Park Ridge City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – May 4, 2026

The Park Ridge City Council met as a Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Maloney presided. Alderpersons Moran, Sanchez, Muno, Steinfelds, and Epison were present; Alderpersons Lawrence and Leftler were absent, and quorum was established. The council took action on liquor licensing, police equipment and crossing guard services, and public works contracts, and discussed a potential public mural program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident spoke during Citizens Who Wish to be Heard on a Non-Agenda Item, expressing support for the installation of a historic sign at the library and hoping for similar historic preservation markers elsewhere in Park Ridge, such as the former Francis Scabrini farm and the brickyard.

Discussion Items

• Farmers Market Liquor License Process: Staff presented a follow-up request from With Love The Elliotts, LLC dba Griffin’s for a new Class S-5 Farmers Market Package Sales Liquor License. The council confirmed the process: vendors approved by the Farmers Market Committee must come to the council for this separate license class, and the license is distinct from an endorsement on an existing restaurant license. An on-site consumption license for another vendor, Elya, was expected to come back in about two weeks.
• Murals on Public Property: Staff led a discussion focused only on murals on municipal property, noting current code treats murals as signage, especially when they contain letters, products, or logos that relate to a business. To permit public murals, the city would need to define murals as artwork and create review criteria, maintenance expectations, and an approval process. Council members expressed mixed views: some were enthusiastic about murals as a way to highlight Park Ridge history and school pride, one cited examples in other suburbs, and others raised concerns about maintenance, vandalism, rust on the underpass, timing with the Main Street redesign, and overall community appetite. The discussion was left open because two members were absent; staff agreed to bring back more information on how other communities review and maintain murals.
• Crossing Guard Contract and Program Review: During consideration of the Andy Frain Services contract extension, several alderpersons raised concerns about private school contributions. A city official, speaking from memory, estimated that two private schools provide about $4,000 each in donations, while one private school, St. Andrews, contributes nothing; public school districts pay their calculated amounts. The council asked staff to bring back a review of the crossing guard program in late summer or before the 2026–27 school year.
• E-bike Legislation Update: Police reported that Illinois Senate Bill 3336, concerning e-bikes, is in a House committee, and action is expected within about a month before the legislature adjourns.

Department Head Reports & Updates

• Finance and Budget: No action items; staff noted the budget kickoff is in 63 days.
• Administrative Services: No report.
• Procedures and Regulations: Upcoming items include EV readiness and electronic signs, expected in two weeks, coordinated with the park district.
• Public Safety: Fire had no items; police also noted that Officer John Bartholomew, killed in the line of duty, will be laid to rest on Friday, and Park Ridge police will assist with a road closure at Higgins and Cumberland during the procession.

Key Outcomes

• Approved on first reading (voice vote, no announced opposition): Ordinance adding one Class S-5 Farmers Market Package Sales Liquor License for With Love The Elliotts, LLC dba Griffin’s, located at 1148 Central Ave., Wilmette.
• Approved (voice vote, no announced opposition): Purchase order for $50,474.65 to Ultra Strobe Communications, Inc. to upfit two 2026 Ford Explorer Interceptors and one 2026 Ford F-150 Supercab Responder for the Police Department.
• Approved (voice vote, no announced opposition): One-year contract extension with Andy Frain Services, Inc. for crossing guard services from August 1, 2026 through July 2027.
• Approved (voice vote, no announced opposition): Street Resurfacing Program contract with Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. for $666,193.15, covering rehabilitation of about 1.2 miles of roadway and 3,961 square yards of pavement patching.
• Approved (voice vote, no announced opposition): Contract with United Door and Dock for $46,727.00 to refurbish three overhead garage doors at the Public Works Service Center.
• Approved (voice vote, no announced opposition): Intergovernmental agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for the Prairie Creek flood control project, including construction and maintenance responsibilities and city funding for upsizing a storm sewer on Dempster.
• Tabled: The mural discussion will continue at the next meeting, with staff to provide additional examples of how other municipalities approve and maintain murals.
• Scheduled for later review: Staff will bring a crossing guard program funding and allocation review to the council in late summer or early fall.

The meeting adjourned without additional new business.