Council Minutes 08-04-2025MINUTES 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,
AUGUST 4, 2025
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 7:01 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council
Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Monday, August 4, 2025.
ROLL CALL Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz. A quorum was present.
PRAYER AND The prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America were
PLEDGE offered by Alderman Smith.
PROCLAMATION City Clerk Bronakowski read a proclamation by Mayor Goczkowski recognizing the
Des Plaines Theater's 100r' Anniversary as well as recognizing August 4t' as National Night
Out.
PUBLIC COMMENT Ron Onesti encouraged residents to attend the 100' anniversary of the Des Plaines Theatre.
MAYORAL Mayor Goczkowski paid respect to the passing of Jerry Goodman, the father of Brad
ANNOUNCEMENTS Goodman, Des Plaines's Director of Communication. In addition, he encouraged residents
to attend the following upcoming events:
• Food Truck Round -Up
o August 19th, 5:00-8:00 PM at the Des Plaines Library Plaza
o September 9th, 5:00-8:00 PM at the Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park
and Conservatory
• National Night Out
o August 5th, 4:00-8:00 PM at Algonquin Middle School
The Mayor also expressed thanks to the Des Plaines Police Department for their successful
rescue at Lake Opeka.
ALDERMAN Alderman Smith extended condolences to Brad Goodman on the passing of his father. She
ANNOUNCEMENTS encouraged residents to visit the new ice cream shop, Marciano Ice Cream, located at
36 E Northwest Hwy. She also thanked the Des Plaines Police Department for their efforts
during the Lake Opeka rescue.
Alderman Charewicz encouraged residents to attend his 8' Ward meeting, which will be
held at National Night Out. He also invited residents to the Isaac Walton League Annual
Pig Roast taking place on August 17.
Alderman Sayad paid his respects to the Goodman family and shared the dates of upcoming
budget meetings:
0 Tuesday, October 9th at 6:30 PM
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• Wednesday, October 15th at 6:30 PM
• Wednesday, October 27th at 6:30 PM (Optional, if needed)
Alderman Merlin commended the Des Plaines Police Department for their successful rescue
at Lake Opeka and complimented their professionalism.
Alderman Walsten encouraged residents to attend the upcoming 100th anniversary
celebration of the Des Plaines Theatre. He also announced that the Building Committee will
meet in September to update construction codes, including the adoption of the 2021
International Code with local amendments.
CITY CLERK No announcements at this time.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MANAGER'S City Manager Wisniewski noted on behalf of city staff extended condolences to
REPORT Brad Goodman on the passing of his father and welcomed Assistant Director of Public
Works Tom Bueser and Assistant Director of Finance William Wukovits to assist in tonight's
City Council meeting.
COUNSEL
REPORT
No announcements at this time.
CONSENT Moved by Sayad, seconded by Smith, to Establish the Consent Agenda. Upon voice vote,
AGENDA the vote was:
AYES: 8 -
Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz
NAYS: 0-
None
ABSENT: 0-
None
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve the Consent Agenda. Upon roll call,
the vote was:
AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 0 - None
Motion declared carried.
Regular Meeting Minutes, Closed Session Meeting Minutes were approved; Ordinance
M-20-25 was approved; Resolutions R-150-25, R-151-25, R-152-25, R-155-25, and
Ordinance Z-21-25 were adopted.
FIRST READING — Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve Ordinance M-20-25, AN ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE M-20-25 APPROVING A NEW CLASS E RESTAURANT DINING ROOM LIQUOR LICENSE
(ON -SITE CONSUMPTION ONLY) FOR PRONTO SANDWICHES, LLC,
1641 OAKTON PLACE. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
APPROVE Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve Resolution R-150-25, A
PURCHASE OF RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A POLARIS RANGER CREW XP
POLARIS RANGER 1000 NORTHSTAR PREMIUM EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLE FROM POLARIS
CREW XP 1000 SALES, INC. MEDINA, MN IN AN AMOUNT NOT -TO -EXCEED $41,702.93. Motion
Consent Agenda declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
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Resolution
R-150-25
APPROVE TASK Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve Resolution R-151-25, A
ORDER #19 WITH RESOLUTION APPROVING TASK ORDER #19 WITH TROTTER AND
TROTTER AND ASSOCIATES, ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,000. FUNDING
ASSOCIATES SOURCE — WATER FUND/PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. Motion declared carried as
Consent Agenda approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Resolution
R-151-25
APPROVE CDBG Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve Resolution R-152-25, A
CONSOLIDATED RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CDBG CONSOLIDATED PLAN (PROGRAM YEARS
PLAN AND ANNUAL 2025-2029) AND ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2025. Motion
ACTION PLAN declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-152-25
APPROVE THREE- Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve Resolution R-155-25, A
YEAR AGREEMENT RESOLUTION ADOPTING A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH SPEEDLINK
WITH SPEEDLINK SOLUTIONS, INC FOR BACKUP SERVER MAINTENANCE AND CLOUD STORAGE
Consent Agenda SERVICES. BUDGETED FUNDS — IT/R&M EQUIPMENT. Motion declared carried as
approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Resolution
R-155-25
SECOND READING — Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve Ordinance Z-21-25, AN ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE Z-21-25 APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE FROM SECTION 12-7-3 FOR A CHILDCARE
CENTER AT 581 EAST GOLF ROAD. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously
under Consent Agenda.
