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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-30 Special MinutesMINUTES OF THE AUGUST 30, 2009, SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RICHARD T. FLICHINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER 6101 CAPULINA AVENUE MORTON GROVE, ILLINOIS 60053 Pursuant to proper notice in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the special meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by Village President Daniel J. Staackmann who led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk Kalogerakos called the roll. In attendance were: Elected Officials: President Daniel Staackmann, Trustees Dan DiMaria, Larry Gomberg, William Grear, John Thill, and Maria Toth, and Village Clerk Tony Kalogerakos Absent Trustee Sheldon Marcus Village Staff: Village Administrator Joseph F. Wade, Corporation Counsel Teresa Hoffman Liston, Finance Director/Treasurer Ryan Horne, Fire Chief Tom Friel, Police Chief Mark Erickson, Building Commissioner Ed Hildebrandt, Community and Economic Development Director Bill Neuendorf, Public Works Director Andy DeMonte, Family and Senior Services Director Jackie Walker-O'Keefe, Network Administrator Boyle Wong, Public Works Street Superintendent Paul Tobin, Village Engineer Chris Tomich, and Public Works Landscape Superintendent John Mitchell Also Present: State Senator Ira Silverstein, State Representative John D'Amico, David Davis from U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky's office, several members of the press, five members from the Village of Morton Grove EMA, and approximately five residents President Staackmann stated the purpose of this meeting was to conduct a bus tour to examine the Village's infrastructure needs. Trustee Grear moved to adjourn to the buses waiting in the parking lot and begin the tour. The motion was seconded by Trustee Thill and approved unanimously pursuant to a voice vote at 9:01 pm. The Trustees and the assemblage boarded two buses. The bus traveled to and stopped at the Village of Morton Grove train station. Mr. Wade stated the train station area was the cornerstone of Village improvements within the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District. Plans include the realignment of the Metra crossing which currently has sharp angles and presents a potential hazard for bicyclists and pedestrians. The Village also is interested in improving the area with a fountain and other "handscape" in order to spur economic development. Currently there are 1,000 people who board the Metra train in the Village of Morton Grove each day and this number is trending upward. The Village had applied fora $2.5 million grant with the help of Representative Schakowsky's office for the purpose of improving the rail crossing in this area. The Village also is considering plans to construct a parking garage for 140 - 170 cars. The Village has applied fora $4.2 million grant, also with the help of Representative Schakowsky's office. The Village has assembled sites in this area which would be conducive to this parking facility. The parking facility and other improvements within the area may help spur economic growth and attract restaurants, and additional commercial uses, as well as residential housing. Mr. Wade also showed the assemblage the current Metra rail yard. This rail yard was established when this area was mostly industrial. With the transition of this area to residential, the yard needs to be moved. Metra will require the Village to pay for the cost to relocate this yard. The Village is also considering plans for arail-walk from Dempster Street to the train station. This and other Village planned improvements maybe impacted if the federal government's plans for a high speed rail line are implemented in this area. Mr. Wade then stated a private development on the site immediately north of the train station is in the works and expects this site to be developed within the next two years. Mr. Wade concluded by thanking our local representatives for their interest in this area and their assistance in securing grants and necessary state and federal support for these projects. The assemblage then reboarded the buses and traveled to the 5800 block of Dempster Street. Mr. Wade noted Dempster Street has daily traffic of about 40,000. Left hand turns are difficult and there are approximately 200 annual accidents from Central Avenueto the Metra tracks. While these accidents are typically minor, the State of Illinois would like to install a center turning lane to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents. The construction of these lanes will eliminate most on-street parking on Dempster Street. The Village, several years ago, initiated a program to install additional parking both within existing parkways and on lots purchased for the Village. Mayor Staackmann and Mr. Wade thanked the Village's Legislators for their support in acquiring grants for these acquisitions. Dempster Street improvements are expected to begin in 2010. Mr. Wade and Village Engineer Chris Tomich then walked the assemblage to the public alley immediately south of the site. Mr. Tomich noted this alley is indicative of commercial alleys behind Dempster Street. The Village has been trying to keep up with these alleys and compared to Waukegan Road their condition is good. Especially during the 2010 construction, these alleys will become an important means to transverse Dempster Street and access parking behind the Dempster Street stores. Mr. Tomich then invited the assemblage to walk approximately one block to the east to the intersection of Marmora and Carol Street. Mr. Tomich noted this is a good example of the state of the Village's concrete streets. The street remains drivable while certain imperfections can be seen. Concrete streets are more expensive to install than asphalt streets. They deteriorate at a slower rate than asphalt but when the street fails it is more practical to replace an entire street rather than to patch. The Village's goal is to improve all streets to an at least satisfactory rating. The intersection at Marmora and Carol can be maintained at a satisfactory level for an additional five to seven years. Mr. Tomich also noted, it is important to coordinate repairs and replacement of sewers and water mains so this work can be done concurrently. Usually, replacing sewers while replacing streets doubles the Village's cost. The assemblage then reboarded the buses and traveled to the intersection of Oriole and Greenwood. This intersection is an example of an asphalt street. This street is in poor condition north of the intersection and the condition south of the intersection changes into the next block. The Village has several options as to how to address these streets including an entire reconstruction, apatch, or an edge grinding and patch. Edge grinding is an efficient solution but may not be aesthetically acceptable to some residents. The assemblage walked one block north to the intersection of Oriole and Churchill. Mr. Tomich advised this is an example of micro-resurfacing. The Village utilized this procedure up through 2004. Micro-resurfacing lasts for approximately seven years and then wears away. In the future it maybe another method to consider saving the Village money. The assemblage reboarded the buses and traveled to the intersection of Emerson and Waukegan. Mr. Tomich walked with the assemblage down the alley immediately west of Waukegan. The alley is in failed shape. Mr. Tomich said it maybe more cost effective in the long run to replace these alleys with concrete. Concrete is more expensive but more durable. The assemblage then reboarded the buses and traveled to the Village's north water tower and pumping station. A general discussion ensued about painting the water tower which showed some signs of rust. Mr. DeMonte gave the assemblage atour of the pumping station. He pointed out the Village had pumps that were over 50 years old. While they serve the Village well, they were not energy efficient. Mr. DeMonte also stated the Village was considering replacing water meters. Many were twenty years old and the accuracy was in question. Replacing the water meters with new technology would provide for a more efficient means of billing and the Village may consider monthly billing to assist residents with budget purposes. Mr. DeMonte displayed an example of a failed water main. He also showed an example of a sewer lining system which saves trees, time, and money. There being no further questions, the assemblage reboarded the buses and traveled back to Village Hall. Trustees Grear and DiMariathanked the assemblage including Village stafffortheir participation in this tour. Trustee Grear then moved to adjourn the special meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Toth and approved unanimously pursuant to a voice at 11:21 pm. Minutes by: Tony S. Kalogerakos