Here’s what’s going on at Elmhurst City Hall
By Dee Longfellow
The following is a list of recent actions taken by the Elmhurst City Council presided by Mayor Scott Levin: Cahill, Brennan, Hill.
• During public forum, Dr. John Jevitz gave a brief presentation about Elmhurst’s Character Counts program and stressed what a fine community Elmhurst is because it is filled with people who “do the right thing when nobody’s looking,” which included the members of the City Council as well as several residents in the room.
• Elmhurst police officer Colleen Bruketta was sworn in and promoted to police sergeant.
• Ann Quinn Kelly was appointed to the Public Arts Commission.
• Based on a recommendation by the Development, Planning & Zoning (DPZ) Committee, a front yard variation was granted for the property at 630 S. Washington St.
• A recommendation from the Public Works & Buildings (PWB) Committee was approved to enter an engineering agreement with Clark Dietz, Inc. for watermain improvement in 2025 in an amount not to exceed $273,000.
• A permanent easement agreement with the Elmhurst Park District was accepted for the purpose of water main operation and maintenance at the Canine Corner Dog Park, located at 0S761 Old York Road in unincorporated DuPage County.
• Based on a recommendation of the PWB Committee, the City Attorney was authorized to prepare a reimbursement agreement with Arlington Cemetery for ditch maintenance construction services in an amount not to exceed $62,500.
• An ordinance was approved granting a conditional use permit for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with a site development allowance for the property at 126-134 N. York St.
• An amended conditional use permit was granted for a PUD at Elmhurst University.
• A non-exclusive license agreement was entered between the City and the Elmhurst Park District for the purpose of utilizing the property on South Street between York Street and Arlington Avenue for the annual Fall Fest event in 2024.
• An ordinance was approved to authorize the Elmhurst History Museum to dispose of certain artifacts deemed surplus property.
• An ordinance was approved to authorize the execution of a license agreement with Zayo Group LLC to use certain City rights-of-way to install fiber optic cable for high-speed internet access, which was advisable, necessary and in the public interest, in the opinion of a majority of the corporate authorities of the City.
• Based on a recommendation of the DPZ Committee, a resolution was approved for a grant through the City’s Façade Improvement Incentive Program for Clear Heights Properties located at 730 N. York St. The Committee determined that the project exemplifies the spirit of the program which is to advance economic development within the City’s TIF 4 District, TIF 5 District, and a Downtown TIF District. Therefore, it is the City’s best interest to provide the applicant with an amount not to exceed $72,389.
• A resolution was approved for a professional construction entering services agreement between the City and Baxter & Woodman Inc. for the 2024 sanitary sewer and manhole rehabilitation project. It will provide the rehabilitation of approximately 11,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer and the review and rehabilitation of approximately 375 manholes. For the performance of these services, the City agrees to pay a lump sum payment in an amount not to exceed $90,000, plus reimbursable expenses and engineer’s fees.
• A second resolution was approved for Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer and manhole rehabilitation project.
• During his report to the Council, Levin praised the successful dedication of the new First Responders Memorial sculpture now in position at the south fire station. Residents are invited to purchase paver bricks imprinted with personal messages or memorials.
• Levin said close to 100 people attended the recent open house to provide feedback on the Downtown Plan. He said he appreciates public feedback and assures more public events will be held in the future.
• The NAFA Fleet Management Association has named Elmhurst the 43rd greenest fleet in north American competition. There are 38,000 in the competition, and this represents the City’s first time appearing in the top 50. Started in 2008, the program honors cities which have ground-breaking and inventive programs in their green initiatives and peak performing fleet sustainability efforts.
• City Manager Jim Grabowski announced the Fire Department will kick off National Fire Prevention Week on Sunday, Oct. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. This is a free event which will include kids’ activities, giveaways, tours, demonstrations, refreshments and much more.
