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09/29/1998 Special Meeting183A 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, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1998 CALL TO ORDER: The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Des Plaines was called to order by Mayor Paul Jung at 7:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Tuesday, September 29, 1998. ROLL CALL: Roll call indicated the following aldermen present: Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Higgason, Brookman, Sarlo, Smith, Arredia. Also present were: City Staff: City Manager Douthwaite, Director of Economic Development Klaus, and Director of Community Development D'Onofrio Lohan Associates: Dirk Lohan, Floyd Anderson, Michael Barnes Construction Cost Systems, Inc.: Anthony Oliver REVIEW/ ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN NEW LIBRARY: Mayor Jung introduced Dirk Lohan, Lohan Associates, architects for the new Library. Mr. Lohan stated that his firm has done a lot of work on the design of the new Library since the first schematic design was presented to the aldermen on June 22, 1998; they have tried to incorporate all the suggestions and recommendations made at that meeting into the design development work being presented this evening. While all the costs are not totally known as yet, this design does include all other aspects, i.e. materials, functionality. Mr. Lohan stated that only the Library design is being presented this evening; the retail portion is not as yet complete. Mr. Lohan stated that tonight he would be talking about three (3) aspects of the building: 1...overall master plan 2...architecture of the building itself; its materials, its colors, windows, basic spacial arrangement of the Library, etc. 3...inner functioning of the Library with some of the plans. Mr. Lohan stated that tonight's meeting is primarily to discuss the exterior, the architecture, the overall planning of the whole development. Mr. Lohan presented the model of the plan and reviewed each aspect of the Library site, i.e. landscaping, paving, traffic pattern, driveways. Also, a clock tower was added as requested, and a flag pole. Mr. Lohan stated that while this four -floor Library building is basically box -shaped, they have very conscientiously and very deliberately sought to form and shape this box in such a way that it becomes a very horizontal elevation and stretches itself rather than emphasizes its voluminous form. They have moved the main entrance from the middle to the northwest corner of the building. Mr. Lohan stated that on the fourth floor, they are de- emphasizing the front by a setback, which forms a terrace, all in an effort to make the building appear lower and more horizontal. It is a strong elevation. cot 183B 9/29/98 PAGE TWO LIBRARY Mr. Lohan stated that you can enter the building from DESIGN either the front or the side; inside the building you (cont'd.) will find a shifting atrium which goes all the way up to the top floor and receives daylight from the skylights above; an open staircase is part of this atrium. Mr. Lohan detailed what is being planned for colorization of the exterior and the types of bricks that will :be used, which is reminiscent of the prairie -style or midwestern architecture. Lohan Associates representative Michael Barnes explained the functionality of the building and how it works, which is basically what was presented to the aldermen at a previous meeting. The first floor is the lobby area and a large meeting area that can be closed off for events that might be held after the Library is closed; also staff area, mechanical rooms, etc. Mr. Barnes stated that there will be two (2) elevators and a separate freight elevator. Mr. Barnes stated that the second floor will house the children's collection and Staff offices. The third floor is the first of two floors that house the adult collections, i.e. periodicals, audio visual, fiction; a corner reading area and small study rooms; and Staff office and work area. The fourth floor will house the reference and non-fiction collections; another corner reading area; study rooms, computer lab. DISCUSSION: Alderman Sarlo stated that the design presented this evening is very beautiful and very exciting; it is exactly what the Council envisioned for this project; it is very good. Alderman Higgason asked if the awning on the fourth floor terrace will match the retail awnings. Mr. Lohan said yes. Alderman Higgason asked how high the terrace wall will be; will it be safe for children. Mr. Lohan stated that the terrace will be absolutely safe for children. Alderman Higgason stated that it is a very beautiful design. Alderman Brookman asked how many square feet of the 80,000 will be stairwell, atrium, etc. Mr. Barnes stated that he has not sub -totaled those areas, but the mechanical rooms total 2,500 sq. ft. The net usable area of