HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW Agenda Packet 02/13/2001 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time:
Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, February 13, 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 WiCks
I1. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 200'1
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
IV. CHANGE OF MEETING DATE FROM TUESDAY TO MONDAY EVENINGS
One of the topics included on the Committee of the Whole Discussion List involved moving
Village Board and Committee of the Whole meetings from their current Tuesday evening
schedule to Monday evenings. The suggestion originated with Trustee Corcoran.
Village staff was polled to see if there were any unavoidable conflicts that would prevent the
change in meeting time. None was identified. Two minor logistical issues need to be
discussed and resolved. First, many of the Cable Television volunteers who help in the
production of our Tuesday evening meetings also work for Des Plaines (who hold their
regular and Committee of the Whole meetings on Mo[~day nights). Cable Production
Coordinator Ross Rowe noted that Des Plaines pays its "volunteers" $10.00 an hour,
whereas we provide no remuneration. ROSs felt with enough advance notice, scheduling
volunteers to work Monday night meetings in Mount Prospect would not be a problem.
Should remuneration become an issue, it is estimated that it would cost approximately
$2500 per year to compensate production volunteers at a rate commensurate with Des
Plaines.
The second area for discussion involves the timing for distribution of Agenda packages to
Village Board members. Currently, Agenda Board packages are delivered to Village Board
members on Saturday moming. This allows almost four full days to review the material. If
the meetings were moved to Monday and the delivery time was maintained, Board
members would have one less day to review material. It would be possible to push up
delivery of packages to Friday evening but due to the fluid nature of weekly Agenda
development, it would be very difficult to complete the Agenda package prior to noon on
Friday.
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 the Board decides to change its meeting day, staff would require approximately 60 days
to make all necessary scheduling adjustments as well as provide adequate notice to media
outlets and the public. The attached memorandum includes a variety of comments solicited
from the various Departments and Divisions of the Village. The points they raise, while
valid, are all easily dealt with.
Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion.
V. QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY
Another item included on the Committee of the Whole Discussion List celled for the
commissioning of a Community Opinion Survey designed to elicit from both residents and
non-residents their views on the Village. The goal of such a survey would be to garner a
better idea of what attracts people to Mount Prospect as well as why people choose to live
elsewhere.
The results of such a survey could be used to identify both strengths and weaknesses in
the community and provide opportunity to better market the positive attributes of the
community and address things that are considered negative.
Recently, Public Information Officer Maura Jandds initiated this type of survey as part of our
Welcome New Resident Program. Invitees to this bi-annual event were asked to complete
a short survey regarding their reasons for moving to Mount Prospect and their initial
impression of the services provided by the Village. A copy of the survey along with some
initial results are included in the Agenda package.
Finally, with the recently announced closings of Wards and JCPenney at Randhurst, as well
as the general downturn in the retail sector of the economy, it may behoove the Village to
survey the community as to their likes and dislikes with regard to the retail environment in
Mount Prospect. Information gathered from such a survey would be helpful in targeting
retailers for vacancies throughout the Village as well as the soon to be completed
downtown retail development.
Funds were not included in the 2001 Municipal Budget for such a project. It is anticipated
that Tuesday evening's discussion would determine whether there was support among
Board members to proceed, provide some guidance on the scope of said survey and direct
staff to solicit proposals from qualified professionals to assist in the development and
tabulation of the survey instrument. Solicitation of proposals would provide a clearer idea
of associated costs and, if the Board decided to proceed, an appropriate Budget
Amendment would be required.
Appropriate staff will be on hand 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."
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2). "Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees
or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of
employees."
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MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
JANUARY 23, 2001
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Mayor Gerald Farley. Present at
the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer,
Dennis Prikkel, Michaele Skowron and Irvana Wilks. Staff members present
included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David
Strahl, Community Development Director William Cooney, Deputy Community
Development Director Michael Blue and Environmental Health Coordinator Bob
Roels.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes from December 12, 2000. Motion made by Trustee Hoefert
and Seconded by Trustee Lohrstorfer to approve the Minutes. Minutes were
approved unanimously.
