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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/10/1998 CWC minutesMINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1998 9:00 A.M. VILLAGE HALL, 100 S. EMERSON STREET The meeting was called to order by Trustee Timothy Corcoran at 9:00 a.m. Also present was Trustee Paul Hoefert. Representing staff were Village Manager Michael Janonis and Police Chief Ronald Pavlock. Village residents in attendance were: Chris Lenz, 214 N. Louis Tom Keyser, 13 S. Hatlen David Schein, 700 Ivanhoe Ted Beitoloff, 419 S. Emerson Tom Keyser, 13. S. Hatlen — Mr. Keyser advised those present that he has lived in the Village for 11 years and this is the first time that he had attended a meeting of this type. Mr. Keyser reported that for the past several weeks a neighbor approximately a block and a half away from him allowed his three dogs to remain unattended during daytime hours. The dogs climbed up in a tree house structure and barked all day. He indicated that he had talked to the neighbor about the problem, and when he did not receive satisfaction he called the police on several occasions. He is aware that at least two tickets have been issued. Mr. Keyser has talked to the neighbors but most of them do not want to get involved. Village Manager Janonis recommended that the matter be reviewed, and if the citations have not been effective follow up with ordinance violations that would require the owner of the animals to appear in court to answer the complaint. NOTE: This matter was assigned to Police Crime Prevention for review. Mr. Keyser's next concern was the intersection of Busse and Central Road. He inquired as to whether or not there are future plans for an upgrade to that intersection. Village Manager Janonis explained there will be some near -future upgrades that should eliminate many of the problems at that intersection. Mr. Keyser further inquired as to whether or not Busse Road would be widened south of Central Road. Trustee Corcoran explained that in 1986 the residents along Busse Road stopped reconstruction consideration at that time. Trustee Hoefert indicated that this will be coming up for review in the future and there will be public hearings and that all Village residents who are impacted by the traffic that uses alternative neighborhood routes to avoid Busse Road should show up and give their side of the story. Trustee Corcoran further explained that when the County does upgrade roads eventually they give the road to the Village and it becomes the Village's responsibility, including the funding for repair and eventual reconstruction. Mr. Keyser stated that he overwhelmingly supports the Village's leaf pickup program and he would like to see it continue. Trustees Corcoran and Hoefert explained the costs, but that the Board in reviewing it at budget time has considered it a service worth paying for. Mr. Keyser asked if there will be any future upgrades to the walking signal cycle at Central and Busse. The Village Manager explained that this should take place when the intersection is reconstructed, and is extremely critical because Melas Park is also being upgraded to include another two miles of walkways. Mr. Keyser stated that he is supportive of the need for a new Village Hall, but asked that the new construction be looked at with a conservative eye. Trustee Corcoran explained that the Village has been very conservative in its Village construction. Mr. Keyser inquired as to how the Park District can construct facilities such as RecPlex without a referendum when the Library must pursue their needs through a referendum. Trustee Corcoran explained that even though the Library reports their budget through the Village of Mount Prospect Board, they have set a policy that any future increases in funds or fees would go to the voters for an advisory referendum. Village Manager Janonis added that the Library does not need a referendum but, as Trustee Corcoran explained, it is a matter of policy on their part. Chris Lenz, 214 N. Louis - Mr. Lenz asked if Menards will be putting in a right -turn lane off of westbound Rand into their property. Village Manager Janonis indicated he would have to check the plans and get back to Mr. Lenz with an answer to his question. Village Manager further responded that there are long range plans under discussion to create some sort of frontage road along of Rand to take care of those types of traffic concerns, therefore, eliminating any direct turning off of Rand Road itself. Mr. Lenz explained a concern he had about parking in front of his house. He reported that vehicles that park on the east side of Louis tend to almost double park where Louis tapers from approximately a lane and a half to a full two lanes. The road is not striped and when vehicles are overlapped the Police Department on one occasion were not quite sure what action to take. They elected to wait until the owner of the vehicle in question came out of the store and moved their vehicle. Village Manager Janonis stated he would have Public Works review the matter with the possibility of striping the roadway directing motorists to the proper parking places. He will notify Engineering and have them review the matter immediately. This matter was passed on to Public Works for action. David Schein, 700 Ivanhoe - Mr. Schein distributed a pamphlet that described "Project Impact," a government project that calls for funding to subsidize home and business owners, allowing them to upgrade their property to withstand