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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. Coffee with Council Mintues 11/12/2011MINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011 Community Center 1 st Floor Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:03 a.m. with Mayor Wilks, Trustee Polit, Trustee Juracek and Trustee Hoefert present. Assistant Village Manager Strahl and Police Chief Dahlberg represented staff. Residents in Attendance Sue & John Elenberger Jim Chylik Mal Holec Thomas Tezky Barbara VanArsdale Jan Kent Louis Bowers Ron Bare Carol Tortorello Elaine Nekritz Larry Maurer Tom Manion S. Redwood Dr. Locust Street Quince Lane North School Street Can -Dota Avenue Briarwood Boxwood Drive Thornwood S. Elmhurst Avenue State Representative 57 District Hi Lusi S. Edward St. Sue and John Elenberger, S. Redwood Drive Mr. & Mrs. Elenberger attended to discuss their concern regarding a landscaping company dumping grass and leaves on the street near the corner of Cottonwood and Redwood. Since it is a private landscaping company, they feel the landscaper should be hauling the lawn waste away. They did contact Public Works who told them to call the Police Department and Community Service Officer Huizar responded. Mr. Elenberger added the Community Service Officer was a nice guy and said he would make contact with the offending landscaping service. Chief Dahlberg said he was not aware of this particular situation, but would check further with the Community Service Officer. Mr. Elenberger also asked the Chief why they transferred him to emergency services when he contacted the non - emergency number. Chief Dahlberg responded that the police desk does not dispatch officers to locations, as Northwest Central Dispatch Services (NWCDS) tracks the calls for service and dispatches the appropriate officers to the location. Mr. Elenberger also inquired when branch pickup ends and the Mayor informed him it was the second week of December. There was also a discussion on properties having fence heights more than five (5) feet. Assistant Village Manager Strahl said the property owner must meet all the requirements through the permit process, but might obtain a variance for a fence height exceeding five (5) feet depending on individual circumstances. Mr. & Mrs. Elenberger's last question was if anyone knew the name of the trees on the south side of Cottonwood near Redwood. Assistant Village Manager Strahl advised them to contact Village Forestry Superintendent Sandy Clark in Public works. Jim Chylik, Locust Street Mr. Chylik had nothing to discuss. Mal Holec, Quince Lane Mr. Holec commented on how Randhurst is looking very prosperous with Carson's and the openings of Billy Goat Tavern and TJ Maxx. One of his concerns is the lighting along Main Street itself at night is very dark. After a brief discussion, Trustee Polit explained his understanding was that once more businesses fill the now vacant store spaces lighting will improve because of increased ambient lighting from the new uses. Mr. Holec also commented that traffic was getting noticeably better, but still needs improvement. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 1 of 3 11/12/11 Mayor Wilks responded she believes it is ongoing hotel construction interfering with traffic on Main Street that is the one remaining bottleneck. Thomas kv, North School Street Mr. Tezky informed everyone he turned over pictures to the Mount Prospect Public Library from the original construction of the library. He is also interested in making a video about putting a puzzle together and he is looking for help and /or suggestions. Barbara VanArsdale, Can-Dota Barbara VanArsdale had nothing to discuss. Jan Kent,.Briarwood Ms. Kent asked if there are plans to reinstall the fence they removed in conjunction with the sewer rehabilitation work on Basin 37 on Briarwood after the work is completed. Assistant Village Manager Strahl said he was not sure if they could put it back exactly the way it was, but he would check into it for her. Ms. Kent asked for an update on the Lynn Court annexation. Assistant Village Manager Strahl responded that while the Village intends to pursue annexation there is still a snag in the process because some of the land the Village needs to annex to surround the subject property belongs to the Illinois Toll Highway Authority. The Toll Authority is uncertain how future expansion of the Jane Addams Expressway will be impacted by any annexation agreement and they are in a holding pattern on permitting annexation of their property at this time. Louis Bowers, Boxwood Mr. Bowers asked if there were any plans to landscape adjacent to the Randhurst side of the fence on Boxwood that backs up to Randhurst before winter. Assistant Village Manager Strahl will check into this. As of the date of these n lrautes, 11/1 8/11, the Boxwood fence area adjacerit to Randhurst has been llag °tdscap ed and sodded wNch should tale rare of the ran d issue lure this area. Ron Bare, Thornwood Mr. Bare attended to discuss the Emerald Ash Borer problem in the Mount Shire area on the far south end of Mount Prospect. He suggested the Village Board immediately plan to undertake a treatment program to save more trees by treating them earlier. There was a lengthy discussion and Mayor Wilks said the additional funds have been committed to this treatment and the Village is doing everything they can to help. Trustee Juracek suggested asking Sandy Clark to do an updated report on the program, especially in the neighborhoods more highly infested and losing trees. Mr. Bare suggested Mount Prospect do what Arlington Heights is doing by putting a moratorium on cutting more trees until spring and Trustee Polit said he is concerned that leaving a tree will allow insects from that tree to infest more trees. There was a discussion about treating trees once they are infected. Assistant Village Manager Strahl said it could only be done on trees minimally infected. Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Avenue Carol Tortorello asked if door flyers could be banned. Assistant Village Manager Strahl advised there is no ban on such flyers due to Freedom of Speech issues and Mayor Wilks confirmed. Chief Dahlberg advised the only ban on the distribution of flyers /handbills is in municipal parking lots. Representative Elaine Nekritz Representative Nekritz attended the meeting to listen and provided some general comments on recent legislation, which led to a discussion on the ComEd bill and "Smart Grid." The Mayor asked Trustee Juracek to give a brief explanation on the "Smart Grid." Jan Kent asked if there was a more efficient way to communicate with ComEd regarding damage to her fence caused by a downed wire during the last storm. Assistant Village Manager Strahl offered some suggestions and to assist Ms. Kent if so desired. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 2 of 3 11/12/11 Larry Maurer, Hi Lusi Mr. Maurer's concern was with water rate increases from Chicago water for what he understands will help pay to upgrade Chicago sewers. Assistant Village Manager Strahl said we improve our systems and they unfortunately neglected their system so these increases will help pay for some of the Chicago upgrades. Tom Manion, Edward St. Mr. Manion attended to see what is going on. He thanked Chief Dahlberg for his help with Council Trail with the overnight parking situation and complimented the Mayor for the efficient way Mount Prospect operates as a community. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, John D CH , CHO o f. Police f Polic \ Coffee with Council Minutes Page 3 of 3 11/12/11