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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4. COW Agenda Item Coffee with Council MinutesMINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010 Community Center 1S Floor Village Hall Trustee Polit called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Trustee Hoefert and Trustee Matusak was also present. Representing staff were Village Manager Janonis and Police Chief Dahlberg. Residents in Attendance Mal Holec Louis Goodman John Elenberger Teri Markovits Jan Kent Jim Chylik Max Romanowicz Louis Bowers Paula Matzek Carol Tortorello Thomas Tezky David Schein Phil & Diane Heinz Robin Rose Dorothy Nieydok Quince N. School S. Redwood Briarwood Briarwood Locust Street Ardyce Lane Boxwood Fairmont South Elmhurst Avenue North School Street Na -Wa -Ta Avenue Ardyce Lane N. William Trustee Polit chaired the meeting until Mayor Wilks arrived at 9:30 a.m., as she was attending an earlier event in town. Mal Holec, Quince Mr. Holec conveyed his appreciation to the Board for their efforts during these difficult times. Mr. Holec also had questions regarding the increase in the property tax bills, which led to a general discussion about the article on the front page of the Daily Herald explaining why the tax bills are higher. There was also a lengthy discussion on property tax distribution, other taxing districts, the residential appeal process and options available for tax relief. Mr. Janonis said, while the Village makes every effort to keep taxes as low as possible, they have no control over what other taxing bodies /districts charge. Louis Goodman, N. School Mr. Goodman inquired about the following line items in the budget on pages 48 & 49: DUI Fine Funds under Special Revenue and State Foreign Fire Tax, Chief Dahlberg responded to the DUI Fine Funds as this is revenue received from DUI enforcement and state statutes determine how funds are used. Mr. Janonis explained the State Foreign Fire Tax is a tax paid by out -of -state insurance companies and distributed to the municipalities. John Elenberger, S. Redwood Mr. Elenberger had no issues to discuss, but did thank the Police Chief for the extra patrols in his area. Teri Markovits, Briarwood Jan Kent, Briarwwod Ms. Markovits and Ms. Kent were here to thank the Board for their help in getting the sewer repair process started in their neighborhood. They appreciate Village's time and efforts. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 1 of 3 11/13/10 Trustee Polit turned the meeting over to Mayor Wilks at 9:30 a.m. Mayor Wilks announced she had just returned from a breakfast at Christian Life Church where Chief Dahlberg received the Community Hero Award. Jim Chylik, Locust Street Mr. Chylik recently noticed the streetlights south of the train tracks along Main Street stay on longer than other lights in the Village and wondered if this might be costing the Village more money. Mr. Janonis stated there is no extra cost, as the Village pays a flat rate. There was also a brief discussion on the difficulty to repair leaf collection machines. Max Romanowicz, Ardyce Lane Mr. Romanowicz is very concerned about how people on social security will live with the increasing property taxes. There was a general discussion about social security and Village Manager Janonis suggested looking into the available options for helping with property taxes such as, Senior Freeze Exemption and the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. Mr. Romanowicz also asked about future revenue from Randhurst. Mr. Janonis responded that the Village expects to receive around $1,000,000 in new revenue based on the redeveloped Randhurst Village. Louis Bowers, Boxwood Mr. Bowers wanted to say he appreciated the help of the Police Department in the form of high visibility patrols. Paula Matzek, Fairmont Ms. Matzek attended to ask if the Village had a comprehensive bike plan for recreational and commuters and if not, she would like the Village to consider a bike commission or committee. Ms. Matzek would also like to see the Village install bike racks and other attendees agreed. There was a general discussion on what the Village is doing to protect and accommodate bike riders and pedestrians in the community. Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Avenue Carol Tortorello had nothing to discuss. Dorothy Nieydok Ms. Nieydok had nothing to discuss. Thomas Tezky, North School Street Mr. Tezky just attended to see what was going on. Village Manager Michael Janonis left the meeting. David Schein, Na -Wa -Ta Mr. Schein feels the Village is doing a tremendous job. The only question he had was regarding telecommunications and the possibility of blocking signals to a building. Trustee Hoefert said the only signal they cannot restrict is a satellite dish. Robin Rose N. William Ms. Rose is an advocate against domestic violence and attended to ask Coffee With Council if it is possible to form a committee to work with domestic violence survivors. If the Village does not have a committee, what organization is available for her to contact. Ms. Rose did acknowledge Officer Kerrigan of the Police Department was very helpful to her. Chief Dahlberg assured Ms. Rose that the Police Department does everything possible to help prevent domestic violence. He sits on the board for Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence, Deputy Chief Janowick participates in the Third District Court Domestic Violence Committee and the department trains extensively on domestic violence directives and requires a supervisor to respond to every reported domestic violence incident. Chief Dahlberg will contact her with further information and Mayor Wilks said she will also follow -up with Human Services. Ms. Rose is concerned with the removal of the turn restriction signs from the corner of Rand Road and Louis Street, as her parents' driveway is located close to this corner making it very difficult to back out of Coffee with Council Minutes Page 2 of 3 11/13/10 the drive. She is requesting the Village revisit the turn restriction sign issue and consider changing it to the way it was. Chief Dahlberg advised he would look into this issue. Police Chief Dahlberg left the meeting. Phil & Diane Heinz, Ardyce Lane Phil and Diane Heinz attended Coffee With Council to discuss the ordinance against cars blocking sidewalks on driveways. When homes were built in their area, they did not consider growing families. This is becoming a problem in their neighborhood, as Centennial Healthcare parks their cars on the street, which leaves little or no available parking for their guests. Between the overnight parking and the sidewalk ordinance, it will be difficult to accommodate their guests during the holidays. There was a general discussion on the ordinance and parking issues. Mayor Wilks suggested having Jan Abernathy of Human Services contact Centennial to discuss a parking solution. The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 a.m. Respectfully submitted, John K. Dahlberg Chief of Police Coffee with Council Minutes Page 3 of 3 11/13/10