Long Range Plan, Priority Action Items on Tonight's Village Council Agenda
The list includes developing a public art program, considering a private tree protection ordinance and bolstering the engagement of village boards and commissions.
The Village Council is expected to accept the 2025-2027 Long Range Plan, including an updated list of Priority Action Items, at tonight’s meeting. The plan represents four months of workshop discussions by the council and staff as they analyzed trends and issues that could affect the village’s long-term future, considered strategies and solutions, and set goals and priorities for the next 18 months and beyond.
Early on in the process, the council developed certain strategic goals for village government:
Steward of financial, environmental and neighborhood sustainability
Exceptional municipal services
Top-quality infrastructure
Strong, diverse local economy
Safe and welcoming community
Beautiful community
Continual innovation
At its September 16 meeting, the council winnowed more than 40 proposed Priority Action Items into a realistic work plan for the next 18 months. These are meant to reflect the Village Council’s priorities for new policies and programs as well as revisions to existing ones. The criteria for Priority Action Items speaks to the detail and commitment required to bring them to fruition:
They should support strategic plan goals and key issues.
The Village Council will provide policy direction.
They will take six months or more to complete.
They require effort from more than one village department.
In advance of the meeting, each council member was tasked with preparing a Top 10 list of priorities. In addition, “the Village Council confirmed that items labeled ‘in progress’ or ‘required’ would remain on the list,” Village Manager Dave Fieldman said.
In a remarkable show of consensus, commissioners quickly settled on nine items, including two that were unanimous choices. The PAIs gaining majority support are:
Update the Zoning Ordinance (unanimous choice)
Consider a Private Tree Protection Ordinance (unanimous choice)
Develop a Public Art Program (six votes)
Enhance the Engagement of Boards and Commissions (five votes)
Update the Subdivision Code (four votes)
Conduct an Attainable Housing Study (four votes)
Facilitate the Redevelopment of Parking Lot 1 (four votes)
Amend the Sign Ordinance to Allow Digital Signs for Selected Areas or Uses (four votes)
Implement the Comprehensive Plan Focus Area Recommendations for 75th Street and Lemont Road (four votes)
Details of each of these action items can be found beginning on Page 4 of the packet.
After finalizing the preferred list Priority Action Items, the council asked village staff to review the choices to determine the time and effort necessary to complete them. According to tonight’s packet, staff has determined that developing a public art program (six months), considering a private tree protection ordinance (12-15 months) and enhancing the engagement of village boards and commissions (nine to 12 months) all have a high likelihood of being completed on schedule if adopted.