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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW Minutes 06/09/2026 Village of MountProspect "On the Road" Meetingof the Committee of the Whole Burning Bush Community Center Tuesday, June 9, 2026 / 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER MayorHoefertcalledtheCommitteeoftheWhole"OntheRoad"Meetingtoorderat6:01p.m. in the Burning Bush Community Center, 1313 N. Burning Bush Lane. ROLL CALL Members present upon roll call by the Village Clerk: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee Vincent Dante, Trustee Beth DiPrima, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee Bill Grossi, Trustee John Matuszak, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli Absent: None MAYOR'S REPORT 3.1. Mayor's Comment The Mayor opened the meeting by explaining the "On the Road" format, mentioning that the Village has held neighborhood outreach meetings for several years as a way to connect with residents who might not otherwise attend regular board meetings at Village Hall. The Mayor reminded residents that board members are always available by call, text, or email. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Avis Gibbons Camp McDonald Road Resident o Expressed concern about the lack of commercial development along the River Road corridor, specifically citing a long-vacant parcel at the southwest corner of Camp McDonald and River Road. She asked what the Village could do to encourage business development in that area. Director of Community and Economic Development Jason Shallcross responded that the southwest corner parcel at Camp McDonald and River Road presents significant development challenges due to floodplain restrictions. He indicated that the Village's ongoing infrastructure improvements along River Road are intended to eventually allow additional properties to be certified as outside the floodplain. o Shared her concerns relating to Illinois American Water and its repeated requests for rate increases. She described prior efforts, including circulating petitions and testifying before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which she felt went largely unaddressed. She questioned what the Village could do to support affected residents. Public Works Director Sean Dorsey acknowledged that Illinois American Water is a privately owned utility regulated by the ICC, and that the Village has no formal regulatory authority over its rates. He noted that the Village's only avenue for input would be to testify at an ICC hearing, as any resident may do. He recounted the early 1990s referendum in which residents voted on whether the Village should purchase the water system, noting that the referendum failed in part because the utility had made improvements to connect to lake water, which alleviated some concerns, and in part because the cost to individual homeowners in the affected area would have been substantial. Jim Margartis Resident o Added that at the time of the referendum, residents were led to believe the infrastructure was in sound condition, but immediately after the referendum failed, the utility declared the infrastructure unsafe and billed customers for upgrades. o Expressed support for a new referendum and noted that property values in the area are negatively affected by high water bills. DISCUSSION ITEMS 5.1. Streetlight Program Update Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey presented an overview of the Village's streetlight programs. He reported that there are a total of 2,171 streetlights in the Village, with approximately 57 percent owned by the Village and the remaining 43 percent owned by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). Village-owned poles are generally aluminum, ranging from 25 to 35 feet in height on roadways, while ComEd poles are typically wooden, ranging from 10 to 15 feet in height. All Village-owned luminaries and all ComEd luminaires have been (or will be) converted to LED technology. The Village specifies a 2,700 Kelvin color temperature for its LED luminaires, which produces a softer light than the brightest white LEDs available. Luminaires are also selected for adjustable output intensity and the ability to accept shielding panels to control light spill onto adjacent properties. Director Dorsey outlined two separate programs: the Corridor Streetlighting Program, targeting arterial and state/county highways such as Rand Road, Northwest Highway, Central Road, Golf Road, Algonquin Road, Route 83, and others, and the Residential Streetlight Program, focusing on collector streets. The corridor program requires more detailed engineering and photometric studies to meet IDOT and Cook County permitting standards, with permit timelines currently taking about three and a half years. The total estimated cost for corridor lighting exceeds $33 million, while the residential collector street lighting needs amount to around $10.5 million, resulting in a combined backlog of over $43 million. To prioritize projects, the Village uses a scoring matrix that weighs factors including vehicular traffic volume, presence of sidewalks, bike routes, proximity to pedestrian generators such as schools and churches, and existing lighting conditions. The matrix is publicly available on the Village's website. Recent residential lighting projects completed in the area include work on Schoenbeck Road, and two projects on Lonnquist Boulevard and Seminole Lane. The upcoming project is planned for Gregory Street. Burning Bush Lane itself was noted to have been lit in two phases—from Euclid to Camp McDonald and from Euclid to Kensington—completed over the past two years. In response to a board question about smart lighting technology, Director Dorsey said that the Village is not yet ready to be an early adopter of dimming or sensor-responsive systems, citing concerns about the technology's maturity and liability risks if a malfunctioning system causes an accident. He expressed a preference to observe real-world deployments elsewhere before implementing such systems locally. Director Dorsey confirmed that LED luminaires have significantly reduced both maintenance needs and energy use compared to the older high-pressure sodium and metal halide fixtures. He mentioned that about 175 pedestrian-level lights in the downtown area are currently being switched from metal halide to LED, with the project roughly halfway done. A brief discussion took place about residents requesting light shields or adjustments to light intensity if streetlights cause excessive brightness on private property; the Director affirmed that such requests are accommodated. 