HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/09/2002 CWC minutes MAYOR
Gerald l~ Farley
TRUSTEES
Timothy J, Corcoran
Paul Wm. H~'fcrt
Richard M. Lohrs~rfer
Miehael~ W. Skowmn
lrvana IC Wilks
Michael A. Zad¢l
Village of Mount Prospect
Community Development Department
100 South Emerson Street Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
VILLAGE MANAGER
Michael E. Janonis
VILLAGE CLERK
Velma W. Lowe
Phone: 847/818-532S
Fax: 847/818-5329
TDD: 847/392-6064
MINUTES
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
'SatUrday, February 9, 2002 ? 9:00 a.m.
2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall
The meeting was convened at 9:00 a.m. Those present were Trustees Paul Hoefert, Rick
Lohrstorfer, and Michael Zadel. Representing staff was Village Manager Michael Janonis and
Community Development Director William Cooney.
Residents in Attendance:
Merrill & Marie Cotten
Joanne Engstrom
Inette & Bill Godman
Liz Krinsky
Rodger Kruse
Ramon Rubio
David Schein
Carol TortoreHo
2710 S. Briarwood Dr. W.
110 N. Kenilworth Ave.
603 Hackberry Ln.
1320 S. Elmhurst, #202
515 S. Louis St.
412 N. Elmhurst Ave.
512 S. Nawata
223 S. Elmhurst Ave.
Rodger Kruse, 515 S. Louis St: Mr. Kruse stated he is a long-time resident and had a few issues
he would like to discuss. He said his primary ioterest related to the Timberlane Apartment
complex along Prospect Avenue. He stated that several of their tenants parked on the north side
of Prospect Avenue during the evening and Several of these individuals are littering in this
locatiOn. He also indicated several of these vehicles do not have Village vehicle stickers and
questioned how the Village enforces that. Mr. Janonis indicated the Police Department does
enforce the requirement for vehicle stickers on cars and, if appropriate, they would ticket these
individuals. Mr. Kruse also indicated, at the same complex along the William Street frontage, a
downspout is creating an erosion problem along the public sidewalk. He indicated that the
downspout on the westernmost building empties onto the public sidewalk creating problems with
dirt and icing in the winter. He indicated that the owner of this complex is also pretty slow in
removing leaves in the fall, usually waiting until after the final pick-up to push his leaves onto the
street. Mr. Cooney indicated that staff would contact the owner of the property to discuss some
of the concerns raised by Mr. Kruse. Mr. Kruse also indicated that the seasonal employees hired
by the Public Works Department did not apply the wood chips along the Prospect Avenue
frontage in a very workmanlike manner. He questioned their methods of applying the chips and
thought it was appropriate for the Village to investigate how this was done.
Carol Tortorello, 223 S. Elmhurst Ave.: Ms. Tortorello asked if the Village had ever
approached the owner of the office building across Maple Street from the Police and Fire Building
regarding the ability for individuals to park in that parking lot. Mr. Janonis indicated that staff had
disdussions with the owner of this property but they were unable to come to an agreement on an
arrangement. The Village had offered to snowplow the parking lot in exchange for the use of
several parking spaces. However the owner of the parking lot did not want to lose the parking
Coffee With Council
February 9, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 2
since it may hinder the ability to lease office space. Ms. Tortorello then asked about the small
triangular median that is located at the intersection of Evergreen and Route 83. She indicated that,
as part of a recent Route 83 reconfiguration, that this island had been enlarged and, therefore,
provided a narrow entraneeway onto Evergreen Avenue. Staff indicated they would investigate
this situation and determine if indeed this area was too narrow. Ms. Tortorello then indicated that
the Norwood Builders sign at the southwest corner of Rte. 83 and Central appeared to be in the
sight triangle. Mr. Cooney said he was already working with Norwood on a variety of sign related
issues and that he would ensure that this sign was moved.
Joanne Engstrom, I10 N. Kenilworth Avenue: Ms. Engstrom indicated she attended the
meeting because she felt her neighbor may be in attendance fo discuss their sha~:'~riveway
situation. There was general discussion regarding the ongoing dispute between the two neighbors.
Liz Krinsl~, 1320 S. EImhurst, #202: Ms. Krinsky indicated she was a relatively new resident
and was attending the meeting out of curiosity to see what occurred at these meetings. She stated
she lived in Huntington Commons Apartment complex and she enjoyed living in Mount Prospect.
David Schein, 518 South Nawata: Mr. Sehein stated that on his way to this meeting he noticed
there were several "Ultra Nail" signs posted along the right-of-way. Mr. Cooney said he would
have staff investigate and take down the signs. There was general discussion regarding the
proliferation of signs in the right-of-way and the difficulty the Village has in enforcing these
regulations. Mr. Cooney indicated that the Environmental Health Division pulls down hundreds of
these signs each month and that. it is very difficult to fine these individuals for these violations.
Mr. Sehein indicated he was representing the Youth Commission to extend a formal invitation to
Dave Strahl to attend their next meeting. Mr. Janonis stated that Mr. Strahl anticipated attending
the February 25 meeting of the Youth Commission. Mr. Schein then indicated that the work that
the Village was doing on Weller Creek was having a negative effect on the Park District. He
indicated that by shoring up the creek bed it was enhancing the erosion .taking place upstream from
that area. He felt the creek along Park District property would further erode due to these
modifications done by the Village. Mr. Sehein then indicated he recently attended a high school
bowling event at the Brunswick Zone and thought it would be appropriate venue for Channel 17 to
video. There was discussion regarding the amount of events that Channel f7 currently videotapes
and the merits of taping such events.
Merrill Cotten, 2710 S. Briarwood Dr. W., Arlington Hts.: Mr. Cotten indicated he recently
received some literature from the Library outlining the pros and cons of their upcoming'
referendum. He asked if the Village had put together such a document. Mr. Janonis indicated that
it was rather preliminary for that but when the Village had more exact information that we
certainly would be providing such information. Mr. Cotten said that he felt that it would be a
mistake for the Village to sell the existing Village Hall site at such time that the new Village Hall
is built. He felt that once something was built on the property we would lose our opportunity to
provide additional parking or other improvements that would benefit the Village.
Bill and Inette Godman, 603 Hackberry Lane: The Godmans stated they were currently having
an issue with their neighbors regarding tbelr barking dogs. Their neighbors have several dogs at
their home and they bark througbout the day and into the evening. They asked wbat their options
offee With Council
February 9, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 3
were in regards to addressing this problem. Mr. Janonis indicated that the best way to handle this
is to call the Police Department when this happens so that records can be maintained regarding the
problem. Mr. Janonis acknowledged that this is a difficult issue to resolve, especially ifa neighbor
does not want to be cooperative. However, the Godmans should call the Police Department if the
problem persists. Mr. Godman asked if the Citizen's Utilities had recently been sold, indicating he
had received a letter from a new utility company that was billing them for water. Mr. Janonis
indicated that Citizen's Utilities had recently been sold. Mr. Godman inquired whether the Village
had considered purchasing the utility itself. Mr. Janonis informed him that the Village had
reviewed this but that the cost would be excessive to the affected residents. He stated that it would
take nearly thirty years~.to payoff the bonds necessary to pumhase the utility and a special service
district would have had to have been created to effect this. He indicated that since Citizen's Utility
began providing Lake Michigan water that the.desire of residents in the area to pursue this had
diminished significantly.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~l~iam J.~C~;ney, Jr., [~I~e
Director of Community Development