OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Park Ridge City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – August 17, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Monday, August 17, 2026
BodyPark Ridge, Illinois
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateMonday, August 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:08:39

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Like to call the order of the committee of the whole meeting of the Parkridge City Council for Monday, August 17th.

0:06

Mayor Maloney?

0:07

Here.

0:10

Sanchez?

0:11

Here.

0:11

Lawrence?

0:13

You know?

0:14

Here.

0:14

Seinfelds?

0:16

Here.

0:16

Rapid Sam?

0:17

Here.

0:17

Leftler.

0:18

Here.

0:19

We have a corner.

0:20

Excellent.

0:20

Thank you.

0:20

Are there any citizens who wish to be heard on a non-agenda item?

0:23

If you're here tonight to speak on something that's not on the agenda, this is your time.

0:28

Seeing none, we'll jump right into public safety.

0:46

Opening public safety.

0:49

Steering to the police department.

0:51

Uh no action items under police, no discussion items.

0:55

Turning to department head report.

0:56

Chief Campworth.

0:58

Yes, uh Department Head Reports in the packet.

1:01

I do have a couple of things to mention before uh before any questions, but uh let's see.

1:06

We we are opening again the Citizens Police Academy for this fall.

1:09

We're looking for 15 to 20 people.

1:11

It's eight weeks on Tuesday evenings.

1:14

Uh during the last month, we or during July, the third of July fireworks, we're waiting for a uh follow-up meeting which has been scheduled, and then the taste of park ridge we're uh we're hoping for a follow-up meeting we haven't heard about yet.

1:30

Um recruitment uh for us.

1:32

We had four graduate the academy this past Friday.

1:35

They're starting their field training program today.

1:37

We had one new hire police officer started today, also his swearing in will be tomorrow at two o'clock right in this room.

1:44

Uh we're also looking for a records technician and a part-time CSO.

1:48

Um we had uh the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists given an award to Officer Trevor Norberg for his uh DUI enforcement efforts, and then uh e-bikes and e-scooters, uh some of the information on our enforcement.

2:05

We did about 173 enforcements in July.

2:09

Um eight written written warnings, uh eight written warnings and citations, and they were four extra passengers on the vehicle riding on sidewalks, the age requirement and trick riding.

2:21

It's several fleeing and alluding cases.

2:24

I don't have the exact number on that.

2:26

So we're and then we anticipate that some of this will die down a little bit with school back in session coming up soon, and then we'll be watching for the uh new laws for the first of the year, prepping for all that.

2:39

And then uh let's see, our citizen core July uh hours were 242 hours, and year to date they're at 527 hours.

2:49

Anyone have any questions?

2:51

Any questions for Chief?

2:54

Chief, I have uh question on the you just talked about the new laws, the statutes regarding e-motorcycles, e-bikes, and and all that that are coming into effect in January.

3:03

Uh is your plan to sort of re dr redraft the city ordinances that will change as a forcing function of that statute.

3:12

Are we gonna do that in the next couple months so that everything's ready to be enacted come January 1st?

3:18

I would I believe we would look at uh the state law.

3:20

I mean we can we still can cite people on the state law and not the ordinance.

3:27

Of course, we can make it stricter, but we can't make it any looser.

3:30

So I'll be talking with legal between now and then as to how we're gonna do it.

3:34

We'll probably I'm thinking that we'll probably amend the ordinance that we have currently.

3:40

My understanding is the the state law has now been passed and it's just waiting a date.

3:45

And so we have the verbiage.

3:46

We have we have the the what it's gonna be enacted on that date.

3:50

Right and therefore there are contradictions now between our existing ordinance, which is standing law, and the statute, which comes into effect on one January.

4:00

And so the minute January 1st comes, our ordinances will be obsolete at that point, and that was why I just that's my understanding, and and I was wondering if we're gonna do something.

4:11

So, yeah, if you could figure out what the easiest way with legal and and all that to make sure that we all synchronize effectively, not that I anticipate January 1st.

