City of Elmhurst Public Affairs & Safety Committee met July 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chair Polomsky called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Committee Members Present: Chair Polomsky, Alderman Levin, Alderman Leader
Elected Officials: None
Committee Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager Mike Kopp (items E, F) Police Chief Michael Ruth, Fire Chief Tom Freeman, Deputy Chief of Police Robert Tannehill, Deputy Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz, City Engineer Kent Johnson (Items E & F)
Guests: Frank Catalano
3. Public Comments
None
4. Receipt of Written Communications
None
5. Business Before the Committee
A. Minutes of the July 8, 2019 meeting of the Public Affairs & Safety Committee
Alderman Levin motioned to approve the minutes. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
B. Elmhurst Jaycee Carnival
Elmhurst Jaycees representative Frank Catalano presented their request to hold a carnival on Park Avenue between Myrtle and Prospect Avenues near Elmhurst College. Catalano explained this is approximately the tenth year at this location and he has been communicating with City Police and Fire about the event. Catalano advised the carnival set-up is the same as past years and the report has been changed to reflect that there will be no beer sales, food trucks or music other than the carnival music. Chairman Polomsky inquired about the safety record of the carnival company used. Catalano stated the same company has been used because of their good safety record. Fire Chief Freeman related the Fire Department will be on site with certified ride inspectors to check the rides and safety measures. Chairman Polomsky related the rules will need to be suspended to approve the appropriate contract documents, as prepared by the City Attorney, at the same meeting for the 2019 Elmhurst Jaycees Carnival from August 15-18, 2019. Alderman Levin motioned to approve the report. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
C. Police Department Replacement Vehicle PD16
Police Chief Michael Ruth presented the replacement of police vehicle PD16 with a purchase of one (1) 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV vehicle which is in the FY19 CEB budget. Replacement life cycles for vehicles in the City fleet are based on the American Public Works Association (APWA) recommended standards. The City’s revised life cycles exceeds the APWA standards. Chairman Polomsky asked how is it determined when to replace a police vehicle. Chief Ruth explained Public Works Fleet Manager handles the calculation on when to replace a vehicle based on repair costs, mileage and maintenance. Alderman Levin motioned to approve the report. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
D. Chatham and Oneida Intersection
Chairman Polomsky stated that the Committee appreciates the advocacy of the residents and that the Committee has been examining this request based upon the conditions present. Polomsky related the consultant recommends that yield signs should be first considered. Polomsky added that unnecessary stop signs do not regulate speed or volume of traffic. Chairman Polomsky advised this topic was brought back to the Committee for approval of the stop signs at this intersection with a revised report. Alderman Levin indicated support of a two way stop there, but wanted the report amended to contain the following language in the sixth paragraph of the report “In particular, the neighborhood is essentially closed off to most outside traffic because few of the streets are through streets, and the traffic controls will largely affect only residents within the area”. Alderman Leader related stop signs are not a panacea as drivers often roll through them, but he would support the request. Alderman Levin motioned to approve the report. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
Chairman Polomsky asked for a motion to suspend the meeting at 7:19 p.m. to wait for City Engineer Kent Johnson to finish up at another Committee meeting and then come in to present Items E & F. Alderman Leader motioned to approve suspending the meeting. Alderman Levin seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
Chairman Polomsky asked for a motion to resume the Committee meeting at 7:24 p.m. because City Engineer Kent Johnson was ready to present Items E & F. Alderman Levin motioned to approve resuming the meeting. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
E. Arthur Street Parking Restrictions
City Engineer Kent Johnson discussed a concern by Hawthorne School regarding traffic flow on Arthur Street and the current parking situation during school days, on Arthur between Cottage Hill Avenue and York Street. Staff utilized an outside professional traffic engineering firm, HLR, to set up a camera to observe the traffic situation on this block. Johnson related he would look at current parking restrictions and speak with staff at IC school regarding the current parking restrictions on Arthur and the impact of their parishioners. Chairman Polomsky mentioned she would like to make sure the parking restrictions on Arthur Street are consistent with the parking restrictions around other schools in the city. Johnson will look at prior PA&S minutes regarding the other school parking times. Johnson will come back to the next Committee meeting to discuss possible solutions to this concern. Alderman Leader motioned to approve to table this topic to next committee meeting. Alderman Levin seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
F. Myrtle Avenue Parking Restrictions
City Engineer Kent Johnson discussed a request from Aldermen Deuter and Sabatino for consideration of parking restrictions on North Myrtle Street, between First Street and Second Street. A traffic analysis was conducted by an outside professional traffic engineering firm, HLR, who set up a camera to observe this area. Johnson related traffic backs up for both northbound and southbound Myrtle Ave, especially when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street causing a safety issue. Johnson presented still photographs taken and presented several options to reduce the congestion and limit parking on either one side or both. Alderman Levin, after viewing the photographs, agreed there is a safety issue and suggested that the committee observe for themselves so they have a better understanding. Johnson related he will look at several options to restrict parking and will also speak with residents on the block about their concerns with limiting parking. Johnson stated he will come back to the next committee meeting with options and resident concerns to limit parking on Myrtle Ave between First and Second. Alderman Levin motioned to approve to table this topic to next committee meeting. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried.
G. Review of Pending Items
Alderman Levin motioned to discuss the Pending Items list and it was seconded by Alderman Leader. Chairman Polomsky presented the list, asking if the items on the list are still current concerns. Alderman Levin asked about the space needs study for the police department and if it should be on this list. Police Chief Ruth related he is in discussion with the City Manager, who will then speak with Chairman of this committee. Alderman Levin motioned to approve the list as current and accurate. Alderman Leader seconded the motion. Voice Vote. 3-Yes/0-No. Unanimous. Motion carried
6. Other Business
None.
7. Adjournment
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