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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/05/1996 CS minutes " l?l1D\1\1 oorn\1rn&@~ lID~iJ'~ \ - 1...{) -I)~ MAYOR GERALD L FARLEY TRUSTEES GEORGE A. CLOWES TIMOTHY J. CORCORAN RICHARD N. HENORICKS PAUL WM HOEFERT MICHAELE W SKOWRON IRVANA K. WILKS VILLAGE MANAGER MICHAEL E. JANONIS VILLAGE CLERK CAROL A. FIELDS Village of Mount Prospect 100 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect. Illinois 60056 Phone: 708 / 392-6000 Fax: 708 / 392-6022 TOO: 708 / 392-6064 MINUTES CLOSED SESSION MARCH &, 1996 The Closed Session was called to order at 10:49 p.m., in the conference room of the Senior Citizens' Center, 50 South Emerson Street, for the purpose of discussing Potential Litigation, Property Acquisition and Personnel. Present at the Closed Session were: Trustees George Clowes, Timothy Corcoran, Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, Michaele Skowron, and Irvana Wilks. Absent from the Closed Session was Mayor Gerald Farley. Also present were: Village Manager Michael Janonis and Assistant Village Manager David Strahl. Village Board members reviewed Minutes of the Closed Session from the February 13, 1996 meeting. On a Motion by Trustee Clowes and Seconded by Trustee Corcoran, the Minutes were approved by a roll call vote of Trustees: Clowes, Corcoran, Hendricks, Skowron and Wilks. Potential Litigation Village Manager Michael Janonis again gave an overview of legal options regarding the siting of the Wisconsin Central Railroad Commuter Station in Prospect Heights. Mr. Janonis shared with Board members a legal memorandum from the Village Attorney suggesting a legal framework for requesting an injunction to stop work pending resolution of the siting issue. Mr. Janonis indicated to Board members that he felt the arguments were extremely weak and it was unlikely that th~ Village could prevail in either securing an injunction or on the subsequent merits of the case. Board members asked a number of questions regarding alternate legal theories including questions regarding faulty Hearing process. Mr. Janonis indicated that follow-up discussions with some of the residents closest to the Station had been somewhat positive regarding mitigation. Mr. Janonis asked if a mitigation plan was acceptable to the residents, would that be acceptable to Board members. The consensus of the Board was that it would be acceptable. Mr. Janonis indicated that he had scheduled a meeting with a small group of home owners to discuss the particulars of the preliminary mitigation plan. Mr. Janonis indicated he would report back results of that meeting and at that point, the Village Board could subsequently consider pursuing litigation. ~ ~} property Acquisition Mr. Janonls indicated that the Village was aware that two properties in the downtown TIF District were on the market. These properties included the CarQuest Auto Store at the comer of Pine and Central and the small retail store directly west of Subway Express. Mr. Janonis indicated that if the Board were interested in further redevelopment projects in the downtown that serious consideration should be given to acquiring properties as they came on the market so as to avoid the necessity of utilizing eminent domain proceedings. After brief discussion, Board members indicated they were not interested in these two parcels but agree that there was a need to review other redevelopment options in the downtown. Trustee Corcoran suggested that it was crucial to decide what the long-term future of the block on which the Village Hall was located should be. Mr. Janonis also indicated that the staff had finally received a counter proposal from Northwest Electric with regard to property swapping. According to a brief review of their proposal, Northwest Electric was claiming that the Village owed them approximately $50,000 for any land-swaps and public access easements. Northwest Electric was also looking for additional assistance with regard to infrastructure and~utility improvements. Mr. Janonis said it was necessary for staff to further analyze the proposal and he would get back to the Board as soon as possible. General consensus among Board members was that Northwest Electric's claim for value in a land-swap had little merit and there was general opposition to providing additional TIF funds for redevelopment. Personnel -.... Mr. Janonis reported that the process had begun for hiring a Finance Director to replace Dave Jepson upon his retirement. Mr. Janonis indicated that a particularly strong ;1 candidate had applied which was not anticipated. While a formal process was established, Mr. Janonis felt that it would be advantageous to the Village if this individual 1 could be hired as soon as possible. Village Board members indicated their support for attempting to hire the best qualified individual. There was a Motion by Trustee Hoefert and Seconded by Trustee Skowron to come out of Closed Session. On a Roll Call vote of Trustees George Clowes, Timothy Corcoran, Richard Hendricks, Paul Hoefert, Michaele Skowron and Irvana Wilks, all voted to adjourn Closed Session meeting at 11:46 p.m. No action was taken or further business discussed. On a Motion by Trustee Wilks and Seconded by Trustee Clowes, the Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 11 :47 p.m. MEJ~bb