4:20

There'll be a lot of e-motorcycle, e-bicycle riding going on, but just to make sure everything's online.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Zoning Code███████████████17%
Public Safety█████████10%
Procedural████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Public Engagement██2%
Budget Equity Analysis█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Park Ridge City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – August 17, 2026

The Park Ridge City Council Committee of the Whole met on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine department reports, two major action items (first reading of a historic district ordinance and approval of a crack sealing contract), and a discussion on the process for future historic districts. A key vote passed 6-1 to approve the first reading of the Spanish Town Historic District, with a condition to exclude a property if the new owner objects by the second reading. The council also agreed to consider a moratorium on future historic district applications at the next meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No citizens spoke on non-agenda items.
  • Emily MacArthur (applicant for the historic district) and Phil Payne (a former resident of a landmarked home in the proposed district) provided testimony. MacArthur stated that the new owner of the fifth property had verbally expressed support and had already begun landscaping improvements. Payne described his experience obtaining a certificate of appropriateness for a second-story addition, characterizing the process as manageable.

Discussion Items

  • Police Department Report (Chief Campworth):

    • Citizens Police Academy reopening for fall (15-20 participants, 8 weeks on Tuesday evenings).
    • July 3 fireworks follow-up meeting scheduled; Taste of Park Ridge follow-up pending.
    • Four new officers graduated from the academy and started field training; one new police officer sworn in on August 18.
    • Recruiting for a records technician and part-time CSO.
    • Officer Trevor Norberg received an award from the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for DUI enforcement.
    • E-bike/e-scooter enforcement: 173 enforcements in July, with 8 written warnings and 8 citations for violations including extra passengers, sidewalk riding, age requirement, and trick riding. Several fleeing and eluding cases noted.
    • Anticipated decrease in enforcement as school resumes; preparing for new state e-bike laws expected to take effect January 1, 2027 (bill currently on governor’s desk, not yet signed).
    • Volunteer Corps: 242 hours in July; 527 hours year-to-date.
    • Social service summary: interviews for a new full-time social worker ongoing; one candidate declined, working on another.
    • Overall summer conditions in uptown area were calm with proactive patrols; no after-action meeting deemed necessary.
    • Self-initiated activity and year-over-year comparisons showed increased proactive focus.

  • Fire Department Report (Chief Sorensen):

    • Congratulated Deputy Chief Tucker on his retirement after 26 years of service.

  • Procedures and Regulations – Spanish Town Historic District (HD-26-01):

    • Director Austin introduced the city’s first-ever local historic district, proposed by a public applicant (Emily MacArthur) for five properties at 1305 South Crescent, 524 South Fairview, and others. The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recommended approval by a 4-0 vote after a public hearing on August 5.
    • Council discussion focused on the process: concerns about neighbors using the ordinance to retaliate, the need for 100% owner consent, and the potential for future districts to include unwilling owners. The city attorney clarified that the council can reduce the district size but cannot add properties. The property owner of the fifth house (the southernmost) had changed hands after the July meeting; the previous owner had opposed the district. City staff confirmed the new owner is not opposed but wishes to remain anonymous and did not want to actively participate. A letter from the new owner (page 178 of the packet) was noted.
    • Alderman Moran expressed concern about the precedent and potential for abuse, but supported the district if all five owners are in favor. Alderman Rapazand and others emphasized that no owner should be forced into a district.
    • The council voted 6-1 (Moran opposed) to approve the first reading, with the understanding that if the fifth owner objects before the second reading, the district will be amended to include only the four properties that are fully supportive. The second reading is scheduled for the next meeting.
    • The council also agreed to consider a moratorium on future historic district applications, with a discussion item to be brought back at the next meeting.

  • Finance and Budget – Server Hardware Purchase:

    • Director of Finance requested approval for server hardware and software licensing at a not-to-exceed cost of $27,500. The purchase is from CDW under a Sourcewell contract, requiring a two-thirds vote. The price was confirmed as stable. Approved by voice vote (no opposition noted).

