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Morton Grove board terminates Lehigh development agreement, approves ordinances and contracts in 6-0 votes
Summary
The board voted unanimously to end an economic incentive and TIF development agreement for the 8500–8550 Lehigh site, waived a second reading to act the same night, and approved a package of ordinances and resolutions including utility aggregation participation and a municipal auditing contract.
At its Jan. 28 meeting the Village of Morton Grove Board of Trustees voted unanimously on a slate of municipal measures, including terminating an economic incentive and tax-increment financing (TIF) development agreement for property at 8500–8550 Lehigh and approving several ordinances and resolutions.
Village staff member Chuck summarized ordinance 25-04 as “an ordinance authorizing the village to terminate the economic incentive and tax increment allocation financing development agreement by and between the Village of Morton Grove, Illinois and MHDC SLFF, LLC and of the Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation,” a contract previously approved under ordinance 2331. Chuck said the developer did not close on the property by the agreement’s Sept. 1, 2024 deadline and the village is moving to terminate the agreement and reissue the site for a new request for proposals; Chuck added the prior developer “has every right and ability to propose future use of the property.”
Trustees voted 6–0 to waive a second reading so they could act the same night; ordinance 25-04 then passed on the board’s vote, 6–0.
The board also approved:
- Resolution 25-03 to authorize participation in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaboration (NIMAC) and to give the village administrator authority to approve electricity contracts for village-owned buildings. Chuck described the action as routine and said it preserves flexibility to pursue favorable electricity arrangements for village facilities, and potentially residents if an aggregation opportunity arises.
- Ordinance 25-01 (second reading) amending municipal code fees to update water rates and remove the yard-waste sticker fee.
- Resolution 25-04 awarding auditing services to Lauterbach & Amen LLP for a five-year auditing contract running Dec. 31, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2028; staff said the firm was selected after a qualifications-based process.
- Resolution 25-05 authorizing a contract with Core & Main LP of Lake Bluff, Illinois, for the 2025 fire‑hydrant purchasing program; trustees were told hydrants cost roughly $9,000 each and the village plans to replace about 10 per year.
- Ordinance 25-02 approving a special-use permit for an indoor recreational (pickleball) facility at 6451 Main Street.
- Ordinance 25-03 approving an amendment to a special‑use permit to expand an existing daycare at 5633–5649 Dempster Street (Poco Loco); trustees discussed placement of protective bollards during prior meetings and noted changes to their positioning.
The board also approved a warrant register for Jan. 28, 2025, totaling $1,947,616.57 by a 6–0 vote.
All recorded votes shown in the transcript were unanimous (6–0). The board did not record any “no” votes, abstentions or recusals in the meeting transcript.
Votes at a glance (key details and outcomes):
- Ordinance 25‑04 — Terminate economic incentive / TIF development agreement for 8500–8550 Lehigh (related to RFP issued early 2020). Motion to waive second reading passed 6–0; ordinance adopted 6–0.
- Resolution 25‑03 — Authorize participation in NIMAC (electricity aggregation/flexibility). Adopted 6–0.
- Ordinance 25‑01 — Amend fees (water rates; removal of yard‑waste sticker). Adopted 6–0.
- Resolution 25‑04 — Award auditing contract to Lauterbach & Amen LLP for Dec. 31, 2024–Dec. 31, 2028. Adopted 6–0.
- Resolution 25‑05 — Contract with Core & Main LP for 2025 fire hydrant purchases (approx. $9,000 per hydrant; replacing about 10 per year). Adopted 6–0.
- Ordinance 25‑02 — Special‑use permit for indoor pickleball facility, 6451 Main St. Adopted 6–0.
- Ordinance 25‑03 — Amendment expanding daycare at 5633–5649 Dempster St. Adopted 6–0.
- Warrant register Jan. 28, 2025 — $1,947,616.57. Approved 6–0.
The termination of the Lehigh development agreement clears the site for a renewed solicitation; staff said the prior developer may reapply. The NIMAC participation resolution preserves municipal flexibility on electricity procurement but, as one trustee noted during questions, the written resolution itself addresses village facilities rather than resident aggregation unless a future deal is pursued.
