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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO — 475 Main Street
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Regular Meeting
July 1, 2019
1. Call to Order. Mayor Ruben Pineda called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Alderman Dimas led all in the pledge of allegiance.
3. Invocation. The City Clerk gave the invocation.
4. Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum.
Roll Call found Aldermen Lori J. Chassee, James E. Beifuss, Jr., Heather Brown, Jayme
Sheahan, Michael D. Ferguson, Alton Hallett, Sandy Dimas, Melissa Birch-Ferguson,
Christopher Swiatek, Jeanne M. Short, Bonnie A. Gagliardi, and Noreen Ligino-Kubinski
present. Aldermen Matthew E. Garling and Rebecca Stout were absent. The Mayor
announced a quorum.
City Clerk Nancy M. Smith was also present.
Also in attendance were City Attorney Patrick K. Bond, City Administrator Michael L. Guttman,
Museum and Cultural Services Coordinator Sara Phalen, Chief of Police Mike Uplegger,
Community Development Director Tom Dabareiner, and Marketing and Communications
Coordinator Rosemary Mackey.
.5. Public Participation.
The following people spoke during Public Participation:
1) Peggy Krauch, 411 E. Washington Street, West Chicago, IL 60185, President, Friends of
the City Museum, spoke about the Museum's plans for July 27-28, 2019, when the Big Boy
steam engine from Union Pacific is in West Chicago. The Friends had thought about having
an event at Sesquicentennial Park and at the Museum for the people coming into town. The
estimated number of people visiting West Chicago ranges from 1,000 — 30,000. However, the
Friends have been very discouraged because they were told to drop any plans. The Friends
would like to see the opening hours and days of the Museum extended while the Big Boy is in
town. In addition to asking for additional hours they would like to see improved
communications between the Friends and the City. She would like to see everyone on the
same page. The Friends are looking forward to sharing our history with those who do come
to see the train.
2) Becky Hall, 212 Fulton Street, West Chicago, resident since 1988, said she was here on
behalf of the Museum. She said the City Museum would like to be able to plan activities at
the Museum and Depot during the visit of the Big Boy. She also showed Train Magazine that --
had the Big Boy on the front cover. Another magazine had a large article about the Big Boy.
She said twenty-five Big Boys were built, eight still exist, and only one runs, and it is coming
to West Chicago. West Chicago was established because of the trains. She said the
Friends of the West Chicago Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization formed for civic, charitable
and recreational purposes. One important aspect is fundraising and the Friends are looking
to increase visibility and perhaps raise additional funds through gift shop items over the
course of the weekend. West Chicago's Strategic Plan developed in 2016 notes that
residents cherish West Chicago's historic railroad history among other things. The Plan also
called for more community festivals and events. She realizes that the City did not get much
notice. She just hoped the City would let the Friends highlight West Chicago's railroad
history. The Museum would like to be able to plan activities on Saturday.
Mayor Pineda said the City receives information from Union Pacific, and this is their show..
West Chicago is one of the few towns to be so honored with this train arrival. He said the City
has to ensure the health and welfare of the community. At this time it is not known how many
people to expect. If the City had been notified a year ago it could have planned for a festival.
West Chicago will have challenges with Washington Street being repaired. People will have
to use the Wilson Street (A. Eugene Rennels Bridge). The City is bringing in overtime police
officers. Crowd control will be problematic.
6. City Council Meeting Minutes — June 17, 2019. Alderman Brown made a motion,
seconded by Alderman Hallett, to approve the minutes of June 17, 2019, with no changes.
Voting Aye: Alderman Beifuss, Brown, Sheahan, Hallett, Dimas, Swiatek, Short, Gagliardi,
and Ligino-Kubinski. Aldermen Chassee, Ferguson, and Birch-Ferguson abstained. Voting
Nay: 0. Motion carried.