5.2. Sidewalk Programs Update Director Dorsey continued with a presentation on the Village's sidewalk programs, distinguishing between maintenance activities and new sidewalk installation. Sidewalk Maintenance encompasses edge grinding to eliminate trip hazards (half-inch rise or greater is the minimum threshold for intervention), tractor-mounted edge cutting for ledges between one-half and two inches, mudjacking to lift settled panels, panel replacement, ADA improvement work at intersections (addressing cross-slope and running-slope requirements), and sidewalk work performed concurrently with the annual street resurfacing program. The Village also administers a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-funded sidewalk replacement program and a resident cost-share program for panel replacement adjacent to private property. Over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025, the Village averaged approximately 241,880 square feet of sidewalk improvement per year at an average annual expenditure of approximately $1.6 million, improving roughly 4 percent of the Village's 6-million- square-foot sidewalk network annually consistent with an approximately 25-year replacement cycle. The New Sidewalk Installation program focuses on filling gaps in the sidewalk network, with current priority on arterial and secondary streets due to the higher risk to pedestrians and cyclists who otherwise have to use the roadway. A priority matrix similar to the streetlight matrix is used, considering factors such as average daily traffic, driveway presence, traffic generators, bike routes, and existing lighting. About 10.2 miles of arterial sidewalk gaps remain identified in the matrix, representing roughly $8 million in work. Of this, approximately 3.15 miles are already in design or under construction, leaving just over 7 miles and about $6.6 million in remaining work, which could increase due to traffic signal modifications or drainage requirements at IDOT or Cook County intersections. Recent and ongoing sidewalk projects include work on Schoenbeck Road, Wolf Road, Busse Road, Rand Road (near the Metro Credit Union), as well as a project on Golf Road. Director Dorsey highlighted the Algonquin Road Shared Use Path project, which is in Phase 2 engineering design and will provide a continuous shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists alongside a separate sidewalk system from the village's western limit to Route 83. A substantial portion of the project is federally grant-funded. The project also incorporates new street lighting along Algonquin Road, which he noted is far more achievable as part of a broader multimodal project than as a standalone streetlight application. The Busse Road project (Central Road to Golf Road), a Cook County initiative incorporating a shared-use path and streetlighting, is anticipated to go to bid in fall 2026 or early 2027, though right-of-way acquisition issues are causing delays. A Wolf Road sidewalk extension is also being designed to function as a shared-use path rather than a standard sidewalk. Public Comment: John S. Resident Asked about the absence of a sidewalk in front of a property at 1200 East Kensington. Director Dorsey explained that the property owner holds title to the center of the right-of-way, a remnant of historic farm ownership in the area, and had previously declined to grant an easement for sidewalk installation. He indicated that the Village will revisit the matter again as it evaluates improvements along Kensington Road. Steve Polit Resident Raised the possibility of establishing a north-south pathway along the east side of Forest Avenue from Kensington north through Prospect Meadows Park to Euclid Avenue, utilizing existing Village and park district property, as a means of connecting the Kensington Road and Euclid Avenue bike path networks. Asked whether sidewalk panels crossing driveways are constructed to a greater thickness; Director Dorsey confirmed that base failure is generally not the primary cause of sidewalk deterioration and that vertical displacement from tree roots and freeze-thaw cycles is more common. He also confirmed that newly installed sidewalks are covered under warranty, and that residents who observe deficiencies in recently placed panels should contact Public Works. Resident River Trails area Asked how a resident should report cracks in sidewalks, referencing a long-existing crack in a sidewalk in his neighborhood. Director Dorsey suggested calling or emailing the Public Works department, and they will follow up. A member of the Board also suggested reporting the issue via the SeeClickFix app (MpDelivers) on the Village website. Resident Asked if any data centers are coming to Mount Prospect. Mayor Hoefert stated that construction has begun on a data center project, approved by the Village Board almost 4 years ago, for the former United Center site. 5.3. Review and Discuss Next Steps for the MP2040 Comprehensive Plan. Director of Community and Economic Development Jason Shallcross presented a status update on the Village's MP2040 Comprehensive Plan. He started by explaining the purpose and limits of a comprehensive plan: it does not rezone property, approve development projects, impact individual property rights, require property sales, or eliminate the need for future public hearings on development issues. It serves as a long-term policy guide for current and future Village Boards, helping to coordinate infrastructure investments and outline community goals and priorities. According to Illinois state law, communities must adopt and review a comprehensive plan at least once every ten years; the Village's current plan was adopted in 2017, leading to the current update process. Director Shallcross outlined the planning timeline. Work commenced approximately one year prior, beginning with an existing conditions analysis, stakeholder interviews, a community survey, and issues and opportunities identification in summer 2025. An existing conditions report was