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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/11/2016 CWC Minutes MAYOR VILLAGE MANAGER Arlene A. Juracek Michael J. Cassady TRUSTEES VILLAGE CLERK Paul Wm. Hoefert M. Lisa Angell John J. Matuszak Steven S. Polit Phone: 847/392-6000 Richard F. Rogers Fax: 847/392-6022 Colleen E. Saccotelli www.mountprospect.org Michael A. Zadel Village of Mount Prospect 50 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 MINUTES COFFEE WITH COUNCIL Saturday, June 11, 2016 Community Center, Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. Village Board members present were Mayor Arlene Juracek and Trustees Steven Polit, John Matuszak, Paul Hoefert and Colleen Saccotelli. Representing Staff were Village Manager Michael Cassady, Human Services Director Julie Kane and Fire Chief Brian Lambel. Residents in Attendance John Elenberger Redwood Drive Jim Chylik Locust Carol Tortorello South Elmhurst Avenue Teri Markovits South Briarwood Bruce Spillar Louis Goodman North School Street Jerry Boldt North School Street Barbara and Steve Van Arsdale South Can Dota Walter and Pat Szymczak North Eastwood Craig Iversen South Wille Street Elaine Nekritz State Representative Bill Millar West Central Road Yulia Bjelae South Hi Lusi Avenue Pam Mueller South Ioka Joe Ohare South Ioka Julie Morrison State Senator Max Romanowicz Ardyce Lane Thano Tzifases Ken Koeppen Linneman David Schein South Na Wa Ta Cathy Fortuna Autumn Lane Dale Steward South Main Street Mayor Juracek opened the meeting with introductions and then provided a recap of the discussion regarding Tykables which was discussed at the June 7, 2016 Village Board meeting. Mayor Juracek stated that adaptive leadership is an important principle of the Village’s strategic plan. Village codes did not anticipate this type of unique use. The Village will examine how to include a unique use classification in the future. John Elenberger – thanked Trustee Rogers for voting in support of the installation of islands in the parking lot at Westbrook School. Mr. Elenberger also thanked the Lions club for their involvement in many community events and encouraged support of the Lions Club. Trustee Polit stated that the club needs younger people to join. It was also mentioned that support could be provided in the way of monetary, eyeglass and hearing aid donations. Mr. Elenberger requested that a curfew on fires in fire pits be considered. Mr. Elenberger expressed concern about fire pits creating a fire risk as well as having an adverse effect on people with health problems. Mr. Elenberger also commented on a dead tree and transformer issue on his neighbor’s property. He was advised to contact Public Works about the dead tree and Com Ed regarding the transformer. Jim Chylik – thanked the Village for both the Village newsletter and the Public Works newsletter. Mr. Chylik thanked Public Works for the good work they have done in his neighborhood and around the Village. He inquired as to whether there is an ordinance regulating how far someone can park from a fire hydrant and suggested that striping on the pavement be used to better identify the requirements for parking 15 feet from a hydrant. Mr. Chylik would also like to see enforcement of street parking when there is more than 2 inches of snow on the ground. Carol Tortorello – had no comments. Terry Markovits – was looking for suggestions for marketing a new business opened by a friend of hers. The Mayor suggested her friend join the Chamber of Commerce, sign up for the Experience Mount Prospect newsletter and a ribbon cutting, join the Downtown Merchants association and look into a booth at the block party. Bruce Spillar – commented on the crosswalk at Central and Melas Park. Mr. Spillar stated that people are not paying attention and recognizing the yellow flashing lights. Discussion took place about the configuration and the Mayor advised that there are state regulations regarding signs and lights that the Village must adhere to. The Mayor commented on the fatal accident which took place at this crosswalk and stated that the accident is under investigation. It was suggested that education be provided to children in schools about cross walk safety. Louis Goodman – asked if the Village’s monthly summary of expenses could be printed in the local newspaper. The Mayor advised that this information is available in print at the library. It was suggested that a small blurb be printed in the local paper directing residents to the library for more detailed information. A discussion took place regarding the importance of using social media as an avenue to communicate with residents. The Mayor commented on the challenges of reaching all residents due to the variety of avenues residents use to obtain information. She advised that improved communication is high on the Village Manager’s priority list. Jerry Boldt – commented on the Village Manager’s proposal to allocate funds for bicycle signage. Mr. Boldt stated that he hopes that pavement striping and signage is put in places where the Village has bike traffic. The Mayor advised that the current focus is on internal bike routes. Mr. Boldt requested that the Village enforce trimming of overgrowth of bushes and trees which block sidewalk paths. Mr. Boldt was informed that there is a service request which can be completed on line. Barbara and Steve Van Arsdale – had no comment. The Mayor acknowledged their involvement in the showing of the D-Day movie. Page 2 Walter and Pat Szymczak – stated their questions were answered by the Mayor’s opening remarks. Craig Iversen - had no comment. Representative Elaine Nekritz – congratulated the Sister Cities