06/24/1996 Special MeetingCALL TO ORDER: The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Des Plaines was called to order by Mayor Ted Sherwood at
7:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council
Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Monday, June 24,
1996.
ROLL CALL:
304.
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH
MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES
CIVIC CENTER, JUNE 24, 1996
Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Elstner, Higgason, Curley, Chiropolos, Arredia. Aldermen
Beauvais, Christiansen and Sarlo were absent. Alderman
Beauvais arrived at 7:03 p.m., Alderman Sarlo arrived at
7:04 p.m., and Alderman Christiansen arrived at 7:07 p.m.
Also present were City Manager Douthwaite, Police Chief Sturlini, Fire
Chief Farinella, Director of Public Works Shirley, City Engineer Oakley,
and Keep Des Plaines Beautiful Commission Coordinator Rosinia.
Mayor Ted Sherwood declared that the City Council was now
resolved into a Committe of the Whole
COMMUNITY SERVICES - Alderman Curley, Chair
HOLIDAY During the 1996 budget meetings, the issue of additional
DECORATIONS: funding for holiday decorations was discussed at some
length and as a result the Council created an ad hoc
committee to investigate the feasibility of additional
decorations. Keep Des Plaines Beautiful Commission
Coordinator Rosinia stated that the ad hoc committee was
comprised of Aldermen Christiansen and Elstner; Pat
Ornberg, Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce; Thom Kime, Des
Plaines Area Jaycees; Jack Klaus, Economic Development
Commission; Cornelia Grunst, PlainsBank; Dave Markworth,
Des Plaines Park District; and Karen Henrikson, City's
Public Relations Coordinator. It was the consensus of
the committee to have a white light holiday theme and,
because of the cost, to concentrate in the downtown area
only.
The committee reviewed proposals from three (3) vendors
and it is their recommendation to accept proposal from
The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc., 781 N. Church Road,
Elmhurst, IL 60126, in the amount of $12,884, to install
and remove lights on approximately 40 trees in the
downtown area, and install, remove and store a 15' Tree
of Lights for the circle island or the canopy roof
between City Hall and the Police Department. In an
effort to have decorations unified in the downtown area,
The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc. will assemble a Service
Kit of six (6) sets of clear miniature light sets,
cellophane tape and "How to Use" instructions and make
them available for merchants to purchase.
Moved by Elstner, seconded by Chiropolos, to concur with
Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council
that usual bid procedures be waived for the purchase of
holiday decorations. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Elstner, seconded by Chiropolos, to recommend
to the City Council to accept proposal from The
Meetinghouse Companies, Inc., 781 N. Church Road,
Elmhurst, IL 60126, in the amount of $12,884, to install
and remove lights on approximately 40 trees in the
downtown area; install, remove and store a 15' Tree of
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DECORATIONS Lights for the circle island or the canopy roof between
(Cont'd.) City Hall and the Police Department, and further fund an
additional amount of $2,116 for lighting at the
Cumberland Station and additional decorations at City
Hall; for a total amount of $15,000 /General Fund
Contingency Account. Motion declared carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY - Alderman Higgason, Chair
PARKING City Engineer Oakley, Chairman of the Staff Traffic
RESTRICTION/ Advisory Committee (STAC) stated that his committee had
WEBSTER been requested to review parking conditions along Webster
LANE: Lane, south of Oakton Street. In the interest of safety,
the committee recommends that parking be prohibited on
the fire hydrant side (west side) of Webster Lane from
163.5' south of the south line of Oakton Street to
Everett Avenue.
Alderman Chiropolos expressed concern that if this change
is approved and the signs go up, people will be upset if
they have not been notified of this change.
Alderman Beauvais stated that this would be just a
"bandaid" approach; this will not solve the problem.
Mayor Sherwood stated that he lives on Webster Lane,
travels that street every day and sees at least six to
eight cars parked along Webster Lane every day.
Mr. Paul Schaefer, 1740 Webster Lane, addressed the City
Council stating his opposition to this request; his
guests will have to park on the other side of the street
where there is little parking; they should have
restricted parking for certain hours of the day; Mr.
Caputo should get his parking lot.
Resident at 1732 Webster Lane addressed the City Council
stating her oppostion to this request; 28 year resident;
this was not a problem until about 14 years ago when they
put a light at Oakton Street and Webster Lane; people use
Webster Lane as a shortcut; would not like to see any
restriction whatsoever; how would you like not being able
to park in front of your home?
Mr. Chris Murphy, 1663 Webster Lane, addressed the City
Council stating that this was never a problem until about
a year ago; fire truck would still have a problem getting
down the street; recommends a parking time limit.
Ms. Diane Shay, 1645 Webster Lane, addressed the City
Council stating that this is strictly a safety issue; we
all have adequate driveways; supports this change.
Moved by Curley, seconded by Chiropolos, to concur with
Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council
that parking be prohibited on the fire hydrant side (west
side) of Webster Lane from 163.5 south of the south line
of Oakton Street to Everett Avenue; and further recommend
that Ordinance T -7 -96 be placed on First Reading at
appropriate time this evening. Motion declared carried.
Alderman Beauvais voted no.
PARKING City Engineer Oakley, Chairman of the Staff Traffic
RESTRICTION/ Advisory Committee, stated that his committee was
MILL ST.: requested by Harold Jaffe, President of the Pines
Condominium Association, 1702 Mill Street, to amend the
parking prohibition along Mill Street from the south side
to the north side of the street.
MILL ST.
(Cont'd.)
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306.
