Council Minutes 09-16-2024MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH
MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, MONDAY,
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
CALL TO The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to
ORDER order by Mayor Goczkowski at 7:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council
Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Monday, September 16, 2024.
ROLL CALL Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Brookman, Walsten. Absent: Smith, Charewicz. A quorum was present.
Also present were: City Manager Wisniewski, Director of Finance Podbial, Director of Public Works and Engineering
Oakley, Director of Community and Economic Development Rogers, Fire Chief Matzl, Police Chief Anderson, and
General Counsel Friedman.
PRAYER AND PLEDGE The prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America were
offered by Mayor Goczkowski.
PROCLAMATION City Clerk Mastalski read a proclamation by Mayor Goczkowski declaring
September 17-23 as Constitution Week.
Mayor Goczkowski presented the proclamation to a representative of the Twenty -First Star
Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
PUBLIC COMMENT Judy Sells from Bike & Walk Des Plaines invited the residents to their annual Community
Bike Ride on September 28t'' at 9:00 a.m. starting at the campground woods forest preserve.
ALDERMAN Alderman Oskerka gave a shout out to the park district for a successful fall fest this past
ANNOUNCEMENTS weekend.
Alderman Sayad thanked public works for the storm clean-up. He also stated there will be
a fourth ward meeting on October 3`d at 7:00 p.m. at the Golf Road Baptist Church. He further
mentioned the budget meetings are scheduled for October 10' and October 16t' at 6:00 p.m.,
with a possible follow up meeting on October 241. He mentioned the fire department is
hosting a Fire Station Open House on September 21 st from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at
Station 63, and there will be a Food Truck Round -Up on September 171 from 5:00 p.m.-
8:00 p.m. at Friendship Park Conservatory.
Alderman Brookman thanked the park district, chamber, history center, and police for a
successful Fall Fest, and stated it also gave the residents an opportunity to look at the park
district's newly completed shoreline restoration.
Alderman Walsten thanked public works for doing a great job on the clean-up after the storm.
MAYORAL Mayor Goczkowski mentioned that he thought the Fall Fest was great and well pulled off.
ANNOUNCEMENTS He also reiterated that the Food Truck Round -Up will be held tomorrow, and that it will be
the largest one to date with seven trucks.
CONSENT AGENDA Alderman Walsten requested item #1 to be removed from the Consent Agenda.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Sayad, to Establish the Consent Agenda without item #1.
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
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AYES: 6 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Sayad, Brookman, Walsten
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Smith, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Brookman, to Approve the Consent Agenda without item #1.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 6 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Sayad, Brookman, Walsten
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Smith, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
Minutes were approved; Ordinance Z-19-24, Z-21-24 were adopted; Resolutions R-154-24,
R-155-24, R-157-24 were adopted.
City Clerk Mastalski read the item that was removed from the consent agenda — item #1.
AGRMT/ ST SWEEP Alderman Walsten stated he was concerned with the quality of work especially dust control
SVCS/ LRS based on his previous experience with LRS. He stated he would like to defer the resolution
Consent Agenda to the next City Council meeting in order to obtain a few more answers regarding the service
of LRS.
Resolution
R-154-24 City Manager Wisniewski recommending putting together a list of comments regarding the
terms of the current street sweeping services and improvements so that the City can have a
discussion with LRS, and bring the item back at the next City Council meeting.
Without objection, Resolution R-154-24 was deferred to the next City Council meeting.
SUPP APP/ ITEP GRANT Moved by Sayad, seconded by Brookman, to Approve Resolution R-155-24, A
FUNDS/ IDOT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION FOR ITEP GRANT FUNDS FROM
Consent Agenda THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. Motion declared carried as
approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Resolution
R-155-24
AUTH EXT/ LEASE Moved by Sayad, seconded by Brockman, to Approve Resolution R-157-24, A
AGRMT/ 620 LEE ST & RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF THE LEASE AGREEMENTS
1460 MINER ST FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 620 LEE STREET AND 1460 MINER STREET,
Consent Agenda DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda.
Resolution
R-157-24
SECOND READING/ Advanced to second reading by Sayad, seconded by Brookman, to Adopt the Ordinance
ORDINANCE Z-19-24, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE DES PLAINES ZONING
Z-19-24 ORDINANCE REGARDING MECHANICAL SCREENING. Motion declared carried as
Consent Agenda approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
SECOND READING/ Advanced to second reading by Sayad, seconded by Brookman, to Adopt the Ordinance
ORDINANCE Z-21-24, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE DES PLAINES ZONING
Z-21-24 ORDINANCE REGARDING FOOD PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE C-4
Consent Agenda ZONING DISTRICT. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
Page 3 of 5 9/16/2024
APPROVE Moved by Sayad, seconded by Brookman, to Approve the Minutes of the City Council
MINUTES meeting of September 3, 2024, as published. Motion declared carried as approved
Consent Agenda unanimously under Consent Agenda.
APPROVE Moved by Sayad, seconded by Brookman, to Approve the Closed Session Minutes of the
MINUTES City Council meeting of September 3, 2024, as published. Motion declared carried as
Consent Agenda approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
PUBLIC SAFETY — Alderman Oskerka, Chair
CONSIDER AMEND
Fire Chief Matzl reviewed a memorandum dated August 13, 2024.
CITY CODE RE FEES
FOR AMBULANCE
The City charges a fee when a patient is treated by Fire Department paramedics to help offset
SVCS
the cost of providing the services. Fees have not changed since 2019, prior to the City's
Ordinance
participation in the Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) program. Adjustment to
M-14-24
the ambulance service fees to match the GEMT rate set annually by the GEMT program is
proposed.
The current ambulance service fee for all residents and non-residents of Des Plaines is $1,500
for the evaluation, treatment, and transportation of a patient by the Fire Department to a
medical facility. In addition to the ambulance service fee, there is a charge of $15.00 per
mile during the transport of the patient. There is a $250 "no transport" fee for patients who
are medically evaluated and/or treated by the Fire Department but are not transported to a
medical facility. There is also a lift -assist fee that can occur when the Fire Department
responds and provides assistance with moving an individual who does not need ambulance
transportation services related to illness or injury. The number of lift -assist occurrences
determines the fee. These rates have historically been based on what fire departments in our
area have charged and have not been increased since 2019. Fees are billed to the patient's
private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or, when no medical insurance is available, the
patient themselves. The City does not "balance bill" Des Plaines residents.
For several years, our ambulance billing company has been working with the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family
Services (HFS) to participate in the GEMT program. The GEMT program is a federally
funded program that allows Illinois fire agencies that perform emergency medical transport
for Medicaid patients to submit for additional reimbursements for unrecovered costs
associated with those transports. The standard reimbursement for ambulance transports for
those covered by Medicaid is significantly less than the actual costs experienced by the City.
Under the HFS Department's Transportation Fee Schedule, the standard reimbursement for
ambulance transport of persons covered by Medicaid is approximately $250 per transport.
Participation in the GEMT Program offers a revenue sharing opportunity with HFS, which
has helped to cover the funding gap between the reimbursement amount and the actual cost
to provide services. These additional reimbursements are then split between the City of
Des Plaines and the State of Illinois.
As part of the GEMT program, HFS annually sets a rate unique to our Fire Department that
is based upon our Fire Department budget and the portion of our budget that goes towards
providing emergency medical services. The 2024 GEMT rate for the Des Plaines Fire
Department is $2,647.47 for Advanced Life Support (ALS) care and $2,756.19 for Basic
Life Support (BLS) care.
Federal guidelines stipulate that Medicaid cannot be charged more than private insurance.
Therefore, it is suggested that our ambulance service fees be equal to our GEMT rate to
ensure the uniformity of billing rates. Many neighboring fire departments have already made
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NEW BUSINESS
this change or are in the process of doing so as the GEMT program becomes more
widespread in our area.
While the GEMT program will bring additional funding to the City, it will not add any new
costs to our residents. The City will continue to accept payment by the resident's insurance
company and/or Medicare and will continue to not require the resident to pay any additional
costs out of pocket. The City will continue to not "balance bill" our residents.
It is recommended that the City changes the ambulance billing rate from the current fee of
$1,500 to the GEMT rate set annually by this GEMT program. The primary benefit of this
change would be that this rate will adjust annually as our costs to provide emergency medical
services inevitably rise each year. Additionally, the GEMT rate determined by HFS will
provide a third -party analysis of what it costs the City per call. On an annual basis, when the
City of reviews and approves its fee schedule, the Des Plaines Fire Department will update
the ambulance service to reflect the most recently ascertained GEMT rate.
Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Sayad, to Approve First Reading of Ordinance M-14-24,
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3-3-8 OF THE DES PLAINES CITY CODE
REGARDING FEES FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 6 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Sayad, Brookman, Walsten
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Smith, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION — Alderman Sayad, Chair
WARRANT Alderman Sayad presented the Warrant Register.
REGISTER
Resolution Alderman Sayad stated the current general fund balance is $26,5 84,43 1.00
R-156-24
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve the Warrant Register of
September 16, 2024, in the Amount of $4,374,766.95 and Approve Resolution R-156-24.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 6 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Sayad, Brookman, Walsten
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Smith, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT— Alderman Moylan, Chair
DISC RE PILOT Chairman Moylan requested the item be deferred to the next City Council meeting so the
PERMIT PROG FOR discussion can occur with the whole City Council present.
BEE HIVES & APIARIES
Without objection, the discussion was postponed to the next City Council meeting.
CONSIDER AMD Director of Community and Economic Development Rogers reviewed a memorandum dated
ZONING ORD RE September 5, 2024.
OFFICE USES IN C-4
Ordinance The petitioner requests a consideration of a Zoning Ordinance amendment to amend
Z-22-24 Footnote 17 in Section 12-7-3.K. to exempt medical clinics and laboratories from restrictions
for office uses in the C-4, Regional Shopping District.
Page 5 of 5 9/16/2024
Greater Family Health, Inc is seeking to open a community health center in a combined
tenant space in The Oaks Shopping Center at 1515 Lee Street. This property is zoned C-4,
Regional Shopping District. The proposed type of use has historically been classified as an
"office". In the C-4 Zoning District, this use is permitted if the floor area is below 5,000
square feet and is not contiguous to another office use.
The four areas of the city within the C-4 zoning district are generally devoid of medical
facilities offering comprehensive medical care. The existing regulations in this zoning
district allow this use by right, but limit the overall size of the office space; this amendment
would make medical uses exempt, and allow for filling of larger tenant spaces with medical
offices.
The PZB voted 6-0 to recommend that City Council approve the Text Amendment request,
with the language drafted.
Moved by Moylan, seconded by Brookman, to Approve First Reading of Ordinance
Z-22-24, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE DES PLAINES ZONING
ORDINANCE REGARDING OFFICE USES IN THE C-4 ZONING DISTRICT.
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 6 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Sayad, Brookman, Walsten
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Smith, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
OTHER MAYOR Mayor Goczkowski acknowledged the Patriot Day Ceremony and the staff who put it
COMMENTS FOR THE together, and stated he is grateful for everyone who attended.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Brookman, seconded by Sayad, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion
declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
�\ - � oz:c
(essic4 M. Mastals i — CITV CLERK
APPROVED BY ME THIS gLL—
DAY OF .2024
Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR