Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/11/1993 COW minutes COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE May 11, 1993 I. ROLL CALL The Meeting was called' to order at 7:35 by Mayor Gerald L Farley. Trustees present were George Clowes, Richard Hendricks, Michaele Skowron and Irvana Wilks. Trustees Timothy Corcoran and Paul Hoefert arrived later while the meeting was in progress Also present were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Ms. Madelyn Brown and Tod Curtis representing the Downtown Merchants Association. Mr Albert Boldt of 617 South School Street, Fire Chief Edward M. Cavello, Finance Director David Jepson and Environmental Health Coordinator Robert Roels ~ II. MINUTES OF APRIL 27, 1993 The minutes of April 27th, were accepted as corrected and filed. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None Mayor Farley stated that at this point he wanted to deviate-from the regular order of the Agenda and move ahead to Item V and defer discussion on Item IV Downtown Celebration until Trustees Corcoran and Hoefert arrived. V. WILD ANIMAL TRAPPING POLICY Mr. Janonis stated that increasing restrictions on the Village by the County are making it more difficult to lend traps to residents for the purpose of catching small wild animals. Even though this is a minor service provided by the Village, it is a popular one. Staff is seeking input and direction from the Village Board prior to making any substantive changes in the provision of this selwice There was extensive discussion regarding County regulations The Village has a permit to release animals at the Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine There are limits on the type and number of animals that can lawfully be released Recently the Village was notified that raccoons could no longer be released at Deer Grove due to over population. It was asked if discharge at other forest preserve areas such as Busse Woods is allowed. It appears that it is not as the animals need to be discharged at least ten miles away or there is an eighty percent return rate. We have a permit that allows us to release 30 woodchucks, 75 opossums, 50 raccoons and 150 squirrels - if we exceed any one of those categories we would need to get permission to release, or release may be denied. Normally we would catch more animals than required in the permit but since we had to file the permit, our participation has dropped In a normal year, residents would catch and relocate 200-300 animals. It was asked how we know where citizens discharge animals. We assume they do as instructed, we can only rely on the citizens to follow instructions A majority of requests for animal traps includes inside the home and annoyance animals outdoors Trustee Hoefert stated his concern is that if we stop the trapping program, citizens will not be able to rid themselves of the animals in their homes. He realizes that there is a growing problem with over population of animals in the forest preserves The concern of the forest preserve is understood It was asked what animal control officers or private trappers do with the animals they catch and it appears that they recruit sites or pay property owners to relocate animals to their sites. Trustee Wilks asked if the animals that were trapped and released in 1992 were animals listed on the pc,mit or if other animals were caught. The response indicated that approximately 180 animals were caught. The species included squirrels, opossums, raccoons and woodchucks. Trustee Wilks asked if the Village could hire and train personnel to handle this on-staff as she is aware of two communities who currently have on-staff people for this purpose. A second option would be to contract out to a private company and if the cost of this was available. It was stated that the cost by a private company would be $55 to $85 per animal Trustee Clowes asked about potential problems associated with lending traps to homeowners Violating County release procedures could place the Village In violation of the permit and traps might become unavailable to lend. Also if scratched or bitten, a rabies vaccine will be necessary, and problems could arise from a child's curiosity of the trap and the wild animal The Village, who lends the trap, is liable for violations caused by users. It was brought to attention that our pe,'udt is coming due in June of this year and one restriction is that raccoons and skunks will not be allowed to be released. Mr. Janonis stated that education on this issue is invaluable. He suggested that the Village operate under the present policy, no trapping of raccoons and skunks and a review will be made when the permit comes due in June. Trustee Wilks asked if the expenses could be tracked for this program and states that it is also a health concern and one of home and property damage 2 Trustee Hoefert is in favor of lending the traps for home evacuation and not just pest removal of annoyance animals on your property. This should be the responsibility of the property owner. Mr. Janonis asked Staff if a homeowner catches an animal in their home, is it permissible to release animal on their own property and the reply was. yes Trustee Clowes stated that he is reluctant to add a staff member to handle this program that it would be helpful if the Village could reduce the cost by means of a contract with a private removal service that could be recommended to residents. More discussion on this in mid-summer. Homeowners can do several things to try to discourage animals from entering their homes and staying on their property by: not