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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW Agenda Item II Draft Minutes 06/10/2008 MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JUNE 10, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Irvana Wilks called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Present: Trustees Paul Hoefert, Arlene Juracek, John Korn, Michael ladel. Trustee Timothy Corcoran joined the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Staff members present: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Police Chief John Dahlberg, Fire Chief Michael Figolah, Human Services Director Nancy Morgan, Community Development Director William Cooney, Human Services Deputy Director Jan Abernethy, Senior Planner Clare O'Shea and Village Clerk Lisa Angell. Mayor Wilks stated Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer had resigned from office effective June 6, 2008 for personal reasons. First elected in 1997 Trustee Lohrstorfer was in his third term of office. Noting his valuable role as a member of the Village Board, Mayor Wilks thanked him for his eleven (11) years of dedicated service. Each of the other Village Board members expressed their appreciation for having the opportunity to work with Trustee Lohrstorfer, and stating his presence on the Village Board would be greatly missed. The Trustees commended him for his dedication and insight that benefited the community. Trustee ladel - recognized Trustee Lohrstorfer for his uncanny ability to focus on the heart of an issue. Approached community issues with sound reasoning and without prejudice. Trustee Juracek - described Trustee Lohrstorfer as a true politician and statesman. Recognized him for his ability to articulate and synthesize the facts. Trustee Korn - stated he will miss Trustee Lohrstorfer's insight and contributions to Village Board discussions. Trustee Hoefert - stated Trustee Lohrstorfer was a thoughtful and dedicated public servant who is deeply interested in the outcome of this community and other organizations. Mayor Wilks stated that according to statute she has sixty days to fill the vacant seat. II. MINUTES April 22, 2008 meeting minutes. Trustee ladel, seconded by Trustee Hoefert, moved to approve the April 22, 2008 meeting minutes. The minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. 1 IV. NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTER FEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE Community Development Senior Planner Clare O'Shea provided background and updated information on the feasibility study for a neighborhood resource center. Since the early 1990's the Village of Mount Prospect has considered a neighborhood center for South Mount Prospect but did not have the resources to implement the project. The 2000 Census identified South Mount Prospect as a port of entry for foreign born residents and the number of foreign born residents increased by 10% from the 1990 census. In 2007 the Village of Mount Prospect received a grant from the Chicago Community Trust under its Immigrant Integration Initiative to conduct a Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) feasibility study. Since implementation of the feasibility study in the fall of 2007, the Village with the assistance of Millennia Consulting has completed an initial needs assessment of the community supplemented with a review of best practices utilized nationally in similar programs and initiatives. The feasibility study was comprised of three (3) components: 1) Needs Assessment; 2) Development and Operating Budgets; and 3) Sustainability Plan. During this process a strategic planning session was held with several community organizations and service providers to understand the commitments and interest in partnering with the Village in a neighborhood resource center. There was strong support for the NRC as a strategy to deliver services, integrate residents into the community and remove cultural and language barriers. She stated the sessions included discussion of coordination of services and referrals to avoid duplication of community services. Ms. O'Shea provided an overview of a preliminary budget that included rental of a 2500 square foot site, utilities, staff/benefits and program supplies. She stated the cost of the center is dependent on how community members participated with the Village. In closing Ms. O'Shea stated the Village was just received notification that it was awarded another $50,000 grant from the Chicago Community Trust, and at this time staff is requesting direction from the Village Board on the next steps for the Chicago Community Trust grant and neighborhood resource center. In response to questions from the Village Board Ms. O'Shea provided the following additional information: · Services - the NRC would be a south side outpost for existing Village Services; Social Worker, CSO, Environmental Health Inspection. The NRC would also have space for workshops conducted by Police and Fire Departments, meeting room for other organizations. Potential for food pantry. Other services available would be dependent on which organizations partnered with Village. Organizations have expressed interest in "going" where the needs are, bringing services and opportunities to residents who because of transportation issues may not receive services. Ms. O'Shea also stated that, for now, the NRC would be under the leadership of the Village of Mount Prospect. 2 · Budget/Operating Costs - Ms. O'Shea stated the budgeted amounts were preliminary and agreed expenses including utilities, rent, staff time, etc. required further analysis. She stated costs are dependent on the number of organizations partnering with the Village. · Hours of Operation may vary depending on participants · NRC in North Mount Prospect - based upon success of South NRC may seek to implement a smaller site · Duplication of services - have reached out to Elk Grove Township to avoid duplication of services · Referrals - will contact other agencies for services not provided at NRC · Physical activities - no option for physical activities at NRC location · Village outreach - Library, local Park and School Districts; literary classes with Township School District #214. Village Manager Michael Janonis stated the medical clinic operated by Alexian Brothers on Algonquin Road which had served as a defacto outpost for the community was now closed. He added the physicians moving into that space will provide some medical services to the south part of the community. Representatives from the Mount Prospect Public Library, School District #59 and Northwest Community Hospital spoke in support of the Village moving forward with a NRC. Ms. Nancy Wagner - School District #59 The district's Board of Education is very interested in the coordination of services with the Village. She stated families in the area look to the schools as their resource for services; it is taxing on school staff and school doesn't provide some of the sevices these families need. NRC would provide needed resource for families in south Mount Prospect. Ms. Dale Draznin - President Mount Prospect Library Board The Library Board discussed the libraries ability to partner with the Village at a recent COW meeting. The Board is very interested in providing services to those residents who cannot come to the downtown library. It would be the library's intent to use the NRC as a vehicle to show residents what the library has to offer and get them to come to the main library. Suggested working with township to provide transportation. The library must also look at their costs but is excited to partner with Village. Mr. Ron Buck - NW Community Hospital Mission is to provide services to people who can't pay. Currently have programs in Rolling Meadows and Palatine. Important focus at resource center is to provide health education to moms. Ms. Jackie Hinaber - Mount Prospect Public Library Board Thanked Village for leadership and initiative. The NRC would be a win/win situation for all agencies that participate. The library's strategic plan always includes outreach efforts; challenged in providing services to south and north ends of Village. Partnership with Village opportunity for outreach to residents in those areas. 