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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/22/2005 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGEtjDA Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 7:00 p.m. Meeting Location: Mount Prospect Village Hall 50 South Emerson Street I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Gerald L. Farley Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Michaele Skowron Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Irvana Wilks Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Michael Zadel II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 8,2005 III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. BICYCLE HELMET LAW Mrs. JanetWeiss and her fourth grade class at Indian Grove School in Mount Prospect have undertaken a yearlong project on helmet safety. As part of this undertaking, the students determined that there was a need to increase the safety of bicycle, rollerblade and skateboard riders by requiring all such users to wear safety helmets. To this end, the students began researching the topic including talking to various safety groups, helmet manufacturers and experts in the field. The students also surveyed other local communities to see how many had helmet laws. At this time, the students would like to make a formal request of the Village Board of consider passing a "Helmet Law." Mrs. Weiss, students and parents of her fourth grade class will be in attendance to make their request and provide pertinent background information. V. DISCOUNT TAXICAB PROGRAM The Discount Taxicab Program has been providing transportation to residents who do not have access to a private car or who physically cannot use a bus. This program has been an important source of transportation to the registered participants. During 2004, 4,730 discounted cab rides were taken by Mount Prospect residents. Currently, more than one registered participant may ride in the same cab if their pick up and destination sites are the same. However, no provision exists that would allow a senior citizen or disabled person who needs the assistance of a non-registered companion to ride with them for the discounted fare. During the month of December, a mother of a severely disabled child requested the discount taxicab card to transport her child to therapy. Unfortunately, as the ordinance currently is written, the transportation program would not assist this family with discounted taxicab rides. NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODA TION TO PARTICIPA TE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE A T 50 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064. An Amendment to the Code will allow a companion who assists a senior citizen or disabled person to ride for the discounted fare. A special card will be issued to the companion. The discount fare for a second person is ten cents. VI. LIQUOR CODE CHANGES VII. VIII. IX. Staff is recommending a number of changes to the Village's Liquor Code. 1. The number of inquiries the Village receives for the opening of a traditional liquor store (liquor only) has increased dramatically over the last year. Given the fact that the Village Board has not issued this type of Class C License in over ten years - due to the Board's sensitivity to the easy availability of alcohol -- it is recommended that the number of such package goods licenses be frozen at the present number (5) so there is no ambiguity with regard to this type of establishment. Class C Licenses would continue to be available for large-scale (in excess of 10,000 square feet), mixed-use (grocery, big box) establishments that sell alcohol as part of a much larger product offering. 2. Staff has also received a number of inquiries from existing license holders (both package goods and restaurant-type license holders) seeking relief from the Liquor Code's current prohibition on Sunday sales before 12:00 p.m. (noon). With regard to package goods sales, it is cited that customers are inconvenienced in that if they are shopping earlier on Sunday in advance of a Sunday event such as a family gathering or sporting event, they must make two trips to complete their purchases or go to a neighboring municipality that allows liquor sales at an earlier hour. With regard to restaurant-type operations, there has been a growing desire to offer "Sunday Brunch" options to customers that would include cocktail availability; i.e., Bloody Marys, Mimosas, etc. That opportunity is not available under current restrictions. In both instances, a survey of surrounding municipalities shows that Mount Prospect is considerably more restrictive. It is recommended that the hour for both types of sales be changed to 10:00 a.m. Even though the two recommendations appear contradictory at a certain level (availability of alcohol), staff believes they are justifiable each in their own context. Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT ANY OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT CLOSED SESSION PROPERTY ACQUISITION 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5). "The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body."