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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/13/2002 CWC minutes MINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2002 9:00 AM LOCATION NO. 1: VILLAGE HALL, 100 SOUTH EMERSON STREET Mayor Gerald L. Farley called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 AM. Trustee Michaele Skowron and Trustee Paul Hoefert were present. Representing Village staff were Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Chief of?olice Richard Eddington, and Deputy Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey. Village residents in attendance were: Steve DeLuca Rodger Kruse Elaine Nekritz Carol Tortorello Ramon Rubio Tim Gillogly Polly Gillogly 405 Fairview Avenue 515 South Louis Street 3 Courts of Island Point, Northbrook, IL 223 South Elmhurst Avenue 412 North Elmhurst Avenue 408 Fairview Avenue 408 Fairview Avenue Mr. Steve DeLuca, 405 Fairview Avenue. Announced he was in attendance to compliment the police department about the increased patrol presence in his neighborhood. Mr. DeLuca related that he had attended the last coffee with council meeting and had made a comment on the perceived lack of police cars patrolling near his home. Subsequently, both he and his neighbors have noticed additional patrols in the neighborhood. Mr. Rodger Kruse, 515 South Louis Street. Stated that the Timberlane apartment complex continues to have dirt and mud all over the sidewalk. He suggested that the problem is caused by improper downspout discharges. He also noted that a large evergreen tree was left in an open area, apparently discarded, for an extended period of time. Recently, it has relocated to the alley but it appears that it has still not been properly prepared for disposal. Mr. Kruse also complimented the police department about the increased presence in his neighborhood and throughout the village. Mayor Farley introduced Ms. Elaine Nekritz as a representative from the Village of Northbrook. He noted that Ms. Nekritz is currently seeking public office in Northbrook and is in attendance to observe municipal government in action. Ms. Elaine Nekritz, 3 Courts of Island Point, Northbrook, IL. Commented that the Village of Northbrook does not have an informal meeting process like coffee with council. Ramon Rubio, 412 North Elmhurst Avenue. Stated that he had no issues or items to discuss with the village board. Trustee Skowron commented that the architecture, aesthetics, and scale of the lofts and shops project on Northwest Highway are very pleasing. Mayor Farley concurred and noted that he had also received comments from residents that the development is too dense. Mayor Farley opined that the development is intended to have an urban, downtown feel and provide much needed additional parking. Page 1 of 6 Mr. Tim Gillogly, 408 Fairview Avenue. Stated that he was planning to make a large addition to his home on Falrvie~v Avenue. He also stated that he had learned there was going to be street work on Fairview this year. He related that he had performed home improvement projects in the past and felt he had been subjected to village inspectors dispensing different interpretations of code requirements. He was specifically concerned that the village would require him to increase the size of his water service after the street was finished. He suggested that such a circumstance would be expensive and could possibly undermine the integrity ora newly repaired street. Mayor Farley and Trustee Skowron explained that he should contact the Building Division as soon as possible in the construction process to identify what the village requirements might be. Mr. Dorsey noted that the requirement to increase a water service is dependent upon the change in water demand resulting from his addition. Trustee Skowron encouraged Mr. Gillogly to make sure that his addition would not trigger the need for a zoning variance. She noted that the zoning variance process could add additional time to the permit process and could potentially delay his planned construction schedule. Mr. Gillogly related a past experience in which he replaced his sanitary sewer service. He stated that he had installed SDR 26 pipe, as he thought the village code required, but was required by the village inspector to replace it with schedule 40 pipe. Mr. Rubio identified himself as a plumber who performs a lot of work in the village. He noted that schedule 40 pipe is often required when sanitary sewer service lines are too close to the water service line. Mr. Rubio also shared a story about plumbing inspectors in Niles who had given him conflicting instructions regarding the installation of a wastewater plumbing pipe. He noted that this dispute was si~ificant and wound up being appealed to the mayor of Niles for resolution. Mayor Farley noted that, over the years, his office has also received several requests to resolve apparent code interpretation disputes. Trustee Skowron commented that many people interpret casual conversation with village staff as official review comments. She expressed concern that Mr. Gillogly appeared to be soliciting specific commitments regarding village requirements for their project without submitting any formal plans or documentation. Trustee Hoefert noted that the village