By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
Immediately after the City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley left the dais and retreated to his office to sign the intergovernmental agreement between the City and School District 205. The Council voted unanimously to enter into the agreement.
On the heels of the Elmhurst School District 205’s announcement that it would enter into an agreement with the City of Elmhurst regarding TIF finances and storm water mitigation, City aldermen elected to sign the agreement as well at the City Council meeting held Monday, Dec. 16.
“This is an agreement that has been a long time coming,” said 5th Ward Alderman Scott Levin. “It’s taken a long time to steer the ship through the right process.”
“This was a tough one for me, because the City has put forth a lot, including the $1.2 million when York [High School] was built,” said 3rd Ward Alderman Michael Bram. “I’m in support of it because overall, I believe this is a win for all residents and I’ll leave it at that. It was tough because I feel like the City has negotiated well and given a lot of issues to District 205, so I think this will be best.”
Seventh Ward Alderman Michael Brennan agreed.
“I’m excited to support it,” he said. “It was a lengthy document but in the end, the residents expect us to come together and serve our community.”
About the agreement
The agreement is the culmination of almost two years of negotiations between the City and District 205 to address issues, which have been outstanding for as long as ten years and spans the service of two District 205 school boards. An agreement in principle was publicly approved and signed by the City and the District in September of 2018.
A draft of the agreement was nearly completed and publicly addressed last spring when negotiations stalled, primarily over the issue of whether the easement for the York project would be permanent. During the summer, District 205 considered and proposed a permanent easement if the storm water storage could be put underground with an artificial turf field on top. The proposed solution revitalized discussions between the City and District 205, resulting in the agreement being considered and acted upon by the School Board at a special meeting called on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
The elements of the agreement include the City’s construction and operation of storm water management facilities at York High School and Jackson Elementary, coupled with site improvements at both schools. The York project involves installation of storm water storage tanks by the City, on top of which District 205 will construct an athletic field with artificial turf. The Jackson project involves adjusting the field and enhancing its playability.
The agreement also includes a payment from the City to District 205 in the amount of $2.085 million from the City’s tax increment financing (TIF) funds.
Mayor Morley adds his comments
The City Council vote passed 13-0, with one alderman absent. After the vote, Mayor Steve Morley spoke up.
“The City and the Council have faced many storm water challenges,” he said. “Over the last several years, we’ve started taking it very seriously. Now, we’ve spent tens of millions of dollars in flood mitigation.
“We used to be known as the town that flooded, but now we’re known as the town who has done something about flood mitigation. It was a commitment to save home values in our community.”
Morley recalled how long the City has struggled with the issue.
“When I was elected six-and-one-half years ago, in order to store water, we needed open space and we’re landlocked,” he said. “We needed our other taxing bodies to come together and work with us. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re happy this is finally coming together. I have received signed copies from the School Board and after this meeting has adjourned, I’m immediately going to my office to place my signature on the documents.”
He thanked the many aldermen who worked hard to move the agreement forward.
“On April 23 of this year, the president of the School Board said they were done talking to us,” Morley recalled. “So I think tonight is a testament that it is a team effort and the continued efforts will all work, if we work together.”
Finally, Morley thanked School Board president Kara Caforio.
“There have been a lot of challenges, but President Caforio and I have met numerous times and I can state unequivocally that without her help, we would not be where we are today,” he said. “I think residents expect us to work together. So I think this is a new beginning in our relationship with School District 205.”
