HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/08/2011 CWC MinutesMAYOR
m utit PrAoNspect VILLAGE MANAGER
lrvana K. Wilks
Michael E. Janonis
TRUSTEES
VILLAGE CLERK
Paul Win. l loefert
M. Lisa Angell
Arlene A. Juracek
Ardvee Lane
A. John Korn
Phone: 847/392 -6000
John J. Matuszak
Fax: 847 /392 -6022
Steven S. Polit
TDD: 847 /392 -6064
Michael A. Ladel
wuno.rrroun fl) roSneck.ore
Village of Mount Prospect
50 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056
MINUTES
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Community Center, Village Hall
The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. Village Board members present Nvere Mayor Irvana Willcs, Trustee
Paul Hoefert, Trustee Arlene Juracek, and Trustee John Matuszak. Representing Staff Nvas Assistant
Village Manager Dave Strahl and Community Development Director Bill Cooney.
Residents in Attendance
John Ellenberger
Redwood Drive
Jim Chvlik
Locust Lane
Jan Kent
Brianvood Drive
Mel Holec
Quince Lane
Max Romanowicz
Ardvee Lane
Carol Tortorello
Elmhurst Avenue
Steve and Barbara Van Arsdale
Can Dota Avenue
Thomas Tezkv
School Street
David Schein
Na -Wa -Ta Avenue
Brian Lechner
Kingston Court
Mayor Willcs opened the meeting Nvith general remarks, introduced the Trustees in attendance and then
moved to the resident portion of the meeting.
John Ellenberger, Redwood Drive — Mr. Ellenberger indicated that he is attending the meeting to thank
the Fire Department for their service on a recent ambulance call to his home. He stated that the Fire
Department Nvas very professional and assisted him through his situation. Mr. Ellenberger displayed
Sunday's Chicago Tribune headline that indicated the State of Illinois Nvas going to raise income taxes by
75 %. He stated what he appreciates the quality of Mount Prospect Elected Officials and Staff and their
ability to hold the budget Nvith a 0% tax increase. He feels very fortunate to live in such a community.
He understood the several staff cuts that Nvere required to make the 0% increase Nvork, but knows
decisions Nvere in good hands Nvith the Village Board.
Jim Chylik, Locust Lane — Mr. Chylik said he Nvas attending to listen what others had to say, but also
Nvanted to thank the Public Works Department for their efforts in snow ploNving throughout the
community. He indicated that when he talks to people who live in adjoining toN -,ns, they ahva -,Ts comment
on the high quality snow ploNving provided by the Village of Mount Prospect.
Jan Kent, Briarwood Drive — Ms. Kent stated that she recently noticed markings in the street from
utility companies related to the upcoming sewer Nvork to be done in the neighborhood. She Nvas thankful
Coffee Nvith Council Minutes Page 1 of 3
January 8, 2011
for the Village Board's follow- through on this issue and Nvas happy that the project Nvas funded even in
tight budgetary times. She said that she and her neighbors look fonvard to the project being completed
and the basement flooding issue going away. She then stated that she recently attended a Chat Nvith Chief
Dahlberg. One of the issues that came up Nvas some strange activities in the toN -,nhome development
immediately south of Brianvood Subdivision. She stated that are approximately 20 toN -,nhomes in this
location; some are in the Village while others are in Unincorporated Cook County. She inquired Nvhether
the Village could annex the remainder of the units so the Village's Police Department could enforce laws
in this location. Mr. Cooney stated that one of the upcoming issues for the Committee of the Whole in
2011 Nvould be annexation opportunities and that this could be one of the locations that Staff could
provide an overview on. Ms. Kent also questioned Nvhether ComEd Nvas required to provide fencing
along the property line between their right -of -N ay Nvith the high -lined N ires and to the residential
neighborhood to the Nvest. There Nvas general discussion and Ms. Kent Nvas advised that ComEd Nvas not
required to provide fencing, but that the residents could apply for fence permits along their rear property
lines adjacent to that right- of -Nvay.
