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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2009 COW minutes COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MARCH 10, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Arlene Juracek, John Korn, John Matuszak, Steven Polit and Michael Zadel. Trustee Paul Hoefert was absent. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Public Works Director Glen Andler, Forestry Superintendant Sandy Clark and Forestry Technician David Hull. II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP OF FEBRUARY 10, 2009 Motion made by Trustee Korn seconded by Trustee Juracek. Minutes were approved. Trustee Zadel abstained. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. GYPSY MOTH UPDA TE/RECOMMENDA TIONS Dave Hull Forestry Technician provided an update regarding the Gypsy moth trapping which took place last year. He also stated that the moth has infested Cook County and that the traps helped the staff determine the levels of infestation within the area. He provided a summary of the life cycle of the Gypsy moth and the possible eradication options. He stated there is a need to provide better education to the general public and the Forestry division is preparing for that information dissemination with the upcoming growing season. He is also recommending another egg mass survey and continued treatment efforts on public and private property for egg mass removal for this growing season. He is preparing to put together a homeowner's guide to assist homeowners in identifying and disposing of these possible moths in the area. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items. There was a suggestion to work closely with the contract tree trimmers so that they are on the look out for the insect as they continue to do their work throughout the Village. There was also a brief discussion regarding the awareness of the different types of insects and the eradication techniques to address the pest but not damage the positive insects. Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 3 3/10/09 V. EMERALD ASH BORER PLAN/ORDINANCE Sandy Clark Forestry Superintendant spoke. She stated the Emerald Ash Borer Proposed Management Plan has been in place for several years and continues to be tweaked around the edges based on funding support and additional awareness by the Department of Agriculture. She stated the Emerald Ash Borer has been identified at fifty-five sites throughout the State of Illinois. She highlighted that the Ash tree is the second to the most popular tree in the Village inventory. She also stated that the Forestry department plans to put traps in the Ash trees, continue bark peeling, continue to reduce the Ash population and replace the Ash trees with a different variety of tree which is less susceptible to the Emerald Ash Borer. This focus is primary on weakened or damaged Ash trees and does not include healthy trees, but would include infected trees if one were to be determined to be infected. She stated the Emerald Ash Borer has NOT been found in Mount Prospect as of yet. It has been identified in areas surrounding Mount Prospect, so she states that it is only a matter of time for it to arrive here in Mount Prospect. There have been some advances in insecticide treatments that are available and she is developing materials to encourage property owners of the proper treatment if they are interested in undertaking insecticide treatment. She stated that extensive insecticide treatment is not cost effective for the Village at this time. She also stated that there have been some significant efforts in utilizing Ash tree wood for lumber in order to turn it into furniture. This has been encouraged through grant opportunities provided by the State and Federal governments. She reviewed that if the Ash tree population were to be infested within Mount Prospect she would need additional contract personnel to aggressively eradicate the pest and likely remove a significant number of Ash trees. She is asking the Village Board for the authority to carry over $15,000 from the 2008 Budget for continuation of eradication efforts. She is also contemplating the development of a private property ordinance that requires removal of private Ash trees with the Village providing for some financial assistance through a loan which would be repaid by the property owner. She also highlighted that the Forestry Department would continue to utilize insecticides for some trees which would be deemed to benefit from such treatment and that the Ash reduction strategies would need to continue. She did state that she would be forwarding an Ordinance to the Village Board for consideration in the near future that would require infected Ashes on private property to be removed to minimize exposure to other Ash trees. She stated that the loan proposal to assist the resident in the removal of infected trees would need further development and that there would be some consideration regarding financial hardship. Consensus of the Village Board is to support the recommendations presented by Forestry Superintendant Sandy Clark and they would like further information on a proposed loan program prior to implementation. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 3 3/10/09 VI. MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated that March 14 is the next Coffee with Council in the Community Center from 9:00-11 :00 a.m. He also stated the Groundbreaking for Levee 37 is scheduled for March 13 on River Road at 10:00 a.m. VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Wilks stated that she is proposing a proclamation to be present~d before the Village Board on March 17 to honor the contributions of retired State Representative Carolyn Krause. She stated there will also be a reception starting at 5:30 prior to the meeting and after the presentation the reception would continue in the Community Center. Glen Andler Public Works Director provided an update regarding the river and flooding situation caused by the weekend storms.. He stated that there has been some minor street flooding and some reports of water in basements but nothing extensive. He also stated his crews have gone out and would also request citizen assistance in cleaning debris from any of the storm sewer inlets so the water can drain from the streets. He stated that the storm sewer system has been surcharged and is being managed through releases by the MWRD into Lake Michigan as necessary. He also stated that the Des Plaines River is not currently posing any threats to the Village and is continuing to be monitored. The Village Public Works crews have undertaken some pumping and are prepared to do some additional pumping of the storm sewer system if necessary depending on conditions. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. ~ 52:W DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager H:\VILM\Cow\2009\Minutes\3-10-09 COW Minutes.doc Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 3 ~ 3/10/09