Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/1986 COW MinutesMINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 28, 1986 I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Carolyn H. Krause; Trustees Ralph Arthur, Gerald Farley, Leo Floros, Norma Murauskis, George Van Geem and Theodore Wattenberg. Also present at the meeting were: Village Manager Terrance Burghard, Assistant to the Village Manager Michael Janonis, Director of Finance David Jepson, Director of Economic Development Ken Fritz, Director of Code Enforcement Les Wuollett and Administrative Intern Michael Steklac. Also present was Conrad Mazeski, President of -the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce and two persons from the print media. II. MINUTES The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of January 14, 1986 were accepted and filed. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There being no citizens present who wished to make a presentation before the Committee of the Whole, the Committee moved on to the next item of business. IV. BUSINESS LICENSE REVISIONS Finance Director David Jepson and Administrative Intern Mike Steklac reviewed with Committee members a series of memos regarding proposed amendments to Chapters 10, 11 and 12 of the Village. Code dealing with Business Licenses. Among the recommended changes were a consolidation of fees and size categories, the charging of a special fee for the usage and storage of hazardous materials, the licensing of all contractors who work within the Village, escalating fees for late payment and registration of professional offices for inspectional purposes. Mr. Jepson pointed out that the fee structure for the Village had not been signi- ficantly revised in approximately 10 years and that during that period, the cost of inspectional services for business establishments had increased between 80% and 120%. The approach taken with regard to these revisions was one of covering the Village's costs on an equitable basis while maintaining a competitive fee structure vis-a-vis neighboring communities. It was Mr. Jepson's opinion that the proposed changes would accomplish the above -stated goals. A general discussion among Committee members brought a general consensus that the proposed changes were necessary and fair under the circumstances. Several Committee members expressed concern with some of the percentage increases proposed and the fact that perhaps it was better to achieve increases through incremental change in the future. Conrad Mazeski, President of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, stated .to Committee members that the Chamber had reviewed the proposed revisions and viewed them favorably. It was the consensus of the Committee of the Whole that the amendments be drafted in Ordinance form and placed on the next available Board of Trustees' Agenda. V. APPEARANCE REGULATIONS Economic Development Director Kenneth Fritz reviewed with Committee members his memo regarding the feasibility of establishing Appearance Regulations with regard to future development and redevelopment within the Village of Mount Prospect. Mr. Fritz stated that while the concept of Appearance Regulations was rather nebulous, it was nonetheless an achievable goal as witnessed by successful programs in Glenview, Highland Park and Libertyville. Upon questioning by Committee members, Mr. Fritz stated that he was confident that guidelines could be established that would on the one hand could overall control and unify the appearance of developments within the Village while at the same time not overly restricting the developer's independence in choosing architectural style and design. Village Manager Terrance Burghard recommended to Committee members that a professional architectural design firm be retained by the Village to act as a third party mediator in situations where the Appearance Committee and developer could not agree on design controls and also to provide expert advice in the more --difficult cases. It was the consensus of Committee members that staff should begin preparing guidelines in this area to be reviewed by the Board of Trustees at a later date. They also concurred with Mr. Burghard's recommendation regarding a third party consultant. VI. MANAGER'S REPORT 1. LAKE WATER. Village Manager Terrance Burghard reported that the start up of the Lake water system was proceeding smoothly and that all but two communities were now receiving water to some degree. Mr. Burghard indicated that the two remaining Village connections would begin pumping Lake Michigan water by mid-February. 2. TIF UPDATE. Village Manager reported that negotiations for property acquisi- tion were proceeding smoothly. Mr. Burghard also indicated that staff was continuing to meet with prospective developers regarding concepts for the proposed redevelopment of the area. 3. BUDGET HEARINGS. The Village Manager reminded Committee members that the first Budget Hearing would take place on February 11 and would be televised from the new facility at the Senior Center. VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There being no other business to discuss before the Committee of the Whole, the Committee moved on to the next item of business. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, MICHAEL E. JANONIS Assistant to the Village Manager MEJ/rcw