issued in September 2025, a community engagement report in January 2026, and a visioning, goals, and objectives report in April 2026. The process is now in the plan drafting phase, with adoption targeted for late summer or early fall 2026. Director Shallcross noted that the visioning, goals, and objectives report was revised in direct response to public feedback received at the April 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting. Revisions included clarifications to the future land use guide, refinements to goals and strategies, the addition of a distinct goal addressing climate resilience, and the consolidation of overlapping objectives. He emphasized that protection of established neighborhoods is articulated as goal number one in the draft comprehensive plan, and that any future zoning changes would still require separate public hearings and Village Board approval. Upcoming milestones include distributing the draft plan to the steering committee by the week of June 9, followed by a review period of about 12 to 14 days. There will be a public open house at Village Hall on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM A formal 30-day public comment period will take place, with hard copies available at Community Development throughout July. The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on August 13, 2026, and the Village Board aims to adopt the plan by September 1, 2026. The Director noted that the plan can still be amended during and after the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. All documents are available at mp2040.com. Notifications will be sent to about 100 registered subscribers, shared via social media, and distributed through the Village's business licensee contact list of approximately 500 businesses. Public Comment: Carole Martz Raised concerns about the climate resilience implications of the CloudHQ data center, specifically regarding water usage, noise pollution, electrical grid impacts, and particulate emissions from diesel generators. Carole Delahunty Resident Asked whether the Village had examined how other municipalities with hyperscale data centers are protecting residents from tonal noise Suggested a review of the Village's noise ordinance in advance of the facility becoming operational. Director Shallcross responded that the zoning entitlement granted to CloudHQ includes a requirement that the facility open on a temporary certificate of occupancy and must provide field- verified test results, including emissions and noise testing, to demonstrate compliance with village standards before issuing a final certificate of occupancy. He described the Village's zoning district performance standards as unusually strong, offering meaningful accountability mechanisms. He noted that the project has evolved significantly over about five years, with the developer reducing projected water use by more than 80 percent through technology improvements. Trustee Dante confirmed that the zoning approval stipulates compliance with current noise ordinance levels as a condition of operation. Director Shallcross elaborated that the Village's noise ordinance addresses not only overall decibel levels but also maximum levels across specific octave bands, which can capture tonal noise concerns; he committed to further analysis on that point. A resident asked whether the Village could practically enforce non-compliance given the scale of the investment; Director Shallcross noted that it is considerably easier to withhold a final certificate of occupancy than to shut down an operating facility afterward, and emphasized that all available protections have been incorporated into the approval. Director Shallcross confirmed that CloudHQ is paying 100 percent of its electricity costs via a ComEd substation funded by the developer. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT 6.1. As submitted No report ANY OTHER BUSINESS Community Discussion Resident Steve Polit raised concerns about children operating motorized scooters and e-bikes unsafely in the downtown area—riding in circles in parking lots, going the wrong way on streets, and performing dangerous maneuvers in traffic. He urged enforcement of existing regulations, noting that signage alone would be insufficient. Police Chief Mike Eterno responded that enforcement efforts are underway, including an education campaign and coordination with the Finance Department to include an ordinance summary mailer with the upcoming water/refuse bills. The mailer will include a QR code linking to the full ordinance and the Village's downtown “Walk Your Wheels Zone” map. A community relations officer will be conducting foot patrol enforcement and education in the downtown area. The Chief acknowledged the fundamental difficulty of enforcement: many juveniles operating these devices do not stop when officers signal, making pursuit impossible without creating unacceptable safety risks. The department's position is to terminate pursuit and allow the juvenile to flee rather than risk a collision Trustee Saccotelli noted that the recent Police Beat 3166 was well attended and that the e-bike/e- scooter issue was a key topic. She suggested that outreach efforts go beyond digital communications to reach parents at parks, sports games, and other community events. Trustee Grossi asked whether the Village's ordinance aligned with the recently enacted state law on e-bikes and e-scooters, or whether the state law supersedes local regulations. The Chief indicated the two are largely consistent, with some minor differences regarding e-motos. Resident Carole Martz asked how residents who know where violators live can report that information to the department. The Chief confirmed that officers can respond to such reports, knock on the door, and have an educational conversation with the parents, even if no enforcement action related to an observed violation is possible. Mayor Hoefert provided closing remarks and thanked residents for their attendance and participation. ADJOURNMENT With no additional business to conduct, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Dante, seconded by Trustee Saccotelli, motioned to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous voice vote, the June 9, 2026 "On the Road" Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agoranos Village Clerk