Commission on the D-Day movie presentation and thanked Coffee with Council for the democratic process. Yulia Bjelae – inquired as to the status of the property at Golf and Elmhurst. Ms. Bjelae commented on the poor condition of the property. The Mayor explained that Dominick’s has been vacant but they have held the lease. The developer is moving forward with a development plan that will occur in stages. It is anticipated that KD Mart will be opening in the middle section of the Dominick’s space around Thanksgiving. The Village Manager has approached the developer about considering an urban Target in this space as well. Pam Mueller – requested that the Village consider putting a surveillance camera in the Walgreens parking lot on the property at Golf and Elmhurst due to safety concerns in the evening. Ms. Mueller stated she is concerned that the development will take time and would like the safety issues addressed now. Joe Ohare – asked if extensions on permits could be granted for six months instead of the current three month extension. Mr. Ohare also commented on the Tykables business and stated he feels that the Village was manipulated based on the business plan submitted. Village Manager Mike Cassady stated that if the business extends to activity which is not stated in the business plan, the Village will have cause to review the zoning laws as they relate to the business. Discussion took place about the possibility of a public meeting when these types of requests are presented to the Village and Village Manager Mike Cassady advised that a business cannot be singled out. Trustee Hoefert inquired as to whether the business has sprinklers and Fire Chief Lambel stated that, based on the plan submitted and the number of people that would be in the business at one time, it is currently classified as a mercantile business and does not require sprinklers. Senator Julie Morrison – asked about Smart meters and Trustee Polit advised they have been installed. Senator Morrison also advised Mr. Elenberger to contact her regarding assistance needed from Com Ed regarding a transformer issue on his neighbor’s property. Max Romanowicz – had no comment. Thano Tzifases – stated he has lived in Mount Prospect for over ten years and, until recently, has not had much contact with Village officials. He stated that his interactions with the Village have made him feel that it is a controlling town; however, he has heard favorable things about the Village from others he has spoken to. He pointed out that the attendees at Coffee with Council do not reflect the diversity within the community. Mr. Tzifases asked that the Board consider refraining from using words such as ugly and yucky when referring to things different from us and, instead use more neutral words. Mr. Tzifases also commented on the Crime Free Housing presentation and stated it was an excellent presentation. He suggested that the reference in the presentation to all Gypsy’s being criminals be toned down. Mr. Tzifases inquired about an ordinance prohibiting Air B & B’s. He stated he cannot find anything in the ordinance prohibiting an Air B & B but was told he would need to have sprinklers and identify as a Bed and Breakfast business. Trustee Polit suggested he make an appointment with the Community Development Department and Village Attorney Lance Malina stated the Air B & B concept is being evaluated in various communities and is being defined as a short term rental. Page 3 Village Manager Mike Cassady shared a recent occurrence in which a business alerted Village officials of problems with a neighboring business. A sting was conducted by the Mount Prospect Police Department which resulted in the business license being pulled. Mr. Cassady commended the excellent work of the Mount Prospect Police Department. David Schein – commented on the lack of participation of residents in the community. Trustee Polit echoed his comments. Mr. Schein stated that we need to be prepared for a more diverse community and that he appreciated resident comments at the last Board meeting. Mr. Schein inquired about the possibility of having Coffee with Council recorded and discussion took place regarding the effect this would have on the spontaneity of the meeting. Bill Milar – stated that he disagrees with the decision by the Village Board to grant the variance request submitted by District 57 in regards to islands being installed at Westbrook School parking lot. He stated he feels the variance request reasons were not valid enough and feels he was lied to by the Village throughout the process. Village Manager Mike Cassady stated that Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided information to residents based on what was told to him by District 57. Trustee Polit stated that there was a legal review conducted and that there are many places that do not have islands in the parking lot. Mr. Millar commented that the sidewalk on Central has been removed and replaced and is now ADA compliant and stated the remaining issues are the cut through gates and the landscaping along the borders. Cathy Fortuna – expressed concern about the noise generated from Menards early in the morning and late at night. Ms. Fortuna lives in a home located in back of Menards. She stated that she has contacted the Police Department in the past and was advised there is no noise ordinance. Dale Steward – stated that he is a resident of Mount Prospect and a Fire Department employee. Chief Brian Lambel announced that copies of the Fire Department annual report and Rules and Regulations on fire pits were available for attendees. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Julie Kane Human Services Director Page 4