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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7. CWC Minutes 12/14/2013 MINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, December 14, 2013 9:00 A.M. Village Hall Community Center The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. Those present: Mayor Arlene Juracek, Trustee Steve Polit, Trustee John Matuszak, Trustee Paul Hoefert, Village Manager Mike Janonis and Director of Human Services Nancy Morgan. Residents in Attendance: Walter Szymczak N. Eastwood Avenue Patricia Szymczak N. Eastwood Avenue Carol Tortorello S. Elmhurst Avenue Barbara and Steve VanArsdale S. Can Dota Avenue Jerry Boldt N School Street Louis Goodman N. School Street Jan Kent Briarwood Drive Judy Czurilo Briarwood Drive Thomas Tezky N. School Street Craig Iversen S. Wille Street Louis Bowers Boxwood Drive Tom Manion S. Edward Street David Schein Na Wa Ta Avenue Mayor Juracek announced that Christian Life Church shoveled and will continue to shovel their walkway. Walter Szymczak, N. Eastwood Avenue had nothing to report. PatriciaSzymczak, N. Eastwood Avenue asked about the Caribou Coffee location. Mayor Juracek said that Starbucks will move into that location and Subway will take over half of the former Mount Prospect State Bank location. Mrs. Szymczak asked about the empty strip mall at Central and Route 83. Mayor Juracek said that the Village Attorney is working to determine the owner. Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Avenue suggested that after the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the Village should use image as background for the board meetings. There was consensus that the star is lovely. Barbara and Steve VanArsdale, S. Can Dota Avenue had nothing to report. Jerry Boldt, N School Street read a statement outlining his concerns that the increased street improvement taxes are forcing long term residents out of the Village resulting in many empty homes. the economy struggled, the Village deferred needed road maintenance. Now that the economy has improved and the interest rates are low, road maintenance is a high priority. Mr. Boldt reiterated that he is sad to see people forced out of their homes due to taxes. Mayor Juracek responded that residents move due to foreclosures, as a result of the housing/mortgage collapse, rather than Village taxation. Craig Iversen, S. Wille Street said that he feels property taxes are high. Mayor Juracek pointed out that the higher percentage of the tax bill is related to the schools. The Village is working to increase economic Louis Goodman, N. School Street discussed the $.02 increase in motor fuel tax. Mayor Juracek pointed out that the motor fuel tax goes towards the road maintenance program. He mentioned his concerns about the vehicle sticker increase, and referenced a newspaper article that stated one may register a vehicle anywhere. Mr. Janonis clarified that if the car is housed in Mount Prospect then it has to have a Mount Prospect vehicle sticker. Mr. Goodman asked about business area snow removal policy. Mr. Janonis stated that the snow removal assists businesses and commuters walking to the Metra train. This is a judgment call by the Board and the policy is reviewed from time to time. JerryBoldt, N. School Street commented that the vehicle sticker will increase by $3.00. Mr. Janonis pointed out that the increase is a user fee earmarked for street maintenance. Jan Kent and Judy Czurilo, Briarwood Drive stated their appreciation of the Fire Departmen Alarm Replacement program. They asked who owns the property east of Briarwood Dr. and was told that it is a Com Ed right away that is leased by the Mt. Prospect Park District. Lake Briarwood residents are aware that people are sleeping, toileting, drinking, partying, etc. in the area. Mr. Janonis said that residents must call 911 to get a response. Police patrol this area, but the responding officer needs to witness the event to write a ticket. Mayor Juracek suggested that the Village could reassess shrubbery trimming. Mr. Janonis said that the Police Department will step up surveillance. Trustee Polit suggested installing motion sensor lights. Mr. Janonis said that the Village will work with the Park District and Com Ed to determine the viability of installing motion sensor lights. Thomas Tezky, N. School Street raised a concern about traffic back up at Route 83 at Busse Ave. by Continental Bakery. Mayor Juracek said that Route 83 is a State route. The Village will look at the situation. Craig Iversen, S. Wille Street said that he would like to see a walkway painted across Route 83 at Busse Ave. Mayor Juracek said that Route 83 is a S to create a painted walkway. The State wants pedestrians to cross at the light. Mr. Iverson raised concerns about how the new downtown plan will negatively affect his ability to turn left onto Route 83 by St. Marks Church. Mr. Janonis said that the downtown plan is a discussion and much of the plan will not be developed due to limitations with Mount Prospect, with street light technology and with the neighborhood No Left Turn signs. Mr. Iverson asked about the Chase Bank and if the building or the parking lot will be renovated. Mr. Janonis said that the parking lot is vital for the rental of the Chase Building office space. Louis Bowers, Boxwood Drive raised traffic concerns about three intersections: 1) Kensington Rd., Rand Rd. and Route 83 needs signage for the double left turn lane, 2) west bound on Kensington Rd. while making a left turn onto Route 83 needs a left turn arrow, and 3) Kensington Rd. and Randhurst by Costco gas station needs the Rand Rd. traffic lights synced. Mr. Janonis said that those and other signals will be reconfigured in spring. Mr. Bowers attended the School District 26 Board meeting where he learned that they do not entertain questions of the Board. He complemented the Village for having Coffee with Council so residents can ask questions and have discussions with members of the Board. Mayor Juracek said that there are no restrictions on discussions during Village Board meetings. The Board needs input from residents in order to make the best decisions. Tom Manion, S. Edward Street discussed the new vicious dog ordinance. Mr. Manion raised concerns about the dangerous intersection of Prospect Ave. and Mount Prospect Rd. and feels that there should be Mr. Manion feels at Rand Rd., Central Rd. and Mount Prospect Rd. After a discussion, Trustee Polit said that Illinois Department of Transportation and the Village have reviewed this intersection many times and the State will not allow changes. Mr. Manion encourages the Police Department to aggressively enforce the State law regarding hands free cell phone usage that goes into effect January 1, 2014. After a discussion, Trustee Polit said that this law will be difficult to enforce. Dave Schein, Na Wa Ta Avenue discussed the new Illinois Conceal Carry law. After a discussion, Mayor Juracek said that businesses need to display the official State Conceal Carry sign. The Village will send literature to businesses. Mayor Juracek announced the fundraiser at Hampton Inn for storm victims of the Philippines. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Morgan Human Services Director