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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/1997 CWC minutesMINUTES FLOATING COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1997 9:00 a.m. LOCATION 1 - 2nd FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, VILLAGE HALL The meeting was called to order by Trustee Timothy Corcoran. Trustees present were George Clowes, Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, and Irvana Wilks. Representing staff were Village Manager Michael E. Janonis and Public Works Director Glen R. Andler. Village residents were: John W. Stroh, 1817 Catalpa Ln. Chris Lenz, 214 N. Louis St. Mary Kay Risler, 1 E. Milburn Ave. Paul A. Kreft, 1807 Azalia Ln. John Stroh, 1817 Catalpa Lane, who is vice president of the John Jay School PTO and chairperson of their safety committee, stated that the purpose of his presence this morning was to briefly explain John Jay's safety committee's proposal for creating certain one-way streets around the school. The committee is requesting that portions of Tamarack Drive and Pheasant Trail be changed to one-way streets between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on school days. This proposal will be presented to the Village Safety Commission on Monday, February 10, 1997. Trustee Wilks asked Mr. Stroh if the District 59 School Board supported this request, and Mr. Stroh answered yes. Trustee Wilks stressed the importance to Mr. Stroh of notifying all the residents in the affected area about their proposal. Trustee Corcoran stated that the Safety Commission needs to address the problem by looking at all possible solutions, whether they be new signage or new paved traffic flow areas on school property. Most of the schools in town were designed for kids to walk to school, not to accommodate buses and other vehicles dropping students off at the curb. Trustee Corcoran also suggested the possible use of CSOs for traffic control and enforcement. Mr. Stroh thanked the trustees for their time and also thanked the Police, Public Works and the Safety Commission for their suggestions towards resolving these safety issues. Chris Lenz, 214 N. Louis, asked if there were any long-range plans for development of the vacant lot on Rand Rd. at Louis that is owned by Century Tile. Mr. Janonis informed Mr. Lenz that there is still an outstanding consent decree on the lot that would permit Century Tile to build a tile store. Otherwise, it is zoned residential and there are no immediate plans for development. Mr. Lenz then asked how this lot fits into the Rand Road Corridor Study and what would the Village like to see built there. Trustee Corcoran answered by saying the consensus of the Board during the Rand Road Corridor Study discussion was to see some form of commercial development, but no formal action was taken. Trustee Hendricks asked Mr. Janonis the status of Thayer Road being extended to Rand Road. Mr. Janonis stated there are no immediate plans; any additional right -of -any acquisitions would be addressed during development of the vacant lot. Mr. Lenz's next request was for a copy of the ordinance governing elected officials. Trustee Wilks gave Mr. Lenz copies of the ordinance, while Trustee Hoefert explained the recall ordinance. Paul Kreft, 1807 Azalea Lane, came to the meeting to formally register a complaint against Trustee Hendricks. On December 31, 1996, Mr. Kreft was at the Village Police and Fire Building, where he witnessed Trustee Hendricks treating a female police officer in what he felt was a dehumanizing manner. Trustee Corcoran explained that there's nothing the Village Board can do and any action has to be -initiated by the offended individual. Trustee Hendricks corrected Mr. Kreft by stating the person was not a police officer, but a community service officer. Trustee Hendricks continued with several additional comments, during which time Trustee Corcoran asked Trustee Hendricks to sit down and take a moment to collect himself. Trustee Corcoran then told Mr. Kreft that, if he wanted to make a written protest to the Village, he should direct it to the Village Manager and he would receive a formal response. Trustee Clowes wanted the minutes to reflect that, in his opinion, Trustee Hendrick's response to Mr. Kreft's comments on what happened was harassment. The meeting at Location 1 was adjourned at 10:15 a.m. LOCATION 2 - PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY, 1700 W. CENTRAL ROAD The Floating Coffee with Council meeting was reconvened by Trustee Timothy Corcoran at 10:35 a.m. Trustees present were George Clowes, Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, and Irvana Wilks. Representing staff were Public Works Director Glen Andler, Deputy Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Community Development Director William Cooney, Deputy Fire Chief Michael Figolah, Human Services Director Nancy Morgan, Police Officer Bill Roscop, and Assistant Finance Director Carol Widmer. Village residents were: Dennis & Carrie Brooks, 1016 S. Grace Dr. Ernie Lasse, 805 S. Elm St. Gunnar & Ruth Sorensen, 612 S. William St. John M. Stroh, 1817 Catalpa Ln. David Schein, 512 S. Na-Wa-Ta Ave. Charles Guthrie, 1000 E. Lincoln St. Mary Kay Risler, 1 E. Milburn Ave. Dennis Brooks, 1016 S. Grace Dr., asked how a resident goes about getting an ordinance changed that covers the cost of vehicle stickers. Under the current ordinance, there are no sticker fees for cars with state antique plates. Mr. & Mrs. Brooks, however, have two show cars that are classified by their insurance company as antique cars, but they have personalized plates on them. Since they already have three other cars registered and stickered that are used daily, why 0 shouldn't their show cars that are used for show (2,000 miles maximum per year) only qualify for either an antique car class sticker or some reduced sticker fee. Trustee Corcoran explained to Mr. Brooks the procedures of how an ordinance is enacted. First, staff prepares all the specifics of the ordinance. Next, it is discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting and then, if it receives support, it is forwarded to a Village Board meeting for formal action. Trustee Clowes stated that staff is currently preparing a report on the cost of free or reduced vehicle stickers and that Mr. Brooks' request could be included in that report. Trustee Corcoran instructed staff to proceed along those lines and let Mr. Brooks know when it will be discussed. For now, Mr. Brooks should purchase the sticker because it wouldn't be until 1998 at the earliest before any ordinance change could take place. Gunnar Sorensen, 612 S. William St., understands the ordinance on commercial vehicles has been adopted but wants to know what department is responsible for its enforcement. Mr. Cooney answered by saying Community Development is responsible and it is handled on a complaint basis, unless staff happens to find a violation during the course of handling other routine business. Trustee Corcoran then briefly explained the contents of the ordinance. Mr. Sorensen presented an envelope containing pictures and information on a commercial vehicle he feels violates the ordinance. Mr. Cooney took the envelope and said he would investigate it and get back to Mr. Sorensen on what course of action will be taken. Trustee Hendricks asked Mr. Sorensen where he lived. He then made several comments about Village code enforcement procedures, and then got off on other nonrelated issues. Trustee Corcoran asked Trustee Hendricks to stick to the subject. Mr. Sorensen expressed his concern about confidentiality of his complaint. Mr. Cooney assured Mr. Sorensen that all complaints received are held in confidence. Trustee Hendricks objected to that statement saying that, in his opinion and experience, information leaks out. Trustee Wilks suggested participation by the police to assist the Building Department inspectors with enforcement of Village ordinance. Trustee Hoefert said he would not support that, but sees no problem with other staff members reporting violations as they may find them during the course of their normal duties. Trustee Hendricks then asked to be recognized and started to bring up various nonrelated issues. Trustee Hendricks then made the statement that it is his opinion that the current administration is not enforcing the codes. During Trustee Hendricks' comments, Trustee Corcoran asked for Trustee Hendricks to yield the floor, but he would not. At that point, Trustee Corcoran warned Trustee Hendricks that the next time he doesn't pay attention to the chair, he will be ejected from the meeting. John Stroh, 1817 Catalpa Ln., introduced himself as vice president of the John Jay School PTO and chairperson of their safety committee. Mr. Stroh briefly explained his upcoming request, February 10, 1997, to the Village Safety Commission for certain streets around John Jay School to be changed to one-way. This request was explained in greater detail at the 9:00 a.m. Coffee with Council. Mr. Stroh again thanked all the Village staff for their help to date. 3 David Schein, 512 S. Na-Wa-Ta, asked why the yard waste he put out during the unlimited pickup week in January was not taken. Mr. Andler explained that collection of yard waste is not included as part of the unlimited program and the regular yard waste collection program ended December 15, 1996. Mr. Schein's next question concerned the Village's permit process. Recently, he was told by a plumber doing work for him that it takes him almost 30 minutes at the Village Hall every time he needs to pull a permit. Isn't there a way to streamline this process? Mr. Schein asked if a known licensed plumber with the Village needed a permit, why couldn't he just call in and then take care of the paper work at a more convenient time. Mr. Cooney commented first, how would we know who is really calling; second, without seeing or discussing their planned work or repair, they may be doing something entirely wrong and against Village code and finally, if they come to the Village Hall with all the required paper work, it shouldn't take more than 5- 10 minutes to pull a permit. Mr. Schein's last question was about 18" satellite dishes and what is the Village doing to regulate them. Mr. Cooney stated that federal regulation prohibits the Village from restricting them. However, the Village may still be able to establish some guidelines for their installation. Mr. Cooney will get back to Mr. Schein on just what the guidelines are. Trustee Corcoran asked for any other general questions or concerns. First question was what is happening with Northwest Electric and any new development on that site. Mr. Cooney gave a brief update of what is currently happening with regards to downtown redevelopment in and around the Northwest Electric site. Mrs. Brooks, stated this was her and her husband's first time attending Coffee with Council and, because of one trustee, there seems to be a lot of hostility and it is making her very uncomfortable. Trustees Corcoran and Hoefert both offered apologies, but were both continually interrupted by Trustee Hendricks. At that point, Trustee Corcoran asked Trustee Hendricks to leave the meeting and asked Police Officer Roscop to escort him to the door. After this, a general discussion by all took place concerning the format, benefits and reasons for Coffee with Council and all the trustees present encouraged the residents to continue coming. Also, the residents were asked to spread this same message to their neighbors. The meeting at Location 2 was adjourned at 12;00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Glen R. Andler Director of Public Works