Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

“Where People Count” Community Development 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714 Mayor Telephone (847) 588-8040 ● Fax (847) 588-8050 ● TDD (847) 588-8059 Robert M. Callero Trustees MILWAUKEE AVENUE STREETSCAPE COMMITTEE Chris Hanusiak James T. Hynes Joe LoVerde MEETING SUMMARY Rosemary R. Palicki WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 Louella B. Preston Andrew Przybylo The following persons were present: Chair Chris Hanusiak, Chuck Ostman, Bruce Acting Village Sylvester, Ross Klicker, Scott Jochim, Bob Pilat, and Mary Ann Starzynski (recording). Manager Steven C. Vinezeano Chris Hanusiak opened the meeting at 10:03 a.m. Village Clerk Marlene J. Victorine ______________ I. APPROVE DRAFT MEETING SUMMARY Chris Hanusiak stated there is a correction to the October 31, 2012 minutes. The last Community page should be changed from $150 to $150,000. The February 6, 2013 minutes are okay. Development Chris Hanusiak made a motion to approve the October 31, 2012 and February 6, 2013 Director minutes. Bob Pilat and Chuck Ostman seconded the motion. All approved. Charles Ostman II. OLD BUSINESS a. Project Update. i. TRAFFIC SIGNALS STATUS: Chuck stated that really nothing has changed. They are working out there doing pole changes one corner at a time. The project will go through August 2013. ii. CHANGE ORDER STATUS: • (Contract 63632) Chris Hanusiak followed the items in an email previously sent from Chuck Ostman which included aerials of various sections of Milwaukee Avenue for possible projects with the $150,000 transferred from the previous ITEP grant. This would be an amendment to the existing contract as soon as the weather breaks. This is an additional $150,000 that we have to identify the additional work to be done, preferably south of Oakton because the new ITEP will cover north of Oakton to Monroe. 1. 7730 Milwaukee (Lone Tree) - recommend constructing a sidewalk in-line with the sidewalk on the north and south. The ground sign is constructed in the right-of-way (ROW) and a meeting would be scheduled after the committee meeting to discuss these improvements with the owner. www.vniles.com 2. 7430-7452 Milwaukee - Install new sidewalks, trees and possibly other landscaping. Chris also said on Atlas is showing the sign as it would have to be moved. It shows that it is on their personal property. Based on GIS. Bruce Sylvester stated that it is based on an aerial photo. Chris said it cuts through the sidewalk by the buildings too. Different options have been discussed. Chuck stated that when Chris from HR Green was spoken to he had promoted the sidewalk all the way along Milwaukee Avenue because of the issue with the signs. Chris stated that several issues were discussed. One straight across and the other by the building and then the sidewalk would go down where the current sidewalk is and run the sidewalk by the bushes so that it wouldn't get into parking spaces. Along the street is where grass and trees would be put in. Right now where there used to be a driveway correct all that. Have to look at the best option for the area for the Village and the business owner. Direct the people to go down because as you turn into the location there is a light post by the sidewalk. Chuck stated that the new drawing from HR Green shows the sign in the ROW. Chuck said there were a lot of changes. Chris asked if plan B were used would brick pavers be done also. Chuck responded that would not be consistent as it is limited to intersections only. Chris asked if there was a third option. Chuck responded there was only two. Bruce stated that after looking at the options the decision was where to put the sidewalk. Bruce stated that if the sidewalk were separated from the curb by a planting area it would match with what is across the street. Curb, planting area, and then a sidewalk. The downside is it would have the most impact on the business. Chris asked if the right of way was about 20' from the bottom of the sidewalk all the way up. Bruce Sylvester responded the other thing is they illegally put their private parking. Scott Jochim responded they didn't do it illegally they obtained a permit. Chris stated that there are a lot of businesses that have this already and we have to work with the business owners as they did not illegally do it. Chris said the impact with only one entrance in and out is that it cannot be done on the weekend as that would impact the business and all their business is on weekends. Bruce asked if there was access from the side street. Chris responded there is no access from the side street. Scott Jochim stated that they have access for deliveries on the north side but that is very dangerous because the building is more or less on the property line