Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/2013 CWC Minutes MINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013 Community Center st 1 Floor Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:03 a.m. with Mayor Wilks, Trustee Polit and Trustee Hoefert, and Trustee Matuszak present. Village Manager Janonis and Police Chief Semkiu represented staff. Residents in Attendance Barbara Van Arsdale Can Dota Avenue Jim Chylik Locust Street John Elenberger S. Redwood Drive Matt Delik S. See Gwun Avenue Louis Goodman N. School Street Mal Holec Quince Lane Robert Kowalek S. Can Dota Avenue Jan Kent Briarwood Drive Louis Bowers Boxwood Drive Tom Tezky N. School Street Carol Tortorello S. Elmhurst Avenue Max Romanowicz E. Ardyce Lane Tom Manion S. Edward Street David Schein, Esq. Na Wa Ta Avenue Mayor Wilks opened the meeting with a few remarks about the new design for the police cars and then moved to the resident portion of the meeting. Barbara Van Arsdale, Can Dota Avenue Ms. Van Arsdale said she just came for the fun. Jim Chylik, Locust Street Mr. Chylik’s question was regarding the time limit new residents to the village have to change their license and Chief Semkiu responded it is 30 days according to State Statute. Ken Greenfield, S. See Gwun Mr. Greenfield inquired about commercial vehicles parked in driveways on See Gwun, between Lonnquist and Golf. He complained it was an eyesore and devalues the community and he wondered if there is an ordinance specific to this. Trustee Hoefert responded there is a code and it is very specific to B plate violations. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the code and the circumstances where vehicles are allowed to park in the driveways. Mr. Janonis offered to e-mail the ordinance to Mr. Greenfield. Chief Semkiu will assign staff to check for violations and have the Crime Prevention Officer follow-up on the findings. Mr. Greenfield inquired about the traffic light at Kensington and Elmhurst Road, as the timing is very long, sometimes as much as 2 minutes and 20 seconds. Mr. Janonis responded this is what they call the “Iron Triangle,” which is three (3) busy intersections, controlled by IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) and priority is given to Rand Road. Mr. Janonis suggested the next time it happens, call the Village and his concern will be forwarded to Engineering. Chief Semkiu said the Village’s traffic engineer Matt Lawrie worked with IDOT to determine the best possible traffic light sequencing and timing for the intersections. Mr. Greenfield’s last concern is the raised concrete median on Golf Road by Na Wa Ta, which makes it difficult to turn. Mr. Janonis stated the Village requested IDOT remove it, but it was not in the budget. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 1 of 3 02/09/2013 John Elenberger, S. Redwood Drive Mr. Elenberger had several questions for Coffee with Council and started with inquiring about the timing of the light at Busse and Golf Road. Mr. Janonis responded that the Village can request to have IDOT check to see if an adjustment could be made. Next, he asked why the handicapped parking spaces at the police department are so far from the door. Trustee Polit responded the reason may be the contour and level of cement, as these spaces must be flat. Chief Semkiu will look into this matter. Mr. Elenberger asked what the wood structure on Village Hall facing Elmhurst Road was and he was informed it was the Executive Conference Room. He also inquired whether the Village Hall parking lot has a camera, as his concern was for people walking in the garage for exercise. Mayor Wilks responded yes. Lastly, he asked whether anything further had come of Walgreens going in at the location of Elmhurst Road and Golf Road and Mr. Janonis responded Walgreen’s never pursued it any further. Matt Delik, S. See Gwun Avenue Mr. Delik attended Coffee with Council to discuss the speed bumps See Gwun Avenue. Mr. Delek said cars are “flying down the road” and the speed bumps are not serving any purpose. Board members advised this started as an experiment to provide for “Traffic Calming” and this has been discussed at a recent meeting with the consensus the speed bumps remain. Chief Semkiu offered to have his patrol staff schedule a rotation for monitoring the street, the use of the speed trailer, the drone car and the department program for lending the resident a radar gun. Trustee Polit also suggested “Stay Alive Signs” which could be placed on the parkways. Louis Goodman, N. School Street Mr. Goodman inquired about the Village spending $33,000 to take