Council Minutes 02-17-2026MINUTES 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, TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 17, 2026
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 6:33 PM in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council
Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
ROLL CALL Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, and Smith. Alderman Moylan and Charewicz was absent. A quorum was present.
Moved by Merlin, seconded by Oskerka to adjourn to Closed Session for Review of Closed
CLOSSED SESSION Minutes, and Pending Litigation. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Moylan, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
The City Council meeting was reconvened at 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call the following members
RECONVENED were present:
AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Moylan, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
PRAYER AND The prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America were
PLEDGE offered by Mayor Goczkowski.
PUBLIC HEARING
The Public Hearing began at 7:01 PM
APPROVING Director of Finance, Agnes Podbial reviewed a memorandum dated January 29, 2026.
APPROPRIATION In accordance with the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS), the City is required to pass an
TO DEFRAY annual appropriation ordinance within the first quarter of its fiscal year. This appropriation
EXPENSES ordinance specifies the sums of money deemed necessary to defray all expenses and
Ordinance liabilities for the calendar year 2026.
M-4-26 The appropriation ordinance serves as a limit on what may be spent during the current fiscal
year. The purpose of the appropriation ordinance is to appropriate such sums of money as
the municipality deems necessary to defray all of its necessary expenses and liabilities. The
ordinance is to be set up by objects and purposes for which each line item of the
appropriation is made, and each appropriation must be for a specific dollar amount.
The purpose for the required specificity in the appropriation ordinance is to inform the
taxpayers of the purposes for which the municipal revenues are to be expended since no fund
can legally be expended for any purpose other than that for which it was appropriated. The
Supreme Court has indicated that this right of the taxpayer is a substantial right of which the
taxpayer may not be deprived. However, the courts have also indicated that municipalities
Page 2 of 7 2/17/2026
are not required to specify every conceivable item on which they may spend money as long
as the purposes indicated are sufficiently specific to advise the taxpayer of the type of
expenditure to be made so that the taxpayer can make further specific inquiries with regard
thereto if desired.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to approve Ordinance M-4-26. Upon roll call, the
vote was:
AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Moylan, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT No public comments.
ALDERMAN Alderman Sayad encouraged residents to attend the upcoming Des Plaines Chamber of
ANNOUNCEMENTS Commerce Ball. He also encouraged residents to attend the upcoming 4 h Ward Meeting that
will take place in late March/Early April.
Alderman Walsten shared his enthusiasm for the recent City Planning Strategic Planning
meeting and expressed interest in seeing the results of the consultants' work.
MAYORAL Mayor Goczkowski shared that the City's online Water Payment Portal is currently down
ANNOUNCEMENTS due to a nationwide outage. Payments can still be made over the phone, in person at the front
desk of City Hall, or using the after-hours drop-off box.
The City of Des Plaines will be hosting a Community Shredding event on Saturday,
March 28th, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
CITY CLERK No announcements at this time
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANAGER'S City Manager Dorothy Wisniewski gave kudos about the stragetic planning meeting and will
REPORT have updates later this year.
COUNSEL No announcements at this time
REPORT
CONSENT Moved by Smith, seconded by Merlin, to Establish the Consent Agenda. Upon voice vote,
AGENDA the vote was:
AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Moylan, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Sayad seconded by Walsten, to Approve the Consent Agenda. Upon voice vote,
the vote was:
Page 3 of 7
2/17/2026
AYES: 6-
NAYS: 0-
ABSENT: 2-
Motion declared carried.
Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
None
Moylan, Charewicz
Resolutions R-39-26, R-40-26, R-41-26, R-42-26, R-43-26, R-44-26, R-47-26, R-18-26, and
R-50-26 were approved. Ordinance M-3-26 was approved. Regular Session Meeting
Minutes for February 2, 2026 and Closed Session Meeting Minutes for February 2, 2026
were approved.
APPROVING Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-39-26, APPROVING THE
RENEWAL RENEWAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS REGIONAL
AGREEMENT WITH CRIME LAB, MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS FOR EVIDENTIARY FORENSIC LAB
NORTHERN TESTING IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,586.00. Motion declared carried as approved
ILLINOIS unanimously under Consent Agenda.
REGIONAL CRIME
LAB
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-39-26
APPROVING Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-40-26, APPROVING AN
INTER- INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH MT. PROSPECT PARK DISTRICT
GOVERNMENTAL FOR USE OF THEIR GROUNDS ON MAY 19, 2026 FOR A CITY -HOSTED EVENT.
