Park Ridge City Council Regular Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Park Ridge City Council held its regular meeting on April 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Key actions included approval of prior meeting minutes, appointments to the Sustainability Commission, a 7-0 vote on a closed session resolution, and unanimous approval of the consent agenda featuring budget amendments and public works contracts. Public comments raised parking concerns, and the Sustainability Commission presented an electric vehicle readiness program, with council directing staff to evaluate the commitment before deciding on participation.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: City Council and Committee of the Whole minutes from April 6, 2026, were approved by voice vote with no opposition.
• Appointments to Boards and Commissions: Approved unanimously by voice vote: Kevin Roos, Craig Fallico, and Jen Panattoni to the Sustainability Commission for three-year terms expiring March 31, 2029.
• Closed Session Resolution: A resolution approving the public release and destruction of certain closed session meeting minutes and audio recordings was approved 7-0 (roll call: all aldermen yes).
• Consent Agenda (approved 7-0 via roll call):
  • Approve amendments to the FY2025 Budget totaling $1,330,442.70.
  • Approve a contract for Northwest Highway Water Main Replacement Engineering Services with Mackie Consultants, LLC in the amount of $239,200.
  • Approve a one-year extension to the contract for emergency water main and sewer work services to Rossi Contractors, Inc.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Norbert Bora (933 North Northwest Highway, business owner for 50 years) expressed concern about vehicles using Seeley Street near his location as a parking lot, including a truck with an Illinois B license plate parked for over a month, affecting patient and staff access. He provided a photograph to the council and requested action. Mayor Maloney directed staff to follow up within the coming week.
• Christy Bavaro (1401 North Hoffman) requested further research on alley parking usage, noting that her alley is being used as a driveway 24 hours a day and suggesting either charging for use or prohibiting full-time parking. She asked for the topic to be placed on a future agenda.

Discussion Items

• Sustainability Commission – Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Memo: Kevin Roos and Chris Wade presented the EV Readiness Program run by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, modeled on the SolSmart program. The program is a six-month cohort with 11 to 12 biweekly 90-minute meetings (recorded, not mandatory but encouraged). No direct financial cost is required, but staff time is needed. The application deadline is June 15, 2026. Roos noted that Park Ridge currently has only 1 publicly accessible EV charging port per 10,000 residents (down from 1.5 after Whole Foods removed its two ports), ranking last among surrounding municipalities. Council members expressed general support but requested a staff analysis of time and resource commitments before committing to participation. Alderperson Joseph Steinfels asked for a detailed assessment; Alderperson Kelly Lawrence asked about existing code requirements (the state’s Electric Vehicle Charging Act was noted). Council directed City Manager Drew and staff to prepare a report on the commitment and return to council within a timeline that meets the June 15 application deadline. No vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved: City Council and Committee of the Whole, both by voice vote.
• Appointments confirmed (unanimous voice vote).
• Closed session resolution passed 7-0.
• Consent agenda approved 7-0, including all three items.
• EV Readiness Program: No formal action taken; council directed staff analysis with intent to potentially apply before June 15 deadline.
• Public comments: Dr. Bora’s parking issue referred to staff for follow-up; Ms. Bavaro’s alley parking request noted for potential future agenda.