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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2006 CWC minutes MINUTES COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2006 9:00 AM VILLAGE HALL, 50 SOUTH EMERSON STREET Trustee Michaele Skowron called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 AM. Trustee Lohrstorfer arrived at approximately 9:05 AM. Representing Village staff were Assistant Village Manager David Strahl and Deputy Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey. Mr. Strahl exited that meeting at approximately 10:30 AM. Village residents in attendance were: Mal Holec Lee Williams Andy & Kimberly Skic Carol Tortorello Mary Kay Risler Christy Watychowicz M. Junius Quince Lane AI bert Street Owen Street Elmhurst Avenue Milburn Avenue Wa Pella Avenue Green Acres Trustee Skowron welcomed all in attendance. Mal Holec inquired about the status of the new fire station. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl responded that the Village IS In the process of completing a space study to make certain that any design for the proposed new fire station is adequate to accommodate foreseeable needs. He stated that the results of the space study are expected some 90 days from now and suggested that the decision regarding the new fire station would probably be made shortly thereafter. Mr. Holec also inquired about the status of the person who was to be hired to assist with small business development in Mount Prospect. Trustee Skowron responded that Cathy Maloney was hired on a 12-month contract basis. She clarified that her primary responsibilities are to help attract retail businesses to Mount Prospect and help existing retail businesses grow; not necessarily assist with the growth of all small businesses. Mr. Holec also inquired about the proposed annexation of the Forest River area. He commented that the area had gentrified and now includes a number of upscale homes. He was concerned that Des Plaines might annex the area before the Village of Mount Prospect. Trustee Skowron responded that the Village Board is awaiting a staff report regarding the possible annexations of a number of areas including the Forest River area. She noted that there were a number of specific concerns about the Forest River in particular including the condition of the existing water distribution system, wastewater collection systems, the condition of the streets and storm sewers, as well as the area's propensity for flooding during severe weather events. Mr. Holec also mentioned that he was aware that Carpentersville had initiated a landlord training program. He asked if the Village was considering such a program. Trustee Skowron responded that the Village has voluntary training programs designed to help landlords attract and keep good tenants. She noted that the Village has had some success enlightening newer landlords, but actualization of these goals with some of the more entrenched landlords has been difficult. Lee Williams complained about the behavior of residents who live in the multi-family units at 2- 40 North Albert Street. Specifically, he stated that these residents were prone to driving at excessive speeds, shouting, and honking horns. In addition, he noted that there are not enough parking spaces for the residents in 2-40. As a consequence, he has observed that they repeatedly park their vehicles overnight on Village streets in violation of the Village Code. He also stated that these residents routinely place refuse at the curb that is not properly containerized in the Village distributed refuse and recycling carts in addition to being placed at the curb several days before the actual pick-up day. He reported that the residents of 2-40 recently shouted obscenities at his family. Mr. Williams also submitted a listing of ownership records he had obtained from Cook County identifying the owners of the problematic properties. He suggested that the Village might find this information useful in efforts to enforce codes. He concluded by mentioning that he has called the police department about these issues. He stated that the police response has been helpful on most occasions but noted that he has sometimes found the police response condescending and dismissive. Trustee Skowron asked if he and his neighbors were any closer to formally forming an owners association. Mr. Williams responded that he didn't think the formation of owner associations would alleviate the problem. He noted that most of the problem instigators were renters whose behavior would be unaffected by the formation of ownership associations. Trustee Skowron suggested that the formation of an owner association could provide a better mechanism for empowering the Police Department to assist with these problems. It could also provide a better forum for dealing with the owners of the rental properties at 2-40 North Albert Street. She also encouraged Mr. Williams to report the refuse set-out violations to the Village as they occur. Andy and Kim Skic affirmed Lee's comments regarding the improper placement of refuse at the curb in the area. Specifically, they stated that refuse was not properly containerized and was placed at the curb as early as Sunday evening for a Wednesday pickup. Mr. Skic also stated that there was an overhanging bush obstructing the sidewalk on Albert Street. Deputy Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey asked the Skies and Mr. Williams to call the Public Works Department with the address of the refuse set-out violations and the location of the bush obstructing the public sidewalk. Carol Tortorello inquired whether the Village had ever conducted a disaster drill. Dave Strahl responded that the Village has conducted disaster drills in the past. He acknowledged that there was obviously tremendous value in these exercises but noted that they are quite expensive to conduct. Trustee Skowron noted that the Village had gained a lot of practical experience reacting to disasters including preparation and responding to "Y2 K" , the Des Plaines River floods, and the Route 83 reconstruction. Mary Kay Risler voiced agreement with some of the comments raised by Mr. Williams pertaining to the conduct of the Police Department. Specifically, she stated that during the past 10 years she feels that the attitude of police officers has deteriorated. She has found them to be argumentative and unhelpful. She reiterated an unpleasant experience she had approximately seven (7) years ago with the police department at an election polling place. She suggested that additional sensitivity training might be necessary for some police officers. Ms. Risler also asked if lawn/landscape contractors are required to be licensed by the Village. Dave Strahl responded that they technically are required by Village Code to obtain a contractor's license from the Village. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to enforce this requirement due to the large number of transient landscape contractors working in the Village. Ms. Risler also inquired if there was a place in the community where residents could go to learn the English language without charge. Trustee Skowron stated that High School District 214 has an English language class available as an adult education course. She stated that there might be a nominal registration fee associated with this class. Ms. Risler asked about the status of the enforcement of refuse collection rules. Specifically, she has observed an address repeatedly placing uncontainerized refuse at the curb well in advance of scheduled pick-up days. A discussion ensued in which it was concluded that many of the items Ms. Risler observed uncontainerized at the curb were on the Village's "bulk item" list and were eligible for uncontainerized collection. Trustee Skowron encouraged Ms. Risler to report early set-outs to the Village when they occur. Ms. Risler stated that she experienced a problem when calling the Public Works Department earlier this summer. Specifically, she felt that one of the summer workers answering the departmental phones repeatedly failed to record accurate information pertaining to her complaint. Mr. Dorsey explained that the Public Works Department hires college students to assist with front office duties during the summertime. The help is needed due to the increased volume of phone calls generated by summer construction activities, summer meter reading programs, and to help facilitate vacation schedules of full-time employees. He explained that they receive customer service oriented training on a wide variety of public works programs and work in close physical proximity to full-time customer service staff. This year, a summer office worker started work in mid-May and left at the end of August. Consequently, Mr. Dorsey suggested that the opportunity to investigate Ms. Risler's complaint had passed. Mr. Dorsey also suggested that if Ms. Risler ever experienced a similar problem in the future, she should simply ask to speak to him or the department director. Christy Watychowicz stated that the website contains inaccurate information. She noted that some information needs to be updated and other information is contradictory. Specifically, she mentioned that information pertaining the coffee with council meetings and Village Board meetings is incorrect. She also noted that the sprinkler in the area behind the "Mail Boxes" store near the Police and Fire Headquarters Building ran continuously for at least 36 hours. She stated that she called Public Works and the Police Department but the sprinklers continued to run for the next 36 hours. Ms. Watychowicz also stated that she was attending this meeting to reiterate her objection to the planned removal of 4-way stop signs on Wa Pella Avenue. She also asked about the purpose of the increased Police Department presence on Wa Pella following the Neighborhood Traffic Open House meeting. Mr. Dorsey explained that the Police Department had been asked by some of the residents who attended the Neighborhood Traffic Open House meeting to observe what they opined were unique aspects of traffic in their neighborhood. In particular, Mr. Dorsey noted that the police were asked to note the impact of pedestrians, children at play, school bus stops, and the role the stops signs appeared to play in controlling speed. Mr. Holec expressed concern about flooding in the northeast area due to the proposed Levee 37 project. In particular, he is concerned about the residential area south of Euclid Avenue. Mr. Dorsey explained that the residential area south of Euclid Avenue is not in the Des Plaines River floodplain; is not directly vulnerable to Des Plaines River flood waters; and does not directly benefit from the proposed Levee 37 project. However, he noted that the storm sewer discharges that serve the area are protected from river backflow and explained that the levee project is being constructed so that the Des Plaines River floodwater levels should not increase. Consequently, the primary flooding threat to Mr. Holec's neighborhood remains McDonald Creek. To date, the worst flooding observed along McDonald Creek has been concentrated south of Kensington Road (the Forest River area). Mr. Holec also stated that he has had no problems with the Illinois American Water Company. He is aware that others have complained about rate increases and poor service. However, he stated that he has received good service and does not find the rates objectionable. Trustee Lohrstorfer commented that he continues to be concerned about Illinois American's responsiveness to customers and their commitment to maintaining their systems in a manner consistent with the Village's efforts. Mr. Holec noted that Randhurst Shopping Center has a popular attraction for children and young families inside the mall. He suggested that a proactive police or fire department presence in this area could help improve relations with the community. Trustee Skowron responded that the Police Department currently has an active presence at the mall. M. Junius explained that he recently attempted to obtain DSL Internet access from AT&T but was advised that the Village of Mount Prospect would allow AT&T to provide this service. He asked for an explanation of the Village's position on this matter. He also noted that AT&T had reportedly suggested that the cost of their service would be substantially cheaper than the cost to obtain similar service from either of the Village's other cable communications providers (Com cast and Wide Open West). Mr. Dorsey surmised that Mr. Junius' experience stems from the Village's position that the services AT&T seeks to provide in Mount Prospect are not permissible under existing federal law. As a consequence, the Village has not authorized permits for AT&T to install facilities necessary provide these services. Trustee Skowron suggested that Mr. Junius should contact Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl during the work week for a more thorough explanation of the Village's position on this matter. There being no further business to discuss, Trustee Skowron adjourned the meeting at 11 :20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, _5P~? Sean P. Dorsey, Deputy Public Works Director