Damian Michalski

The agenda for the regular Village Board Meeting includes the approval of warrants totaling over $346,000 and review of the December 2025 financial statements. Key mayoral actions involve the approval of a Proclamation for National School Choice Week (January 25-31, 2026), consideration of an ordinance regarding the disposition of surplus personal property, and resolutions for the appointment of a new full-time Police Officer and the approval of engineering and vehicle warranty agreements. The Finance Committee agenda includes resolutions for transferring Motor Fuel Tax funds for road improvements and ratifying an amendment to the 457(b) Plan to allow Roth contributions. The Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals items focus on proposed ordinance amendments concerning home occupations, and motions to deny variance requests for several properties, including Sundance of South Barrington, and discussions regarding potential annexations.

The meeting covered the approval of warrants totaling $784,980.75 and the acceptance of the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures and Detailed Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2025. Public comments included resident concerns regarding the recently installed roadway entrance signs. Key resolutions approved included recognizing Veterans Day, amending an ordinance regarding agreed-upon terms, authorizing an amendment to the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission Intergovernmental Agreement, adjusting the compensation level for an executive assistant, accepting a resignation and concurring in the appointment of a new member to the Police Commission. Committee reports detailed financial actions, including approving agreements for new software services and professional design engineering for the 2026 Road Maintenance Program, accepting the Annual Audited Financial Report, determining estimated property taxes for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year, accepting police pension fund reports, and approving agreements for a Water Routing Study. The board also approved resolutions concerning the renewal of employee group insurance and Village contributions to employee HRA/HSA accounts for 2026, and accepting a bid for Parkway Tree Pruning. New business included a motion to direct staff to prepare a strategic plan for the redevelopment of opportunity parcels.

The meeting commenced with the swearing-in of a new Full-Time Police Officer. Following an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and potential litigation, the Board addressed financial matters, including the approval of two Warrant Runs totaling over $301,000 and the acceptance of the November 2025 financial statements. The Mayor reported on the solar panel project, snowplowing contracts for an HOA, and recent professional development. A Public Hearing was held for the Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, which was subsequently adopted via ordinance. Key actions included the approval of an Employee Holiday Bonus and the approval of the 2026 Village Meeting Calendar. The Building & Zoning Committee reported on the approval of an ordinance regarding 'Roof Repair' and discussed future code reviews. The Legal & Human Resource Committee secured approval for an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) agreement. The Architectural Control Commission received approvals for new signage and exterior updates for several entities within the Village and Arboretum. Finally, the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals received approval for the Declaration of Covenants for the Park Pointe Subdivision.

The meeting included a public hearing on several items. Key discussions involved a proposed declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, and By-Laws for the Park Pointe Subdivision, which was approved. The commission also addressed variance requests related to property code interpretation. The first variance request, for 5 Enclave Court concerning pool barrier height requirements (where stone columns and planters did not meet the 48-inch minimum), was tabled due to the issue being classified as a life safety code matter falling outside the Commission's purview for granting a variance. The second public hearing concerned a variance request for 6 Yosemite Court regarding the ban on solar panels on front-facing roof surfaces; the applicant argued that placing panels on rear/side surfaces would significantly reduce energy production (estimated at 11,000 kWh vs. 19,000 kWh for street-facing panels) and be more visible in winter. The Commission noted that granting such a variance could set a precedent for all other properties in the Village. The third variance request, for 6 Yosemite Court, was opened for hearing.

The meeting included discussions on various topics, such as the Mayor's report on attending the O'Hare Noise Reduction meeting and the IML Annual Convention. The board discussed the renewal of an intergovernmental agreement with the Cook County Health Department for environmental health inspectional services and the cable television franchise agreement with Comcast of Illinois IX, LLC. They also covered the SWANCC report, Finance Committee items including municipal gas use tax and liquor control ordinances, and resolutions authorizing contracts for gas use tax collection and snow removal services. Additionally, there were discussions on Public Safety Committee matters, such as safety validation testing for trucks, and Public Works Committee matters, such as participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. The board also reviewed commission reports from the Architectural Control Commission and the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals. Staff reports covered building permits, village engineering updates, police commission activities, and village administration updates, including the upcoming pumpkin smashing event and holiday light recycling.