01-14-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 14a 1974 GULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) Councilman Parent made a motion to amend the ordinance as requested by Mr. Lennon, seconded by Councilman Miller. The motion carried. Council President Nemeth then indicated that a special Committee on Housing had been established with Councilman Miller as chairman. Other members of committee are Councilmen Newburn, Horvath, Taylor and Kopczynski. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the amended ordinance be referred to the special Committee on Housing, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR the II Miss Fanny Grunwald, 227 South Frances Street, talked about the closing of St. Peter Street. She wondered about the procedure utilized when closing streets. She stated that the various bodies that have the authority to close streets should work together. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, indicated that the Board of Public Works is the only body that has the authority to close a street. He indicated that the situation on St. Peter Street is only a temporary vacation because of construction, and he explained the procedure of street vacating. A petition is submitted to the Board of Public Works and then referred to the Engineering Department and the Area Plan Commission. The Area Plan Commission conducts a review and public hearing on the matter and makes a recommendation to the Board of Public Works. The Board of Public Works then advertises and conducts a public hearing. At the public hearing, the Board of Public Works will discuss the matter and make a decision regarding the vacation. Miss Grunwald felt that the closing of a street was not in the best interests of the city. She wondered about the recommenda- tion of the Area Plan Commission, and Mr. Farrand stated that the recommendation was just that and the Board of Public Works makes the final decision. Council President Nemeth indicated that the hearings held by the Area Plan Commission and the Board of Public Works were open to the public if Miss Grunwald desired to attend any of the meetings. One of the members of the New Members Group of the Junior League wondered about the reading of the titles of the ordinances and that the revenue sharing ordinances all read the same except for amounts and the departments involved. She indicated that there were two ordinances each for the Departments of Law, Public Safety and Public Works which read the same except for the amounts. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, indicated that each ordinance contained a different program and involved a different amount of money. He explained that the titles merely give a brief description of the ordinance and that some of the ordinances are quite lengthy. Mr. Ed Soltesz, 402 Altgeld, spoke on the problem the city has encountered with snow removal and parking on the streets. He indicated that he had talked to Mr. Decker about the problem and he was informed that Mr. Decker had proposed alternate parking but that the Council had not done anything about that recommendation. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he was happy to see that a taxpayer had made a request to the Council. Councilman Szymkowiak stated that he was in favor of this type of ordinance. He indicated that he had prepared and submitted an ordinance in 1972 but that nothing had been done and no action had been taken by the Council. Council President Nemeth indicated that one of the problems with the alternate street parking would be the cost for the numerous signs that would be needed. He suggested that perhaps a certain area that has a problem with parking and snow removal be used as an experiment. Councilman Szymkowiak referred to the sprinkling during the summer months on even and odd numbered days. He indicated that signs were not posted for that. Mr. James Roemer, City Attorney, indicated that Mr. Decker had made a recommendation regarding the problem and it had gone to the Mayor. The matter was on the agenda for the cabinet meeting. He stated that, when the administration was in a position to make a decision on a recommendation, the ordinance would be prepared and submitted to the Council for action. He hoped this would be taken care of within the next couple months. Councilman Horvath stated that the entire Council had discussed the merits of such a proposal, not just Councilman Szymkowiak. He realized this was a problem and he was hopeful that something could be done about the situation. Councilman Szymkowiak again stated that he had proposed the ordinance in 1972 and had been fighting for an ordinance to take care of the problem for many years. Councilman Serge also expressed his support of an ordinance to take care of the problem. Mr. Robert G. Swanson, 2734 Arrowhead Drive, indicated that his streets had been plowed for the first time that day. He then commended the Council on the passage of the architectural barrier ordinance in January of 1973. He stated that he had made a request some time ago to ramp the parking garages for the handicapped and elderly. Nothing had been done about the request. He' stated that he had been told that the parking garages were losing money and could not pay for this construction. He referred to.the amount of money spent by the city on the Humane Society in 1973. He felt that human needs were far more important than animal needs. He also talked about the use of mini -buses for the senior citizens. Councilman Parent suggested.that an excerpt of the minutes be sent to him, and he would forward the matter on to the proper department for appropriate action. Mr. Carl Enyart, operating a business on East Sample Street, expressed concern about the Southeast Neighborhood Project and asked that he might see a copy of the proposed ordinance which was referr( to the Housing Committee. He also expressed concern about the area of the REAL Services facility. Mr. Charles Lennon, Director of the Department of Redevelopment, indicated that the exact location was not known at this time. He also stated that the ordinance had been filed with the City Clerk. Council President Nemeth stated that Mr. Enyart should contact the City Clerk and she would furnist him with a copy of the ordinance. Councilman Kopczynski suggested that Mr. Enyart contact his councilman regarding the matter. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilman Parent made a motion that the Safety Department which had been referred hearing and second reading on January 28, Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. NEW BUSINESS two revenue sharing ordinances pertaining to the Public to the Public Safety Committee also be set for public 1974, in order to help expedite the matter, seconded by Councilman Serge indicated that he had received a request from the Park Avenue Neighborhood (Association concerning the area along Portage Avenue. The association was asking that considera- tion be given to the possibility of rezoning a certain area "C -1" Commercial in order to make it more strict as far as the various business establishments that could be utilized in that area. Councilman Serge made a motion that the matter be referred to the Ordinance Committee, seconded by Councilman Parent. The motion carried.