Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

“Where People Count” 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714 Telephone (847) 588-8000 ● Fax (847) 588-8051 ● TDD (847) 588-8059 Mayor Robert M. Callero MILWAUKEE AVENUE STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE Trustees Chris Hanusiak MEETING SUMMARY James T. Hynes Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Joe LoVerde Rosemary R. Palicki Louella B. Preston The following persons were present: Chair Chris Hanusiak, Chuck Ostman, Bruce Andrew Przybylo Sylvester, Ross Klicker, Scott Jochim, Mike Shields and Mary Ann Starzynski (recording). Acting Village Manager Steven C. Vinezeano Chair Hanusiak opened the meeting at 10:05 a.m. Village Clerk I. APPROVE DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY Marlene J. Victorine There were no votes on the October 31, 2012 draft meeting summary as there was not a quorum present. II. OLD BUSINESS a. Project Update. i. ITEP GRANT STATUS: Chris Hanusiak stated that the ITEP Grant status would be covered by Bob Pilat but that he was not able to attend the meeting today. ITEP money was received for Oakton to Monroe. Chuck Ostman stated that is correct we did receive from the Governor’s office the ITEP Grant in the amount of $747,840. This is for the Phase IV which is the area North of Oakton and South of Monroe. Mike Shields then asked if that is just continuing Milwaukee Avenue trees and landscaping. Chuck said that Bob Pilat and the engineering department have secured these grants; they are doing a great job. Chris Hanusiak stated that when we were going through the 2030 plan there is other federal funding that since we have a comprehensive plan we can apply for grants that we previously were not able to do. Chuck stated that some of the grants that are in the process with EMAP due to the comprehensive plan make a big difference. Mike Shields asked if this would start this summer and Chuck responded no it would start in 2014. Chuck then stated that the issue the village would have north of Oakton would be the parking issue. His recommendation and he has spoken with Ross Klicker already is reaching out to the business owners, property owners, and see if we can resolve the parking issues to get this streetscape here. Otherwise it is going to have a negative impact along all the businesses if we can’t resolve some of the parking issues. Clearly there will be parking being taken away with doing the streetscape. Chris said this has been talked about before but it has to be taken care of now if not it will look the same way it has been looking for the next 20 – 30 years and that is not where we want to be. Mike Shields then asked if the Riggio lot at the corner of Oakton and Milwaukee is a possibility for some type of community parking. Chuck responded that is one of the things being pursued. Going to Tony Riggio and seeing what is possible with the corner lot. We have no idea and that is what we are going to be pursuing. In the next 30 days we are going to be busy out there talking to the business and properties owners. Mike Shields then mentioned www.vniles.com Celli’s on Milwaukee Avenue and asked if it would be out of line to consider buying that lot. Chuck responded the first item is to go out and talk to the business and property owners. Chris Hanusiak again wanted to thank Bob Pilat for doing all the paperwork for this. ii. TRAFFIC SIGNALS STATUS: That is not going to be updated; IDOT is working on it and will not have the traffic signals along Milwaukee Avenue finished until August. Scot Jochim responded sometime in the late summer. Mike Shields asked what the problem is. Scot Jochim answered there are a lot of traffic signal jobs and they are not concentrating on one area they are back and forth. Chris responded it is IDOT controlled not the village so the village can't control this. Scot Jochim stated that what you have to understand is when this grant was received and through the committee with IDOT they were able to get IDOT to perform several hundred thousands of dollars worth of work that this job was going to do. So the committee was able to do extra landscaping or anything else they wanted as they had 200,000 to 300,000 dollars so IDOT delayed the job. They are not being charged working days. Anything they do right now is gravy. They are talking August right now but it could be earlier, for the record that is when it is. Once they start getting out there on a daily basis we will have more contact with Romie the RE and we will see. We asked them to stay off Milwaukee Avenue during the holiday season and they kind of did and kind of didn't but they do bend over backwards for us. It is an IDOT job and we can't really do anything but we do keep in contact and try to help them when we can to try to speed it up. Mike Shields stated that if it is going to be that long it would be helpful to the residents of the village to post something an update that this is not going to be done until summer. I think the residents sometimes assume the worst that it is a village project. Maybe put something on the web to update people. Scott Jochim noted you have to be careful with giving residents any type of notice and how you say/give information. Chris Hanusiak asked if the village is getting any calls at this time on this project. Chuck responded no but during the Christmas there were a few concerns. Mike Shields responded that he felt most people would just put up with the process. iii. PROJECT STATUS (Contract 63622): Chuck stated that he had hoped that Bob Pilat would be here for the meeting. He stated that the status of the project is that they are going to finish the intersections as soon as IDOT finishes the signals. We have to wait for IDOT. Chris stated that for the record Contract 63622 is phase 3 of the ITEP grant. iv. CHANGE ORDER STATUS: 7730 N Milwaukee(LoneTree) and 8166 N. Milwaukee(Rosatti's) - Chris Hanusiak stated these are concerning sidewalks. Chuck responded the contractor is willing to do additional work in the spring as the intersection is completed. The village has to determine since $150,000 from the previous ITEP grant is available to spend within the Milwaukee Avenue boundary. We will have to determine fairly quick where that work is going to be done so HR Green can do the engineering on it and then when Martam comes back in the spring time they can work otherwise they are going to just finish up their work and leave. Chris stated that he mentioned to Chuck before that these are about $20,000 a piece and we now have money left. With the $750,000 approximately for next year which is from Oakton north to Monroe we could take the $150,000 and focus on the south of Oakton. Some of the things when we did the walk thru were a punch list which included sidewalks that were buckled along  Milwaukee Avenue and by LoneTree the driveway and whole area is terrible. What we would need to do since we do not have enough to vote is meet next week. Chuck stated he felt to meet in two weeks and make recommendations after he goes out there with Ross Klicker and communicates with Scot and Moussa to come back to the committee with ideas. Chris stated that he would like to use the whole $150,000. Mike Shields asked is this for sidewalks? Chuck responded yes. Mike stated some would say this is bad for their businesses. Chuck responded that they have already talked to them. Mike said the other thing is the engineering drawing from Smith Engineering from 2007 has the public right of way right down the middle most of these asphalt things and a lot of these are broken up. Businesses have no money to fix and is there any way to take some of the $150,000 to patch the asphalt which is not expensive. This is on the east side of Milwaukee and that it looks terrible and maybe in the short term make it look a little better. Chuck responded that in 2014 this is phase 4 of the construction work and we would be going to the property owners for a one year period to patch those areas. Mike Shields then stated can these little beds that were part of the landscaping be fixed? Chuck stated yes this is part of this. Chuck then stated we should meet in two weeks. Chris responded that a standing meeting would need to be made so it will be two weeks from today on February 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. and will be posted on the web. III. NEW BUSINESS a. Additional projects under current contract: Chuck stated that Ross Klicker, Bruce Sylvester and himself will go out and then bring the recommendations that will not impact parking for the businesses and bring these back to Scott Jochim to verify that there are not issues and then bring them back to the committee. b. Parking conflict with future streetscape improvements: Chris stated this is the area from Oakton to Monroe. Chuck stated that this is for discussion over the next few months for using the money for phase 4 of the ITEP grant as there is going to be a lot of hurdles North of Oakton to try to get streetscape in there and still accommodate all the parking. These are plans that were drafted back in 2008 and what it shows is that north of Oakton Street to put in diagonal parking. This really creates havoc on the parking for all those businesses as it takes out quite a lot of parking. Chuck stated that for the 20 existing space only 13 spaces would go back in. Mike Shields responded that he felt there was room for compromise. One of the things people were concerned about was the inlets and the outlets and safety. Smith Engineering was mismanaged as it wasn't only the parking but a safety aspect. There may be compromise and some could be left but really hit the curb cut thing so there is one way in and one way out. Right now along parts of Milwaukee Avenue between Oakton and Monroe on the west side there is no curbs people have to go over and they just drive where ever