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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/1997 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time: Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, October 14, 1997 50 South Emerson Street 7:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 23, '1997 I1[. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. ENTRANCE MARKERS DISCUSSION When different portions of the Village were developed over the years, some developers created special entrance markers to designate a specific subdivision or development. Alt markers were built Jn Village right-of-way (ROW) which is now a violation of Village Code. Staff has identified 38 locations where these markers currently exist. However, as the markers have aged, it is common for the markers to fall into a state of disrepain Most homeowners associations in these older subdivisions have not been active in maintaining and repairing damaged markers Staff has been unable to find prior Village Board authorization which allowed these markers to be constructed in the Village ROW. Therefore, it is assumed that they were allowed as part of the original development. The Public Works Department periodically removes parts of the markers which have become damaged or deteriorated. If damage is caused by someone who can be identified, the person causing the damage is levied the cost of repair. In the past, there have been very few people have been caught for damaging these markers Once the markers reach the point of totai disrepair and have the potential to cause a hazard to a vehicle or pedestrian, the marker is removed by Public Works if the homeowners association does not assume responsibility. A former homeowners association president has recently requested the marker at the corner of Westgate and Kensington be removed. There are two markers, one each on either side of the street which are adjacent to two property owners. The markers are in a poor state of repair, but appear to cause no immediate hazard The markers will undoubtedly continue to deteriorate if they are not repaired. Unfortunately, the two owners are not in agreement as to whether the markers should be removed. Staff is requesting direction from the Village Board as to how these markers, both at Westgate/Kensington and throughout the Village, should be handled. Aisc, a determination needs to be made as to who can request the removal (the homeowners association or the property owners nearest the markers) and who would have the authority to initiate removal by Public Works personnel. Appropriate staff representatives will be present to assist in the discussion. NOTE: ANY INDIVlDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE Ol= A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 'I00 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327', TDD #84T/392-6064. V. CELLULAR ANTENNAS LOCATED ON VILLAGE PROPERTY_ The Village Board directed staff at the July 8, 1997 Committee of the Whole meeting, to explore options for the placement of wireless antennas on village property as long as the placement does not adversely impact Village operational needs or residential properties. The Village staff has had some preliminary meetings with AT&T Wireless about the placement of eight or nine antennas on the water tower on Northwest Highway. The antennas would be 39" tall and 6" wide. The antennas would be rather inconspicuous after they are painted to match the water tower color and would be attached to the catwalk near the top of the tower. Village staff has recently met with representatives from AT&T Wireless to discdss a possible lease. The Village staff has proposed language changes to ensure the water tower is not affected by the antenna installation. The placement of the power boxes wiII be in a location which minimizes noise migration into the residential area immediately adjacent to the water tower. The proposed lease also includes assumption of responsibiIity by AT&T for any increase in painting costs for the tower when the tower needs to be repainted again. Representatives from AT&T will be present to provide an overview of the antennas and service contemplated for the area. The draft Iease addresses many of the items of concern which Public Works staff have voiced if antennas were to be installed on the water tower. AT&T has a private site under consideration in the general vicinity of the tower, but may need a zoning variation. The opportunity to install wireless antennas on Village-owned property could keep many such devices out of the residential neighborhood areas. At this time, staff would like to show how the antennas will look and if acceptable, staff is requesting authorization to continue to negotiate a lease agreement for the Village Board to consider at an up-coming meeting. Staff has received verbal agreement on most items of concern and the final details of the lease should be concluded soon, pending authorization. The Village will also collect Infrastructure Maintenance Fees (IMF) from AT&T once the antennas are installed. VI. PERSONAL SHOPPING CART PROGRAM Trustee Corcoran, with the concurrence of the Village Board, and staff have been working together over this