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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.1 MinutesVillage of Mount Prospect Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 13, 2021 / 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:01 by Mayor Hoefert in the boardroom at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street. Roll Call: Members present upon roll call by the Village Clerk: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee Agostino Filippone, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee John Matuszak, Trustee Peggy Pissarreck, Trustee Richard Rogers and Trustee Colleen Saccotell i. Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to move the Citizens to be Heard portion of the meeting from the forth item on the agenda to the second item on the agenda. Trustee Matuszak, seconded by Trustee Saccotelli motioned to move Citizens to be Heard from item 4 on the agenda to item 2 on the agenda. By unanimous vote (by raising hands), the motion passed. Trustee Hoefert proceeded to the Citizens to be Heard portion of the meeting. 2.(4) CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Mayor Hoefert announced that the August 10, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting will be dedicated to the discussion and resolution of the issue of the Police Patch. Carole Martz Mount Prospect Resident • Requested clarification regarding who should speak at the August 10 Committee of the Whole meeting. Mayor Hoefert responded, suggesting that citizens abbreviate their comments if they have previously addressed the Board on this matter to allow the opportunity for as many to speak within a reasonable amount of time. Village Manager Michael Cassady reminded the Board and audience that the Committee of the Whole discussion is an opportunity for the Board to discuss the Police Patch matter. Mr. Cassady added that for the past several months, the community has voiced their opinions on the issue and this will be the Board's opportunity to formally discuss the matter in the presence of the community. Trustee Matuszak invited those citizens in attendance who brought signs to raise them so they can be seen as a form of speech. 2 Mary Anne Benden Mount Prospect Resident • Asked how many of the group who brought signs are residents of Mount Prospect The group collectively responded that they are all residents. Vince Dante Mount Prospect Resident • Indicated that a trustee at a previous meeting read a statement during the conclusion of the Citizens to be Heard portion of the meeting Mr. Cassady stated the issue of the Police Patch has not appeared on any previous agenda for Board discussion. Lauren Mount Prospect Resident • Believes the August 10th Committee of the Whole discussion should include only residents of Mount Prospect • Questioned if the emails Trustee Pissarreck referred to during the last Board meeting were all from Mount Prospect residents 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Update. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey presented an update on pedestrian crossing improvements throughout the Village. These improvements strive to make Mount Prospect a more walkable, pedestrian and cyclist friendly community. Mr. Dorsey introduced Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker and Assistant Village Engineer Matt Lawrie who were available to answer questions. Mr. Dorsey provided a brief background on the initiative that began with staff examining high volume traffic corridors to identify opportunities for safety improvements. The corridors that were identified include Central Road, Route 83, Euclid Avenue, Wolf Road, Rand Road, Kensington Road, Northwest Highway, Golf Road, Algonquin Road, Oakton Street and Busse Road. Mr. Dorsey stated two (2) safety engineering evaluations of Central Road corridor were conducted, one initiated by the Village and the other conducted by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration at the request of the Village. Mr. Dorsey stated the results of these studies were presented at the July 10, 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting. The studies resulted in several pedestrian and cyclist crossing improvement projects in the Central Road corridor. Mr. Dorsey provided a presentation detailing updates on these improvements in the Central Road corridor that included status, estimated costs and construction year for each crosswalk: • Central Road and Emerson Street immediately adjacent to the Public Library (crossing substantially completed in 2020) • Central Road and Pine Street • Central Road and Cathy Lane, We Go Trail, and Weller Lane intersections, near Melas Park and the Central Community Center. KI Mr. Dorsey shared plans of the proposed safety improvement's along Northwest Highway that include studies on Maple Street, Pine Street intersections and the bike path along railroad right-of-way. Mr. Dorsey stated future corridor studies of high traffic corridors include Northwest Highway, Golf Road, Route 83 and Busse Road. Mr. Dorsey concluded his presentation with an update on improvements at the Busse Avenue and Main Street intersection. Mr. Dorsey reviewed current conditions, consultant's design improvements and the Illinois Department of Transportation's requirements. Mr. Dorsey stated staff will involve the Village's Transportation Safety Commission for input. A discussion amongst the Board followed. Mr. Dorsey and staff provided answers to questions from the Board. Public Comment: Louis Goodman 310 N. School St. • Suggested positioning school crossing guards is safer than posting directional signs at key intersections Tim Gaynor 5 N. Pine Street • Thanked staff for addressing pedestrian safety in the Village Mr. Dorsey and staff clarified information and answered Mr. Gaynor's questions Kirk Goodyear 5 W. Central • Questioned if there is data to support the proposed improvements Mr. Dorsey responded to Mr. Goodyear's questions Charlie Lowry Mount Prospect Resident • Expressed concern that the plan does not address the root cause of the volume of traffic in the Village • Incorporation of bike lanes throughout the Village could help decrease vehicle traffic and increase bike traffic There was no further discussion. 