Loading...
01/05/2009January 5, 2009 The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield was called to order by Mayor Steven Harris in the Council Chamber of the Village Hall on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The Clerk called the roll and announced that the following were: Present: Steven Harris, Mayor Robert Benton Thomas Jester Harriet Rosenthal William Seiden Barbara Struthers Norton Wasserman and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Village Attorney Peter Coblentz and Kent Street, Village Manager. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Members from Boy Scout Troop 52 led those in attendance in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The scouts meet at Holy Cross Church and run troop events every weekend. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Trustee Benton made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 15, 2008 Board of Trustees meeting. Trustee Rosenthal seconded the motion. Trustee Struthers noted that page 5 should include her observation that the stone path leading to Caruso Middle School became muddy after plowing, and she questioned how that would be prevented for the temporary stone walkway leading to the high school. Trustee Benton made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS AND PAYROLL Trustee Rosenthal made a motion to approve the Bills and Payroll dated January 5, 2009. Trustee Struthers seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Jester, Rosenthal, Seiden, Struthers, Wasserman (6) NAYS: None (0) APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND Mayor Harris recommended that Beth Chaitman COMMISSIONS and Robert Milani be appointed to the Appearance Review Commission. Trustee Wasserman made a motion to approve the appointments. Trustee Rosenthal seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Benton, Jester, Rosenthal, Seiden, Struthers, Wasserman (6) NAYS: None (0) 1 1 L1 1 1 Board of Trustees Meeting January 5, 2009 Page 2 of 4 PRESENTATION OF APPRECIATION Chief Sliozis reported that the Deerfield Police AWARDS TO DUNKIN DONUTS AND Department has supported the Special Olympics for IL FORNO PIZZA a number of years. This year, their annual contribution exceeded $12,000 due to the efforts of the police department staff and two local businesses. The'police department held a Cop on Top event in conjunction with the local Dunkin Donuts, who generously donated their facility and products. Chief Sliozis presented Dunkin Donuts co -owner Karim Khoja and district manager Tom Thieme with a plaque in support of the Special Olympics and the Cop on Top event. Chief Sliozis presented a plaque in support of the Special Olympics to Debbie Scherer, owner of Il Forno Pizza, for their continuing support. Department members waited on tables and made pizza deliveries. Il Forno Pizza matched tips and delivery fees, for a total of more than $4,000. Chief Sliozis also thanked Commander Trillhaase, Communications Supervisor Glowacz and Communications operator Bunnell and the community at large for their support of these events. PUBLIC COMMENT Mitchell Shore, 920 King Richard's Court, appeared before the Board as a 20+ year resident, part time police officer for another community, and concerned parent. Mr. Shore expressed concern because there are no stop signs at the corner of King Richard's Court and Montgomery. He mentioned numerous occasions where drivers didn't know which vehicle at the intersection had the right -of -way and where residents were driving on the wrong side of the street. He believes it is important to educate parents of Caruso students about parking, speeding and the traffic laws and urged the Board to do something before an accident takes place. Mayor Harris mentioned that Mr. Shore's words had been heard and that this could be referred to the Safety Council. Chief Sliozis noted that this item would be addressed with school officials. Mr. Shore did not believe a yield or stop sign would help the speeding situation. He believed a combination of community education and increased enforcement would be more effective. Trustee Rosenthal suggested that Chief Sliozis contact the school regarding parent education. Chief Sliozis noted that this condition takes place at each school and deserves attention with school officials. Trustee Rosenthal questioned whether they could ask the PTOs to get involved. Chief Sliozis noted that they generally go through school staff and administration, and they provide handouts to the kids. Trustee Seiden asked if there should be a major crackdown at the various schools as far as enforcement. Chief Sliozis explained those effects would be short term. He advised that the results would be better if there was a combination of parent education and increased enforcement. REPORTS REPORT OF STAFF RE: SIDEWALK Staff Engineer Bob Phillips reviewed his report ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF concerning IDOT requirements for sidewalks WAUKEGAN ROAD LEADING TO adjacent roadways, as is the case leading to Board of Trustees Meeting January 5, 2009 Page 3 of 4 DEERFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Deerfield High School. He noted that the approved design had been reviewed by IDOT and should be in keeping with their standards. Mr. Phillips explained that the sidewalk was designed to be 7' wide, which is F wider than the requirement for a sidewalk without a buffer between a street and a sidewalk. He added that IDOT limits roadside barriers to areas that slope and present a hazard to vehicles. He noted that staff had a temporary crushed stone surface installed and was now considering roadside barriers. Trustee Rosenthal suggested installing a 4' sidewalk, adding a 2' buffer and a I' wide rectangular planter or bollard. She believes this combination would provide some safety without taking any private property. Trustee Rosenthal noted that this would be similar to the downtown, where bollards provide separation and a sense of safety between vehicles and pedestrians. Trustee Seiden explained that he did not want reasons why what was done was okay, but wanted to find out how to protect children that are walking to school. Trustee Seiden believes the current sidewalk is an accident waiting to happen and wanted an answer on how pedestrian protection can be accomplished. Trustee Wasserman commented that there was a charge made to come back with a diagram and timeline. He looked at the manual, which stated that the buffer area should be 2' — 3' wide to be effective, and wider if practical. He noted that in Europe, there are railings between sidewalks and narrow streets. Director of Public Works and Engineering Barbara Little responded that everyone had the ability to view the area. In the timeframe between the meetings, staff spoke with IDOT, who has jurisdiction over the right -of -way, about what they would allow. IDOT said that roadside barriers are not allowed. The next step will be to determine what will be an appropriate protection for pedestrians that will not be contrary to what the State will allow. Ms. Little said she would look into what would work best for the State, whether it be a welded wire or fabric fence with breakaway posts, grass strips, or something else. Trustee Seiden mentioned that he wants to,know what can be done, not what cannot be done. His concern is protecting pedestrians. Trustee Wasserman added that there are some appurtenances, such as poles, that would be allowed by IDOT. Ms. Little explained that a 4' or 5' wide sidewalk would not be as inviting for the kids to congregate. She mentioned that they could not go against the State, but need to work within their guidelines. Trustee Seiden explained he is looking for a solution. Mr. Street responded that staff will come back with a recommendation as soon as they can. 1 Board of Trustees Meeting January 5, 2009 Page 4 of 4 1 There was no Consent Agenda. There was no Old Business. There was no New Business. CONSENT AGENDA OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION NEXT MEETING Mr. Street reporte that the next Board of Trustees meeting wAJ1' e held on uesday, January 201h due to the observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holid4 on Monday. ADJOURNMENT 1 ATTEST: 1 Vill ge Clerk i rther siness to discuss, the was adj urne qt 8:15 pm.