natural disasters. He has this pamphlet for anyone who wishes to contact him. Ted Beitoloff, 419 S. Emerson — Mr. Beitoloff introduced himself as an interested resident, and had just stopped by to see what a Coffee With Council meeting is all about. He thanked the Board Members and Staff for giving residents this opportunity. There being no further business to discuss, Trustee Corcoran adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:15 a.m. gctfull Ronald W. Pavlock Chief of Police RWP Jd 2 MINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1998 10:30 A.M. RIVER TRAILS PARK, 1313 BURNING BUSH ROAD The meeting was called to order by Trustee Corcoran at 10:20 a.m. Trustees present were Irvana Wilks and Paul Hoefert. Representing staff were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Police Chief Ronald Pavlock and Public Works Deputy Director Sean Dorsey. Village residents in attendance were: Rod McKenzie, 910 Boxwood Drive Susan Supergan, 1918 Pawnee Lane Robert Schuh, 1816 Tano Lane Janina A. Johns, 1310 N. Burring Bush Ross & Donna Johnson, 1009 N. Westgate Rod McKenzie, 910 Boxwood Drive — Mr. McKenzie wanted to discuss the Interior Apartment Inspection Program. He felt a recent apartment inspection was inappropriate in that the inspection was performed when a 13 year-old was the only person in the apartment. Village Manager Michael Janonis responded that based on his investigation of Mr. McKenzie's inquiry he found that Mr. McKenzie's facts may not be accurate. There apparently was an adult present. Furthermore, that particular inspection was the result of an overcrowding complaint. It was not part of the Village's Interior Apartment Inspection Program. Trustee Hoefert explained that during the past several years it was found there is a need to have a program that allows the Village to work with landlords and tenants to make sure that the quality of life in all multi -family housing meets or is above standards established by the community. Mr. McKenzie explained his concern that people who have immigrated to this country need to understand the purpose of Code Enforcement. This would result in their not being afraid when Inspectors or Police Officers arrive at their door. There was considerable discussion of how many of our areas have been improved through our Multi -Family, Landlord -Tenant Ordinances that have proved to be beneficial to all residents, as well as owners of the multi -family complexes in our community. Trustee Hoefert stated that there have been a multitude of programs not only on the north side of town, but the south side of town as well, that have brought about a partnership between Village Staff and residents. Trustee Corcoran emphasized that our Police Officers have attempted to work with the community to provide a zero -tolerance on gang activity, therefore, creating a higher standard of living in all areas within the Village. Mr. McKenzie then suggested that he and the Police Chief get together and discuss some possible communication misunderstandings. Chief Pavlock left the room and spent several minutes with Mr. McKenzie to assure him that the Problem Solving Officers are only there to assist the tenants and landlords of the buildings to make sure that a safe environment exists. Susan Supergan, 1918 Pawnee Lane — Mrs. Supergan stated she was at the meeting to give the Board an update on discussions with her neighbors and their solutions to some backyard flooding. She stated they were attempting to alleviate flooding concerns by filling in some low spots in the backyards, but now are working with the Village in approaching the problem by first acquiring the appropriate Village permits. Trustees Corcoran, Hoefert and Wilks expressed their appreciation to Mrs. Supergan for working together with her neighbors in an attempt to solve these problems. Mrs. Supergan stated that her husband has a concern about what is occurring in the Boxwood area. Village Manager Janonis explained there has been a long history of working with the community that has resulted in tremendous effort and change for the positive in the Boxwood area. Mr. Janonis stated there has actually been a tremendous amount of time, effort and money invested in this area. The efforts have resulted in assigning a Problem Solving Officer from the Police Department to the area that has led to the formation of a positive Parking Sticker Program supported by residents hiring their own private security and forming their own Neighborhood Watch Organizations. Trustee Corcoran emphasized that in his opinion Boxwood is a much improved neighborhood. Trustee Wilks added that she has attended neighborhood association meetings that have involved Police Officers playing basketball with the local youth, and other representatives of the Village discussing solutions to some of the residents' concerns. Trustee Hoefert stated that many of the programs that have proven successful in Boxwood are now being tried in other locations in Mount Prospect. Village Manager Janonis indicated there are at least six associations in Boxwood that work with the Village Departments as well as the Park District and area schools. Trustee Wilks emphasized the importance of owners of the multi -family complexes getting together to solve problems and come up with solutions that would benefit their tenants. She stated that in the south end of town there are some multi -family complexes that have at least a dozen owners and are managed by at least three companies. Trustee Corcoran mentioned