CONTRACTUAL SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL TO DGO PREMIUM SERVICES, WHEELING, IL, $18,385, WITH 2027 REQUESTED BUDGET AMOUNT OF $95,000 – MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACTUAL SERVICES FUNDS. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-179-26, R-180-26, R-181-26, AWARDING BID FOR 2026–2027, APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES FROM MATTHEW O’SHEA CONSULTING, INC., J. ALEXANDER HUNT, INC., AND ANDERSON LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING, LTD. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-182-26, APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 3 WITH LANDSCAPE CONCEPTS MANAGEMENT, INC., GRAYSLAKE, IL, $125,000 – STREETS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT FOR TREE MAINTENANCE Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Page 3 of 7 8/17/2026 Resolution R-182-26 APPROVING TASK ORDER #4 WITH TROTTER & ASSOCIATES Resolution R-184-26 SECOND READING - ORDINANCE M-14-26 SECOND READING - ORDINANCE Z-17-26 SECOND READING - ORDINANCE Z-18-26 APPROVE MINUTES Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-184-26, APPROVING TASK ORDER #4 WITH TROTTER AND ASSOCIATES, ST. CHARLES, IL, $81,200 – WATER/PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FUNDS. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Ordinance M-14-26, APPROVING NEW CLASS M LIQUOR LICENSE (GAS STATION – RETAIL ONLY/OFF-SITE CONSUMPTION ONLY) FOR 1222 DP, INC. AT 1222 LEE STREET. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Ordinance Z-17-26, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS REGARDING STATIC AND ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD (EMB) BILLBOARD REVIEW PROCESS AND REGULATIONS. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve Ordinance Z-18-26, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS REGARDING STATIC AND ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD (EMB) BILLBOARD REVIEW PROCESS AND REGULATIONS. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda. Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Walsten, to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting of August 3, 2026, as published. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda Resolutions R-178-26, R-179-26, R-180-26, R-181-26, R-182-26, and R-184-26 were approved. Ordinances M-14-26, Z-17-26 and Z-18-26 were approved. Regular Meeting Minutes for August 3, 2026 were approved. APPOINTMENTS/ REAPPOINTMENTS Mayor Goczkowski presented the following appointments and reappointments for consideration: APPOINTMENTS – LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jennifer Beckman – Term to Expire 6/30/2028 Louisa Kwasigroch – Term to Expire 6/30/2029 REAPPOINTMENTS – LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rachel Rice – Term to Expire 6/30/2029 Nick Harkovich – Term to Expire 6/30/2029 NEW BUSINESS FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION – Alderman Sayad, Chair Page 4 of 7 8/17/2026 WARRANT REGISTER Resolution R-185-26 APPROVING MAJOR VARIATIONS FOR POLE SIGN SETBACK AT MARKET PLACE SHOPPING CENTER, 741 W. GOLF RD. Ordinance Z-19-26 Alderman Sayad presented the Warrant Register. Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka to Approve the Warrant Register of August 17, 2026, in the Amount of $4,350,936.37 and Approve Resolution R-185-26. Upon roll call, the vote was: AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 0 - None Motion declared carried. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – Alderman Moylan, Chair Community and Economic Development Director Jeff Rogers reviewed a memorandum dated August 21, 2026. The petitioner requests two major variations from Section 12-11-6.B of the Zoning Ordinance to reduce the required setback for two proposed 24-foot-tall pole signs. The minimum required setback distance between a pole sign and the property line depends upon its overall height. For pole signs, the setback distance is measured from the outermost portion of the sign to the property line, or, where a public sidewalk is constructed over a property line, to the nearest edge of the sidewalk. The minimum setback for a typical 20-foot-tall pole sign is five feet. However, the subject property is over five acres in size and has more than 300 feet of street frontage on a single street and therefore is allowed additional sign height if the minimum sign setback distance in feet is met. For lots of this size, an additional foot of sign height is allowed for every three additional feet of sign setback provided beyond the minimum five feet required so long as the sign does not exceed 35 feet in height. The table outlines the maximum sign height allowed based on the sign setback distance provided, highlighting the sign setback of 17 feet required for the proposed 24-foot-tall signs. There are two existing multi-tenant pole signs for the shopping center identified on the attached Photos of Existing Conditions as Sign A1 and Sign A2. Sign A1 is located near the north entrance to the subject property roughly nine feet from Golf Road, and Sign A2 is located near the west entrance to the subject property roughly 12 feet from Elmhurst Road. The petitioner identifies that the existing pole signs are just under 26 feet in overall height, which requires a minimum setback distance of 23 feet from the property lines pursuant to Section 12-11-6.B of the Zoning Ordinance. While the existing pole signs are nonconforming with regard to setback distance from the property lines, both sign bases are well landscaped, exceeding the minimum requirements for ground sign landscaping in Section 12-11-4.G of the Zoning Ordinance. The petitioner proposes replacing the two existing 26-foot-tall pole signs with two new, 24- foot-tall pole signs in the exact same locations as illustrated in the attached Sign Plan. Both signs consist of a sign area of 159 square feet measuring 17’-8” in height in addition to a 4’- 4” tall stone base and some border and sign accent pieces which extend the overall sign height to 24 feet. The sign area has been organized to provide a 26-inch tall sign space for anchor tenants and a 13¾-inch sign space for the remainder of the tenants in an effort to make all tenant space signs visible for motorists and pedestrians. As noted in the attached Photos of Existing