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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/2006 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MAY 9, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:12 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 and Michaele Skowron. Absent from the meeting were Trustees Richard Lohrstorfer and Michael Zadel. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis and Assistant Village Manager David Strahl. II. MINUTES Deferral of Minutes of April 25, 2006. Motion made by Trustee Skowron and Seconded by Trustee Korn. Deferral of Minutes was approved. Next Committee of the Whole meeting would be June 13, 2006. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. SMOKING REGULATIONS DISCUSSION Village Manager Janonis provided an overview of the Smoking Regulations that have recently been approved by the General Assembly. He also highlighted the smoking regulations that have recently been passed by Cook County. He stated communities were previously preempted by Statute to enact any smoking regulations but that preemption has been altered by this recent Legislation. The Statutes now allow communities to take local action regarding smoking regulations within their community. He also stated the Cook County Ordinance which was recently enacted is to become effective in March 2007 and unless alternative regulation is passed by the local municipality, the Cook County regulations would apply to the Village of Mount Prospect. In order to solicit input from possibly impacted residents, an email address has been set up for residents and any interested parties to contribute their thoughts directly to the Village for compilation and sharing with the Village Board as they consider this topic. David Rowe, 414 North Pine, spoke. He suggested the Village Board look at the Ordinance that was approved by Calabasas, California. He stated this Ordinance is significantly more restrictive and also regulates smoking around the front entrance to buildings. He stated he is concerned if the Cook County Ordinance is allowed to become effective, the revenue for violation would not stay locally controlled. He also recommended the Village Board consider banning smoking on sidewalks, playgrounds or other public areas and within a 20' clear zone to the entrance of any building. 1 Ted Pappas, 1904 South Elmhurst Road, the owner of Papp's Bar and Grill, spoke. He stated he is concerned that a Smoking Regulations Ordinance would impact his customers. He stated approximately 80% of his customers smoke and they feel that smoking in his restaurant is one of the last havens available to them. He stated that most smokers feel it is their right to smoke in bars if they are so inclined. He feels that any regulations would hurt his business and the ban, if approved, would create a situation where the Village would be at an unfair disadvantage to neighboring communities which may have no regulation on smoking. Jim Early, Corporate Manager, for Lettuce Entertainment Company, spoke. He stated he has been involved with the Restaurant Association in drafting the Cook County Ordinance and had anticipated that a model Ordinance would be drafted by the Northwest Municipal Conference for consideration on a region-wide basis. He stated that he understands that Elk Grove residents are coming to businesses in Mount Prospect just to smoke because of the regulations in Elk Grove. He feels it would make the most sense if, in fact, a level playing field was created that applied across all communities in the area. Vic Giovanni, 303 East Kensington, owner of the Loft Restaurant, spoke. He stated that he undertook an unscientific survey of the patrons in the bar area to see why they are in the bar area and they all stated they were present in the bar area in order to smoke. He stated with the reconfiguration of the restaurant, they did separate the restaurant from the bar area and felt that such a separation would be viable for most restaurants in the community and should be considered as part of the relief available to comply with the Ordinance. Tim Borden, of Ala Carte Entertainment, spoke. He suggested that the Board also consider including a recommended clean-air device as part of the Ordinance to reduce the exposure to second-hand smoke which would be very similar to the City of Chicago Ordinance. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: It was suggested that there be some additional discussion with all interested parties in additional to setting up regulations to limit the exposure of second-hand smoke to any patrons. There was also a question regarding the ability to gather input from impacted businesses. There was also a general desire to create a level playing field across all communities. Village Manager Janonis stated that staff would provide notice of future meetings on this topic to interested parties. V. VILLAGE HALL FRONT ENTRANCE ENHANCEMENT DISCUSSION Assistant Village Manager Strahl provide a general overview of the options that have been presented and prepared by DLK. He stated that the options based on the intensity of constructability, therefore, impacting the overall cost of the enhancement. He stated that the schemes that are presented are the result of previous discussions with Board representatives and staff in an effort to draw further attention to the front entrance off Emerson Street and a general desire to expand the public area of the lobby. 2 General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There was general agreement that Schemes D and E be removed from further consideration and focus be directed toward the other options. There was a general preference for double doors facing east and south and a desire to remove the existing doors going into the stairwell from the outside; therefore, to enhance a central lobby area underneath the portico. It was also recommended that if any enhancements were undertaken with the front entrance that the suggested enhancements to the main stairwell also be undertaken at that time. There was a concern regarding undertaking the enhancements to the point where they would appear as if they were only halfway completed and it must be done with an appearance that there is a permanent end product about the design. There was also general acceptance that if enhancements were to be undertaken, that the flags should be attached to the building with a Village seal on the glass as rendered. General support existed for further consideration of schemes A through C. Mayor Wilks stated she feels that no additional enhancements are necessary and feels that the design and functionality is well represented of the community. She stated she would support the main stairwell enhancements and would suggest the Village Board wait for further input from the two absent Trustees before a final decision is made. Village Manager Janonis suggested this item could be brought back for the June 13 Committee of the Whole meeting and further follow up from staff regarding possible discussion dates and cost options. VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated that next Coffee with Council date is scheduled for May 13 from 9:00 a.m. until 11 :00 a.m., at the Community Center of Village Hall. VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Village Manager Janonis provided an overview of the numerous downtown activities that are now starting up with the improvement in the weather. which had been reused. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. ~~~~ DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager 3