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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2003 COW minutesII. III. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OCTOBER 14, 2003 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m., in the Mt. Prospect Park District Community Center, 1000 West Central Road, by Mayor Gerald Farley. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Michaele Skowron and Michael Zadel. Absent from the meeting were TruStees Richard Lohrstorfer and Irvana Wilks. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Development Director William Cooney, Public Works Director Glen Andler. Also present were: Charlie Crump of DLK, George Schrober of V3 and Don McLean of Graphix. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from September 9, 2003. Minutes were held due to absence of Trustees and will be reconsidered next meeting. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. VILLAGE HALL LANDSCAPE PLAN DISCUSSION Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl provided an overview of the overall proposed Village Hall landscape plan. He stated that a preliminary design had been presented to the Board for comment at the January 28, 2003 Committee of the Whole meeting. The discussion this evening is intended to finalize the overall concepts and complete any additional design elements for construction drawings leading toward construction bidding of the project. He stated the Village Hall landscaping is divided into two separate sections - the part facing facing Route 83 is intended to be more of a landscaped area with several walkways and seating areas for individuals to utilize. He also highlighted that there is an outline of a keystone in the center of the landscape area including a circular seat wall for people to sit. The landscape area facing the corner of Busse and Emerson is designed to be more of an open design featuring the entrance to the Village Hall along with outdoor staging opportunities for any events that may occur in conjunction with the Village Hall. He stated one of the highlights of the plan is a gently sloped ramp rising from Busse toward the main door to the Village Hall which also could double as a stage if necessary for events. Charlie Crump from DLK provided a summary of the various plantings and highlighted the fact that the plantings have been discussed with the Public Works maintenance staff and are designed for easy maintenance with an irrigation system included as part of the plan. He stated the majority of the plants are native; therefore, there should be minimal maintenance issues. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: VI. There was a concern raised regarding the use of grass and the long-term maintenance of the grass with heavy pedestrian traffic at the landscaped area at the corner of Busse and Emerson. There was also a suggestion to consider backlit lettering for the monument sign versus lighting directed toward the monument sign. A question was raised regarding the necessity of uplighting for illuminating flags at night and Board members requested confirmation from staff regarding this requirement. It was suggested that additional benches be added to encourage people to sit in the plazas. It was also suggested that the lighting be adequate to illuminate the plazas without overwhelming the possible users of those plazas. General consensus of the Village Board was to incorporate these suggestions to finalize the plans for construction bidding. MUNICIPAL BLOCK STREETSCAPE PLAN Assistant Village Manager Strahl provided a general overview of the streetscape proposals including the recommended streetscape revisions to the traffic flow patterns. Among those revisions are a dedicated right-turn lane at Central and Emerson and Busse and Route 83. He also stated that staff has put together an alternate proposal to included a dedicated right- turn lane on southbound Emerson at Busse. This dedicated right-turn lane at Emerson and Busse is primarily used during rush hour to allow efficient traffic flow around the block when trains are blocking southbound routes. Staff has put together both alternatives and is requesting direction from the Village Board regarding preferred configuration at Emerson and Busse. General comments of the Village Board members included the following items: It was suggested that there is additional need for parking and dedicating a right-turn lane at the expense of additional parking on the block should be avoided. There were several Trustees who voiced preference for the dedicated right-turn lane at Emerson and Busse thereby eliminating the proposed angled parking south of the entrance of the Village Hall on Emerson. General consensus of the Village Board was to implement the recommendations as suggested by staff for the street reconfigurations for dedicated right-turn lanes at Busse and Emerson, Busse and Route 83 and Emerson and Central Road. The Village Board also supported staff recommendations for incorporating angled parking on Busse and Emerson. DOWNTOWN DIRECTIONAL/VVAYFINDING SIGNAGE Don McLean from Graphix provided an overview of the sign proposals and the strategic locations throughout the downtown directing people to destinations in the downtown. He also stated the signage is capable of being revised for upcoming attractions or seasonal changes without substantial expense. General comments of the Village Board members included the following items: It was suggested that there be some directional signage pointing people toward attractions or destinations outside the immediate downtown area (for example: Randhurst Mall). II. General consensus of the Village Board was to proceed with the downtown signage program as recommended by staff. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated the Welcome New Resident event is scheduled for October 18 at Lions Park School from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. He also stated that the Special Events Commission is accepting Shining Star nominations for the Shining Stars banquet of February 7. VIII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Hoefert commented that he feels the Parking Deck with the brick completed looks very good and he has received many positive comments on its appearance. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at $:40 p.m. CLOSED SESSION Them was no need for a Closed Session which was cancelled. ~--- ~ ~~Respectfully submitted, DS/rcc DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager