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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/14/2011 TSC MinutesDirector Glen R. Andler Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 -2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER Deputy Director Sean P. Dorsey The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: John Keane Chuck Bencic Angel Campos Robert Fisher Fred Pampel Carol Tortorello Bob Smith Randy Uidl Paul Bures Matt Lawrie Absent: None. Others in Attendance: Jeff Wulbecker Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Representative Fire Department Representative Public Works Representative Traffic Engineer — Staff Liaison Public Works APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Bencic, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on September 13, 2010. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9 -0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There was no one in attendance that spoke on an issue not on the agenda. Safety Commission Meeting Page 1 of 5 March 14, 2011 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. KIF \A/ RI KIKIFCC A. VILLAGE CODE AMENDMENT —CHAPTER 5:ARTICLE 10: SAFETY COMMISSION 1) Background Information Current language in the Village Code calls for the Safety Commission to review a wide variety of issues beyond traffic including water and air pollution. So that the Village Code better reflects the actual objective and duties of today's Commission, Staff is proposing to amend the section of the Village Code that pertains to the Safety Commission. This is not an abolition of the Commission but rather a redefining of its purpose, objective and duties. Also, part of this redefining of the Commission includes a change to its name, from Safety Commission to Transportation Commission. 2) Proposed Amendment Chapter 5: Article X Transportation Commission 5.1001: CREATION AND PURPOSE There is hereby established the Mount Prospect Transportation Commission to assist, inform and advise the Village's staff and elected officials on matters pertaining to the transportation of people and materials within the Village, between the Village and adjoining municipalities, and throughout the northeastern Illinois region as it affects the Village. 5.1002: MEMBERSHIP The Transportation Commission shall consist of nine (9) voting members and one (1) non - voting member, who shall be appointed as follows: A. The Village President with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees shall appoint six (6) voting members, not in the employ of the Village, who have an interest in the transportation of people and materials, and transportation safety. These members shall serve without compensation. B. The Chief of Police, Fire Chief and Director of Public Works shall assign a representative from the Mount Prospect Police Department, Mount Prospect Fire Department and Mount Prospect Public Works Department, respectively, to serve on the Commission as voting members without additional compensation. C. A representative of the Engineering Division shall serve without additional compensation as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Commission and shall perform the duties of the Secretary of the Commission. D. The Village President, with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees, shall appoint the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission, and consider the recommendation of the Commission members in so doing. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms in those positions. Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 of 5 March 14, 2011 E. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or any member, who is not employed by the Village, by appointment of the Village President with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The term of office for members, who are not employed of the Village, shall be for a period of four (4) years or until their qualified successors are appointed. Any member shall be eligible for reappointment. The Village President, with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees, shall have the power to remove any member of the Commission. 5.1003: OBJECTIVE AND TOPICS OF DISCUSSION The objective of the Transportation Commission shall be to encourage and facilitate safe and efficient transportation throughout the Village, between the Village and adjoining municipalities, and throughout the northeastern Illinois region as it affects the Village. The Commission shall function as advisor to Village staff, the Village President and Board of Trustees on the following transportation topics: A. The efficient and safe movement of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians along Village, County and State roads. B. Safety plans around schools, churches and other locations that generate a high level of vehicle /pedestrian interaction. C. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects in support of the Village's Comprehensive Plan and Bicycle Plan. D. On- street parking and Village -owned parking lots. E. Mass transportation including trains, buses and other such means. F. Multi- jurisdiction and regional transportation issues. 5.1004: DUTIES In advising and assisting Village staff, the Village President and Board of Trustees, the Transportation Commission shall have the following duties: A. To review and consider topics described in Section 5.1003 of this Code, and to recommend such action, as it deems appropriate, to the Village President and Board of Trustees. B. To consider and make recommendations on transportation issues, as directed by the Village President and Board of Trustees. C. To provide feedback and recommendations to Village staff on local and regional transportation projects and programs presented to the Commission by the Engineering Division or others. D. To create an open atmosphere that allows the public to communicate with the Commission and participate in its meetings. E. To invite and encourage community organizations such as schools, churches, homeowner associations and civic groups to participate in the work of the Commission. Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 of 5 March 14, 2011 F. To submit an annual report to the Village President and Board of Trustees on all activities of the Commission, including, but not limited to, discussion topics, recommendations and outcomes. G. To request statistical and other information from Village departments for review in relation to the Commission's duties. H. To consider appeals from decisions of the Engineering Division with respect to sight obstructions, as provided in Section 9.308 of this Code. 5.1005: MEETINGS The Transportation Commission shall meet on the second Monday of each month unless notice of cancellation is given by the Chairperson or Director of Public Works. The Chairperson may call for special meetings as needed. The Commission shall adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings and keep written minutes of all meetings and proceedings. All meetings and actions of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. 3) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie first gave an overview of the current language in the Village Code that describes the Safety Commission. He then presented the proposed amendment section by section allowing for discussion at the end of each section. Chairman Keane agreed incorporating the word "transportation" better describes the type of issues the Commission hears but would like to see the word "safety' remain in the name of the Commission. As safety is a primary goal of the Commission, he is concerned the public may not recognize the Commission reviews safety issues. He does not want to discourage residents from bringing forth safety concerns should they believe the Commission only discusses transportation improvement projects. Commissioner Campos and Commissioner Pampel both concurred with leaving "safety" in the name of the Commission. Village Engineer Wulbecker explained that safety issues would still be an integral part of the Commission but because the group would hear a broad range of transportation subjects that having the word "safety' in the name maybe too specific. After more discussion, there was consensus from the Commission members to have the Commission called the Transportation Safety Commission. Battalion Chief Uidl was called away at 7:40 p.m. Commissioner Bencic noted the difference that the Village Manager currently has the responsibility to assign Police, Fire and Public Works representatives to the Commission and the proposed amendment gives the heads of the departments the responsibility. Traffic Engineer Lawrie stated that it's important the three departments be represented at the Commission but it wasn't always possible to have the same person from each department attend due to schedules and work emergencies. The proposed amendment gives the discretion to the heads of the departments, who know best the schedule of their personnel, to assign a representative for each meeting. Commissioner Bencic questioned whether it was necessary to include the Vice Chairperson as a position that had to be appointed by the Village Board. Traffic Engineer Lawrie explained that typically the Safety Commission would vote for a Chairperson and that name would be passed Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 of 5 March 14, 2011 onto the Village Board for appointment. Only recently has the Safety Commission voted for a Vice Chairperson but that position was not officially appointed by the Village Board. With the amendment, the Village Board would recognize the Vice Chairperson position should he /she need to lead the Commission in the absence of the Chairperson. It was agreed Staff would review this further and also research whether the Vice Chairperson position is recognized by other Village commissions. There was discussion whether it was necessary to provide an annual report to the Village Board on all activities of the Commission. Many of the Commission members voiced that the minutes of the meetings are comprehensive of the Commission's work and that an annual report wasn't necessary. Staff will review this issue. There was discussion on meeting times, days and frequency. There was consensus to keep the meetings on the second Monday of the month as necessary. It was not felt that a minimum number of meetings had to occur each year unless previous discussions by the Village Board required it. Staff will review this issue. There was consensus the proposed amendment would stand as a first reading and that Staff would review the outstanding issues and bring back an updated version to the next meeting. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Tortorello noted that the Village Board recently discussed the lane configuration at the Mount Prospect Plaza and its intersection with Mount Prospect Road. Village Engineer Wulbecker and Traffic Engineer Lawrie explained the reasoning for the change that now allows only one lane of traffic to exit the plaza and proceed south on Mount Prospect Road. Discussion centered on the congestion in the intersection before the changes and the lack of obedience to the current configuration. It was agreed that neither situation is good and that long term solutions should be explored. Traffic Engineer Lawrie stated that Staff is putting together an application for federal funds to study this intersection but in the meantime Staff would again review the issue to see if anything else can be done to improve the situation. Commissioner Tortorello said there is a problem with the traffic signal timing for left turning vehicles from eastbound Prospect Avenue onto northbound Route 83. The green time appears to have been shortened only allowing a couple of vehicles through the intersection each phase. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would contact IDOT as the traffic signals at this intersection are under the jurisdiction of the State. Traffic Engineer Lawrie mentioned the Village is in the design phase of installing pedestrian signals at the intersections of Northwest Highway & Mount Prospect Road and Prospect Avenue & Mount Prospect Road. Construction is expected to take place in 2012. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8 -0 to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Pampel. Commissioner Bencic seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engin eeri ng\traffic\safety_com m ission\recs&m ins\ma rch 1 1m in. doc Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 of 5 March 14, 2011