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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/12/1999 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time: Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, October 12, 1999 50 South Emerson Street 7:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL I1. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 II1. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. STONE SHOULDER POLICY At the June 22, 1999 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Village Board considered objections from homeowners regarding the Village's policy of installing stone shoulders at the edge of pavement where no curbs exist. Under the accelerated Road Improvement Program, a number of non-curb streets are scheduled for either resurfacing or reconstruction over the next several years. Glendale Lane was resurfaced in 1995 and a new 24-inch wide stone shoulder was installed according to Village policy. Numerous residents that live on Glendale Lane objected to the presence and appearance of the stone shoulder. Residents attended a Coffee with Council meeting in the fall of 1995 to voice their concerns directly to the Village Board. The residents remained dissatisfied and again appeared at a Coffee with Council in April of 1999. Public Works staff also held a resident meeting to discuss the policy. At the June 22 meeting, the Village Board directed staff to hire an independent engineer to determine the structural characteristics and value of a stone shoulder versus a grass shoulder. Earth Tech, Inc., was commissioned to undertake the study. Their report has been finalized and is ready for review by the Village Board. Earth Tech's recommendation is for a "hybrid" shoulder that contains a stone sub-base with a grass top coat. Staff supports the recommendation, however, it has some concerns that the grass will have a difficult time surviving long term. Mr. Dave Talbot from Earth Tech will be present to review the report with Board members and residents in attendance. Notice to non-curb homeowners has been given regarding the meeting and all interested parties have been invited to attend and participate in the discussion. Staff's memo also raises two ancillary issues that require clarification and support from the Village Board. First is the requirement that homeowners be primarily responsible for maintenance of the grass parkway up to the edge of pavement. Second is reaffirmation of the need to enforce the no obstruction rules currently in the Village Code. Appropriate staff will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussion. NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME A CCOMMODA TION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTA CT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE AT lO0 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064. V. UTILITY PERMIT PROCEDURE The Engineering Staff earlier this year evaluated the procedure of issuing permits to allow utility companies to do work in the Village. The former procedure provided a page of general guidelines and expectations of the utility companies. From this evaluation, we determined there were two key factors supporting the need to expand upon the current procedure. First, we need to have a better understanding of the work being done by utility companies. In some cases during previous years, plans submitted for review were vague, work did not follow the approved permit, restoration was not completed by the expiration date and/or work was done without a permit. On occasion, our office would get telephone calls from upset residents wanting to know the work being done and we could provide limited or no information. Second, we need to be prepared for the increase of permit applications in the future. We issued approximately 70 permits to the utility companies in 1998. A majority of the permits were issued to Ameritech, Nicor, Com Ed, TCI and Citizens Utilities. Through discussions with these utility companies as well as the new cable company, Ameritech - New Media, we could expect approximately 300 permit applications in 1999. The new procedure addresses both of the above factors improving both the review process and tracking system of approved permits. Work within public rights-of-way as well as new work within pubic utility easements will require a permit. Routine maintenance work will require notification so that we know their location in the Village. Plans will require detailed information in order to understand the scope of the work in relation to the surrounding conditions. Detailed plans will also improve the review process by reducing the confusion and questions raised about the work. The new procedure allows the Village to stop work if a utility is in noncompliance with an approved permit or has not obtained a permit. The ordinance allows monetary penalties to be assessed to the utility companies in the event of noncompliance with the new procedure. The new procedure also provides guidelines on emergency work, tree protection requirements and restoration. After drafting the new procedure, the Public Works Division Superintendents and Village Attorney were given the opportunity to review the documents and provide comments. From this, a final draft was completed and put into effect on April 1, 1999. In order to communicate the new procedure, copies were sent to the utility companies and meetings were held at Public Works to present the new procedure. Each utility company was invited separately to discuss the new procedure. The Engineering Staffwould now like to present the new procedure to the Village Board. Attached for your reference is a copy of the Procedure for Permitting Utility Work within the Village of Mount Prospect and draft copy of the ordinance. The ordinance has been reviewed by Buzz Hill and received preliminary approval. With the Village Board's support, the proposed ordinance can be incorporated into the Village Code. Appropriate staff will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VI. VILLAGE MANAGER=S REPORT VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS VIII. ADJOURNMENT H:\GEN\Cow~,genda\101299 COW Agenda.doc