09-08-1999 Special Meeting093
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, WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 8, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: The SPECIAL meeting of the City Council of the City of Des
Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by Mayor Paul W.
Jung at 6: 05 p. m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council
Chambers, Des Plaines Ci vie Center on Wednesday, September
8, 1999.
ROLL CALL: Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Sayad, Brookman, Becker,
Smith, Arredia.
Also present were: City Manager Douthwaite, Director of Community
Development D'Onofrio and Community Development Coordinator Broder.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION:
PUBLIC
HEARING:
Future Use
of 841
Graceland
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Elstner, to go into Executive
Session to discuss personnel. Upon roll call, the vote
was:
AYES: 8-Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Sayad,
Brookman, Becker, Smith, Arredia
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 0-Motion declared carried.
The City Council recessed at 6:06 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:04 p.m.
Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Sayad, Brookman, Becker,
Smith, Arredia.
MAYOR JUNG DECLARED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS NOW
RESOLVED INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Alderman Arredia, Chair
Alderman Arredia stated that this Public Hearing was
being held to give citizens the opportunity to express
their feelings regarding the future use of the old
Library building at 841 Graceland Avenue.
Mr. Williard Strassburger, 514 Sandy Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole in support of the building
becoming a community center.
Mrs. Charles G. Frisbie, 1641 Thacker Street, addressed
the Committee of the Whole urging that the building not
be sold to a condo developer; the Senior Center should
be given this building; why didn't the Library Board keep
up the repairs on this building.
Mrs. Donna Bavido, 1895 Fargo Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that she would rather see
this building sold for money to the highest bidder; give
it to anyone except the seniors; the City needs the
money; sell it.
Mr. Norm Sackrison, 1308 Margret Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating his support for the sale
of the building to the Senior Center; the Senior Center
is a great place to meet people and have fun; he urged
the City to keep the building for the benefit of the
whole community.
PUBLIC
HEARING
(Cont'd.)
094
9/8/99
PAGE TWO
Ms. Laurel Manning, 43 S. Warrington Road, addressed the
Committee of the Whole thanking the City Council for
helping the Des Plaines Historical Society get the
building next door to them on Pearson Street. Ms.
Manning also stated that she would like the Senior Center
to get the Library building; seniors have contributed far
more to our community than any other group.
Mr. Roy Ingles, 1348 S. Second Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that this building should
be used as a community center; all groups should be
invited to come in and offer their services.
A resident at 1738 Whitcomb Avenue addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that she is 20 years old;
what does the City offer the youth; the seniors have a
Senior Center; the youth need a place to go; it would be
better to give it to the Senior Center than sell it for
condos, but you need to include the youth also.
Mrs. Jane Horn, 825 Center Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole urging the City to make the
Library building a community center.
Mr. Bob Shambora, a local business owner, a member of the
Des Plaines Economic Development Commission and a member
of the Des Plaines Senior Center Board, addressed the
Committee of the Whole strongly urging that the building
be used for a Senior Center rather than for condos; it
will bring the Senior Center closer to the downtown area.
Ms. Diana Dahl, 2206 Scott Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating the building should be a
community center that would include seniors and youth.
Rev. Bill Grice, First Congregational Church, 766
Graceland Avenue, addressed the Committee of the Whole
stating that the City should retain ownership of this
building and use it as a community center and Senior
Center; there are many opportunities for use of this
building; work cooperatively with the groups who need
space.
Mrs. Virginia McGrath, 586 Seventh Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating she wants the building to
be a new community center for the City; it should serve
people of all ages; it will be an asset to our City.
Mr. John Yaccino, 1779 Cora Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating the City should retain the
building; let's have a community center.
Ms. Edith Schulz, 549 S. Mt. Prospect Road, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that we need the building
for the Senior Center expansion; we need more space;
programs should all be in one building; our Senior Center
is not tax-supported like most senior centers.
Mrs. Toni Ulett, 675 Pearson Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that the building should
be given to the Senior Center.
Mrs. Marlene Pasdo, 32 Westfield Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that she supports
retaining the building as a community center that would
include youth; kids love to help and would do so at a
community center.
A resident at 361 Pinehurst Drive, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that the Senior Center is
not just here for the seniors; they serve all people,
handicapped, any age; we have intergenerational programs;
our seniors are doing things for the whole community ; we
need more space.
PUBLIC
HEARING
(Cont'd. )
ALDERMEN
COMMENTS:
ADDITIONAL
CITIZEN
COMMENT:
ALDERMEN
COMMENTS:
095
9/8/99
PAGE THREE
Mrs. Gina Landes, 220 Washington Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole asking what will happen to the
Senior Center at Prairie Lakes; we need to keep that as
a community center.
Mr. David Laaser, 755 Laurel Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that this building could
meet the needs of the whole community; please preserve
this building for the community good.
Mrs. Karen Briskey, 370 Ardmore Road, addressed the
Committee of the Whole as a member of the Des Plaines
Youth Commission urging that the building be used as a
community center and the present Senior Center at Prairie
Lakes become a Youth Center; other communities have done
this; it will be a valuable asset.
Alderman Arredia thanked everyone for coming to this
meeting and sharing their thoughts and concerns.
Alderman Beauvais stating that she will not support
condos on this site; she can't think of a better use for
this building than a community center; we need to work
together; she suggests that the Senior Center and other
groups get together and develop a plan.
Alderman Christiansen stated that there are other
questions that have to be answered about the present
Senior Center; space maybe a problem if all these groups
get what they want; more meetings have to be held; we
need to address the needs of the young families.
Alderman Elstner stated he is in favor of making it a
community center; we need more meetings to see what space
is needed for the various groups.
Alderman Sayad stated the City owes something to the
seniors; this facility should be used for all the people.
Alderman Brookman stated that she agrees with the other
aldermen; she looks forward to more meetings to see how
this will all work out.
Alderman Becker stated he is concerned about the
condition of the building; he would like to see how the
space could be divided; he is not ready to commit right
now.
Alderman Smith stated that he supports a community center
to serve the whole community; we will need more meetings,
but he supports the concept.
Mr. Jordan Minerva, 304 Amherst Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that he has been involved
with volunteerism in this community all his life; we have
one of the most vibrant communities that gives to others;
he support the building being used as a community center.
Mr. Wayne Serbin, 83 5 Pearson Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that this building is very
close to mass transportation; it would be wonderful for
people who don't drive; it will be easy to get to.
Mr. William Grice, Jr., 1603 Thacker Street, addressed
the Committee of the Whole stating that the City already
owns this building; it should be for the whole community.
Aldermen Arredia stated that he shares a lot of what the
other aldermen said; there will be more meetings.
MAYOR
COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
096
9/8/99
PAGE FOUR
Mayor Jung stated that we have reached this point with
this building because of the foresight of previous
administrations; we have a unique opportunity to preserve
what is best for this community.
Moved by Christiansen, seconded by Elstner, that the
Special meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion
declared carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
~~-Donna McAllister, CMC/AAE CITY CLERK
APPROVED BY ME THIS
DAY of\ C\-h>L-
---Y~ w .~/
1999
Paul W r';' MAYOR