Good evening. The city Council meeting of August 17th, 2026 is called to order at 6:30 p.m.. Roll call please. Alderman Chlebek here Oskerka Moylan. Oh, gosh. Sorry. Uh Sayad. Merlin. Walsten here. Smith. Here. It’s here. All right. Quorum present.
I’ll now entertain a motion to convene in closed session under the following sections of the Open Meetings Act. Probable and imminent litigation. Acquisition of property and pending litigation. Motion from Alderman Sayad. Seconded by Oskerka. Roll call, please. Chlebek Oskerka. Sayad. Walsten Smith, I chair with I. Motion carried. The City Council now convening closed session. We had nothing. I’m going to take this. I’ll give it a shot.
Do you need anything for to close session. How do we get down here on display? Yes. That’s true. This.
Good evening. The city council is reconvened at 7:21 p.m.. Good evening. Welcome to the City Council meeting of August 17th, 2026. Thank you for your patience. I know that we had just met in closed session. Uh, can we have a roll call, please? Alderman Chelbek, here’s Oskerka present. Sayad Walsten Eric Smith. Here. You forgot Merle.
Yeah. Merlin here. And Jared’s here. A quorum is present. Please rise for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. I’ll be offering a prayer this evening. Inspire us with the hope and vision for a better future. Grant us with the courage to make decisions that build bridges and foster prosperity for all. Amen.
I pledge allegiance to the flag. United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. First up this evening is public comment.
If any member of the audience has an item that’s not on tonight’s agenda that they want to talk about. Now is your time to come on up and speak. Please approach the podium. Speaking to the microphone, state your name, address, group affiliation. If any. Comments, as always, are limited to five minutes. Please monitor the timing device on the podium.
When you see the yellow light, it means you have one minute remaining. When you see the red light, it’s time to wrap up. As always, please keep comments brief to the point. Non repetitive and relevant and germane to city business.
Does any member of the audience have an item that they want to talk about? Not on tonight’s agenda. Okay. Moving along to mayoral announcements. I’ve got a few for this morning. This evening. First up, this Plains Community Shred event. Des Plaines residents, um, participated in the Community Shred event last Saturday, safely disposing of paper documents at the public works facility over on Joseph Schwab Road.
Thank you to the city’s public works team for their support and to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success. The city will be wrapping up the 2026 Food Truck Roundup series tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Library Plaza, 1501 Elmwood Street.
Residents, friends and neighbors are invited to enjoy live music from Griffin Crowder beginning at 5:30 p.m., so grab dinner from a variety of food trucks and add some creativity to the chalk wall. Limited picnic table seating will be available, and guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and enjoy the whole event. Parking will be available at the at the Displays public library Garage.
The Metropolitan Square Garage, and the Civic Center Garage. Make sure that you leave yourself a little extra time, because we have the issue with the railroad going on right now. Um, also tomorrow evening, the display and police department will be hosting its open house for the remodeled police station right here at the municipal complex.
Residents are invited to stop by the police station between 5 and 6:30 p.m.. You’ll get a guided tour. You’ll get to see all of our new facilities and how it’s helping to make policing better and more responsive than ever before.
Um, to cap off a busy evening and displays tomorrow as well, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy Disney’s The Little Mermaid on the big screen at the Displays Theater as part of the city’s $1 Family film series. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at seven. Concessions, as always, are available for purchase, making it an affordable and memorable night out for the whole family.
Finally, in This Is My Last one, looking ahead, the Display and Fire department will be hosting its annual open house at Fire Station 63, 130 East Thacher Street on Saturday, September 20th from 11 to 2.
Bring the whole family to meet the Plains firefighters, explore food, fire trucks and specialty vehicles, enjoy some hands on activities and learn important fire safety tips through live demonstrations and educational displays. That one’s a little farther out, but set your calendars, moving along to alderman announcements, we have Alderman Charewicz. Oh well, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, I thought I went first last time, but that’s okay. Uh.
Alderman Smith wasn’t here last time. Sorry. So. Oh, okay. Good. Anyway. Thank you. I just had a quick thank you to everybody that put together the, uh, uh, National Night Out. I thought that was a great event. It’s grown. Uh, thank you to all staff.
