Elmhurst City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at City Hall, 209 N. York St. The public meeting will be preceded by an executive session at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment or compensation of a city officer or employee.

The open meeting will begin with public comment. Members of the community are invited to speak on any topic for up to three minutes.

In addition to approval of minutes and accounts payable, the consent agenda will include the following items:

• Appointment of Dominic Panico as interim police chief. Current police Chief Steve Neubauer has accepted a job as police chief of Tinley Park effective in January.
• Appointment of Thomas Torcasso to the Zoning and Planning Commission
• Referral of bids for 2012-14 street sweeping contract to the Public Works and Buildings Committee. Four bids were received in amounts ranging from $470,500 to $657,000.
• Acceptance of a proposal from TranSystems Corp. for engineering services for work on York Street between Vallette and South Robert Palmer Drive in an amount not to exceed $39,716. The improvements will include removal and replacement of deteriorated sections of curb and gutter, pavement and sidewalks. The project received $450,000 in federal funds.
• A code amendment regarding removal of dead trees from private property. The amendment will give the city the power to force homeowners to remove dead trees from their property. According to a memo from the Public Works and Buildings Committee, "The Emerald Ash Borer has been found within the city of Elmhurst and it is merely a matter of time until all of the ash trees in Elmhurst are dead. Obviously, some percentage of homeowners with dead ash trees will not move forward with the removal, and the city needs the ability to force that action."
• Hiring of a consulting service for the city's health, dental and life insurance programs. Thirteen bids were received, and the Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services Committee is recommending Assurance Agency Ltd. for a fee of $13.73 per covered employee per month, for a total of $42,000 a year. According to a memo from the committee, "Increased complexities in healthcare legislation, delivery systems, regulatory compliance and financial implications have created a need for a consultative servicing approach."
• Approval of placing a referendum question regarding electricity aggregation on the March 20 ballot
• Approval of an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Elmhurst and Flagg Creek Water Reclamation District so that FCWR can discontinue water service for in the unincorporated Yorkfield area who don't pay their sewer bill
• Approval of an amended conditional use for Lexington Square, which is looking to add 28 assisted living units within an existing building at 400 W. Butterfield Road. Currently, Lexington Square Elmhurst has only independent living and nursing care. Those needing an assisted living environment are transferred to Lexington Square in Lombard.
• Approval of an amended conditional use for Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, which is seeking an LED-lit sign on the south wall of the church, located at 149 W. Brush Hill Road
• Approval of sale by auction of 10 vehicles seized by Elmhurst police for driving offenses
• Approval to reallocate to the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority they city's 2011 private activity bond volume cap of $4.4 million, which will be used to provide job opportunities and new investments. The city can reallocate any portion of its unused volume cap, which is equal to its population multiplied by $95. If the private activity bond cap is used by UIRVDA, the city will receive a fee of $43,998.00.
• Approval of an agreement with Elmhurst YMCA to allow it to use city property for its Blackhawks Road Show events
• Approval of a liquor license for Back Alley Burgers
• Approval of a rate of $2.525 per thousand gallons for sewage treatment for 350 unincorporated properties in northeast Elmhurst
• Approval of the purchase of a street sweeper for $161,460
• Approval of the purchase of two Ford F250 pickup trucks for $40,300 apiece
• Approval of a contract with RJN group for engineering services for the Saylor and Jackson Street sewer main replacement at a cost not to exceed $66,625

Aldermen will then hear a presentation from representatives of Christopher Burke Engineering and RJN Group on the progress of the stormwater comprehensive plan.

The Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services Committee will then present a report on the impact water rate increases at the DuPage Water Commission will have on Elmhurst's water rates. The city of Chicago will increase water rates for Lake Michigan water 25 percent in 2012, 15 percent in 2013, 15 percent in 2014 and 15 percent in 2015. Since DuPage Water Commission purchases its water supply from Chicago, it has adopted its own water rate increases to its members: 30 percent in 2012; 20 percent in 2013, 18 percent in 2014 and 17 percent in 2015. A 30 percent rate increase from DWC is about $1 million a year. The committee is recommending a water rate increase for Elmhurst residents of 20 percent effective Jan. 1.

Aldermen will then be asked to approve its annual tax levy increase. Aldermen will hear a majority report, signed by committee members Steve Hipskind, Mark Mulliner and Scott Levin, recommending an overall 4.66 percent increase, and a minority report, signed by Kevin York, recommending an overall 3.36 percent increase.