Elmhurst council approves consent agenda including $55,000 settlement, traffic and street projects

The Elmhurst City Council on Monday approved a broad consent agenda that included a $55,000 settlement in a federal civil case, a planned unit development for Visitation Catholic Church, new left-turn restrictions at North Avenue and Maple Avenue, and several street‑maintenance and contract awards.

The council voted 14-0 to approve the consent agenda as read, excluding specific items removed earlier in the meeting. City Attorney (name not specified) described the settlement with plaintiff Jolly Wells as "for a full release without any admission of any guilt whatsoever on the part of the city or its officer in the amount of $55,000," and said the agreement was intended to "save attorneys fees." The settlement was listed on the consent agenda as item 6.28 and was approved as part of the package.

Why it matters: the package moves multiple projects and contracts into procurement or implementation, establishes traffic rules at a crash-prone intersection, and resolves pending litigation without admission of liability.

Key votes and actions at a glance

- Consent agenda (multiple ordinances/resolutions and reports, items 6.2–6.28 as posted, minus items removed on the record): motion to approve moved by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Clerk Tamer; outcome: approved 14-0.

- Accounts payable (item 6.3): the council approved the accounts payable listing for March 17. Alderman Hill said he would "vote present" on this item because it included an item for his employer; the motion to consider 6.3 was moved and seconded on the floor and the item was approved with 13 yes votes and 1 present vote (as announced on the record).

- Conditional use / Planned Unit Development for Visitation Catholic Church (item 6.4): the Planning and Zoning Committee recommended approval of a preliminary and final planned unit development and one site‑development allowance for wall signage at 779 S. York St.; the council approved the report (vote 14-0).

- Traffic control at North Avenue and Maple Avenue (item 6.6): the Public Affairs and Safety Committee recommended placing additional traffic-control signage and drafting an ordinance to prohibit left turns and through movements from Maple Avenue onto North Avenue; the council adopted the recommendation (vote 14-0). Committee Chair Alderman Michael Brennan and others said the measure responds to a pattern of crashes and will be coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

- Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) appropriation for 2025 general maintenance (item 6.7): the Public Works and Buildings Committee recommended appropriation of MFT funds for the 2025 general maintenance section. Alderman Irby asked whether the report represented a policy change in how MFT funds are used. City Manager (name not specified) said the item before the council was the appropriation report, not the policy change; Director Coyle explained the practical reason for the change: "we're moving away from labor costs to commodity cost ... IDOT requires this resolution so that we expressly state what we're going to use the funds for." The resolution was approved (vote 14-0).

- 2025 pavement striping program contract (item 6.17): the Public Works and Buildings Committee recommended awarding a unit‑price contract to Maintenance Coatings Company for the 2025 pavement striping program, not to exceed the budgeted amount; the council approved the contract award (vote 14-0).

Details and context

The accounts-payable item was pulled for separate consideration because one alderman said it contained a line item involving his employer; he stated on the record he would vote "present" rather than "yes." The clerk read the accounts-payable total as part of the record. The council’s roll calls for individual items were conducted aloud and recorded in the minutes.

On traffic: Alderman Brennan, chair of the committee that forwarded the North/Maple recommendation, said the measure is an immediate safety step and will be coordinated with IDOT, which regulates North Avenue. Alderman Bellinger, who supported the action, noted constituent concern about changes on North Avenue displacing traffic to adjacent streets; the committee and staff said they would continue coordination with IDOT and monitor adjacent streets.

On MFT funds: council members asked for clarity about eligible uses; the city manager and Director Coyle explained this appropriation formalizes the items to be paid from MFT (commodity costs such as asphalt materials and street-light electricity) and reflects prior budget discussion and IDOT guidance regarding the treatment of labor costs.

Other consent-agenda items approved as a group included multiple maintenance and construction programs (asphalt rejuvenation, crack sealing, concrete patching), material‑supply and debris‑removal contracts, community grant awards, professional services agreements for neighborhood traffic study and material testing, funding for traffic‑signal modernization on Illinois 64, and an ordinance authorizing a non‑exclusive license with the Spring Road Business Association. Where an item was handled separately on the record it was noted by the clerk and voted on individually.

What the council did not do

The council removed a set of items from the consent agenda for later consideration (the minutes for a prior meeting were explicitly removed for referral to the next meeting). Several other items were pulled by aldermen for clarification before being returned to the consent agenda and approved.

Looking ahead

Mayor Levin also used the meeting for community announcements, including early voting information for the consolidated election and recognition of the finance department’s Government Finance Officers Association award. The council adjourned after approving the consent agenda and receiving routine reports.