HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/28/1991 COW minutes MINUTES
COMMI'VrEE OF THE WHOLE
MAY 28, 1991
I. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p m Present at the meeting were'
Mayor Gerald L. Farley; Trustees Mark Busse, George Clowes, Timothy Corcoran,
Leo Floros, and Paul Hoefert. Absent from the meeting was: Trustee Irvana
Walks Also present at the meeting were: Village Manager John Fulton DLxon,
Assistant Village Manager John Burg, Finance D~rector Dave Jepson, Planning and
Zoning Director Dawd Clements, Economic Development Director Ken Fritz,
Pubhc Works Director Herb Weeks, Deputy Pubhc Works D~rector Glen Andler,
Public Works Administrative Aide Lisa Angell, Executive Dxrector of the Chamber
of Commerce Janet Hansen, Recychng Commission Chairman Ken Westlake; thirty
persons in the audxence and three members of the press.
II. MINUTES ~ - ~
The Committee of the Whole Minutes of May 14, 1991 were accepted and filed.
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Seven residents spoke regarding the recently approved Flood Proofing Incentive
Program. They felt the Program should be made retroactive so that the flood
proofing projects they completed in their homes would be ehgible.
Mayor Farley addressed the issues raised by the residents and explained the
reasons why the Board felt this Program should not be retroactive.
Trustee Busse again urged the Board to consider making the Program retroactive
because he felt the money in the Program would not be used unless previous
projects would be considered ehgible.
Trustee Clowes smd that he sympathizes with these residents but there are hmited
funds for this Program. He felt the effective date of the Program should be left
as it is, but that the Program should be rewewed in six months dunng the regular
budget revaew process to see how many residents are participating.
Trustee Corcoran explained that the purpose of this Program is to provide
incentives for residents to protect their homes The purpose is to help those who
are flooding at this time to help alleviate the flooding He was not in favor of
making the Program retroactive.
Mayor Farley indicated that he and all the Board members are very sensitive to
the plight of these residents and will continue to rewew the Program. He asked
that residents send any ~nformation to the Board for their review.
The consensus of the Committee was to leave the effecttve date of the Program
as is with no retroactive provision.
IV RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RECYCLING COMMISSION
Ken Westlake, Chairman of th& Recy lin Comtmssiori, indicated the Commission
had recommended the hiring of a full-time Sohd Waste Coordinator He outlined
the reasons for the hinng of this individual. ,Public Works Director Herb Weeks
~ ~ also explained the need for this position.
Trustee Hoefert said he sees this position as a highly technical one filled by a
person with a broad waste managemen? background who has ,up to date
information.
Trustee Floros said he has not supported personnel increases in the past but he
feels the argument for this position is a sound one and he supports
it is a much-needed position
Trustee Clowes said he felt the position is necessary but he is reluctant to add an
indMdual. He would rather review the work that the Public Works Department
would not be able to accomplish to see whether these ~tems should be deleted
rather than hiring someone.
Trustee Buss~ said he '~upports hiring a~ Solid Waste Coordinator · However, he
feels the position should be reviewed periodically to make sure it needs to
continue.
Truste~ Corcoran said he cannot support the hiring of a~ Solid Waste Coordinator.
He felt the Village should either promote someone from within or use an
individual on a part-time basis through the Network 50 Program.
Mayor Farley said he received a call from a volunteer and asked if a volunteer
could possibly do this job Manager Dtxon said he would not put a volunteer in
this position because we need a full-time person with the appropri~te~ background,
Mayor Farley asked if this was a unanimous recommendation of the Recycling
Commission. Mr. Westlake said yes. Mayor Farley then opened the floor to
comments by the audience.
Pete Lannon indicated this is a transmonal program He smd that as time goes
on, many of the issues coming to a head at this time wall resolve themselves For
example, there will be a new garbage contractor and a recycling education
program will be necessary. He felt the Village could get by wath a part-time
individual. ~ ~
Mayor Farley asked if the Village could hire a competent individual for the life
of the new contract. Manager Dixon felt that three years would be adequate to
attract competent applicants. Finance Director~ Dave Jepson agreed with th~s
assessment
Trustee Hoefert smd the Village reviews every job every year. He said he does
not agree with a sunset provision.. ·
Mayor Farley indicated that the new Solid Waste Contract and the need to inform
the public about the Recycling Program are very important. He said if the
Stormwater Management Projects will require additional time of the Public Works
and Deputy Public Works Directors, he is in favor of this position. :However, he
would like to re,new the position in three years.
The consensus of the Committee was to authorize the creation of the Solid Waste
Coordinator posmon.
Chairman Ken Westlake then indicated the Recycling Commission had
,recommended that mixed paper be added to the Recycling Program instead of
corrugated at this time.' He said that a larger volume of the waste stream would
be d~verted with this option. He indicated that Arc Disposal already accepts
corrugated cardboard at the Recycling Center.
Trustee Hoefert said that many people were concerned what they would do wath
the cereal boxes, magazines and so on. He fully supports the recychng of mixed
paper instead of corrugated. ~
Trustee Floros indicated he would prefer to remain wath the .recycling of
corrugated cardboard.
After dxscussion, the consensus of the Commatee was to substitute mixed paper
in the Recycling Program as opposed to corrugated cardboard at this time.
Mr. Westlake then ind:cated the Recycling Comrmssion had suggested 'a name
change for the Commission to the Mount Prospect Solid Waste Commission.
Mr. Westlake smd the name change simply reflects the new reahty of what the
Commission has been involved with in recent months.
Trustee Floros preferred to leave the name as the Recychng Commission as
recommended by the Village Manager.
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Mayor Farley indicated that he could accept the name change but would not
in the responsibihties of the Commission
anticipate
any
change
Trustee Corcoran said the objective of the Recychng Commission is not recychng
but rather to reduce the waste stream He said the Commission has done a great
job.
Trustee Busse said the' Commass~on has done a great job. He said he has no
problem with the name change He said the Comm/ssion ~makes the
recommendation and then the Board makes the final decision. He thanked the
Commission for helping the Board make many important decisions
Village Manager Dixon clarified why he was not in favor of the name change.
He was concerned that the Comrmss~on would want to have a representative ~n
SWANCC. Mr. Westlake said the Commission would not expect to be represented
~n SWANCC. ~
Trustee Clowes also agreed w~th the name change.
The consensus of the Committee was to support the name change from the
Recychng Conmusslon to 'the Mount Prospect Sohd Waste Commission.
BIJ$INE$$ RETENTION PROGRAM
Economic Development Director Ken Fntz~ outhned the'proposed Business
Retention ~Program 'Janet Hansen, Executive Director of the Chamber of
a Commerce, also added her own comments
Mayor Farley said he wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supports this Program
He smd he would hke to involve Village officials as part of the ws~t~ng team
Trustee Busse said this Program is long past due. But he asked ff the Village will
also focus on small businesses which make up a large part of the business
community. '
In response to the question about a survey, Janet Hansen said she felt the
Chamber survey performed in September provides enough information to begin
the Program immediately. She feels the questions could be restructured for a
future survey. However, she does not recommend the survey right now because
this would slow down the Program by six months
Trustee Floros said he would be happy to make house calls.
The consensus of the Committee was to support the Business Retention Program.
The Cormmttee adwsed staff to begin work on this Program immediately.
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VI. HOME OCCUPATION ORDINANCE
Planning and Zoning Dtrector Dave Clements gave an ox;erview of the proposed
Home Occupation Ordinance as well as the recommendations of the Zomng
Board. He recommended that an Ordinance w~th performance standards be
adopted
Trustee Hoefert said he supports this type of Ordinance but the moment an
activity intrudes on residential, the Village should vigorously enforce the Ordinance
to protect neighborhoods.
Trustee Corcoran explained his suggested changes which would more clearly define
the requirements of the Ordinance.
