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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/11/2012 CWC MinutesMINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL Saturday, August 11, 2012 9:00 A.M. Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. Present were Mayor Irvana Wilks and Trustee Paul Hoefert. Trustee Stephen Polit arrived at 9:15 AM. Representing Village staff were Village Manager Michael Janonis and Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey. Residents in Attendance Walter Szymczak Louis Goodman Jerry Boldt John Elenberger Jim Chylik Thomas Tezky Mal Holec Tom Manion Jan Kent Steve Van Arsdale Barbara Van Arsdale Dave Schein Clyde Randmark Dee Randmark Carol Tortorello Joan Golisch Marlene Peterson Mike Garofalo Linda Hoefert Eastwood Avenue School Street School Street Redwood Drive Locust Street School Street Quince Lane Edward Street Briarwood Drive West Can Dota Avenue Can Dota Avenue Na Wa Ta Avenue Persimmon Lane Persimmon Lane Elmhurst Avenue Maple Street Maple Street Berkshire Lane Evergreen Avenue Walter Szymczak stated that he had no issues to discuss. Louis Goodman inquired why the Village Board won't consider gambling revenue to help ease the tax burden. He commented that the additional revenue could help offset extraordinary expenditures like the legal fees incurred advocating the recent ferial cat issue. Trustee Hoefert explained that he, and other Village Board members, discussed the matter extensively and concluded that gambling was not an appropriate source of funding for Village operations and improvements. He noted that the Village Board recently declined to authorize gambling machines and explained that the Village never had an opportunity to consider revenue sharing from the Des Plaines casino. Mayor Wilks explained the importance of controlling the feral cat population. Trustee Polit observed that east coast communities have a much more conspicuous and expensive ferule cat control problem. He opined that a similar situation could occur here if effective controls are not introduced. He also cited studies which suggest that legal gambling operations tend to take more revenue out of local economies than they contribute. Jerry Boldt stated that his property tax bill had increased significantly. He commented that most of this increase appeared attributable to School District 57 and Village of Mount Prospect levies. He referenced a newspaper article which suggested that the school district and Village levies had increased by 69 %. He also related that almost 6 months of his retirement income is now devoted to the payment of property taxes. Mr. Janonis responded that the Village levies a dollar amount; not a rate. He also noted that the Village plays no role in the county's assessment process. Consequently, the Village cannot explain how the county, or the newspaper article Mr. Boldt referenced, determined the reported rate increase. Jim Chylik commented that percentages can be misleading. He observed that although 69% sounds like large increase, he noted that 69% of a small number is still a relatively small number. He stated that he found good value in the taxes he pays for Village services. Mr. Boldt also inquired about the status of the Chik -Fil -A restaurant. Mayor Wilks responded that the Village has issued a permit for construction and is presently waiting for the company's contractors to start work. John Elenberger stated that the Village does a good job providing services for the taxes and fees it collects. Jim Chylik stated that he had determined that increases in his property taxes were primarily due to changes in the Cook County assessment process. He also related a favorable experience he recently had conducting business at Hour Time Jewelers on Busse Avenue. Thomas Tezky stated that he had no issues to discuss Mal Holec inquired if Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle could be enlisted to contest the enactment of the county's Managed Care of Feral Cats ordinance (this ordinance establishes county -wide legal protections for caretakers of feral cat colonies). Mr. Janonis responded that the idea has merit and is worth further consideration. Mr. Holec also inquired about the status of the Village's electricity aggregation. Mr. Janonis responded that everything is on track and reminded those in attendance that residents do not need to do anything to take advantage of the new lower rates. He noted that several firms, even the Village's chosen aggregated electricity provider, were confusing some residents with direct mail campaigns encouraging them to sign up for aggregation programs that seem similar to Village's program. Mr. Holec also related a recent newspaper article about the Wheeling Technology Initiative. Mr. Holec explained that this initiative is a cooperative effort between educational institutions, business, and government to foster technology in the Wheeling area. He suggested that a similar program could benefit Mount Prospect. Jan Kent inquired about the status of the annexation of Lynn Court. Mr. Janonis responded that the Village is still in discussions with the Illinois Tollway about the potential for using 1 -90 as a legal boundary for the annexation. Tom Mannion inquired about recycling opportunities for fluorescent bulbs. Mr. Dorsey responded that fluorescent bulbs can be dropped off for recycling during business hours at the Mount Prospect Public Works Facility. Public Works also accepts prescription drugs for recycling. Mr. Dorsey added that household electronics are presently accepted for recycling at Public Works between 9 AM and 12 PM every Wednesday. Mr. Mannion asked about recycling used motor oil. Mr. Dorsey responded that most Tube shops and auto parts stores accept used motor oil for recycling. Mr. Dorsey also explained other household hazardous wastes can be recycled at permanent facilities in the City of Chicago and the City of Naperville. Information about these facilities can be obtained by visiting the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) website. Steve and Barbara Van Arsdale explained that they were helping support the Susan G. Koeman 3 -Day Walk for the Cure. They noted that the walk was visiting Mount Prospect Page 2 of 3 today. They related numerous favorable comments from walkers about the exuberant and supportive reception from Mount Prospect residents. Dave Schein had no issues to discuss. Clyde and Dee Randmark complimented the Village on the recent Downtown Block Party as well as the Friday Concerts on the Green. They also asked if something could be done to raise the room temperature in the Village Hall Community Room. She noted that the room is frequently utilized by senior citizen groups and many seniors have complained that the room is too cold. Mr. Dorsey explained the operation of the integrated heating and cooling system at the Village Hall; noting the particular difficulty the system has when outside temperatures climb into the 100s. Mr. Dorsey also observed that the community room has five (5) thermostats that can influence the room temperature. Earlier in the week, Public Works staff inspected the thermostats and found that one (1) had been lowered to 68 degrees but that the other four (4) were set at 72 degrees or higher. Mr. Dorsey explained that one thermostat was trying to cool part of the space while the others were trying to heat it up. He opined that the ultimate solution might be to lock the thermostats so that they cannot be changed by visitors. Mr. Randmark also asked if something could be done to fix or replace the tables in the community room. He explained that the tables are wobbly from daily use by the groups that frequent the community room. Mr. Dorsey stated he would look into repairing or replacing the tables. Carol Tortorello had no issues to discuss. Joan Golisch stated she was attending to get some help resolving a matter involving her next door neighbor. She reported that her neighbor had changed the elevation and grade of his side -yard and back -yard. As a consequence, some of the fill material had eroded and accumulated under her fence and in her yard. She explained that Jim Picardi from Public Works had been to her home to investigate the problem but the situation was not yet corrected. Mr. Dorsey stated that he would look into the matter. Marlene Peterson stated that she was present to support her friend, Joan Golisch, and had no further issues to discuss. Mike Garofalo stated that he was attending to voice his concerns about the size of storage sheds that are permitted by Village Code. He explained that his next door neighbor had recently constructed a large storage shed in his backyard that he found very conspicuous. Mr. Janonis responded that the size of the shed was permitted by Village Code. Trustee Hoefert suggested that the matter is one that should be reconsidered by the Village Board at a future meeting. Linda Hoefert had left the meeting. Having no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM Respectfully Submitted, Sean P. Dorsey Director of Public Works Page 3 of 3