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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebuary 10, 1986 COW Committee of the Whole Meeting February 10 , 1986 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 6 : 35 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members present : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Absent : None. Discussion and slide presentation by the Friends of the Fen relative to the City' s interest in the Bluff Spring Fen. Steven Byers, representing Friends of the Fen made a. slide presentation, which showed the improvements which have been made in the Bluff Spring Fen. Mr. Byers stated the purpose of tonight 's presentation was to ask the City to consider dedicating the City-owned portion of the Bluff Spring Fen as an Illinois Nature Preserve and to direct the City staff to work with the staff of the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago on a mutually agreeable management plan for the District-owned portion of the Fen. Councilman Andersen stated the City should consider what , if any, services would have to be provided by the Parks and Police Department . Mr. Byers stated that the enforcement of the area is pretty much in place and there have not been any recent problems . Mr. Byers further stated they would be willing to provide manpower for any management duties . In addition, Mr. Byers stated there are two sources who have indicated a willingness to donate funds to this project . Councilwoman Moylan asked how the public gained access to this site. Mr. Byers stated this is accomplished through the Bluff City Cemetery. Jim Cook stated the City should be very careful about opening up the cemetery for this use, because people who have loved ones there would certainly object to this type of traffic. Councilman Van De Voorde made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales for staff to proceed to work with the Friends of the Fen and the Metropolitan Sanitary District for the purpose of having a resolution passed by the City, whereby the portion of Bluff Spring Fen lying within the City would be dedicated as an Illinoia Nature Preserve. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting February 10 , 1986 Page 2 Consideration of a recommendation from the Traffic Committee for STOP signs to be installed on Waverly Drive at Blackhawk, and Martin Drives. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen to approve the subject recommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays : None . Consideration of a recommendation from the Traffic Committe that parking restrictions on the north side of Timber Drive be instituted. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Van De Voorde to approve the subject recommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales , Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays : None. Consideration of a recommendation that the agreement with IDOT for a fence along By-pass 20 be modified. The City Manager advised the Council that based upon citizen requests, an 8-foot high chain link fence would help prevent pedestrians from crossing By-Pass 20 . The original estimate of cost for this work was $5 , 000 . IDOT has submitted an amended agreement which indicates an estimated cost of $6 , 900 , covering the additional 280 feet of fencing. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Van De Voorde to have this matter placed on the next Council Agenda for formal approval. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Consideration of a recommendation for a change in the policy coverning installing banners over streets. The City Manager pointed out that if the City is to continue its present banner policy there is a need to purchase four additional poles . Further, the Council might want to look at some type of fee for those organizations who are not-for- profit . Councilman Andersen felt the City should get out of the banner business and said he would make a motion to that effect . Council- man Andersen pointed out the fact the City has put money into this project and the amount of time spent by the Public Works crews in installing same. Councilwoman Shales stated it had been her understanding that permanent brackets had been put in place and it was just a matter of affixing the banners to these brackets . Committee of the Whole Meeting February 10 , 1986 Page 3 Jim Cook stated some of the banners which are brought in are not sized to fit these brackets. Councilman Waters stated he felt the banners served a useful purpose. Councilwoman Moylan stated the Council could consider a $50.00 fee. Mayor Verbic stated that when you look over the list of organi- zations making use of these banners, he felt the City is well compensated and the project should be continued. Jim Cook stated it is possible that the staff could set some policies and mandate the length of banner to be used. Councilman Van De Voorde made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to continue the banner service, to adopt the policies proposed, and to purchase and install four special poles on which to install banners across streets in the CBD. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: Councilwoman Shales. Consideration of a draft ordinance changing the submittal requirements for dram shop insurance in connection with a liquor license. The Council reviewed a recommendation that the ordinance be changed so that the insurance will have the same term as the license, and that , when applying for a new license, evidence of insurance in full force and effect , will have to be submitted at that time. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Waters to approve the recommendation and have this placed on the next Council Agenda. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays : None. Consideration of the institution of fine powers for the Liquor Commission. Mayor Verbic stated he did not feel the Commission needed any additional powers, and that during his term as Liquor Commissioner, the measures necessary to enforce the liquor laws were within the present ordinance. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Waters to have an amendment prepared providing for the additional fine powers . Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, and Waters. Nays: Mayor Verbic. Committee of the Whole Meeting February 10, 1986 Page 4 Consideration of recommendations from the Beer Garden Task Force. The Council reviewed a list of 8 recommendations from the subject task force. Mr. Thomas owner of the Boulevard Tap was p resent and stated he did not have any problem with the recommendations except for the hours set out in No. 3 , and the amount of time he would have to comply with a non-conforming use, set forth in No. 5 . Mrs. Flores stated she still objected to having a beer garden in her back yard. Mr. Thomas stated he had been negotiating with the Flores for the purchase of their home. Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to adopt the recommendations Nos . 1 through 8, with the exception of No. 5. Yeas: Councilmen Moylan, Van De Voorde, and Waters. Nays: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Shales and Mayor Verbic. Mayor Verbic stated the operation of beer gardens is just for a period of three of four months, and he could see where a 12 :00 closing would be in order. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to amend No. 3 to provide for closing at 12 :00 Sunday through Thursday, and to 2 :00 a.m. , on Friday and Saturday. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam and Mayor Verbic. Nays : Councilmen Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde and Waters. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to approve the recommendations, excluding No. 5 , to be handled by a separate vote; and to change the hours to a 12 :00 a.m. closing Sunday through Thursday, and 2 :00 a.m, Friday through Saturday. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde and Mayor Verbic. Nays : Councilman Waters. Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to have staff prepare an abatement ordinance giving the Boulevard 10 years to conform to the code. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to amend this motion to allow 15 years instead of 10 . Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Shales and Mayor Verbic. Nays: Councilmen Moylan, Van De Voorde and Waters. The amendment having passed the Mayor called for the vote on the motion and second still standing. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Shales and Mayor Verbic. Nays : Councilmen Moylan, Van De Voorde and Waters. i Committee of the Whole Meeting February 10 , 1986 Page 5 Consideration of a recommendation from the staff for priorities in the use of revenue sharing funds in 1986 . The Council was given a list of recommended priorities and payment schedules. Mr. Cook pointed out that the City will have to consider that the October FRS monies in the amount of $109, 361 will be eliminated and this may change some of the items on the priority list . Councilman Van De Voorde pointed out the need for sidewalks on North McLean from the railroad tracks to the Tyler Creek Shopping Plaza. Mr. Cook stated he just wanted the Council to have this information tonight , for further discussion at the next meeting. Consideration of criteria to be used in making appointments to the committees for the Integrated Capital Budget process. Mr. Cook stated this was only informational material and he would ask the Council to consider same at the next meeting. Consideration of a recommendation to establish the hearing process for the Community Development Block Grant Fund allocatiion. Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan that the Council be the hearing body for the subject process. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays : None. Consideration of plans by Metra to start commuter train service to the Big Timber station. Mr. Cook advised the Council Metra Communter Rail would commence operations on March 3 , 1986 . Four trains will service the station. Refreshments will be served by the Chamber of Commerce, and the City has been requested to provide free parking at the station for a period of time as an inducement to prospective users of the station. Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen to provide two months free parking at this facility. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales , Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Adjournment Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting to go to the regular Council Meeting. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. iNays : None. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 15 p.m. Marie Yearmar� City Clerk