City Council Planning Sessions

MEMORANDUM TO: Record FROM: Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator SUBJECT: Aug. 28, 2017 City Council Planning Session Minutes DATE: Aug. 30, 2017 CC: Mayor and City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, Department Heads The Planning Session took place in the Council Chambers, Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, Illinois. Those attending the Planning Session included: Mayor Gresk, Councilman Barbier, Councilwoman Fitch, Councilman Prendiville, Councilman Rutledge and Councilman Scalzo. Councilman Suess was absent. Also in attendance were City Manager Dzugan, Assistant City Manager Duguay, Director of Engineering Redman, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik, Police Chief Volpe and Public Information Officer Thrower. The session began at 7:00 p.m. and concluded at 8:14 p.m. The following items were discussed: I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Gresk. II. Public Comment There were no public comments. III. Streetscape Status Update Assistant City Manager John Duguay introduced Primera Engineering and Design Workshop, who presented an update on the refined concept for Martin Plaza. The Council previously reviewed five design options for Martin Memorial Plaza, two on the north side and three on the south side, and directed the consultant to move forward with a design plan for the plaza on the south side of Front Street incorporating elements from the north side concepts such as a gateway element, a small water feature and café seating. Jon Brooke, Design Workshop, reviewed renderings comparing the current Front Street/sidewalk configurations versus the new designs. He also reviewed the refined concept for Martin Memorial Plaza, which would include vertical elements, designs reminiscent of the old train station, a tent canopy, flexible seating, depot benches, a water feature, an outdoor fireplace and a gateway feature. In response to questions about the proposed design for a water feature in the plaza, Mr. Brooke stated Design Workshop is looking for design direction as they move toward final plans. He stated they would work with a water feature specialist to find a solution that can work within a small area and provide interest throughout the year. The proposed design has an area on top for plantings or possibly holding the downtown Christmas tree. In response to Council questions about the location of the water feature in proximity to the railroad tracks, Mr. Brooke stated that there would be a fence between the plaza and the tracks, similar to what currently exists. Council members noted that Phase 4 of the Streetscape plan includes plans for a larger gathering area along the north side of Liberty Drive between Hale and Main Street (currently Lot #4). In response to a question regarding the lot #4 park, Mr. Brooke stated the designs of each area will be unique but share common design elements. Mr. Brooke clarified questions about parking by stating more spaces were created because the plans changed the layout or angle of the spaces. In response to questions about the fireplace feature, Mr. Brooke stated it would have a metal mesh protective screening for safety purposes. Staff stated that the City would need to develop a policy regarding the times when a fire was burning in the fireplace. In response to questions about the costs for various elements of this design, City Manager Dzugan stated the Council will review costs during the Checkpoint 3 presentation on Oct. 9. According to CCS, the City’s costing consultant, the anticipated amount for the Martin Memorial Plaza portion of the design is $1 million. Mr. Brooke addressed a concern about using wood in the bench designs by stating they would either be using a specially treated wood, metal or other material that could not easily be damaged or weathered. Council members expressed satisfaction with the direction of the designs presented. City Manager Dzugan answered questions about the costs of all phases of the project by stating the Council has reviewed the overall costs of the project, which is estimated to be approximately $35 million. However, this project is being completed in phases, and the pricing can only be accurately estimated once each phase’s actual design plans are created. He stated the financing of different parts of the project will also come into play, as the initial plans call for approximately $20 million of the project to be funded by TIF 2, and $14-15 million to be funded by the General Fund. 8/28/17 Planning Session 2 City Manager Dzugan also noted that many elements in the first phase, such as the style of sidewalks and other elements chosen, will allow the City to better plan for costs in the future phases, as many elements will be the same. Mr. Brooke reviewed the style guide and branding the City is developing in coordination with the City’s website redesign. He also reviewed concepts for signage markers, banners and streetlights and presented four options for signage packages. Director of Engineering Redman answered questions about the maintenance and upkeep of signs by stating the City’s Public Works Department has the technology to produce the signs. Council members expressed support for the first signage package (concept 1.1), citing the traditional, timeless look for the black and white design. IV. Police Patrol Work Shift Scheduling Police Chief Volpe presented a proposed one-year change from the current 6-2/5-3 shifts (8- hour shifts) for patrol officers to 12-hour shifts. The change would put more officers on the street than the current shift schedule. Police Chief Volpe stated this concept was presented to him by his staff and the police officer union (MAP #699). In his research, he has not found there to be any discernible difference in fatigue or productivity of officers on duty for 12 hours versus 8 hours. He stated approximately 50% of DuPage agencies use this schedule. Based on a comparison where he overlapped the 12-hour shift with the current 8-hour shift, Chief Volpe stated that the change in shifts would provide a greater number of officers on duty with the 12-hour shift. In addition, 72% the patrol officers stated they prefer the proposed schedule. In terms of cost, the City may see cost savings, or it would be a cost-neutral change. To explain how the scheduling would work, Chief Volpe stated officers currently work 20 days out of every 28 days (a deployment period), but with the new schedule, they would work 14 days out of every 28 days. Officers would work the same number of hours. The Police Department is requesting beginning a 1-year trial starting with the first deployment period for 2018, starting on/about January 1, 2018. In response to Council questions, Chief Volpe stated the way the 12-hour shift schedule allows for more officers on the street is that there would not be alternating days off within a team of officers; there would be two teams that are alternating days on and off, and the entire team would be working at the same time. He stated the additional officers will be able to provide 8/28/17 Planning Session 3 services such as surveillance for car burglaries, additional patrolling for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, additional surveillance for retail thefts, etc. City Manager Dzugan stated under the current schedule, the City is only above the minimum number of officers 25% of the time, but with the new schedule, the City would exceed the minimum number of officers 68% of the time according to the Chief’s review. In response to Council questions, Chief Volpe stated he will be looking at productivity and additional services provided to residents. He will also continue to seek feedback from officers and his command staff after the change is made to see how things are working. He stated that not all positions would be moved to the 12-hour shifts; the change would only be for positions for which 12-hour shifts would be a good fit. The Council expressed support for the Police Department’s request. V. City Council/Staff Comments There were no City Council/staff comments. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. 8/28/17 Planning Session 4