over Kensington Road between Forest Avenue and Elmhurst Road. Mr. Janonis explained the Village agreed to accept the jurisdictional transfer after IDOT completes the $3.3 million in improvements. There was a general discussion regarding the cost involved and what is best for the Village. Mr. Goodman also inquired about how they determine which trucks receive B plates and the additional vehicle sticker fee which led to a general discussion on different vehicles and their uses. Mal Holec, Quince Lane Mr. Holec inquired about our response to 9-1-1 calls and if we followed what Chicago is doing now, which is responding only to calls for imminent danger. Chief Semkiu stated we respond to all calls for service and we do not make a prior determination. Mr. Janonis advised that calls are stacked on busy nights. Mr. Delek said he recently had a call for service at his home and was pleased with the response, especially since there were burglaries in the area. Mr. Polit complimented Crime Prevention Officer Greg Sill on the Burglary Program he recently presented at the Mount Prospect Library. Chief Semkiu commented that fortunately burglaries have abated at this time, but residents should continue to be cautious keeping cars and homes secured. Robert Kawalek, S. Can Dota Avenue Mr. Kawalek attended to discuss the snowplowing by Public Works at his home on Can Dota and Manawa. When clearing the street by his home, the snowplows leave huge piles of snow on the apron of his driveway. He has called Public Works to complain during the last snow and Paul Burris advised this is not a Village issue, but removed the snow as a courtesy. There was a discussion on snow removal and the consensus was it happens and is the responsibility of the homeowner. Mr. Janonis stated his residence is similarly located on a corner lot and he experiences the same type of issue as does other corner lot owners in the Village. Mr. Janonis indicated that he does not receive preferential treatment for the snow accumulation; however, he offered to look into the matter. Jan Kent, Briarwood Drive Ms. Kent inquired about the status of the annexation of the Lynn Court area. Mr. Janonis stated they are still waiting to discuss with this Toll Way Authority. Ms. Kent asked how long dumpsters can remain in a driveway. Mr. Janonis advised if a permit is pulled, a reasonable amount of time to do the work is allowed. Her last inquiry was regarding Commonwealth Edison trimming trees east of Lake Briarwood. Mr. Janonis will call to follow up on this matter. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 2 of 3 02/09/2013 Louis Bowers, Boxwood Drive Mr. Bowers inquired about an ad he received for purchasing insurance to cover the pipes from his home to the Village connection. Mr. Janonis stated these ads are not coming from the Village and is strictly an individual’s right to buy. He added that water lines usually don’t collapse, sewer lines can. Mr. Schein mentioned that broad form homeowners insurance will cover service lines on the property. The $49.00 energy assessment from NICOR to check for leaks was discussed. Mr. Janonis said it was a service offered as an Energy Saving Program to save money. There was also a brief discussion on tax bills, which now show the pension fund. Tom Tezky, N. School Street Mr. Tezky briefly mentioned why he believes in gun control. Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Avenue Carol Tortorello told everyone she is selling the Carson’s community days coupon books for Crime Stoppers. She also reminded everyone about the star for the top of next year’s tree. Mayor Wilks offered her congratulations to Ms. Tortorello on winning a Shining Star Award. Tom Manion, Edward Street Mr. Manion commented that Public Works deserves kudos for their snowplowing during the last storm. David Schein Esq., Na Wa Ta Avenue Mr. Schein provided an explanation of the abbreviation “Esq.” appearing after his name, which means your name is different than your father’s name. He also gave kudos to Police Officer Greg Sill’s return to Crime Prevention. Mr. Schein also asked about the status of the Doretti’s Pharmacy strip mall on Central and he was informed nothing is happening at this time. There was a brief discussion on when the Village uses the “beet juice” during the snow season. Trustee Polit said they are trying to determine the best time to put it down so it adheres to the surface. With no further business, Mayor Wilks adjourned the meeting at 11:03 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Semkiu Chief of Police Coffee with Council Minutes Page 3 of 3 02/09/2013