HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/2004 COW agenda
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
AGENDA
Meeting Location:
Mt. Prospect Community Center
1000 West Central Road
Meeting Date and Time:
Tuesday, March 23,2004
7:00 p.m.
I.
CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
Mayor Gerald L. Farley
Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Michaele Skowron
Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Irvana Wilks
Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Michael Zadel
II.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 24, 2004
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 2004
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
III.
IV.
2004 ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
For the past several years, the Engineering staff in Public Works has prepared a summary of
road construction projects that will be taking place in the Village. This listing goes beyond
the Village's own local reconstruction and resurfacing program and includes all state and
county projects that we are aware of.. This compilation of projects is discussed publicly prior
to the start of the road construction season, and the information will be posted on the
Village's web page and included in an upcoming edition of the Village Newsletter.
The purpose of the preview is to provide residents and businesses with a complete picture of
road construction activities throughout the Village. With this information in hand, residents
and businesses might avoid some road construction surprises. Appropriate staff will be on
hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion.
V.
FEDERAL WHISTLE BLOWING RULES
On December 18, 2003, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued the Interim Final
Rule on use of locomotive horns at highway-rail grade crossings. This Interim Final Rule
was mandated by law and is the result of approximately 10 years of study. Bottom line, the
rule requires that the locomotive horn be sounded at all public highway-rail crossings to
improve safety but provides exceptions to that requirement. The final rule is expected to go
into effect on December 18, 2004.
NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A
DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODA TION TO PARTICIPA TE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE
MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 100 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056,847/392-6000,
EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064.
The rule has g~nerated much controversy and consternation with most Chicago area
municipalities. The prospect of unrelenting whistle blowing or the extraordinary expense of
remedial fixes to quiet the whistle blowing leaves many municipalities, including Mount
Prospect, in an untenable position.
Staff has been analyzing the Interim Final Rule to determin~ its full impact on Mount
Prospect and its five grade crossings. There is indeed potential for substantial expense.
The attached report provides some background on the rule itself and staff's preliminary
analysis of the status of our grade crossings. This information will be supplemented with a
Power Point presentation and discussion.
VI.
VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT
VII.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
VIII.
ADJOURNMENT
CLOSED SESSION
PERSONNEL
5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2). "Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or
their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of
employees."