6/24/96
City Engineer Oakley stated that the south side of Mill
Street is where an 8" water main and two (2) fire
hydrants are located. Prohibiting parking on the water
main and fire hydrant side of this street is consistent
with City policy.
Mr. Oakley stated that Fire Chief Farinella recommends
the fire hydrant side of the street remain free of parked
vehicles in order to quickly identify and make connection
to hydrants in the event of a fire. The STAC Committee
concurs and, therefore, recommends the parking
restriction on Mill Street remain as is.
Mr. Jeff Spero, 1702 Mill Street, addressed the City
Council stating that safety is the big factor; the street
is too narrow for a fire truck to turn in; garbage trucks
cannot get in because the construction workers from the
Triangle Project park there; police will not give
tickets.
Police Chief Sturlini stated that there is not a high
accident rate in this area, but it is highly congested.
Mr. Robert Cooper, 1702 Mill Street, addressed the City
Council stating that he is concerned about traffic coming
in and out of Mill Street; a car was blocking access to
Mill Street last week and he had to call the police and
have them come to make the man move the car.
Mr. Chris Johnson, 1685 Mill Street, addressed the City
Council and presented a petition to the City Clerk with
approximately 46 signatures of residents of his building
who do not want the parking on the south side; leave as
is; something must be done about the congestion at the
corner of Mill Street and River Road; he had an accident
there last week.
City Engineer Oakley stated that curb and gutter at that
corner could be flared out, which would help. Alderman
Higgason requested Staff to look into this possibility.
A resident at 1685 Mill Street addressed the City Council
in opposition to this change; would not be able to park
in front of his home; people across the street have
driveways.
A resident at 1685 Mill Street addressed the City Council
in opposition to this change; leave as it is; suggests
that no parking area be extended back one more parking
space at the corner of Mill Street and River Road.
Ms. Joanne McDonnell, 1670 Mill Street, addressed the
City Council stating that parking should be moved to the
other side of the street.
Mr. Burt Kosmen, 709 S. Des Plaines /River Road, addressed
the City Council stating that there should be no parking
on either side of Mill Street.
Alderman Elstner asked that this matter be sent back to
STAC and have them look at places for the construction
workers and employees of Bill's Auto to park their cars;
if we can get eleven to twelve cars off the street, that
would solve the problem. Also, have the committee look
at wider curb cuts at the corner of Mill Street and River
Road.
Alderman Sarlo asked the mayor to contact Norwood
Builders and have them direct their workers to park some
where else. Alderman Christiansen asked how we can do
that when we permit this practice in other areas of the
MILL ST.
(Cont'd.)
HOLIDAY
DECORATIONS:
PAGE FOUR
307.
6/24/96
City. Mayor Sherwood stated that he would have the City
Manager ask Norwood Builders for their cooperation in
this matter.
A resident at 1702 Mill Street addressed the City Council
stating he is concerned about safety on the street; we
need relief now.
Moved by Chiropolos, seconded by Curley, to concur with
Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council
that parking on Mill Street remain as is; and further
recommend that the curb and gutter at the corner of Mill
Street and River Road be flared for better egress and
ingress, and "No Parking From Here To Corner" sign be set
back approximately 25' from stop sign on north side of
Mill Street. Motion declared carried.
Mayor Ted Sherwood assumed the chair and declared the
City Council back in session.
Moved by Curley, seconded by Elstner, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole that usual bid
procedures be waived for the purchase of holiday
decorations. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Curley, seconded by Elstner, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole to accept
proposal from The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc., 781 N.
Church Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126, in the amount of
$12,884, to install and remove lights on approximately
40 trees in the downtown area; install, remove and store
a 15' Tree of Lights for the circle island or the canopy
roof between City Hall and the Police Department; and
fund an additional amount of $2,116 for lighting at the
Cumberland Station and additional decorations at City
Hall; for a total amount of $15,000 /General Fund
Contingency Account. 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 Moved by Higgason, seconded by Curley, to concur with
RESTRICTION/ recommendation of Committee of the Whole that parking be
WEBSTER prohibited on the fire hydrant side (west side) of
LANE: Webster Lane from 163.5' south of the south line of
Oakton Street to Everett Avenue; and place on First
Ordinance Reading Ordinance T -7 -96. Motion declared carried.
T - 7 - 96
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Curley, to advance to
Second Reading and adopt Ordinance T -7 -96, AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SCHEDULE I, SECTION 10 -5 -17, "PARKING PROHIBITED
IN DESIGNATED PLACES," OF THE CITY CODE OF DES PLAINES,
TO ADD THERETO "WEBSTER LANE, 163.5 FT. SOUTH OF THE
SOUTH LINE OF OAKTON STREET TO EVERETT AVENUE, WEST SIDE
OF STREET." Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7- Christiansen, Elstner, Higgason, Curley,
Sarlo, Chiropolos, Arredia
NAYS: 1- Beauvais
ABSENT: 0 -None
Motion declared carried.
PARKING Moved by Higgason, seconded by Chiropolos, to concur with
RESTRICTION/ recommendation of Committee of the Whole that parking on
MILL ST.: Mill Street remain as is; and further recommend that the
curb and gutter at the corner of Mill Street and River
Road be flared for better egress and ingress, and "No
Parking From Here To Corner" sign be set back
approximately 25' from stop sign on the north side of
Mill Street. Motion declared carried.
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308.
6/24/96
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Arredia, seconded by Sarlo, that the Special
Meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion declared
carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS 3
DAY 0 1996
Ted S erwood, MAYOR
Donna McAllister, CMC /AAE - CITY CLERK