and with people walking by there. Chuck also stated that the ROW is more like 30'. Bob Pilat stated that rather than on the street or all the way back why not split the difference. There could still be a grassy area, allow for some parking and a sidewalk, it won't be 10 spots but parallel parking. Chris asked how much sidewalk was needed. Chuck responded 5' deep. Ross Klicker responded that it looks like almost double the sidewalk almost 10' of sidewalk. Chuck stated it would be more like by Jerry's where there is a large area maybe 4 to 5 feet of green and sidewalk. Chris stated there would be more sidewalk here with parallel parking and opens up 2 spots. They might lose a few spots but with parallel parking it would be a good solution. Bruce Sylvester asked if the permit for parking in the ROW would be able to be changed. Chris responded as a business owner I would loudly complain I don't want to lose my parking space. We need to work with the business owners so it looks nicer and get rid of the eyesore. Chuck recommended proposing to the business owners a happy medium to fix the whole area with trees and grass. Ross then asked about the icing condition caused by the downspout on the north side of the building. Bob Pilat responded that he is not familiar with this. Chuck stated that water comes down the north side of the building at the corner and floods the public sidewalk. Chuck asked Bob to look at this and come up with recommendations that could be sent to HR Green to move forward. Bob Pilat stated that HR Green sent an email for the $150,000 but that he wants an extra $20,000 for the extra work. He hasn't sent a proposal yet but any work he does he will bill for. This has to go to the Board once he submits as it is additional services on their end. Scott Jochim stated that he received an email as he is supposed to send a proposal. He is looking for $20,000 to spend $150,000. That would be about 12%. Chris stated that we would be using the $20,000 from the grant. Chris stated that if it is under $20,000 doesn't have to go to the Board it goes directly to Bob. If it is part of the ITEP grant does 2 it have to go as part of the ITEP? Our portion is only $4,000, 20%, out of the $20,000 and $16,000 is from the ITEP. Bob Pilat stated that the local agency agreement says that we would go up to this amount and the resolution that the Board passed says that we would go up to the amount of construction. There are two different things a local agency agreement that more or less specifies the grant funds and the share of every person. When you go to use the MFT money you have to pass a resolution authorizing that expenditure. So far the Village Board has authorized the construction amount of the contract for the ITEP grant not the amount of the local agency's agreement. The local agency agreement is in place that shows if there is this amount of expenditure what percent goes to each group. When you want to spend the MFT money to go up to that amount actual construction at this point in time I forgot how many millions so it covered that amount. Once you want to go above that amount then you have to do a supplemental resolution. Chris asked if this could be put on the March Board agenda. Bob Pilat stated need agreement with HR Green and resolution to authorize the expenditure $4000 to be reimbursed in part by the engineering. An agreement with Martam to increase their services and a resolution for with MFT for construction costs. Chuck asked if it is feasible to get this all on the March agenda. Scott Jochim responded that HR Green, Akram is out of town for 4 weeks. Chris Hanusiak stated then get Chris Bigall involved. It would be $130,000 for Martam and $20,000 for HR Green. Chuck stated so basically after this meeting lets walk through this area and try to wrap this up. Chris agreed. 3. 7625-7667 Milwaukee - New sidewalk was installed in 2012, no further ROW area to plant trees or landscaping. Will meet with owner to possibly get cooperation to install islands every 90’ for trees. Chuck stated there really is nothing that can be done to put streetscape in there. The ROW is right at the sidewalk. The only thing that could be done is go to the owners and see if a couple parking spaces could be used to put in islands for trees. The owner of this is Schmeissers and we will approach them. They have parking in the back. 4. 