Trustee Busse said that he is in favor of performance standards as recommended
by the Zoning Board and he is in favor of a fee. However, he would not want
any actlwties to impact the neighborhoods
Trustee Clowes was also ~n favor of the Ordinance with performance standards
However, he asked how masic lessons would be handled. Mr. Clements said he
felt the Ordinance would prohibit music lessons but he said the Ordinance could
be amended to say that one customer at a time would be allowed. Trustee
Clowes also asked how a recipe book mail order business would be handled
Mr. Clements said he felt thru would also be a violation of the Ordinance.
Trustee Clowes asked how other towns enforce this Ordinance Mr. Clements said
that c~tations are issued. He recommended this method to be consistent w~th the
way other Zoning matters are handled. These c~tations are referred to Housing
Court.
Trustee Corcoran made a plea for enforcement by the staff instead of in Court.
Trustee Hoefert said he is not in favor of ailowing any employees under the
Ordmance. ~
There was a recess between 10 10 p.m. and 10.20 p.m.
When the Comrmttee reconvened, Mayor Farley opened the floor to public
comment
A resident at 416 South Mt. Prospect Road was not in favor of this type of
Ordinance noting that the Vdlage does not enforce current Ordinances prohibiting
businesses in a remdential area.
A resident on SiVa Lane said h'e is tn favor of home businesses as long as they
do not cause noise and problems for the neighborhood. However, he smd if there
is a law, the Vdlage should enforce it. ~
A resident at 211 South Hi-Lusi said the standards in the Ordinance proposed by
smd it ~s time to update the law but these standards must be
staff
are
vague.
He
clearly defined
more . ~ ,
A resident at 409 South H~-Lusi just requested that the Village not make the fee
too h~gh
Janet Hansen ~ndmated that the Chamber is in favor of the Ordinance as
' ' recommended by the Zoning Board vath three differences. First, the Chamber
feels that one employee should be allowed. The Chamber also feels that ~tem 10
and item 3 are redundant and should be deleted.
A resident at 1442 Fern Drive also urged that the Home Occupation Ordinance
be adopted.
Former Trustee Don We~bel felt an Ordinance w~th 'performance standards is
needed but the standards should be t~ghtened up. He said the Board should first
pass an Ordxnance requiring all home businesses to register wath the Village for
' a nominal fee. He said when the Village knows how many businesses there are,
then meaningful performance standards can ~be drafted. 'He smd th6 hst of
' Federal Tax ID Numbers could be a good starting point to notify ~ndMduals of
* the requirement to register. The Village should also require an inspection if th~s
~ is ordinarily done for the same 'type of stores m the commercial area.
Mayor Farley requested that the Home Occupation Ordinance be placed on the '~-~
June~ll Comrmttee of the Whole Agenda as the only item Planning and Zoning
D~rector Dave Clements was directed to assemble the comments of the Committee
into a draft version of an Ordinance for consideration at that meeting.
VII. MANAGER'S REPORT
~ Villag~ Manager Dixon indicated that the Village h~ts received a very favorable
proposal by the F~rst Chicago Bank of Mount Prospect to lease one-half of the
fourth floor m that building. He said the lease will be placed on the June 4
Agenda and he recommended heartily that the Village Board approve this lease.
The use of office space would eliminate the need for eight of the proposed eleven
r trailers. Only thre~ locker room trailers would be needed These trailers have
been scheduled for a bid opening on June 11.
VIII ANY OTHER BUSINESS ~ ~'
Trustee Clowes said he would like to have a i>resentation from the Village of
Bartlett and from Bill Abolt of SWANCC regarding the Balefill.
'~ Mayor Farley did not agree with the need for a presentation by the Village of
Bartlett He felt there is adequate information available for ~rewew of the
proposed Baleflll and suggested that Trustee Clowes avail himself of this
Information. ~)
Manager Dixon indicated he would not be averse to having Bill Abolt of
SWANCC make a presentation. However, he said that Bartlett is ~n lingation vath
member communities of SWANCC and it would not be advisable to allow them
a pubhc forum to push their case.
The Conumttee d~scussed the suggestion to allow Bartlett to appear before the
Board. However, no action was taken on the request to have Bartlett appear.
IX ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:06 p.m
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN P. BURG
Assistant Village Manager
JPB/rcw
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