Council Minutes 11-20-2024MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, WEDNESDAY,
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to
order by Mayor Goczkowski at 6:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council
Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
ROLL CALL Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Brookman, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz. Absent: Sayad. 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, and Police Chief Anderson.
PLEDGE The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
DOWNTOWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP
CONSULTANT PRESENTATION
INTRODUCTION Mayor Goczkowski gave an introduction to the Downtown Economic Development Strategic
Plan Workshop. Director of Community and Economic Development Rogers gave a summary
of the program.
DOWNTOWN Scott Goldstein, a representative from Teska Associates representative presented the vision
CONTEXT & and expectations for the development of downtown. He presented a summary on the assets
ENGAGEMENT and barriers of the current condition of downtown, the desired downtown uses, connectivity,
existing land use, current zoning, transportation and parking, built and unbuilt space, city -
owned property, pushes & pulls, opportunity areas, opportunity sites, built environment, and
economic development tools.
He also requested feedback from the community through the project website —
helloinput.org/des-plaines-downtown-development-strategy.
*General Counsel Friedman entered the meeting at 6:12 p.m.
MARKET Christen Hayes, a representative from the Goodman Williams Group spoke on the market
ANALYSIS analysis. She gave an introduction, and then proceeded to give a presentation of breakdown
of the demographics, employment, the residential market, and the retail market.
DRAFT ECONOMIC Terri Haymaker, a representative from The Planera Group, spoke regarding the investment
DEVELOPMENT criteria. She presented on the purpose of the criteria, how to use the criteria, the goals and
CRITERIA actions, and return on investment.
Scott Goldstein then spoke on the next steps between now and Spring 2025.
RECESS City Council took a thirty -minute recess to give an opportunity for questions and answers
between the public and the consultant groups through three stations.
City Council recessed at 6:48 p.m.
City Council reconvened at 7:23 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT Ken Schaefer stated he would like more green space in the downtown area.
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Kelly Horvath expressed her excitement to see the suggestions; she also stated she would also
like to see the children's museum come into fruition.
David Vasquez stated he would like to promote the use of bicycles as a primary mode of
transportation and incorporate more green space. He also mentioned various other ideas which
he believes would be beneficial for downtown.
KT Petersen stated she would also like more green space in downtown and more awareness
for sustainability.
Rebecca Schwartz stated she is excited to see what is in the works and how it will evolve. She
stated downtown has much potential, but it needs more energy.
Pat Matousek stated he would like a free gathering place like a water park, a green area, or
pavilion that invite people to spend time.
Nikki Skarbek encouraged the importance of more murals.
Cindy Nelson expressed a desire for more green space and sustainably design. She stated she
would also like to see more future public meetings on the progression on downtown.
Jordan Minerva stated this presentation was spot on, but his concern is about the ability to
make progress due to the layout of downtown. He also expressed his concern with the current
development progress, and he wants the city to pay attention to the little things.
Dominik Bronakowski stated he thankful the City had this meeting today and that it is a great
first step. He also stated he believes there is a hesitation for a dense downtown.
Timothy Benge stated he would like the City to actually move forward with advancing
downtown rather than further waiting on the change.
Caitlin Fisher stated she wants places to go out in the City rather than having to go to other
suburbs and she asked why there is such delay. She also asked for more communication
between the City and the residents. She also mentioned her opinion is the presentation was
spot on regarding the demographic.
Dominik Bronakowski echoed regarding the being a part of the demographic wanting to go
out but there are limited options in the City. He also wants the City to consider this
demographic who wants to stay in the community long term.
Grace Iwanicki-Chlastawa, owner of Amazing Breads and Cakes stated the building they are
located in is old and they are having issues with the electricity, ventilation, and plumbing; and
she asked for ideas on how to help.
Artur Zadrozny echoed that this was a great presentation and a great first step. He stated he
believes the City we will come up with a successful plan, and they need to stick to it.
COMMENTS FROM Alderman Charewicz thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He also stated once the
MAYOR & City has the plan, the next steps are to consider the City codes and possibly adding outdoor
ALDERMEN OF dining throughout the City. He further listed other ideas promote dining in the downtown
THE CITY areas and to add live entertainment as part of the consideration.
COUNCIL
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Alderman Smith thanked residents for coming out and for all the public comments. She also
mentioned the presentation was very good, but that the City needs to move on this and not
drag their feet. She stated she is looking forward to the revitalization.
Alderman Walsten stated it is refreshing to see so many residents come to the meeting. He
also stated there is a need for more green space in this project and more emphasis on
sustainability. He stated that this is a good start.
Alderman Brookman stated us was a good presentation and a good start. She mentioned the
QR code for public feedback for subsequent meetings. She stated she wanted to address a
couple of important issues such as the City needing to address the building materials used
before approving any new building projects with a focus on brick construction for the
aesthetics of downtown. She gave her opinion on the City's previous investment and
development mistakes. She stated that the City is heading in the right direction but has to slow
down and to make good judgment calls and make the best of the opportunity.
Alderman Oskerka stated he was excited to see this presentation, and that they reinforced the
decisions the City has already made. He also stated he looks forward to what comes next.
Alderman Moylan thanked the presenters and thanked stated he appreciated the feedback from
the audience.
Alderman Lysakowski stated the presentation was really great for everyone to understand the
vision for downtown. He stated he hopes the City Council will be on the same page, and that
when a resolution gets passed, it is passed for several years to come so it does not fall apart.
Mayor Goczkowski stated he agrees the consultants did a great job, and he stated he
appreciates all of the public comments. He stated that when him and his wife moved back
home, they wanted to come back to where they were brought up and where their family is.
He stated he understands the challenges and that his why he ran for this position. He
encourages the community to participate in the community survey. He further mentioned this
will be a multi -meeting process and looks forward to seeing everyone next time.
PUBLIC COMMENT None
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Walsten, seconded by Oskerka to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at
8:02 p.m.
ssica . Mastalski, bTY CLEMK
APPROVED BY ME THIS 16th
DAY OF December , 2024
Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR