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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/2006 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 10, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m., in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Paul Hoefert, John Korn, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michaele Skowron and Michael Zadel. Absent from the meeting was Trustee Timothy Corcoran. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Director William Cooney, Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels, Deputy Community Development Director Ellen Divita, Building Coordinator Bill George, Senior Planner Judy Connolly, Planner Jason Zawila, Police Chief Richard Eddington and Village Attorney Everette Hill. II. MINUTES Approval of Minutes of December 13, 2005. Motion made by Trustee Korn and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer. Minutes were approved. Trustee Zadel abstained. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Conrad Vartel, 106 Wheeling Road, spoke. He stated that he has lived in the area for 40 years and has concerns about blowing garbage and debris along Wheeling Road. He stated he has observed dumpsters overflowing and foyers in some of the buildings along Wheeling have debris and are not maintained well. He said he has called Public Works in the past and they have responded. He also stated there is excessive noise from the apartments and the passing cars including loud bass that vibrates windows. Such bass noise occurs throughout the evening. Tony Vieceli, 721 South Crestwood, spoke. He stated that he had inquired about six years ago regarding the opportunity to play ping-pong in the Senior Center and has approached the Park District but to no avail. He wanted to know where he could go to participate in playing ping pong with his friends. Mr. Janonis stated that Village staff would call the area Park Districts and respond to his request. IV. FERAL CAT AND ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels stated the Ordinance further strengthens the discouragement of the type of feeding that attracts such cats. He also stated the Village's recent experience with trapping and relocating such animals had limited success. 1 He stated that there are private companies which will address this issue although the initial visit is approximately $85 and $65 for subsequent visits and pick-up. He stated the typical shelter cost is $10 per day up to seven days and $50 to euthanize the animals. He stated his research into what other communities do in terms of providing traps reveal that the traps are provided at a reduced cost for residential use by approximately two- thirds of the actual cost. However, the traps frequently capture other animals and there are relocations issues. He stated it would not be unusual for the Village to spend approximately $500 to $2,000 per mobilization regarding such animal issues. He would suggest the Village maintain its current course regarding these animals and recommends the use of private companies as necessary. He is also suggesting that the proposed Ordinance include a provision where any animal on a stationary leash be placed in such a manner that does not allow the animal to go beyond the property line. Consensus of the Village Board was to bring the draft Ordinance back for consideration on the January 17 meeting. V. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE ISSUES 1. Vacant Structure Property Reqistration Certification Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels stated this draft Ordinance is much more complete than existing regulations and requires registration of vacant properties and a fee to cover some of the Village costs for monitoring and possible abatement. He also stated the Ordinance allows the Village to abate immediate hazards and lien the property for reimbursement if necessary. He also stated this allows the properties which have outdoor maintenance issues to be readily identified and addressed more quickly than having to deal with the Cook County Court system. This Ordinance also allows the Village the opportunity to gain access to inside the property and the authority to pursue demolition if warranted. Consensus of the Village Board was to support the modifications as presented and to consider the overall Ordinance at an upcoming Village Board meeting. 2. Nuisance Abatement Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels stated that the modifications provided better defined and improved service responses to provide a wider list of responsible parties for eventual abatement. It also streamlines the staff's ability to perfect notification for violations and grants the Village authority to pursue nuisances within one- half mile of the corporate boundaries. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider the Ordinance at an upcoming Village Board meeting. 3. Administrative Adiudication Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels presented the Ordinance including several minor modifications including the new title for the Administrative Hearing Officer to be changed to Administrative Law Judge. Modifications also include the authority to issue subpoenas and a daily fine for failure to comply. There is also an opportunity to pay a fine for a violation and avoid a Hearing. 2 Consensus of the Village Board was to proceed with the Ordinance as drafted for consideration at an upcoming Village Board meeting. VI. BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS ENHANCEMENTS 1. Require Architectural Stamp for Home Improvement Proiects Staff had previously recommended architectural stamps for projects over $10,000. Staff researched the $10,000 expense threshold and what it would apply to and feels that utilizing this threshold for components which could be defined as structural improvement enhancements would be adequate for the application of this Ordinance. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider the draft Ordinance at an upcoming Village Board meeting. 2. Testinq Homeowners wishinq to act at their own General Contractor Building Coordinator Bill George stated that there are significant issues relating to homeowners undertaking complex building projects when they are not experienced with the associated demands of such a project. David Rowe, 414 North Pine Street, spoke. He said that he has a concern about the dollar value threshold for garages as an example and feels that this requirement will impact the building which is currently taking place in the community. He also inquired regarding the use of the term General Contractor License and the ability for the homeowner to now market themselves as a General Contractor once they have completed the examination administered by the Village. He also inquired at what threshold in the terms of complexity of the project would such a test be required. Building Coordinator Bill George stated that if three of the five main components typically required of a building project were included on the Permit, such a project would trigger the need for the General Contractor test. Comments of Village Board members included the following items: There was some discussion regarding further clarification regarding the General Contractor test for homeowners and a clarification of language relating to what weight the test would allow the homeowner to undertake once the test is completed. 3. Reinspection Fees Building Coordinator Bill George requested the Village Board consider increasing the inspection fees from $25 to $50 and an escalating scale for additional inspection to encourage proper completion of the project without numerous reinspections. Such reinspection fees would be levied on previously identified items from previous inspections. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider this increase at a subsequent Village Board meeting. 3 4. Buildinq Permit as a Leqal Contract Building Coordinator Bill George stated by the person pulling the Building Permit accepting the Permit, the property owner acknowledges the obligation to meet all Village Codes and failure to meet such Codes would go through the Administrative Adjudication process. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider this authorization at a subsequent Village Board meeting. VII. EXTERIOR SIDE YARD SETBACKS This item was deferred to another Committee of the Whole meeting due to the lateness of the hour. VIII. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated the Coffee with Council is scheduled for January 14 from 9:00 a.m. until 11 :00 a.m. in the Community Center and the Celestial Celebration is scheduled for February 4 at Bristol Court. IX. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None. The meeting moved into Closed Session at 9:22 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting returned to Open Session at 9:41 p.m. and after a short discussion of upcoming Agenda items for future meetings, the meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m. ...... ~ s:-6[J DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager 4