feeding them, capping their chimneys, planting trees away from their homes, keeping their garbage secured, screening under decks and filling in concrete stoops with loose dirt. It was suggested that an article regarding this be put in the next Village Newsletter. This ended the discussion. At this point, Mayor Farley stated he would like to revert back to item IV on the Agenda and begin the discussion on the Downtown Celebration. IV. DOWNTOWN CELEBRATION Mayor Farley opened the discussion by stating the Downtown Merchants Association has requested the Village be a sponsor for the Downtown Celebration scheduled for June 5th and 6th. Madelyn Brow~ representing Ye Olde Town Inn and the Downtown Merchants Association addressed the Board explaining the makeup of the association and their purpose. She stated that there were no dues or fees involved and the only basic requirement is that the business be in close proximity to the downtown area She also described plans for the proposed Celebration Trustee Hoefert inquired how the Celebration sponsorship was going. Ms. Brows~ responded that twenty sponsors have been identified. Mayor Farley asked if a profit is not realized who would pay the bills. Mr. Tod Cra'tis also of Ye Olde Town Inn answered that local businesses would make private contributions to cover losses. Mayor Farley explained that when the Chamber of Commerce ran Hometown Days there was the possibility of a profit. He asked how the Merchants Association planned to handle profits Mr. Curtis responded that he certainly hoped there would be profits and they would be held within the association for future events Additional discussion continued Involving the logistics of selling food and soft drinks and whether transactions would be handled with cash or tickets Mr. Curtis explained that vendors will pay a fee to sell food items and they In turn will handle all sales in cash. Following a question by Mayor Farley, Mr. Curtis explained that the association was in the process of filing for tax exempt not-for-profit status. The discussion continued with Mayor Farley relating the historical background of Hometown Days when the Village sponsored rides for children and other activities of that type. He stated that the request for sponsorship being considered Is dlfferent and the organization Is also different so therefore it would be appropriate to reopen discussion on the matter. Trustee Corco'ran asked about the makeup of the association stating that although this appeared to be a worthy cause, he was concerned that this may set a precedent and the Board could be approached tn the future and asked to be a sponsor for a number of other events. Trustee Corcoran stated his concern that proximity does not make membership and it does not make an organization. Discussion continued on the responslhihty for up-front fixed expenses Trustee Corcoran also stated as he continued to question, that the association had no list of officers, no members and collects no dues and appeared to be loosely organized He also questioned the timing of the event asking if the event was being rushed. Mr. Curtis related that the tlmlng of the event is correlated to the entertainment and their availability. Mr. Curtts also attempted to reassure the Board that while his prtmary concern was to benefit the downtown area,-the scope of the event was broader based and Included other businesses away from the Immediate downtown area. Mr. Janonis provided an overview of past Involvement of the Village In Hometown Days stating that while the Village has provided financial support, it has been sporadic at best. Sometimes paying for children's rides in the amount of $2800 and other years not offering financial support. Trustee Hoefert explained that he thought this event would be a good thing for the Village and stated he would support a one-time contribution to the event. Trustee Skowron asked why there was no contribution made by the Village to Hometown Days in 1992 Mayor Farley replied that it was the opinion of the Vii/age Board at that time not to continue to contribute to celebrations and that it was the Board's hope that this event would become self-sustaining and self-supporting 4 Trustee Skowron concluded that the hlstot3r of such events indicate that a profit can be expected and be reapplled to the event the following year. Trustee Skow~on stated she would support a one~time expenditure of funds for this event. Trustee Corcoran agreed with the one-time contribution if a financial statement would be provided following the event and the profits from the event be held over and become a community investment, Mayor Farley asked ff there was a consensus of the Board for Trustee Corcoran's recommendation. Trustee Wilks outlined the costs of in-kind services that the Village would be providing. Trustee Wtlks indicated her support for the event. Trustee Hendricks stated his support for the event Trustee Clowes added that he thought a number of other good things come out of this event other than promoting the downtown area and therefore supported the contribution. Trustee ~tkowron also indicated support. Mayor Farley concluded the discussion on the subject by stating the Village agrees to serve as a sponsor for this year and it would be reviewed if this request were to be made again. VI. REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX ORDINANCE Mr. Janonts stated that the current ordinance allows for a partial rebate of the transfer tax when a homeowner sells a home in Mount Prospect and buys a second home in Mount Prospect. The incentive is designed to promote a second purchase in the Village. The current rebate language in the ordinance is somewhat vague when it comes to the treatment of 'contract' sales The change will remove any vagueness in the ordinance. Trustee W~lks questioned whether any special steps needed to be taken to apply the ordinance to previous contract sales. Mr. Janon~ stated Staff would investigate but felt there would be no problems. Trustee Wllks asked if others are affected and have they been considered. Mr. Jepson mentions that a review of the records indicated only one sale met the contract sale criteria. Mr, Jepson continued by stating that when the deed is not recorded, we do not know about the sale. The suggested change in the ordinance no longer requires that tax stamps be purchased for both properties Now the ordinance will only 5 require that the first house be replaced within one year to quallfy for rebate Tr~tee Skowron questions the grammar In Section 12, Proposed Article 8, It is stated that a correction will be made Tr~tee Hoef~rt Indicated his support. It was asked of Mr. Albert Boldt, a resident who first suggested the change, how he was aware that he was entitled to a possible rebate. His reply was, "on the advice of counsel" ^t this point Mr. J~pson responded to questions from Board Members pertaining to the possibility that situations similar to Mr. Boldt's exist for numerous other residents 1~. Jep~on replied that there might be other situations but that he was not aware of them. Mayor Farley asked if there was Board support for the recommendation by the ^dminlstratlon for the ordinance Support was unanimous VII. VILlaGE NEWSI~ETTER FOR3~T Mayor Farley Introduced the discussion as a recommendation by Trustee Clowes to review our newsletter format. Mr. Janonis provided background information stating that Trustee Clowes had the possibility of re-formatting the newsletter In a way that appeared suggested to be more common and Mr. Janonis went on to describe the various examples provided in the Trustee's information packet. The information also included cost of our current newsletter and some of the options available. Trustee Clowes stated th(at in addition to a discussion of costs and alternatives he would also like to explore the feasibility of increasing the frequency of the newsletter from four (4). to six (6) times a year Lengthy discussion followed including comments from Mr. Robert T. Jenkins who has been the newsletter editor for the last thirteen (13) years and Village Clerk Carol A. Fields. During the discussion, items such as different type face, page size, paper type and foiu~at were reviewed Mr. Janonis summarized by stating that Staff would be able to handle going to six (6) issues logistically. He added that if we increase the number of issues and stay with the same fo~'mat, there would be a cost increase. However, if we went to the Des Plaines type format, there may not be a cost increase, and possibly a cost savings. Mayor Farley directed Staff to prepare an analysis of six {6) issues of a newsletter of the Des Plalnes type for Board review Trustee Corcoran added that he wanted the emphasis placed on recycled materials. 6 Trustee Wilks asked if the paper size of 8 1/2 x 14 be included in the analysis. Trustee Clowes expressed his concern that if we have information we want our residents to read, the newsletter must be attractive enough for them to open and read VIII. MANAGER'S REPORT The Village Manager had nothing to report IX. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Janonts brought up the issue of the letter style for the exterior signs for the Fire and Police Building Trustee Hoefert presented the options of Mount Prospect to be M and P in caps and the rest of the words in lower case and the words Police and Fire Departments all In caps. Trustee Hoefert stated that he supported all words in upper case and that it was more readable. Mayor Farley voiced his disagreement and stated his preference. All other Trustees voiced their support for the wording to be all in caps. Mr. Janonis finalized the discussion by stating that we are on target for substantial completion on or about June 7th. Trustee Hoefert inquired as to the status of scheduling tours of the Wall Street Building. Mr. Jano~ln responded that tours would be handled on an individual basis Trustee Wilks suggested that the Citizens Committee be invited to the re- burial of the Time Capsule. Trustee Wilks also asked the Village Manager to update residents on the work being done on the water tower Mr. JanontA explained that work has begun and the rods protruding from the tank will hold the shroud that will contain particles produced by sand blasting. It appears that the Village is looking at mid-July for completion Trtmtee Clowes voiced concerns raised on the parking issue with the Broadacre proposal and inquired as to the status of the project. Mr. Janonis stated that Staff would put together a packet of information for the Board and It would include an updated time-line on when we will bring this issue back to the Board level. Trustee Clowes also brought up the fact that he has read material that states 7 hat the Bartlett ball-fill may not be pem~tted and what possible responses that rnlght bring to the solid waste agency's actions wlth regard to the construction of two new transfer stations Trn~tee Coreoran stated there was a regular meeting scheduled for the next day and he was sure that issue would be on the Agenda X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9.53 Respectfully submitted, Edward M. Cavelio Fire Chief EMC/sp