Westmont Village Board: Left to right - Trustee Frank Brady, Trustee Marie Johanik-Guzzo, Village Clerk Jinny Szymski, Mayor Ron Gunter, Trustee Steve Nero, Trustee Linda Liddle, Trustee Bruce Barker, Trustee Amylee Hogan Simonovich | Westmont Village
Westmont Village Board: Left to right - Trustee Frank Brady, Trustee Marie Johanik-Guzzo, Village Clerk Jinny Szymski, Mayor Ron Gunter, Trustee Steve Nero, Trustee Linda Liddle, Trustee Bruce Barker, Trustee Amylee Hogan Simonovich | Westmont Village
Westmont Village Board of Trustees met Dec. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
WESTMONT VILLAGE BOARD MEETING ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
Mayor Gunter P Clerk Szymski P
TRUSTEES:
Barker A Liddle P
Barry P Nero P
Guzzo P (Vacancy)
STAFF:
May (Village Manager) P
Parker (Assistant Manager) P
Hennerfeind (CDD Director) P
Brainerd (H.R. Director) P
McIntyre (Communications) P
Liljeberg (I.T.)
Chief Gunther (Police Dept.) P
D.C. Thompson (Police Department) A
Altic (Finance Director) P
Chief Riley (Fire Dept.) P
D.C. Frank (Fire Department) A
Mielcarski (Gov’t Services) P
Mulhearn (Deputy Liquor Commissioner) A
Richards (Deputy Clerk) P
Ries (Public Works Director) P
ATTORNEY: Zemenak P Lampariello A
A QUORUM WAS PRESENT TO TRANSACT BUSINESS.
PRESS:
Bugle A
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Forssberg - P Harding - P
THOSE PRESENT RECITED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
OPEN FORUM:
● No open forum
REPORTS
Mayor Gunter
● Police Chief Gunther was invited to the podium to talk about the fundraising efforts for Special Olympics Illinois. This year $57,114.22 was raised for the cause.
● Sergeant Michael Weibler was invited to the podium to address the Village Board. He is the fundraising coordinator for this cause. He thanked everyone for their generous donations and volunteer work.
○ Erin Compton is a special olympic athlete and global messenger. She gave a speech and addressed the Village Board.
● ILEAP (Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program) - The police department received their accreditation from ILEAP. We are tier 2 recipients.
○ Chief Maton from the Village of Lemont addressed the Village Board and gave more information about the accreditation program.
○ Sergeant Weibler recognized records coordinator, Natalie Michalik, for her efforts and hard work.
● The Village Board meeting schedule will be adjusted due to the holidays. The next Village Board meeting will be January 9. The entire 2025 meeting schedule has been published on the Village website.
● Thanked everyone who participated and coordinated the Holly Days parade, tree lighting, and pictures with Santa.
● The Village will continue the discussion regarding water infrastructure needs and corresponding rate increases to pay for these updates. Information has been posted on the Village website.
● Larry Forssberg, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Village Board. He introduced the selected individual who will be the new Chamber President, Kailie Harding. She addressed the Village Board and gave information about her background.
● The EIC (Environmental Improvement Committee) meetings have moved to the Library on the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm. There will be more guest speakers in 2025, so the Library will be a good venue to accommodate more public participation.
● Residents can still drop off unwanted or broken lights until January 31 at the Library or the Fire Department Headquarters.
● Holiday tree pick up will be December 26 - January 31. Put out your tree to be composted during this time. Trees must be free of all decorations.
Clerk Szymski
● Village Offices will be closed on the following dates: December 24 & 25 and January 1 & 20.
Trustee Liddle
● Gave an update on the Administration Finance Committee Meeting.
○ Stephanie Grimm from the Fire Department was promoted to Captain.
○ We received a GIS update from the Tech Department.
○ A technical review committee discussion was held. This will be kicking off soon.
○ A personnel policy was discussed and there will be changes to those policies.
○ A new credit card payment processor for online bill payments has been implemented. Details are on the Village website.
○ Business registrations will be emailed soon to business license holders.
Trustee Barry
● Wished everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Trustee Guzzo
● Congratulations to Stephanie Grimm on her promotion to Captain.
● The Fire Public Safety Committee meetings are as follows: March 6, May 29, August 21, and November 13. The meetings take place in Village Hall at 4:30pm.