AGREEMENT WITH Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
MT. PROSPECT
PARK DISTRICT
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-40-26
APPROVING Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-41-26, APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT WITH AGREEMENT WITH INDESTRUCTO RENTAL COMPANY, INC. FOR TENT AND
INDESTRUCTO FURNITURE RENTALS FOR TASTE OF DES PLAINES ON JUNE 18-20, 2026. Motion
RENTAL COMPANY declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
FOR RENTALS
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-41-26
AWARDING BID TO Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-42-26, AWARDING THE
DES PLAINES HVAC BID FOR DES PLAINES HVAC EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT TO MECHANICAL,
EQUIPMENT INC. D/B/A HELM SERVICE, FREEPORT, ILLINOIS IN THE AMOUNT OF
REPLACEMENT $233,409.00. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-42-26
Page 4 of 7 2/17/2026
APPROVING
PURCHASE OF
WATER MAIN
MATERIALS
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-43-26
APPROVING TASK
ORDER #9 WITH MO
CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-44-26
APPROVING TASK
ORDER #2 WITH
SPACECO FOR
INSPECTIONS
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-47-26
APPROVING INTER-
GOVERNMENTAL
AGREEMENT WITH
IDOT FOR DEVON
SIDEPATH PROJECT
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-18-26
WAIVING
COMPETITIVE
BIDDING AND
APPROVING
PURCHASE OF
COMPUTER
EQUIPMENT FROM
DELL
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-50-26
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-43-26, APPROVING THE
PURCHASE OF WATER MAIN MATERIALS FROM MID-AMERICAN WATER,
WAUCONDA, ILLINOIS IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,141.57. Motion declared carried as
approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-44-26, APPROVING
TASK ORDER #9 WITH MQ CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, IN
THE AMOUNT OF $274,430.00. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-47-26, APPROVING
TASK ORDER #2 WITH SPACECO, INC. FOR 2026 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
& INSPECTION SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $250,000.00. Motion declared carried
as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-.18-26, APPROVING AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FOR PHASE II OF THE DEVON SIDEPATH PROJECT. Motion
declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Resolution R-50-26, WAIVING
COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER
EQUIPMENT FROM DELL IN THE AMOUNT OF $262,500.00. Motion declared carried
as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
SECOND READING — Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve Ordinance M-3-26, APPROVING A
ORDINANCE M-3-26 NEW CLASS E (RESTAURANT DINING ROOM) LIQUOR LICENSE (ON -SITE
Consent Agenda CONSUMPTION ONLY) FOR CREATIVE RESTAURANTS DES PLAINES, LLC
D/B/A KRASA BURGERS AND SHAWARMA, 1262 LEE STREET. Motion declared
carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Page 5 of 7 2/17/2026
APPROVE MINUTES Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve the Regular Session Minutes of the City
Council meeting of February 2, 2026, as published. Motion declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda
APPROVE CLOSED Moved by Sayad, seconded by Walsten, to approve the Closed Session Minutes of the City
SESSION MINUTES Council meeting of February 2, 2026, as published. Motion declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda
NEW BUSINESS
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION — Alderman Sayad, Chair
WARRANT
Alderman Sayad presented the Warrant Register.
REGISTER
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Smith to Approve the Warrant Register of February 17, 2026,
Resolution
in the Amount of $20,330,766.41 and Approve Resolution R-48-26. Upon roll call, the vote
R-48-26
was:
AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
MAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2- Moylan, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT — Alderman Walsten, Vice -Chair
APPROVING A Community and Economic Development Director Jeff Rogers reviewed a memorandum
COOK COUNTY dated January 29, 2026.
CLASS 6B REAL
ESTATE INCENTIVE The subject property is comprised of approximately 94,787 square feet and is improved with
FOR CHICAGO a 34,780-square-foot industrial facility that has been vacant since January 2024. The
INDUSTRIAL LL, applicant proposes to re -lease the property to Tovar Snow Professionals, LLC for operation
LLC, 350 HOWARD as a commercial snow and ice management company.
AVE
Chicago Industrial LL, LLC is requesting the City's support and consent for a Class 6b
Resolution incentive. The applicant proposes to invest approximately $365,845 in new physical
R-49-26 improvements to the property, as reflected in the building permit value, which exceeds the
City's minimum investment requirement for approval of a Class 6b incentive per City
Council policy.
The applicant proposes the relocation of 70 existing full-time positions from another location
within Cook County to the subject property, plus an additional 20-30 employees within two
years of occupancy, a combined total that exceeds the City's minimum employment
requirement for approval of a Class 6b incentive per City Council policy.
Cook County's Class 6b classification reduces the property tax assessment for the property
where the new investment is proposed from the typical 25% of market value to 10% for a
10-year period. In the 1 lth year of the incentive, the assessment will increase to 15% of
market value, and in the 12th and final year of the incentive, the assessment will increase to
20% of market value before returning to 25% of market value after expiration of the
incentive.
The applicant has affirmed that if the incentive is not approved, the occupancy of the
property by Tovar Snow Professionals, LLC and the proposed investment would not occur.