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Lloyd Levin, representative of the Crystal Towers Homeowners
Association, spoke. He stated that as a representative of the Homeowners
Association, he would extend an offer to hold a Candidate's Forum at the Crystal
Towers location if desired by the candidates. He stated that traffic has increased
since the new Interchange was added at Arlington Heights Road and there is
substantially more traffic at Algonquin and Busse than previously. He would
suggest a Stoplight at the entry to RecPlex due to the traffic volumes. He has
also appeared previously before the Board to request regulation of temporary
labor agencies which have proliferated on the south side of the community. He
feels that due to these agencies, there are substantially more people in the area
after the work assignments are made for the day that may have other intentions
including criminal activities available to them. He stated Crystal Towers has
undertaken a Neighborhood Watch and has active security but he feels that there
could be some more assistance provided by the Police Department. Therefore,
he would request additional assistance including patrols from the Police
Department to deter crime in the Crystal Towers area.
IV. POSTING FOOD ESTABLISHMENT FOOD INSPECTION RATINGS
DISCUSSION
Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided a general overview of
the concept regarding the posting of inspection reports at various restaurants.
He stated this concept has grown out of a program that was initiated in
California.. He stated the Village of Palatine recently began posting the notices
as of January 1. He stated the Health Division would grade each business based
on the scores from the health inspection and the current inspection cycle is a
semi-annual inspection. He stated the score being publicized would help inform
customers and put peer pressure on the restaurant owners to maintain a clean
establishment.
Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels stated that the scores are
weighted depending on the priority and the severity, therefore, even if an
establishment were to get a specific score, they could get a downgrade in the
overall score. He stated such a system is not full proof but could go a long way
in informing the public.
General comments from the Village Board members included the following items:
There was some concern regarding the subjectivity of the various scores and
grades which may be applied to the restaurants. It was also mentioned that the
posting of the scores would provide some competitive advantage of the
restaurants in Mount Prospect over restaurants in other communities. It was also
suggested that consideration be given to a cumulative score and the score that
was attained from the previous inspection also be available so that the customer
could see if improvement has been made. It was also suggested that input be
gathered from community restaurant owners including the Illinois Restaurant
Association.
Bob Roels stated that he did not see a need to add additional staff to undertake
a rating program. He also stated that if a restaurant did get a poor rating in the
eyes of the owner, that owner could request a reinspection after they have had
the opportunity to correct the items identified in the inspection report and that
inspection report would be posted.
General consensus of the Village Board was to move forward with the
concept as outlined in the staff's presentation and once appropriate
discussions have taken place with restaurant owners and restaurant
association, it is to be brought back for final discussion among Village
Board members for possible implementation at that time.
V. DISCUSSION OF FUTURE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS
Village Manager Janonis provided an overview of the items that have been
submitted. The' first item he would suggest being discussed is the option of
deleting the second Committee of the Whole meetings in May, June, July
and August unless needed due to a pending discussion.
Consensus of the Village Board was to eliminate the second Committee of
the Whole meeting in the months of May, June, July and August unless
necessary as determined by staff.
Village Board members agreed to discussing following items for the upcoming
year:
1. Pedestrian crossing at the train station.
2. Traffic flow improvements on major thoroughfares.
3. Consider moving Village meetings to Monday evenings.
4. PUD density discussion for townhomes.
5. Review of Senior Center Human Services' activities.
6. Discuss Village Hall/Senior Center.
7. Train station redesign.
8. Right-of-way restoration and utility impacts.
9. Village nad construction preview.
10. O'Hare noise issues.
11. Storm water detention ordinance discussion and modifications to storm
sewer inventory update.
12. Development Code revisions.
13. Pavement management program update; state of the streets presentation.
14. Discussion of laws governing conflict of interest and other Illinois Statutes
applying to elected officials.
15. Wisconsin Central line.
16. Palwaukee noise discussion.
17. Randhurst discussion including ring-nad timetable and redevelopment
opportunities.
18. EIFS or Dryvit discussion as a building material.
19. Multiple bond ratings.
20. Review of Village Code.
21. Acceptance of credit cards for Village services.
22. "Sidewalk" inspector.
23. Marketing analysis of Mount Prospect
The Board also suggested that the items of the Village computer system update
including the GIS status report be forwarded to the Village Board at a regular
Board meeting so that a specific Committee of the Whole meeting does not have
to be set aside for this discussion. The Village Board also suggested that the
tree risk management policy be forwarded for discussion and decision at a
regular Village Board meeting. Board members also suggested that executive
. summaries of material be provided with all material packets so that the general
understanding of the topic can be understood without reading all of the material
but the material is available if the Board member has an interest in reviewing it.
