HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/1998 CWC minutesMINUTES
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1998
9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: 2nd FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, VILLAGE HALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gerald Farley. Trustees George Clowes, Timothy Corcoran, Paul
Hoefert, Dan Nocchi, and Irvana Wilks were present. Representing staff were Assistant Village Manager
David Strahl and Director of Finance Brian Caputo. Village residents present were:
Alan Carlstedt, 202 N. Maple Street
Elmer Collin, 1 W. Hiawatha Trail
Tim Corman, 1348 Indigo Drive
Donald K. Maxwell, 602 S. Edward Street
Donald Maxwell, 602 S. Edward Street, stated that he had a number of concerns related to the plans for
downtown redevelopment. While he said that he has no objection to Phase I in general, it is not clear to him
that increased resident density in the downtown would spur commercial activity. He also said that he believes
that many residents are leery about a parking facility given Des Plaines' bad experience with one. He also
asked about the costs associated with a new Village Hall and the Village's (i.e., non -TIF) share of the parking
facility. Mr. Maxwell was most interested in the annual increase in the property tax bill of a resident with a
home having a fair market value of $200,000.
Trustee Wilks stated that plans are only being analyzed and discussed at this point and that no firm decisions
have yet been made about the precise course that downtown redevelopment will take. Trustee Hoefert
emphasized that he would only support the demolition of the current Village Hall and construction of a new
one if the question is put to the voters in the form of an advisory referendum.
Mr. Caputo offered estimates of the cost of the debt service associated with a new Village Hall and one half of
a parking facility. He stated that if a new Village Hall costs $4.5 million and the V'illage's share of the parking
facility is $2.5 million, a resident owning a home with a market value of $200,000 (equalized assessed value of
$45,000) would pay about $40 per year in additional property taxes if bonds with a 10 -year maturity are issued
or $25 per year if bonds with a 20 -year maturity are issued. These estimates are based upon the current
interest -rate environment.
Jim Corman, 1348 Indigo Drive, asked if the Village had any additional information concerning Metra's
plans to install a second track in its line running through Mount Prospect. Mayor Farley stated that the Village
has learned that Metra intends to begin installation of the second track this year. He said that Metra has the
authority to install the second track. The Village cannot block the installation. Mayor Farley added that the
best that the Village may be able to do to limit the adverse impact upon the community is to work to persuade
Metra to make certain modifications to their plan such as constructing stronger track beds and installing
improved railroad crossing control devices.
Trustee Hoefert stated that opposition to the installation to the second track is not universal. He said that some
residents expressed to him that they support Metra's plans.
Trustee Clowes suggested that residents organize themselves and attend Metra Board meetings to make their
views and desires known.
Mr. Strahl stated that the Village would be distributing materials to residents explaining Metra's plans for the
second track.
Alan Carlstedt, 202 N. Maple Street, stated that he was attending the Coffee With Council meeting to see
what it was all about. He also asked what the Village Board's hopes were for its Website. Mr. Carlstedt said
that the Website should make available information that is not generally obtainable from other sources such as
the newsletter. In addition, he asked if a contractor had been selected to maintain and develop the Website.
Mr. Strahl stated that he would provide Mr. Carlstedt with a copy of the Village's vision and goals pertaining
to management information systems (MIS), including the Website. With respect to the selection of a
contractor to maintain and develop the Website, Mr. Strahl said that no contractor has yet been selected. In
the interim, MIS Coordinator Joan Middleton and Planning Coordinator Dan Ungerleider have been
maintaining the Website.
Trustee Hoefert stated that he hopes that, through the Website, residents will be able to purchase vehicle
decals, apply for building permits, and accomplish other customer service -related tasks in the future.
Trustee Corcoran pointed out that the operation of the Website is a function which requires additional time,
effort, and funds. It is not a money -saver for the Village.
Elmer Collin, 1 W. Hiawatha Trail, said that he recently received a copy of the Village Newsletter. In _
reading the Newsletter, he saw a list of the Village streets to be reconstructed in 1998 as part of the Street
Improvement Program and was disappointed when he saw that Main Street was not on the schedule. Mr.
Collin said that Main Street is adjacent to his property and it is in very poor condition. Mr. Caputo stated that
he would ask the Director of Public Works to contact Mr. Collin to explain the reason why the section of Main
Street adjacent to Mr. Collin's property is not on the list of streets to be reconstructed in 1998. Trustee
Corcoran suggested that the other streets on the 1998 list may be in worse condition than the section of Main
Street which is of concern to Mr. Collin.
Trustee Clowes noted that some Village streets which have been resurfaced in the last ten years already appear
to be seriously deteriorating. Specifically, he identified South Emerson and Council Trail. Mr. Caputo stated
that he would ask the Director of Public Works to report back to the Village Board on this issue.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brian W. Caputo
Director of Finance
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