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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2012 CWC MinutesMINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 Community Center 1 st Floor Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:07 a.m. with Mayor Wilks, Trustee Polit and Trustee Matuszak present. Village Manager Janonis, Police Chief Dahlberg and Deputy Police Chief Semkiu represented staff. Residents in Attendance John Elenberger Teri Markovits Don Burger Mike Rizzo Louis Bowers Jack Napoli Carol Tortorello Alex Matuszak David Schein Don Johnson Jan Kent Tom Tezky S. Redwood Drive Briarwood Drive Bob -o -link Lane S. Crestwood Lane Boxwood Drive N. Peachtree Lane S. Elmhurst Avenue S. Golfview Place Na -Wa -Ta Avenue S. Owen Street Briarwood Drive N. School Street Elenberger, S. Redwood Drive Mr. Elenberger had no issues to discuss. Mr. Elenberger complimented Public Works for their expeditious response to and the repair of a public sidewalk trip hazard near his home. Teri Markovits, Briarwood Drive Ms. Markovits inquired about recent gang activity in the area. Chief Dahlberg responded the police department is maintaining a strong presence in the area and the Special Investigations /Gang Intelligence Unit remains very active. Mr. Janonis said the Village acknowledges the issue and has committed resources and partnered with other area departments to monitor gangs and prevent gang crimes. Ms. Markovits commented the police department is doing a good job. Don Burger, Bob O Link Lane Mr. Burger attended to discuss the noise coming from Auto Barn, which is an ongoing issue and is become increasingly louder with the nicer weather. Mr. Janonis said he would set up a meeting with Auto Barn to discuss this issue. Mr. Burger also inquired about when the culverts were scheduled to be done in the Prospect Meadows area. He would like to have his driveway done, but the contractor advised him it could crack if done prior to the completion of the culverts. Mr. Janonis will check with staff on the scheduling. Mike Rizzo, Crestwood Lane Mr. Rizzo attended this morning to discuss the flooding in the field behind his home during heavy rain storms. Mr. Rizzo realizes the flooding issue involving his home this past July was caused by overland flooding, but he expressed interest in the flood study report findings for his area. Mayor Wilks said the Village is in the first stages of the study and everyone will need to work together to resolve this issue. Mr. Janonis said this issue cannot be resolved right away, but Mr. Rizzo's property is in the report. He also stated the Village Board discussed the report at the meeting last Tuesday and more meetings will be scheduled, as the Board will need to review, prioritize and discuss how mitigation efforts will be funded. Mr. Rizzo also asked if the signs at the pedestrian crossing on East Prospect Avenue west of Maple Coffee with Council Minutes Page 1 of 3 04/14/2012 Street, "Stop for Pedestrians," will be put up again and Chief Dahlberg confirmed it would. The signs are removed in the fall as they cannot be left in the roadway during the winter because they impede snow removal efforts. Louis Bowers, Boxwood Drive Mr. Bowers had a question regarding the metal strips on the stairs of all public buildings. He noticed a metal strip on the landing of the main stairwell at the Village Hall and questioned why it was there since it is not a stair but a landing. Mayor Wilks replied that she too has mistaken the landing for a stair and stepped down hard as a result. Jack Napoli, N. Peachtree Mr. Napoli attended to discuss his problems obtaining a permit for constructing a fence on his property. He has submitted all of the paperwork, but according to zoning codes because his house is perpendicular to the next house he cannot go up to the sidewalk with the fence. Mr. Napoli has taken pictures of other homes with corner fences such as the one he wants to construct. Mr. Janonis is familiar with the area and understands the zoning codes for fences on corner properties. Mr. Janonis stated many of the fences were built prior to the area being annexed into Mount Prospect from unincorporated Cook County in the early 1970's; therefore, they are considered existing non - conforming fences and if the homeowners were to replace their fences now, the current code would be enforced. It was suggested Mr. Rizzo could submit a variance request. Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Avenue Carol Tortorello asked about the front page article from the Daily Herald regarding fire departments sharing resources. Deputy Chief Semkiu explained through radios there is communication between Northwest Central Dispatch Services, other towns and between Mount Prospect Police, Fire and Public Works. Mr. Janonis mentioned Mount Prospect is a charter member of Northwest Central Dispatch Service (NWCDS), the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) and the Illinois Emergency Alarm System (ILEAS). These affiliations result in the sharing of resources on a regular basis and prove very cost effective. Trustee Polit said other states moved to regional, but you lose local control over police and fire. Mr. Janonis stated moving to regionalization can prove more cost effective, but choices over relinquishing a certain amount of control make the process highly political. Trustee Matuszak stated sharing of resources is done more in the smaller communities. Alex Matuszak, S. Golfview Mayor Wilks introduced Trustee Matuszak's son, Alex, and congratulated him on his Lincoln Junior High School Basketball Team's recent State Championship. David Shein, Na -Wa -Ta Avenue Mr. Shein complimented Sean Dorsey, Director of Public Works, on the outstanding e-mail response he received from Mr. Dorsey regarding his questions /comments on the flood study. Mr. Shein stated that flood mitigation efforts cannot be the sole responsibility of the Village and flood victims need to do more to help themselves. Mr. Janonis added that even with the recommended improvements you cannot guarantee homes won't flood. Mr. Shein also shared with the group that he wrote to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) asking them to show the lowest elevation point on the State of Illinois map since it shows the highest elevation point, and he was happy to report this information is now included on State maps. Don Johnson, S. Owen Street Mr. Johnson inquired about the portable fence blocking sidewalk areas to the crosswalk on Busse Avenue by the Blues Bar in front of the outside patio area. Mr. Johnson also commented on patrons of the Blues Bar smoking on the public sidewalk area within 15 feet of the front entrance to the Blues Bar. Mr. Janonis responded he will have staff check into it. Jan Kent, Briarwood Drive Ms. Kent inquired about homeowners having a right to know what is going on in their neighborhood with respect to police and fire service activity, and Mr. Janonis responded that there are privacy issues. Chief Dahlberg added if it is necessary for the public to know, bulletins are issued to the media. Ms. Kent also Coffee with Council Minutes Page 2 of 3 04/14/2012 inquired as to whether businesses having two front doors need to keep both doors open and Mr. Janonis replied as long as there is a front and back door open it is not necessarily required. The easement east of Briarwood belonging to Commonwealth Edison was trimmed and Commonwealth Edison had the brush removed, but Nicor trimmed in that area and the brush has yet to be picked up. Mr. Janonis indicated staff will check into it. Carol Tortorello recognized Chief John Dahlberg's retirement with a plant to thank him for his service to the Village. With no further business, Mayor Wilks adjourned the meeting at 10:26 a.m. Respectfully submitted, John K. Dahlberg Chief of Police Coffee with Council Minutes Page 3 of 3 04/14/2012