I think it used to be more of a police thing when it first kind of started. It’s kind of neat to see it really grow into a true community event where we had school board, uh, a school district helping us. Almost every district or department in the city helped with, uh, media and food trucks. It was just a great event.
And I also wanted to thank staff for allowing the alderman that wanted to, to have their their ward meetings right there to meet the the customer, all the residents that came through. So thanks for a great event. And that’s all I got tonight. Thank you. Alderman Alderman Kleberg. At this time. Mayor. Thank you. Alderman Moylan. No. Today. Mayor.
Thank you, Alderman Oskerka. Nothing today. Mr. mayor. Alderman Sayad. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I do. Double back on alderman chair. What’s the national night out I think was a very well run organized event and I, uh I really enjoyed it.
I had some friends that came with me and they were very impressed on how everybody had, uh, did their, their forte. And it was really, really good. And thank you for that. The announcements I wanted to make, I may have already made them, but I do want to say one thing in this room, here we have a we have an employee who’s been with us for nine years.
She has done a great job and outstanding job in our finance department. And, uh, Agnes, I want to thank you for all the years of service that you have done for us and the leadership that you have created in that finance department. As finance chairman for many, Many years.
You are really one of the better ones. You did a great job and I want to thank you for all the great service, and I want you to continue that. Thank you. Also, I will have a ward meeting next month. I’m getting everything together and I’ll make the announcements then. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you very much, alderman. Alderman.
Um, just one. Besides the fact that my computer is locked out. But the, um, the American Legion at the Gen Center is having an event called be the One Expo on September. What is it? The 20th, I believe it’s a Sunday. Um, and it’s September 20th at 1030 to 5:00.
Um, I’ll have more on it next meeting, but I wanted to bring it up. Thank you. That’ll be all, mayor. Thank you. Alderman. Alderman Walsten. Thank you, mayor. Um, I’d also like to say what a success the National Night Out was. A lot of people, uh, showed up very, very nice, well-behaved people, too, I have to say.
And, uh, we gave out, uh, uh, some things to them. Uh, some kids games and pens. And, uh, it was well attended and, uh, it was a good night and good night for everybody who came and participated.
I’d also like to mention that the Oakton Corridor meeting that we had a few weeks back was very informative. Um, one thing I will say is, uh, there were some ideas about what could possibly be at the Kmart location and really, most of what I saw, just about all of it was, uh, housing, residential apartments, condos, that kind of thing.
Uh, I’m interested in seeing something in that area that would actually bring in revenue for the city to help keep taxes down for the residents. Something like a a Lowe’s, a Woodman, a Ikea, something that will actually generate some, uh, positive cash flow for the city. So I think we need to really think hard about just only looking at residential, uh, opportunities in that area.
But it was a good meeting. It was a good proposal. And, uh, uh, I think we have a good future going with the Oakton corridor. Uh, also, I’d like to mention the movies, which the mayor already did, but there’s two, uh, family movies left.
Little Mermaid and Shrek, and we are working on movies for older, uh, people that, uh, uh, the reason it’s basically coming to an end for the family is because school is going to start, and a lot of people think that, uh, it’s they’re not interested in bringing their kids out on a, on a Tuesday night when maybe they should be doing their homework
or getting ready for the next day of school. So, uh, keep in mind we’re working on, uh, more movies throughout the rest of the year thinking about, uh, Rocky Horror Picture Show around Halloween. Uh, the Grinch around Christmas would be a good one. And, uh, any ideas? Uh, email me.
We’ll we’ll take a look at it. What’s that? Thank you. Mayor. Thank you, Alderman Wilson. Alderman Smith. Thank you. Mayor. I have no comments tonight. Thank you. All right. Mr. Clark, any announcements? Uh, yeah, I just got one. In short one.
Um, and this is actually about, uh, upcoming municipal elections, believe it or not. But we actually have an upcoming municipal election. This upcoming, uh, April 2027. Um, and for the city council and the general public’s information for their awareness, uh, the city’s clerk’s, the city clerk’s office has been working on a process of bringing back candidate guides.
