Here’s what’s going on at Elmhurst City Hall
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
On Monday, July 6, the Elmhurst City Council held its regular meeting in Elmhurst City Hall with a limited number of aldermen and staff in the Council Chambers, while the remainder participated remotely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aldermen Noel Talluto (4th Ward) and Jim Kennedy (6th Ward) were absent.
City celebrates Elmhurst University name change
The meeting began with the mayor’s proclamation about Elmhurst College changing its name to Elmhurst University and declared July 1, 2020, “Elmhurst University Day” in the City of Elmhurst. Read by Mayor Steve Morley, the proclamation noted that the institution was founded in 1871 as a proseminary that prepared young men for careers in ministry and teaching; that in 1924, it began to offer bachelor’s degrees; in 1930, women were invited to enroll; and, in 1998, graduate programs were introduced.
“The university name more accurately reflects Elmhurst’s educational profile as a comprehensive higher education institution that offers undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 3,500 students in liberal arts and applied sciences, while anticipating opportunities for new programs and partnerships,” Morley said, reading the proclamation. “President Troy D. VanAken initiated a strategic planning process for the campus community in preparation for Elmhurst [College’s] sesquicentennial anniversary in 2021.”
The Elmhurst College Board of Trustees officially approved the name change to Elmhurst University on June 15, 2019.
Dr. VanAken spoke briefly following Mayor Morley, noting that he had never been in a environment that was so embraced by the surrounding community. He hailed the many working partnerships and relationships formed between the City and the institution and noted that the name change would drive the University into the future.
Mayor Morley also noted that the name “University” better reflects its mission and that there is a big difference internationally between a college and a university, which would draw more global interest to the University and likewise to the Elmhurst community.
Public forum:
Cool Cities Coalition seeks removal of Fullersburg dam
During public forum, one person representing Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition asked the City to join with the Sierra Club for removal of the dam at Fullersburg Woods, which would improve water quality while preserving Graue. The individual said the current water quality was suffering and asked that residents and elected officials tell the DuPage Forest Preserve Board to address this challenge. For more information, visit restoresaltcreek.org.
Resident urges looking into rooftop solar energy
Also at public forum, resident Barbara Lonergan noted the many 90-degree days we have already had this summer and that there is currently an opportunity to look into rooftop solar energy. She said there were many incentives and rebates available to make the switch more affordable and that it was part of a program called Solarize Chicagoland.
This grassroots program combines volume purchasing to make rooftop solar more accessible and affordable. Home and commercial property owners may participate in this program.
Ten Elmhurst homeowners installed solar through the 2019 Solarize Chicagoland program. An initiative of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), Solarize Chicagoland is an education and group purchasing program for residential solar energy. It is endorsed by the Citizens Utility Board, as well as the counties of Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane. According to the web site, the program builds on previous endeavors that have helped more than 125 local property owners “go solar,” noting that it makes energy more affordable for everyone.
To learn more, homeowners are invited to visit elmhurstcoolcities.org or solarizechicagoland.com.
Morley’s report: City moves into Phase 4
“Per the governor, our section of Illinois has moved into Phase 4,” Morley said. “The City web site has a full explanation and a link to more details. All residents are encouraged to follow the links to learn what Phase 4 means. In this phase, health clubs and movie theaters are now opening in limited capacity. If there are any questions, please go online and check it out.
“As our businesses relearn how to open with restrictions, I encourage everyone to do what you can to support our local businesses.”
Expects to swear-in new aldermen July 20
Mayor Morley reminded the audience that two aldermen had recently left City Council and that he was in the process of meeting with those who had applied for the open seats and was getting ready to present his decision to the full City Council for approval. He said he had contacted everyone who applied and had met with every applicant. He said he expects to swear-in the new aldermen at the next meeting on Monday, July 20.
Consent agenda
The consent agenda was passed unanimously minus an item pulled by Alderman Michael Bram (3rd Ward).
Bram said he could not support the ordinance extending temporary executive powers due to the COVID-19 pandemic because he felt City Council should do its best to return to regular meetings as soon as possible. The measure passed 9-1 with two absent.
Other consent agenda items:
• A recommendation from the Development Planning & Zoning (DPZ) Committee was approved, granting a request for variation from the parking requirement for a physical therapy business located at 725-29 No. York St. Rather than providing 10 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet, the variation allows only four parking spaces per 1,000 square feet.
• A request for an institutional electronic message board was approved for the property at 246 W. Butterfield Road, occupied by Seventh-Day Adventists.
• A Class “RSB” liquor license was approved for Courageous Bakery located at 108 W. Park Ave. The business plans to incorporate liquor into its new full-service restaurant business model. Formerly available for casual breakfast and lunch bistro options, the restaurant wants to offer alcoholic beverages to adult patrons, such as mimosas or Bloody Marys during brunch.
• A contract amendment to the construction agreement for the Lake-Walnut Lift Station replacement project was approved for an additional 30 days, making its final completion date Aug. 19.
• DuPage County publicly bids its fuel purchase, which allows for joint purchasing by other taxing bodies. The City approved a purchase order to Gas Depot Inc., in Morton Grove, the County’s lowest bidder, in the amount of $525,000 for gasoline and diesel.
• A change order was approved for the 2020 Sanitary Manhole Rehabilitation Project for additional work in the amount of $34,675. The work will be done by Suburban General Construction, Inc. of LaGrange Park.
• An ordinance passed authorizing the sale, permanent and temporary easement with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority for the central Tri-State (I-294) widening and reconstruction project.
• An ordinance authorizing the grant of an easement agreement with Commonwealth Edison was approved. The parcel of land is located north of St. Charles Road, south of the Union Pacific Railroad, east of I-290 and west of I-294.
• A resolution was approved authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to the comprehensive intergovernmental agreement between the City and School District 205. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the City and District 205 have recognized significant financial burdens and have entered into this amendment to allow additional times for the performance of their obligations under the agreement.
• A contract for the wastewater reclamation facility security gate replacement project was awarded to Action Fence Contractors, Inc. of Mundelein in the amount of $72,475.
• A resolution authorizing a change order for the wastewater reclamation facility (WRF) non-potable water, natural gas, fiber optic and electric utility installations project was approved. The preliminary balancing change order resulted in a net reduction in the contract price by $253,182.27. Then the City requested an access road within the floodplain along the east limits of the WRF. The access road is loan eligible through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) because it improves WRF operations and safety. The estimated increase to the project for the access road is $94,000.
