Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/7/2004 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, July 7, 2004 Aldermen's Conference Room, 6:30 p.m. �. In Attendance: Committee Members: Alderman Bolger, Alderman Murgatroyd, Alderman Wimmer. Absent: None. Also in Attendance: Alderman Peterson, Mayor Low, City Administrator Maxeiner, Director of Public Works Marcinko, Assistant Director of Public Works Fink, City Clerk Jones. Also in Attendance: Myung Green Street Cleaners 1245 N. Green Street Chairman Alderrnan Bolger called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Discussion Regardin�Two Hour Parking on Court Street Director of Public Works Marcinko informed the Committee of a letter received from Kim Huber, owner and operator of Hair For You located at the northwest corner of Illinois Route 120 and Court Street. Ms. Huber requested the Committee consider a change in the parking Ordinance on Court Street from 2-Hour Parking between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, except on Sunday, to unlimited parking on Court Street. Ms. Huber indicated patrons parking on Court Street have been required to move their vehicles to different locations if appointments have lasted more than two hours. Staff expressed concerns that a change to the parking limitations on Court Street would impact other nearby areas. It was opined that parking changes should be evaluated carefully and strategically, taking into consideration further adjustments to address the issues that may ultimately arise. � Director Marcinko noted that police records indicate that from 2002 to the present the Police Department has issued 20 two-hour parking violations within the 1300 block of Court Street. It appears that the restrictive parking measures may be affecting the service businesses. Staff recommends amending the Traffic and Motor Vehicle Ordinance to allow 4-hour parking on Court Street. Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Wimmer, to recommend to Council an amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 13, the Traffic and Motor Vehicle Ordinance to allow four (4) hour parking between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except Sunday, on Court Street from Illinois Route 120 to Pearl Street. Voting Aye: Bolger, Murgatroyd, Wimmer. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Discussion Regarding Two Hour Parking on Green Street Director Marcinko informed the Committee that a request has been received from Miller Monument, located on the northeast corner of Illinois Route 120 and Green Street,to change the parking on Green Street from two-hour parking between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except Sunday, to unlimited parking. The proprietor of Miller Monument is concerned that 2-hour parking does not provide customers sufficient time to conduct business. Director Marcinko stated that from 2000 to present the Police Department has issued 9 two-hour � parking violations within the 1300 block of Crreen Street. Nine violations over approximately a four- year period is an indication that the 2-hour parking restriction on Green Street has little impact. Public Works Committee Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 2 \.- Alderman Bolger indicated he would support the change in the parking ordinance; however he would like to see consistency regarding parking regulations. Alderman Wimmer concurred that there should be consistency. Alderman Murgatroyd expressed concern that the change might be detrimental to other businesses in the vicinity. Responding to Alderman Wimmer's inquiry, Director Marcinko stated there are approximately 15 parking spaces on Crreen Street. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Bolger, to recommend to Council an amendment to the Municipal Code Chapter 13, the Traffic and Motor Vehicle Ordinance, to create four (4) hour parking between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except Sunday, on Green Street from Illinois Route 120 to Pearl Street. Voting Aye: Bolger, Wimmer. Voting Nay: Murgatroyd. Absent: None. Motion carried. Discussion RegardinS Limitation of ParkinQ on Green Street Initiated bv Proarietor of Green Street Cleaners L Chairman Alderman Bolger introduced Myung, proprietor of Green Street Cleaners. Chairman Alderman Bolger requested this issue be discussed since the topic was parking on Green Street. Myung is requesting that a 10-minute parking sign be erected in front of her business, which is located at 1245 N. Green Street. Myung stated she operates a dry cleaning business and indicated she is loosing business because her customers are unable to park for a short-term while dropping off or picking up laundry. Director Marcinko expressed empathy for Myung's situation, however he noted concerns regarding setting a precedent for similar situations. He opined requests for limited parking should be addressed on an individual basis. Alderman Bolger opined he does not see how Myung's request for a 10-minute parking limitation in front of her business on Green Street could be accommodated at this time. City Administrator Maxeiner suggested Staff research sunounding municipalities and the issue be brought back to the Committee for further discussion at a future meeting. It was the consensus of the Committee to direct Staff to obtain information from surrounding municipalities regarding 10-minute parking limitations in business districts. The information will be brought before the Committee at a future Public Works Committee Meeting. Discussion RegardinQ Municival Center Parking � Initiated bv Park and Ride Request Assistant Director of Public Works Fink informed the Committee that over the past couple of years the City has experienced increased usage of the Municipal Center Parking lot, which is starting to Public Works Committee Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 3 `.. result in a shortage of parking spaces. He stated that park and ride situations have become an increasingly popular form of transportation in an effort to reduce commuter expense and tr�c congestion between and within urban areas. Assistant Director Fink stated there are designated Park and Ride lots throughout the City providing free parking for drivers throughout the region to meet carpool partners or access public transit. He noted that unfortunately the Municipal Center does not have the capacity to accommodate this practice resulting in City employees having a difficult time finding parking stalls upon returning from meetings or lunch Assistant Director Fink noted that exacerbating the situation is the city's hosting the County Circuit Clerk's Branch Traffic Court on Wednesdays at the Municipal Center from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally, the Classroom is frequently utilized for various Police and Public Works training programs. During these peak usages vehicles park on both sides of the perimeter drive restricting traffic movement and creating difficulty for out-going police cars responding to emergency situations. Assistant Director Fink informed the Committee that the Municipal Center lot has a capacity for 139 vehicles of which 39 parking stalls have been reserved for municipal Police, Building and Grounds and Community Development Inspector vehicles. Employee's personal vehicles use approximately 40 parking stalls per day, leaving 60 remaining stalls for customers. �,. Staff suggests restricting the Municipal Parking lot to permit parking and 4-hour parking. Employees would be issued parking permits allowing all day parking and remaining individuals would only be permitted to park for four hours at a time. Additionally, a No Parking zone would be created on the interior of the perimeter drive which would allow Police Department vehicles unrestricted safe access and egress to facilitate emergency response time. Following a brief discussion Alderman Murgatroyd opined he supports Staff's recommendations. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Murgatroyd, to recommend to Council an ordinance be drafted restricting the Municipal Parking lot to permit parking and 4-hour parking and creating a No Parking zone at the interior of the perimeter drive, permitting Police Department vehicles unrestricted safe access and egress to facilitate emergency response time Voting Aye: Bolger, Murgatroyd, Wimmer. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. New Business Responding to Alderman Wimmer's inquiry regarding installation of sidewalks on James Street, between Center Street and Crreen Street, City Administrator Maxeiner stated that Staff would research the matter and return with a report to the Committee. � Public Works Committee Meeting July 7, 2004 Page 4 �. Alderman Wimmer stated that John Diedrich, the owner of Lockers Flowers, has expressed concern regarding the lighting on Third Street. Mr. Diedrich feels the light should be more decorative to tie in with the business districts on Green Street, Main Street and Riverside Drive. Alderman Wimmer inquired about moving the handicap parking sign in front of the Gambler. He noted there is no handicap access to the buildings and the sign is in an inappropriate location. Staff assured Alderman Wimmer that the matter would be reseazched. Adiournment Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Murgatroyd, to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Voting Aye: Bolger, Murgatroyd, Wimmer. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, w.,(-�r-�v-w� � William J. Bolger, hairman � \...