06/02/2008June 2, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order by
Mayor Steve Harris in the Council Chamber of the Village Hall on Monday June 2, 2008 at 7:30
p.m. The Clerk called the roll and announced that the following were:
Present: Steven Harris, Mayor
Robert Benton
Michelle Feldman
Thomas Jester
Harriet Rosenthal
William Seiden
Barbara Struthers
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Attorney Peter
Coblentz and Kent Street, Village Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Karen Kleckner, Head of Reader Services at the
Deerfield Public Library, led those in attendance in
reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Kleckner leads the One Book, One Zip Code initiative.
PROCLAMATION Mayor Harris read the proclamation honoring Karen
Kleckner and thanking her for her contributions in
organizing the successful premier of the One Book, One Zip Code program.
Trustee Rosenthal made a motion to accept the proclamation. Trustee Jester seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Kleckner commented it was the first year that Deerfield, Riverwoods and Bannockburn came
together for the program. She thanked the library director and the committee members.
Trustee Jester commented that Ms. Kleckner had led a very enjoyable book discussion.
Trustee Seiden, Village Board liaison to the Deerfield Library, congratulated Mary Pergander on
her election to the Board of the North Suburban Library Organization.
PROCLAMATION Mayor Harris proclaimed that the Village of
Deerfield supports the City of Chicago and Chicago
2016 as they compete for the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and
pledge their assistance to enhance the efforts of the City of Chicago and the Chicago 2016 to host
the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Trustee Rosenthal made a motion to accept the proclamation. Trustee Struthers seconded the
motion. The motion was approved by acclamation.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Trustee Seiden made a motion to accept the
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June 2, 2008
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minutes from the May 19, 2008 Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously, with Trustee Rosenthal abstaining.
BILLS AND PAYROLL
Trustee Seiden made a motion to accept the Bills
and Payroll dated June 2, 2008. Trustee Benton
seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Feldman, Jester, Rosenthal, Seiden, Struthers (6)
NAYS: None (0)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jeff Marks, 5 Kildare Court, congratulated the
Board and Village for their support of the arts as
demonstrated by Deerfield Fine Arts Festival held the past weekend. There was an artist preview
party at the Village Hall on Friday night, along with a Chamber of Commerce event. It was a huge
success. Saturday morning, as part of the dedication of new Village Hall, the centennial sculptures
were named and dedicated. There was a contest held to select the name of the sculpture, and a
Deerfield High School senior won the contest, naming the sculpture Generations. The festival was
a wonderful event with nearly double the number of artists as previous years. Mr. Marks thanked
the trustees for their continued support.
Gil Antokal, 1137 Country Lane, thanked those who donated blood at the last Deerfield Blood
Drive. He looks forward to seeing everyone the first Sunday in September for the next blood drive.
Oscar Adler, 59 Eastman, informed residents of two Adler's Alley program topics in June. The first
concerns a theater that specializes in working with children with special needs. Adler's Alley will
also have as special session this month for job seekers on interviewing skills.
There were no Reports.
REPORTS
CONSENT AGENDA
ORDINANCE GRANTING A An Ordinance granting a variation for certain
VARIATION FOR CERTAIN property, commonly known as 1110 Hazel Avenue.
PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN First Reading..
AS 1110 HAZEL AVENUE -1R
OLD BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 0 -08 -19 AMENDING THE Mayor Harris noted the spirited discussion at the
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADD THREE May 18, 2008 Board, of Trustees meeting and asked
STOP SIGNS AT PINE AND ANTHONY the Trustees if they had anything new to add.
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June 2, 2008
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Trustee Struthers suggested the Ordinance be amended to require the Trustees to look back at the
intersection in one year, to see if there have been any incidents or accidents. Mr. Coblentz believes
the Village Manager's office could provide that information in a staff report.
Trustee Rosenthal commented that much of what happened in this situation was misrepresented.
She does not believe it is the right location for a stop sign. Trustee Rosenthal believes the children
need to be educated about how to cross the street and be aware of their surroundings. She noted
that stop signs do not always stop traffic. Trustee Rosenthal noted she would vote for the
Ordinance, reluctantly, but encouraged residents to educate their children.
Trustee Jester explained that he was not against safety. He does not believe a stop sign is warranted
and urged residents to understand that there are professional, technical indications that unwarranted,
unnecessary stop signs could lead to more accidents.
Trustee Benton understands the reason for the codes and requirements for warrants for stop signs.
He knows there are reasons for stop signs; but in this case, he believes the Village made a mistake.
The information received was incorrect, but assumed to be correct. Trustee Benton wanted it
understood that in the future, the Village would do a better job of verifying information.
Trustee Rosenthal made a motion to adopt the Ordinance for a three -way stop sign on Pine and
Anthony. Trustee Seiden seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Benton, Feldman, Rosenthal, Seiden (4)
NAYS: Jester, Struthers (2)
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN An Ordinance authorizing an amended Special Use
AMENDED SPECIAL USE TO PERMIT to permit the replacement of the-River Road Lift
REPLACEMENT OF RIVER ROAD LIFT Sta tion located at 297 River Road in the P -1 Public
STATION AT 297 RIVER ROAD IN THE Lands District. First Reading.
P -1 PUBLIC LANDS DISTRICT -1R
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN An Ordinance authorizing an amended Special Use
AMENDED SPECIAL USE TO PERMIT to permit renovations to Briarwood Park/Nature
RENOVATIONS TO BRIARWOOD Area and Trail Tree Park in the P -1 Public Lands
PARK/NATURE AREA AND TRAIL District. First Reading.
TREE PARK IN THE P -1 PUBLIC
LANDS DISTRICT —1 R Jan Caron, Park District Commissioner, spoke about
the need for the plan. In 2004, a master plan for the
area was created. The Park District invited 141 neighbors. Nine neighbors attended the meeting to
discuss the preliminary plan. The Park District believes the parking lot is an important part of the
project, creating a safe entrance to the trails. They discussed having a chained gate, but they do not
have staff at night and believe it sends the wrong message. However, the Park District directed
their staff to meet with Village staff and the Police Department. She noted that Deerfield Police
currently patrol the area. The history of police calls was reviewed, and the location has a low
incidence of calls. At the last meeting, the neighbors also mentioned they were concerned about
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June 2, 2008
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teens gathering there at night. The Park District discussed the possibility of security lighting and
possibly security cameras. They also discussed the possibility of removing the parking lot. The
park district believes the lot is important to making the park available to all residents of Deerfield,
not just those adjacent to the park.
Trustee Seiden asked about the possibility of security cameras. Linda Gryziecki, Director of Parks
and Recreation, explained that security cameras were discussed as a possibility down the road. She
commented they currently have a portable system and would look for a more extensive system if the
need arose in the future. Ms. Gryziecki commented that they are seeking approval of the current
plan, with the proposed lighting. If security cameras are required, they would need time to look at
various systems.
Trustee Feldman asked if the conservation areas would be completed if the parking lot were not
installed. Ms. Caron responded that if the area were not for the entire community, they would need
to reconsider the project.
Trustee Benton stated that he would like to reevaluate the situation in 6 -12 months to determine if
security cameras are needed.
Trustee Feldman would like to evaluate the need for a parking lot in 6 -12 months. She believes it
would be appropriate to see how much traffic would be generated before building a parking lot.
Trustee Struthers was pleased that the Park District was considering adding parking.
Trustee Benton commented that street parking is not available on River Road and the streets are
narrow, so emergency vehicles do not have proper access.
Trustee Seiden noted that he visited other parks and sees a difference between this park and the
others because of the access. He supports security cameras or a gate to address security concerns.
Trustee Feldman commented that the location is very secluded and different from other parks in
Deerfield. She does not believe just having lights would deter people from parking there. Trustee
Feldman noted that if people park on the street, they would be parking in front of people's homes.
