07/17/1995115.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS HELD
IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, MONDAY, JULY
17, 1995
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by Mayor Ted
Sherwood at 7:03 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach
Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on
Monday, July 17, 1995.
ROLL CALL: Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Beauvais, Elstner, Higgason, Curley, Sarlo, Chiropolos,
Arredia. Aldermen Christiansen was absent. Alderman
Christiansen arrived at 7:04 p.m.
Also present were: City Manager Douthwaite, Director of Finance &
Administration Peters, Police Chief Sturlini, Fire Chief Farinella,
Director of Public Works Shirley, City Engineer Oakley, Community
Development Director D'Onofrio, Emergency Communications Director
Ornberg, Human Resources and Services Department Director Merriman, and
City Attorney Wiltse.
PRAYER AND The opening prayer was given by City Clerk McAllister,
PLEDGE: followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
CONSENT Alderman Elstner requested that Item 1 be removed from
AGENDA: the Consent Agenda, a citizen requested that Items 3 and
3a be removed, and a citizen requested that Items 6 and
6a be removed.
MINUTES:
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Chiropolos, to establish a
Consent Agenda except for Items 1, 3, 3a, 6 and 6a.
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to approve the
Consent Agenda. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8- Christiansen, Beauvais, Elstner, Higgason,
Curley, Sarlo, Chiropolos, Arredia
NAYS: 0 -None
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
The minutes are approved. The Staff recommendations and
requests are approved; Ordinance M -39 -95 is adopted;
Ordinances M -41 -95 and Z -18 -95 are placed on First
Reading; and Resolution R-40-95 is adopted.
Alderman Elstner requested that the minutes of regular
meeting of the City Council held July 5, 1995, be
corrected as follows: Page Six, fourth heading, second
paragraph, eighth line, should read, "existing solid wood
fence...."
Moved by Elstner, seconded by Christiansen, to approve
minutes of regular meeting of the City Council held July
5, 1995, as published, AS AMENDED. Motion declared
carried.
EXECUTIVE Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to approve minutes
SESSION of Executive Session of the City Council held July 5,
MINUTES: 1995. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously
Consent under Consent Agenda.
Agenda
COMPREHEN- Mrs. Margaret Moehling, 825 Center Street, addressed the
SIVE PLAN: City Council regarding the petition she is circulating
requesting to have Lee Street and Graceland Avenue revert
Ordinance back to two -way traffic; more and more businesses will
M -40 -95 close if traffic pattern is not changed; the present one -
way traffic is also a safety risk; she contacted Camiros,
Ltd. (developer of the Comprehensive Plan), who stated
to her that they could work with this proposed traffic
pattern change.
COMP. PLAN
(Cont'd.)
PAGE TWO
116.
7/17/95
Mr. Wayne Serbin, 835 Pearson Street, addressed the City
Council stating that what Mrs. Moehling said was no
"baloney;" he has had bad experiences in communities
where there has been one -way traffic.
Ms. Sue D'Hondt, 359 Alles Street, addressed the City
Council stating that she is concerned about the
appearance of the downtown area; a good appearance is
very important; maybe two -way traffic is the way to go;
should be considered.
Several aldermen commented that the concerns expressed
do not directly pertain to the Comprehensive Plan matter
being presented this evening. Mrs. Moehling was directed
to present her petitions to the City Clerk to begin the
review and study process.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Chiropolos, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole Meeting held
July 5, 1995, to approve proposed ordinance officially
adopting the Comprehensive Plan as prepared by Camiros,
Ltd., 411 S. Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60607, as amended
at Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 15, 1995, to
change the designation for the Moehling Farm, south side
of Rand Road, east of Wolf Road, from Townhouse
Residential to Single Family Residential; and further
recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance M- 40 -95,
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PREPARED BY
CAMIROS, LTD., AS THE OFFICIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE
CITY OF DES PLAINES. Motion declared carried.
CHANGING Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
NAME OF recommendation of Committee of the Whole Meeting held
"CITY PLAN ": July 5, 1995, that Chapter 11, Title IX, of the City Code
Consent be amended to reflect the adoption of the entire
Agenda Comprehensive Plan, not just the land use portion; and
further recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance M-
Ordinance 41 -95, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 "CITY PLAN,"
M -41 -95 TITLE IX, OF THE CITY CODE OF DES PLAINES, IN ITS
ENTIRETY. Motion declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda.