  • Administrative Services – August Human Resources Report:

    • The report provided updates on staff changes and pension meeting schedules; no action required.

  • Public Works – Street Crack Sealing Contract:

    • Three bids were received for the crack sealing program (low $49,940 from Patriot Pavement Maintenance, high $109,048; one non-responsive). The program will seal approximately four miles of streets to extend pavement life. Staff recommended the low bidder. Approved by voice vote.

  • Public Works – Special Service Area No. 26-112 (Washington/Harrison Green Alley):

    • An ordinance establishing an SSA for a green alley project was presented for first reading. The alley was selected by lottery in 2023, with 50% city funding and 50% from residents. A public hearing was held on June 15, and no objections were filed during the 60-day period. The SSA will last five years. Second reading scheduled for September 8. Approved by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Historic District First Reading Approved (6-1): Motion to approve first reading of the ordinance designating the Spanish Town Historic District (HD-26-01) passed 6-1 (Alderman Moran dissenting). The council conditioned approval on verification that all five property owners are in support; if the fifth owner objects by the second reading, the district will be reduced to four properties.
  • Server Hardware Purchase Approved: Motion to approve purchase up to $27,500 passed by voice vote (two-thirds required; no opposition).
  • Crack Sealing Contract Awarded: Contract with Patriot Pavement Maintenance for $49,940 approved by voice vote.
  • SSA 26-112 First Reading Approved: Ordinance establishing Special Service Area No. 26-112 for green alley paving approved by voice vote; second reading set for September 8.
  • Moratorium on Future Historic District Applications: The council agreed to bring back a discussion item on a potential moratorium at the next meeting, to allow time to review the process.

Meeting Transcript

Like to call the order of the committee of the whole meeting of the Parkridge City Council for Monday, August 17th. Mayor Maloney? Here. Sanchez? Here. Lawrence? You know? Here. Seinfelds? Here. Rapid Sam? Here. Leftler. Here. We have a corner. Excellent. Thank you. Are there any citizens who wish to be heard on a non-agenda item? If you're here tonight to speak on something that's not on the agenda, this is your time. Seeing none, we'll jump right into public safety. Opening public safety. Steering to the police department. Uh no action items under police, no discussion items. Turning to department head report. Chief Campworth. Yes, uh Department Head Reports in the packet. I do have a couple of things to mention before uh before any questions, but uh let's see. We we are opening again the Citizens Police Academy for this fall. We're looking for 15 to 20 people. It's eight weeks on Tuesday evenings. Uh during the last month, we or during July, the third of July fireworks, we're waiting for a uh follow-up meeting which has been scheduled, and then the taste of park ridge we're uh we're hoping for a follow-up meeting we haven't heard about yet. Um recruitment uh for us. We had four graduate the academy this past Friday. They're starting their field training program today. We had one new hire police officer started today, also his swearing in will be tomorrow at two o'clock right in this room. Uh we're also looking for a records technician and a part-time CSO. Um we had uh the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists given an award to Officer Trevor Norberg for his uh DUI enforcement efforts, and then uh e-bikes and e-scooters, uh some of the information on our enforcement. We did about 173 enforcements in July. Um eight written written warnings, uh eight written warnings and citations, and they were four extra passengers on the vehicle riding on sidewalks, the age requirement and trick riding. It's several fleeing and alluding cases. I don't have the exact number on that. So we're and then we anticipate that some of this will die down a little bit with school back in session coming up soon, and then we'll be watching for the uh new laws for the first of the year, prepping for all that. And then uh let's see, our citizen core July uh hours were 242 hours, and year to date they're at 527 hours. Anyone have any questions? Any questions for Chief? Chief, I have uh question on the you just talked about the new laws, the statutes regarding e-motorcycles, e-bikes, and and all that that are coming into effect in January. Uh is your plan to sort of re dr redraft the city ordinances that will change as a forcing function of that statute. Are we gonna do that in the next couple months so that everything's ready to be enacted come January 1st? I would I believe we would look at uh the state law. I mean we can we still can cite people on the state law and not the ordinance.

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