Here's What's Happening at the Elmhurst City Council Meeting Tonight

Elmhurst City Council will meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 209 N. York St., following a closed session discussion on “appointment, employment or compensation of an officer.”

After the regular meeting is called to order, Mayor Pete DiCianni will issue a proclamation in observation of  April as National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.

The council will then hear comments from the public, which will be limited to three minutes.

Tonight’s consent agenda will include approval of minutes and accounts payable, as well as:

• a request to refer to the Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services Committee a recommendation to swear in newly elected officials on April 25, following a canvassing of the vote, which is in compliance with Illinois State Statute
• approval of tree purchase and planting program. Public Works and Buildings Committee recommends purchasing 460 trees for $77,134, with planting to cost $76,000, through the Suburban Tree Consortium. The cost is included in the 2011-12 budget.
• approval of a 2011 contract paving program. The city received 13 bids to provide for the grinding and bituminous overlay of about 4.3 miles of asphalt streets removal and replacement of about 19,000 feet of curb and gutter. Public Works and Buildings Committee recommends the council hire Schroeder and Schroeder, which submitted the lowest bid of $1.56 million.
• approval of a bid for a new Chevy Tahoe special service vehicle for the Elmhurst Police Department. Public Affairs and Safety Committee recommends accepting the low bid of $24,297 from Hoskins Chevrolet.
• authorization of the Jaycees carnival to be held June 10-13 on Park Street between Myrtle and Prospect avenues
• approval of a decrease in fees for background checks for pedicab operators from $75 a year to $45 a year
• approval of a proposal from Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services to increase general, auto and public officials liability insurance, property insurance and excess workers’ compensation insurance for 2012 at a premium cost of $2,025 a year, a $516 increase.
• approval of a variance for the redevelopment of the old Brady-Wyte Furniture store property, 538 W. St. Charles Road. Petitioner requested parking lot ponding depths to exceed 12 inches in flood events and less than 10 feet of fill between floodplain limits and the new building.
• approval of an ordinance vacating a portion of the Scott Street right of way
• approval of an easement and operation agreement between the city and 538 Elmhurst LLC. The city will grant construction, parking, utility, landscape and stormwater management easements to facilitate a proposed retail development.
• approval of an agreement to allow the Spring Road Business Association a temporary license to use public property for the 2011 pet and bike parade
• approval of an agreement to allow York and Vallette Business Association a temporary license to use public property for its 2011 farmers market
• approval of an agreement to allow the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce a temporary license to use public property for the 2011 Memorial Day parade
• approval of an agreement to allow Marie Ryan a temporary license to use public property for the 2011 Annie Ryan Fun Run
• approval of a nine-month extension for the Timothy Christian Schools building project
• approval of a 192-foot communications tower at 855 N. Church St. for Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare

City Council will then hear reports from the Public Works and Building Committee on the Allied Waste annual contract rate adjustment. This year’s increase is 4.5 percent.

The committee’s majority report, approved by committee members Jim Kennedy and Chris Healy, recommends a rate increase for residents from $14.03 to $14.65 per month for 33-gallon receptacles and from $20.76 to $21.21 per month for the 96-gallon containers. Refuse and yard waste stickers would remain at $2.25. Pat Shea and Michael Bram will present a minority report recommending cost for the 33-gallon receptacle go from $14.03 to $14.20 and the 96-gallon receptacle from $20.76 to $21.43 per month, with a sticker fee increase from $2.25 to $2.40 to encourage recycling and reduce the burden on senior citizens.

Finally, Mayor DiCianni will the present any updates, and the council will hear a report from City Manager Tom Borchert on the progress of the stormwater comprehensive plan.