Conditions, both proposed signs would be 1’-10” shorter in overall height and 9-inches narrower in width than the current pole signs. However, since both signs are proposed to be located in the exact same location as the existing signs, the minimum setback Page 5 of 7 8/17/2026 APPROVING SUPPORT FOR COOK COUNTY CLASS 6B REAL ESTATE TAX INCENTIVE FOR MIDWEST RE ACQUISITIONS Resolution R-186-26 requirement of 17 feet from the property line is not met, requiring a major variation for both signs. Alderman Sayad stated that he had not received any complaints from residents and expressed support for the project. Moved by Alderman Sayad, seconded by Oskera to approve Ordinance Z-19-26, CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING MAJOR VARIATIONS FOR POLE SIGN SETBACK FOR MARKET PLACE SHOPPING CENTER AT 741 W. GOLF ROAD. Upon roll call, the vote was: AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 0 - None Motion declared carried. Economic Development Manager Suzy Aguilar reviewed a memorandum dated August 21, 2026. The applicant, Midwest RE Acquisitions, LLC, represented by Mark Rogers, Liston & Tsantilis, is requesting City support for a Cook County 6b Real Estate Tax Incentive. The incentive would facilitate the construction of a new, Class A industrial building totaling approximately 87,140 square feet. The proposed project includes approximately $9,500,000 in property improvements, with construction commencing in Q2 of 2027 and expected completion anticipated in Q3/Q4 2027. The applicant, Midwest RE Acquisitions, LLC is seeking the City’s support for a Cook County Real Estate Class 6b Tax Incentive for the property located at 555 Santa Rosa Drive. The applicant is the contract purchaser of the property, with closing anticipated in Q1 2027. The property currently consists of an approximately 107,000-square-foot industrial building situated on a 3.93-acre site. The applicant proposes to demolish the existing building after purchase and construct a new, Class A, 87,140-square-foot speculative industrial facility. The new facility is expected to feature fourteen exterior docks, one drive-in door, approximately 53 parking stalls, and a 40-foot clear height. Upon completion, the applicant intends to market the property to a tenant in the warehousing, assembly or manufacturing sector. The applicant plans to invest approximately $9,500,000 into the development equating to approximately $109.07 per square foot. This investment meets the City’s minimum requirement for consideration of a tax incentive. The property is projected to have an estimated market value of approximately $12,094,140, generating approximately $5,190,349 in additional property tax revenue over the life of the incentive. In comparison, if the property were to remain vacant, it is est imated to generate approximately $2,703,679 in property tax revenue over the next twelve years. Following City approval, and in order to establish eligibility for the incentive, the Applicant will submit a formal application to Cook County with a development designation of New Construction and Substantial Rehabilitation. This designation is necessary to demonstrate that the property meets eligibility criteria for being vacant the required 12 consecutive months. Director Rogers noted a few scrivener errors regarding the number of employees to be corrected if the resolution is approved. Page 6 of 7 8/17/2026 APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS REGARDING ACCESSORY STRUCTURE REGULATIONS Ordinance Z-20-26 Moved by Alderman Merlin, seconded by Smith to approve, as amended, Resolution R-186-26, A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A CLASS 6B REAL ESTATE TAX INCENTIVE FOR MIDWEST RE ACQUISITIONS, 555 SANTA ROSA DRIVE. Upon roll call, the vote was: AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 0 - None Motion declared carried. Community and Economic Development Director Jeff Rogers reviewed a memorandum dated August 13, 2026. Chapter 8 of the Zoning Ordinance, “Accessory, Temporary, and Specific Use Regulations,” was created to identify and differentiate regulations for both uses and structures that are either: (i) incidental and subordinate to a principal use or structure in the same zoning lot (e.g., detached garages and sheds); (ii) temporary in duration and construction (e.g., tents and yard sales); or (iii) sensitive uses requiring tailored regulations (e.g., cannabis business establishments and residential care homes). Section 12-8-1.C. also identifies the general bulk regulations for accessory structures in all zoning districts with specific height, setback, location, size, and quantity restrictions. There are two main categories of accessory structures identified: (i) detached garages and carports; and (ii) other accessory structures (e.g., sheds, pergolas, gazebos, etc.). These categories share regulations related to height, setbacks/minimum distance from lot lines (with some exceptions), and location, but differ regarding quantity of structures and size permitted. Regarding quantity, the City Code allows for up to two accessory structures on any property; however, only one garage (attached or detached) or carport is permitted. In the case of a property with a detached garage or carport, one other accessory structure is permitted. Regarding size, a detached garage or carport can be up to 720 square feet in area for residential uses and up to 960 square feet for non-residential lots greater than 20,000 square feet. Other accessory structures can be up to 225 square feet in area regardless of the Zoning District. Alderman Charewicz noted that most of the setbacks are 10 feet and noted the city should consider reducing the setback requirement to five feet in the future. Moved by Alderman Charewicz, seconded by Moylan to approve Ordinance Z-20-26, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ZONING TEXT AMENDMENTS REGARDING ACCESSORY STRUCTURE REGULATIONS. Upon roll call, the vote was: AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz NAYS: 0 - None ABSENT: 0 - None Motion declared carried. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Sayad, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM. PageT of7 8n7/2026 APPROVED BY ME THIS 8th DAY OF Seotember ,2026 Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR M Dominik Bronakowski - CITY CLERK