So if you are a candidate who is interested or any residents who are interested in learning about how the election process works, um, starting August 25th, we’re going to have some more information available in the clerk’s office. So keep your eye out for more information starting next week. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Clark. City manager’s report.
Good evening, and thank you, mayor. I have a brief update this evening. The city of Des Plaines broadcast city council meetings on the city’s website. Des Plaines, IL gov backslash livestream. And on dpi TV through local cable providers.
We are excited to announce that beginning today, residents can also watch meetings on the city’s YouTube channel at YouTube.com, backslash displays this new option gives residents another convenient way to follow city council meetings on any device compatible with a YouTube app. Thank you. Thank you. I think that’s great.
You know, so many people these days that have cut cords, have Roku and fire sticks and all these other things, and having a way to watch on the TV is is great. So good work for Media services Department, uh General Council report. Okay, Mr. Clark, I think we had a proclamation today that we may have skipped over. Sorry, that was my fault.
Could we read that into the record as well? Yes, we can. So we have a proclamation for. I’ll take a read at it. So where is on August 24th, 1991, the Parliament of Ukraine formally declared an independent, sovereign and democratic state, a decision overwhelmingly affirming affirmed by the Ukrainian people in a national referendum later that year.
And whereas, Ukraine and sovereignty and traditional integrity, along with the rights, language and culture of the Crimean people, continued to face ongoing threats. And whereas Ukraine has a long shared special bond with the United States through a common commitment to freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and whereas, we honor the courage, resilience and the
sacrifice of the Ukrainian people as they continue to defend their freedom and independence. And whereas the people of the United States have welcomed Ukrainians displaced by the war and generously supported humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by Russia’s invasion.
And Whereas, Ukrainian Americans in Des Plaines have enriched our city through their cultural traditions, civic involvement and contributions to the social and economic fabric of our community, while preserving their proud heritage and enduring connection to Ukraine. And now, therefore, Mayor Andrew Bukowski of the City of Displays does hereby proclaim August as Ukrainian Independence Month. Thank you very much, Mr. Clark.
Moving along this evening to the consent agenda, uh, does any member of the City council or member of the audience wish to remove any item from tonight’s consent agenda hearing? None may have a motion to establish the consent agenda. Motion from Alderman Sayad, second by Alderman Merlyn. All in favor? Aye, aye. Any opposed? Motion carried.
As always, all items on the city’s consent agenda can be viewed on the city’s website, where we post our packet in full. Uh, may I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Motion from Alderman Oskerka, seconded by alderman Walsten. Roll call. Please. Alderman Chelbek Moylan, a Oskerka a sad Merlin, a Walsten I Smith. I share with. Us a.
Motion carried moving along this evening. We have, uh, two appointments and two appointments. The following individuals are my newly selected appointees and appointments to the Library Board of Trustees. These will be on the consent agenda for final approval on the next meeting of September 8th, 2026. For appointments to the Library Board of Trustees.
We have Jennifer Beckman for a term to expire June 30th, 2028, and Louisa Roach for a term to expire June 30th, 2029. The two appointments are Rachel Rice for a term to expire at the end of June 2029, and Nick Markovich for another term to expire in June of 2029.
Other information is available in the packet for the council to look through. Moving along to new business. We have one item with the Finance Administration Committee with Chairman Sayad. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We have one item on the Warren, one item, and it’s the one register. Our 18526 in the amount of $4,350,936 and $0.37.
Any questions from the alderman? Any questions from the audience? Mr. mayor? Make a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, motion from Chairman Sayad for passage of resolution R-185-26 second by Alderman Oskerka. Let’s have a roll call, please. Alderman Moylan s Oskerka I Sayad. I Merlin I Walsten I Smith I Charewicz I Chelbek. A motion carries. Thank you very much, Mr.
Chairman, for all your work. Um, moving along to the community development committee, we have Chairman Moylan. Thank you. Mayor. Community development has three items on tonight’s agenda. We’ll start with item A consideration of an ordinance approving major variations for poll signs.
