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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/2005 COW minutes REVISED 10/11/05 MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SEPTEMBER 27,2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m., in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, John Korn, Richard Lohrstorfer and Michaele Skowron. Absent from the meeting was Trustee Michael Zade!. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Development Director William Cooney, Deputy Community Development Director Ellen Divita, Senior Planner Judy Connolly, Planner Jason Zawila and Intern Jill Baty. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from August 9, 2005. A Motion was made by Trustee Korn and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer. The Minutes were approved. Approval of Minutes of Special Budget Workshop of September 13, 2005. A Motion was made by Trustee Korn and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer. Mayor Wilks requested revision to the Minutes under Item "1."-Water Rate/Combined Sewer Plan Confirmation. The Mayor requested the consensus statement of the Village Board be revised. She requested the statement be changed to the following: "Unanimous consensus of the Village Board was to put the sewer rate increase on a Village Board meeting for consideration along with the $5.00 sewer construction fee per customer, per month." A request was also made regarding the consensus statement on Item 6- Revenue Discussion. Mayor Wilks requested the consensus statement be revised to state the following: ''There was unanimous consensus of the Village Board to consider the creation of an ambulance fee based on insurance reimbursement amount." "Consensus of the Village Board was to implement a direct garbage charge with the implementation of a toter system in 2006 in combination with the elimination of the vehicle sticker." Minutes were approved with revisions. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. The Mayor requested the order of discussion items be changed so that the Feral and Stray Cat Control discussion could take place first. 1 IV. FERAL AND STRAY CAT CONTROL DISCUSSION Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels provided general information to the Village Board. He stated many of the issues that his Division has had to deal with regarding cats relate to noise, feces, odor and the killing of birds. He stated between 1999 and 2005, they have received 56 service requests at 24 separate locations. He stated many times this situation is a neighborhood issue. He stated there are several options that are available including an option to trap, medical check and then release the cats or license the cats to generate funds necessary for animal control purposes and to encourage responsible ownership. He stated a survey of surrounding communities found that 14 of 30 communities require licenses and 10 of 30 impound strays. An option to lend Village-owned traps would cost approximately $3,000 to purchase traps, trap maintenance and distribution with the assumption that 30 cats per year would be trapped including staff time, transportation costs, instruction and maintenance and possible shelter costs. He stated the expansion of an animal control program usually would fall to the Police Department for this service, however, there are some outsourcing options available. He stated the opportunity to trap, neuter and release would require a partner with a sponsoring organization and caregivers to handle the release and adoption of trapped animals. He stated that the licensing revenue would not cover the approximate cost of such a program. He estimated that even with approximately $16,000 in revenue from licensing of these animals, there would still be a net cost to the Village. He is recommending the Village Code be modified to match the Cook County Code whereby the Village language would state that the animals "may" be captured versus "shall" be captured but without adequate funding source, he is unable to recommend any additions to the existing program. Village Manager Janonis stated that the cost of an animal control program would require approximately two full-time CSOs plus a vehicle to pick up all kinds of animals, not just dogs and cats but this service would likely include all animals, therefore, there would be an additional liability exposure and an annual cost of approximately $150,000. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There was a concern expressed regarding the release of the animals after a health check up. There were also comments made regarding the administrative cost for license processing and the option to offer the registration tags as a service to residents only for identification purposes. Liz Doughtery, 902 South Can-Dota, spoke. She stated she is aware of 10-15 cats living under the neighbor's shed and is concerned about feces and dead birds and possible disease in her back yard. She would be supportive of the Village entering into a contract for removal with trapping. David Schein, 512 NaWaTa, spoke. He stated the Village should consider licensing cats in order to track whether rabies shots are maintained. Walter Fisher, 904 Can-Dota, spoke. He stated he is concerned about health issues and rabies exposure from these animals. 2 Consensus of the Village Board was to consider the licensing of cats the same as dogs and request staff to provide an estimate for a private contractor to provide animal control services. V. CIRCULAR DRIVEWAYS Community Development Planner Jason Zawila spoke. He stated the Village has seen an increase in requests for driveway expansions as part of the tear down and rebuild phenomenon that is going on in the community. The Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended that driveways remain as a Conditional Use utilizing the lot width, front lot landscaping and the inclusion of decorative material for the surface. Staff has reviewed these recommendations and would suggest that the Board consider allowing circular drives for lots of greater than 75 feet in width and if less than 35% of the front yard coverage in total of hard surface would be allowed in addition to perimeter landscaping. Staff is also suggesting the Planning and Zoning Commission be considered as final on these items. Currently, the driveways are considered as Conditional Uses with the Village Board being final. He stated staff defined the 35% based on coverage already common in residential areas. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: Some concern was raised regarding the width of a circular driveway and the need to consider 10 to 12 foot widths in order for two cars to comfortably be parked side by side. It was also suggested that Village Board remains the only party to consider Conditional Uses regarding driveways in this manner. It was suggested that lot coverage might want to also include front and back yard as part of the consideration for the circular driveway. Planning and Zoning Commission member, Joseph Donnelly, 1104 Juniper, spoke. He stated that the Commission would like direction from the Village Board that is consistent and enforceable and the Commission voiced concerns about work already underway limiting driveway options for residents. Matt O'Meara, 109 MacArthur, spoke. He feels he has been singled out by the Planning and Zoning Commission based on his circular drive request. He feels that as part of the rebuilding of the home on his property, his property is wide enough to accommodate his request. Russ Cecala, 903 Isabella, spoke. He stated that the Village Board should establish regulations for driveway widths based on lot widths. Jeff Everett, 118 North Maple, spoke. He is an architect and feels that a circular driveway in an amenity for the property. He stated that the driveway width should be 12 feet wide and the Village should not mandate brick pavers. In fact, the 35% is too restrictive. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider staff recommendations at an upcoming meeting after additional information is provided with the preferred wider width and its impact on the percentage of lot coverage. 3 "-- '""'-'''''''''''''_-'.,"".."..".,",",~.".~,~..~,.-~,~<~""~"_.,-,,,--,~.''-'="'''"''''''''''''''''''''','',~'''''''''~~','','''''''''-~'"",...",~,,,,,,,,,,,,.".,.~-"""~-'^"'--~-----------~"~--""---~_.-.~ '~~."-,.'.._'---"---- --~._- VI. OUTDOOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided information regarding this topic. He stated lighting regulations were approved in 2000 by the Village Board and at this time he is requesting a few enhancements to those regulations but continue with the spirit of the original Ordinance. He stated the modifications requested include fully recessed bulb and a flat lens requirement within a fully shielded and full cutoff fixture. He is also requesting the Village Board consider the option to use task lighting which is utilized as a spot focus lighting on a specific location like a gas pump at a service station. Dave Toeppen, 409 South Hi-Lusi, spoke. He stated that he is happy with the stance the Village Board has taken regarding community lighting and feels that the recommended changes would save energy and provide lighting necessary without being a nuisance to others. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider staff recommendations at an upcoming meeting. VII. RESIDENTIAL PARKING REGULATIONS - DOWNTOWN DISTRICT Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided a summary of this topic. He stated the staff is bringing this topic forward as part of a review of parking demand in the downtown and comparing that ratio to other towns to determine whether additional parking should be considered for downtown development projects. He stated the downtown parking deck is limited to four hours with business parking allowed beyond that but there may be a need to consider overnight guest parking in the deck in the near future. Developments of the type that are underway and have already been completed in the downtown generally are supposed to rely less on automobiles than in the past. He stated there is a need to build in flexible parking options on site. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: It was suggested that the ratio be increased for a two bedroom unit to have two spaces per unit and guest parking should be included in the development proposals. It was also suggested that the parking deck can be considered for some parking relief for developments if properly administered. It was also mentioned that there needs to be some discussion regarding potential additional demand with new developments and their impact on the downtown parking. Village Manager Janonis stated that staff will review the parking deck issues and bring back some recommendations to the Village Board at a future date. Consensus of the Village Board was to increase the ratio so that two bedroom units would be required to have a minimum of two parking spaces instead of 1.5 as currently required. 4 VIII. PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE NUISANCE ABATEMENT Community Development Director Bill Cooney is presenting several staff suggestions to address residential construction work and maintenance nuisance issues with the nine recommendations. 1. Consider the Building Permit as a legal contract so that the Village could act on the contract to ensure compliance. 2. Creation of a construction site maintenance guide for informational purposes. 3. General contractor test for homeowners acting as their own general contractors. 4. Reinspection fee increased to cover the actual costs of reinspection process. The fee has been $25 for over 20 years. 5. Require architectural stamp on plans for projects over $10,000. The $10,000 value would be the construction value related to building modifications and not replacement as in the case of kitchen cabinet work. Consensus of the Village Board was to accept Items 1 through 4 and request additional research and definition from staff regarding architectural stamp requirements and thresholds for project value definitions. 6. Vacant Building Ordinance. The registration of owner information and annual fee whereby a plan would be required for maintenance of the property and staff could respond in a more timely manner when issues occur. 7. Nuisance abatement. This is a further definition to allow the ability the review the abatement options and define "nuisance" more clearly for enforcement procedures. 8. Abatement of nuisances. This would establish a process to address nuisances directly with the property owner by establishing timeframes upfront. 9. Administrative Adjudication. This process would create a due process procedure separate of the existing housing court to address the items that are currently reviewed by the housing court. This would allow quicker turn around for issues as they occur. Consensus of the Village Board was to support the addition of items 6-9. IX. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated the Family Bike Ride is scheduled for October 1 and the Mount Prospect Historical Society desk auction is scheduled for October 2. X. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Wilks stated she attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1601 Feehanville Drive welcoming the India Engineering Center to the community. 5 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the Committee of the Whole adjourned at 11 :01 p.m. CLOSED SESSION The Closed Session was cancelled due to the lateness of the evenin ~ DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager 6