HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/2000 CWC MinutesMINUTES
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2000
9:00 A.M.
2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall
The meeting was convened at 9:00 a.m. Those present were Mayor Gerald Farley, Trustees Timothy
Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer, Dennis Prikkel, Michaele Skowron and Irvana Wilks.
Representing staff were Assistant Village Manager David Strahl and Finance Director Douglas
Ellsworth.
Re
Raymond Rubio
Mary Patterson
Chris Lenz
Karen Hiang
Bill John
David Schein
sidents in Attendance:
412 N. Elmhurst Rd.
601 Manawa Trail
214 N. Louis
713 Chris Lane
207 N. Wille
512 NaWaTa
Ms. Mary Patterson, 601 Manawa Trail: Ms. Patterson attended Coffee with Council to contest
the Village's decision to install a concrete sidewalk across her parkway, and to ask the Village Board
to direct its removal. Ms. Patterson said she did not receive any advance notice and was very
surprised to see construction begin. Ms. Patterson said she was informed by staff that the sidewalk
was required due to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ms. Patterson provided the attendees with a
handout with select provisions of an ADA handbook, and told the Board she believes the sidewalk is
not required. She further stated that the sidewalk is not frequently used, and questioned why there
are many streets without these crosswalk sidewalks.
Mayor Farley informed Ms. Patterson that the Village will be installing these sidewalks over the next
several years, as money becomes available. Mayor Farley further stated that we must do so to be in
compliance with the law. Ms. Patterson said that there is no crosswalk or intersection to warrant the
sidewalk. The trustees reviewed the map provided by Mr. Strahl and felt there was a crosswalk at
that location. Trustee Lohrstorfer stated that the intent of the Act and municipalities is to be
proactive, and not wait for handicapped individuals to request such ramps. Trustee Wilks responded
that she feels residents should be notified when new sidewalks such as this one are installed. Ms.
Patterson wanted to know when the sidewalks would be installed on the streets near her home.
Trustee Corcoran said that staff would send her a schedule of future installations. Trustees Wilks and
Skowron both agreed that we owe residents a courtesy letter or notice.
Mr. Chris Lenz, 214 N. Louis: Mr. Lenz just wanted to wish the Board happy holidays and to
thank them for the great job they are doing. He also thanked the Board for holding the hearings on
the N. Louis zoning matter.
Ms. Karen Hiang, 713 Chris Lane: Ms. Hiang stated that she is a member of the Youth
Commission and was here to observe the Coffee with Council. The Board introduced themselves
and welcomed her.
Coffee With Council
December 9, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page Two
Mr. Bill John, 207 N. Wille: Mr. John stated that he came to express concern about the downtown.
He said our downtown needs much work and should include more practical stores like those in
Arlington Heights and Des Plaines. Mr. John expressed disappointment that White Hen was
displaced. Mayor Farley explained that White Hen made a business decision to close their
downtown store, and that it wasn't the Village forcing them to close. Trustee Wilks agreed that we
do need more stores in our downtown. Trustee Skowron asked Mr. John to define what a "practical"
store is. Mr. John responded that he meant convenient stores such as White Hen and Walgreens.
Trustee Hoefert stated there will be a three story building at the corner of Emerson and Northwest
Highway, and that the first floor will be commercial space. Trustee Hoefert also stated that there is a
lot of construction going on right now and that we will all see a big difference in the downtown over
the next few years. Trustee Corcoran said that Arlington Heights spent close to $100 million on their
downtown TIF and the Village of Mount Prospect does not have the means to commit that kind of
money to downtown redevelopment.
Mr. David Schein, 512 NaWaTa: Mr. Schein came to support the Youth Commission at this
meeting. Mr. Schein further stated that the Board should consider the needs of Mount Prospect's
youth when considering the new Village Hall/Community Center. Mr. Schein said he was looking
forward to the winter parade.
Mr. David Strahl: Mr. Strahl briefly reviewed with the Board two items that will be coming
forward on a future agenda. One dealt with the construction of a cellular telephone mono -pole at the
far northern portion of the Public Works facility site. The pole would service Nextel and
Voicestream. Mr. Strahl also discussed the plans of Ameritech to construct an underground vault at
10 S. Pine to improve service to its customers.
Trustee Dennis Prikkel: Trustee Prikkel asked if there was a law to prevent the selling of used
cars in vacant lots. He has observed an abundance of such activity towards the south end of the
Village. Mr. Strahl said that such activity was a zoning violations and staff will investigate.
Trustee Corcoran: Trustee Corcoran would like the Board to discuss possibly having restaurants
post there health inspection report card for public inspection. Several trustees commented that this
would be a good idea. Mr. Strahl said that this could be placed on a future Committee of the Whole
agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dougla R. Ellsworth, CPA
Director of Finance
I: \Corresp \Intl \2000 \CoffeeCouncil - Dec.doc