Setback for marketplace shopping center at 741 West Gulf Road. At this time, I’ll turn it over to Director Rogers for a review of the ordinance. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening, Mayor and Alderman. The subject property is a large shopping center at the southeast corner of Elmhurst Road and West Gulf Road.
The properties improved with two existing multi-tenant pole signs, one at the main entrance on Golf Road, one at the main entrance to Elmhurst Road, and it is in the city’s C-4 Regional Shopping Center district.
The existing multi-tenant signs are located in close proximity to the public right of way, both on the north and west ends of the property. The proposal would be to replace the existing signs with new signs that would be slightly shorter, but they would be in the same physical location. We have a rendering from the applicant of the proposed design.
The minimum sign setback is five feet for a 20 foot sign, and an additional foot of signage is allowed for every additional three feet of setback. If new 24 foot signs were were proposed on any C4 property, the minimum setback would be 17ft.
The existing sign along Gulf Road and the proposed sign would be set back nine feet instead of a minimum of 17, and the new sign along Elmhurst Road would be setback at a setback of 12ft, instead of a minimum of 17ft. The Planning and Zoning Board had a public hearing on July 28th.
Uh, during that public hearing, they heard comments and testimony and ultimately decided to recommend approval by a five one vote to the City Council for the major variations needed to accommodate these signs, subject to some specific conditions related to additional information required as part of the permit application process. Representative of the applicant is here and I can try to answer any questions related to the zoning ordinance requirements for multi-tenant signage. Thank you. Thank you. Director.
This time I’ll open it up to the council for any discussion. Uh, I believe it is in the fourth Ward. Yes. Any comments? Alderman? No. I agree with, uh. I have no problem with it. All right, let me say this. I have no problems. I haven’t had 1 or 1 resident say anything about this. Thank you. Thank you. Alderman.
Any additional comments from the council? Any comments from the audience? I’ll make a motion. Okay, so motion from Alderman Sayad, seconded by Miss Oskerka. For passage of ordinance 1926 on first reading. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries back to you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Item B consideration of a resolution in support of a class six B real estate tax incentive for Midwest re acquisitions. 555 Santa Rosa Drive. Back to you, director. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll introduce the city’s economic development manager, Susie Aguilar. Thank you, Director Rogers. Good evening.
The applicant, Midwest RV acquisitions LLC, is requesting city council support for a Cook County Class six real estate tax incentive for the property located at 555 Santa Rosa Drive. The proposed redevelopment includes demolition of the existing industrial building and construction of a new 87,000 square foot class A industrial facility. The applicant proposes approximately 9.
5 million in private investment, or $109 per square foot, which exceeds the city’s minimum investment threshold for consideration of a class six B incentive. Upon completion, the facility the facility will be marketed to warehousing, assembly or manufacturing users. A future tenant is expected to employ approximately 25 full time employees, which represents 50% of the minimum employment requirement established by the City Council. Policy.
The applicant has requested a partial waiver of this requirement as part of their application. This slide shows the location of the subject property along Santa Rosa Drive and South Wolf Road, as well as the surrounding industrial area. This slide shows the plat of survey for the subject property. The applicant has affirmed that the classics Bee incentive is necessary for the redevelopment to occur.
If approved, the incentive would reduce the property’s assessment level from 25% to 10% for the first ten years, increased to 15% in year 11, 20% in year 12, and return to full assessment in year 13. The application also requests City Council support for the property’s designation to Cook County as new construction and substantial rehabilitation.
The proposed redevelopment is expected to generate private investment, create employment opportunities and return the property to productive industrial use. This slide illustrates the applicant’s proposed class A industrial facility, which would replace the existing building currently located on the property. As part of the application. A 12 year property tax projection was prepared.
Scenario A assumes no investment is made on the property remains in its current condition, generating approximately $2.7 million in property tax revenue over 12 years. Scenario C assumes the proposed investment is made and the redevelopment is granted. A class six B incentive.
With the reduced assessment, the redevelopment is projected to generate approximately $5 million in property tax revenue over the same period, an increase an increase of roughly 2.5 million compared to scenario A over the 12 year incentive period.