the whole building is about 65,000 sq. ft. Alderman Brookman asked if there has been any consideration to putting parking underground especially when you consider the addition of the 182 -unit residential building. Mr. Lohan said this has not been considered; the residential project has to provide its own parking; there is adequate parking planned. Alderman Christiansen asked if the hedge between the railroad and the project will be sufficient. Mr. Barnes said yes, but we will be doing a survey to determine what more we can do. Mayor Jung stated that he has had discussions with the railroad and while they will not put a platform on the south side of the tracks, they never indicated a need for a fence, only that we have to be 16' back from the nearest railroad tie. Alderman Christiansen asked who would make the decision on whether a day care center goes into the project. Mr. Barnes stated that although School District #62 has indicated that they will not be putting in a day care 183C 9/29/98 PAGE THREE DISCUSSION center, a private day care center has indicated interest (Cont'd.) in this project. Mayor Jung stated that the final decision would be made by the City Council and he will notify LR Development to arrange a meeting with any potential day care provider. Alderman Elstner stated that if this design turns out to be anything close to what is being proposed, the residents will be proud to have it part of this town. Alderman Smith asked if the costs will be close to what was budgeted. Mr. Oliver stated that they believe the costs will be very close; what was presented this evening is within the budget. Alderman Arredia asked how many sq. ft. would there be on the open terrace on the fourth floor. Mr. Lohan said 1,000 sq. ft. Alderman Arredia stated that he is very concerned about the open terrace; children can climb on a chair and throw things over the side. Moved by Higgason, seconded by Sarlo, to suspend the rules to permit public input on this matter. Motion declared carried. Mr. Joe Botte, 560 Webford Avenue, addressed the City Council asking if the atrium is a set-aside area from the stairwell or is it a combination. Mr. Lohan stated that the stairwell is in the atrium. Mr. Botte asked how many parking spaces will be available in the parking garage to Library patrons during the day. Mr. Lohan said there will be 67 spaces. Mr. Botte asked if the entrance to the Library from the parking garage would be undercover, out of the cold and rain. Mr. Lohan said yes, it will be completely enclosed with heat and air conditioning. Mr. Vince Naccarato, 486 Cordial Drive, addressed the City Council asking if it is going to be confusion having the plaza area a different pavement color than the other traffic area. Mr. Lohan said no, there will be a curb to clearly show the plaza area. Mr. Naccarato also asked why there isn't a covered enclosed walk area in front of the retail area; it is much more important to get people into the City to shop conveniently. Mr. Lohan stated that shoppers usually shop and then go back to their car; however there will be awnings. Mr. Naccarato asked if the parking spaces in front of the retail stores could be for shoppers only. Mr. Lohan stated that there will be signs stating that these spaces are for short-term parking for shoppers; the parking deck is to be used by Library patrons. Mrs. Sue D'Hondt, 359 Alles Street, addressed the City Council asking if the building will be sprinklered. Mr. Lohan said yes. Mrs. D'Hondt asked how wide the covered walkway would be; will it be adequate for wheelchairs and people going in both directions; will the windows be able to be opened; and how many people will each elevator hold. Mr. Lohan stated the walkway will be 7' wide; everything in the Library will be ADA compliant; each elevator will hold over 20 people; none of the windows open but the building will have adequate emergency exiting. Alderman Arredia asked if there was a backup generator system in case there is a blackout. Mr. Lohan stated that there is a battery-operated emergency system. Mayor Jung stated that he is personally extremely pleased with this design; the whole City will be very proud of this building. 1 1 1 183D 9/29/98 PAGE FOUR LIBRARY Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Sarlo, to accept the DESIGN proposed design for the new $13.5 million Des Plaines (Cont'd.) Public Library to be constructed as part of the downtown redevelopment area bounded by Lee Street, Union Pacific Railroad tracks, Pearson Street and Prairie Avenue. Motion declared carried. Aldermen Christiansen, Brookman, and Arredia voted no. ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Sarlo, seconded by Higgason, that the Special Meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion declared carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. APPROVED BY ME THISeZ Donna McAllister, CMC/AAE - CITY CLERK