HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/25/1988 COW MinutesMINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 25, 1988
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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: Assistant Village Manager Michael Janonis, Finance Director David
Jepson, Director of Planning and Zoning David Clements and Staff Planner Michael
Sims. Also present were three persons from the print media.
if, MINUTES
The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of October 11, 1988 were
accepted and filed.
III,o CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
A resident appeared before Committee members to request a variation to allow a
fence to be built on her property in a manner currently not permitted by the
Village's Ordinances. Mayor Krause directed the woman to speak with Planning and
Zoning Director David Clements who would provide assistance to the woman in
filing an application for variation.
Committee members reviewed with Finance Director David Jepson his memo
regarding a proposed change in the third party administrator for the Village of
Mount Prospect's Modified Self -Insured Health Program. Currently, the Village
contracts with Blue Cross/Blue Shield to handle the administrationd of the Village's
Medical Benefits Plan. The change was being brought about because the Village's
contract with the present administrator was about to expire. Additionally, the
Village had been experiencing problems with Blue Cross/Blue Shield's handling of
claims.
Bids were solicited from both conventional insurance carriers and third party
administrators. The firm of Jackson -Long submitted a low bid of some $80,632.,
This bid included not only the administration of the Village's Medical Plan but also
stop loss insurance and medical advisory services. Mr. Jepson indicated that
Jackson -Long had an excellent reputation among other municipalities who have
utilized their services. Mr. Jepson also indicated that the acceptance of the
Jackson -Long proposal would save the Village approximately $15,000 in its first
year.
General discussion among Committee members resulted in concurrence with
Mr. Jepson's recommendation. Spectfically, Trustee Arthur complimented
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instructed to proceed with bringing the necessary agreements to the Village Board
for formal approvalib
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Committee members entered into substantial discussion regarding the merits of such
an Ordinance*
Trustee Ralph Arthur indicated his willingness to implement some restrictions in
public and private office buildings but not in restaurants. It was his feeling that
the issue of smoking restrictions in restaurants was best left to the restaurant
owner or the local Chamber of Commerce.
Trustee Norma Murauskis indicated that she did not approve of any type of
restrictions regarding smoking.
Trustee Gerald Farley stated that he supported a comprehensive No Smoking
Ordinance that covered both public and private buildings as well as restaurants. He
indicated that he did not favor a total ban but that well thought-out restrictions
were appropriate. Trustee Farley indicated a willingness to work with a committee
of restaurant owners to develop reasonable standards to determine when such
smoking restrictions should be implemented. He further indicated that he would be
in favor of a public Referendum on the question.
Trustee Ted Wattenberg indicated that he was against an Ordinance prohibiting
smoking but would support a Resolution asking citizens, including businesses within
the Village, to use common sense in trying to accommodate the needs of
non-smokers.
Trustee Leo Floros indicated that he was opposed to any type of regulation
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regarding smoking. He indicated that he thought it was inappropriate for
government to legislate in this area. Further, he felt it would be very difficult to
enforce such regulations once adopted.
Trustee George Van neem stated that at the present time he would not support
such legislation but that if provided with additional material he might be persuaded
to support some type of restrictions.
Mayor Carolyn Krause 'Indicated that she supports smoking restrictions and felt that
because of the documented health risks it was appropriate for government to use
its legislative powers for the protection of its citizens.
Mr.' Mathew Meisterheim, of the Mount Prospect Chapter of the American Cancer
Society, appeared before Committee members to urge further consideration of some
type of smoking restrictions.. He 'indicated that his group was not advocating a
total smoking ban but rather an accommodation for the rights of non-smokers.
After further discussion and a polling of the Board, Mayor Krause indicated that
there was not sufficient support from Committee members to move ahead with this
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item.
There was nothing to report.
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'III.ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Trustee George Van Geem inquired when the discussion of police Department
artment
manning would be brought up. Mr. Janonis
indicated that it would he conducted at
the upcoming Committee of the whole meeting.
IX* ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whale, the
meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL E JANONIS
Assistant Village Manager
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