LIO. LIC./ Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
1300 MINER: recommendation of Committee of the Whole Meeting held
Consent July 5, 1995, to DENY request to approve change of
Agenda ownership of Class A Liquor License for property located
at 1300 Miner Street, d /b /a Melz Place. Motion declared
carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
EXPENSE Alderman Christiansen requested that the recommendation
ACCOUNT FOR of the Committee of the Whole Meeting held July 5, 1995,
MAYOR: be amended to delete: "that Mayor Sherwood be given the
unused portion of the $2,400 line item for Expenses of
Ordinance the Mayor in the 1995 Budget, prorated over the remaining
M -43 -95 six months beginning in July of 1995," and "beginning in
1996."
Mr. Vince Powers, 862 Webster Lane, addressed the City
Council asking that the City Council reconsider their
approval of this expense account for Mayor Sherwood;
there will be no accountability; no paper trail; people
have a right to question these expenses; we need checks
and balances.
Mr. Wayne Serbin, 835 Pearson Street, addressed the City
Council stating that you can write expenses off on your
income tax.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Christiansen, to concur with
the recommendation of the Committee of the Whole Meeting
held July 5, 1995, AS AMENDED, that Mayor Sherwood be
provided a $200 per month expense account not subject to
annual appropriation, similar to the aldermanic expense
accounts; recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance
PAGE THREE
117.
7/17/95
EXPENSE M- 43 -95, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 -6 -23
ACCOUNT "COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES" OF TITLE I, CHAPTER 6, OF THE
(Cont'd.) CITY CODE OF DES PLAINES; and further recommend that
minutes of Committee of the Whole portion of regular
meeting of the City Council held July 5, 1995, be amended
as follows: Page Six, fourth heading, second paragraph,
third line, delete, "that Mayor Sherwood be given the
unused portion of the $2,400 line item for Expenses of
the Mayor in the 1995 Budget, prorated over the remaining
six months beginning in July of 1995" and tenth line,
delete, "beginning in 1996." Upon roll call, the vote
was:
AYES: 7- Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Higgason,
Curley, Sarlo, Chiropolos
NAYS: 1- Arredia
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
VARIATION/ Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
630 N. recommendation of Des Plaines Zoning Board of Appeals re
DURSEY LANE: Zoning Case 95 -39 -V, to permit operation of an office for
Consent Kennedy Community Development for a two -year period in
Agenda a single family home in the Longford Glen Subdivision on
property located at 630 N. Dursey Lane in R -2 Single
Ordinance Family Residence District; and further recommend to place
Z - 18 - 95 on First Reading Ordinance Z- 18 -95, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING
A VARIATION TO SECTION 3.2.2 OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES
ZONING ORDINANCE, TO PERMIT THE OPERATION OF AN OFFICE
FOR A TWO (2) YEAR PERIOD IN A SINGLE FAMILY HOME, IN THE
LONGFORD GLEN SUBDIVISION, IN R -2 SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT,
ON THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 630 NORTH DURSEY LANE,
(CASE NO. 95- 39 -V). Motion declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda.
MUNICIPAL Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
OVERSIGHT/ Staff recommendation to support effort of DuPage Mayors
TELECOMMUN. and Managers Conference, the Northwest Municipal
PROVIDERS: Conference, the South Suburban Mayors and Managers
Consent Association, and the West Central Municipal Conference,
Agenda to develop a model telecommunications policy; and further
recommend to adopt Resolution R- 40 -95, A RESOLUTION OF
Resolution THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, SUPPORTING
R - 40 - 95 MUNICIPAL OVERSIGHT OF TELECOMMUNICATION PROVIDERS.
Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda.
BID AWARD Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
SKID STEER Staff recommendation to award bid for one (1) New 1995 -
LOADER AND 1996 Skid Steer Loader and Trailer with Attachments to
TRAILER: the lowest bidder, Atlas Companies, 5050 N. River Road,
Consent Schiller Park, IL 60176, in the total bid amount of
Agenda $33,353.54/Capital Equipment Replacement Fund. Motion
declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
ADVERTISE Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
FOR BIDS: Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to
Consent advertise for bids for two (2) New 1995 Large Trailer -
Agenda Mounted Leaf Loaders, returnable by 3:00 p.m., Friday,
August 11, 1995. Motion declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to
advertise for bids for two (2) New 1996 1/2 Ton Four -
Wheel Drive Pickup Trucks with Optional Mounted Plows,
returnable by 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 18., 1995.
Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to
advertise for bids for two (2) New 1996 3/4 Ton Four-
ADVERTISE
FOR BIDS
(Cont'd.)
