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These minutes were approved at the 8/18/25 City Council meeting with changes.
CITY OF WEST CHICAGO -— 475 Main Street
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - Revised
Regular Meeting
August 4, 2025
1. Call to Order. Acting Chair Avifia Soto called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on
August 4, 2025.
2. Pledge of Allegiance. Alderman Avifia Soto led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum.
Roll call found Dan Beebe, Julieta Alcantar-Garcia, Rebecca Stout, Sandy Dimas, Melissa
Birch Ferguson, Denise Carreto-Mufioz, Joseph C. Morano, Jayme Sheahan, John Smith,
Alton Hallett, Christopher Swiatek Jr., Sergio Santiago, Carlos Avifia Soto, and Matthew
Myers were present.
Also in attendance Interim City Administrator Tia Messino, Business & Community
Relations Director Kelley Chrisse, and Attorney Kevin Sterk.
4. Public Participation.
A. Steve Riani— Mr. Riani spoke for another resident Matt Waldow who couldn't be in
attendance. Mr. Waldow has been circulating a petition online to allow tattoo parlors
in the downtown district. Mr. Riani spoke about the upcoming public forum regarding
taxes and for the city to consider recreational, medical cannabis. He also mentioned
the city regulating the sale of Delta 9 THC.
5. City Council Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2025. Alderman Smith made a motion,
seconded by Alderman Alcantar-Garcia to approve the minutes of July 21, 2025.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Stout, Dimas, Birch Ferguson, Smith,
Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Hallett, Swiatek, Morano and Myers.
Motion carried.
6. Corporate Disbursement Report. Alderman Dimas made a motion to approve the
amended amount, seconded by Alderman Swiatek approving the August 4, 2025, Corporate
Disbursement Report in the amount of $1,365,798.80.
Voting Aye by Roll Call: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Stout, Dimas, Birch Ferguson, Smith,
Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Hallett, Swiatek, Morano and Myers.
Motion carried.
7. Consent Agenda: None
8. Reports by Committee:
Alderman Dimas stated they had the 2024 Audit this evening and reported we were
recognized again for having one of the best audits in the area. She said they appreciate all
the staff that worked diligently to provide them with a good audit.
9. Unfinished Business:
Alderman Morano would like to see item 9.C. from the July 21, 2025 City Council meeting
be brought back at the upcoming City Council meeting.
10. New Business:
A. Approve Ancel Glink’s extension of engagement letter for a period not to exceed
February 3, 2026.
Alderman Myers made a motion to approve Item 10.A, seconded by Alderman Santiago.
Alderman Morano asked if Ancel Glink would be okay with not having Attorney Jeff Jacobson
be one of the attorneys that represent the city.

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City of West Chicago
Regular City Council Meeting
August 4, 2025
Page 2
Attorney Sterk said he could not answer that at this time, but will mention it to Attorneys
Krafthefer and Price.
Alderman Smith agreed with Alderman Morano.
Alderman Hallett asked what is the guarantee that Attorney Jacobson will not be representing
the City.
Attorney Sterk assured that Attorney Jacobson does not work for Ancel Glink.
Alderman Santiago asked what happened during the last two-weeks that the engagement
letter is now being extended.
Alderman Morano stated that the change was not having Attorney Jacobson represent the
city.
Voting Aye by Roll Call: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Stout, Dimas, Birch Ferguson, Smith,
Carreto-Mufioz, Avifia Soto, Santiago, Sheahan, Hallett, Swiatek, Morano and Myers.
Motion carried.
11. Correspondence and Announcements
Upcoming Meetings
August 7, 2025 Infrastructure Committee
August 11, 2025 Development Committee
August 18, 2025 Public Affairs Committee
Alderman Morano mentioned that tomorrow is National Night Out at Reed-Keppler Park’s
The Shell from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
12. Mayor’s Comments.
To avoid a conflict with the Cantigny Back to School event we have rescheduled the
Revenue discussions Special Meeting to Wednesday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Acting Chair Avifia-Soto called on Alderman Hallett. Alderman Hallett asked Alderman
Carreto-Mufioz why she does not place her hand over her heart during the Pledge of
Allegiance. Alderman Carreto-Mufioz answered that she did not think he needed her to do
that. Alderman Hallett explained that it is done out of respect. He then gave statistics on
those who fought for the American flag, and asked that she do it out of respect. He asked
her if she knew what the stripes meant on the flag, to which Alderman Carreto-Mufioz
answered correctly. He proceeded to explain what the colors meant on the flag. He said
this was in no way to embarrass her. Those in the audience shouted out that he was
embarrassing her. Attorney Sterk informed everyone that public comment was over, and
those that wanted to make a comment could do so at the next City Council meeting.
Aldermen Hallett said he meant no harm to Alderman Carreto-Mufioz. Alderman Carreto-
Mufioz responded to him saying he could have spoken to her privately, but that she
acknowledges that she heard his comment.
13. Adjournment
At 7:25 p.m., Alderman Dimas made a motion, which was seconded by Alderman Morano to
adjourn this meeting and go into executive session and there will be no business after.
Voting Aye by Voice Vote: Beebe, Alcantar-Garcia, Stout, Dimas, Birch Ferguson, Smith,
Carreto-Mufioz, Santiago, Sheahan, Hallett, Swiatek, Morano and Myers. Alderman Avifia
Soto abstained. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Valeria Perez
Executive Office Manager