HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/2018 CWC Minutes MINUTES
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
SATURDAY,June 9,2018
Community Center
1st Floor Village Hall
The meeting convened at 9:00 AM with Mayor Arlene Juracek,Trustee Richard Rogers,Trustee Paul
Hoefert,Trustee Bill Grossi, and Trustee Coleen Saccotelli in attendance. Village Manager Mike Cassady,
Fire Chief Brian Lambel and Director of Communications, Howard Kleinstein represented staff. Residents
in attendance were:
Mal Holec Quince Ln
Sue Elenberger Redwood Dr
Bill Miller Central Road
John Dunn Owen St
Vicki Chung Willie St
Jerry Boldt School St
Walter Szymzak Eastwood Ave
Pat Szymczak Eastwood Ave
Rich Rogers Laurel Dr
Christine Rogers Laurel Dr
Tony Ciaccio Grace Dr
Newt Hallman Dale Ave
Prakash J Bhatt Myrtle Dr
Ronnik McFadden Albert St
Paul Hoefert Evergreen Ave
Rachel Rothrauff Busse Ave
Carol Tortorello Elmhurst Ave.
Jerry Ziolo Gregory St.
Bruce Nejdl MacArthur Blvd
Yulia Bjekic Hi Lusi Ave
Antonila Borowski S.See Gwun Ave
Tom Manion Edward St
Christi Vitello Dresser Dr
Kate Causino Country Ln
David Schein Na Wa Ta Ave
Cassie Wagner Wego Trail
Mal Holec,Quince Ln Thought the Workforce Initiative Program between the Village and School District
214 was a great Idea and wanted to know which students the$300,000 would be going to. Manager
Cassady explained how the program would work and be implemented and that it would benefit students
who are Mount Prospect Residents. Mayor Juracek further explained how all MP students would be able
to participate sometime during their four years of High School. Mr. Holec also was concerned about the
FoxComm site in Wisconsin and if there was danger of contamination getting into the Des Plaines River.
Mr. Holec also wanted to know the status of the downtown Chase Building. Mr. Cassady gave an update
on the status of the building and the development plans for Block 56.
Sue Elenberger, Redwood Dr Had nothing to say.
Bill Miller,Central Rd Thinks the move of the Car show is a mistake. He wanted to know what happened
to the live feed of the Village Board Meeting of June 5t". He was unable to see or hear the Meeting. Mr.
Kleinstein gave an explanation of the technical difficulties that occurred that night and reported the
problem has since been corrected.
John Dunn,Owen St Reported a tree or bush that was obstructing the view at the NE corner of Owen
and Central. Mr. Cassady said staff would follow up.
Vicki Chung,Willie St.Wanted to know what was being done to help with development of business
south of the Tracks. She specifically wanted to know about the re-tenanting of Keefers Pharmacy and
the development of the parcel by St. Marks. Mr. Cassady, Mayor Juracek and other trustees talked
about plans in place and things that could be done in the future.
Jerry Boldt,School St.Supports Trustee Grossi's position at the June 5t"VBM,that the$100,000 a year
payout to School District 214 for the Workforce Initiative is a waste of Money.
John Dunn,Owen St. Inquired about the status of the traffic light on Rand by the former Mitchel Buick
site that was rejected by IDOT. Manager Cassady responded that there is a good chance of getting the
light and all the tenants are still good to go with the redevelopment project. Mayor Juracek added that
PW is talking to IDOT and helping them get a better feel for the site.
Walter and Pat Szymczak, Eastwood Ave Came to listen to what people had to say.
Richard and Chris Rogers, Laurel Dr Gave an update on flooding from the overnight rain and reported
on various sites. Fire Chief Lambel and Trustee Grossi gave an update on additional sites. Chris Rogers
reported the, "do not block street" sign in front of Pickett Fence Realty is not prominent and people
have a difficult time seeing it. Resulting in people blocking the intersection. Manager Cassady said he
would have Public Works look into it.
Tom Manion, Edward St. Received a ticket at Rand-Central-MP Road for blocking the intersection. He
said he got caught in the intersection because the light changes too quickly. Mayor Juracek stated some
changes should be coming this summer to help with the problem.Jerry Boldt added that police car
presence helps to keep people from blocking the intersection.
Tony Ciaccio, Grace Dr Had complaints about water in his backyard and what to do to get the Village to
give assistance. He blamed the problem on a backyard sewer system that is not working efficiently.The
Village doesn't want to take responsibility and he has been ping ponged back and forth between PW and
the Building Department. Mayor Juracek and Manager Cassady promised to have PW take another look
at it. A discussion followed about who these sewers belong to and if neighbors are changing the
topography of the backyards causing additional problems.Trustee Hoefert advised calling PW or the
Building Department immediately if he sees someone changing the topography. Mr. Ciaccio reported
PW has been out and televised the sewers in question and they are in need of rodding, but the PW
equipment is too powerful for the small sewer line. Discussion ensued again about the sewer not
belonging to the Village and the homeowners in the subdivision are responsible for having the sewer
rodded. Mayor Juracek said that since the problem with backyard flooding is so widespread in the
Village, a discussion should occur at a Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Newt Hallman, Dale Ave. He has been a resident for 60 years and talked about how children used to go
and cross the railroad tracks along NW Hwy to get to Lincoln Middle School. He would like to see a
pedestrian bridge at the end of Dale. Mayor Juracek and Manager Cassady talked about the need for
residents to help fund Phase I design engineering for such projects throughout the Village for various
pedestrian bridges in town.