7403-7421 Milwaukee - No ROW available for further improvements. Will meet with owner to possibly get cooperation to reconfigure parking lot for 45 degree parking to install trees/landscaping between sidewalk and parking stalls. Chuck stated that this area is south of United Transmission. It is a vacant lot. There is a choice of improving now or waiting until the site is developed. Having a difficult time developing the site as the owner of United Transmission is not budging at all in regards to trying to sell the property. Chris asked if the Village has ever looked into buying the property. Chuck responded yes twice have received appraisals and the consensus has been not to pursue it. Chris asked if it could be looked at it again. He asked when the last appraisal was done. Chuck responded probably 1 to 1 1/2 years ago. He also stated that it is contaminated. He said what we are hoping for right now is to do the improvements to clean up the streetscape and will be exploring a possible TIF along this area. Then those funds from a TIF could go toward environmental cleanup and acquisition of the property. Chuck then asked if the short strip of sidewalk should be fixed now. The area is fenced in beyond the sidewalk. He could force the owner to take down the fence and clean up the area. Scot Jochim stated on property like that when it is for sale for so long could it all be knocked down and grass and trees put up there. Chuck stated that we don't own it to knock it down and Chris also added it is contaminated. Chuck said if the building is around a year from now and if a TIF is in place it would pay for this. The owner is not paying his taxes. Municipalities through the Cook County Assessor's office can utilize a No Cash Bid program where it is for the good of the public. This program runs every 2 years. Not even sure if this would be on the list this October if not then you have to wait another 2 years. Scot Jochim responded that if the sidewalk is hazardous then repair it under the sidewalk program. Chuck and Chris will walk the area. 3 5. 7333 Milwaukee (Brunswick) – No available ROW. Will meet with owner to possibly get cooperation to install landscaping or islands every 90’ for trees. See if islands and trees for streetscaping could be put in. 6. See comment #5 7. 7652-7662 Milwaukee - Recommend no changes at this time. 8. 7759-7727 Milwaukee - Recommend reconfiguring parking that faces Milwaukee with a 5’ buffer of landscaping and trees. Access would be at south end, between 7735 & 7745 with egress at 7755 Milwaukee. The 50’ space between 7735 & 7745 is Village owned property and pavement improvements with new 45 degree stripping would be identified as public parking. Chuck stated the problem is the owners count on every ounce of parking here. Remember 7735-7745 is owned by the Village and 7735 just south is a vacant lot that is 25' wide which is not enough room to put in parking with an aisle. So we were going to go to the owners, one being Pat Delsandro who is on the 2030 Implementation committee, to see what they are willing to change. The only thing would be to do the same idea as by Schmeissers with diagonal parking up against Milwaukee Avenue and then use their private sidewalk that everyone would use. You could possibly get 5' of landscape with trees. Chris stated right now this is completely open and if we gave them two cut ins that would be great. Option #2 - Use the $150,000 for a stone hardscape feature on the Oak Mill property with an easement from the property owner. Ross stated that they met last week with Ed Uhlir who has a knack for creating identifiable spaces. He is drafting a proposal for services to see if we want to enter into a contract with him and he would look at Milwaukee Avenue and throughout the town to create some gateway concepts for the Village. The intersection of Milwaukee and Oakton is one of those areas and is there a way to identify it better. Chuck stated that he has already spoken to Harry Major the owner of Oak Mill Mall and asked if he would entertain the idea of giving an easement to the Village to put some kind of feature at the intersection there and he would welcome that. Ross stated that there is an opportunity here for gateway concepts. Chuck stated that maybe under the next phase we could incorporate this. Feels that Wheeling at Dundee and Milwaukee Avenue they have really dressed up each corner of the intersection with a short stone wall that says Wheeling. Chris responded we want to create an identity for the Village that will be around for the next 30 - 40 years so we want to make sure it is done right. Option #3 - Purchase more banners, the cost is $300 from the contractor, $100 if we purchase the banners. The question would be can we use ITEP grant funds $150,000 for the Village to purchase banners and not through the contractor? Bob Pilat stated no it would have to be in the contract. Chris then stated so we would have to go north by Rosatti's to see if those areas need repairs to spend the other amount. III. NEW BUSINESS - None IV. OPEN DISCUSSION ITEMS - None V. NEXT MEETING: To be decided based on information from HR Green, Martam before we go to the Board with this. VI. Adjournment at 10:50 a.m. 4