VI. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
The Village Manager reminded everyone of the upcoming Celestial Celebration.
VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Trustee Hoefert asked whether the information regarding an upcoming public
meeting has been distributed regarding the Palwaukee Noise Study that is
underway.
CLOSED SESSION
On a Motion made by Trustee Wilks and Seconded by Trustee Corcoran, the
Village Board moved into Closed Session to discuss personnel. The Village
Board adjourned into Closed Session at 9:10 p.m. The Village Board returned to
open session at 9:56 p.m.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID STRAHL
Assistant Village Manager
DS/rcc
H:\GEN\Cow~Minutes\012301 COW Minutes.doc
SUGGESTIONS/POSSIBLE DISCUSSION ITEMS
FUTURE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS
TIME FRAME FOR
Elected Official/Staff
concur that there should be discussion of the above-listed subject matter:
Yes No Yes No
Farley: Prikkel:
Corcoran: Skowron:
Hoefert: Wilks:
Lohrstorfer:
01/01
Village of Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect, Illinois
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: VILLAGE MANAGER, MICHAEL JANONIS
FROM: ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN
DATE: JANUARY 4, 2001
SUBJECT: VILLAGE BOARD/COW MEETING DATE CHANGE
Some Board members have expressed an interest in the possibility of moving the Village Board and
COW meetings from Tuesday evening to Monday evening. All departments were asked to identify
the Pros and Cons of moving the meetings to Monday evening.
The staff expressed a number of positives and concerns regarding the possible move of board and
COW meetings to Monday evening. The responses were compiled on a departmental basis and are
listed below as such.
Community Development:
· Concerns over holidays that fall on Mondays causing meetings to moved to Tuesdays.
· By moving the meetings to Monday this potentially creates a scheduling conflict (i.e. notifying
affected outside groups, developers, etc.)
Finance:
· Previous experience dictates that the agendas would go out on Friday instead of Saturday.
· Do not_foresee any problems with the holidays that fall on Mondays. The meetings would be
reseheduled for Tuesday or they would be cancelled, the same as what occurs currently with
Tuesday meetings.
· If the meetings are moved to Monday, the night the counter is open would be moved from
Tuesday to Monday to coincide with the Board/COW meeting.
Manager's Office:
· If the meetings were moved to Monday evenings the release date for the agenda packets would
have to be moved back a day (Thursday).
· Need to consider the idea of putting the agenda packets online. If the meetings remain on
Tuesday and we decide to make agenda packets available online the release date will need to be
moved back a day (Thursday).
Fire Department:
illage Board/COW meeting date change
01/04/01
Page 2
· Does not foresee any problems with moving the meetings to Monday evening.
Police Department:
· There are three Mondays that coincide with Village observed holidays and Christmas and New
Years Eve fall on a Monday.
Human Services:
· The Senior Center has classes that mn until 4:00, which would require PW to use overtime to
setup for the Board and COW meetings. It is possible to change the class to another day or time.
* If the meetings were moved to Monday there would be no conflict with elections.
Television Services:
· Crew schedules will have to be shifted to Monday. How this will affect the crews is unknown,
but no problem is foreseen.
· MPTV schedule will need to be changed because the current schedule is based on a Tuesday
night Board and COW meeting.
· Any PowerPoint presentations, pictures and graphics will need to be delivered much earlier in
advance, as much as a week to prepare them for meetings. Last minute materials may be refused.
Village Clerk's Office:
· If meetings were to be held on Monday the rest of the week would be free.
· Agenda packets would be done by Friday and delivered to the Board members on Thursday night
or Friday, allowing the Clerk's office to have a normal Friday.
· Concern over how many holidays fall on Mondays requiring the meeting to be moved to
Tuesday.
Jason H. Leib
Administrative Intern
\\VH\VOI\USERS~ILEIB\vb-cow meeting date change2.dot
Village of Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect, Illinois
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: VILLAGE MANAGER MICHAEL E. JANONIS
FROM: ASSISTANT VILLAGE MANAGER
DATE: JANUARY 31, 2001
SUBJECT: VILLAGE MARKETING
I have had discussions with PlO Maura Jandris over the last year in an effort to formulate a
plan to highlight the value of living and locating to Mount Prospect. The main focus is the
fact that the Chicago metro area looks pretty much alike to the majority of people and
potential residents have the ability to live virtually anywhere in the metro area, so why not
look to why residents are attracted to Mount Prospect. The idea was to determine what
people look for in a community and publicize those attractions, because if people think of a
community for a particular image that thought could carry over into other areas, like
business opportunities.
tn an effort to start to gather some basic information, Maura drafted a survey to hand out at
the last Welcome New Resident meeting in October 2000. The results of the limited survey
are attached for your information. We had discussed the need to expand the survey and
send it out to all the residents who received invitations to the Welcome New Resident
event. However, we have yet to follow through because we wanted to revise the survey
instrument to ensure the results would be meaningful and could be utilized for marketing of
the community.
If a community marketing effort is considered in the near future, I feel it is critical to
determine why potential residents consider Mount Prospect as a home and market those
strengths with any business marketing plan. If you have any questions, please contact me.
DAVID STRAHL
c: PlO Maura Jandris
H:\GEN\PubIic Info\New Resident Survey Cover Memo.doc
MAYOR ~'~ VILLAGE MANAGER
Gerald L. Farley ~ Michael E, Sanonis
TRUSTEES VILLAGE CLERK
Timothy $. Corcoran Velma W. Low¢
Paul Wm. Hoefart
Richard M. Lohrstorfcr
Dennis O. t~rikkel Phone: (847) 392-6000
Miehael¢ W. Skowron Fax: (8471 392-6022
Irvana K. Wilks TDD: (847) 392.6064
Village of Mount Prospect
100 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
October 28, 2000
Dear New Resident:
Welcome, and thank you for choosing Mount Prospect! We are glad you ara here, and hope that
you will find the community as warm and fdendly as I have. The Village would like to know your
thoughts on a few issues, and we were h. oping that you could take a few moments to complete
the attached survey.
am glad you were able to make it out to the Welcome New Residents event. It is a great way to
learn about the people and institutions of the community. I encourage you to contact Village staff
with any questions you -nay have. An excellent source of information is the Village's web site at
http:/A,~ww.mountprospect.or.q. Thero is a section on the web site especially for new residents
that you may find useful at http://www, rnountprospect.or,q/new residents.htm.
Again, welcome to Mount Prospect and thank you for your assistance in completing this survey.
Sincer~e,,l¥.,.~ -~ _ ./~
Mayor, Village of Mount Prospect
MAYOR f/..~*~ ~'vx VILLAGE MANAGER
Gerald L. Farley ~ Michael E. Janonis
TRUSTEES VILLAGE CLERK
Timothy J, Corcoran Velma W. Low~
Paul Wm. Hoefer~
Richard M. Lohrstoffer
Dennis/3. Prikkel Phone: (847) 392-6000
Michaele W. Skowron F~x: (847) 392-6022
l~vana K. Wilks TDD: ~847) 392-6064
Village of Mount Prospect
100 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
NEW RESIDENT SURVEY
Please answer the questions below, and return before leaving today!
1. On a scale of I - 5 (1 being least important, 5 being most important) please indicate how strongly
each of these factors contributed to your decision to move to Mount Prospect:
Not Important Very Imnortant
Village Services 1 2 3 4 5
Schools 1 2 3 4 5
Location (relative to job) I 2 3 4 5
Cost/Value of Housing I 2 3 4 5
Other
2. Have you had any contact with Police or Fire Personnel? ~1 Yes O No
If yes, please indicate how you feel about that experience:
c3 very Positive [3 Somewhat Positive O Neutral [3 Somewhat Negative [3 Very Negative
3. Have you had any contact with other Village staff (non-Police/Fire Personnel)? O Yes O No
If yes, please indicate how you feel about that expedencZ
[3 very Positive O Somewhat Positive 113 Neutral C3 Somewhat Negative O Very Negative
Village of Mount Prospect Page ~ October 28, 2000
New Resident Survey
4. Since you moved here, which of the following do you use as a source of information for news about
the Village? If you DO use any of the items listed below, please indicate the usefulness of that item:
How often do you -,If ydu hav~'uaed th $ I~:~, '.
use this item? ' ,*~how u.sefu ~lld yqu:.flnd
Village Sources of Information . . .... - ...... ,.,.,..