3 Ms. Patricia Byrd - 314 North Elmhurst Avenue Ms. Byrd questioned if the services were limited to immigrants and if the Village would require documentation for proof of citizenship before providing services. She is concerned with the efforts the Village is doing to for the status quo and believes the Village should address other community issues. Village Board members, Village Manager Janonis and Ms. O'Shea responded to Ms. Byrd's questions and concerns. Ms. O'Shea - Citizenship is not required; programs and services help integrate individuals into community and work toward citizenship. (NRC services and programs consistent with services currently available to Mount Prospect residents including immigrants.) Village Manager Janonis - Hope is that people become legal residents. Citizenship requirements are a Federal issue; state and federal requirement need to satisfied. Trustee Corcoran - Village doesn't ask citizenship status of residents - federal matter. No new services are proposed - simply to offer existing services at a location where residents can access. Services allow residents to integrate into community. We are a country of immigrants - the more we integrate into society the stronger our county becomes. Trustee Juracek - Offering services and programs to immigrants not new. This type of service has been going on for over a hundred years; Jane Adams Hull House. Churches have long served as providers of services and assisted with immigration integration. Integration is important and expending funds to enhance and strengthen services is a positive investment in our community versus having to use funds to address negative issues such as gangs. Based on the comments from the Village Board there was a consensus to move forward with the neighborhood center concept. At the direction of the Village Board staff will: 1) refine estimated operational costs and incremental costs to Village; 2) full assessment of current staff time - determine what services could be delivered with existing staff before hiring additional full-time staff for NRC. In addition to finances staff will work with the Village Board in determining site location. V. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PURCHASE Village Manager Janonis provided background information stating, after the August 23, 2007 storm Village staff conducted an extensive review of their response to the wind, flooding and loss of electrical power emergency. He stated staff request Village Board approval to purchase equipment and supplies recommended in the report. The purchases are to be made with reimbursement money from FEMA for costs incurred by the Village after the storm. Fire Chief Mike Figolah provided additional details regarding the After-Action Report which included recommendations for policy development, training, equipment and supplies. Fire Chief Figolah stated the vast majority of recommended equipment and supplies are intended to support Village employees while at work when a disaster strikes. Specific items included flashlights, first aid kits, bottled water, food and storage containers and communication equipment. 4 A portable message sign board that would be used to notify residents with special instructions was also requested. The estimated cost of the equipment and supplies is $30,000. In addition, staff requests approval to purchase replacement trees for the 339 public trees destroyed during the storm. The cost for 339 1 ~ "replacement parkway trees is $70,000. Staff requests Village Board approval for the purchase of equipment, supplies and replacement trees for an estimated amount of $100,000. Funding for these items are available from the $698,000 reimbursement funds received from FEMA as a result of the August 2007 storm. Trustee Zadel recommended staff research the use of other display sign models; trailer/truck mounted. He stated mobility of signs is essential and trailer/truck mounted could be relocated as needed. He also suggested looking at solar powered signs. He also requested staff confirm number of parkway trees to be purchased. Residents like himself may already be participating in cost-share program; should not be included in 339 tree count. Trustee Hoefert confirmed that items would be kept in employee evacuation areas. He also stated the money from FEMA was not new money but rather reimbursement for money the Village had already expended for recovery costs following the storm. Trustee Korn questioned why C batteries were being purchased. Fire Chief Figolah stated he had also questioned their purchase but "C" batteries are required for equipment requested for purchase. Trustee Korn suggested the purchase of emergency items that are hand cranked and rechargeable flashers. Trustee Corcoran stated communication and education is critical. Village should continually reiterate to the community how emergency communication will be handled. In addition to message boards he recommended purchase of staple guns for low-tech communication - staple emergency notices to light poles. Recommended a procedure be established for routinely checking emergency items with shelf life. Mayor Wilks shared her experience during the August 2007 while in Village Hall. She recommended items such as lanterns and flashlights be readily available in adequate quantity. The Village Board concurred with Trustee Zadel's recommendation for staff to research other message board models including solar powered. VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis encouraged residents to attend the June 14th Coffee with Council, at Village Hall. This informal meeting is an excellent opportunity for residents to discuss issues of concern, share suggestions and find out what is happening in the Village. 5 VII. OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Korn stated the Lions Club Farmers' Market opened June 8th. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The Village Board convened at 8:35 p.m., moved into Closed Session and returned from Closed Session at 9:21 p.m. As there were no other items for discussion the meeting was immediately adjourned. M. Lisa Angell Village Clerk 6