REAPPOINT-
MENTS:
Consent
Agenda
ORDINANCE
M -39 -95
LICENSE
AGREEMENT/
252 CORNELL:
Consent
Agenda
DISPOSITION
OF CITY
PROPERTY:
PARKING PAD
VARIATION/
1698 RIVER
STREET:
PAGE FOUR
Wheel Drive Pickup Trucks with Mounted
by 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 18, 1995.
carried as approved unanimously under
LEGAL & LICENSING - Alderman Beauvais, Chair
BUILDING CODE - Alderman Arredia, Chair
118.
7/17/95
Plows, returnable
Motion declared
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to concur with
Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to
advertise for bids for one (1) New 1996 One Ton Heavy
Duty Four -Wheel Drive Dump Truck with Front Mounted 8.5'
Power Reversible Snowplow and Tailgate Mounted Salt
Spreader, returnable by 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 18,
1995. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously
under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais,
reappointments to the DES PLAINES
follows:
Michael Schnell, term to expire June
Inara Brubaker, term to texpire June
Motion declared carried as approved
Consent Agenda.
to approve Mayoral
LIBRARY BOARD as
30, 1998
30, 1998
unanimously under
Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Beauvais, to adopt Ordinance
M- 39 -95, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A
RIGHT -OF -WAY LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH EDWARD AND VIRGINIA
McCASKEY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF BRICK PAVER DRIVEWAY
RIBBONS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT -OF -WAY ADJACENT TO THE
DRIVEWAY APPROACH IN FRONT OF 252 CORNELL AVENUE, DES
PLAINES, IL. Motion .declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Mayor Ted Sherwood declared that the City Council was now
resolved into a Committee of the Whole.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Higgason, to concur with
Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council
that City Code be amended to permit the City to dispose
of public personal property no longer deemed necessary
or useful to or for the best interest of the City, in
certain ways; and further recommend that Ordinance M -44-
95, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE IX, "PUBLIC WAYS AND
PROPERTY REGULATIONS; DEALING WITH SUBDIVISIONS;
DEDICATIONS AND FLOOD PLAINS" BY CREATING AND ADDING
THERETO CHAPTER 23 "DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC PERSONAL
PROPERTY" be placed on First Reading at appropriate time
this evening. Motion declared carried.
Petitioner Neil Burke addressed the City Council
regarding the citation he received for putting down
gravel without first applying for a building permit. His
court case has been continued to August 4, 1995, pending
the outcome of his request for a parking pad variation
for the gravel area. Mr. Burke stated that the gravel
was there before he moved into the house; he only added
some additional gravel to make the area more presentable.
Mr. James Wilhelm, 1653 River Street, addressed the City
Council in opposition to this request; the gravel was not
there before Mr. Burke moved in; there are too many
vehicles on this property now.
Resident of Unit #402, 1653 River Street, addressed the
City Council in opposition to this request; stones were
not there before; she saw him put them down; she and
other residents put up with his trucks, cars and
v k
1698 RIVER
STREET
(Cont'd.)
PAGE FIVE
motorcycle; he will bring back his campers.
119.
7/17/95
Ms. Charlotte Scott, 1653 River Street, addressed the
City Council in opposition to this request; there was no
gravel there before; he has not tried to be a good
neighbor; she hopes the request will be denied.
Mr. Todd Johnson, 1652 River Street, addressed the City
Council in support of this request; the stones were there
when Mr. Burke moved in.
Resident in Unit #506, 1653 River Street, addressed the
City Council stating her concern that Mr. Burke would
bring back his campers once parking pad is constructed.
Mr. Neil Burke stated that he would not bring back his
campers; they are parked up in Wisconsin.
Mr. David Van Vleck, 1698 River Street, addressed the
City Council stating he ownes one of the campers; he has
arranged to have it parked up in Wisconsin; he would like
to have a place to park his car, not on the street but
on the parking pad.
Moved by Elstner, seconded by Chiropolos, to recommend
to the City Council to grant request for variation to
permit construction of a 9.5' x 24' parking pad east of
garage and adjacent to existing 10' wide driveway on
property located at 1698 River Street; and fine for
putting gravel down without first applying for a building
permit be waived. Motion declared carried. Aldermen
Beauvais and Higgason voted no.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION - Alderman Christiansen, Chair
WARRANT Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Elstner, to concur with
REGISTER: Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council
approval of July 17, 1995 Warrant Register in the amount
of $1,874,411.21; and Resolution R -41 -95 be adopted at
appropriate time this evening. Motion declared carried.
Mayor Ted Sherwood assumed the chair, and declared the
City Council back in session.
