OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Park Ridge City Council Regular Meeting – May 18, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Monday, May 18, 2026
BodyPark Ridge, Illinois
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateMonday, May 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 39:23

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Parkeridge City Council for Monday, May 18th.

0:06

Can we have a roll call, please?

0:08

Mayor Maloney?

0:09

Here.

0:10

Alder Person Moran?

0:11

Here.

0:11

Alder Person Sanchez.

0:13

Here.

0:13

Alder Person Lawrence.

0:14

Here.

0:15

Alder Person Muno is absent.

0:17

Alder Person Steinfelds?

0:18

Here.

0:19

Alder Person Rapissant.

0:20

Here.

0:20

Alder Person Leftur.

0:21

Here.

0:22

We have a quorum.

0:22

Excellent.

0:23

Thank you.

0:23

I ask everyone to please rise and join me in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:29

I pledge allegiance of the United States of America.

0:34

Thank you.

0:36

Which stands one.

0:38

Under God.

0:52

Before we get to the uh we have three sets of minutes to approve this evening, but before we do that, um, I'm going to ask uh that we take a moment of silence before we start the meeting.

1:02

Um Lundy, who for years worked uh at both papers that are here today.

1:08

She was the uh editor of the Parkridge Herald Advocate for many many years, and then she moved over to the journal and she recently passed away.

1:16

So if we could just take a moment of silence just briefly before we start, that would be great.

1:28

Thank you.

1:32

Now to those aforementioned minutes, I'd ask for a motion initially to approve the draft minutes from the city council meeting for May 4th, 2026.

1:39

So moved.

1:40

Second.

1:41

Thank you.

1:42

Uh questions or corrections.

1:45

Seeing none, out to the audience.

1:46

Any comments on this set of minutes?

1:50

And back to council for any remaining comments.

1:54

And all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

1:57

Aye.

1:58

Aye.

1:58

Those opposed?

2:00

Thank you.

2:01

Motion carries.

2:02

Next that asked for a motion to approve the uh draft minutes from the committee of the whole meeting uh for May 4th, 2026.

2:08

So motion.

2:09

Second.

2:09

Thank you.

2:10

Uh any questions or corrections.

2:14

Seeing none out to the audience.

2:15

Uh any comments on this set of minutes.

2:19

And back to council for any remaining comments.

2:23

And all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

2:26

Aye.

2:27

Those opposed.

2:29

Motion carries.

2:30

Thank you.

2:30

And finally, I'd ask for a motion to approve the committee of the whole meeting minutes from April 20th, 2026.

2:35

So move.

2:36

Second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████████████26%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Transportation Safety████████████████16%
Public Engagement████████8%
Liquor License Review███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Zoning Code█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Park Ridge City Council Regular Meeting – May 18, 2026

The Park Ridge City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Six alderpersons were present (Muno absent), constituting a quorum. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Landy, a longtime local editor. The council approved three sets of minutes, reappointed a board member, passed a consent agenda containing seven routine items, heard public comments, and debated several liquor license and public safety matters. Key votes included approval of a new farmers market liquor license for Elia Cafe and a one‑year contract for the red light camera at Northwest Highway and Oakton Street.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the following items en bloc by a 6‑0 roll‑call vote:
    • Final reading of an ordinance adding a Class S‑5 Farmers Market Package Sales Liquor License for With Love The Elliotts LLC dba Griffin’s, located at 1148 Central Ave., Wilmette.
    • One‑year contract extension with Andy Frain Services Inc. at specified hourly rates.
    • Purchase order for $50,474.65 to upfit two 2026 Ford Explorer Interceptors and one 2026 Ford F‑150 Supercab Responder from Ultra Strobe Communications, Inc.
    • Contract for the Street Resurfacing Program with Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. in the amount of $666,193.15.
    • Contract for refurbishing three overhead garage doors at the Public Works Service Center with United Door and Dock in the amount of $46,727.00.
    • Intergovernmental Agreement with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for a flood control project on Prairie Creek.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A resident expressed concern that certain vendors at the upcoming Park Ridge Pride event – a bakery and a cannabis store – may violate the state’s Advertising and Tax Act and distance restrictions, particularly given their proximity (less than 100 feet) to a children’s bounce house. She also urged the city to monitor Illinois House Bill 1429 regarding homelessness and consider objecting to it.
  • A second speaker paid tribute to Landy, the late editor of the Park Ridge Herald‑Advocate and later the Journal, recalling her dedication and tenacity in covering the city.