Page 6 of 7 2/17/2026
In terms of property tax generation, the applicant provided projected revenues associated
with the Class 6b incentive, as included in Attachment 1. Granting the extension would result
in approximately $138,871 of additional tax revenue over the term of the extension
compared to what would be collected if the incentive request were denied and the property
remained vacant over the next 12 years.
Alderman Walsten shared his support for this incentive.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Merlin to Approve Resolution R-49-26, CONSIDERATION
OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COOK COUNTY CLASS 6B REAL ESTATE
INCENTIVE FOR CHICAGO INDUSTRIAL LL, LLC AT 350 HOWARD AVENUE.
Upon roll call, the vote was
AYES: 6 - Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin,
Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 2 - Moylan, Charewicz
Motion declared carried.
CONSIDERATION Community and Economic Development Director Jeff Rogers announced that the applicant
OF EXTENSION OF Liberty Property Limited Partnership requested that this request be deferred until the next
COOK COUNTY City Council meeting to allow time to provide an amended application.
CLAS 6B REAL
ESTATE INCENTIVE Resolution R-51-26 — Consideration of a Resolution Supporting an Extension of a Cook
FOR LIMITED County Class 6B Real Estate Incentive for Limited Property Partnership at 333 Howard
PROPERTY Avenue was deferred to the March 2, 2026 meeting without objection.
PARTNERSHIP AT
333 HOWARD AVE
Resolution
R-51-26
CONSIDERATION
Community and Economic Development Director Jeff Rogers reviewed a memorandum
OF APPROVAL FOR
dated February 9, 2026.
COMPLIANCE AND
TEMPORARY
The applicant, IHP - 1400 E Touhy LLC, represented by Karl CamiHucci of Taft Stettinius
ABEYANCE OF
& Hollister LLP, requests City Council approval of a Resolution approving a Compliance
ENFORCEMENT
and Temporary Abeyance of Enforcement Agreement. This agreement would allow an
FOR 1400 E. TOUHY
existing illegal nonconforming commercial parking lot to continue operating on the subject
LLC AT 1400 E.
property at 1400 E. Touhy Avenue.
TOUHY AVE
The City discovered an illegal nonconforming commercial parking lot operating north of the
Resolution
existing office building on the property, and a cease -and -desist letter was sent to the property
R-52-26
owner in December 2023.
Subsequently, the property owner approached the City with a proposed development
concept, which would require rezoning of the property and approval of a new development
on a portion of the site, while maintaining the existing long-term O'Hare parking operation
and shuttle bus service. Regardless of the outcome of the request for a compliance and
abeyance agreement, these zoning entitlement requests must be considered separately on
their own merits, in accordance with the procedures and standards of the City Code.
Page 7 of 7 2/17/2026
To establish terms for remediation of the open violation, the applicant requests a Compliance
and Temporary Abeyance Agreement to allow the long-term O'Hare parking operation and
shuttle bus service to continue while the zoning applications are prepared, submitted, and
advanced through the Planning & Zoning Board and City Council review process.
To date, no citations have been issued for the commercial parking lot operations.
Furthermore, during ongoing monitoring of the existing operations, staff has not observed
daily parking demand on the property exceeding the total number of off-street parking stalls
(396); however, the parking lot has approached full capacity intermittently over this period.
Alderman Merlin reported that he visited the site prior to the meeting and expressed concern
about the condition of the property and the number of parking spaces being used in violation
of current zoning regulations.
The petitioner explained that they had previously experienced difficulties with former
counsel, who became unresponsive. After retaining new counsel, City' staff provided
guidance regarding the site plan. Over the past two years, they have worked to address
compliance issues.
Alderman Smith asked whether the petitioner continued to park in the lot despite knowing
it was unauthorized. The petitioner confirmed and stated that they intend to pay the
associated fines, take responsibility for the violations, and pursue future rezoning and a
conditional use permit.
Alderman Oskerka expressed appreciation that the petitioner is willing to take responsibility
and pay the fines. He inquired what their plan would be if the council were to vote against
their proposal. The petitioner responded that the property has long-term tenants and remains
financially stable. They noted that while the parking arrangement was used to increase
revenue, they intend to maintain the property responsibly and comply with future
regulations.
Alderman Walsten proposed amending the resolution to increase the fines from $70,000 to
$150,000 to reflect proper compensation. The motion was seconded by Alderman Sayad.
After discussion, the amendment was withdrawn. By unanimous consent, the matter was
deferred to the second March meeting to allow staff to review alternative fee structures.
The petitioner asked for clarification regarding the City's expectations. Alderman Sayad
suggested that the petitioner should not only pay the owed amount but also an additional
penalty. The petitioner stated they would evaluate this proposal.
The resolution was deferred without objection.
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Smith, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion
declared carried. The meeting adjou PM.
(Z--� X
mink Bronakowski — CITY CLERK
APPROVED BY ME THIS 2nd
DAY OF March , 2026
Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR