Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/2002 CWC minutes MINUTES COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2002 9:00 AM VILLAGE HALL, 100 SOUTH EMERSON STREET Trustee Mike Zadel called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 AM. Trustee Michaele Skowron was also present. Trustee Paul Hoefert arrived at I0:10 AM. Representing Village staff were Assistant Village Manager David Strahl and Deputy Director of Public Works Scan Dorsey. Representing the Illinois American Water Company (Illinois American) were Division Mananger Reed T. Scheppmann, North Operations Manager Steve Phillips, and Tom Clusinski. Village residents in attendance were: Waiter Beck Marlo Esposito Vito Glazers Carol Tortorello Kevin Bolger Richard Bartels Chris Lenz Rose Sutherland Beth Druffel Dave Schein Liz Krinsky Nicole Braus Elaine Nekrltz Margaret Lannen Joanne Engstrom 300 South Main Street 306 South Main Street 222 South Main Street 223 South Elmhurst Avenue 510 Prospect Manor 1607 Greenwood 214 North Louis Street 1409 Althea Lane 1414 Althea Lane 512 NaWaTa Avenue 1320 South Elmhurst Road 612 West Dempster Street, Apt. 1E Northbrook, IL 999 North Elmhurst Road 110 Kenilworth Avenue Trustee Zadel welcomed all in attendance and announced his intention to divert from the customary sign-in sheet speaking order in order to recognize the Presence Of representatives from Illinois American. Trustee Zadel explained that the Illinois American representatives were invited to attend this meeting in order to facilitate a discussion about recent sanitary sewer back- up complaints from Mount Prospect residents. Trustee Skowron asked Deputy Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey to preface this discussion with background information about the Illinois American Water Company service area in Mount Prospect. Deputy Director of Public Works Scan Dorsey described the geographic location of the Illinois American service area and provided a brief history that explained the co-existence of municipally owned water/sewer systems and investor-owned water/sewer systems within the Village. Rose Sutherland, 1409 Althea Lane. Ms. Sutherland reported that she accumulated 5-7 inches of water in her basement utility room following the heavy rains on August 22nd. The water entered her basement via a floor drain. She noted that similar events have occurred at least five (5) times within last year. She commented that the same problem frequently happens to other homeowners in her neighborhood. She related that she has contacted Illinois American regarding this problem but is not satisfied with their response. She reported that Illinois American Page 1 of 5 dismissed her basement back-up an uncontrollable "act of God" and only offered solutions that assign all or most of the costs to homeowners. Reed Scheppmann responded. Mr. Scheppmann identified himself as the Division Manager for the Illinois American. He noted that the August 22~a rain event referenced by Ms. Sutherland was exceptional and its impacts were not peculiar to Illinois American or the Mount Prospect area. He explained that the Illinois American sanitary sewer system is tributary to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) interceptor network, At approximately 3:30 AM on August 22ha, Illinois American received an alarm via their supervisory control system indicating that the MWRDGC interceptor accepting their flows was filled to capacity. Mr. Scheppmann suggested that because the MWRDGC would no longer accept flows, the Illinois American system surcharged causing wastewater to back-up in some homes. He stated that Illinois American believes that their existing system is adequate to convey sanitary wastewater. However, he also acknowledged that it is not adequate to convey excess clear water from storms. He noted that Illinois American has performed MWRDGC-required inspections and repair work and is currently in compliance with MWRDGC regulations. He also noted that Illinois American has performed preventative maintenance on its system this year including hydraulic cleaning. Mr. Scheppmann also suggested that they might resume private building inspections in order to make certain that opportunities for excess clear water inflow via improper sanitary sewer connections are minimized. Mr. Scheppmann concluded his response by describing the 50% grant program and zero interest loan program Illinois American currently offers its customers. These programs are intended to help defray the cost of plumbing improvements, such as the installation of backflow valves or overhead sewers, which could help limit the reoccurrence of basement back-ups. Beth Druffel, 1414 Althea Lane, stated that she has also endured several basement back-up this year and objects to Illinois American's apparent position that the only acceptable resolution to this problem is for homeowners to spend thousands of dollars on plumbing improvements. Trustee Zadel asked Mr. Scheppmann to describe the scope of Illinois American's maintenance responsibilities for sanitary sewer service lines. Mr. Scheppmann responded that Illinois American accepts maintenance responsibility for sanitary sewer lines from the property line to the connection to the main sewer pipe. Trustee Zadel inquired about Illinois American's ability to televise or inspect sanitary sewer service lines. Steve Phillips, North Operations Manager for Illinois American, responded that they do not have in-house capability to televise sanitary sewer service lines but they do have the resources to arrange this work contractually. Trustee Zadel asked if Illinois American received an alarm from the heavier rain that occurred approximately two (2) weeks prior to August 22~d. Mr. Scheppmann stated that they did not. Mr. Philips commented that the August 22~a alarm was, in fact, the first alarm they had received all year. Ms. Druffel asked what Village response would be given similar circumstances. Page 2 of 5 Deputy Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey sumrised that the Village would probably examine the sewer system to identify sources of excess clear water. This examination would include closed-circuit television inspection of main lines, visual inspection of manholes, and flow monitoring to gauge the volume of excess water. The Village's efforts would also include private building inspentions. Corrective actions would likely include improvements to both the publicly owned and privately owned sections of the sewer system. He opined that public improvements might include cured-in-place lining of main sewers and manhole rehabilitation; private improvements might include disconnection of improper sump pump discharges to sanitary sewer service lines. Ms. Druffel stated that she was aware that previous voter referendums for the Village to acquire the Illinois American service area had failed. However, she suggested that recent sanitary sewer problems had probably changed the minds of many voters in the northeast part of the Village. Waiter Beck, 300 S. Main Street. Mr. Beck presented complaints about noise, congestion, and traffic law violations on Route 83. He stated that he had submitted a lengthy letter detailing these problems to the Village. The police chief responded to his letter but he feels that many of his key issues were not adequately addressed. Most importantly, he feels that the traffic laws are more vigorously enforced south of the s-curve than they are north of the s-curve. Trustee Skowron responded that traffic is far away the most debated and studied issue considered by the Village Board. She explained that there have been requests from virtually all Mount Prospect schools and various neighborhoods for increased police enforcement. The police department does not have enough officers to honor all requests. She noted that, at any given time, there am fewer than a dozen police officers available for patrol duty. There are physically not enough officers to place everywhere they're requested or at the frequency they are requested. In addition, she explained that the Village Board has asked the Village Manager to explore the possibility of adding a dedicated traffic law enforcement unit to the police department. She suggested that, given current economic conditions, it does not appear that the Village will be able to afford such an addition in the short term. Mr. Beck asked if it would be possible to have a face-to-face meeting with the police chief to discuss traffic issues on Route 83. Trustee Zadel opined that such a meeting could be scheduled. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl stated that he would effect the necessary arrangements. Mr. Beck also asked why the Village doesn't have a motorcycle cop. Trustee Skowron responded that some aspects of police department operations may be legacies of the former police chiefs administration. She suggested that the current thought on motorcycle patrols could be gleaned from Mr. Beck's upcoming meeting with the police chief. Kevin Bolger, 510 Prospect Manor, asked for clarification of the relationship between local Village codes and state laws. He noted that much of the recent village board discussion regarding go-peds was actually a recapitulation of existing state laws and village codes. He suggested that there was no need for board's debate; existing laws should simply be enforced. Trustee Zadel explained that staff was looking for specific direction with regard to go-peds and noted that local codes serve to clarify and, in some cases, augment or supplement existing state laws in manners that are beneficial to the Village. Page 3 of 5 Mr. Bolger also asked why there aren't any chairs in the train station coffee shop. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl responded that the lease agreement with the coffee shop operator does not contain provisions or requirements for commuter/customer seating areas. Mr. StrahI also noted that the commuter side of the train station does provide a substantial mount of seating. He suggested that Mr. Bolger should approach the coffee shop operator about the idea of adding chairs for customers. Nieole Brans, 612 W. Dempster Street, Apt. 1E. Ms. Brans suggested that the Village should initiate a licansure program as a means to enable responsible teenagers and adults to operate go- peds in the Village. She also cited the economic and environmental benefits that increased use of go-ped devices could offer. Trustee Skowron stated that licensure is probably not the purview of the Village. She noted that the State of Illinois currently handles all vehicle licensure programs and opined that the Village does not have the resources to assume the responsibilities a go-ped licensing program would require. She suggested contacting a state representative to see if there is interest in sponsoring such a bill at the state level. Richard Barrels, 1607 Greenwood. Mr. Bartels stated that the Village owes him money for the replacement of public sidewalk in front of his home. He related that he had hired a concrete contractor to replace his driveway and driveway apron. As part of the project, four (4) sidewalk squares that intersect his driveway and apron were replaced as well. He has applied to the Village for reimbursement of the cost/share allowance ($35/square) but believes that his request has been stalled due to poor communication between staff members. He stated that the Village inspector has approved the contractor's work but public works will not release the funds until they receive written authorization from the inspector. Deputy Director of Public Works Scan Dorsey stated that he would investigate the matter and contact Mr. Bartels with his findings. Liz Krinsky, 1320 South Elmhurst Road, inquired about the status of the library and the village hall. Trustee Skowron explained that the library plans to completely remodel the first floor and add a second floor to the existing structure. She also noted that the library's existing underground parking will be maintained. Access to the underground parking area will be through the new parking structure planned for construction on the current senior center parking lot. Ms. Krinsky asked about the status of the Costco development at Randhurst Mall. Trustee Zadel explained that currently interior asbestos abatement is unde~vay in the former Montgomery Wards space. He also related that legal issues have apparently delayed Costco's planned timetable for construction. Margaret Lannen, 999 North Elmhurst Road, identified herself as the new manager at Randhurst Mall. She concurred that interior demolition and asbestos abatement activities are currently underway but noted that the whole Montgomery Wards/Costco redevelopment process is tied up in the Montgomery Wards bankruptcy proceedings. She acknowledged that there is currently no signed lease for the proposed Costco development. Page 4 of 5 avid Schein, 512 NaWaTa Avenue, introduced the subject of Citizen Corps. He produced a copy of a newspaper article that heralded Arlington Heights as the sixth certified Citizen Corps community in State of Illinois. Mr. Schein explained that the Citizen Corps concept is a community, neighborhood-based self-survival organization intended to help mitigate the impact of disasters. One of the key tenets of the program is the development, maintenance, and administration of a supply cache that could help the community group survive at least 72 hours without external resoumes. Mr. Schein stated that he held personal reservations about the impact such groups could have on civil liberties and asked if the Village Board had established a position on the Citizen Corps concept. Trustee Zadel stated that the Village Board has not discussed the issue and suggested that they would have to find out more about program before rendering an official position. Mr. Schein stated that he is satisfied with the Village's position on Go-peds. He also stated that he is neutral on the idea of background checks for Village officials and commission members. Mr. Schein also asked when the timing of traffic' signals at Emerson and Prospect, Route 83, and Central/NW Hy would be improved. Mr. Dorsey responded that the timing sequence of the downtown area traffic signals remains on a temporary construction-related schedule. He explained that the Illinois Department of Transportation is having technical difficulties configuring the needed sequencing. Joanne Engstrom, I10 Kenilworth Avenue, asked if any court opinions stemming from her neighbor's fence permit denial lawsuit had established that there was a proscriptive easement for her use of their shared driveway. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl stated that staff had no knowledge of such a finding and suggested that the Village Attorney would have to investigate the matter. Trustee Skowron asked if the existing shared driveway was wide enough for her to buy part of it from neighbor. Ms. Engstrom responded that she suspected the driveway was not wide enough to be divided into two (2) separate driveways. She also explained that her relationship with her neighbor has become confrontational and opined that her neighbor probably would not be amenable to any remedy that involved a reduction in her lot size. There being no further business to discuss, Trustee Zadel adjoumed the meeting at 11:20 AM. Respectfully Submitted, Sean P. Dorsey Deputy Director of Public Works Eno (I) C:\COFFEE WITH COUNCIL~Minutcs\SEPTEMBEK 14 2002.doc Page 5 of 5