APPROVE Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve the Minutes of the City Council meeting
MINUTES of July 21, 2025, as published. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda Consent Agenda.
APPROVE Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve the Closed Session Minutes of the City
CLOSED SESSION Council meeting of July 21, 2025, as published. Motion declared carried as approved
MINUTES unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda
Moved by Merlin, seconded by Charewicz, to Advance to Second Reading and Adopt
Ordinance M-20-25, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A NEW CLASS E RESTAURANT
DINING ROOM LIQUOR LICENSE (ON -SITE CONSUMPTION ONLY) FOR PRONTO
SANDWICHES, LLC, 1641 OAKTON PLACE. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 0 - None
Motion declared carried.
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NEW BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF With the consent of the City Council and pursuant to Section 1(16) of the City Code, Mayor
CHRIS COHEN Andrew Goczkowski recommended the appointment of Christopher Cohen as
Administrative Hearing Officer. Mr. Cohen has provided administrative adjudication
Resolution services to the City since 2011, presiding over ordinance citation hearings and, as needed,
R-158-25 liquor license matters. Compensation is currently set at a flat rate of $300 per session, an
amount that has remained unchanged since 2011.
Mr. Cohen will continue to serve as an independent contractor and will be compensated at
a rate of $500 per session (up to three hours), with a prorated rate of $166 per hour for time
exceeding three hours. Hearings are held three days per month. Two hearing dates are
reserved for Police Department matters and a third date is scheduled for Code Enforcement
matters.
Mayor Goczkowski noted that Christopher Cohen has been a steady and reliable hand for
Des Plaines and encouraged his continued work for the City.
Moved by Walsten, seconded by Sayad to Approve Appointment of Christopher Cohen as
Administrative Hearing Officer. Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz
NAYS: 0- None
ABSENT: 0- None
Motion declared carried.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION — Alderman Sayad, Chair
WARRANT
Alderman Sayad presented the Warrant Register.
REGISTER
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Oskerka to Approve the Warrant Register of August 4, 2025,
Resolution
in the Amount of $4,058,202.04 and Approve Resolution R-156-25. Upon roll call, the vote
R-156-25
was:
AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 0 - None
Motion declared carried.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT — Alderman Moylan, Chair
CONSIDER Director of Community and Economic Development, Jeff Rogers, reviewed a memorandum
AMENDING dated July 10, 2025.
SECTION 6-4-2
(LOTTERIES & Staff conducted a review of Section 6-4-2 of the City Code and identified ambiguities
RAFFLES) concerning raffle licensing, the definition of multi -drawing raffle events, permissibility of
rollover jackpots, and application of prize limitations.
Ordinance
M-18-25 As currently written, the Code could be interpreted to permit multiple raffles to be conducted
under a single license issued within a calendar year. The first proposed text amendment
eliminates this uncertainty by explicitly requiring a separate license for each individual raffle
event. It also clarifies that a single raffle event may include multiple drawings held on
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different dates, provided all drawings are part of the same licensed event. To avoid further
ambiguity, the amendment defines the conclusion of a raffle as the point at which the final
prize or jackpot is awarded.
Additionally, the second text amendment clarifies and codifies that rollover jackpots are
permissible, resolving ambiguity around games that rely on cumulative prize structures.
Formal recognition of rollover mechanics for raffles and lotteries ensures licensees may
lawfully conduct such raffles without risk of violating local regulations. The maximum prize
value remains capped at $200,000 to align with established City practice.
Alderman Smith asked whether there would be a limit on the number of raffles or drawing -
based events held in the city.
Director Rogers responded that while the City does not allow gambling, this pertains
specifically to 50150 raffles and other fundraising events such as a Queen of Hearts raffle.
He clarified that the existing code already allowed such raffles and will continue to do so
moving forward.
Alderman Oskerka expressed interest in increasing the maximum raffle prize amount from
$200,000 to $500,000.
Alderman Merlin supported simplifying the raffle code and agreeded with raising the prize
limit to $500,000, noting that these raffles are important fundraising tools and the change
would make it easier for the City to manage.
Alderman Charewicz stated that the proposed updates clean up the code and voiced his
support for increasing the limit to $500,000.
Moved by Charewicz, seconded by Walsten to Approve as Amended, Increasing the Limit
from $200,000 to $500,000, Ordinance M-18-25, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTION 6-4-2 (LOTTERIES & RAFFLES) OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF
DES PLAINES. Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 8 - Chlebek, Moylan, Oskerka, Sayad,
Merlin, Walsten, Smith, Charewicz
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 0 - None
Motion declared carried.
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Sayad, seconded by Charewicz, to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion
declared carried. The meeting adjoupo .
Bronakowski — CITY CLERK
APPROVED BY ME THIS_
DAY OF , 2025
Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR