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Home My WebLink About3. CWC Minutes 03/10/2012fl VILLAGE OFMOUNT P'ROiSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL Siat�uirday, M�archi 10, 20121 9:010 - ffersoT Street The meeting convened at 9:010 a.m. Those present were Mayor Irvana Wilks, Trustee Steve P and Trustee Paul Hoefert, Representing Village staff were Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl and Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey. Residents in Attendance John Ellenberger Redwood Drive Barbara Van Arsd e Can Dota Avenue Walter Szymczak Eastwood Avenue Ken Koeppen Linneman Road Loluisi Goodman School Street Jerry BoUt School Street Carol Tortoirelto Elmhurst Avenue Romaine Campiise Briarwood Drive Wes) Jan Kent Briarwood Drive Wesi Louis, Bowers Boxwood Drive Michael Mazek I ndigol Drive Biar•ara Kulp Bonlita Avenue Gerald Farley Emerson Street Tom Man�ioln Edward Street David Schein Na Wa Ta Avenue Mayor Wilks described her recent visit to Springfield, Illinois to testify before the Illinois state legislature on pending prevailing wage tegistation andl various other municipal issues. John Elenblergier asked for clarification of the prevailing wage requirement as it affects tree care work, Mr. Strahl explained that much of the Vintagel`s work is performed contractually. Historicaily, tree care contractors have not been required to pay prevaifingi wages. However, the Iffinois Department of Labor recently oiplined that prevailing wages shoulld be required for most tree care work. This new requirement couO potentially d the Villagie"s tree care costs. Barbara Van Ars,dlale had no issues to discuss. Walter Syrnczalk had no issues to discuss. Ken Koeppen noted a recent newspaper article in which the City of Dies Plaines announced its intention to expend funds, to research a new source for Lake Michigan water. Des Plaines currently purchases water directly from the City of Chicago. Chicago recently announced rate increases, that wild essentially double the cost of water over the next few years, Mr. Strahll responded that questions regarding Dies Plaines" actions would blest be answered by the City of Des Plaines. Mr, Strahl also noted that the Village, through its membership with the Northwest Suburban Mluniicipal Joint Action Water Agency (NWMSJAWA), is, atso investigating similar options. NW SMJIAWA also purchases water from the City of Chicago and is subjject to the same rate hikes. General discussion ensued concerning the viability of various options. Barbara Kuilp inquired about the availability of rain barrels, for homeowners. Mayor Wilks responded that rain barrels can be procured through the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Information regarding rain barrels is available through their website (miwrdgc,org). Louis Gioodlman stated that he recently observed two (2) individuals in a Village vehicle patronizing a giroicery store during working hours. He intimated that he found this behavior objectionabie and inquired whether it is sanctioned by the Village, Mr. Strahl responded that the incident Mr. Goodman observed had been investigated, No viiolations, of Village policies were discovered. Mr. Strahl also commented that Village employees have a wide range of workingi hours and it is feasible that the employees Mr. Goodman observed could have been on an authorized lunch break. Mr. Strahl explained that the Village encourages many employees to take their breaks "in the field". This, practice is often far more efficient that requiring employees to return to their base of operations, and utillize their private vehicles for lunch breaks. Additionally, Mr. Strahl noted that Village employees could also have legitimate business reasons for visiting a grocery store, or other businesses, during work hours, Mr. Strahl encouraged Mr. Goodman to contact him if he observes similar circumstances outside the hours of 11 AM to 11 PM. Mr. Strahl also asked Mr. Goodman to contact him if he observes Village - ownedl vehicles in locations well beyond Village limits during the workday. Dave Schein identified himself as a federal government emiplloyee. He explained that federal government guidelines permit the 'Judicious" use of government resources for private business. As examples,, he cited the limited use of an office fax machine or the use of a government vehicle on a meat break. Mir. Goodman also noted snowplows had inflicted a considerable amount of damage to parkway turf throughout the Village. Mr. Dorsey responded that one of the worst areas was a consequence of continuing performance problems, with a contracted snowplowing service. Mr. Dorsey also explained that recent employee turnover and staff redluctionis had resulted in the utilization of a higher than normal number of inexperienced drivers and temporary hourly drivers. In fact, during the plowable storms, more than 501% of the drivers were hourly workers or public works office personnel, Mr. Dorsey noted plow damage is encountered every winter but this year's experience is worse than expected. He aillso explained that public works will begiin repairing damaged parkway turf by the end of March. Jerry Boldt commented that he recently noted Mount Prospect Park District employees had stopped utillizing park district resources on private property. Previously, he had observed park district employees, utilizing park district gasoline to fuel a privately - owned lawn miower. Carol' Tortorello had no issues to discuss. Romaine Campise thanked public works, engineers Jeff Wulbecker and Chuck Lindelof for their recent effort to explain a sedimentation problem impacting Lake Briarwood. Jan Kent inquired about the purpose for the "hearing"' sign recently placed in front 30017 Lynn Court. Mr, Strah] stated that he would look into the matter and advise her of his findings. Page 2 of 3 Louis Bowers inquired when Randhurst Village wound re- establish the pedestrian access from Boxwood that had been obscured by the recently installed fence on the shopping center's eastern perimeter. Mr. Strahl responded that Ranidhurst Village officials, have stated their intent to correct the problem this spring. Michael M�azek had no issues to discuss. Gerald Farley stated he had attended to inquire about the snowptow damage in his neighborhood. Tom Manion had no issues to discuss. Dave Schein inquired about the status of the anti-icingi experiment conducted by the public works department this past winter. Mr. Dorsey exptained that the lack of snow had resulted in an insufficient samipte upon which to draw meaningful conclusions. He noted that the experiment wifl likety continue next w Mr. Dorsey also commented that initial results, revealed some significant limitations, Mr. Schein also related a recent experience which he had to follower up several times with the Villagie's contract plumber to resolve a plumbing question and a potential permit issue. Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 am. Respectfully Suibm Sean P. Dorsey Page 3 of 3