HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/10/2003 CWC minutes MINUTES.
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT
COFFEE WITH COUNCIL
SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2003
9:00 A.M.
2nd Floor Conference Room, Village Hall
The meeting was convened at 9:00 a.m. Those present were Trustee Paul Hoefert,
Acting Chairman, and Trustees Tim Corcoran and Michaele Skowron. Representing the
Village was Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl, Chief of Police Richard Eddington
and Human Services Director Nancy Morgan.
Residents In Attendance
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Newhouse 407 N.
Dave Rutkowski
Ed Boundy
Ed and Doreen Cunningham
Jim Craig
Don Craig
Don Craig
Pat Craig
Carol Tortorello 223 S.
Nancy Fritz 103 N.
Jean Kiner 516 S.
Randy Kiner
Al Pasternak
Jane Ameer
Debra Pizzato
Nancy Farquharson
David Schein
Andrzej Termanowski
Dale Ave.
405 N. Dale Ave.
15 S. Wa Pella
405 S. George
$05 S Douglas
1040 Arbor Ct.
303 S. Douglas
303 S. Douglas
Elmhurst Ave.
Mac Arthur Dr.
Dale
516 S. Dale
1906 Connie
14 S. Mount Prospect Rd.
409 N. Dale Ave.
536 S. Dale Ave.
512 Na Wa Ta
517 N. Pine
Mr. Leo Newhouse, 407 N. Dale Ave.; Dave Rutkowski, 405 N. Dale Ave.; Nancy
Fritz, 103 N. Mac Arthur Dr.; Randy and Jean Kiner, 516 S. Dale; Mr. Newhouse
requested an ordinance to restrict student parking in the residential area around
Prospect High School. In the fall, students park on top of piled leaves, which is a fire
hazard. Trustee Hoefert stated that the problem has increased since the Village of
Arlington Heights restricted parking further when they recently installed no parking signs
on streets on the Arlington Heights side of the school. A women stated that her 6-year-
old child was almost hit by a student leaving a parking space, and that garbage is
dropped by students. Trustee Skowron stated that Mount Prospect has tried to work
with the Village of Arlington Heights and Prospect High SchoOl with little positive results.
One hundred parking spaces will open this fall, however, more students are driving
cars. If the public streets are posted, then that will inconvenience all residents.
This group needs to work with School District 214 for increased campus parking.
Trustee Corcoran stated that the residents need to pressure School District 214. The
Village has no power over School District 214, however, an organized group as
presented this morning has great power. It was suggested that residents contact the
School Board members and establish a relationship with the new principal. Trustee
Hoefert said that we have action steps we will take and you as a citizen group have
action steps you must take.
Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl said that we will see what happens in the fall
when the new parking lot is available. Trustee Skowron stated that parking is the
biggest issue that brings residents to these meetings. Debra Pizzato stated that the
garbage the students leave, the loud radios, and the numbers of cars is unbearable.
Nancy Fritz stated that the high speeds the students drive is frightening. Trustee
Corcoran said that our police force is limited by the number of officers. The creation of a
traffic unit has been underway for several years, but the $500,000 cost is such that
other priorities had to be addressed.
Ed Boundy, 15 S. Wa Pella, was Concerned about a Weekend demolition Project that is
unsightly and unsafe at 10 S. Wa Pella. The property is unsecured. Trustee Skowron
stated that the Village will check it out. She mentioned that in an article about
construction, Money Magazine listed Mount Prospect as a good place to live.
Ed and Doreen Cunningham, 405 S. George, stated that they live near a business,
and their street needs resurfacing badly because of the heavy truck traffic. The
resurfacing project stopped just before their street, and though they have called, Mr.
Michalik has not returned their calls. Debris and weeds from the business' open field
blows in their yard. They have spoken to the business with no relief. There are
problems with garbage, however Lisa Angell has been very helpful. There is also a
parking problem. They have been told that their home is valued $10,000 lower than
neighbors because of the business. They are seeking beefed up laws protecting
residents who live next to businesses. They feel that they get no support from the
Village.
Trustee Hoefert stated that 50 years ago, when that business began, there were no
regulations or codes. It is a balancing act between businesses and residents. Trustee
Corcoran stated that there is no simple solution. We don't want to discourage
businesses because they pay 2/3 higher property taxes than residential. These
problems have been around for years. The home probably was offered at a lower price
due to location when purchased. Mrs. Cunningham wants the Village to write a letter to
the business about the parking and garbage issues. She also wants information about
when the street will be resurfaced. Trustee Skowron stated that an annual assessment
is made on the conditions of all streets. Someone will get back to them on when the
street will be done.
im Craig, 305 S. Douglas; Don Craig, 1040 Arbor Ct.; Don and Pat Craig, 303 S.
Douglas; stated that it doesn't make sense to building a public sidewalk in front of their
new homes that goes nowhere and will be located right under their kitchen window. In
order to build their homes, they gave land to the Arlington Heights Park District and now
have a substandard width street. They feel it makes more sense to build the public
sidewalk across the street, which is Park District land, where it meets up with other
public sidewalks. They have attempted to talk with the Arlington Heights Park District to
no avail. They would like the Village to communicate with the Park District. Trustee
Skowron stated that the Village has no jurisdiction over the Park District.
Al Pasternak, 1906 Connie, stated that he watched the Public Hearing the other night
and felt the discussion left the impression that if the Village stickers remained that would
make the garbage payment issue go away. He agreed with Trustee Corcoran that the
manner in which we currently pay for garbage is an unfair, inequitable system. Trustee
Corcoran stated that we presented a solution set, not an ala carte solution package.
Trustee Skowron stated that the Board is not of one mind on the solution set. In all the
public discussion, she has not heard ~[equests to cut services. She has only heard
different ideas on increasing taxes.
Jane Ameer, 14 S. Mount Prospect Rd., stated that there have been three accidents
in front of her home (two in her front yard and one into her home). She spoke with the
county and they said that they don't have jurisdiction of this road. She feels she is
getting the run around. Although there was a consensus that the county controls the
road, the Village will confirm jurisdiction. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl
suggested that she determine property line before planting protective landscaping so it
is not removed during possible future read improvement.
David Schein, 512 Na Wa Ta, stated that the Patriot's Act was dangerous. He was
surprised but glad the Lofts are selling,
Andrzej Termanowski, 517 N. Pine, raised a safety and nuisance concern about
outdoor fireplaces. Their home is infiltrated with smoke from their neighbor's outdoor
fireplace. The neighbors have ignored their request to reduce the number of times they
use it. Trustee Corcoran understood the pollution element to this concern; however, it is
one point on a continuum of irritations, such as lawn mowers, charcoal grills and
outdoor fireplaces. Mr. Termanowski would like to restrict the numbers of times
outdoor fireplaces could be used. Trustee Corcoran said that would be impossible to
enforce. This gets into a freedom vs. problem issue. He said that he would ask the
Northwest Municipal Conference to survey member communities about outdoor
fireplaces.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m,
Resp tfully S bmitted:~_
Human S~'rvices Director