3.2 Melas-Meadows Pedestrian Bridge Update. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey presented an update on the Melas-Meadows Pedestrian Bridge, beginning with a brief background of the project. The project proposes a pedestrian bridge between Melas Park and Meadows Park and spans the Union Pacific Railroad and Northwest Highway. Mr. Dorsey stated the Phase I engineering study places the Village in the best position to obtain grant funding for this project. Phase II details the design, plan and specifications of the project. An important component of this process is input from the public. Mr. Dorsey stated the Village will host a virtual neighborhood meeting on July 14, 2021 to inform public stakeholders and solicit input from the public via online questionnaire. Mr. Dorsey stated the virtual meeting materials will be available online through August 13, 2021. 4 Mr. Dorsey displayed the project area and the purpose and need of the proposed bridge. Providing neighborhood connectivity, expanding bike networks, safe crossing across Northwest Highway and the railroad, and offering full access for the disabled community are key features. Crash data for the past 5 years were reviewed and analyzed. Mr. Dorsey stated five (5) alternative structure types were evaluated using certain criteria that included park connections, cost, utility concerns, IDOT/Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) impacts and aesthetics. Mr. Dorsey reviewed the various structure types that were considered including an underpass. The structure that was selected is a single -span truss bridge. The benefits of this structure -type include an aesthetically pleasing design, limited disruption to UPRR and IDOT and a reduction in excavation required to build the foundation. Mr. Dorsey stated this structure type is neither the least or most expensive solution, but best suits the needs of this project. Mr. Dorsey stated the design presented at this stage is rudimentary. The ramps will be ADA accessible and provide 23' 6" clearance over the UP railroad and Northwest Highway. Mr. Dorsey displayed drawings from both the Melas and Meadows vantage points. Mr. Dorsey presented next steps and upcoming schedule: • Phase I Preliminary Engineering approval anticipated Fall 2021 • Phase II Design Engineering to begin 2022 - funding dependent • Phase III Construction tentatively scheduled in 2023/2024 Mr. Dorsey indicated funding for this project will require grant funding and financial cooperation from stakeholders. A discussion followed. Mr. Dorsey answered questions and addressed concerns from the Board. Public Comment: Louis Goodman 310 N. School Street • Expensive project for the Village Mary Anne Benden Mount Prospect Resident • Questioned if the Mt. Prospect Park District would be responsible for a portion the cost Mr. Cassady responded, stating the Mt. Prospect Park District is a partner in this project and is expected to share the cost Jeff Nejdl 313 N. MacArthur • Bridge may not be an immediate need now, but will open up opportunities for pedestrian/cyclist use in the future Charlie Lowry Mount Prospect resident • The need exists for this bridge; difficult to navigate between the two parks • Concerned pedestrians may view bridge as an obstacle; work with stakeholders to improve design to benefit all 5 There was no further discussion. 3.3 Downtown Train Station Platform Extension Update. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey presented a project that proposes the extension of the train platform 150' to the east that proposes to reduce down time for the Elmhurst Road gates. Extending the platform potentially could improve traffic delays, congestion, pedestrian safety and improve local air quality. Mr. Dorsey displayed engineering plans depicting this concept. Mr. Dorsey stated the estimated cost of this project, including permit fees, engineering and construction expenditures, is $900,000. Mr. Dorsey added that the Village has received a State of Illinois grant for the entire estimated cost the project. Mr. Dorsey discussed plans to install a new fence in the East Commuter Parking Lot that will include gates that can be closed to improve safety when the lot is utilized for community events. Mr. Dorsey displayed the image and location of the proposed fence. Mr. Dorsey stated the estimated cost of the new fence is approximately $25,000. A brief discussion followed. The Board expressed general approval and support for the addition of the new fence. Public Comment: Cathy Dunnington Mount Prospect Resident +� Extension of the platform to the east will improve traffic flow; cautioned that the absence of crossing gates at Elmhurst Road may create dangerous situations for commuters crossing the road north of the busy road. Mayor Hoefert thanked Mr. Dorsey and his staff for the evening's informative presentations. S. VILLAGE MANAGERS REPORT No report. 6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None 6. ADJOURNMENT There no further business to discuss, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Rogers, seconded by Trustee Matuszak motioned to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the July 13, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agoranos Village Clerk 11