that we have ordinances on the books that actually allow the Village to force building owners to upgrade their structures or face condemnation. He mentioned at least one complex in the Village that was actually condemned, but was eventually reopened after at least $200,000 was invested in the building. Mrs. Supergan then brought up the issue of power outages in her area. Village Manager Janonis stated that the Village is continuing to monitor the outages, but Commonwealth Edison, through a tree -trimming program, has attempted to eliminate some of the causes they claim have led to previous power outages. Mr. Janonis stated that we are probably in a "benchmark period" to see whether the tree trimming leads to the elimination of a good percentage of the power outages. Robert Schuh, 1816 Tano Lane — Mr. Schuh advised the Board that he has worked for the Telephone Company for over 33 years, and can assure everyone that power outages as well as phone interruptions are caused mainly by trees and/or rodents coming in contact with the lines. He then explained that he is representing the local Homeowners Association that is now dissolving and will be donating monies left in their treasury to the local School District. His neighbors feel that this money should benefit the local area. 2 Mr. Schuh extended his appreciation to all of the Village Departments for all of the work they have done in maintaining a quality Village, and wanted to thank the Village Board for supporting quality programs. He did mention, however, that he had a problem with an expansion joint in the street in front of his house. He described it as a separation between the pavement and the curb where water was running into the opening and disappearing. Village Manager Janonis suggested that Public Works review the situation. Deputy Director Dorsey stated that he would have someone look at it as soon as possible. Mr. Schuh again wanted to express his neighborhood's appreciation for the services the Village provides. Janina A. Johns, 1310 N. Burning Bush — Ms. Johns wanted to express her concerns about the airport noise that has become increasingly more aggravating over the past thirty years she has lived in the Village. She feels that the noise in her neighborhood is primarily from Palwaukee, and wanted to know if there were any future plans to attempt to eliminate this problem. She is aware that the Village has been working with the Airport Authority for a solution to the noise concerns. Village Manager Janonis explained that Village Staff, as well as the Village Board, are well aware of the noise created by both airports and that in the Burning Bush area it may be increasing because O'Hare traffic, mainly on Sundays, has been flying over that area. Trustee Wilks explained to Ms. Johns that she needs to contact the 800 number and report the times the noise is at its loudest. She stated that Mayor Farley and she serve on the O'Hare Noise Commission, and they have found that if residents monitor the air traffic and report the specific time, the Airport Authority has a better chance of identifying the pilots who may be causing the problems. She stated that there is a noise monitor on Wood at Burning Bush that does specifically monitor this neighborhood. Ross and Donna Johnson, 1009 N. Westgate — Mr. & Mrs. Johnson wanted to inform the Board that their neighborhood is probably one of the first in the community to upgrade their entrance markers utilizing the recently passed ordinance that allowed them to do this. They explained that the entrance markers located at Euclid across from the swimming pool have just been completed at cost, thanks to donated time by several residents. Mrs. Johnson stated she and her husband found a local resident who has lived in this country for seven years and is a skilled bricklayer. He wants to make his community a better place to live because there are twenty- seven families that have immigrated to the area from his homeland. The total project cost is $4,200 and they are sending out letters to the neighbors asking for donations, requesting that the checks go directly to a bank account set up specifically for this purpose to make sure that there are no questions about where the money is going. She asked the Trustees and others present on their way home to drive by the location to review the finished project. Trustee Wilks stated that perhaps we could have Ross Rowe, our Cable Coordinator, work with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and make a video that could be shown on local cable. Trustee Corcoran asked if there were any further questions or comments. Mrs. Supergan inquired about a sidewalk program in her area. Village Manager Janonis explained that in order to do the entire area along with other areas of town that need sidewalks the program would cost in excess of $700,000. He explained that you could not do just a block -by -block sidewalk program, but would have to do an entire section for it to be appropriate. Consequently, you would have to get 100% of your neighborhood to agree to pay for the program. He reminded the resident that a couple of years ago a group on Pawnee attempted to start a program, but were not able to get everyone to agree to the project. Consequently, it had to be eliminated from consideration. Trustee Corcoran agreed with the Village Manager that all neighbors would have to be in total agreement. There being no further business to discuss, Trustee Corcoran adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m. RWP:jd 4