Regular Meeting of the Park Ridge City Council - April 6, 2026

The Park Ridge City Council met on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, several reports, a consent agenda with routine items, public comments, and discussion on a welcoming city resolution and a new liquor license for the farmers market. Key votes were taken on the financial support agreement with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and the creation of an S-5 farmers market liquor license.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the draft minutes from the City Council meeting and the Committee of the Whole meeting on March 18, 2026, both by voice vote.
• Approved the consent agenda (items marked with an asterisk) en bloc by roll call vote 7-0. Items included:
  • Intergovernmental agreement for the annual Park Ridge Fireworks display between Maine Township High School District 207, Park Ridge Park District, and the City of Park Ridge.
  • FY2026 budget amendments for FY2025 carryover items.
  • One-year contract extension with DLZ Illinois, Inc. for civil engineering consulting services.
  • Contract for traffic court attorney to Addis Law Group for $78,000.
  • Ordinance proposing Special Service Area No. 26-112: Washington/Harrison for green alley paving, with a public hearing date.
  • Contract for asphalt alley engineering services with Spaceco, Inc. for $133,300.
  • Certificate of authority contract to join Central Management Services’ bidding process for rock salt purchase.
  • Ordinance amending parking prohibitions on S. Rose from Devon Avenue north 200 feet.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joan Sandrick (5th Ward) asked about the timing of comments on the S-5 liquor license item (agenda item G.1).
• Mike Reardon (Ward 2 resident, Vice Chair of Fire and Police Commissioners) expressed gratitude to the Park Ridge Public Works team for responding to a water main break at his home over Easter weekend, specifically praising Steve Pierske and Tim Lambert.
• Agnes Mallon (2707 Manor Lane) and Christy Bavaro (1401 North Hoffman Park Ridge) voiced concerns about their neighborhood:
  • Commercial truck traffic: Requested reinstatement of restrictions on large vehicles using Manor Lane as a cut-through.
  • Parking shortage: Urged implementation of a permit parking sticker program, citing a resident survey supporting it. They also objected to no-parking signs installed at an alley that removed two parking spots, which they said benefited one resident.
  • Speed humps: Strongly opposed plans to remove the speed hump on Manor Lane, which they helped install years ago for child safety, and requested alternative traffic calming measures if removal proceeds.
• Karen Grunschal (1001 South Seminary) spoke against the S-5 liquor license, arguing that most suburban farmers markets do not allow alcohol consumption on site and questioning the need for alcohol at the market.
• Missy Lingon (7th Ward) noted a disconnect between the city, park district, and farmers market regarding porta potties and picnic tables, urging all parties to be on the same page before approving the liquor license.
• Sotos (2341 South 2nd Cook) supported the liquor license, stating it would expand the market's appeal and that the city should not delay on minor details.

Discussion Items

• Mayor’s Report – Welcoming City Resolution: Mayor Maloney presented a draft resolution for discussion only, with no vote. The resolution was developed after prior council interest. Councilmember Joe questioned the lack of directive language, noting other communities (e.g., Evanston, Skokie) have more action-oriented ordinances. The mayor explained the draft is a starting point and can be amended. The resolution will go to the Committee of the Whole for a first read in two weeks, then to a council meeting in about a month.
• City Manager – Financial Support Agreement with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital: The agreement, running May 1, 2026–April 30, 2029, compensates the city for lost parking tax revenue since the hospital stopped charging for parking in 2010. The annual amount increased by 2.75% per year over three years (from the previous $600,000 base). The only other change was a reduction in the recalculation percentage from 5% to 4%. The agreement was approved 7-0.
• City Manager – Collective Bargaining Agreement with FOP Lodge #16: This item was moved to the end of the meeting, after the closed session, and will be discussed then. No vote was taken during the open session.
• Liquor License Review Board – S-5 Farmers Market On-Premise Consumption Liquor License: Extensive discussion occurred on the final reading of the ordinance creating a new license for one vendor to serve alcohol (e.g., mimosas) at the farmers market on city property. Key points:
  • The vendor’s tent would be on city streets/lot, not on adjacent Cumberland Park (park district property). The park district indicated openness to allowing alcohol on their land if the vendor provides appropriate insurance and holds them harmless.
  • Councilmember Moran expressed concern about enforcing no-alcohol in the park when the vendor’s booth is directly adjacent, and wanted assurance of an agreement with the park district before voting. The city manager noted the park district will not finalize an agreement before council approval.
  • Councilmember Steinfels asked about porta potties and picnic tables planned for Cumberland Park, which are separate from the liquor license. The park district executive director confirmed two porta potties (one ADA) and picnic tables are planned, with discussions about screening.
  • A motion to amend the hours of sale from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. to 9 a.m.–noon was made and seconded, then further amended to 9 a.m.–noon. The amendment (hours) passed 5-2 (Steinfels and Rapisan voted no).
  • The amended ordinance was then approved by roll call vote 5-2 (Steinfels and Rapisan voted no).
• Planning & Zoning Commission – Update on Hubbard Street Group: Director Awesome reported that the applicant withdrew their zoning applications for parcels at 36 and 40 Prairie (cases MA-2502 and PUD-2501). The withdrawal concludes public hearings. The applicant may resubmit new applications.
• Zoning Board of Appeals – Variance for Wall Sign at 652 N. Northwest Highway: The final reading of an ordinance granting a variance for a wall sign not facing a public street was approved 7-0. The Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended approval 6-0. The applicant noted that a master sign plan may be pursued for the building.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes of March 18, 2026 (City Council and Committee of the Whole).
• Approved (7-0): Financial Support Agreement with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for May 1, 2026–April 30, 2029.
• Approved (7-0): Consent agenda items (as listed above).
• Approved (5-2): Ordinance creating S-5 Farmers Market On-Premise Consumption Liquor License, with amended hours of 9 a.m. to noon. (Steinfels and Rapisan dissented.)
• Approved (7-0): Ordinance granting zoning variance for a wall sign at 652 N. Northwest Highway, Suite B.
• No Action: Welcoming City Resolution – discussion only; will be taken up at a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
• No Action: Collective Bargaining Agreement with FOP Lodge #16 – moved to after closed session; no vote in open meeting.
• Withdrawn: Zoning applications for 36 and 40 Prairie by Hubbard Street Group.