HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/2017 CWC Minutes MINUTES
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017
Community Center
1st Floor Village Hall
The meeting convened at 9:00 AM with Mayor Arlene Juracek, Trustee Steven Polit, Trustee
Richard Rogers, Trustee Paul Hoefert, and Trustee John Matuszak in attendance. Village
Manager Mike Cassady, Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey and Fire Chief Brian Lambel
represented staff. Residents in attendance were:
John & Sue Elenberger Redwood Drive
Sue Elenberger Redwood Drive
Jim Chylik Locust Lane
Jane Holstrom Kensington Road
Jerry Janik Kensington Road
Veronica Grimpe Kensington Road
Louis Goodman School Street
John Dunn Owen Street
Jerry Boldt School Street
Craig Iverson Wille Street
Ronik McFadden Albert Street
Carol Tortorello Elmhurst Avenue
Bill Grossi Burr Oak Drive
Vicki Chung Wille Street
Ken Koeppen Linneman Road
Clyde & Dee Randmark Nutmeg Court
Kristen Worst Elm Street
Jan Kent Briarwood Drive
Bill Millar Central Road
Pat Conaway Robert Drive
Louis Bowers Boxwood Drive
Joe & Maria Plata Wille Street
Eleni Hatzis Wille Street
Thomas Tezky School Street
Ken Wagner Maple Street
Yulia Bjekic Hi Lusi Avenue
Cassie Wagner We Go Trail
Terri Gens Elm Street
Linda Hindman Owen Street
Rachael Rothrauff Busse Avenue
Jane & Ray Garland Louis Street
Michael Matuszak Golfview Place
Tom Mannion Edward Street
Dave Schein Na Wa Ta Avenue
Mr. Dorsey provided an update on the new unlimited no-sticker yard waste program and options
available under the new solid waste contract. He also provided an update on the status of the
Patriot Acres organics recycling facility in unincorporated Cook County near the intersection of
Central Road and Des Plaines River Road.
John Elenberger, Redwood Drive — commented favorably about the large crowd in
attendance.
Jim Chylik, Locust Lane - stated that he had no issues to discuss.
Jane Holstrom, Kensington Road — explained that she, Jerry Janik, and Veronica Grimpe
were residents of the Mount Prospect Horizon Independent Living facility on Kensington Road.
They were in attendance to solicit support for a petition to improve pedestrian crossing safety
near the facility by reducing the speed limit, improving signage, and installing street lights. She
related that a Horizon resident was recently struck by a car and severely injured while crossing
Kensington Road. Mayor Juracek and several residents in attendance expressed support for
the petition. Trustee Matuszak noted that the roadway is owned by the Illinois Department of
Transportation and suggested that the agency be contacted about installing street lights to
improve nighttime visibility.
Louis Goodman, School Street — commented that he was disappointed by the low voter
turnout in the recent municipal election.
Jerry Boldt, School Street — concurred with Mr. Goodman's comments regarding the low voter
turnout and suggested that technology might soon facilitate online voting.
Trustee Richard Rogers, Laurel Lane - thanked Mayor Juracek, Mike Zadel, Bill Grossi, and
the other candidates for the time and energy they committed to the recent municipal election.
Craig Iverson, Wille Street - inquired about the outcome of the write-in election. Mayor
Juracek noted that approximately 1,900 write-in votes were cast. She explained that trustees
are elected at-large; candidates with the most votes will take office. However, she noted that
both Mike Zadel and Bill Grossi received over 1,900 votes each; making it unlikely that one of
the write-in candidates will surpass their vote totals. She also explained that write-in vote
counting is handled by Cook County and results are not expected for another couple of weeks.
Ronik McFadden, Albert Street—stated that he had no issues to discuss.
Carol Tortorello, Elmhurst Avenue — stated that she had no issues to discuss.
Bill Grossi, Burr Oak Drive — thanked voters for their support of his candidacy during the
recent election.
Vicki Chung, Wille Street — announced that she had recently been elected to the Mount
Prospect School District 57 Board. She thanked voters for their support and commented that
she was looking forward to working with the Mount Prospect Village Board and members of the
community. Mayor Juracek thanked and congratulated Ms. Chung.
Ken Koeppen, Linneman Road — commented about the proliferation of teen suicides
documented or discussed in social media. He described these posts as alarmingly insidious
and destructive. He encouraged parents and grandparents to closely monitor cell phone and
Internet use.
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Trustee John Matuszak, Golfview Place — concurred with Mr. Koeppen's assessment of
Internet suicide coverage and described the military's efforts to combat online harassment. He
noted that the anonymity of the Internet allows young people to post comments without applying
an appropriate moral filter. He encouraged parents to monitor their children's online
communications starting at a young age.
Clyde and Dee Randmark, Nutmeg Court —stated that they had no issues to discuss.
Kristen Worst, Elm Street — inquired about the status of the Mount Prospect Youth
Commission. Mayor Juracek responded that the commission is no longer active, in part,
because kids are too busy to participate regularly. She also explained that the formal nature of
municipal government commission structure made the program impractical. She suggested that
Mount Prospect Public Library's Teen Advisory Board might be an appropriate substitute for
interested teens. Bill Grossi asked about the status of the Peer Jury. Mayor Juracek
responded that the Peer Jury is still active. Trustee Steven Polit and Dave Schein discussed
the value of Youth Commission Program. Trustee Paull Hoefert explained "ad hoc" committee
format and suggested that type of committee structure could be used to accommodate the
informal nature of teen groups. Finally, Ms. Worst inquired about the electronic instrument on
pole at William and Henry. Mr. Dorsey explained that the device is a data collector used to
collect and transmit water meter readings. Trustee Hoefert commented that the Village does
not use cameras to monitor the activities of residents.