Never Sometimes Often ,Vex .. Nsutra ' ':
Useful', , , ,Ueefu
Village Newsletter 1 2 3 ! ' ' ·
(bi-mort#y) ' .... "
(www. mounterosDect, oro) ..., ;..;, ~:.~..' ' ~ ,,...' .... ; . ::,..,,~'.'~:~...,
MPTV - Cable Channel 17 1 2 3 ':~ '~-", ' '
,.,....,. ~.: ..,....,,.,..,,
Civic Events Sign 1 2 3 :,' >: ... ',...~ :...~3 .,..., .,,..:.~
Northwest Hwy. & Main St./Rte. 83) .::'. :.-...= '...~' ~.'~,'::.';~,- ,¥'~'
PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Name
Address
Thank you for your timel
NEW RESIDENT SURVEY RESULTS
1. On a scale of 1 - 5 (1 being least important, 5 being most important) pease indicate how
strongly each of these factors contributed to your decision to move to Mpunt Prospect:
Not Important Very Important
Village Services
Schools
Location (relative to job)
CostJValue of Housing
Other:
· Trees were an important part of our decision to buy a home in Mount Prospect - trees lend comfort, a
neighborhood feeling, maturity. Thank you for taking care of our trees.
· Location to downtown and other resources.
· N/A - unique rental opportunity
· Felt the area was safe - Iow crime
2. Have you had any contact with Police or Fire Personnel? Q Yes - 5 Q No - 11
If yes, please indicate how you feel about that experience:
r~ Very Positive 4 [3 Somewhat Positive [3 Neutral CI Somewhat Negative [3 Very Negative
3. Have you had any contact with other Village staff (non-Police/Fire Personnel)?
QYes-10 QNo-6
If yes, please indicate how you feel about that experience:
Very Positive 10 Q Somewhat Positive Q Neutral O Somewhat Negative I~1 Very Negative
Village Clerk - very helpful, thanks. Also water bill people
No contact prior to today's event - very positive interactions today.
Vii~age of Mount Prospect Page 2 November 10, 2000
New Resident Survey Results
4. Since you moved here, which of the following do you use as a source of information for
news about the Village? If you DO use any of the items listed below, please indicate the
usefulness of that item:
How ofte. do you
use this item? how uSeful:did
Village Sources of Info~aflon
Never Sometimes O~en
Useful U~I
Village NewsleEer 1 2 -3 3 - 11 14
(bi. montly)
MP~ - Cable Channel 17 I - 8 2 - 2 3 - 1 2 3
Civic Events Sign 1-5 2-8 3-1 3
(No~hwest H~. & Main St./~e. 83)
OTHER: Mount Prospe~ Times 1 2 3 - 1 1
PL~SE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
I have heard the web site is one of the best Village sites out them (form ~ose not living hem). Good
job!
I hope you continue to have these New Neighbor events. I'm sum it is invaluable to helping people
get on board with Village pride and cooperation.
I must admit I haven't ~ken advantage of the above sources but think today was a fan~stic event.
We love the ama and am happy to be here!
Ve~ pleasant communi~
We're really glad to have much information hem. Thank you for helping
Excellent event! We had no idea them was this much to know - thanks for ~e edu~tion~
Glen R. Andler R0derick [ O'D0n0var
Sean R Dorsey ~='~~fl ~ PautC Bures
Jeffrey A. Wulbecker Sandra M. Clark
M. Lisa Angell -~~~ James E. Guenther
Mount Prospect Public Works Department
1700 W. Central Road Mount Prosoaot, Illinoie 80058-22~2~
Phone 847/870-5640 Fax 847/253-8377 TDD 847/392-1235
SAFETY COMMISSION
AGENDA
MEETING LOCATION: MEETING DATE AND TIME:
Public Works Department Monday
1700 West Central Road February 12, 2001
Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 7:30 a.m.
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Citizens to be Heard
V. New Business
A. Left Turn Prohibition aT Central Road & Wa-Pella Avenue
VI. Adjourhment
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 STREET, MOUNT PROSPECT, 847/392-6000,
EXTENSION 5327, TDD 847/392-6064.
