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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2018 CWC MinutesMINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 Community Center 1st Floor Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:00 AM with Mayor Arlene Juracek, Trustee Richard Rogers, Trustee Paul Hoefert, Trustee Bill Grossi, and Trustee Coleen Saccotelli in attendance. Village Manager Mike Cassady, Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey and Fire Chief Brian Lambel represented staff. Residents in attendance were: John Elenberger Redwood Drive Walter Szymczak Eastwood Drive Bill Millar Central Road Jim Chylik Locust Lane Clyde and Dee Randmark Nutmeg Court Carol Tortorello Elmhurst Avenue Thomas Tezky School Street Louis Goodman School Street Vicki Chung Wille Street John Dunn Owen Street Jerry Boldt School Street David Horwitz Linneman Road Bruce Nejdl MacArthur Avenue Louis Bowers Boxwood Drive Jeffery Nejdl MacArthur Avenue Tom Manion Edward Street Ro McFadden Albert Street George Clowes Elm Street Yulia Bjekic Hi Lusi Avenue David Schein Na Wa Ta Avenue John Elenberger, Redwood Drive. Reminded everyone to turn their clocks ahead one hour tonight. Walter Symczak, Eastwood Drive. Congratulated the village on reaching a favorable, new long- term water rate agreement with the Northwest Municipal Joint Action Water Agency. He noted that the rate increase caps and long term of the new agreement offer substantial benefits for residents. Mayor Juracek explained the general provisions of the agreement. Bill Millar, Central Road. Commented that the sidewalk along Central Road installed in conjunction with the Westbrook School improvements is spalling. He also noted that some of the asphalt along the section of Main Street resurfaced by IDOT last year is beginning to fail. He also inquired about the status of the Central/Weller pedestrian crossing. Public Works Director Sean Dorsey discussed the improvement and noted that no modifications are imminent. Jim Chylik, Locust Lane. Suggested that lowering the speed limit on Central Road is not warranted. He further commented that drivers will travel at the speed they feel is comfortable regardless of the posted speed limit. Mr. Chylik also inquired about the status of Busse Road. Mayor Juracek explained that the roadway owner, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, has issued a newsletter update on the project that features construction of 3 -lane cross section. John Elenberger observed that a similar configuration in Branson, MO does not work well. Clyde and Dee Randmark, Nutmeg Court. Had no issues to discuss. Carol Tortorello, Elmhurst Avenue. Had no issue to discuss. Thomas Tezky, School Street. Invited residents to help assemble jig -saw puzzles at one of the activity rooms in the library. He explained he is assembling puzzles as a memorial to Parkland, Florida shooting victims. Louis Goodman, School Street. Had no issues to discuss. Vicki Chung, Wille Street. Thanked village leadership for allowing Village Hall to host early voting. She also complimented Trustee Hoefert on his integrity for proactively discussing his real estate interests across the street from the proposed townhome development on North Elmhurst Avenue prior to a recent village board vote on the project. She also inquired about plans for the existing police/fire building once the police department relocates. Mayor Juracek responded that the matter is being examined by the Village Manager and Fire Chief. Trustee Bill Grossi encouraged public input on the police department headquarter relocation issue. Village Manager Cassady noted that public discussions on the matter will be held on March 27, April 3, and April 10. Trustee Richard Rogers noted that the police department has grown in size since the existing building was constructed in the early 1990s. He commented that space in the current building is tight and officers are utilizing hallways and storage rooms as work areas. George Clowes, Elm Street. Stated he found the Bierman Court location for the proposed new police headquarters to be isolated and opined it would not work well as a police facility. He believes that the police headquarters should be located in the downtown area. Village Manager Cassady noted that the existing police headquarters building is an ideal location for a transit oriented redevelopment that could significantly help improve the viability of the downtown business district. Ro McFadden, Albert Street. Asked what will happen to the fire department if the police department vacates the existing downtown location? She said she found arguments that police need to move because space is tight and the land is valuable inconsistent if the fire department remains in the building. Mayor Juracek responded that no decision has been made about the disposition of the fire department and noted that the matter is being examined by staff. Trustee Paul Hoefert commented that the public should expect additional costs if the police department is relocated. He suggested that additional costs will likely include finding a new home for the fire department. Trustee Bill Grossi noted that relocation of police and fire departments will free up valuable land for redevelopment. Louis Goodman, School Street. Commented that five (5) years from now no one will remember that the police department was once located in the downtown area. Page 2 of 5 Trustee Colleen Saccotelli encouraged residents to visit to the new police department building open house and participate in the planned public meetings on the matter. George Clowes, Elm Street. Commented that many communities have their police headquarters buildings in or near their downtown areas. Jerry Boldt, School Street. Stated he concurs with Mr. Clowes. He believes that the police headquarters should be located downtown. Yulia Bjekic, Hi Lusi Avenue. Related that she works in real estate development and commented that a 45 -day due diligence period for the purchase of the Bierman Court property is very short. She encouraged the village to share information about the project with the public. She specifically suggested sharing expectations about the value of redeveloping police/fire headquarters as a mixed use development. She also cautioned that the message should be clear and timely. Village Manager Cassady noted that the fire department is working on an analysis to identify the best location for their facility. Mr. Cassady also noted that redevelopment of the existing police/fire headquarters building could generate a property tax increment of $250,000 per year. Mayor Juracek commented that the property tax burden will likely not be increased to pay debt service on a bond issue for the proposed police department relocation. John Elenberger, Redwood Drive. Encouraged the village to consider carefully the burden of debt for future generations. Bruce Nejdl, MacArthur Avenue. Suggested moving fire department to lot behind post office. He also suggested moving the police to the American Chartered Bank building situated between Main Street and Rand Road. In addition, he inquired about the anticipated cost of relocating the fire department. Village Manager Cassady explained that the lot behind the post was approved for a townhouse redevelopment at the last village board meeting. Consequently, the lot is not available as potential municipal building site. Mr. Cassady also related that the village is currently in discussions with the American Chartered Bank. He also noted that the estimated costs of fire department relocation are explained in detail in the police department space needs study. This report is available online at the village website. Louis Goodman, School Street. Suggested constructing a new police building at Gregory Park. Mayor Juracek responded that constructing a new building on that site costs approximately $10 million more than the Bierman Court solution. John Dunn, Owen Street. Stated there is no need for the police department to be located in the downtown area. Jerry Boldt, School Street. Stated that the "NoMoRobo" automated phone call blocking service works well. He also inquired whether the fire department recharges fire extinguishers. Finally, he mentioned that he receives village newsletters late. Fire Chief Brian Lambel responded that the fire department does not provide fire extinguisher recharging service. Mayor Juracek stated she would ask staff to review newsletter delivery timelines. David Horowitz, Linneman Road. Inquired whether the police department could operate out of more than one location. Mayor Juracek responded that the idea is feasible and could be considered. Page 3of5 Bruce Nejdl, MacArthur Avenue. Suggested that the village should emphasize construction of a pedestrian/bicyclist bridge over Northwest Highway and the Union Pacific Railroad connecting Melas Park and Meadows Park. Village Manager Cassady responded that staff is currently reviewing proposals for Phase 1 engineering work on the project. Trustee Richard Rogers encouraged construction of pedestrian bridge over Main Street connecting the parking deck with the businesses on the west side of the street. Mr. Nejdl responded that the village should wait for the demand to be created before constructing such a bridge. He also commented he finds the pace of redevelopment is slow. Village Manager Cassady noted that the village board recently approved almost $50 million in private development. Trustee Colleen Saccotelli affirmed that the pace of redevelopment is increasing. Trustee Paul Hoefert commented it is not constructive to compare expectations of other places or eras to redevelopment of Mount Prospect's downtown. He briefly discussed the popular comparison with Arlington Heights' downtown area and noted that Mount Prospect's downtown is small and the Village Board has affirmed a commitment not to expand it into adjacent residential neighborhoods. Bill Millar, Central Road. Asked why the village holds its annual Shining Stars event in Palatine instead of Mount Prospect. Mayor Juracek responded that there wasn't an appropriate venue available in Mount Prospect this year. She further noted that reservations and commitments for the event are made up to a year in advance. She also stated she was hopeful future events could be held in Mount Prospect. Louis Bowers, Boxwood Drive. Commented that staff is doing a good job with pothole patching. Tom Manion, Edward Street. Had no issues to discuss. Ro McFadden, Albert Street. Inquired about opportunities to meet the new police chief. Village Manager Cassady responded that the chief is unavailable today because he is attending former Mount Prospect Police Chief Ron Pavlock's funeral. He also noted that there was a public meet and greet at the Village Board meeting in January when he was sworn -in. Ms. McFadden asked if additional opportunities could be arranged. Mr. Cassady responded that opportunities to meet the chief will be scheduled. Louis Goodman, School Street. Inquired about the sales tax rate in Mount Prospect. Mr. Goodman commented that many restaurants charge 11 %. Village Manager Cassady responded that the Mount Prospect rate is 10% plus 1 % for food and beverage tax. An additional '/4% is added for purchases made at Randhurst Village. George Clowes, Elm Street. Discussed active shooter response training. He encouraged the village to conduct a seminar for seniors and other residents to increase their awareness and ability to survive an active shooter incident. He also suggested that zoning be looked at for driveway entrances. He noted the new driveway on Route 83 near the KD Market is particularly difficult to maneuver. Page 4 of 5 David Schein, Na Wa Ta Avenue. Related that during his career as a federal government employee, active shooter response training was held twice a year. He also inquired about the volumetric component of sewer rates. Public Works Director explained that the sewer rate includes a volumetric component based on the amount of potable water consumed. He further explained that the sewer rate includes a fixed rate as well. Yulia Bjekic, Hi Lusi Avenue. Thanked the village for allowing early voting at village hall. She suggested hosting early voting at village hall for every election. She also commented that density drives development. She opined that the village cannot have an anti -density attitude if redevelopment is desired. Trustee Bill Grossi inquired whether political signs are permitted in village rights-of-way. Cassady responded that political signs are not permitted. Signs presently installed in the rights- of-way are being removed. Fire Chief Brian Lambel reminded everyone to set their clocks ahead one hour tonight. He also suggested that everyone check the batteries in their smoke alarms as well. He also mentioned that the Fire Department will be participating in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser at the Blackfinn restaurant in Randhurst Village this month. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 AM. Respectfully submitted, Sean P. Dorsey Director of Public Works Page 5 of 5