HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/11/1993 Coffee with Council MinutesMinutes
COFFEE WITH COUNCEL
December 11, 1993
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gerald L. Farley at 10:00 a.m. Trustees present were Tim
Corcoran, Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, Michaele Skowron, and Irvana Wilks. Trustee George
Clowes arrived at 11:30 a.m. Also present were Village Manager Michael E. Janonis, Finance Director
David Jepson, and three Village residents: Bill Blaine and his grandson; John Metzenthin; and Randy
Werderitch. Village resident Jay R. Ford, 1200 East Kensington Road, arrived about 11:20 a.m.
John Metzenthin requested that the Council consider passing a resolution calling for a referendum
before a license would be granted allowing local gambling. Mr. Metzenthin cited various articles that
had appeared in the Mount Prospect Herald, Chicago Sun Times, Wall Street Journal and U. S. News
and World Report reporting problems in states and communities who had replaced traditional methods
of taxation with gambling revenues. Mr. Metzenthin also mentioned that a video tape prepared by Bill
Blaine was available at the Mount Prospect Library and a recent book "Temples of Chance" were
additional sources of information about this issue.
There was considerable discussion by the Council regarding this request. During the discussion it was
pointed out that it was fairly difficult to get a referendum question placed on the ballot but that citizens
can place an item on the ballot if they get the required number of signatures. The Council generally
supported the objective of the request but said they would prefer that such a request would come in the
form of petitions from Village residents.
Randy Werderitch complimented the Council on its recent action that would keep the funding for
refuse disposal services and the leaf pickup program as part of the property tax levy. He also
mentioned that he thought the Village Board should support prospective businesses in the same way that
they support homeowners. He specifically mentioned Hooters and Menard's. He said he thought
Menard's would have built a store in Mount Prospect if the Village Board would not have been so
restrictive.
The Council thanked Mr. Werderitch for his comments. Mayor Farley stated that he had been
informed that Menard's made a corporate decision not to proceed in Mount Prospect because the site
was not the optimal size.
Albert Boldt asked if it would be possible to require the apartment owners in the South end of the
Village to provide private police protection. The Council informed Mr. Boldt that the Village had
stepped up the enforcement of code violations. Village Manager Janonis stated that it was difficult to
get cooperation from the judicial system, but that judgements were being obtained and liens were being
filed as a result of the judgements.
Bill Blaine stated that many people he had talked to were in favor of the Brady Bill and strong
legislation regarding gun control. He asked if the Village Board would be considering this issue.
Mayor Farley said the Board had not discussed the issue at this time. Village Manager Janonis stated
that the Northwest Municipal Conference was reviewing the recent legislation in Cook County regarding
gun control and would have a report sometime in January 1994.
Village Manager Janonis then announced that the petitions objecting to Special Service Area No. 7 had
been counted and there were more than 51 % of the property owners and more than 51 % of the
registered voters on the petitions. The results will be presented at the December 21, 1993 Village
Board meeting.
Jay R. Ford asked the Council if there would be a possibility to salvage certain materials from the
houses at 5 South Emerson and 17 South Wille that are scheduled for demolition. It was explained that
any agreement would need to be worked out with the demolition contractor. Herb Weeks, Public
Works Director, will contact Mr. Ford and give him a name to call.
Trustee Skowron left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
Trustee Hendricks stated that he was uncomfortable with discussing certain issues at the Coffee with
Council. meeting and asked if the meeting complied with the Open Meetings Act. Village Manager
Janonis replied that a notice of the meeting is given and that he thought it was consistent with the
requirements of the Open Meetings Act. However, he added that he will ask for an opinion from the
Village Attorney.
Trustee Hoefert said he would like to discuss the use of Village stationery listing the names of the
Mayor and all Trustees for independent positions taken by individual Trustees. He said he did not
approve of the recent letter written by Trustee Clowes to the school districts in Mount Prospect with
his (Trustee Clowes) personal position regarding property taxes.
Trustee Clowes responded that he is an elected official and that he thought it was appropriate to state
his own position using Village stationery as long as he included a disclaimer that he was not speaking
for the Village Board. Trustee Hendricks said he agreed with Trustee Clowes. However, Mayor
Farley and Trustees Corcoran, Hoefert, and Wilks indicated they were not satisfied with the
disclaimer and stated that Village stationery should not be used to express personal positions.
Village Manager Janonis stated that on Tuesday evening the Village Board will be discussing the
possibility of establishing a policy on assistance to businesses locating in Mount Prospect. Trustee
Wilks said that the Village needs to define its mission as a municipality before deciding this issue.
Mayor Farley said that because of the time (12:05 p.m.) he would prefer not to discuss this issue.
Mayor Farley, Trustee Hoefert and Trustee Hendricks left at 12:10 p.m. Trustees Clowes,
Corcoran and Wilks left at 12:40 p.m.
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Respectfully Submitted
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David C. Jepson, Finance Director