Park Ridge meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Park Ridge boards weigh cell tower lease, police station study, and more

Park Ridge's city boards and councils met over the past two weeks to consider a range of agenda items, including a cell tower lease, a police station feasibility study, a historic district designation, and several contracts. Minutes have not yet been published, so the outcomes of these meetings are not available.

City Council

The City Council held both a Committee of the Whole and a regular meeting on August 14 and again on August 17. The agendas included:

• A lease with Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC for a cell tower at 930 N. Dee Road (the Dee Road train station site).
• A feasibility study for the Police Station by Cordogan Clark Architecture, Engineering and Construction for $38,500.00.
• A contract for aggregate material delivery and debris hauling with RC Topsoil Inc. for $218,860.00.
• A purchase order for a SCBA Compressor and Fill Station from Air One Equipment for $80,940.00.
• A contract with Patriot Pavement Maintenance, Inc. for street crack sealing for $49,940.00.
• A purchase of server hardware and software licensing, not to exceed $27,500.00.
• First readings of ordinances designating the Spanish Town Historic District (HD-26-01) and establishing Special Service Area No. 26-112 for Washington/Harrison.
• A first reading of a resolution to extend the Special Use Permit for 10 Higgins Road.
• A lease for the Uptown train station space with Midwest Doughboys, LLC.

Firefighters' Pension Board

The Firefighters' Pension Board of Trustees met on August 12. The agenda included:

• Refunds to former members: Ethan Burnoski $986.68 and Anthony Gonzales $6,323.36.
• Termination of John Bieniek's retirement benefit (effective 06/07/2026) and approval of Donna Lo Schiller's surviving spouse benefit.
• Approval of a regular retirement benefit for Deputy Chief Derek Decker effective 8/14/26.
• Review of the actuarial valuation and tax levy request to the city.

Planning and Zoning Commission

On August 21, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on a map amendment (MA-26-05) and planned unit development (PUD-26-03) for a hotel and multi-family development at 809 W Touhy Avenue, 5-25 Third Street, 850 Garden Street, and 842 Garden Street.

Other Boards and Commissions

• **Zoning Board of Appeals** (August 22): Public hearings on four variance requests at 113 Belle Plaine Avenue (VA-26-17), 638 Ottawa Avenue (VA-26-18), 1713 S. Ashland Avenue (VA-26-19), and 525 S. Chester Avenue (VA-26-20).
• **Appearance Commission** (August 21): Review of 11 cases, including a commercial signage project at 140 N Northwest Hwy. (CI-26-12) and several single-family alterations.
• **Youth Services Commission** (August 21): Discussion of the Golden Award, National Night Out, Pool Party, and Farmers Market, plus an updated budget report.
• **Farmers Market Committee** (August 14 and 19): Discussion and potential approval of new tents and logo trademark spending.
• **Community Health Commission** (August 14): Budget review and planning for Stop the Bleed, flu vaccines, a community bike ride, Run Park Ridge, senior events, and an e-bike safety course.
• **Mayor's Advisory Board** (August 14 and 18): Interviews for Youth Commission vacancies, including one adult and seven student positions.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Park Ridge boards review cell tower lease, mural program, and Spanish Town historic district

Park Ridge city boards and commissions held a series of meetings from July 28 through August 7, covering a cell tower lease, a proposed mural program, a historic district designation, and multiple contracts and purchases. All meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no final decisions are confirmed.

City Council

The City Council's Committee of the Whole met August 3 to consider several action items, including a proposed cell tower lease agreement with Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC at 930 N. Dee Road (Dee Road Train Station) and a lease for Uptown Train Station space with Midwest Doughboys, LLC. The committee also reviewed a $218,860 contract with RC Topsoil Inc. for aggregate material delivery and debris hauling, a $38,500 feasibility study for a new police station by Cordogan Clark Architecture, and an $80,940 purchase order for an SCBA compressor and fill station from Air One Equipment. Additional contracts for sidewalk grinding and pavement marking were listed at $30,000 each.

At the regular City Council meeting the same day, final readings were scheduled for an ordinance defining murals in the zoning code (ZA-26-03) and a resolution establishing a City of Park Ridge Mural Program. The council also considered a purchase order of $20,662.40 to College of DuPage for police recruit basic academy training, a zoning variance for an additional wall sign at 140 N. Northwest Highway (VA-26-12), and a warrant report of $1,004,024.10 for the period ending July 30, 2026.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission met July 28 to review a site plan at 245 Vine Avenue (ZPR-26-10) and a zoning text amendment to define murals (ZA-26-01). The agenda also noted a withdrawn application for a hotel and multi-family development at 809 W. Touhy Avenue and multiple Third and Garden Streets.

Historic Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing August 5 on a proposed historic district designation for the Spanish Town area (HD-26-01). The commission also received updates on the HPC Awards Program, the L. Hodges Addition intensive historic survey, and future State Historic Preservation Office grant opportunities.

