HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/2001 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time:
Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, March 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 Wilks
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2001
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
IV. WISCONSIN CENTRAL/METRA NORTH CENTRAL COMMUTER LINE
DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT - UPDATE
Since 1995, when the Metra North Central Commuter Line began preparation for its startup
operations, the Mayor, Board of Trustees, and staff have devoted hundreds of hours of time
working with nearby residents, neighboring towns, transportation agencies, and state and
federal legislators to minimize the impact of rail operations (both freight and commuter) on
the immediate community.
Those efforts resulted in substantial design changes being made to the original Double
Tracking Plan. On April 5, 1999, Metra agreed to a mitigation plan (attached) which included
the installation of the second track on the west side of the existing track, the extension of
screening fences proportionately with the extension of the Prospect Heights station platform,
closing the private rail crossing at Morrison Avenue, and other miscellaneous steps that
would minimize any requirement for whistle blowing at existing railroad grade crossings
within the Village. All of these changes were incorporated into the engineering plans submit-
ted to the Village for review.
Since the fall of 2000, construction activity has been taking place along the railroad right-of-
way within the Village. Work includes modification of certain drainage structures, excavation
and grading for the new track bed, installing railroad signal cable, modification of the existing
station platform, construction of a permanent commuter station at the Prospect Heights stop,
and construction of an alternate access road that will facilitate the closing of the Morrison
Avenue station. Staff has monitored construction activity on an ongoing basis.
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 A T '100 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056,
847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064.
Construction of the Mount Prospect portion of the Double Track project is scheduled to be
complete on or about July 2001. Despite the harsh winter, construction activity has pro-
ceeded at a steady pace. The July time line appears achievable.
On February 23, 2001, Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer and the Village Manager attended a
Northwestern Municipal Conference-sponsored "North Central Mayoral Task Force" meeting,
which provided an update of the overall Double Tracking plan. Tuesday evening's discussion
will include an oral report by Trustee Lohrstorfer and Mr. Janonis regarding the overall status
of the North Central commuter line Double Tracking project, as well as the current status of
construction within the Village of Mount Prospect. The information reported at the Commit-
tee of the Whole meeting will then be passed along to Village residents adjacent to the proj-
ect via a Resident Information Bulletin (RIB).
Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion.
IV. 2001 ROAD CONSTRUCTION PREVIEW
For the past several years, the Engineering staff in Public Works has prepared a road con-
struction summary of all road construction projects that will be taking place in the Village.
This listing goes beyond the Village's own local reconstruction and resurfacing program and
includes all state and county projects that we are aware of. This compilation of projects is
discussed publicly prior to the start of the road construction season, and the information will
be posted on the Village's web page and included in an upcoming edition of the Village
Newsletter.
The purpose of the preview is to provide residents and businesses with a complete picture
of road construction activities throughout the Village. With this information in hand, residents
and businesses might avoid some road construction surprises. Appropriate staff will be on
hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion.
V. UTILITY PERMIT PROCEDURE UPDATE
With passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, there has come an explosion in the
number of TeleCom firms laying fiber optic cable within Village rights-of-way. As a result,
parkways, sidewalks, and streets seem to be in a constant state of disrepair as a succession
of cables are installed.
In reaction to the construction chaos, the Public Works Department developed, and the Vii-
lage Board adopted, a very stringent permit procedure, designed to minimize disruptions and
promote the quick restoration of damaged rights-of-way. Since 1998, almost 600 permits
have been issued.
While staff feels that the permitting procedures have had a positive impact, Board members
continue to raise concerns about the constant state of construction along our streets and
sidewalks and the accompanying danger and inconvenience encountered by residents, busi-
nesses, and motorists. A recent Wall Street Journal article provides an excellent summary
of the situation and reveals that it is a nation-wide problem from a municipal perspective.
As part of Tuesday evening's discussions, staff will provide an update on our experience
with the permit process, as well as provide a forum for the Village board to discuss the pos-
sible implementation of stricter controls.
Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion.
VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION
LITIGATION
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). "Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular
public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public
body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be
recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting."
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