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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/1990 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST ~14, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p~m. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Gerald I., Farley; Trustees Ralph Arthur, Mark Busse, Timothy Corcoran, Leo Floros, ~George Van Geem and Theodore Wattenberg. Also present at the meeting were: Village Manager John Fulton Dixon, Assistant Village Mnnoger John Burg, Public Works Director Herb Weeks, Pohce Chief Ronald Pavlock, Human Services Adrmnistrator Nancy-Morgan, Human Services Assistant Administrator Jan Abemethy, three members of the press and five persons in the audience. Trustee Wattenberg requested an addition to the July 24, 1990 Minutes, specifically, Section VI, Liquor Ordinance Changes. He noted that he had asked staff to use the resources of the NWMC for additional research on this issue. With this Amendment, the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole me~ting of . July 24, 1990 were accepted and filed. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Steve Ward, of Two North Pine Street, requested reimbursement of legal fees incurred related to the building construction problems next to his property. He was upset because he felt that nothing had been done since thi~ problem began 283 days ago. Village Manager Dixon noted that further information had been requested to substantiate the legal fees and the value of the rugs. Trustee Corcoran noted that he had requested further detail on the attorneys' fees. He said that attorneys normally keep very accurate minute-by-minute records of services they have performed. He said it is not unreasonable to ask for th~s detail. Mr. Ward said it would be difficult to reconstruct this information. After further discussion, Mr. Ward was asked to provide additional detail on the attorneys' fees; and he was told this item would be taken up at the August 21 Board meeting. Mrs. Ward also voiced her concern about this situation. IV. DISCUSSION ON PURCHASE OF CITIZENS UTILITIES SYSTEM ,~-'~ Village Manager Dixon reported that a Public Information Meeting will be held at River Trads Junior H~gh School, at 7:30 p.m., on September 19, to allow residents to voice their opinion regarding the possible purchase of the C:tizens' Utilities system. There was a short d~scussion about whether the Village should authorize Greeley and Hansen to proceed with cost, water quality and other studies at th~s t~me. Trustees Busse and Wattenberg felt that Greeley and Hansen should be authorized to proceed with these studies. Mayor Farley suggested that the Vdlage should wa~t untd we hear how Prospect Heights intends to proceed. The consensus was to wait until this information is available before making a decision on whether to authorize Greeley and Hansen to perform these studies. V. CRIME STATISTICS tPREVENTION In response to a reques', by Trustee Wattenberg, the Committee d~scussed the issue of Crime Statist/cs and Prevention. Trustee Wattenberg would like to see information about criminals and their punishment pubhcized in local papers. Police Chief Pavlock said it is up to the editorial discretion of the local newspapers to decide whether crime statistics are printed. He said the Village had approximately 6,000 arrests last year. As a result, the newspapers must be selective about what they print. He also said they cannot print any information on juveniles. Trustee Wattenberg suggested plaong a watch dog in our Courts. He said he is not talking about minor crimes but rather about major crimes such as multiple home invasions. He felt the Village should hire someone for a six-month trial period to follow up on the convictions. There was no support to hire someone to be a watch dog of the Court. However, it was suggested ,that a standing Village Comnuttee, such as the Recycling Commission, be established to handle this situation. ~ Trustee Wattenberg was asked to Chair this Committee and to seek the necessary volunteers. VI. DISCOUNT TAXI PROGRAM Human ~Services Administrato~ Nancy* Morgan explained the problems with the current Discount Taxi Program. She noted that the seniors are basically getting poor service due to the fact that the taxi companies are subsidizing the rides. Ms. Morgan recommended that the Village go to a metered rate with the Village paying 40% and the rider paying 60% of the metered fare up to a maximum $3.00 contribution by the Village She said a survey was conducted and 83% were in favor of this 40/60 program. The Committee asked numerous questions about the proposed Amendment to the Discount Taxi Program. The Committee felt that a 50/50 split would make it much easier for the seniors to calculate the payment they would have to make. There was unanimous consensus to prepare an Ordinance to Amend the Discount Taxi Program to provide a 50/50 spht on the metered fare with a maximum payment of $3.00 by the Vdlage. Mayor Farley asked staff to prepare a report on the transportation needs of the community. VII. MELAS PARK AGREEMENT The Committee carefully rewewed the Melas Park Agreement as revised by the Village staff and Village attorney. The Committee made various changes to the Agreement. The Committee then asked staff to send the revised Melas Park Agreement to the Park Districts for their review. It was noted that the various Boards can get together at a later date to work out the finai Agreement. VIII. PROSPECT AVENUE SIGNAGE/COLLECTION BOXES Vdlage Manager Dixon explained the recommendations of the Safety Commission regarding siguage on Prospect Avenue and the collection boxes. Trustee Busse refrained from participating in this portion of the meeting for what may be perceived by the public as a conflict of interest. Trustee Corcoran asked what fee would be appropriate. Trustee Van Geem suggested $2.00 per day. The Committee asked that an Ordinance be prepared including a $2.00 dmly fee for parking on Prospect Avenue and put up the appropriate signage as recommended by the Safety Commission. The Comnuttee noted that prod parlong spaces should be put only up to Edward Street for the time being to see what the demand is. IX. REOUEST FOR OUTDOOR CAFE Village Manager Dixon outlined the request by the owners of Sam's Place at 15 West Prospect Avenue to have an outdoor cafe on the sidewalk in front of their building. Manager Dixon suggested this could be done on a trial basis and that the hours should be extended until 9:30 p.m. to be consistent with what wall be allowed for beer gardens next year. There appeared to be support for this concept. Staff was advised to place a Resolution on the August 21 Agenda· X. MANAGER'S REPORT 1. Village Manager Dixon said that the JAWA system was struck by lightning on Saturday. The repairs are almost completed. 2. Manager Dixon reported that the Street Program is almost completed. There is landscaping still to be done. He said the Boxwood Drive Project has been delayed a few weeks. I. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Van Geem requested that one item be added to' the Deferred Items hst. He wants to have a d~scussion with the Recycling Commission regarding how we d~spose of old paint and solvents. Trustee Corcoran noted that he and Trustee Van Geem recently went to the Boxwood area where he saw a Police Officer do a Walk and Talk. He said this was an excellent job of public relations. He said that at a previous Coffee wth Counol he had invited some of the people living in the Boxwood area to a later Coffee with Council meeting to discuss the various problems they had been having in the area. He said no one showed up at the most recent Coffee with Council. He interpreted this as a pat on the back for the Police Depm~ment which has addressed the problems in that area. XII. ADJOURNME~ At 10'05 p.m.,' ~'~e meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, *~ JOHN P. BURG JPB/rcw ~. Assistant Village Manager