Park Ridge City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - June 1, 2026

The Park Ridge City Council met as a Committee of the Whole on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered action items from Public Works, the introduction of a new HR Director, and a detailed presentation of the 2025 Fire Department Annual Report. No public comments were made on non-agenda items.

Public Works Action Items

• Passenger Pickup Zone on Busse Highway: The council approved an ordinance amending Article 13-11-4 of the Municipal Code to create a 60-foot passenger pickup zone on the northeast side of Busse Highway between Morris and Elm Street. An amendment was made to add a second 60-foot zone near Hinckley Park's second gate (near Hinckley 2, the skate park, and playground) and to make the zones year-round rather than April 1 to November 1. The amendment passed 7-0, and the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The zone will be signed as "No Parking, Loading and Unloading Only." The change addresses safety concerns after a rear-end collision during a baseball game and accommodates increased traffic from sports leagues, especially with the new bike lanes reducing travel lanes.
• Asphalt Contract: The council approved a contract with Builders Asphalt LLC for asphalt materials in the amount of $140,680.00. Staff reported that two bids were received but one was non-responsive (did not include a price for cold patch). The contract covers materials for pothole filling, street opening repairs, and patching. The motion passed unanimously.

Administrative Services

• City staff introduced Art Melanowski as the new HR Director. He has been with the city for over a month, and the HR team is now fully staffed with a new HR specialist starting in two weeks.

Public Safety - Police Department

• Police staff provided an update on state legislation regarding e-bikes. The state law is expected to be signed by the governor and will take effect in January 2027. The city will work with attorneys to adjust local ordinances accordingly.

Public Safety - Fire Department Annual Report (2025)

Fire Chief presented the 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the following key statistics and initiatives:

• Total incidents: 6,490 (6.1% increase from 2024).
• Emergency medical services responses: 4,641 (9.6% increase from 2024).
• Department personnel completed over 18,000 hours of training.
• Station 35 renovation project completed, improving firefighter health and safety, operational readiness, and long-term service capabilities.
• Two new ambulances will be placed in service within 7-10 days.
• The department started 2025 with three vacancies and ended with two vacancies; by Q1 2026, both vacancies were filled, and the department is now fully staffed.
• Focus on mental health and wellness, including resiliency training and peer support initiatives.
• Priorities for 2026 include continued investment in personnel and equipment, implementation of new emergency response resources, and facility planning for Station 36.

Council discussed response times, noting that the department's goal of 300 seconds (5 minutes) for EMS incidents has not been met since 2021. Chief explained that the standard is from NFPA 1710 and that response times vary due to station location, closest resource model, and mutual aid. The department uses a closest resource model with 10 fire stations (2 Park Ridge and 8 neighbor stations) regardless of jurisdiction. The potential departure of Des Plaines from the Red Center dispatch was discussed as a concern that could affect response times. Council also discussed calls to healthcare facilities (the "big six" residential care facilities) and efforts to reduce unnecessary 911 calls through communication and partnerships. The number of incidents at healthcare facilities has decreased due to improved communication and follow-up. The department also noted that hydrant testing began June 1, operating Monday-Friday 7 AM-2 PM (noon on Fridays) for 10 weeks, with notices sent to residents.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Ordinance to create passenger pickup zones on Busse Highway (two 60-foot zones, year-round) – 7-0 vote.
• Approved: Contract for asphalt materials to Builders Asphalt LLC for $140,680 – unanimous vote.
• Noted: Introduction of new HR Director Art Melanowski.
• Noted: Update on state e-bike legislation effective January 2027.
• Received: 2025 Fire Department Annual Report, with discussion on response times, staffing, and healthcare facility partnerships.
• Adjourned: Meeting adjourned without further business.