provides inspectors to protect property owners. He related his own remodeling experiences in which he found the advice and requirements of village inspectors to be beneficial and lent leverage to his relationship with contractors. There being no further issues to discuss, Mayor Farley adjourned the meeting at 10:05 AM. Page 2 of 6 MINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2002 10:30 AM LOCATION NO. 2: FIRE STATION NO. 12 1601 WEST GOLF ROAD Mayor Farley called the meeting to order at approximately 10:35 AM. Trustee Michaele Skowron and Trustee Paul Hoefert were also present. Representing Village staff were Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Chief of Police Richard Eddington, Fire Chief Mike Figolah, and Deputy Director of Public Works Scan Dorsey. Village residents in attendance were: June Richards Al Pasternak Joanne Engstrom Bill Brill Mike Junius David Schein 1412 Hickory Lane 1906 Connie Lane 110 North Kenilworth Avenue 706 Busse Road 1208 Greenacres 512 NaWaTa Avenue Ms. June Richards, 1412 Hickory Lane. commented that according to published descriptions, there appears to be insufficient washroom space planned for the senior citizen area in the new village hall. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl responded that there are additional washrooms planned for the same floor as the senior citizen area. He suggested that the descriptions reviewed by Ms. Richards might not have included this additional washroom space because these washrooms are generally considered to be outside the proposed "senior citizen area". Ms. Richards also asked whether citations issued by the proposed neighborhood inspector program will have the effect of law will simply be considered a suggestion. Mayor Farley stated that a formal citation should have the effect of law. Mr. Strahl interjected that the matter is one that has not yet been considered yet. He noted that staff typically desires to work with residents to achieve compliance to the greatest extent possible. As such, legal prosecution tends to be a last resort implemented only after other efforts have failed, He also stated that staff will endeavor to have the necessary assistance programs or contacts in place before the implementation of the program so that residents have options for consideration for resolving any identified issues. Trustee Skowron noted the proposed neighborhood inspector program would not involve any code changes. Rather, the program will allow the village to take a proactive approach to property maintenance instead of relying on complaints from neighbors to compel owners to take reasonable care of their properties. Mr. A! Pasternak, 1906 Connie Lane. Asked what the village's response would be if some homeowners could not afford to implement the repairs identified by the neighborhood inspector. Trustee Skowron suggested that homeowners in dire financial straits could fund repairs through the village's low interest loan program. She explained that this currently existing program allows Page 3 of 6 residents who meet the financial requirements to obtain loans from the village for the purpose of making certain types of home repairs. Mr. Pasternak related that he has elderly relations who are experiencing severe chronic health problems. He suggested that their health problems have limited their ability to take care of their property. As a result, he opined that the current state of their home might raise the ire of a neighborhood inspector. Under these circumstances, he felt that his relations would receive citations from a neighborhood inspector as an embarrassing and inhumane burden. Mayor Farley responded that the needs of the neighborhood must be balanced against those of the property owner. He stated that the program would not be instituted with a heavy hand. He also emphasized that it is the desire of government in Mount Prospect to help solve problems, not compound them. Ms. Richards complained about vehicular access to the CVS Pharmacy store at the southwest comer of Golf Road and Busse Road. Specifically, she noted that the turning motions for customers accessing the site from northbound Busse Road are cumbersome and restrictive. Mr. Dorsey responded that the current configuration, although perhaps less than ideal for some drivers, is a compromise arrangement. He noted that village staff did petition the developer to improve traffic flow on the site. However, lot dimensions, building size, parking requirements, the need for a drive-thru window, and limitations on the ability to obtain new curb cuts for access from state roads resulted in few design alternatives. Mr. Pasternak stated that he has a trip hazard on the public sidewalk in front of his home. He explained that he recently contacted the village and was told that the defect cannot be fixed due to insufficient funds. He said that he was also told that, if he wanted the sidewalk fixed, he would have to pay for it himself. He intimated that it would be unfair for the village to pursue this tack with regard to the maintenance of public property while wielding a decidedly heavier hand with regard to the maintenance of private property. Mr. Dorsey responded that it appeared Mr. Pastemak had commingled infonuation regarding the village's various sidewalk programs. He explained that the village maintains a repair program aimed at eliminating defective sidewalks. Under this program, the village pays for the full cost of replacing the sidewalk. However, it appears that, this year, Mr. Pastemak's home is not in the area targeted for this program. Nevertheless, since Mr. Pastemak has made the village aware of a potential sidewalk defect, public works crews will inspect the walk near his home and, if necessary, plane and fill the concrete in a manner that will remove any offset or void. The sidewalk will then be scheduled for permanent replacement when the village targets his area with the aforementioned sidewalk program. Mr. Dorsey commented that some homeowners find these temporary sidewalk patches aesthetically displeasing and opt to take part in the village's cost- share sidewalk program. Under this program, residents pay approximately $35 per square and the village pays the balance, which is typically around $50 per square. There are no geographic restrictions associated with this program, replacement criteria are less restrictive, and the village continues to accept applications until all funds are expended. Mr. Dorsey surmised that village staff shared information about this program with Mr. Pastemak under the assumption that he would not favor a temporary sidewalk patch. Mr. Dorsey also noted that the village has sidewalk programs to install recessed ramps at intersections and install new sidewalk where existing sidewalk networks are discominunus. He concluded by noting that defective sidewalks are also replaced as part of the village's street resurfacing projects. Page 4 of 6 Trustee Hoefert noted that there will be debate at the board level in the future regarding the development and implementation of the neighborhood inspector program. He suggested that there will be ample discussion about the criteria used to constitute an infraction of property maintenance codes. Mr. Pasternak stated that he is a collector of classic cars, He explained that the cars are not yet old enough to be eligible for the village's antique car vehicle sticker exemption, which is based on the state's antique plate eligibility criteria. He related that the state has granted his vehicles the same exemptions as antique cars for vehicle emission standards because he restricts travel to transit to and from car shows. He asked if the village would consider some type of reduction in vehicle sticker fees for these types of cars. Trustee Skowron suggested submitting information to village staff regarding the technical classification of his automobiles and why a reduction in the vehicle sticker fee might be justified, She also expressed concern about the potential for abusing such an exemption. Mr. David Schein, 512 NaWaTa Avenue. Asked if the old streetlight bases along Route 83 will be removed. Mr. Dorsey confirmed that they would be removed before final completion of the project. Mr. Schein also suggested that village staff approach the insurance industry to find out what size shed is still insurable by a standard homeowners policy. He suggested that sheds that are too big might require a separate policy. He opined that the village board might find this information useful when considering revisions to village code shed requirements. Mr. Pasternak thanked and congratulated village board members for their support of and their regular attendance at coffee with council meetings. Ms. Richards thanked and congratulated the fire department for an ambulance run that saved the life of her husband. She explained that her husband had suffered a massive heart attack. Subsequent to his recovery, medical staff informed her that the quick response of the fire department probably saved his life. Mr. Schein announced that the Youth Commission and Jaycees are sponsoring "Best Pizza in Mount Prospect" contest. He provided written information and suggested that the event might be considered for inclusion in village publications and posting on the village web page. Mr. Junius stated that he owns apartment buildings in the Victoria Hills and Pharoahs apartment complexes. He explained that some of his tenants find it difficult to access these complexes from northbound Busse Road. He suggested that the raised concrete median on Bnsse Road near these properties severely limits opportunities for northbound travelers to make left tums. He also explained that he has asked the State of Illinois to remove the center island in conjunction with planned road improvements but was told that they would only accept a village petition for this type of modification. Mr. Dorsey stated that he was unaware of protocols requiring village sanction of design changes to state roadways. He also stated that he would ask village staff to present Mr. Junius' petition to local Illinois Department of Transportation representatives. Page 5 of 6 here being no further issues to discuss, Mayor Farley adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:50 AM. After the meeting, Fire Chief Mike Figolah conducted a tour of Fire Station 12 facilities to explain the scope ora proposed remodeling project. En¢ (2) C:\COFFEE WITH COUNCIL\Minut¢$~APRIL I3 2002.do¢ Respectfully Submitted, Sean P. Dorsey Deputy Director of Public Works Page 6 of 6