The class B incentive is projected to provide the property owner with approximately $6 million in property tax savings, compared to redevelopment, without the incentive. The applicant has submitted all required materials for review and, following City Council action tonight, will proceed with its application to Cook County. Staff recommends consideration of resolution R 18626 supporting the applicant’s Cook County class six B application for 555 Santa Rosa Drive. The applicant and attorney are also present and available to answer any questions. Thank you.
Thank you, Miss Aguilar, for the review of the applicant. Um, a lot of a lot of six P’s going through. It’s been a good tool to encourage industrial growth and create new jobs. And, um, it is in the fifth Ward where there’s been a lot of activity. So I’ll offer up to alderman, the fifth Ward.
Yeah. I don’t I don’t have any issues with this. Um, the one waiver we’re looking for is less employees than normally is required. Correct. So 25 instead of 50. Jeff. Yeah. So I’m glad you brought that up.
So the, the policy of the city council for new construction is a minimum of 50 new full time jobs. The applicant, due to the square footage and the intended use, expects to be able to comply with at least 25, uh, not knowing the tenant, they aren’t affirming that they won’t be able to get 50 full time employees, but they don’t want to commit to that without
knowing that a waiver would be supported by the City Council. In response to that. I just wanted to point out if the City Council makes a recommendation or moves to approve this resolution.
Uh, there were a couple of Scribner’s errors on page two of the resolution and section two, uh, revised copy correctly references at least 50 new time, new full time employees are required. Where 25 are proposed in section six. Uh, that number was also updated to reflect 25 full time positions proposed. Thank you. I didn’t mean it as a negative.
Um, we can’t control and displays where the people would work there come from. Anyways, so I look at this as we’re improving a property, and I agree with Alderman Moylan that, you know, we’ve done this before. I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t go in this route. So I’m for it when the time comes. Thank you alderman.
Any additional comments from the council? Any additions? Any comments from the audience? Yeah. If not, I’ll. Is that a is there a motion? Alderman I’ll make a motion to approve our dash. 18626 as amended. Right. For the script. As well. I’m reading off the amended one. So yes. Okay.
So motion from Alderman Merlin second by Alderman Smith in this case. Um, let’s have a roll call please, for passage of resolution R-18626 as amended. Alderman s Oskerka Sayad. Hi, Merlin. Hi, Walsten. Hi. Smith. Hi, Charewicz. Hi, Chlebek. Hi, Moylan. Hi. Back to you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Mayor.
Item C is consideration of an ordinance approving zoning text amendments regarding accessory structure regulations. Back to you, director. Thank you. Uh, this item is an amendment to chapter or sorry, title 12 of the city’s municipal code. This is regulations related to accessory structures across various zoning districts.
Uh, the current code provides pretty clear regulations for certain uses, but ambiguous regulations for certain scenarios that would be addressed through this amendment. The first of those would be separation of requirements for accessory structures, including detached garages and carports in single family residential and two family residential areas, versus those in townhome, residential and multi-family residential areas versus non-residential uses.
The amendments, propose to keep the current regulations that are applicable to single family and two family residential uses. Clarifications would be added to the townhouse, residential and multi-family residential uses to allow single family, sorry single storey detached garage and carport structures, provided that they don’t comprise more than 15% of the total lot area, with a maximum floor of 720ft.
The multiple story detached parking garage structures would similarly not be allowed to exceed 15% of the lot area. 720ft and all other accessory structures would have to comply with the current requirements of that section. In regard to non-residential uses, some new requirements would be introduced.
Uh, single storey detached garage and carport structures would have to match the current standards regarding the quantity, height, setbacks and size. Multiple storey detached structures would have new requirements introduced when located on a lot that abuts a residential district.
The height of the multiple storey detached garage could not exceed the maximum height of the principal structure in an abutting residential district, and then the Building design review standards would apply to all single storey detached garages and carports, as well as multi-story detached garages that exceed 720ft and then a maximum of one multi-story detached parking garage structure would be permitted on a non-residential zoning lot for all other accessory structures, sheds, pergolas, gazebos, etc..
Uh, they would not be limited in quantity, but would have to be located behind the face of the principal building setback at least five feet from side rear lot lines, and would not exceed 225ft for zoning. Lots of 20,000ft or less, and 10% of the zoning area for lots greater than 20,000ft. We looked at several scenarios.
