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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. COW Minutes 09/27/2011a;f '7f1'�wF �HS6 �1 qJ ri . III COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES September 27, 2011 CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were Trustees Paul Hoefert, Arlene Juracek, John Korn, John Matuszak and Steven Polit. Trustee Michael Zadel was absent. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Police Chief John Dahlberg, Community Development Director William Cooney, Senior Planner Clare O'Shea, Public Information Officer Maura El Metennani and Traffic Engineer Matt Lawrie. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JOINT SPECIAL TRAFFIC WORKSHOP AUGUST 9, 2011 Motion made by Trustee Polit seconded by Trustee Juracek. Minutes were approved. Trustee Hoefert voted absent. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Robert Gneck, resident of 10 S. Wille spoke. He stated that there were 20 cars that were flooded out in the lower garage during a rainstorm of July 23 of the Residences at Village Centre. He would like to inquire whether there is the opportunity to discuss a change in the restrictor on the outflow pipe to improve overall drainage from the underground garage. Mayor Irvana Wilks stated that the Village is currently reviewing options regarding the flooding that occurred and has contracted with an engineering firm to perform an extensive study. IV. BIKE PLAN Senior Planner Clare O'Shea provided an overview of the bike plan. She stated the plan is intended to create a vision for future directions and to provide an outline for future decisions regarding bike lanes and trails within the community. She stated this plan is part of the Northwest Municipal Conference's regional plan and is intended to connect regional routes between communities. She stated there have been some discussions regarding regional corridors on Golf, Central, and Northwest Highway. Marissa Dolan of the Active Transportation Alliance spoke. She stated the alliance was retained as the consultant to draft the bike plan. She stated they recommend way finding signage, pavement markings for higher traffic roads with vehicle speeds between 25 to 35 mph, and improvements to bike trails. She also stated that bikers have the same responsibilities on the road as a motorist and are held to the same operational standards. She stated the plan also has several education recommendations. Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 4 9/27/11 COW Minutes 9- 27- 11.docx Clare O'Shea stated that the bike plan is similar to other planning documents that have been accepted by the Village Board as a guide for future development or consideration. She stated the plan does not request nor bind the Village to any funding requirements and it is the intention of the staff to utilize future grants were possible. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: • There was some general discussion regarding the document as a toolbox for consideration. • There was also some discussion regarding recommendations stated as possible obstacles and the need to review the recommendations with other commissions. • There were some questions regarding the implementation processes and the grant options available to coordinate roadwork improvements at various locations in the future. • There were some concerns voiced regarding biker education and possible crossing conflicts with busy streets in designated bike lanes. • There was also some concern regarding the wording of the plan as described as absolute action items. Village Manager Michael Janonis spoke. He stated staff could undertake some wordsmithing for final adjustments and bring the plan back for the Village Board discussion prior to plan approval. He stated that as plan implementation components come up through road improvement discussions there may be additional involvement of the transportation and safety commission. Marjorie Kelly of 1422 Bridgeport spoke. She wanted to voice her appreciation to the Village Board for having a discussion and stated the plan is presented as recommendations for future consideration. Vincent Kelly of 1422 Bridgeport spoke. He is the president of the Arlington Heights Bike Club. He stated he recently returned from a bicycle trip in Europe and felt that the bicyclists and cars had designated areas and work very well there. He stated this is just a plan with a vision for the future. Paula Mastic of 200 W. Fairmont spoke. She stated the plan is a vision that looks forward to future discussions with the Village Board for implementation steps. Gina Tunar of 1903 E. Yuma spoke. She stated she moved here three years ago and feels that the plan is a good foundation for future consideration. She stated it will also encourage physical activity and she is currently involved in bicycle education efforts at her local elementary school and would be happy to participate in extending those efforts to other elementary schools. Ken Bray of 18 S. Owen spoke. He stated he has been a resident of Mount Prospect for three years and Mount Prospect is lacking marked lanes for bicyclists. He stated he has ridden most of the proposed bike routes and feels the recommendations are good choices for future consideration. Nancy Wagner of 1774 Azalea Place spoke. She is the current president of the Mount Prospect Bicycle Club. She would encourage implementation of the plan in order to make the streets more bicycle friendly. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 4 9/27/11 H: \VILM \Cow \2011 \MINUTES \COW Minutes 9- 27- 11.docx V. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided an overview of the status of several downtown projects. He also provided an update regarding the current status of the TIF's in the community and will present a summary of marketing efforts and grant opportunities which staff is recommending Village Board provide direction on. He stated that Sub Area #1 consists of the small triangle. A previous plan had been approved by the Village Board before the recession and the Village has determined not to obtain the Ye Olde Towne Inn property. He stated without property consolidation there will be a need to readjust the redevelopment opportunities likely for the area and it is unlikely that any movement will take place in the next several years for redevelopment of this area. Sub Area #2 consists of the old Village Hall site. He stated the area has been completed except for leasing of the vacant rental space. Sub Area #3 consists of the Founders Row townhomes. He stated the development has been built with five of the seven units unsold. He stated the bank has started foreclosure proceedings on the vacant property and the existing units which are not occupied. He stated it appears very unlikely the second building will be built and if there is to be a building it will be of a different scale than the existing building. Sub Area #4 consists of the Chase Bank building and surrounding property. He stated the property has recently been purchased and the building is currently actively being leased. Sub Area #5 is Central Plaza. He said the bank is now the owner of the property and is interested in selling. He stated there will likely be some movement sooner than later; however, the size of the property does limit redevelopment opportunities. He stated that for the first time since the TIF has been in place growth has not occurred generating additional increment. He stated it will be critical to minimize funding so the fund remains positive. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: • It was noted that the current economic conditions have altered the future development options for Central Plaza and the parking needs will limit future options. Village Manager Janonis noted that the village continues to provide the funding as agreed to the other taxing bodies when the TIF was extended several years ago. Public Information Officer Maura El Metennani spoke. She wanted to talk about the downtown marketing plan update and strategy. Senior Planner Clare O'Shea stated the Village recently received an RTA grant of $80,000 that will be utilized to analyze the downtown pedestrian interaction with mass transit. She is recommending additional fagade grant monies be set aside for restaurant builds utilizing existing funds. She also is recommending the creation of a retail incubator program that would require minimum operational hours, educational and mentoring efforts, and some professional assistance as a condition of participation in the program. She also stated the program could assist in reduction of rent on a graduated scale. Again this would utilize existing funds from the TIF. PIO Maura El Metennani spoke. She provided an overview of the expansion of the existing marketing campaigns including marketing signs in vacant storefronts. She also is recommending the continuation of the small scale summer events on the village green since they have been very well received. Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 4 9/27/11 H: \VILM \Cow \2011 \MINUTES \COW Minutes 9- 27- 11.docx Community Development Director Bill Cooney stated that encouragement of restaurants in the downtown area has been commented on by residents who are supportive of additional restaurants. However, the expense for initiating a restaurant business is typically quite high compared to other retail options. He also stated there is currently no minimum sales tax generation required of a business for consideration of a grant; however, that might be something to consider in the future. Manager Janonis stated these programs that are being presented this evening were a result of the collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Merchants Association. Dawn Fletcher Collins, Executive Director of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, spoke. She stated she felt the program presented will be beneficial and appreciated the dedication of the Village staff assisting in its development. Katie Dix, owner of Campanris Ice Cream, spoke. She stood wanted to note that all small businesses are struggling and everyone has to work together to retain businesses based on the typical high failure rates. She stated the need to have a business model with the intent to appreciate the hard work necessary and the need to utilize web based advertising and business model links is critical for survival in today's marketplace. VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT None VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Polit noted that the Farmers Market continues until the end of October. VIII. ADJOURNAMENT Meeting adjourned at 10:30p.m. DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager Committee of the Whole Page 4 of 4 9/27/11 H: \VILM \Cow \2011 \MINUTES \COW Minutes 9- 27- 11.docx