Council Minutes 10-09-2025MINUTES 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,
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025
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 6:30 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial
Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
ROLL CALL Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten,
and Smith. Chlebek, Moylan and Charewicz were absent. A quorum was present.
NOMINATION OF A motion was made by Oskerka and seconded by Sayad to elect Alderman Sayad as
MAYOR PROTEMP Mayor Pro Temp in the absence of Mayor Goczkowski. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 5 - Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 3 — Chlebek, Moylan, Charewicz
Alderman Chlebek entered the Council Chambers at 6:39 PM
Mayor Goczkowski entered the Council Chambers at 6:50 PM
Also present: City Manager Wisniewski, Director of Finance Podbial, Director of
Community and Economic Development Rogers, Public Works and Engineering
Director Watkins, Director of Media Services Goodman, Director of Information
Technology Wojtaniec, Chief of Police Anderson, and Fire Chief Matzl.
2026 BUDGET Chairman Sayad introduced the 2026 Proposed City Budget.
OVERVIEW City Manager Wisniewski presented the 2026 Proposed Budget Introduction and
Overview. For this meeting, approximately half of the total budget was reviewed,
including the Elected Office, City Manager, Finance, Community & Economic
Development, Public Works & Engineering, Police, Fire, and Fire & Police
Commission.
The current proposed budget will increase the City of Des Plaines' portion of property
taxes by an estimated 0.54%.
2026 proposed budget challenges include:
• Pension liabilities
• Revenue sources at risk and unfunded mandates
• Underperforming TIF districts
• Funding of significant capital improvements
• Local economy
Each department's budget was summarized.
PUBLIC Donald opposes the city's pension debt, wanting the city to pay it off earlier. In
COMMENT addition, asked the city to pursue more competitive bidding for its RFPs.
Mayor Goczkowski resumed his position as chair at 6:53 PM
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CITY
MANAGER
COMMUNITY &
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC WORKS
AL
ENGINEERING
POLICE
FIRE
FIRE & POLICE
COMMISSION
ADJOURNMENT
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Council Request: None
Public Question: Jessica Mastalski requested staff amend the Clerk's organizational
chart.
Council Request: None
Council Request: None
The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce requested $65,000 for business retention
services. After discussion, Council discovered the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce
has issued 60 surveys and has invoiced the city for $9,600.
Moved by Merlin, seconded by Chelbek, to provide the Des Plaines Chamber of
Commerce $45,000 for business retention services. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES — Chlebek, Oskerka, Sayad, Merlin, Smith
NAYS — Walsten
ABSENT — Moylan, Charewicz
Motion carried.
Council Request: None
Collin Tyson asked about the status of the active transportation plan.
Director Watkins shared that there is currently a delay and will be administered in the
next 1-3 years.
Council Request: None
Mayor Goczkowski inquired about the use of Flock data, and whether it can be
accessed by external entities.
Chief Anderson noted that there are no known issues at this time and that checks and
balances are in place to ensure the data is used only in ways intended by the City
Council.
Council Request: None
Council Request: None
Moved by Merlin, seconded by Sayad, to adjourn the meeting. Upon
motion was declared carried.�ZThee ' a rned at 7:19 p.m
` Bronakowski, City Clerk
APPROVED BY ME THIS
DAY OF , 2025
Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR
voice vote,