past summer to come up with alternative solutions to the proliferation of shopping carts into neighborhoods, The original shopping cart ordinance was found to have marginal effectiveness without providing an alternative for residents if they are to comply with the regulations. To that end, Trustee Corcoran, Village staff and managers of area grocery stores began meeting to discuss possible solutions to this problem. The cooperative effort has paid off with commitments from these grocery stores to provide funding assistance along with the Village for persons who desire to purchase a personal toter. The cost to the resident is $10 in order to encourage participation. Solid Waste Coordinator Lisa Angell will be present to provide an overview of the program and answer any questions which may arise, Staff is providing this information to the Village Board as an example of a creative solution to the abandoned shopping cart problem. VII, AMERITECH PURCHASE OF SPRINT Ameritech is requesting the Village sign a letter of agreement to allow the Sprint service area franchise agreement to be voided and the current Ameritech agreement covering the remaining portion of the ViIlage be extended to cover the former Sprint service area. Ameritech is awaiting the official decision on the pending Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) case allowing Ameritech to assume the Sprint territories throughout the state, including Mount Prospect. Ameritech has every indication that the ICC decision will be favorable. Sprint has approximately 6360 lines servicing customers in Mount Prospect. The customers would be absorbed into the Ameritech service area without disruption of service and customers would retain their current phone numbers after the change over. The customers would begin getting Ameritech bills after the switch over is approved by the ICC, presumably around November 1, 1997. Staff is recommending the Village Board approve the letter of understanding between Ameritech and Village of Mount Prospect to void the Sprint franchise agreement at the time of the Ameritech acquisition and apply the existing terms of the Ameritech franchise agreement to the service area formerly served by Sprint. VIII. .STRUCTURES IN THE PARKWAY - BASKETBALL HOOPS Village Code prohibits private structures constructed in the parkway, however, there are a number of residents who have installed basketball hoops in the public right-of- way (ROW). Village staff has not removed the structures or requested the structures to be removed by the residents until the Village Board has had the opportunity to be advised ofthe situation. In discussions with some residents who have such a structure, they have informed staff that the basketball hoop was in place when the home was purchased, but many times the hoops are added after the homeowner is already in the home. At this time staff is aware of 26 of basketball hoops which are in violation. Obviously allowing the basketball hoops to remain in the ROW creates an inconsistency in the application of the Village Code. Since other structures are not allowed the Village E~oard should determine whether this exception is allowable. Numerous hazards are present due to the basketball hoops installed in the ROW. Such a structure would encourage children to play in the street and could be disruptive to other residents. Furthermore the placement of the posts in the ROW could disrupt utility services lines already in the ROW. Staff is requesting the Village Board determine whether basketball hoops be allowed to remain in the ROW or direct staff to start contacting residents to advise them that the structures must be removed. IX. RAILROAD RIGHT-_OF-WAY pLANTINGS REMOVAL The Village has been advised by Union Pacific that all railroad grade crossings must be clear of all plantings which may obstruct a train operator's line of sight for 500 feet from the grade crossing. Union Pacific is also requiring the Village to remove all prant material to a point '~ 6 feet from the edge of the railroad ties instead of the previous agreement of plant material being prohibited to a point 16 feet from the center line of the track. This change of 5 feet could have a significant impact upon the amount of landscaping the Village has invested in to beautify the railroad ROW. The Village of Mount Prospect has a lease arrangement with Union Pacific to allow the plantings that the Village has maintained for many years. The Village has also received beatification awards for the plantings on the railroad ROW, A meeting is scheduled with various municipal representatives at Union Pacific headquarters in Chicago for October 14 to discuss the impact of these requirements. Village Manager Michael E, Janonis and Public Works Director Glen Andler will attend the meeting and will be prepared to report to the Village Board what transpired. Staffwill also provide a video presentation showing the impact of this change to the Iandscaping along the railroad right-of-way. X. MANAGER'S REPORT Xl. ANY OTHER BUSlNESS Xll. ADJOURNMENT DEFERRED ITEMS Signs in Rights-of-Way Density/Residential Redevelopment Downtown Redevelopment Options Busse Road Widening Annexation Opportunities Parliamentary Procedures