Chief Sliozis advised that police patrol and response would investigate use of the lot and, depending
on the nature of a call, may patrol the trail.
Ilene Abrahams, 205 River Road, noted that there are many entrances into the park. She questioned
why this location was the perfect spot for the parking lot. Ms. Abrahams commended the Park
District for the improvements they made to the trails and hopes other members of the community
use it. She believes there is enough street parking near all of the entrances, and the parking lot is
not needed. If there were a parking lot, she would like more security than just additional lighting.
Helen Clark, 185 River Road, believes the improvements made to the park are wonderful. She
explained that the park has entrances in many subdivisions and has never been closed off to anyone
in the Village. Ms. Clark believes asking people to drive to the park would defeat the
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environmental feeling of the park. She is also concerned about flooding. Since Deerfield Estates
has been built, her backyard floods every year. Ms. Clark expressed concerned about taking away
grass and ultimately causing more flooding.
Jerry Rubin, 180 E. Greenbriar, asked whether parking was allowed after the park closed. Chief
Sliozis explained that the parking lot would be subject to the same rules as the park. Ms. Gryziecki
commented that they could have some requests for overnight parking. Mr. Rubin explained that
when they purchased their home, they looked at the character of the neighborhood and assessed the
purchase of the house based on the character of the forest preserves. He believes the parking lot
would negatively impact the character of the neighborhood.
Jennifer Cohen, 171 Greenbriar East, supports the park but not the parking lot. She is very
concerned for personal and home security and safety. If the parking lot does pass, she would
recommend a gate so people would not park there at night. She questioned the argument that it only
solves half the problem, stating it does not solve the problem that people will park there at night.
She reinforced the importance of policing the neighborhood for predators during the day as well.
She also expressed concern about flooding, which has gotten worse.
Oscar Adler, 59 Eastman, questioned who received the park district survey and how many residents
responded. Since the plan could be amended without the parking lot for the grant, he suggested
seeing the effect of using the park for 6 — 12 months before determining whether there was a need
for the parking area and loss of green space.
Mara Lane, 140 Greenbriar East, commented that River Road is not narrow; it is a nice street. She
suggested that people who live in other areas of Deerfield could park in other areas to make access
to the nature trail easy. Having a parking lot in that location would not detract people from walking
in the preserve. Ms. Lane suggested adding a cul -de -sac or turnaround instead of a parking lot, if
they are concerned about emergency vehicles accessing the area.
Mark Siegel, 18 Ferndale, opposes the parking lot. He commented that the Park District has done a
wonderful job on the trails. Residents from other areas currently enjoy the trails without a parking
lot. He suggested trying it without the parking lot to see if it is needed. Mr. Siegel commented that
there are multiple points of entrance and access with on -street parking. He added that the Plan
Commission stated they said they did not believe the new parking lot would attract much traffic to
the area. If it would not attract much traffic, he questioned why it is necessary. Mr. Siegel believes
the cul -de -sac idea is very logical and is a reasonable compromise to provide for emergency
vehicles. In the Plan Commission hearing, the Park District spoke of their fiduciary responsibility
to provide for the entire community. To protect the safety and character of the neighborhood is not
elitist. There are other parks that do not have parking lots within the Park District. The Park
District is suggesting using porous pavers, but using porous pavers is not the best reason to build the
parking lot. The security lighting, typically, would need to be reviewed by staff and the Plan
Commission. That has not been reviewed at this point, so Mr. Siegel does not believe it could be
approved this evening. He commented that there seemed to be a threat by the Park District that they
would have to reevaluate the entire program, if they did not get approval. They have made
significant improvements already and pulling the rest of the program does not make sense.
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June 2, 2008
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Mayor Harris reminded residents that this is the first reading of the Ordinance, so there would be no
final decision at this meeting.
Frank Hirsch, 49 Greenbriar, asked about the grants. He thinks the park is wonderful, but was put
off by the threats of not continuing with the improvements. He does not believe there is a parking
problem. He commented that if the trustees lived in the community, they would also feel that the
parking lot is not necessary and there is plenty of parking. .
Jerry Stein, 135 Carlisle, invited the Trustees to come to the park and determine if extra parking is
needed. He believes there is plenty of parking and suggested reviewing the parking in 6 —12
months to determine if there is an actual need for a parking lot. Mr. Stein believes security factors
and lighting issues should be addressed.
Beth Brody, 135 Ferndale, stated there were 141 neighbors invited to the earlier park board
meeting. Residents not within 250 feet of the park were not made aware of the potential parking
lot. Therefore, she does not believe the community was really informed. Ms. Brody explained that
the survey results indicated that residents wanted more parks and trails. She did not hear anything
about more parking lots for the parks, however. She never had a problem parking at the parks. She
explained that the Park District wants controlled and safe access. This is a trail. There are many
access points to the trail. The Park District said that neighbors would complain about people
parking on street near their homes, but no one in neighborhood has complained in recent years. The
lights could be very distracting for the community, especially in a street that ends. There has not
been an established need for a parking lot. It is not a great way to inform people the trails are there.
Ms. Brody asked if there was a downside to waiting and seeing if the parking lot was needed. She
wondered how the Park District would determine whether it is needed. She presented a petition,
signed by members of the community, which showed that the community does not support the
parking lot. She asked that the Trustees consider why the parking lot needs to be built now.
Trustee Benton commented that the parks are meant for all residents. Ms. Brody explained that the
petition stated that the residents recognize that the park is part of the community and they welcome
people to the parks. Trustee Benton explained that if the Park District wants people to come to,the
park, they must provide a place for people to be able to come. Ms. Brody commented that the
parking lot would not be seen but would disrupt green space.
Mort Sapkin, 169 E. Greenbriar Drive, noted that he has been a resident of Deerfield for 45 years.
He believes it would be best to determine need before building a parking lot. He believes there is
access for emergency vehicles from River Road and Carlisle. Mr. Sapkin commented that they get
more traffic from residents thinking that Moriah Temple is located where the parking lot will be
built. He does not believe there is a need for a parking lot. He noted that there have been break -ins
in Briarwood, and he believes the parking lot would increase crime in the area. He suggested
putting tax money to better use.
Jerry Lane, 140 East Greenbriar, explained there is signage that shows the park from multiple
points. There is no starting point. In his opinion, saying that River Road is the starting point is a
weak argument.
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June 2, 2008
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Mayor Harris requested comments from the trustees.
Trustee Struthers believes the area is lovely, and the location of the parking lot seemed logical and
would be a nice amenity.
Trustee Feldman believes the neighborhood is welcoming. She explained that there are a number of
kids' sporting events in the area, and the neighborhood has been generous with their street parking.
She commented that the Park District has done a fabulous job planning big parks with parking lots.
The parks with tot lots, however, only have street parking. Trustee Feldman believes the Park
District should wait before putting in a parking lot.
Trustee Rosenthal questioned how busses would get in and out of the area without the parking lot.
Trustee Seiden asked the Park District to look into the cost of installing a surveillance camera.
Trustee Benton added that there should also be concern for security at the lift station, which handles
one third of the wastewater for the Village. He suggested that the camera might be done
cooperatively between the Village and the Park District.
ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW An Ordinance creating a new liquor classification -
LIQUOR CLASSIFICATION — CLASS Class "J ". First Reading. Mayor Harris noted this
"J" — 1 R would be for Renu Day Spa. Mr. Coblentz
suggested the petitioner submit an application for a
liquor license.
There was no New Business.
NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSSION
PORTRAIT IN VILLAGE HALL Trustee Jester made note of the portrait of the first
President of the Village of Deerfield. This beautiful
addition to the Village Hall was donated by Larry Dondanville.
FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY Trustee Seiden invited residents to attend the formal
flag retirement ceremony on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Sons of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts will host the ceremony.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Mr. Street commented he would poll the Trustees
about possible dates for a Committee of the Whole
meeting.
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ADJOURNMENT
Attest:
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Village Cler
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