Niles public meetings in 2022

Building & Zoning Committee

The Niles Building & Zoning Committee will consider updates to the Health and Sanitation Ordinance and a proposed amendment to Chapter 94 requiring rental applications. They will also receive updates on health inspection services, development, the Comprehensive Plan, and the Housing Stock Improvement Program.

• Chapter 54 Health and Sanitation Ordinance update
• Chapter 94 Sec.94-41 amendment requiring rental application when applicable
• Health Inspection Services contract update
• Housing Stock Improvement Program update

The Building and Zoning Committee approved a bid waiver to continue using Health Inspection Professionals for food establishment inspections. Members discussed ongoing residential developments at 9201 and 6633 Milwaukee and provided updates on the Comprehensive Plan and Housing Stock Improvement Program.

• Approved bid waiver for Health Inspection Professionals contract (6-0)
• Approved meeting minutes from October 20, 2022 (6-0)

Planning and Zoning Board

The Board continued a request for a zoning variation at 7136 Lee St to the January 9, 2023 meeting. The request involves a rear yard setback of 7.92 feet where 40 feet is required for a home addition built without a permit. The Board requested the presence of the architect and builder at the next hearing due to conflicting testimony and concerns over the structure's foundation.

• Approved minutes of November 7, 2022 (6-0-1)
• Tabled variation request for 7136 Lee St until January 9, 2023

General Government & Information Technology

The General Government / IT Committee approved moving two insurance renewal resolutions to the Board of Trustees. The committee also received an update on the See Click Fix customer service portal.

• Approved September 13, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Recommended renewal of Health Insurance Program for Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023 to Board of Trustees (4-0)
• Recommended renewal of Property Casualty and Workers Compensation Insurance Program for Dec 1, 2022 – Dec 1, 2023 to Board of Trustees (4-0)

Community Relations Commission

The Commission approved updated rules and procedures for submitting citizen complaints and adopted a new complaint form, including an online version. The body also received training on the Open Meetings Act and FOIA requirements.

• Approved September 14, 2022 meeting minutes (8-1-0)
• Adopted Rules and Procedures of the Community Relations Commission for Citizen Complaints (Unanimous)
• Approved new complaint form and creation of an online version (Unanimous)

Firefighters Pension Board

The Board approved the September 30, 2021 financial report and the Department of Insurance Annual Statement. Trustees authorized a $500 monthly contract for post-consolidation investment services and updated the Global Cash Management portal representatives. The Board also processed one new member admission, one benefit termination, and one member withdrawal.

• Approved September 30, 2021 financial report (5-0)
• Approved payment of bills and checks totaling $147,996.06 (5-0)
• Approved Department of Insurance Annual Statement (5-0)
• Approved Post Consolidation Services Proposal at $500 per month (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2021-03 and revised Global Cash Movement form (5-0)
• Approved admission of Adam Hoeflich into the Fund (5-0)
• Terminated surviving spouse benefit for Janice Sosnowski (5-0)
• Approved Michael Furtak's withdrawal and refund of $1,388.96 (5-0)

Planning and Zoning Board

The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval for a new multi-family apartment building and a vocational driving school. The board also approved a residential gazebo variation and tabled several other requests. All recommendations must be affirmed or denied by the Board of Trustees.

• Recommended approval of 235-unit apartment building at 6633 N Milwaukee Ave with a north-side fence condition (4-1)
• Recommended approval of text amendment for vocational educational facilities in ENT-MU district, limited to 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri (5-0)
• Recommended approval of Special Use Permit for vocational driving school at 5990 W Touhy Ave, limited to 7 trucks and 7 trailers (5-0)
• Approved variation for 978 s.f. accessory structure and 14.17' gazebo at 6820-6840 W Howard St (5-0)
• Tabled rear yard setback variation for 7136 Lee St (5-0)
• Tabled Special Use Permit and parking variation for vehicle repair at 7956 W Oakton St (4-1 and 5-0)

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Advisory Group

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Advisory Group discussed several safety concerns and planning updates but made no formal decisions. They reviewed recent police accident reports involving cyclists and pedestrians, heard a presentation on the Cook County Bike Plan, and discussed potential safety improvements at the Howard St/North Branch Trail crossing. The group also considered a resident's request for pedestrian safety zones and explored the possibility of bringing a Cycling Without Age program to Niles.