Jan Kent, Briarwood Drive — expressed continued concerns about activities occurring in the
house at 2816 Briarwood Drive. Mr. Cassady responded that code enforcement staff will
examine the property. She also noted a large pothole in front of her home and described a
recent recycling initiative in the Lake Briarwood subdivision. Finally, she inquired if there were
concerns about a surge in the squirrel population. Dave Schein responded that squirrel
populations vary and no unusual population increase is anticipated.
Bill Millar, Central Road — asked why his water bill has not been reduced to reflect the reduced
solid waste rates. Mr. Dorsey explained that the rates in the new solid waste contract reflect
what the village pays to the hauler for refuse and recycling collection; they are not the totality of
the solid waste bill paid by residents. A solid waste bill issued by the Village includes other
charges such as the tipping fees or waste disposal costs. Mayor Juracek explained that the
Village Board is still considering additional options to include in the new contract. Once the
scope of services is decided, an explanation of the impact on solid waste bills will be provided.
Mr. Millar also noted a trip hazard in the sidewalk near an AT&T structure on the south side of
Central Road just west of Weller Lane. Mr. Dorsey responded that Public Works will investigate
the matter. Finally, Mr. Millar inquired about the status of the Saturday Night Car Show. Mayor
Juracek responded that the car show will continue this summer. She explained that the Lions
Club has taken responsibility for the show from the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants
Association.
Pat Conaway, Robert Drive — not present.
Louis Bowers, Boxwood Drive — expressed appreciation that so many people were willing to
commit the time and energy to run for the Village Board.
Joe Plata, Wille Street— asked if the Village Code prohibits the use of coal tar. Mayor Juracek
responded that the Village Code does not she expected that the State of Illinois would soon
prohibit its use in pavement sealers. Mr. Dorsey commented that the Village does not use coal
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tar in its pavement sealers. Mr. Plata also commented that the mobile web application calendar
does not include Village meetings.
Maria Plata, Wille Street— had no issues to discuss.
Eleni Hetzis, Wille Street — thanked voters for their support during the recent municipal
election.
Thomas Tezky, School Street — asked for assistance with a fence permit application. Mr.
Cassady advised Mr. Tezky to contact Community Development staff for help with the permit
process.
Yulia Bjekic, Hi Lusi Avenue — thanked the Village for the email blasts of the Village Board
meeting agenda packets. She asked if the Committee of the Whole meeting information could
be added to the email blasts. Mayor Juracek responded that the Committee of the Whole
information could be added. Mr. Bjekic also commented about the low voter turnout in the
recent municipal election.
Cassie Wagner, We Go Trail — had no issues to discuss.
Terrie Gens, Elm Street — commented that she enjoyed meeting Village residents as she
supported the municipal election process.
Linda Hindmand, Owen Street — commented about observed non-compliance with turn
restrictions near Prospect High School. She suggested that online videos about turn restriction
might help improve compliance among high school students. Mr. Cassady responded that he
would ask the Police Department to monitor the area. She also commented that the stop sign in
the Wal-Mart parking lot is missing. Mayor Juracek explained that the sign is on private
property. She asked staff to follow up on the matter with Wal-Mart management.
Rachael Rothrauff, Busse Avenue — inquired about the status of the Central/Weller pedestrian
crossing. Mr. Dorsey responded that the Village is presently awaiting a safety evaluation of the
crossing by a State of Illinois task force. Staff expects the evaluation will occur during April. In
addition, staff also plans to facilitate new traffic and pedestrian counts during peak use periods
this summer for the purpose of re-evaluating the potential to satisfy state and federal warrants
for a traffic signal.
Jane & Roy Garland, Louis Street - asked if the Village could assume control over his
property taxes. He explained that he recently tried to contact each of the 17 agencies identified
on his tax bill but was largely unsuccessful. Mayor Juracek responded that the Village does not
have the authority to regulate the entire tax bill. Mr. Garland suggested that layers of
government should be consolidated. Finally, Mr. Garland inquired about the status of the Patriot
Acres organic recycling facility. Mr. Cassady responded that the site had received required
Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals but had voluntarily delayed final approvals from the Cook
County Board and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in order to conduct some
neighborhood informational meetings. Mr. Cassady reported that the first meeting is scheduled
for Monday, April 10th at Oakton Community College.
Trustee John Matuszak, Golfview Place — noted that this is his last Coffee with Council
meeting as a Village Trustee. Several residents in attendance expressed gratitude for years of
service to the Village.
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Tom Mannion, Edward Street — thanked Trustee John Matuszak and Trustee Steven Polit for
their years of service to the Village. He also congratulated Bill Grossi on his election to the
Village Board.
Dave Schein, Na Wa Ta Avenue —stated that he likes the new wayfinding signs installed in the
downtown area. However, he also expressed concern that the signs might become obstructed
when trees begin to leaf-out later this spring.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
,gym
Sean P. Dorsey
Director of Public Works
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