******** TO ALL COMMISSION MEMBERS **6*****
******** IF YOU CANNOT ATI'END THE SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ********
******** PLEASE CALL MATr LAWRIE 870-5640 IN ADVANCE ********
Recycled Paper - Printed with Soy Ink
Glen R, And~er R0derick ~ O'O0n0var
M. Lisa AngelI James E. Guenther
Mount Prospect Public Works Department
1700 W. Central Road. Mount Peosoeot, Illinois 60058-2229
Phone 847/870-5640 Fax 847/253-9377 TOD 847/392-1235
MINUTES OF TH]~ MOUNT PROSPECT
SAFETY COMMISSION
?RAFT
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
on Monday, December 18, 2000.
ROLL CALL
Present upon roll call: Lee Beening Chairman
Chuck Bencm Commissioner
Joan Bjork Commissioner
John Keane Commissioner
Andy Mitchcl! Commissioner
Ted Adamczyk Police Department
Paul Bures Public Works
Matt Lawric Public Works/Engineering Division
Absent: Nancy Bobikewicz Commissioner
Buz Livingston Fire Department
Others in Attendance: See Attached Attendance Sheet.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Bencic, moved to approve the minutes of
the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on September 11, 2000. The minutes were
approved by a vote of 7-0.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
No citizens came forth at this time to discuss any topics that were not on the current agenda.
Recycled Paper - Printed with Soy Ink
OLD BUSINESS
A) STATUS REPORT OF THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS ALONG
COUNCIL TRAIL
1) Background Information
The Superintendent of School District 57 requested that the Village wait until mid-November to
install the temporary curb extensmns around Lions Park Elementary School. During the month
of November, the Engineering Staff developed drawings showing the planned layout. On
November 27% various Public Works Staff met to discuss the details of the drawings and decide
on a construction schedule.
From the meeting, it was decided that a Public Works crew would install the temporary curb
extensions on Saturday, December 2nd, pending good weather~ The work xvill be completed the
week of December 4t~ should weather hinder the work. The materials to be used during
installation include parking bumpers, asphalt and warning signs. It will be an inexpensive way
of studying its effect before considering construction of perrnanent curb extensions.
The Superintendent and Principal were notified of and supported the schedule. The school as
well as nearby residents will receive written notification of the work prior to December 2"d.
Attached is the letter that is to be sent. The Engineering Staffwill be studying the effect of the
curb extensions during the months of December and January. In February, the Engineering Staff
will send out surveys m the school and nearby residents m solicit their opinions of the curb
extensions. The Engineermg Staff then plans to present the findings of the study, comments
from the school and residents, and our recommendations to the Safety Commission in March
2001.
2) Discussion
Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided an update on this issue. The temporary curb extensions were
installed on Saturday, December 2~d without any complications. The area will be monitored and
studied over the next couple of months. Comments and recommendations will be presented to
the Safety Commission in March 2001.
Commissioner Bencic asked that the Police and Fire Departments provide their comments on this
issue as part of the presentation to the Safety Commission next March.
Chairman Beening requested that Traffic Engineer Lawrie provide a monthly status report on
this issue m each of the Safety Commission members.
No further discussion took place on this issue.
2
Mw mJsn'mss
A) REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF E. MILBURN AVENUE
BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND EMERSON STREET
1) Background Information
Resident Observations:
Mr. and Mrs. Risler are concerned with the amount of traffic using E, Milburn Avenue. Many
commuters cut through the neighborhood as well as park on the street because of their close
proximity to the train station, With vehicles parked on both sides of the street, this makes it
difficult for emergency vehicles to maneuver along the street.
Staff Observations:
The Engineering Staffperformed a traffic study, The findings are as follows:
a) The 0 block of E. Milburn Avenue is a 26' wide asphalt street with curb and gutter.
b) The portion of E. Milbum Avenue involved in this study is in a residential area. Only four
homes total (two on each side of the street) exist on the block.
c) Village Code currently allows 2-hour parking between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on both sides of the
street. Also, parking is prohibited on both sides of the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. On the
adjacent streets, Main Street prohibits parking any time on both sides of the street. Emerson
Street allows 2-hour parking between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the east side of the street and
prohibits parking any time on the west side of the street.