they want. Chuck responded that anything along Milwaukee Avenue you have to change from 90 degree parking to angle parking. Mike Shields responded that he felt this was kind of a moment in Niles commercial history but that a decision has to be made. Chuck also stated that at the same time if you start getting more and more vacant stores along there what did we gain? Chris stated that with the curb cuts talked about as a business owner with one way in and one way out that is one of the things he would look at. How does traffic flow into and out of the business. Mike Shields stated that everything is safety and businesses do have to survive. Chuck responded this is a challenge. Another thing to look at is the 5' sidewalk along Milwaukee Avenue with a little bit of green and all you will see is a sea of concrete again. In his opinion there will not be any trees along here so what are you gaining? Mike Shields responded one of the models could be on Roosevelt Road in places like Geneva or St. Charles as they have done some neat things out there to break it up. Chris asked if there were alternatives to what is used for the sidewalk and have 3' of grass. Scot responded yes it could be done but the property owners would have to agree. Chuck again stated there needs to be more trees along this area. Bruce stated so you are going to angle parking? Chuck stated that can be done in the next several months and then bring HR Green in to further the discussion. Chris stated that it benefits everyone it benefits the Streetscape Committee but it benefits the businesses as they will have people walking in their area. Bruce Sylvester asked if a left hand turn would be allowed. Scott stated that it would be IDOT's decision. Right now they can go anywhere they want. Chris stated the cuts will be bigger. Bruce asked if they want to go north they would be forced to go south and turn right. Scott stated probably. Chris stated with it being diagonal it would have to remain with the cuts that are proposed. Some portions are already done. It would be great if the chained lot at Oakton and Milwaukee by Riggio's could be public parking. Scott stated now they park on Oriole Street south of Oakton. He felt Riggio was smart to buy that piece of property, it is a prime location. Chuck stated again we are going to be thinking out of the box. If the village were to pick up another building and demolish it then it could be an access point to use the parking in the rear. Dress up the doors and everything, which is one option. It is wide enough for two way traffic probably 25 feet wide. Scot commented that 25 years ago that is what the village did buy abandoned buildings and made parking lots. Next to Schmeisser that is a village parking lot per say. They have also by the Coachlight Realtor a village parking lot. Mike Shields asked if some times during the day when the business is not using their parking it could be used for public parking. Chris stated that Riggio's offered to use the space by them but at a cost. If you don't have people willing to work with each other, a small amount it won't work. Chuck said that all options will be explored. Mike Shields felt that if you ask these businesses and they understand what you are trying to do and give them some time for it to sink it. Have to think outside the box. Chris stated that you have to think of what the return on investment is and would it be worth doing it. Again Chuck stated that all options will be explored and we will think outside of the box. c. Banner program proposed changes: Chuck stated that there was a comment from a trustee that during holiday times there should only be regular holiday banners up and not anything that is commercial looking. So from November 15 thru January 15 it is in the budget to purchase holiday banners, strictly holiday banners, for along Milwaukee Avenue. That would not be Chamber sponsored. Chris asked would we be taking Chamber banners down. Chuck responded yes, that is a year to year contract and he has already spoken with Katie. Chuck stated that during the holidays it is nice to have a holiday banner and not always commercialize. Chris asked when you say holiday will it be Christian banners, politically correct banners. The response was "general" i.e. candy canes. Mike Shields asked if there was anything other than banners that the Chamber could kind of embrace and sponsor. He mentioned that Park Ridge has plastic statues. They go back to the same idea sponsored statues. Chuck responded that Katie was in favor but that has changed because the membership is down. Things have changed. We are building our relationship back up with the Chamber and we will discuss this as time goes on and bring up other examples of other communities. A lot of communities further out are really involved in community events. Mike Shields commented that the Chamber doesn't have to do everything that other organizations could sponsor community