The Planning and Zoning Board did some analysis and discussion of some examples provided by staff, which I’ll summarize at this time. Uh, we identified a few existing large properties that have these types of improvements. To clarify and identify the need to clarify the code to allow certain structures.
Here’s an example of a multi-family zoning lot with several existing single storey detached garages located across the property. Here. We have a multi-family district with both indoor structured parking and outdoor parking. Uh, this demonstrates where proposed outdoor garages or carports could be located on the property as an example of a permitted use. Here’s another example.
On the left of a multi-family and on the right of a two family showing where, uh, these garages could be located in existing areas of parking and that would comply with the code. Uh, this was a visualization of one of the larger examples that, uh, on a property that does not directly abut a different, uh, non-residential zoning district.
Uh, sorry, that does not about a residential zoning district. The height of the accessory structure would be limited to 45ft. This would allow a multi-story parking garage as well as a commercial use on the property, or any combination thereof. Here’s an example of a commercial use, showing areas where carports and garages will be allowed.
And then we have some large scale examples of large institutional uses where new parking garages would be allowed in compliance with the code. Trying to demonstrate scale and area. Whenever an amendment to the city code is proposed, the code recommends the city Council consider the various standards of the ordinance.
The Planning and Zoning Board heard this case, and, uh, her testimony and provided discussion and consideration, after which they made a recommendation unanimously by a 4 to 0 vote, to recommend. The city Council approved the proposed text amendments as presented in the ordinance.
I can attempt to answer any questions about the process or the specific requirements, which, again, are intended to create a legal process for both existing and new accessory structures across multi-family and nonresidential districts. Thank you. Well. Thank you, director. At this time, we’ll open up to the council for any discussion of the text amendments. Alderman. Chair, what’s.. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Um, I tend to always have something that I have to say. Um, one thing that I noticed in here is most of the setbacks are ten feet that we’re adding, uh, meaning from the backyard.
This structure would have to come off the property line ten feet, then start, then a garage, and then, like, um, probably a driveway or a working area or something. I wonder what councils would think about reducing that to a five feet. Um, setback? Uh, a lot of times, especially like I’m thinking when we’re redesigning Oakton Street, some of those lots are pretty small.
So if you’ve got to come off an alley ten feet and then put your structure, you know, whether it be a, uh, a storage garage or maybe even I know this isn’t there, but the precedent would be set for, like, your garbage, um, dumpster area, stuff like that. I would rather see the five feet used in front, um, where cars sometimes park up against the, uh, the door going in.
You know, you have somebody inside. But then when you’re unloading the car, you would be outside. So seeing that garage actually set back more toward the grassy area, I think would be an advantage throughout the city is my opinion. So I don’t know how hard it would be to amend the setbacks to five feet instead of ten.
Um, but I think that would be a huge thing when we’re, um, trying to redevelop some of the areas. So that’s my only comment. Other than that, it looks great. And, um, CBD board approved everything, so I think we’re good to go. But the setbacks, especially in the non residential use I think could be five feet very easily.
Any other comments? Thanks. Alderman. Any additional comments, audience? Any comments from the audience? Uh, I’d be happy to approve a motion. Uh, can I amend it like that? That simple? Um. Yeah. A motion to approve with amendments to the, uh, setback. Rear and side yard setback requirements for garages and carports and nonresidential.
District for ordinance Z-2026, as amended. At first reading. Okay, motion from Alderman Chair Watts to pass ordinance 20-26 on first reading. Is there a second? Alderman Moylan, um, all in favor? Aye, aye. Any opposed? Motion carried. Thank you. Thank you, alderman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Um, are there any other alderman comments? For the good of the order, I know, Alderman Sayad, you had mentioned that there’s a ribbon cutting tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Laundry and Des Plaines at 795 Elmhurst Road. Uh, if you’re interested in coming on out, we’ll see you there. All right.
May I have a motion to adjourn? Motion from Alderman Oskerka, seconded by Alderman Sayad. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carried. The city Council meeting of August 17th, 2026 is adjourned at 7:53