Other boards and commissions

• **Sustainability Commission** (July 29): Reviewed its decision-making structure, discussed the 2027 budget and composting budget, and received a presentation on the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Updates on tree canopy efforts and work items for mobility, waste/recycling, education, and climate/energy were also listed.
• **Animal Commission** (July 29): Agenda consisted of procedural items—roll call, approval of June 29 minutes, and review of three pending cases. No substantive decisions were listed.
• **Foreign Fire Tax Board** (July 30): Discussed the treasurer's report and previous purchases, with action items on fitness/wellness, special teams equipment, personal safety equipment, station improvements, and vehicle equipment.
• **Mayor's Advisory Board** (July 31 and August 4): Interviewed six applicants for vacancies on the O'Hare Commission (2 seats) and Youth Commission (3 adult commissioner seats). Applicants were John Mays, Gene Sims, Meghan Roberts, Danielle Crawford, Mateusz Ezlakowski, and Kathleen Meade. The board deliberated and planned to make recommendations.
• **Board of Fire and Police Commissioners** (August 4): Met to certify the updated Final Police Eligibility List effective July 21, 2026, and to vote on qualifying or disqualifying candidates. The board also adjourned to a closed session to discuss personnel matters.
• **Firefighters' Pension Board of Trustees** (August 7): Approved a regular retirement benefit for Deputy Chief Derek Decker effective 8/14/26, terminated John Bieniek's retirement benefit (06/07/2026) and approved Donna Lo Schiller's surviving spouse benefit, and approved refunds of $986.68 to Ethan Burnoski and $6,323.36 to Anthony Gonzales. The board also reviewed the annual actuarial valuation and tax levy request to the city, plus disability case updates.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days as of August 10, 2026. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for future agendas.

Park Ridge government roundup: Council agendas packed with spending items, zoning changes, and commission reviews

Park Ridge's boards and commissions had a busy late July, with the City Council and several advisory bodies scheduling votes on contracts, equipment purchases, zoning changes, and community planning items. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, the items below reflect what was on each agenda — not confirmed outcomes.

City Council and Committee of the Whole

The City Council had three meetings on the calendar between July 20 and July 31. Agendas included a $27,600 budget amendment to the Water Supply Account for SCADA system upgrades, a $28,500 purchase order increase to Phillips Edison d.b.a. Uptown Station LLC for common area maintenance fees, and a $24,000 purchase order to Flock Safety Solutions for camera equipment and software.

The Council was also scheduled to act on two ordinances: one amending Article 5 Chapter 11 to define and abate specific weeds as a nuisance, and another amending 13-2-11 to establish a school zone speed limit on W. Talcott Road from S. Cumberland Avenue to S. Prospect Avenue. A one-year extension to the water leak survey contract with M. E. Simpson for $39,300 was also listed.

Warrant reports on the July 20 agenda totaled $2,140,054.51. A warrant report on the July 31 agenda (Warrant Report C073026, period ending July 30, 2026) totaled $1,004,024.10.

The Committee of the Whole met July 20 and July 31. The July 20 agenda included a $20,662.40 purchase order to College of DuPage for Basic Academy training of four police recruits, plus first readings of a resolution establishing a City of Park Ridge Mural Program and an ordinance amending the Municipal Code regarding the Building Official and Deputy Building Official.

The July 31 Committee of the Whole agenda included a $218,860.00 contract with RC Topsoil Inc. for aggregate material delivery and debris hauling, an $80,940.00 purchase order for an SCBA Compressor and Fill Station at Station 35, a $38,500.00 police station feasibility study by Cordogan Clark Architecture, Engineering and Construction, contracts for sidewalk grinding ($30,000.00) and pavement marking ($30,000.00), and lease agreements for 930 N. Dee Road (Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC) and Uptown Train Station (Midwest Doughboys, LLC). The body was also scheduled to discuss the Citywide Comprehensive Plan.

The July 31 regular Council meeting agenda included final readings of an ordinance creating a definition for murals (ZA-26-03) and a resolution establishing the Mural Program, a zoning variance for a wall sign exceeding 16 square feet at 140 N. Northwest Highway (VA-26-12), and the $20,662.40 police recruit training purchase order.

Planning, Zoning, and Appearance

The Planning and Zoning Commission met July 24 and July 28. Both agendas listed a site plan review (ZPR-26-10) at 245 Vine Avenue and a public hearing on a zoning text amendment (ZA-26-01) to create a definition for murals. An application (MA-26-04 and PUD-26-02) for a hotel and multi-family development at 809 W Touhy Avenue and surrounding addresses was withdrawn by the applicant.

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 23 to hold public hearings on variance requests at 140 N. Northwest Highway (VA-26-12), 245 Vine Avenue (VA-26-14), and 420 S. Lincoln Avenue (VA-26-16).

The Appearance Commission met July 22 to review a new garage at 31 Berry Parkway (GA-26-03), single-family alterations at 626 Parkwood (SA-26-13) and 920 St James (SA-26-14), a single-family residence at 1118 Garden (SF-26-05), and a commercial project at 149 N Northwest Hwy regarding shutters (CI-26-11).

The Historic Preservation Commission met July 31 to hold a public hearing and vote on designating a portion of Spanish Town as a historic district (HD-26-01), with updates on the HPC Awards Program, the L. Hodges Addition historic survey, and future SHPO grants.

Public Safety and Pension

The Park Ridge Police Pension Board met July 21. Agenda items included an election to fill Sergeant Moehrlin's position, discontinuing the pension website, purchasing fireproof cabinets, approving an actuarial report for December 31, 2025, and considering membership applications from Francesca Spagnolo and Tyler Keane. An update on Frank Lauria's disability application was also listed.

The Foreign Fire Tax Board met July 30 with action items on fitness and wellness, special teams equipment, personal safety equipment, station improvements, and vehicle equipment.

The Animal Commission met July 23 and July 29 to review cases numbered 26-00022001, 26-00022072, and 26-00023282.

Community Commissions

The Youth Services Commission met July 20 to discuss National Night Out, a pool party, the farmer's market, and the Golden Award, with an updated budget report.

The Community Health Commission met July 24 to debrief the Ride Illinois Safely event and discuss planning for an e-bike safety course, physicals and immunizations, a library blood drive, a community bike ride, Run Park Ridge, and a senior-focused event.

The Sustainability Commission met July 29 to discuss its 2027 budget, composting budget, the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, tree canopy efforts, and work items covering mobility, waste and recycling, education, and climate/energy.

The Mayor's Advisory Board met July 31 to interview six applicants — John Mays, Gene Sims, Meghan Roberts, Danielle Crawford, Mateusz Ezlakowski, and Kathleen Meade — for vacancies on the O'Hare Commission (2 vacancies) and Youth Commission (3 adult commissioner vacancies).

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the City of Park Ridge website for newly posted agendas or schedule changes.

Park Ridge Roundup: Hospital Expansion Vote, $2.19M in Warrants on July 6 Council Agenda

Park Ridge boards and commissions posted a full slate of agendas in the first half of July, covering a hospital expansion, police training, traffic safety, and several zoning cases. All meetings listed below are marked "agenda only" in city records — minutes have not yet been published, so the items reflect what each body was scheduled to consider, not confirmed outcomes.

City Council — Hospital Expansion and Warrant Payments

The July 6 Regular Meeting of the Park Ridge City Council was scheduled to take up final approval of an ordinance granting a map amendment, special use, and zoning variances for a hospital expansion at 1700 Luther Lane (MA-26-03/SU-26-07/VA-26-13). The consent agenda included appointments and purchase orders, including a $27,600 purchase order increase to Gasvoda & Associates for SCADA system upgrades. The council was also set to review Warrant Report C062526 totaling $2,076,102.04 and Warrant Report C070126 totaling $117,693.01, reviewed by Alderperson Rapisand. Appointments of a Director and Alternate Director to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County were also on the agenda.

Committee of the Whole — Cameras, Speed Limits, Weed Ordinance

The July 6 Committee of the Whole agenda included a $24,000 purchase order to Flock Safety Solutions for camera equipment and software, an ordinance establishing a school zone speed limit on W. Talcott Road from S. Cumberland Avenue to S. Prospect Avenue, a one-year, $39,300 extension to the water leak survey contract with M.E. Simpson, a $28,500 purchase order increase for common area maintenance fees at Uptown Station, and the first reading of an ordinance defining and abating specific weeds as a nuisance.

A July 17 Committee of the Whole agenda listed a $20,662.40 purchase order to the College of DuPage for Basic Academy training of four police recruits, the first reading of a resolution establishing a City of Park Ridge Mural Program, and the first reading of an ordinance amending the municipal code regarding the Building Official and Deputy Building Official. Discussion items included the Farmers Market's intellectual property and potential trademarking, plus the July Human Resources newsletter.

July 17 Regular Meeting — Budget Amendment, Ordinances

The July 17 Regular Meeting agenda included a $27,600 budget amendment to the Water Supply Account for SCADA system upgrades, the $28,500 Uptown Station common area maintenance increase, the $24,000 Flock Safety purchase order, the weed nuisance ordinance, and the W. Talcott Road school zone speed limit ordinance.

Mayor's Advisory Board — Seven Interviews

On July 6, the Mayor's Advisory Board was scheduled to interview seven applicants — Ronald Baker, Andy Han, Mary Louise Herrold, Sarah Cardillo, Anita De Frank, Dean Parisi, and Jill Pinsky — for one seat on the Planning & Zoning Commission and three seats on the Library Board of Trustees.