Mel Holec, Quince Lane — Mr. Holec provided a story about a neighboring house that has been vacant
for some time that Nvas recently under contract for purchase. He said that he recently Nvalked out and saw
Nvater running out of the home and contacted Illinois American Water to come out and shut the Nvater off.
He said that Illinois American Water said they Nvould be out Nvithin 5 hours. Mr. Holec called the Fire
Department about the same issue. He said the Fire Department Nvas out Nvithin a few minutes and Nvas
able to shut the Nvater doN -,n and minimize Nvhat Nvould have been even more significant damage. He
asked about a status of the Ye Olde ToN -,n Inn Litigation. He Nvas advised that it Nvas basically status quo
and that the judge needs to make a determination on some outstanding motions. He stated he thought that
the new roundabouts at the Randhurst Village redevelopment project needed improved signage. He has
seen several people having problems navigating through the roundabout. There Nvas general discussion
regarding the roundabout and affirmation that there Nvould be improved signage once the project neared
occupancy.
Max Romanowicz, Ardyce Lane — Mr. Romanowicz stated he Nvanted to also acknoNvledge the fine
Nvork by Public Works snow ploNving throughout tovm. He said that he Nvas very pleased Nvith the Nvork.
Carol Tortorello, Elmhurst Avenue — Ms. Tortorello distributed an article about street deicing and the
use of beet juice. She Nvanted to know if the Village utilized this and Nvas advised that the Village did.
She then indicated that she Nvas recently at the intersection of Route 83 and NorthNvest Highway heading
north on 83 and that an emergency vehicle approached the intersection and that the opticom did not Nvork.
Mr. Cooney stated that he Nvould advise the Police and Fire Departments of that. Ms. Tortorello provided
a story of a few blood drive veterans and their loyalty to the program.
Steve and Barbara Van Arsdale, Can Dota Avenue — Mr.Van Arsdale indicated that they Nvere
Nvorking Nvith Crime Stoppers International to bring their program to Mount Prospect. He stated that they
are very close to initiating the program and they are having a fundraiser on January 23 at the Brunswick
Zone from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money to help initiate that program. There Nvas general discussion
about the value of the program and overall support of the program.
Thomas Tezky, School Street — Mr. Tezky stated he Nvas just attending to observe and listen to
comments.
David Schein, Na Wa Ta Avenue — Mr. Schein stated that he recently attended a Fish Fry /Mexican
Buffet at the Mount Prospect Golf Course and Nvas pleasantly surprised by the overall quality and
attendance at the event. He recommended it to all at the meeting. He then raised an issue Nvith the Youth
Commission regarding creating a Facebook page. The Mayor indicated strong objection to this Nvith
Coffee Nvith Council Minutes Page 2 of 3
January 8, 2011
concerns involving privacy for Facebook members. Mr. Strahl stated he already had this discussion Nvith
the Village Attorney and they Nvould review the matter Nvith the Village Board as it is appropriate. Mr.
Schein then indicated that Nvith the recent discussion on feral cats that he thought it Nvould be appropriate
for the Village to initiate a licensing program for both cats and dogs. He thought that this Nvould create a
revenue opportunity for the Village in a time when revenues are doN -,n. There Nvas general discussion that
this Nvould not be a revenue producer since it Nvould generate a significant amount of Staff time to process
the licenses and to implement the program overall.
Brian Lechner, Kingston Court — Mr. Lechner stated that he is the oN -,ner of Lechner and Sons which is
located Nvithin the Kensington Business Center. He said he Nvas attending to listen to what issues where
current in the Village and to find out more about Mount Prospect. He stated that he has been in the
business park for several Nears and appreciates the Nvork of the Community Development Department
N-, they Nvere revieNving sites and ultimately chose Mount Prospect for their current location. He said
his Nvife Nvorks at Metrodoes which is also located Nvithin Kensington Business Center and they Nvere both
pleased Nvith the business environment in the Kensington Business Center and the Village in general.
The meeting Nvas adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Coonev
Director of Community Development
Coffee Nvith Council Minutes Page 3 of 3
January 8, 2011