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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/1998 CWC minutesMAYOR Gerald L. Farley TRUSTEES George A. Clowes Timothy J. Corcoran Paul Wm. Hoefert Richard M. Lohrstorfer Daniel A. Nocchi Irvana K. Wilks VILLAGE MANAGER Michael E. Janonis Village of Mount Prospect VILLAGE CLERK Carol A. Fields 100 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 MINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1998 9:00 A.M. MOUNT PROSPECT VILLAGE HALL 100 SOUTH EMERSON STREET Phone: (847) 392-6000 Fax: (847) 392-6022 TDD: (847) 392-6064 Mayor Gerald L. Farley called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Also present was Trustee Timothy Corcoran and Village Manager Michael Janonis. Village residents in attendance were: Frank Smith, 903 Quince Lane Larry L. Gillreath, 1880 West Palm Drive Frank Smith, 903 Quince, indicated that he lives in an area of town where water and sanitary sewer services are provided by Citizens' Utilities Company as opposed to the Village of Mount Prospect. Mr. Smith wanted to know whether Citizens' Utilities Company notifies the Fire Department, on a regular basis, when water service is shut off, either by main breaks or planned system maintenance. He felt this was important information for the Fire Department to have when responding to fire emergencies. Mr. Janonis indicated that he did not know what the reporting protocol was, but would find out from the Fire Department and report back to Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith also inquired about the status of the Wisconsin Central/North Central commuter line and future plans to add a second track to the system. Mr. Janonis indicated that there had been no public hearings or other information distributed lately. Mr. Smith indicated that if a second track goes in, he felt that it should go on the west side of the existing track, as far away from the existing family homes as possible. Mr. Smith also noted that he had received a response from Congressman Porter's office to his recent letter opposing the expansion. He indicated that Congressman Porter was supportive of the project. Finally, Mr. Smith raised the issue of whistle blowing and the unregulated grade crossing located in the unincorporated Forest River area just south of Kensington Road. It was noted that even if future Federal regulations would relieve the railroad of sounding whistles at gated and signaled crossings, this unregulated crossing would still require the engineer to blow a whistle. Trustee Corcoran asked the Village Manager to look into the status of this crossing and determine whether it was still being used and what would be required to secure a whistle blowing exemption in the future. Mr. Smith also inquired about whether the Village had any records that would indicate a relationship between the nearby Commonwealth Edison high-tension lines and an increased incidence of cancer in his neighborhood. Mr. Smith noted that over the past several years, a number of his neighbors had developed cancer. Mr. Janonis indicated that the Village does not receive nor maintain such records. Both Mayor Farley and Trustee Corcoran indicated that it would be difficult to establish any relationship with the proximity of the lines to the adjacent residential neighborhood. Numerous studies have been done and most have been either inconclusive or have found no direct link. Larry Gillreath, 1880 West Palm Drive, spoke. He indicated that he moved into the Village a couple of years ago and was generally pleased with the community. He also indicated that he was interested in getting the Village to recognize the importance of December 15, Bill of Rights Day. Mr. Gillreath indicated that December 15 is the anniversary of the State of Virginia's ratification of the Bill of Rights. It is through the Virginia legislature's actions that the United States had its true beginning. He also felt that the County and State should likewise recognize the significance of the day. Mayor Farley indicated a willingness to present an appropriate Proclamation for the Village Board to consider at the appropriate time in 1998. He asked Mr. Gillreath to provide some additional background and language that could be used in the preparation of a Proclamation. Mr. Gillreath said that he would be happy to provide such information. There were no other residents in attendance who wished to bring forth any discussion items. Mayor Farley closed the Village Hall Coffee with Council at 10:01 a.m. He indicated that Trustee Corcoran, Village Manager Janonis and he would be traveling to the Public Works facility to join other Board members at the "floating" location of the Coffee with Council meeting. Respectfully s MIC)9AEL E. JAI Village Manager MEJ/rcc MINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1998 9:00 AM PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY, 1700 WEST CENTRAL ROAD Trustees Paul Wm. Hoefert, Daniel A. Nocchi, and Irvana K. Wilks called the meeting to order at 9:10 AM. Representing staff was Deputy Director of Public Works Sean P. Dorsey. Village residents in attendance were: Michael Zielinski, 934 Tower Drive Diane and Jerry Peterson, 202 Fairview Avenue Mark Lattner, 407 Oak Street Dennis and Tom Reindl, 30 South Main Street Judy and Jim Salazzo, 10 North Kenilworth Avenue Ray Louis, 706 SeeGwun Avenue John Feuerborn, 1498 Brownstone Court, #102 Mrs. Diane Peterson, 202 Fairview Avenue. Mrs. Peterson commented that she had seen press coverage of the "Great World" plan for redevelopment of the downtown area. She asked if the Board was giving this concept serious consideration. She also asked if the Board was considering other options for downtown redevelopment. Trustee Wilks explained that the "Great World" plan was an unsolicited concept brought forward by a private citizen. The Village did not commission the plan. Trustee Wilks, along with Trustees Hoefert and Nocchi, expressed personal reservations about the constructability and economic viability of the "Great World" plan. Trustee Wilks also explained that staff had recently circulated a Request for Prosposals (RFP) to qualified redevelopment