Park Ridge City Council Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026
Park Ridge City Council Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026
The Park Ridge City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Marty Maloney presided with five alderpersons present (Lawrence, Muno, Steinfels, Rapisand, Sanchez) and two absent (Moran, Lefler). The meeting included routine approvals, proclamations, public comments, and a contested vote on renewing Flock Safety camera equipment and software.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the draft City Council meeting minutes from July 6, 2026, and the draft Committee of the Whole minutes from July 6, 2026, both by voice vote with no opposition.
- Approved the consent agenda en bloc by a roll-call vote of 5–0. Items included:
- Budget amendment to the Water Supply Account for SCADA system upgrades ($27,600).
- Purchase order increase for Phillips Edison d.b.a. Uptown Station LLC for common area maintenance fees ($28,500).
- Final reading of an ordinance amending Article 5, Chapter 11 of the Municipal Code to define and abate specific weeds as a nuisance.
- Ordinance amending 13-2-11 to establish a school zone speed limit on W. Talcott Road from S. Cumberland Avenue to S. Prospect Avenue.
- One-year extension to the contract for the Water Leak Survey with M. E. Simpson ($39,300).
Mayor's Report
- Appointments: Approved appointments to boards and commissions (voice vote, no opposition):
- Mary Louise Herrold to the Planning and Zoning Commission for an unexpired term ending September 30, 2026, and a four-year term October 1, 2026–September 30, 2030.
- Anita De Frank, Sarah Cardillo, and Andy Han to the Library Board of Trustees for three-year terms expiring June 30, 2029.
- Proclamation – Maine South Varsity Baseball: Mayor Maloney proclaimed July 20, 2026, as “Maine South Hawks Baseball Day” in Park Ridge, honoring the team’s 2026 season (26–16 record, IHSA Class 4A state championship game appearance). Head coach Brian Lorenz thanked the community and players.
- Proclamation – Parks and Recreation Professionals Day: Mayor Maloney proclaimed July 17, 2026, as “Parks and Recreation Professionals Day,” recognizing the Park Ridge Park District’s 21 park sites (126.6 acres) and its employees. Park District representatives accepted the proclamation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Cindy Grow (address not stated) raised two concerns:
- Improperly placed lawn-care signs on parkways that she described as illegal and urged enforcement.
- Called on the city and Sustainability Commission to strengthen carbon emission reduction goals, noting other communities’ substantial gains.
- Eric Olinick (address not stated) spoke against the Flock camera system, citing nationwide reports of misuse by police (stalking, immigration enforcement, abortion tracking), criticism of the company’s CEO, and a local incident where a camera was allegedly misdirected at a private residence. He argued for removal of the surveillance network and called for freeing an individual arrested for vandalizing a camera.
Discussion Items
- Public Safety Committee – Flock Camera System Renewal: Police Chief Campworth requested a purchase order of $24,000 for Flock Safety Solutions equipment and software for a one-year service agreement. He explained the ALPR system’s public-safety benefits (tracking stolen vehicles, solving hit-and-run, domestic violence cases) and privacy protections: no tracking of individuals, no facial recognition, no recording conversations; data shared only with Illinois police departments; access requires a case report number; transparency portal available on the city website. Alderman Sanchez voted no, expressing concerns about potential privacy invasions and misuse. The item required a two-thirds supermajority vote (5 votes out of 6 present). Roll call: Lawrence (yes), Muno (yes), Steinfels (yes), Rapisand (yes), Sanchez (no), Mayor Maloney (yes) – motion passed 5–1.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved 5–0.
- Appointments and proclamations approved without objection.
- Flock camera renewal approved 5–1 (Sanchez dissenting).
- No other action items; several committees provided oral reports (Community Health, Farmers Market, Library Board, Planning & Zoning, Youth Services, Zoning Board of Appeals).
- New business: Alderperson Steinfels thanked staff for the successful Taste of Park Ridge event; Alderperson Muno announced the Market After Dark event on July 25, 2026 (4:30–9:30 p.m., Christmas in July theme).
- Meeting adjourned by voice vote after a motion and second.
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Parkridge City Council for Monday, July 20th. We have a roll call, please. Mayor Maloney? Here. Alder Person Moran is absent. Alder Person Sanchez? Here. Lawrence? Here. You know? Here. Steinfells? Here. Rapissan? Here. And Alder Person Leftler is absent. We have her quorum. Thank you, Mike. I'd ask everyone to please rise and join me in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands on a nation, under guide, indivisible with liberty and justice for our two sets of minutes to approve this evening. Initially, I'd ask for a motion to approve the draft city council meeting minutes from July 6, 2026. So moved. Second. Thank you. Are there any questions or corrections? Seeing none, we'll go out to the audience. Anyone in the audience wish to make a comment on those set of minutes, this would be your time. Seeing none, back to council for any remaining comments. And all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? Motion carries. Next that asked for a motion to approve the draft minutes from the committee of the whole meeting on July 6th, 2026. So moved. So moved. Second. Thank you. Any questions or corrections? Seeing none, we'll go out to the audience. Anyone in the audience wishes to comment on this set of minutes? This is your opportunity. Seeing none, back to council for any remaining comments. And we do this by voice. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Next we move on to reports of city officials under the mayor's report.
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