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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/15/2010 - Public Works Committee Memorandum � To: Chainnan Alderman Wimmer Fm: City C'lerk Jones Date: Marcr� 15, 2010 Subj: Public Works Committee Minutes Enclosed is a copy of the March l, 2010 Public Works Committee Minutes. Please review, comment/correct or sign and return to me at your earliest convenience. Thank you. Enc � � PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING �' Monday,March 1, 2010 Aldermen's Conference Room, 6:30 p.m. In Attendance:Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Wimmer, Alderman Glab and Alderman Blake. Absent None. Also in Attendance: Mayor Low, Alderman Condon, Alderman Santi, Alderman Peterson, Alderman Schaefer, City Attorney McArdle, City Administrator Maxeiner, Deputy City Administrator Martin, Assistant City,�dministrator Hobson, Director of Public Works Schmitt, Chief of Police Brogan and City Clerk Jones. Public in Attendance: Mike Benedek 3215 W. Vista Terrace,McHenry,II., Joseph Bustos Reporter,Northwest Herald Mike and Lynn Hetterman 1105 N. 3'�Street,McHenry David Miller 1208 N. Riverside Drive,McHenry Deb McClaughry Note: Alderman Condon arrived at 6:35 p.m. Alderman Peterson arrived at 6:40 p.m. Assistant City Administrator Hobson arrived at 6:50 p.m. City Attorney McArdle and Alderman Schaefer arrived at 7:10 p.m. Chairman Alderman Wimmer called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Public Innut �. No one spoke during the public input session. Review of Parking Fines in the Traffic and Motor Vehicle Code City Administrator Maxemer mtroduced Mike Benedek,resident at 3215 W.Vista Terrace. He stated that Staff was contacted by Mr.Benedek who suggested the parking regulations would be more effective if the fines levied for violators were higher than the existing amounts. Mr. Benedek's specific concern is overnight parking on City streets. Mr. Benedek addressed the Committee. He stated that a house in his neighborhood over the summer became a rental. Since that time a number of vehicles have been parked at and around the structure. Mr. Benedek checked the ordinance on-line and ascertained that the fine for parking overnight on the City street is $5.00 per each violation. Mr. Benedek contacted Staff and suggested it might be more of a deterrent to overnight parking if the fine was higher than$5.00 per occurrence. City Administrator Maxeiner informed the Committee that parking regulations are addressed in Article VI of the Traffic and Motor Vehicle Code for the City of McHenry, while fines for violations of the regulations are addressed in Article X—Penalties. While researching the topic for discussions during the Committee meeting, Staff became aware of a conflict within the Traffic Code. City Administrator Maxeiner defined Sections 13-1004, however he noted that Section 13-1008 identifies fines paid within 48 hours of the violation as being $5.00, increasing to $10.00 if paid later than 48 hours but less than 72 hours after the violation. City Administrator Maxeiner noted that Deputy Clerk Kunzer provided him with a copy of minutes from a City Council meeting in October 1998 which states: � Public Works Committee Meeting �- March 1, 2010 Page 2 " . . . ('ity Administrator Lobaito also noted the penalty section of the City of McHenry's curren- Traffic Motor Vehicle Code was modified. The previous three-tier penalty payment schedule has been reduced to a two-tier schedule. In addition fine amounts for vehicles sticker violations, and illegal parking and handicapped parking stall, have been increa�.ed." City Administr•ator Maxeiner noted the amount to which the illegal parking fines were increased is not identified in the minutes. Staff is seeking direction from the Committee regarding the level of parking fines. Alderman Glab stated the fines definitely need to be raised. He opined that $50.00 seems excessive, while$5.00 per occurrence is too little. Chairman Alderman Wimmer suggested$25.00 for each occurrence. Alderman Glab stated$25.00 is still too high. Chairman Alderman Wimmer inquired whether a comparison has been conducted regarding the fines in surrounding communities. City Administrator Maxeiner stated that fines in sunounding areas are $50.00 per occurrence and$25.00 if the fine is paid within 30-days of receipt of the violation. Chief of Police Brogan opined the fines need to be raised. \.. A brief discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of an escalating fee. City Administrator Maxeiner and Chief of Police Brogan both indicated tracking first, second and third offenses would be cumbersome and an escalating fee is not feasible. Alderman Glab announced that with today's technology it should be simple to track any number of individual offenses. City Administrator Maxeiner informed the Committee that in the brief survey he conducted of surrounding municipalities he did not find one community that tracks offenses. Motion by Blake, seconded by Wimmer,directing Staff to prepare an amendment of the City of McHenry Traffic and Motor Vehicle Code raising the fine levied for violators of overnight parking on City streets to$25.00 for the first occunence, if paid within 30-days of the receipt of the violation, and raising the fine to$50.00 after 30 days for submission to Council. Aye: Glab,Murgatroyd,Wimmer. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Following the vote it was determined that tracking of repeat violators would be addressed at a future meeting of the Public Works Committee. Discussion Re�ardinQ Green Street Business District Parkin� City Administrator Maxeiner informed the Committee that historically the Public Works Committee has had oversight over parking. \.. Public Works Committee Meeting `- March 1, 201�) Page 3 During and a�'ter the discussion regarding the parking situation at Riverwalk Center, the Council expressed an i�iterest in having a committee discuss parking in the Green Street Business District. For discussion purposes, City Administrator Maxeiner provided an inventory of existing and proposed parking in the �3reen Street Business District. He noted that at the cunent time there are 509 total spaces identified in th�; inventory, with 208 spaces identified as part of the public inventory(173 existing and 35 in various stage�s of permitting/construction). Alderman Glab opined the matter should be addressed by the Community Development Committee. He indicated he needed additional information to adequately assess the parking situation and how much parking is required. He stated the City needs to look at long range plans for the next 5, 10 or 15 years. Chairman Alderman Wimmer opined there seems to be a considerable amount of parking in the downtown areas; it is just not always in convenient areas. He inquired why it seems to be such a big issue for individuals to walk a short distance. Alderman Blake concurred with Chairman Alderman Wimmer. Assistant City Administrator Hobson informed the Committee that there are 200 parking spaces within approximately 500 feet of Riverwalk Place. Alderman Glab suggested signage be enhanced to inform individuals of parking opportunities. City Administrator Maxeiner stated that Staff is currently developing a plan regarding signage for off-street parking. � City Administrator Maxeiner stated that Staff is looking at both short-term and long-term parking solutions. Mayor Low informed the Committee and those present that the cost of the short term leases on properties Staff is looking at regarding parking solutions would be borne by the developer. Mr. David Miller requested clarification regarding the article in the Northwest Herald. City Administrator Maxeiner stated what is being discussed is a perpetual lease with a 60-day out. Staff is still in discussions with the property owner. The cost of leasing the property would be borne indefinitely by the developer. Mr. Miller expressed concern regarding future developments and the perception that Curtis Development was permitted to not fulfill its parking commitments to the City of McHenry. Mr. Miller suggested something be done in the planning stages to address parking so there is not overuse and an area remains viable. Responding to an inquiry by Mr. Miller regarding whether there is a formula to require the number of parking spaces per business, City Administrator Maxeiner stated there is a formula but it does not apply to the downtown area. The downtown business district is exempt from parking requirements. In response to an inquiry by Mr. Mike Hetterman regarding the number of parking spaces currently on Waukegan,the answer was 24 on the east side of Green Street. Alderman Glab inquired whether the Downtown Plan needed to be re-worked. Mayor Low reiterated that no one could have predicted the economic climate that has occurred. Alderman Condon stated that she recalls that Curtis Development stated that it was their intention to `.. permit unleased/unpurchased spaces to be used for public parking on a short term basis. City Public Works Committee Meeting `. March 1, 2010 Page 4 Administrator P✓Iaxeiner stated that once the economy rebounds, long term parking solutions for the downtown area;, will be a priority. Adiournment Motion by Glab, seconded by Blake, to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 p.m. Aye: Blake, Glab,Wimmer. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Richard W. Wimmer, Chairman � L