HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2010 CWC minutesMINUTES
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010
Community Center
1S Floor Village Hall
Trustee Polit called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Trustee Hoefert and Trustee Matusak was also
present. Representing staff were Village Manager Janonis and Police Chief Dahlberg.
Residents in Attendance
Mal Holec
Louis Goodman
John Elenberger
Teri Markovits
Jan Kent
Jim Chylik
Max Romanowicz
Louis Bowers
Paula Matzek
Carol Tortorello
Thomas Tezky
David Schein
Phil & Diane Heinz
Robin Rose
Dorothy Nieydok
Quince
N. School
S. Redwood
Briarwood
Briarwood
Locust Street
Ardyce Lane
Boxwood
Fairmont
South Elmhurst Avenue
North School Street
Na -Wa -Ta Avenue
Ardyce Lane
N. William
Trustee Polit chaired the meeting until Mayor Wilks arrived at 9:30 a.m., as she was attending an earlier
event in town.
Mal Holec, Quince
Mr. Holec conveyed his appreciation to the Board for their efforts during these difficult times. Mr. Holec
also had questions regarding the increase in the property tax bills, which led to a general discussion
about the article on the front page of the Daily Herald explaining why the tax bills are higher. There was
also a lengthy discussion on property tax distribution, other taxing districts, the residential appeal process
and options available for tax relief. Mr. Janonis said, while the Village makes every effort to keep taxes
as low as possible, they have no control over what other taxing bodies /districts charge.
Louis Goodman, N. School
Mr. Goodman inquired about the following line items in the budget on pages 48 & 49: DUI Fine Funds
under Special Revenue and State Foreign Fire Tax, Chief Dahlberg responded to the DUI Fine Funds as
this is revenue received from DUI enforcement and state statutes determine how funds are used. Mr.
Janonis explained the State Foreign Fire Tax is a tax paid by out -of -state insurance companies and
distributed to the municipalities.
John Elenberger, S. Redwood
Mr. Elenberger had no issues to discuss, but did thank the Police Chief for the extra patrols in his area.
Teri Markovits, Briarwood
Jan Kent, Briarwwod
Ms. Markovits and Ms. Kent were here to thank the Board for their help in getting the sewer repair
process started in their neighborhood. They appreciate Village's time and efforts.
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Trustee Polit turned the meeting over to Mayor Wilks at 9:30 a.m. Mayor Wilks announced she had just
returned from a breakfast at Christian Life Church where Chief Dahlberg received the Community Hero
Award.
Jim Chylik, Locust Street
Mr. Chylik recently noticed the streetlights south of the train tracks along Main Street stay on longer than
other lights in the Village and wondered if this might be costing the Village more money. Mr. Janonis
stated there is no extra cost, as the Village pays a flat rate. There was also a brief discussion on the
difficulty to repair leaf collection machines.
Max Romanowicz, Ardyce Lane
Mr. Romanowicz is very concerned about how people on social security will live with the increasing
property taxes. There was a general discussion about social security and Village Manager Janonis
suggested looking into the available options for helping with property taxes such as, Senior Freeze
Exemption and the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. Mr. Romanowicz also asked about future revenue
from Randhurst. Mr. Janonis responded that the Village expects to receive around $1,000,000 in new
revenue based on the redeveloped Randhurst Village.
Louis Bowers, Boxwood
Mr. Bowers wanted to say he appreciated the help of the Police Department in the form of high visibility
patrols.
Paula Matzek, Fairmont
Ms. Matzek attended to ask if the Village had a comprehensive bike plan for recreational and commuters
and if not, she would like the Village to consider a bike commission or committee. Ms. Matzek would also
like to see the Village install bike racks and other attendees agreed. There was a general discussion on
what the Village is doing to protect and accommodate bike riders and pedestrians in the community.
Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Avenue
Carol Tortorello had nothing to discuss.
Dorothy Nieydok
Ms. Nieydok had nothing to discuss.
Thomas Tezky, North School Street
Mr. Tezky just attended to see what was going on.
Village Manager Michael Janonis left the meeting.
David Schein, Na -Wa -Ta
Mr. Schein feels the Village is doing a tremendous job. The only question he had was regarding
telecommunications and the possibility of blocking signals to a building. Trustee Hoefert said the only
signal they cannot restrict is a satellite dish.
Robin Rose N. William
Ms. Rose is an advocate against domestic violence and attended to ask Coffee With Council if it is
possible to form a committee to work with domestic violence survivors. If the Village does not have a
committee, what organization is available for her to contact. Ms. Rose did acknowledge Officer Kerrigan
of the Police Department was very helpful to her. Chief Dahlberg assured Ms. Rose that the Police
Department does everything possible to help prevent domestic violence. He sits on the board for
Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence, Deputy Chief Janowick participates in the Third
District Court Domestic Violence Committee and the department trains extensively on domestic violence
directives and requires a supervisor to respond to every reported domestic violence incident. Chief
Dahlberg will contact her with further information and Mayor Wilks said she will also follow -up with Human
Services.
Ms. Rose is concerned with the removal of the turn restriction signs from the corner of Rand Road and
Louis Street, as her parents' driveway is located close to this corner making it very difficult to back out of
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the drive. She is requesting the Village revisit the turn restriction sign issue and consider changing it to
the way it was. Chief Dahlberg advised he would look into this issue.
Police Chief Dahlberg left the meeting.
Phil & Diane Heinz, Ardyce Lane
Phil and Diane Heinz attended Coffee With Council to discuss the ordinance against cars blocking
sidewalks on driveways. When homes were built in their area, they did not consider growing families.
This is becoming a problem in their neighborhood, as Centennial Healthcare parks their cars on the
street, which leaves little or no available parking for their guests. Between the overnight parking and the
sidewalk ordinance, it will be difficult to accommodate their guests during the holidays. There was a
general discussion on the ordinance and parking issues. Mayor Wilks suggested having Jan Abernathy
of Human Services contact Centennial to discuss a parking solution.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John K. Dahlberg
Chief of Police
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