Prakash J. Bhatt, Myrtle Dr.Wanted an update on the status of Busse Rd. between Central and Golf.
Mayor Juracek stated we are waiting on Cook County for their proposals. She stated the 5 lane road
proposal is dead due to citizen meetings. Manager Cassady stated IDOT is pushing for a 4 lane road, but
hoping to get it reduced to 3 lanes. A discussion ensued about the benefit of a 3 lane proposal. Mr. Bhatt
also wanted to know if a tree near a manhole could be removed to keep the roots from invading the
sewer system. Mayor Juracek stated if the tree is healthy it would not be removed. PW will check up on
the tree and sewer.
Ronnik McFadden,Albert St Was there to listen.
Paul Hoefert, Evergreen Ave Was there to listen.
Rachel Rothrauff, Busse Ave Wanted to know if the signal lights at Rand, Main, Kensington have
changed recently. Mayor Juracek stated the lights have changed and the Village has already complained
about the configuration. Ms. Rothrauff also wanted to know if they were going to put in a left turn signal
on the westbound Kensington light because it is confusing when the oncoming traffic stops but there is
no indication that has happened. Discussion of this quirk ensued. Ms. Rothrauff also wanted to know the
status of the demolition of the two houses across from Village Hall. Manager Cassady stated the houses
should be down by the Block Party. He is also looking for resident input on what to put on the site.
Discussion ensued.
Carol Tortorello, Elmhurst Ave. Had nothing to say.
Jerry Ziolo,Gregory St Complained about standing water on the sidewalks along his section of Gregory
Street.The Village regraded the area, added curbs and now there is standing water where there never
used to be. Sod has been ruined. Mayor Juracek said PW would look into it.
Bruce Nejdl, MacArthur Blvd Stated he told the Village the installation of sidewalks would cause
problems. His house out front was regraded and now his pitch is too great. Mowing the lawn on the
pitch is difficult. He is still getting water in his front yard. PW will look into it.
Yulia Bjekic, Hi Lusi Ave Added her voice to the problem of standing waters in people's yards.Worried
that the sale and redevelopment of a house on her block might lead to additional problems with
drainage. Mayor Juracek once again noted that a Committee of the whole meeting would be held to
address drainage issues in the Village. Ms. Bjekic wanted an update on the new Police and Fire Buildings.
Manager Cassady responded the project is in the design phase and open houses will be held as each
new phase is completed. Ms. Bjekic wanted to know if the downtown bridge across 83 was still alive as a
project. Manager Cassady responded the Village is evaluating a grade crossing, but IDOT is not helping
move that along.Trustee Saccotelli asked if IDOT has been out to the site and Manager Cassady
confirmed they had. Ms. Bjekic wanted to know the status of the Parenti site. Manager Cassady stated
the project hasn't solidified. Ms. Bjekic wanted to know why demolish the building without plans in the
works? Manager Cassady stated the demolition is a benefit to Village and discussion ensued as to how it
benefits. Ms. Bjekic wanted an update on the DiMucci Property. Manager Cassady discussed his meeting
with them, how Walgreens will allow a Starbucks in the outlot, how they will reface the rest of the
property, and the plans for a residential development to the west. Mayor Juracek gave more details on
the development. Ms. Bjekic wanted to know how KD Market is doing. Discussion ensued about how
people in the room thought it was doing.Jerry Boldt returned to the subject of backyard flooding and
noted his backyard has not flooded since the installation of a rain garden. Ms. Bjekic bemoaned the fact
a rain garden cost$25000 and she was far down on the list. Discussion ensued on rain gardens and how
residents might contribute towards the cost.
Antonila Borowski,See Gwun Ave Wanted an update on video gaming. Mayor Juracek explained what
has gone on in the past regarding video gaming, and explained what kinds of machines are involved. Ms.
Borowski asked if video gaming would go to referendum and remarked she has a family member who
suffers from gambling addiction. Mayor Juracek stated that it would not go to referendum.Trustee
Hoefert offered that he would like to see it go to referendum.Trustee Rogers added the state might
pass a law making video gambling legal statewide, superseding a Mount Prospect ordinance.There was
a general discussion about video gaming.
Tom Manion, Edward Ave Relayed he hasn't seen much police presence on his street. Do not Park
Overnight signs are not being enforced. Manager Cassady said police will look into it.
Christi Vitello, Dresser Dr Came to see what Coffee with the Council is about and wanted to know how
to get involved in the community.Tom Manion explained about the benefits of CWC and how to get
involved in the community.
Catie Causino,Country Lane Wanted to observe and applauded the Village for its openness.
David Schein, Na Wa Ta Ave Gave a Monarch Butterfly Update. He also talked about ways residents can
control their local drainage. He talked about how he got water seepage in his basement due to soil
shrinkage around his foundation and how he fixed the problem.
Cassie Wagner,WeGo Trail Reported she has 11 Monarch Caterpillars on her Milkweed plants.
Coffee with Council was adjourned at 10:54 am.
Submitted by Howard Kleinstein, Director of Communications