consultants and designers. The purpose of this RFP is to solicit alternative downtown redevelopment plans for the Plan Commission and Board to consider. Trustee Nocchi explained the RFP process and cautioned that it is unlikely any one plan will be developed to fruition. In reality, it is probable that only part, or parts, of an approved plan will be built. Trustee Hoefert emphasized that the value of an overall plan is to let developers and builders know what the people of Mount Prospect would like to see happen in their downtown. Mr. Michael Zielinski, 934 Tower Drive. Mr. Zielinski stated that he is attending to listen to the discussion regarding downtown redevelopment. Mr. Jerry Peterson, 202 Fairview Avenue. Mr. Peterson expressed concern about the economic impact that the "Great World" plan would have on existing businesses such as Randhurst Shopping Center. He and Mrs. Peterson also mentioned that they do not like the idea of more condominiums, apartment buildings, or other high rise structures in the downtown area. Trustee Hoefert stated that he shares Mr. Peterson's concerns about the effects that downtown redevelopment will have on existing businesses. He also suggested that the vacancy problem in a large retail structure, such as the mile -long building envisioned in "Great World", could be a magnification of the "Big Box" retail center vacancy problem. Trustee Hoefert concluded his comments by noting that he shares the Petersons' disdain for high rise structures in the downtown area and noted that the Village Board has, in the recent past; informally attempted to limit the height of downtown buildings. Mr. Peterson also asked if a crosswalk could be painted across the east side of the Central Road/Northwest Highway intersection. Deputy Public Works Director Sean Dorsey responded that Central Road is a State of Illinois right-of-way. As such, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) must authorize all pavement markings on Central Road. Mr. Dorsey stated he would inquire as to whether IDOT would permit the installation of a painted crosswalk at the location Mr. Peterson suggests. Mrs. Peterson also asked if anything could be done to improve the configuration of the aforementioned intersection. Specifically, Mrs. Peterson mentioned that sometimes cars headed eastbound on Central Road stop too close to the tracks and mistake the Prospect Avenue right turn signal for their own. Mrs. Peterson stated that she has personally experienced near collisions while attempting to turn right onto Central off of Prospect. Mr. Dorsey responded that it would be very difficult to correct that specific situation without severely restricting or eliminating access to Central Road from Prospect Avenue. Mr. Dorsey also noted that the traffic lights are delayed through the intersection to allow vehicles to clear the railroad tracks and avoid stacking in the Prospect Avenue/Central Road intersection. Mr. Dorsey also mentioned that Public Works staff is currently discussing the configuration of the Prospect Avenue/Central Road intersection with IDOT and the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Trustee Hoefert and Trustee Nocchi noted that there are a large number of traffic lights, signs, and pavement markings at the intersection already and suggested that additional regulatory devices might compound the problem rather than help. Trustee Hoefert requested that staff check the intersection pavement markings. Mr. Mark Lattner, 407 Oak Street. Mr. Lattner stated that that he does not support some of the parking restrictions discussed at the January 6 Village Board meeting. Specifically, he is against the parking restrictions on Memory Avenue. Mr. Lattner suggested that instituting parking restrictions on Memory would transfer the parking problems to adjacent streets. Trustee Wilks responded that the parking restrictions currently being considered by the Village Board are the result of neighborhood meetings with Prospect High School officials and residents living near the school. Trustee Wilks noted that the Memory Avenue restrictions, in particular, are intended to help control parking problems associated with the soccer clubs that use the athletic fields. Mr. Lattner noted that only one (1) home has a driveway that exits onto Memory. The remaining homes have drives that exit onto streets that intersect Memory. Therefore, Mr. Lattner suggested, the Memory Avenue parking restrictions only have the potential to benefit one (1) homeowner. Mr. Lattner also opined that the soccer parking problem would transfer to Oak, or other nearby streets, and the Board would soon find itself extending the parking restrictions further and further away from the school. Trustee Wilks asked staff to investigate whether residents on Memory had participated in the neighborhood meetings held last year to discuss the parking problems around Prospect High School. Specifically, she wanted to know whether residents on Memory requested relief from parking problems. In addition, Trustee Hoefert asked staff to clarify the background and intent of the subject proposed parking restriction ordinance. Mr. Dennis Reindl, 30 South Main Street. Mr. Reindl identified himself as the Chairman of Northwest Electric Company, Inc. Mr. Reindl asked whom the Board felt held higher authority over the use of land — government or the property owner? Mr. Reindl then provided focus for his inquiry by reciting a chronology of events associated with proposed redevelopment of the Northwest Electric property. Mr. Tom Reindl, 30 South Main Street, who identified himself as the Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Electric, assisted in the delivery of this chronology. In summary, the Reindls feel the Village has not been responsive to their redevelopment efforts. They noted that Northwest Electric has been negotiating with the Village for redevelopment of their Main Street property for almost two (2) years. The Reindls accepted 2 responsibility for some of the delays but emphasized that the most recent delay has been a lengthy wait for the Village to respond to their third party appraisal. Trustee Hoefert emphasized that all of the current Village