d) Site visits were conducted during the weeks of November 20t~ and November 276. Vehicles
were rarely seen parked on the street. Vehicles were never observed to be parked on both sides
of the street where the number of travel lanes were reduced.
e) The Engineering Staff also solicited comments from the Police and Fire Departments on this
issue. The Police Department uses Milbum Avenue as a main thoroughfare. When vehicles are
parked on both sides of the street, safe and efficient movement of emergency vehicles is
impeded. The Fire Department does not use the street as a primary route. However, restricting
parking on one side of any street improves emergency response time.
f) Surveys were sent to the homeowners along the 0 block of E. Milburn Avenue. Three of the four
surveys were returned. The q~4estion that was asked in the survey was, What insight can you
provide or experiences can you share that would support or oppose the proposed parking
restriction? Two of the three responses supported the request.
g) The Engineering Staff sees advantages and disadvantages to prohibiting parking on the south
side of the street at all times. Emergency response time is improved since two-way traffic xvill
always be maintained. However, on-street parking for residents is eliminated on one side of the
street. On a majority of our residential streets, parking is allowed on both sides of the street.
Since the Police Department uses this block as a primary route, though, the Engineering Staff
supports the request.
Kecommendation:
Based on Staff observations and comments received from the Police Department, ][:ire
Department and residents:
The Village Traffic Engineer recommends:
Approval of no parking any time along the south side of E. Milburn Avenue between Main
Street and Emerson Street.
2) Discussion
Mary Kay Risler, 1 E. Milburn Avenue, shared various problems she has experienced over the
years regarding traffic along Milbum Avenue. Problems such as busses parked on the street,
vehicles turning around in the driveways, vehicles driving on the lawns and accidents in the area
were all described by Mrs. Risler.
George Risler, 1 E. Milburn Avenue, read portions of an IDOT letter suggesting modifications to'
the Main Street / Milbum Avenue intersection to reduce accidents. He went on to explain the
difficulties he has witnessed of Fire Department vehicles trying to maneuver down the street
when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street. Both he and his wife support the parking
restriction on the south side of Milbum Avenue.
Mrs. Risler pointed out that the No Left Turn sign on the west side of P~oute 83 at Milburn
Avenue is missing. Chairman Beening asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to investigate this
situation and contact IDOT to reinstall the sign.
Officer Adamczyk brought to the Commission's attention the memo xvritten by Sergeant
Dahlberg to Police Chief Pavlock regarding his support of the parking restriction in order to
provide safe and efficient traffi6 movement.
Chairman Beening 'asked if Traffic Engineer Lawrie had any comments. He suggested the
Commission take into account the needs of the Police and Fire Departments when making their
· decision. He also pointed out that one of the residents who was not in attendance did not support
the parking restriction because on-street parking would be reduced. Traffic Engineer Lawrie
wanted the Commission to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages to this request.
Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, moved for approval of no
parking any time along the south side of E. Milburn Avenue between Main Street and
Emerson Street.
The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
4
THER ISSUES
Commissioner Bjork was recently driving eastbound on Prospect Avenue and noticed the No
Left Turn sign when approaching Route 83. The sign states that the left turn prohibition takes
effect beginning on July 21, 2000. She finds that confusing since that date has passed a long
time ago. She suggested the date be removed as this may cause confusion to other motorists.
Mrs. Risler asked whether the sidewalk along Route 83 would be plowed by the Village in the
future. Mr. Burcs acknowledged that once the contractor removes the debris and barricades in
the area that both sides of Route 83 between Prospect Avenue and Shabonee Avenue would be
plowed by the Village.
Traffic Engineer Lawrie wanted to make the Commission aware that all of the turn prohibitions
and weight restrictions that were approved by the Village Board as part of the Route 83
Reconstruction Project would be repealed at the December 19t~ Village Board meeting since two-
way traffic in now open. However, the left turn restriction at Central Road and Wa-Pella Avenue
would most likely remain in effect until the Safety Commission had a formal opportunity to
determine whether or not the ordinance should be changed. The Safety Commission will
probably be reviewing this issue in early 2001.
Traffic Engineer Lawrie thanked the Commission members for their commitment to making it a
successfuI year and on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees he presented a gift to each of the
members.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted %0 to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.
upon the motion of Commissioner Keane. Commissioner Bencic seconded the motion.
Respectfully submitted,
Traffic Engineer
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