ORDINANCE Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, to adopt
M - 37 - 95 Ordinance M- 37 -95, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2,
GAMBLING "GAMBLING" OF TITLE VI, "POLICE REGULATIONS," OF THE DES
ORDINANCE PLAINES CITY CODE, TO ADD THERETO SECTIONS 6 -2 -11 "PULL
AMENDMENTS: TABS AND JAR GAMES," AND 6 -2 -12 "CHARITABLE GAMES." Upon
roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8- Beauvais, Christiansen, Higgason, Chiropolos,
Arredia
NAYS: 2- Curley, Sarlo
ABSENT: 1- Elstner
Motion declared carried.
LIBRARY Moved by Curley, seconded by Sarlo, to suspend the rules
REFERENDUM: to permit public input on the matter of placing a
referendum on the November 7, 1995 Election Ballot asking
Resolution whether General Obligation Bonds in the amount of
R - 42 - 95 $15,000,000 should be issued for the construction of a
new Library building on its present site. Motion
declared carried.
Library Administrator Sandra Norlin addressed the City
Council and explained the reason for changing the wording
of the proposed referendum; to make it clear where the
Q1"
PAGE SIX
120.
7/17/95
REFERENDUM building would be located. Ms. Norlan also stated that
(Cont'd.) bonds would be issued for only the amount needed.
Alderman Curley requested that letter from Eugene
Fregetto, 800 Laurel Avenue, be made part of the record
(see attached).
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, to concur
with recommendation of Committee of the Whole Meeting
held July 10, 1995, that City place a referendum on the
November 7, 1995 Election Ballot with the following
amended wording: "Shall General Obligation Bonds in the
amount of $15,000,000.00 be issued by the City of Des
Plaines, Illinois, for the purpose of paying the cost of
constructing a new public library building at the site
of, or immediately adjacent thereto, the existing Des
Plaines Public Library Building ? ", and further recommend
to adopt Resolution R- 42 -95, A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR
AND REQUIRING THE SUBMISSION OF A QUESTION OF PUBLIC
POLICY TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, COOK
COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AT THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
THE 7TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1995. Upon roll call, the vote
was:
AYES: 8- Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Higgason,
Curley, Sarlo, Chiropolos, Arredia
NAYS: 0 -None
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
DISPOSITION Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, to concur
OF CITY with recommendation of Committee of the Whole that City
PROPERTY: Code be amended to permit the City to dispose of public
personal property no longer deemed necessary or useful
Ordinance to or for the best interest of the City, in certain ways;
M -44 -95 and place on First Reading Ordinance M- 44 -95. Motion
declared carried.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, to adopt
Ordinance M- 44 -95, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE IX,
"PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY REGULATIONS; DEALING WITH
SUBDIVISIONS; DEDICATIONS AND FLOOD PLAINS" BY CREATING
AND ADDING THERETO CHAPTER 23 "DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC
PERSONAL PROPERTY." Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8- Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Higgason,
Curley, Sarlo, Chiropolos, Arredia
NAYS: 0 -None
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
PARKING PAD Moved by Arredia, seconded by Chiropolos, to concur with
VARIATION/ recommendation of Committee of the Whole to grant request
1698 RIVER for variation to permit construction of a 9.5° x 24'
STREET: parking pad east of garage and adjacent to existing 10'
wide driveway on property located at 1698 River Street;
and fine for putting gravel down without first applying
for a building permit be waived. Upon roll call, the
vote was:
AYES: 6- Christiansen, Elstner, Curley, Sarlo,
Chiropolos, Arredia
NAYS: 2- Beauvais, Higgason
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
WARRANT Moved by Christiansen, seconded by Sarlo, to concur with
REGISTER: recommendation of Committee of the Whole to adopt
Resolution R- 41 -95, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
Resolution OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE
R -41 -95 DUE AND PAYABLE AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE AND
ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR SAME. Total:
$1,874,411.21 Upon roll call, the vote was:
1
1
1
PAGE SEVEN
121.
7/17/95
R - 41 - 95 AYES: 8- Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Higgason,
(Cont'd.) Curley, Sarlo, Chiropolos, Arredia
NAYS: 0 -None
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, that the
regular meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion
declared carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS
Ted Sherwood, MAYOR
g,„Th-z(222.-
Donna McAllister, CMC /AAE - CITY CLERK
Alderman Jim Curley
Chair,
Community Services Committee
City of Des Plaines
SUBJECT: LIBRARY REFERENDUM
July 17, 1995
The Des Plaines Council is scheduled to discuss and take a
vote regarding the Library's request for a $15 million bond
referendum tonight. I will be out-of -town on a business trip at
that time, but I would like this letter to be entered into public
record during the public discussion portion of the council's
deliberation on this matter.
My comments are based on a detailed evaluation of the
Library's $12 million dollar request in 1992; discussion during the
July 10, 1995 Committee of the Whole meeting, and some of the
available information. At this time, I do not have full
information regarding the library's request for $15 million, but I
have issued a Freedom of Information Request for addition
information. Subsequent comment and evaluation will follow this
letter, but for the moment, following are my comments and opinions
that I would like entered into public record regarding the
Library's $15 million funding request:
(1) Cost of the new library
The Library Board states that the cost to the average homeowner is
$16.73. Two other costs should also be considered by the Council:
cost to the owners of business and commercial property and average
cost per item in circulation.
The homeowners of Des Plaines represent only 28% of the total
property tax base in the city. Commercial and industrial property
represent approximately 65 %. Also, there are approximately 16,000
residential units that carry the residential property tax burden of
the 28 %. Consequently, the property tax burden to the individual
homeowner would be small. On the other hand, the tax increase for
the ten largest commercial and industrial property owners could be
up to $30,000 per year. What will the new library offer to the
business community for this additional tax burden?
Unit cost per item in circulation showed a significant increase
under the previous proposal to spent $12 million for a new library.
Based on the previous analysis, following are the actual, estimated
and projected costs to the taxpayer for each item the library had
in circulation during the early 1990's.
*$5.82 is based on the library's figures for the $12 million bond
issue for a new library in 1992 with an projected circulation of
835,044 items in 1995. There should be some efficiencies when new
technology is applied and as the size increases due economies of
scale, but costs did not decrease. The Library Board should show
the unit cost impact for the new bond proposal.
(2) Circulation
YEAR AVERAGE COST
1990 (actual)
1991 (actual)
1992 (estimated)
1995 (projected)
The Library Board states that circulation has increased 17% since
1985 increasing from 546.461 to 637,570. I don't have the 1985 and
1990 circulation records readily available, but 1 do have the 1987
and 1990 circulation records available, and they consistent with
the circulation totals of 1985 and 1994, except the percent
increase may not be a valid representation of the demand for
library items. Following are the four circulation figures:
1985 1987 1990 1994
546,461 596,330 687,053 637,570
These figures show that there was a 9.1% increase in circulation
between 1985 and 1987 and a 7.8% decrease between 1990 and 1994.
The library should show a complete graph of the circulation for
every year from 1980. The graph should show not only total
circulation, but also yearly circulation total for fiction and
nonfiction books, non -book items and video tapes and CD's. This
information will give the Council a more complete picture of the
library's circulation trends, and the demand for different types of
library items.
(3) Video Tapes and CDs
$2.95
$3.23
$3.36
$5.82*
The voters of Des Plaines can choose mix of information they want
available at their public library. Video tapes and CDs are
certainly in demand and do fit with our library's goal to be a
"popular materials library." These two media did not exist in
1980, but within the next ten years, other media may severely and
directly undercut the attractiveness videos and to some degree CDs.
The library needs to address the change in the popularity of videos
and CDs, because approximately 90% of the increase in circulation
between 1980 and 1990 was caused by videos and CDs; the library's
circulation increased 205,510 during the 1990's and videos and CDs
represented 182,513 of the items in circulation. As more and more
television companies compete for our visual entertainment as well
as education, what will happen to the demand for videos and CDs
from the Des Plaines' Library.
(4) Comprehensive Library Services Plan for the City
The Library Board was questioned about the other thirteen libraries
already existing in the city of Des Plaines, and I felt their
response was inadequate. The answer was especially inadequate in
light of their reference to the school children in Des Plaines. I
share the concern for having adequate books for children. A pre-
requisite to any new library building should be a comprehensive
library services plan in full cooperation with all the school
libraries so that a broad array of books and educational materials
for the children can be bought with the limited tax dollars. Also,
as taxpayers in the Oakton Community College District, we can use
Oakton's library. The Library Board should develop a comprehensive
plan to give the Council a clear picture of the total number of
books and library services that are available within the city of
Des Plaines before they build more library space.
These are a few of my concerns. I petition the Council to withhold
the approval of any referendum until these questions are answered
by the Library Board.
cc: Mayor
City Council Members
Sincerely,
(-
Eugene Fregetto
800 Laurel Avenue
Des Plaines, Illinois 60016
(708) 297 -1664