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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/2000 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JULY 25, 2000 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Mayor Gerald Farley. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Paul Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer, Dennis Prikkel and Irvana Wilks. Absent from the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran and Michaele Skowron. Staff members present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Finance Director Doug EIIsworth, Community Development Director William Cooney, Public Information Officer Maura Jandris, Senior Planner Judy Connolly and Human Services Director Nancy Morgan. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from June 27, 2000. Motion was made by Trustee Hoefert and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer to approve the Minutes. Minutes were approved unanimously. III, CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Jerry Sodaro, of Crystal Lane, spoke. He stated that he feels the Village Board should go to Referendum for the Village Hall. Mike Blackshere, Seven North Emerson, spoke. He wanted to inquire whether the left-turn prohibition from Prospect on to northbound Route 83 was permanent. He felt that this prohibition is forcing more traffic on Emerson and there are current traffic problems on Emerson regarding vehicles not obeying the speed limit. IV. VILLAGE HALL/SENIOR CENTER DISCUSSION Mayor Farley stated this is the beginning of a dialogue regarding the Village Hall and the future of the Village Hall. He stated there are several meetings that have been set aside to gather input from citizens but wanted to point out that there has been some discussion regarding the future of the Village Hall underway for some ten years. Other priorities have pushed the Village Hall question back in terms of priorities. However, with the current downtown redevelopment underway, the time has come for a final resolution regarding the Village Hall. Village Manager ~Janonis stated that several studies have been undertaken to determine whether utilizing the existing structure is a viable possibility. The studies have all consistently stated there are significant space limitations and parking issues, which limit the functionality of the existing structure. The current Village Hall has redevelopment potential and there is a purchase option currently attached to the property. He stated the Downtown Ad Hoc Committee report recommended redevelopment of the site and the existing TIF is set to expire in 2008 and will not be extended by vote of the Village Board. The Village Hall Ad Hoc Committee recommended several options for the Village Board to consider as part of its deliberations regarding the future of the structure. The Village Board needs to decide the next step including space planning and design and even if the decision were made today, the conclusion of a new structure would not be complete for several years. There is also a question regarding whether the Village Board should entertain a Referendum option. Mayor Farley stated that the Village Board has been provided a copy of the Village Hall Ad Hoc Committee recommendations and he anticipates the Village Board will explore each recommendation. Jerry Sodaro, of Crystal Lane, spoke. He stated that because of the size of the project, he feels the Village Board should go to a Referendum since other taxing bodies have used Referendums in the past. He also questioned whether the Village has considered leasing space at another location. Retired Brigadier General Charles Corcilius, 1809 Andoa Lane, spoke. He stated that he has recently used the Senior Center after his retirement and was appreciative of the services that are provided there. He also felt the Village Board should consider going to a Referendum and the two buildings should be tied together. Dave Toeppen, of 409 South Hi-Lusi, spoke. He suggested the Village Board approach Norwood to utilize space for Village services and that any new building not be constructed on the existing Village Hall site. Joan Harcharick, of 102 Stevenson, spoke. She is concerned that a decision regarding where the seniors were going to go should be formulated before any decision regarding tearing down the existing Senior Center is undertaken. Village Manager Janonis stated that previous discussions among the Village Board and staff have always focused on a combined Village Hall/Senior Center. He stated the Village Hall Ad Hoc Committee was charged with formulating recommendations based on community needs. He highlighted the fact that a stand alone Senior Center would be an additional expense. He also stated that at no point has it been considered that Human Services Department and senior services be eliminated from the services provided by the Village. Staff has reviewed how other senior centers operate and there will not be any removal of the existing Senior Center until a substitute location is in place. Virginia Mulvey spoke. She suggested that the Senior Center be left alone and build a new Village Hall somewhere else and also go to Referendum to determine that expenditure. Jackie Hinaber, of the Mount Prospect Public Library, spoke. She asked whether there had been any review of Senior Centers that were part of any existing Village Halls in the area. She also stated that she felt it was important that Human Services and senior activities continue in some fashion. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: Several Board members acknowledged the fact that senior services would continue and the Board would not turn their back on the seniors. There was also a comment that there is a need to take advantage of the rising property values in the downtown by redeveloping the Village Hall site. It was noted that the Senior Center and Village Hall have significant limitations and the fact that the Senior Center does provide some services beyond just recreational activities. While the Park District could undertake some of the services currently provided, it may not be feasible for all services to be transferred to one of the Park Districts. There was some concern regarding parking and access in addition to proposed green space. Some concern was raised regarding a multi-story parking garage in the center of downtown and there was some discussion regarding the possibility of a community center on the third floor of the Public Library site. It was acknowledged that there is a shortage of parking in the downtown area including the Village Hall and the current Senior Center. There was also some discussion regarding the use of the Bank One parking lot. Virginia Tyler spoke. She suggested that parking should be attached to the building and any possible evacuation plans include direct exit on to the parking level without utilizing stairwells. Mary Johnson, 215 South Emerson, spoke. She stated that according to the ClP document, the anticipated cost does not match up with the debt retirement schedule as outlined. She also was wondering why the project is being considered at 45,000 square feet and what the projected costs would be at that amount of square footage. Village Manager Janonis stated the financing review options are provided as general information to consider as debt capacity is obtained through retirement of previous bonds. He stated that Property Tax has been used to finance public buildings in the past, however, other large projects have utilized other revenue sources. Depending on the decision of the Board in terms of timing for construction, it may be necessary to bridge the gap between when bond capacity becomes available and when it is necessary for the funds to start construction. He stated the Village would look at Grants to assist in the financing of any project. He stated it is critical that everyone realize that the Village is in 3 competition with other towns in the area and it is important to be able to provide services in a manner consistent with other communities. V. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated that in order to get the Whistle Order temporarily lifted, it was necessary to prohibit left-turn lanes from eastbound Prospect on to northbound Route 83. Staff and ICC are in discussions regarding possible long-term solutions for the intersection. He also stated that as of this evening, MP-I-V is now being broadcast over the Ameritech Cable system in addition to AT&T. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Hoefert inquired regarding the development proposal at the corner of Rand and Louis which is currently under discussion. He stated that there have been some statements which have been forwarded to him regarding comments from real estate agents stating the Village staff rejected residential projects on this site. Community Development Director William Cooney stated there have been no residential proposals presented to staff for this site. Trustee Prikkel inquired regarding the status of the construction around the railroad right-of-way in the downtown portion of the Village. Village Manager Janonis stated that he is not entirely clear as to how much longer the process will take but it is being monitored by appropriate staff to ensure compliance with appropriate Village Codes. VII. ADJOURNMENT No other business was transacted and the meeting was adjourned at 9:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager DS/rcc H:\GEN\Cow~Minutes~072500 COW Minutes. doc