Board members value Northwest Electric as an important part of our business community. He also noted that the Reindls' chronology was not a comprehensive iteration of actual events. He explained that the Village has, in fact, invested a considerable amount of time and money working on various Northwest Electric redevelopment efforts. Trustee Wilks recalled that, over the course of the past 20 years, Northwest Electric has been rather reluctant to participate in most downtown redevelopment efforts. She also noted that the Village purchased the old theater property with the intent of making it available to Northwest Electric when, and if, they wanted to "square -off' their property. She also suggested that much of the delay during this recent round of negotiations can be attributed to Northwest Electric's apparent preoccupation with the development of their McHenry, Illinois property. Trustee Wilks concluded her comments by stating that the Village has an obligation to spend taxpayers' money wisely. If there is a significant problem with Northwest Electric's appraisal, then staff is bound to investigate it thoroughly. Trustee Nocchi emphasized that all of the Board's actions, including downtown redevelopment efforts, are on behalf of all Village residents. These actions should not be mistaken as the will of a small group of individuals. Trustee Nocchi also expressed his desire that the pending negotiations with Northwest Electric be resolved amicably for all parties. Trustee Hoefert concurred and requested that, within the next few weeks, staff organize a meeting with Northwest Electric to discuss these matters. Trustee Hoefert stated that he would like to attend such a meeting. Mayor Gerald L. "Sldp" Farley, Trustee Timothy J. Corcoran, and Village Manager Michael E. Janonis arrived at 10:10 AM. Ms. Judy Salazzo, 10 North Kenilworth Avenue. Ms. Salazzo explained that she and her husband are new residents and are attending this meeting to learn more about Village government. Mr. Lattner asked if the Village has considered buying downtown properties on the open market instead of relying on eminent domain. Trustee Hoefert explained that the Village has purchased several properties on the open real estate market. He cited the old Prospect Theater lot and a single-family house on Pine Street as examples of such purchases. Trustee Hoefert also noted that the Village has, in fact, never used eminent domain to procure real property. Mr. Ray Louis, 706 SeeGwun Avenue. Mr. Louis asked what benefit the average resident could expect to realize from downtown redevelopment. Mayor Farley explained that a number of components comprise the public's perception of a community. These components include the quality of streets, police/fire protection, and water distribution. Another important component is the perceived viability of the business mix within the community. All of these components affect the public's perception. The public's perception of a community is reflected in the value they place on real property. By most accounts, the vitality of the downtown business area could be improved. If the downtown area is revitalized, it could improve the overall perception of Mount Prospect and, ultimately, increase the amount of money people are willing to pay for property in the Village. Mr. Louis also asked if any thought had been given to redirecting Route 83 to Busse Road. Village Manager Janonis explained that Route 83 is a State of Illinois right-of-way. As such, the Village has no jurisdiction over the routing of the road. Mr. Janonis noted that the Village has received no indication that IDOT has even discussed changing the path of Route 83. Mr. Janonis also observed that Route 83 is a Class 2 truck route. As such, it would probably prove extremely problematic diverting the truck traffic away from the established businesses that currently line Route 83 north and south of Mount Prospect. 3 Similarly, it would also be politically difficult to introduce large truck traffic into new neighborhoods. Mr. Janonis surmised that Route 83, in all likelihood, will remain where it is. Mr. John Feuerborn, 1498 Brownstone Court, #102. Mr. Feuerborn explained that he has recently been experiencing difficulty with the management company that runs his apartment complex. Specifically, Mr. Feuerborn has been unable to get Invesco, the management company, to relax a lease clause requiring him to keep his windows shut during the heating season. Mr. Feuerborn explained that it is difficult for him to honor this clause because there is no heat control switch in his apartment and Invesco keeps the heat in his building uncomfortably high. As a result, he has experienced ambient air temperatures near 85 degrees in his apartment. Mr. Feuerborn feels that opening his windows is the only available avenue of relief from the heat. Mr. Feuerborn noted that he has endured these high temperatures even during the recent sub -freezing weather. He has complained to Invesco on numerous occasions to no avail. To underscore the importance of this matter, Invesco recently cited him for having his windows open. Mr. Feuerborn asked if the Village Board would be willing to consider enacting an ordinance granting tenants the right to open their apartment windows if the landlord keeps the heat set too high. Trustee Hoefert commented that such an ordinance would have to be carefully phrased in order to limit the Village's exposure to liability for property damaged by cold air vented into an apartment through an open window used to control the heat. Mr. Janonis suggested that Mr. Feuerborn's circumstance is probably the exception rather than rule. Staff usually receives complaints that heating in apartment buildings is inadequate. As such, Mr. Janonis suggested that an ordinance might not be the best remedy to Mr. Feuerbom's dilemma. Mr. Janonis advised Mr. Feuerborn that he would direct staff to contact Invesco and attempt to broker an amicable resolution of his problem. Mayor Farley adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:50 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Sean P. Dorsey Deputy Director of Pu orks SPD XAFILFSFRONTOFRADMIMCW C 198.DOC 4