● Now through January 2nd residents are encouraged to be extra diligent with fire safety. Fire safety information has been posted on the Village website. There are wreaths displayed at both fire stations. There are red bulbs in those wreaths, and if for any reason there is a fire caused by a holiday decoration that bulb is replaced with a white light. Encouraged everyone to keep those wreaths red.
● The Westmont Fire Department is participating in the Toy Express Toy and Book Collection. They can be dropped off at either fire location.
Trustee Nero
● The next Public Works Committee meeting is March 20th.
● Thanked the Public Works team for all of the holiday decorations.
● The next Community Development Committee meeting is scheduled for January 23 and will include the Community Development Department’s annual reporting on permit and code enforcement.
● The next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be January 8, 2025.
● Congratulations to the Chamber for the success of the Winter Ball. It was a great event.
PUBLIC HEARING
Property Tax Levy Hearing - Village of Westmont
Finance Director Altic gave a presentation pertaining to the tax levy. On November 14, 2024 the Village Board made and approved a motion to establish the aggregate tax levy for 2024 in the amount of $11,010,882.00. There is a 4.9% change over last year.
Property Tax Levy Hearing - Village of Westmont Special Service Area 2
Finance Director Altic gave a presentation pertaining to the tax levy for the Special Service Area 2. The proposed tax levy for the special service area is $112.507. This represents an increase of 4.9% over the prior year extended property tax.
ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA:
● No items to be removed from the consent agenda.
(1) CONSENT AGENDA [Omnibus Vote]:
Manage May addressed the Board on this agenda item.
Motion by Trustee Liddle to approve the consent agenda.
(A) VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES
Board Meeting Minutes
● Board to consider approving the Village Board Meeting held on December 5, 2024.
(B) FINANCE ORDINANCE
● Finance Ordinance #17: $ 1,882,157.60
(C) PURCHASE ORDERS:
Gordon Flesch Company | $ 43,216.00 |
Tyler Technologies, Inc. | 81,920.76 |
Axon Enterprises | 119,075.87 |
Total Purchase Orders $ 244,212.63 |
(E) 2025 WESTMONT WINTER BEER FESTIVAL
Ordinance approving the following requests from the Westmont Park District for the 2025 Winter Beer Festival to be held on February 15, 2025 at Ty Warner Park.
1. Community Event Permit - Pending Staff review and approval
2. Temporary Liquor License Fee Waiver
3. Tent Fee Waiver
4. Food Truck Permit Fee Waivers
(F) 2025 WESTMONT CRUISIN’ NIGHTS & STREET FAIR
Ordinance approving the following requests from the Westmont Special Events Corporation for their 2025 Cruisin' Nights & Street Fair events:
1. Tent Permit Fee Waiver
2. Live Amplified Sound Permit for event hours
3. Street & Public Right of Way Closures
(G) 2025 TASTE OF WESTMONT
Ordinance approving the following requests from the Westmont Special Events Corporation for the Taste of Westmont Event:
1. Special Event Liquor License
2. Amusement License Fee Waiver
3. Tent Permit Fee Waiver
4. Food truck Fee Waiver
5. Live Amplified Sound Permit for event hours
6. Street and Public Right of Way Closures
Seconded by Trustee Nero and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #1
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
(2) MAYOR’S TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT
Mayor Gunter addressed the Village on this Board item.
Motion by Trustee Nero confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Matthew Scales to fill the open trustee position.
Seconded by Trustee Liddle and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #2
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(3) WESTMONT CENTRE LEASE AGREEMENT
Village Manager May addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Liddle to consider an ordinance approving a Westmont Centre lease for Illinois State Representative Martha Deuter.
Seconded by Trustee Guzzo and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #3
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(4) INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT - DUPAGE COUNTY
Village Manager May addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Nero to consider an ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Westmont and DuPage County to promote regional tourism.
Seconded by Trustee Barry and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #4
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(5) PROPERTY TAX LEVY - VILLAGE OF WESTMONT
Finance Director Altic addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Guzzo to consider an ordinance adopting the 2024 property tax levy for the Village of Westmont.
Seconded by Trustee Liddle and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #5
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(6) PROPERTY TAX LEVY - SPECIAL SERVICE AREA 2
Finance Director Altic addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Guzzo to consider an ordinance adopting the 2024 property tax levy for the Village of Westmont’s Special Service Area 2.