Discussion Items

  • Zoning Variance (1105 Harrison Street): Staff introduced a request for a variance to permit a deck that encroaches the interior side‑yard setback. The Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended approval by a 4‑0 vote on May 14, 2026, with no public comments. The council voted 6‑0 to approve the final reading of the ordinance.
  • Farmers Market Liquor Licenses (Elia Cafe): The council considered two related items for Filious Hospitality LLC dba Elia Cafe, located at 90 N. Northwest Highway.
    • Waive First Reading: Motion passed 5‑1 (Rapisand opposed) to allow the license to be in place for opening day of the farmers market on Saturday, May 23. Alderperson Rapisand stated she would vote no because other vendors follow full procedures and the process was being rushed.
    • Final Reading: Motion passed 5‑1 (Rapisand opposed). Rapisand reiterated her opposition, noting that unlike other city events with alcohol, no wristband system is planned for this vendor, and that a city‑sponsored event requires stronger safeguards. Alderperson Steinfels supported the license, noting Elia Cafe is a trusted local business and that the council can review the program after the season.
  • Red Light Camera Contract (RedSpeed Illinois LLC): The council debated a one‑year contract for continued operation of the red‑light camera at Northwest Highway and Oakton Street. Police Chief Campworth presented data:
    • Accidents at the intersection: 20 (2023), 25 (2024), 34 (2025), and 9 through April 2026.
    • Citations reviewed: 5,270 in 2024 (612 rejected); 4,662 in 2025 (653 rejected). Right‑turn violations accounted for 3,707 of the 2025 citations.
    • The contract had previously passed the Committee of the Whole by a 4‑3 vote. Because it is a sole‑source procurement, a two‑thirds majority was required.
    • Several alderpersons expressed concerns: Alderperson Moran questioned whether the camera reduces blocking of the intersection; Alderperson Lawrence noted accidents have increased; Alderperson Steinfels called it a “revenue stream” and doubted it changes driver behavior. Others, including Alderperson Rapisand and Alderperson Sanchez, supported the one‑year extension to gather more data and because traffic safety is a resident priority. Alderperson Moran also noted the revenue is already budgeted and recommended planning to not rely on it beyond next year.
  • Committee Reports:
    • Farmers Market Committee: Opening day Saturday, May 23; free wooden spatula giveaway, balloon artist, face painting; parking challenges addressed via municipal lot and private employee parking.
    • Library Board: Mobile app launching this week, allowing card access, program registration, catalog search, and studio/media lab bookings.
    • Planning & Zoning Commission: Continued work on affordable housing policy; deliverables expected soon.
    • Public Safety Committee: Provided details on Memorial Day weekend events (flag placement at Town of Maine Cemetery on Saturday, parade on Monday with staging and ceremony at South Park Rec Center).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (unanimous): Minutes of May 4, 2026 (Council and Committee of the Whole) and April 20, 2026 (Committee of the Whole); reappointment of Richard Wharton to the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners for a term expiring April 30, 2029; consent agenda (7 items); zoning variance for 1105 Harrison Street (6‑0).
  • Approved (5‑1): Waiver of first reading for Elia Cafe’s Class S‑5 Farmers Market On‑Premise Consumption Liquor License (Rapisand opposed).
  • Approved (5‑1): Final reading of ordinance granting Elia Cafe the same license (Rapisand opposed).
  • Approved (5‑1): One‑year contract with RedSpeed Illinois LLC for red‑light camera operations (Sanchez opposed).
  • Directive: Alderperson Steinfels asked staff to provide more detailed data on the red‑light camera’s effectiveness and to compare accident rates at other high‑traffic intersections before next year’s renewal decision.
  • Next Steps: The city will issue the liquor license to Elia Cafe in time for farmers market opening day. The city manager’s May report is available online. The council will continue to monitor House Bill 1429 as requested by the public.

Meeting Transcript

I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Parkeridge City Council for Monday, May 18th. Can we have a roll call, please? Mayor Maloney? Here. Alder Person Moran? Here. Alder Person Sanchez. Here. Alder Person Lawrence. Here. Alder Person Muno is absent. Alder Person Steinfelds? Here. Alder Person Rapissant. Here. Alder Person Leftur. Here. We have a quorum. Excellent. Thank you. I ask everyone to please rise and join me in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance of the United States of America. Thank you. Which stands one. Under God. Before we get to the uh we have three sets of minutes to approve this evening, but before we do that, um, I'm going to ask uh that we take a moment of silence before we start the meeting. Um Lundy, who for years worked uh at both papers that are here today. She was the uh editor of the Parkridge Herald Advocate for many many years, and then she moved over to the journal and she recently passed away. So if we could just take a moment of silence just briefly before we start, that would be great. Thank you. Now to those aforementioned minutes, I'd ask for a motion initially to approve the draft minutes from the city council meeting for May 4th, 2026. So moved. Second. Thank you. Uh questions or corrections. Seeing none, out to the audience. Any comments on this set of minutes? And back to council for any remaining comments. And all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed? Thank you. Motion carries. Next that asked for a motion to approve the uh draft minutes from the committee of the whole meeting uh for May 4th, 2026. So motion. Second. Thank you. Uh any questions or corrections. Seeing none out to the audience.

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