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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2013 CWC MinutesMINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 9:00 AM Community Room, Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:00 AM. Those present: Mayor Arlene Juracek, Trustee Steve Polit, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, and Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey. Residents in Attendance: Kathleen Schalk Maple Court John Elenberger Redwood Drive Louis Goodman North School Street Jerry Boldt North School Street Susan Cohen Cherrywood Drive Habib Bilfaqi East Highland Street Judy Czurylo Elayne Court Carol Tortorello South Elmhurst Avenue Teri Markovitz Briarwood Drive Jan Kent Briarwood Drive Lynn & John Thome Hi Lusi Avenue Jim Chylik Locust Street Joe O'Hare I Oka Avenue Tom Manion South Edward Street Ken Koeppen Linneman Road Dave Schein NaWaTa Avenue Eleanor Pearse North Maple Street Margaret Brod South Wille Street Sandra Harvey South Kenilworth Avenue Steve VanArsdale (Did not sign in) Barbara VanArsdale (Did not sign in) Mayor Juracek welcomed all in attendance and noted that the Village would soon begin hosting visitors from our sister city in Sevres, France. She explained that the Sevres contingent would arrive later in the day and would spend several busy days visiting residents and institutions in and around Mount Prospect before departing next week. Kathleen Schalk expressed concern about a potential plan to remove a community garden area and replace it with a new parking lot on privately -owned property at Maplecrest Townhomes. She explained that a faction within the Maplecrest Townhomes Owners Association has been advocating the idea. She also reported that she has discussed the matter with the Community Development Department and been advised that the proposal would likely not be permitted by the Village due to lot coverage concerns. She asked if the Village could formally state its position on the matter. Mayor Juracek observed that existing Village Code would require a new parking lot to be paved. A paving project would require a permit from the Village. The Village's position on the matter would be expressed through the permit application review process. The Mayor further noted that the property owner could request a variance from Village Code requirements. However, such a variance would be subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Village Board. Mayor Juracek also suggested that Ms. Schalk should continue her discussion of the matter with the Community Development Department. John Elenberger asked if recently released United States Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) plans to construct improvements that would help reduce flooding along the Des Plaines River could adversely impact Mount Prospect. Mayor Juracek further explained that USACE announced plans to construct additional levees, install wetland areas, and remove existing dams at various locations along the river. She noted that the work will cost millions and development of the various projects will likely span decades. Public Works Director Dorsey noted that the Village is generally supportive of efforts to reduce flooding in all communities adjacent to the river. He also noted that the proposed plans are conceptual at this point and affirmed that staff would conduct further analysis of potential impacts as more detailed plans become available. Louis Goodman asked if Public Works Department employees were allowed to use vehicle maintenance facilities after working hours to maintain private vehicles. He also related a report that another community had incurred liability for an employee who was injured while utilizing municipal facilities in this manner. Public Works Director Dorsey responded that Mount Prospect Public Works Department employees are permitted to utilize vehicle maintenance facilities after working hours to work on their personal vehicles. Job shop work for profit is not permitted. He also noted that the practice is closely supervised and limited in scope. Director Dorsey also explained that the practice is facilitated because department mechanics utilize their own tools to maintain Village vehicles. He also observed that the practice is long tenured and without incident. Jerry Boldt complimented Public Works Department forestry crews for thorough and expeditious tree work recently performed near his home. Susan Cohen expressed concerns about frequent electricity outages in the Cherrywood Drive area. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl responded that ComEd has reported three (3) outages affecting this area in 2013. ComEd reported that most were the result of tree contact. Ms. Cohen asked Mr. Strahl to check on the cause of a more recent September outage that was not detailed in ComEd's report. She also related a conversation with a ComEd maintenance technician who suggested that the outage was due to bad electrical transformer. Mayor Juracek stated staff would follow up and report on the status of Ms. Cohen's concerns about the transformer. Ms. Cohen also noted that Cherrywood Drive frequently floods during heavy rains. Public Works Director Dorsey responded that water ponds on streets throughout the Village when rainfall volume or intensity exceeds the design conveyance capacity of the local storm sewer system. He noted that the Village had already received three (3) rainfalls in 2013 that exceeded a 100 -year recurrence interval (a storm having a 1% chance of occurring in a given year). As such, Director Dorsey suggested that water ponding on street pavement and ultimately draining after a storm subsides without impacting homes is not necessarily indicative of a storm sewer problem. Ms. Cohen also noted that the Cherrywood Drive area is frequently served by different postal carriers. As a consequence, she noted that mail is often delivered to the wrong address. Mayor Juracek explained that the Village does not operate or regulate the U.S. Post Office. She suggested that Ms. Cohen discuss her concerns with the Mount Prospect Postmaster. Habib Bilfaqi expressed concerns about plans to open a cigar shop on Rand Road near the Maplecrest Townhomes. He explained that many homeowners in the Maplecrest townhome complex object to the idea of opening a tobacco retail business so close to their homes. He also reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission had voted against the plan. He further explained that the matter was slated for the Village Board's September 3 agenda but had been deferred. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl reported that the issue had also been slated for the Village Board's September 17 agenda but had again been deferred. Mr. Bilfaqi asked how many times the Village Board would allow an issue could be rescheduled. Mayor Juracek stated that scheduling is up to the petitioner; however there is no limit to the number of times an item can be slated. She also noted that once a permit is issued, there is a performance time limit. Mayor Juracek suggested that Mr. Bilfaqi draft a memo eliciting his concerns and submit it to the Village Clerk. The Village Clerk could then have the memo included in Village Board agenda packet Page 2 of 4 when the item is considered. Trustee Polit advised Mr. Bilfaqi to monitor the Village website to determine the status of the matter. Mr. Bilfaqi also reported a pothole in the pavement on the north side of the intersection of Highland Street and Elm Street. Public Works Director Dorsey responded that staff would investigate the report and repair as necessary. Judy Czurylo had no issues to discuss. Jan Kent inquired about the status of a boundary issue with the Illinois Toll Highway Authority that would facilitate annexation of Lynn Court. Assistant Village Manager Strahl responded that there has been no progress in this matter to date. Kathleen Schalk stated she was only one in the Maplecrest townhome complex that received notice about the cigar shop. Mayor Juracek responded that notice is given to properties within 250 feet of a property involved in a Planning and Zoning Commission variance request. Trustee Polit commented that others may have received and disregarded the notice. Carol Tortorello asked why the Village did not host a 9/11 remembrance ceremony. Mayor Juracek responded that resource limitations precluded a ceremony this year. She also noted that U.S. flags were posted around Village Hall, and flown on fire trucks. In addition, Village flags were flown at half -mast in commemoration of 9/11. Ms. Tortorello also commented that the Village holiday tree should be topped with a star instead of ribbons. Teri Markovitz expressed kudos for the Mount Prospect Famers Market. She opined that it is the best in the area. She also expressed thanks to the fire department for a recent response to a 9 -1 -1 call at her home. She commented that the response was very professional and thorough. Jan Kent inquired about a Village ordinance that requires boats be stored on a paved surface. She suggested that the Lake Briarwood area should have an exception from this ordinance. She noted that, due to the unique lake amenity, many homeowners in Lake Briarwood have small kayaks and canoes stored on the grass. She reported that someone in area was recently cited for improper storage. Mayor Juracek responded that it is an idea worthy of consideration. She also suggested that the Lake Briarwood Homeowners Association draft proposed model ordinance language. Lynn and John Thome explained that a neighbor has recently been parking a lot of cars on the street which makes it difficult for trucks and emergency vehicles to pass. Mayor Juracek noted that there is no overnight parking on streets; however, on- street parking is permitted throughout the Village during daytime. The Thomes asked if the Village could restrict parking on the even side of street to prevent vehicles from parking on both sides. Mayor Juracek suggested that the Themes should first discuss their concerns with the Police Department to see if they could avail resources to resolve the problem. If the problem persists, she suggested advancing their parking restriction idea to the Transportation Safety Commission. Jim Chylik reported a pothole in front of 1815 Locust Lane. Public Works Director Dorsey responded that staff would investigate the report and effect necessary repairs. Joe O'Hare had no issues to discuss. Tom Mannion thanked Public Works for replacing his recycling toter. He also commended a Public Works crew for their response to a water main break at the intersection of Sha Bonee Trail and Emerson Street. Page 3 of 4 Ken Koepen opined that he did not think there would be a substantial cost for hosting a 9/11 ceremony. He also asked about the ComEd smart meter program. More specifically, he inquired whether the fact that the Village has an alternative electrical energy supplier would make this system problematic. Mayor Juracek responded that the smart meter program can accommodate alternative suppliers. She explained that ComEd is still responsible for the delivery of electrical energy as well as electric meter reading. The meter reading collected through smart meters will be used in the same way conventionally read meters are currently utilized to facilitate customer billing. Dave Schein related an incident he shared with another commuter pertaining to a cottonwood sprout growing from an Illinois Department of Transportation catch basin on Route 83 in front of Village's electronic message sign. He also explained the National Flood Insurance Program insurance rates are going to up dramatically in October. New rates will be based on actuarial rates and will not be subsidized by the federal government. Eleanor Pearse asked the Village Board to consider offering a senior citizen discount on solid waste bills. Mayor Juracek responded that the idea could be considered but observed that any reductions in fees paid by seniors must be offset by increased fees paid by others. Ms. Pearse also commented that dog waste is not being picked up at Melas Park. Margaret Brod stated she was attending to support Ms. Pearse's concerns. Sandra Harvey stated that she was also attending to support Ms. Pearse's concerns. Steve VanArsdale reminded everyone that a special French Farmer's Market is planned for Sunday, September 15` The market will feature vendors inspired by French culture. The highlight of the market will be a visit from the French Sister Cities contingent. There being no further issues to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 AM. Page 4 of 4