Seconded by Trustee Barry and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #6
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(7) ABATEMENT OF TAXES
Finance Director Altic addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Liddle to consider an ordinance abating taxes heretofore levied for the 2023 property tax cycle to pay debt service on General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2017; its General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2019A; its General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2019B; its General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2022A; and its General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2022B of the Village of Westmont, DuPage County, Illinois.
Seconded by Trustee Guzzo and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #7
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(8) RESUBDIVISION / CONSOLIDATE OF LAND
Community Development Director Hennerfiend and Attorney Zemenak addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Nero consider an ordinance approving requests from the Village of Westmont, related to the resubdivision/consolidation of land generally located at the northeast corner of North Cass Avenue and East Burlington Street in Westmont, Illinois, for the following:
1. Preliminary Plan and Final Plat of Subdivision to consolidate six (6) lots/parcels into one (1) lot.
2. Postponement of certain requirements of the Land Development Code regarding posting of security payment for open space areas and designing/installing certain required land improvements until development of the newly created lot.
Seconded by Trustee Liddle and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #8
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(9) ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT
Community Development Director Hennerfiend addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Liddle consider ordinances approving a request from the Village of Westmont regarding a Zoning Ordinance text amendment regarding multiple-family density in the R-4 and R-5 Zoning Districts, as follows:
1. Zoning Ordinance text amendment to Section 6.04(A)(4), "Bulk and development standards in residence districts," regarding minimum lot area for multiple-family dwellings in the R-5 General Residence District.
Seconded by Trustee Nero and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #9
Ayes: Guzzo, Liddle, Nero, Gunter
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
Abstain: Barry
(10) ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT
Community Development Director Hennerfiend addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Guzzo consider ordinances approving a request from the Village of Westmont regarding a Zoning Ordinance text amendment regarding multiple-family density in the R-4 and R-5 Zoning Districts, as follows:
2. Zoning Ordinance text amendment to Section 6.04(A)(4), "Bulk and development standards in residence districts," regarding minimum lot area for multiple-family dwellings in the R-4 General Residence District.
Background of Subject Matter.
Seconded by Trustee Liddle and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #10
Ayes: Guzzo, Liddle, Nero, Gunter
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
Abstain: Barry
(11) CYCLIC PARKWAY TREE PRUNING PROGRAM
Public Works Director Ries addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Nero to consider an ordinance authorizing the Village to exercise the first option year of the contract with Winkler Services, LLC for the Cyclic Parkway Tree Pruning Program.
Seconded by Trustee Barry and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #11
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(12) WATER RATE TEXT AMENDMENT
Assistant Village Manager Parker addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Barry to consider an ordinance approving amendments to Chapter 82 "Utilities", Article IV of the Westmont Municipal Code regarding water rates.
Seconded by Trustee Nero and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #12
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(13) ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER RATES
Assistant Village Manager Parker addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Nero to consider an ordinance establishing water rates and fixed fees from 2025 through 2033.
Seconded by Trustee Liddle and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #13
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(14) WHISTLEBLOWER TEXT AMENDMENT
Assistant Village Manager Parker addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Liddle to consider an ordinance amending Section 2-546 "Whistleblower reporting policy" of the Westmont Municipal Code.
Seconded by Trustee Barry and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #14
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
(15) PERSONNEL CODE TEXT AMENDMENTS
Human Resources Director Brainerd addressed the Village Board on this item.
Motion by Trustee Barry to consider an ordinance approving multiple text amendments to Chapter 62 - Personnel of the Westmont Code of Ordinances.
Seconded by Trustee Liddle and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #15
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
MISCELLANEOUS
● Laurel Rubin, 513 N Grant, was concerned about the parcels down by Burlington. Mentioned the alley behind Linden and the brickwork that was done there. Concerned about traffic flow.
● The Mayor wished everyone a happy and safe holiday season.
(16) ADJOURNMENT - 7:09 pm
Motion by Trustee Liddle to adjourn the regular meeting.
Seconded by Trustee Nero and the motion passed.
VOTE ON MOTION #16
Ayes: Barry, Guzzo, Liddle, Nero
Nays: None
Absent: Barker
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:18 P.M.
https://westmontil.portal.civicclerk.com/