Zoning Board of Appeals — Three Variance Hearings

The July 17 Zoning Board of Appeals agenda included public hearings on variances at 140 N. Northwest Highway (VA-26-12), 245 Vine Avenue (VA-26-14), and 420 S. Lincoln Avenue (VA-26-16), plus approval of June 25, 2026 draft minutes and a Council Liaison Report.

Appearance Commission — Six Cases

The July 17 Appearance Commission agenda listed six cases: a new garage at 31 Berry Parkway (GA-26-03), single-family alterations at 626 Parkwood (SA-26-13) and 920 St James (SA-26-14), a single-family residence at 1118 Garden (SF-26-05), and a commercial project with shutters at 149 N Northwest Hwy (CI-26-11).

Other Boards and Commissions

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was scheduled July 17 to certify an updated Final Police Eligibility List effective July 21, 2026, with a closed session on specific employee matters. The Park Ridge Police Pension Board agenda for July 21 included discontinuing the pension website, purchasing fireproof cabinets, an election for Sergeant Moehrlin's position, and actuarial report approval as of December 31, 2025. The O'Hare Airport Commission met July 16 to review construction updates, the Airport Noise Management System, and the Residential Sound Insulation Program. The Community Health Commission and Youth Services Commission both met July 17 to plan community events. The Farmers Market Committee met July 10 and July 15 to discuss purchasing branded canopy tents.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed in city records for the next 14 days. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July meetings should watch for published minutes, which were not available as of this roundup.

Park Ridge Roundup: Hospital Expansion Zoning, Police Cameras, and Board Vacancies on Recent Agendas

Park Ridge's recent government meetings covered a hospital expansion, public safety purchases, and appointments to key boards — but because minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions, only the items scheduled for consideration can be reported. No vote tallies or final outcomes are available in the records provided.

City Council: Hospital Expansion at 1700 Luther Lane

The City Council's regular meeting agenda for July 6, 2026, included the final reading of an ordinance granting a map amendment, special use, and zoning variances for an expansion to an existing hospital facility at 1700 Luther Lane (MA-26-03/SU-26-07/VA-26-13). If approved, the ordinance would update land-use rules for that property.

The consent agenda listed the appointment of a Director and Alternate Director to the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, and a $27,600 purchase order increase to Gasvoda & Associates, Inc. for SCADA system upgrades. Warrant reports totaling $2,193,795.05 were also scheduled for review — Warrant Report C062526 for $2,076,102.04 and Warrant Report C070126 for $117,693.01, reviewed by Alderperson Rapisand.

Committee of the Whole: Cameras, Speed Limit, Water Survey

The Committee of the Whole agenda for July 6, 2026, included several action items:

• A $24,000 purchase order to Flock Safety Solutions for camera equipment and software.
• An ordinance establishing a school zone speed limit on W. Talcott Road from S. Cumberland Avenue to S. Prospect Avenue.
• A one-year extension to the water leak survey contract with M.E. Simpson for $39,300.
• A $28,500 purchase order increase for common area maintenance fees at Uptown Station (Phillips Edison / Uptown Station LLC), plus a related budget transfer.
• A first reading of an ordinance amending the Municipal Code to define and abate specific weeds as a nuisance.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss revising Council Policy Statement #19 to expand residential parking permit exceptions to the Morris Street and Meacham Avenue corridor.

Mayor's Advisory Board: Seven Applicants Interviewed

The Mayor's Advisory Board was scheduled to interview seven applicants — Ronald Baker, Andy Han, Mary Louise Herrold, Sarah Cardillo, Anita De Frank, Dean Parisi, and Jill Pinsky — for one opening on the Planning & Zoning Commission and three openings on the Library Board of Trustees. The board was then set to deliberate and make recommendations. Minutes from the June 1, 2026, meeting were also on the agenda for approval.

Historic Preservation Commission: Spanish Town District Review

The Historic Preservation Commission agenda included a preliminary review and action on a proposed historic district designation for the Spanish Town area (HD-26-01). Updates were also scheduled on the HPC Awards Program, the L. Hodges Addition intensive historic survey, and future SHPO grants.

Other Boards and Commissions

• **Foreign Fire Tax Board** (July 1): Action items listed on fitness and wellness for fire personnel, special teams equipment, personal safety equipment, station improvements, and vehicle equipment. No dollar amounts or project details were specified on the agenda.
• **Animal Commission** (June 30): Routine agenda including approval of March 9, 2026, draft minutes, old business, and new business. No specific resolutions or contracts were listed.
• **Farmers Market Committee** (July 10): Scheduled to discuss purchasing branded canopy tents for the Market, Community, and Kids Activity areas.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days, according to the records provided. Residents should check the city's official calendar for any newly posted sessions.