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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/23/2001 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time: Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, January 23, 2001 50 South Emerson Street 7:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Gerald L. Farley Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Dennis Prikkel Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Michaele Skowron Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Irvana Wilks II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 12, 2000 III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. POSTING FOOD ESTABLISHMENT FOOD INSPECTION RATINGS This is an item from the 2000 Committee of the Whole Discussion Topics. The posting of restaurant and food store inspection ratings is becoming popular in jurisdictions throughout the Country. Rating systems were brought to the Country's attention when Los Angeles County began posting grades at food establishments in 1997. The rationale of the program was to encourage better compliance with food handling, storage and preparation mandates. Locally, the Village of Palatine has adopted a Code requiring the average annual sanitation score for an establishment be posted in a conspicuous location at eye level on the premises. This program became effective January 1, 2001. Trustee Corcoran expressed interest in exploring the implementation of a similar system in Mount Prospect. With the concurrence of the Village Board, the item was placed on the Committee of the Whole Topic Discussion list for 2000. · Staff has prepared a memorandum covering the most salient points of this topic including the history of such rating systems, how inspections are conducted, the focus of such inspections and the pros and cons of establishing a public rating program. Staff suggests that this initial discussion focus on achieving a greater understanding of: (1) how restaurant inspections are conducted; (2) the focus of those inspections; and (3) how that information can be translated into a meaningful and informative rating system. NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE AT '100 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064. If, after this initial discussion, there is consensus to proceed with development of a program, staff would then conduct additional research regarding same. It is also anticipated that it would be desirable to open a dialogue with those food establishments likely to be covered by such a program. The purpose of this dialogue would be to provide information, garner feedback and educate these establishments on the nuances of such a program. Thereafter, a detailed proposal would be presented to the Village Board for its consideration and eventual adoption. Appropriate staff will be in attendance to facilitate discussion and answer questions. V. FUTURE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DISCUSSION ITEMS Over the past several years, the Village Manager's Office has attempted to better manage the flow of information, which comes to the Village Board through the Committee of the Whole Agendas. As you know, Committee of the Whole meetings are designed specifically to allow for more extensive discussion of pending policy, finances, Code changes and various items of community interest. The Committee of the Whole also serves as a forum for discussion of items, which are unexpected, controversial, or of an emergency nature. Generally speaking, Committee of the Whole meetings consist of anywhere from two-four set items, which have been researched by staff and are presented for discussion and prelimina~ decision-making purposes. Included in the regular Committee of the Whole Agendas are such things as discussion of the Capital Improvement Program, Mid-Year Budget Review and the annual Budget Hearings. Another segment of discussion items are staff generated and have to deal with policy, projects or fiscal issues which require Board direction. Finally, over the course of the year, individual Trustees put forward issues and items for discussion. Again, this year staff would like to discuss and receive direction on a list of potential items for Committee of the Whole Agendas. It should be recognized from the outset that this is not an all-inclusive list and that items, both staff and Board generated, will come up dudng the course of the year. However, for purposes of managing staff time and putting limited resources to work in the most efficient manner, we would like to review, discuss and prioritize potential Committee of the Whole Agenda items. The evening's discussion will consist of reviewing suggested topics, discussing briefly the rationale and need for discussion and the potential timing for bringing such items forward. Board members, as well as staff, were asked to provide any suggested topics that they would like to have considered. These items are included in the accompanying package. In the past, the Village Board has engaged in a polling process, which identifies any subjects, which do have the support of the Board for research and review. Appropriate staff will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS VIII. ADJOURNMENT CLOSED SESSION PERSONNEL 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1). "The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity."