Western Springs public meetings in 2024

Board of Trustees

The Western Springs Board of Trustees will hold its regular December 16 meeting to vote on an omnibus package including a $45 million infrastructure bond referendum for the April 2025 election, the 2025 annual budget, and several ordinances and resolutions. The meeting will also include approval of minutes, committee reports, and public comments.

• $45M general obligation bond referendum for infrastructure (Ordinance 24-3233)
• 2025 annual budget approval (Ordinance 24-3227)
• Five-year solid waste collection contract with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC (Resolution 24-2855)
• Amendment to Class H liquor license for Davanti Enoteca at 800 Hillgrove Avenue (Ordinance 24-3232)
• Phase II lead service line replacement design services agreement with HR Green, Inc. (Resolution 24-2860) and Amendment #1 and #2 (Resolution 24-2861)

The Board of Trustees approved the omnibus vote, which included the 2025 budget, 2024 property tax levy, a referendum for General Obligation bonds for infrastructure, an amended Class H liquor license for Davanti, a five-year contract with LRS Refuse and Recycling, and lead service replacement project items. The motion passed unanimously. The board also accepted the October and November 2024 financial reports as presented.

• Approved omnibus vote including 2025 budget, 2024 tax levy, GO bond referendum, Davanti liquor license, LRS contract, lead service replacement items (7-0)
• Accepted October and November 2024 financial reports (6-0)

Plan Commission

The Western Springs Plan Commission will hold a public hearing on a petition by Tom Ear and Kelly Moran to amend the Comprehensive Plan's Long-Range Land Use Map and the Village Zoning Map for the property at 917 Lawn Court. The commission will then make a recommendation on the petition. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from the November 18, 2024 meeting and public comment.

• Public Hearing PC 2024-04 – Tom Ear and Kelly Moran – 917 Lawn Court
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the Long-Range Land Use Map
• Amendment to the Village Zoning Map
• Plan Commission recommendation on the petition

The Plan Commission held a public hearing and voted unanimously to recommend approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and zoning map amendment for 917 Lawn Court, rezoning Parcel 2 from R4 multifamily to A single-family residential. The recommendation will move to the Planning and Zoning Committee and then the Village Board for final action. No public comments were received in advance, and one neighbor spoke in support.

• Approved minutes from November 18, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
• Appointed Commissioner Turner as temporary chair (unanimous)
• Recommended approval of comprehensive plan amendment for 917 Lawn Court (unanimous)
• Recommended approval of zoning map amendment from R4 to A for 917 Lawn Court (unanimous)
• Closed public hearing PC 2024-04 (unanimous)

Board of Trustees

The Western Springs Board of Trustees will hold two public hearings: one on the 2024 property tax levy and another on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget. The board will also discuss and potentially vote on several contracts, including refuse and recycling services, lead service line replacement projects, and a liquor license amendment. The agenda includes a mix of routine items and significant financial decisions.

• Public hearing on 2024 property tax levy, including tax cap reductions and abatements for outstanding bonds
• Public hearing on Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget and amendments to Fiscal Year 2024 budget
• Refuse and Recycling Services Agreement with Lake Shore Recycling Systems, LLC
• Amendment to Class H Liquor License and Temporary Use Permit for Davanti Enoteca, 800 Hillgrove Avenue Unit 100
• Lead Service Line Replacement Project contracts with HR Green and Robinson Engineering

The Board of Trustees held public hearings on the 2024 property tax levy and 2025 operating budget, then voted unanimously to place both items on the December 16 agenda for final approval. The proposed levy totals $10,871,003, a 1.49% increase, and the library's portion is $2,015,155. No final decisions were made on these items at this meeting.

• Placed 2024 property tax levy on Dec. 16 agenda (6-0)
• Closed property tax levy public hearing (6-0)
• Placed 2025 operating budget on Dec. 16 agenda (6-0)
• Closed 2025 budget public hearing (6-0)
• Approved omnibus vote of agenda items (7-0)

Board of Fire and Police Commission

The Western Springs Board of Fire and Police Commission will meet to conduct routine procedural items and discuss a new business item regarding the promotional and testing process for a sergeant position. The board will also consider an agreement with Resource Management Associates related to this process.

• Sergeant Position Promotional and Testing Process
• Resource Management Associates Agreement

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners approved filling one vacant sergeant position with Officer Chase Naber, who is second on the eligibility list. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Deputy Chief Jasutis noted the sergeant's list will be exhausted after the promotion and is researching companies to administer a new test.

• Approved filling vacant sergeant position with Officer Naber (unanimous voice vote)
• Approved meeting minutes of June 26, 2024 (voice vote)

Public Works and Water Committee

The Public Works and Water Committee is meeting to consider amendments to the engineering contract for Phase 1 of the Lead Service Line Replacement Project and a proposal from HR Green for Phase 2 design and bidding services. They will also receive a water system update. Public comment is scheduled.

• Lead Service Line Replacement Project Phase 1 - Amendment 1 and 2 to Engineering Contract
• Lead Service Line Replacement Project Phase 2 - Design and Bidding Services Proposal from HR Green
• Water System Update

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is meeting to discuss and potentially act on several financial items, including a proposed referendum to issue general obligation bonds for infrastructure, the 2024 property tax levy, and the 2025 budget. They will also consider transferring excess reserves from the General Fund to other funds, budget amendments, and a TIF expenditure payment to Hawthorn 45, LLC.

• Referendum to Issue General Obligation Bonds to Fund Infrastructure
• Transfer of Excess Reserves from General Fund to Capital Improvement Fund & Special Purpose Reserve Fund
• 2024 Property Tax Levy
• 2025 Budget
• South TIF Expenditure – Second Distribution per Economic Incentive Agreement to Hawthorn 45, LLC

The Finance Committee approved placing a $45 million General Obligation Bond referendum on the December 2 Board of Trustees agenda to fund infrastructure projects. It also recommended forwarding several items to the Board, including transfers of excess reserves, budget amendments, a TIF payment, the 2024 property tax levy, and the 2025 budget. All motions passed by roll call vote.

• Approved placing $45M GO bond referendum on Dec 2 agenda (roll call)
• Approved placing excess reserve transfers on Dec 2 agenda (roll call)
• Approved placing Municipal Services budget amendments on Dec 2 agenda (roll call)
• Approved placing Finance budget amendment for reserve transfer on Dec 2 agenda (roll call)
• Approved placing $145,295.23 TIF payment to Hawthorn 45, LLC on Dec 2 agenda (roll call)
• Recommended 2024 property tax levy of $8,867,538 for Dec 2 Board consideration
• Recommended 2025 budget for Dec 2 Board consideration

Planning and Zoning Committee

The Western Springs Plan Commission will review and discuss a continued application for a comprehensive plan amendment, conditional use, variations, and subdivision at 5600 Wolf Road. The commission will make a recommendation on the proposal by McNaughton Development, LLC. The agenda also includes routine items like minutes approval and public comment.

• Continued PC-2024-02: Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Long-Range Land Use Map, Conditional Use for Planned Development, Variations, and Subdivision at 5600 Wolf Road
• Applicant: McNaughton Development, LLC
• Approval of minutes from September 24, 2024
• Public comment period