events,  etc. Chris responded that as a business owner that at the end of the day I am investing my money in the Chamber am I getting a return on my investment. If the programs are not working for you then a business does not want to invest in them. Mike Shields felt that to really engage the business community like we have never done before he believes that they are ready for the village to ask them to do more. We need to ask them. Chris responded that at the end of the day you have to have a program that you can prove that you can show works so you can show them a return on investment. Bruce Sylvester stated that he felt it was important to have a limited number of things as part of the plan. One thing or maybe two that work and stick with that. Chris agreed and said that it has to be maintained there has to be data that shows there is a return and we will continue with this it is a good investment. Chuck stated is should start simple small and then build. Perhaps a tree lighting ceremony in the park district on Milwaukee Avenue. Volunteers are necessary and important. Felt corporate sponsors to bring in entertainment etc to make it successful. Start small and expand to make it successful. Chris responded it is important to educate everyone not a few. Always have the same people at events. Need people involved. Mike Shields stated there is a latent energy that we need to tap into. Chuck also mentioned that Ross is going to have a further conversation with the Chamber that the flaps under the banners are flapping around too much. Getting damaged and will not last too long. The Chamber should install a 3rd bracket like Libertyville did. They went in after the fact and installed a 3rd bracket and paid for all the expenses. This was mentioned once already to Katie and he intends to really recommend that the 3rd bracket goes up there and that they do whatever needs to be done to that tail to install the 3rd bracket. Chuck said this is her responsibility. All the businesses paid initial cost of the tails and the renewal this year should be minimal. Chris agreed there is no cost these are already paid for. Chuck felt the Chamber should pay for some of the installation as we have an outside firm installing these banners and maybe they can participate. Otherwise it is just pure profit for the Chamber where is the money going. If the cost was $500 before and you can put up a tail for $250 now that is $250 in their pocket now. Chuck stated the next set of banners going up will be "Discover Niles". These will be going up 2 weeks from now. IV. OPEN DISCUSSION Mike Shields stated that as we go through the budget whether it is public art or gateway entries for Niles don’t forget this. Feels particularly the gateway to say you are entering Niles. Chuck asked when you state gateway where are you referring to. Mike Shields responded he wasn't sure because he knows it is a tight budget. Even if it is just working on a design to keep this alive. One of the things that need to be continued to be worked on is identity. Chuck responded this is in the budget - identity. Mike Shields then stated that facades are also important. Chris responded this has been talked about. Chuck stated this is going to be part of the program that we need to discuss should it be used for architectural services so we get a nice facade. Chuck stated that this was transferred to his budget. Scott stated that it has to stay within budget because it is possible to design the Mona Lisa but also to design something simple within budget. Chuck stated that up in Wheeling they have added a beautiful gateway. Chris said we need to change Milwaukee Avenue but where do we have the most traffic. Look at Touhy, Golf. Milwaukee probably generates the most  money. $10,000 is really nothing. Ross responded that the $10,000 will help start a branding consultant to come up with a theme, or a signage and we would have to locate where. Maybe over a 10-15 year period do more. Bruce stated a meeting is scheduled with the designer of Millennium Park and not saying we would have the same impact but this is a way to think outside of the box. $10,000 could be used for the design and after that budget perhaps in the next year or two where to start to erect these. Chuck stated that it would be a great start to use this $10,000 for branding. Need a new branding. Mike Shields also stated that there is a lot of expertise right here in Niles. Perhaps try to get all the expertise within the group itself to discuss ideas. Don't forget the expertise within the group itself. Bruce also said he felt there is an issue with signage and welcoming an issue of a motto. For signage perhaps just "Welcome to Niles". The motto may or may not be needed. Mike Shields asked what everyone thought of getting rid of the Leaning Tower icon. Chris said it was something that could be discussed. V. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 10 a.m. Adjournment at 11:03 a.m.