• Approved minutes of August 22, 2022, with one correction (voice vote, all concurred)
• Discussed safety at Howard St/North Branch Trail crossing; Public Works to consider speed radar signs and automatic flashers
• Discussed resident's request for pedestrian safety zone near Oakton and Waukegan; will wait for IDOT rebalancing study results before action
• Explored potential Cycling Without Age program; will schedule meeting with Senior Center to discuss logistics

Public Works Committee

The Public Works Committee voted unanimously to send the Lawrencewood Water Main Design Build Project to the Village Board for approval. The project will line existing 4-inch water mains in the Nordica town home area, saving an estimated $2 million compared to full replacement. The committee also voted unanimously to increase water meter fees, which have not been raised since 2016, to stop the Village from losing money on new meter installations.

• Approved sending Lawrencewood Water Main Design Build Project to Village Board (unanimous)
• Approved amending Appendix D Fee Schedule to increase water meter prices (unanimous)

Building & Zoning Committee

The Building and Zoning Committee will meet to discuss updates on the Housing Stock Improvement Program, Comprehensive Plan, cross control, department software, development, proposed fees in Appendix D, and a health inspection services RFP. No new business is listed.

• Housing Stock Improvement Program update
• Comprehensive Plan update
• Proposed fees in Appendix D
• Health Inspection Services RFP

Public Safety Committee

The Public Safety Committee will discuss a police staff study and review current fees for ambulance services. The meeting also includes a scheduled executive session regarding specific employee personnel matters.

• Police Staff Study
• Review of current fees for ambulance services
• Executive session regarding appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees

Building & Zoning Committee

The committee will review several departmental updates including the Housing Stock Improvement Program and Comp Plan. Discussions are also scheduled regarding fees, fines, elevator inspectors, and murals.

• Housing Stock Improvement Program update
• Comp Plan update
• PUD Text Amendment update
• Cross Control update
• Discussion of fees/fines

Public Safety Committee

The Public Safety Committee will meet to discuss the outcome of the Finance Committee regarding Police seizure and DUI accounts. The body will also discuss the Glenview Dispatch contract.

• Discussion of Police seizure and DUI accounts pursuant to Federal and State seizure laws
• Glenview Dispatch contract

Public Safety Committee

The committee will review several staff studies and items related to the Niles Fire Department. Discussion topics include a COPS grant, Flock License Plate Readers, and ambulance refusals.

• COPS Grant discussion
• Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) discussion
• Transports to County Morgue discussion
• Ambulance Refusal discussion

Building & Zoning Committee

The committee is discussing various updates to the Niles Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. Proposed changes include updates to dimensional standards, cellular tower regulations, and the C-5 Zoning District.

• Proposed reduction of minimum front yard from 25’ to 0’ in Section 6.3
• Proposed increase of Director authority from 10% to 15% in Section 15.5
• Creation of regulations for circular driveways and temporary Covid testing sites
• Proposed modifications to non-conforming gas stations in Section 16
• Text amendment to Subdivision Ordinance regarding minor subdivisions

Public Safety Committee

The joint meeting includes discussions regarding police department equipment disposal and annual uniform orders. The agenda also contains items related to Motorola STARCOM, Glenview Dispatch, and the Northern Illinois Regional Crime Lab. Additionally, the Fire Department is scheduled to discuss a purchase of a Pierce Enforcer fire engine.

• Resolution authorizing disposal of outdated workout equipment at the Police Department
• Annual uniform order from JG Uniforms of Chicago
• Fire Department purchase of a Pierce Enforcer fire engine

Public Safety Committee

The committee will review several equipment purchases for the police and fire departments. The meeting also includes a discussion of 2023 budgetary requests for both departments.

• Flock Safety LPR (Police)
• Digital Mobile Radios Purchase (Fire)
• AFG Grant Purchase of MSA Air Packs and Adapters (Fire)
• Police and Fire 2023 Budgetary Request

Building & Zoning Committee

The committee will review the FY2023 Budget and several new business items including real estate transfers and software programs. Discussion topics include design guidelines, lighting standards, and electric vehicle charging station language.

• FY2023 Budget
• North Milwaukee subarea plan
• Proposed text amendment on dumpster permits
• Review of Zoning Code section 9.2 lighting standards
• Discussion on Outdoor Dining