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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8. CWC Minutes 06/14/2014 MINUTES VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT COFFEE WITH COUNCIL SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2014 Community Center st 1 Floor Village Hall The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. with Mayor Juracek, Trustee Polit, Trustee Rogers, and Trustee Hoefert present. Village Manager Janonis, Police Chief Semkiu and Deputy Chief Janowick represented staff. Residents in Attendance Anita Taylor Burning Bush Tom Musolf Creekside Drive Barbara & Steve Van Arsdale Can Dota Avenue Walter Szymczak N. Eastwood Avenue Carol Tortorello S. Elmhurst Avenue Louis Goodman N. School Street Jerry Boldt N. School Street Tom Manion S. Edward Louis Bowers Boxwood Drive Craig Iversen S. Wille Street Christian Drogis N. Eastwood Jim Ryan N. Eastwood Steve DeLuca N. Fairview David Schein Na Wa Ta Avenue Thomas Tezky N. School Mayor Juracek wished everyone a Happy Flag Day and a Happy Birthday to Village Manager Michael Janonis. The Mayor also announced it was Chief Semkiu’s last Coffee with Council meeting and introduced Deputy Chief Janowick the next Chief. Anita Taylor, Burning Bush Ms. Taylor brought a newspaper article regarding the Village’s current decision to change energy companies and requested more information. Mayor Juracek explained the current contract with First Energy will be expiring. It is anticipated that costs will be going up with the next energy provider contract. Homefield Energy provided the lowest cost and best met the Village’s needs. Trustee Hoefert added the Village Board chose the best option available today. Residents will be receiving letters from the Village and Homefield Energy by the end of June and will have the option to opt out if they choose. The Mayor added there are many vendors attempting to solicit residents as customers. Sometimes an energy vendor uses methods which can confuse potential customers. The Mayor advised that should a resident receive a letter from another energy provider or solicitor uses strong tactics, the resident should contact the Village. Tom Musolf, Creekside Drive Mr. Musolf was here to discuss noise generated at the Midori Baquet Hall at the Old Orchard Country thth Club. Meetings with interested parties had been held on March 18 and April 9 to discuss this issue. Mayor Juracek said the meeting included park district Executive Director Kathy Nowicki and the Chairman of the Park Board. The meetings gave the parties the opportunity to discuss the issue. Based on these meetings, parameters were modified to request the park district to go back and insist on the newly installed sound system be used, which needs to be monitored at all times. Additionally, there was a need to confer with Midori management to have security people on site. Last, they discussed the possibility of a rider on all contracts stipulating the use of the sound system. Long range plans are in the works and it is now at the Park Board level. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 1 of 3 06/14/14 Barbara and Steve Van Arsdale, Can Dota Avenue Mr. Van Arsdale asked about the irrigation at the golf course. David Schein responded it was a park board issue and the course will close for one year for reconfiguring the nine-hole golf course. There was a general discussion regarding the cost of the project. Walter Szymczak, N. Eastwood Mr. Szymczak was just visiting. Carol Tortorello, S. Elmhurst Aveue Carol Tortorello had nothing to report. Louis Goodman, N. School Street Mr. Goodman attended to discuss the Journal and Topics article regarding take-home cars for Village employees. Mr. Goodman feels the Village is being too good to the employees. Deputy Chief Janowick responded to him stating these cars allow police, fire and public works to respond quickly to emergency situations and the vehicles are equipped to handle emergencies. Many times command staff is needed to make decisions that cannot be made at a lower level. If there is an active shooter, hostage situation or a fire, time is of the essence and with the proper equipment they can be on the scene quickly. There was also a brief discussion on employees living in town, but most agreed this is not feasible. Several of the residents agreed the cars are a necessity and they want first responders equipped properly to keep the community safe. Trustee Polit said every decision has a cost and sometimes we have to pay more for the best care. Jerry Boldt, N. School Street Mr. Boldt attended to discuss the ongoing issue of vehicles blocking the sidewalk at 223 North Maple. The issue has been brought to the attention of both the previous and current police administrations with no changes. Chief Semkiu responded the police have been conducting enforcement especially at that location. The police department will continue to monitor the situation and when appropriate issue parking citations. Tom Manion, S. Edward Mr. Manion complimented the Village on the great job the Fire, Police Department, Public Works and the Village Manager are doing. With his son working in a firehouse, he understands the difficulties. Mr. Manion said he has no problem paying for the expertise. Louis Bowers, B. Boxwood Mr. Bowers is not happy with the service from ARC Disposal, as his yard waste bundles were not picked up even after several phone calls. It finally was taken care of when he contacted Public Works. Trustee Hoefert said this is not acceptable and staff told him to call Public Works whenever this happens. Craig Iversen, S. Wille Street Mr. Iversen inquired if funding for the Village’s Shared Cost Sidewalk Program was available this year. Village Manager Janonis responded it is limited so he should sign up as soon as possible. The applications are available at Public Works. Mr. Musolf said they have been declined for their sidewalk by Rand Road because it is private property. Mr. Janonis will look into this. Christian Drogis, N. Eastwood Jim Ryan, N. Eastwood Mr. Drogis and Mr. Ryan attended to discuss a vacant house on their street and what can be done about it, as pipes have burst causing more damage to the house. Mayor Juracek said they should contact Community Development to advise them of the property nuisance. An inspector will investigate and notify the proper parties. Mr. Janonis stated if it is bank owned, it will take years to settle and probably be a tear down. With attorneys fees it is a very expensive process. Mr. Ryan added his concern regarding people parking on lawns at 402 Memory Lane. Chief Semkiu advised him to call 911 when he sees this. Coffee with Council Minutes Page 2 of 3 06/14/14 Steve DeLuca, N. Fairview Mr. DeLuca attended on behalf of his wife and four children to inquire about having a potbelly pig as a pet. He knows there is a Village Ordinance prohibiting this type of pet and would like to know if he could request a variance. Mayor Juracek said no because opening the ordinance to a variance would only cause more issues. David Schein, Na Wa Ta Avenue Mr. Schein asked if the work on the gap in the levee has started and Mr. Janonis stated as soon as we have a break in the weather. Thomas Tezky, North School Mr. Tezky brought in a bowl he purchased from the Family Dollar store to show everyone. The bowl had cracked while being used in a microwave. Mr. Tezky was concerned that this could happen to others. Carol Tortorello brought in a cake for the Village Manager’s birthday and everyone congratulated the manager. With no further business, Mayor Juracek adjourned the meeting at 10:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Semkiu Chief of Police Coffee with Council Minutes Page 3 of 3 06/14/14