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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/1998 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time: Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, September 8, 1998 50 South Emerson Street 7:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Gerald L. Farley Trustee George Clowes Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Daniel Nocchi Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Irvana Wilks II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 25, 1998 III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. PROSPECT MANOR/WALNUT STREET PARKING ISSUE In April of this year, the Village's Safety Commission considered a request by a resident to implement parking restrictions in the area of Prospect Manor and Walnut Street. The basis for the request was a feeling that the businesses in the area, which front along Northwest Highway were parking in excessive numbers and for excessive times in the abutting residential neighborhood. On the other side of the issue, the businesses in the area claimed a need for additional parking for both their employees and customers. This ongoing conflict over parking is present all along the Northwest Highway frontage in the Village. This area was developed in the early stages of the Village's existence and dedicated business parking was not considered to be a high priority at that time. The ever-growing automobile usage and the lack of dedicated business parking, has proven to be problematic. In an effort to balance the needs of both residents and businesses, the Public Works Department has been looking at a series of alternate parking plans that would prove to be an acceptable compromise to both parties. Staffwould like to present another alternative to the Village Board for their review and consideration. The accompanying material outlines the chronology of previous discussions including neighborhood meetings. Interested residents and businesses have been notified of this Tuesday evening's meeting and have been invited to attend. Appropriate Public Works staff will be in attendance to answer questions and facilitate discussion. 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 lO0 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064. V. MELAS PARK IMPROVEMENTS - STATUS REPORT As you are aware, with the aid of State Representative Carolyn H. Krause, the Village of Mount Prospect has been awarded a FY'99 Legislative Line Item Grant in the amount of $500,000 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). These funds will be utilized to complete several of the outstanding improvements remaining on the Melas Park Master Plan which was developed and approved in January of 1994 by the village, Arlington heights and Mt. Prospect Park Districts and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). The planned improvements and estimated costs as included in our Grant request are as follows: Bike/jogging paths-approximately 2 miles $175,000 Park entrance improvements-turn lanes 150,000 Washroom facilities/site development 100,000 Lighting-parking lot/roadway improvements 75,000 Total $500,000 A condition of the Grant is that all improvements must be completed, paid for and all reimbursement requests submitted to IDNR for approval prior to June 30, 1999. Staff is in the process of completing Grant application forms and, in cooperation with the two Park Districts, bid documents have, or are being developed to solicit contracts for completion of the various project components. Staff will be present to provide an update on the project and answer any questions that the Village Board may have. The attached material provides background information and includes a map of the bike/jogging path that was incorporated into the approved Master Plan. VI. TRAIN STATION IMPROVEMENTS - PROJECT REVISIONS The Village Board recently approved the expenditure of $40,000 to upgrade the downtown Mount Prospect Train Station as part of our lease agreement with Heinemann's Bakery. These funds are currently being utilized to create a "white box" for the Heinemann's retail facility and to address a variety of maintenance issues at the Station. As staff has moved forward with these improvements, we have encountered a number of additional items that we believe need to be addressed at this time. Also, staff is proposing further building/site enhancements designed to improve the appearance of the Station and the service provided to commuters. These enhancements would increase the overall cost of this project from $40,000 to approximately $95,000. The last time the commuter Train Station received extensive renovations was approximately ten years ago. Since that time, a number of the fa~;ade improvements have begun to show significant signs of deterioration. Additionally, the overall appearance of the Station has become rather warn. Since this is a prime focal point in our downtown, it would be in the Village's best interest to maintain this facility with a high degree of aesthetic appeal. As the original renovations have proceeded, staff has identified a number of additional items, which require rehabilitation and/or replacement. Additionally, the need for heightened security is necessary to protect the investments that are being made in the structure. Therefore, a closed circuit camera system is also being proposed as part of the improvements. While this project was not formally planned for as part of the 1998 budget, the opportunity to install a highly desirable tenant and the availability of funds in the budget suggests that we should take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade this facility now so as to maintain its viability in the downtown over the long term. The attached information package provides details of the proposed additional improvements along with cost estimates. A video of the Train Station will be presented at Tuesday evening's meeting. Staff will also be present to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VII. PROPOSAL FOR RELOCATION OF THE BUILDING AT TWO EAST NORTHWEST HIGHWAY As part of the ongoing downtown redevelopment effort, segments of the community have expressed a desire to save structures, which have been identified as having some significant local history attached to them. One such building is located at Two East Northwest Highway. This building was built in the late 1800s and served the community in a variety of capacities including the first Post Office and General Store. Over time, the building has undergone expansion and changes from its original structure and fa~;ade. In the last several years, the building has fallen into an accelerating state of disrepair including severe foundation problems that had to be repaired on an emergency basis so as to eliminate an immediate concern with structural failure. The building still is not approved for general occupancy. Early in 1998, the Village purchased Two East Northwest Highway along with three other buildings along the Northwest Highway frontage as part of the downtown redevelopment effort. At the time of the purchase, the Village Board offered to transfer title to the Two East Northwest Highway building to an individual who could come forward with a viable relocation plan. In the ensuing months, staff has had conversations with an individual, Scott Saewert, who has attempted to put together a viable relocation and renovation proposal. Mr. Saewert has requested the opportunity to present his concept to the Village Board. This is timely since the Village Board is considering bids for the demolition of the four buildings. If the plan appears viable, then the Village Board would award a contract for the demolition of only three buildings and allow the Two East Northwest Highway building to be relocated. If the plan does not appear to be viable, then the Board would award a contract for the demolition of all four buildings. The attached information package provides relocation concepts as presented by Mr. Saewert. Information regarding the potential property acquisition issues will be discussed in Closed Session. Mr. Saewert, along with appropriate Village staff, will be in attendance to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VIII. MANAGER'S REPORT IX. ANY OTHER BUSINESS X. ADJOURNMENT CLOSED SESSION PROPERTY ACQUISITION: 51LCS 120/2 {C) {5) - "The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussion whether a particular parcel should be acquired." I:\WIN\OFFICE\COWAGN\609SPBD.AGN