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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/2016 COW Minutes COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES April 12, 2016 I. CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Arlene Juracek. Trustees present included Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak (arrived at 7:15 p.m.), Steven Polit, Richard Rogers, Colleen Saccotelli and Michael Zadel. Staff present included Village ManagerMichael Cassady, Finance Director David Erb, Fire Chief Brian Lambel, Police Chief Timothy Janowick, Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Community Development Director William Cooney, Human Services Director Julie Kane, Cable Production Coordinator Howard Kleinstein and Administrative Analyst Alexander Bertolucci II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FOR MARCH 22, 2016 Motion made by Trustee Polit seconded by Trustee Rogers. Minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. TELEVISION SERVICES PROGRAMMING EVALUATION REPORT: Cable Production Coordinator Howard Kleinstein presented the history of Mount Prospect’s local access cable channel and the Television Services Division which was established in 1986. The MPTV brand was established in 1996 to provide a consistent naming convention while the channel location and cable providers changed over time. He stated MPTV 2 was created after the Village entered into intergovernmental agreements that expanded programming. He stated in 2008 MPTV began live-streaming and providing Video-On-Demand (VOD) replays of its meetings and other programming via the Village’s website. In 2015, AT&T U-Verse began carriage of MPTV and MPTV2 on its Access Channel Sub-Menu Application. Mr. Kleinstein provided an overview of current programming on MPTV and MPTV2. The programming includes coverage of meetings and events, creating promotional material and providing Public Service Announcements or “how to” videos. In addition, the Mount Prospect Public Library, Mt. Prospect Park District, Mount Prospect Historical Society and more have various programming that airs on MPTV or MPTV2. He highlighted how new technology has changed viewing habits. High Definition (HD) and Smart TV’s allowed for HD programming to become the preferred technology. He stated channel surfing has been replaced by program guides built into remotes. Cable providers do not permit local access channels to populate the guide with specific 04/12/16 Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 3 programming and are only provided general descriptions like “local access” or “educational programming”. Also, there is an increasing trend for people to use Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, Amazon Instant and other “Over The Top” services and eliminating cable services. Mr. Kleinstein provided recommendations for increasing MPTV’s programming appeal and reach to social media users. One approach is to create a YouTube Channel to host brief news and informational videos and create a monthly half hour talk show to present on current issues in the Village. Additionally, he recommended consolidating MPTV and MPTV2 to reduce equipment costs. MPTV2 is underutilized with too much air time available to properly populate. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There were comments in support of the proposed direction and changes for the Television Services Division and MPTV programming. There was a question regarding state law requiring cable providers to reserve channels for local municipalities and if the Village could switch from a basic cable to a HD cable channel. There were questions regarding YouTube features and utilizing Twitter and Facebook for promoting programming and also to communicate with the public in the case of an emergency. There was general discussion regarding the importance of keeping current with social media technology and using available platforms to reach constituents and promote Village news and initiatives. There was discussion regarding utilizing comments, feedback and view counts to assist with directing content to keep programming relevant to viewers. Louis Goodman, 310 N. School asked if MPTV and MPTV2 broadcast the same information. He also asked if programming is available in multiple languages. V. UPDATE OF OLD TOWN SANITARY DISTRICT: Public Works Director Sean Dorsey provided an overview of the dissolution of the Old Town Sanitary District (OTSD). House Bill 3273 signed by the Governor in July 2015 established criteria for the dissolution of certain sanitary districts. He stated once a sanitary district is dissolved the underlying municipalities that co-exist within the boundaries of a sanitary district would assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The OTSD covered areas of Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Arlington Heights and a relatively very small portion of Mount Prospect. The areas impacted are near the intersection of Wolf Road and Euclid Avenue and near Camp McDonald Road and Rand Road. The Village was notified by attorney letter that OTSD was dissolved and that the Village assumed the underlying OTSD assets. He stated staff has televised the sewer mains and manholes serving these areas and the location of these assets were surveyed and georeferenced utilizing GPS. He stated that the OSTD infrastructure within Mount Prospect is in good shape. Mr. Dorsey stated staff has several concerns regarding the OTSD area. The OSTD sewer assets are on private property and there do not appear to be express grants of easements. He also stated concerns regarding Camp McDonald Road sewers discharge path which is through the City of Prospect Heights to the MWRDGC interceptor outfall on 04/12/16 Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 3 Willow Road. Presently, staff does not have any information regarding the condition of this pipe; however, a field survey revealed that many manholes are inaccessible. He provided an overview of the potential for disconnecting the area from OSTD and connecting it to nearby Village-owned systems. He stated staff will begin the process of proactively obtaining necessary easements for facilities, initiate the process of invoicing properties, and having further discussions with Prospect Heights regarding maintenance and improvements planned for the Camp McDonald Road and Rand Road service area sewers discharge path through the city. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There was a discussion regarding the dissolution of the Sanitary District and how the process was communicated to the impacted municipalities. There were questions regarding specific properties and the accuracy of the Sanitary District’s records. There was a discussion regarding money remaining in the Sanitary District’s funds and how these funds will be distributed to impacted municipalities. There were questions regarding the absence of utility easements for the Sanitary District’s infrastructure. There were questions regarding immediate maintenance or repair needs and if these areas experience flooding. VI. MANAGER’S REPORT Village Manager Michael Cassady noted the next Committee of the Whole meeting is April 26 and it would be a joint meeting with the Finance Commission as staff presents st the 1 Quarter 2016 Budget Review. VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. ALEXANDER BERTOLUCCI Administrative Analyst 04/12/16 Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 3