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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVILLAGE BOARD - 12/22/1969 - SPECIAL MEETING r-- MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE HELD ON DECEMBER 22, 1969 CPresident Jack D. Pahl called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. in the L Municipal Building in said Village. The Reverend J. Ward Morrison, Pastor of Queen of the Rosary Church, opened the meeting with a prayer. Upon the roll being called by the Village Clerk, Eleanor G. Turner, the following answered PRESENT: Trustees Ronald L. Chernick, Richard A. McGrenera, Andrew T. Ullmann, Charles J. Zettek; ABSENT: Trustee Eugene V. Keith. The Village Attorney, Edward C. Hofert, was present at this meeting. The Clerk stated that a request was received from the Village President and accordingly the Board of Trustees was notified as provided by law of this Special Meeting of the President and Trustees for the following purposes: 1 . To consider, and take action if required, upon recommendations of a Citizens Committee of Elk Grove Village regarding housing in the vicinity of Elk Grove Village. 2. To consider and take action upon the recommendation of the Plan Commission relating to the petition for rezoning to a business classification of property at the northeast corner of Route 83 and Lunt Avenue for a Sauer' s Restaurant. 3. To consider approval of Higgins Industrial Park Unit No. 28. Trustee Keith arrived at 7:25 p.m. President Pahl reported that the Plan Commission and Village Engineer have approved Higgins Industrial Park Unit No. 28, whereupon it was moved by Trustee Chernick and seconded by Trustee Ullmann that the Board adopt Resolution No. 131-69 entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL OF PLAT OF SUBDIVISION IDENTIFIED AS HIGGINS INDUSTRIAL PARK UNIT NO. 28". The President directed the Clerk to call the roll on the motion and upon the roll being called, the following answered AYE: Trustees Chernick, Keith, McGrenera, Ullmann, Zettek; NAY: none; ABSENT: none. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried. Mr. Stephen Schwellenbach, Chairman of the Plan Commission, reported that they conducted a Public Hearing on December 4, 1969 regarding the petition to rezone property at Lunt Avenue and Route 83 from M-2 to B-1 for a Sauer' s Restaurant, and recommend that it be approved. Copies were distributed of a proposed ordinance so rezoning the above- named property and it was moved by Trustee Keith and seconded by Trustee Zettek that the Board waive the first reading rule with respect to the foregoing ordinance. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the President declared the motion carried. It was moved by Trustee Keith and seconded by Trustee Ullmann that the Board adopt Ordinance No. 672 entitled, "AN ORDINANCE REZONING PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE". The President directed the Clerk to call the roll on the motion and upon the roll being called, the following answered AYE: Trustees Chernick, Keith, McGrenera, - 1 - Spec. 12/22/69 r- Ullmann, Zettek; NAY: none; ABSENT: none. Whereupon the President declared the motion carried. Mr. John Sheehan, 260 Victoria Lane, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, of the Neighbors at Work Committee introduced Mr. Louis Archbold, 201 Victoria r Lane, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, who addressed the Board in an appeal 1 for the homeless families evicted from unsafe housing around Elk Grove Village. As a result of inspections and action by the Cook County Building and Zoning Department, he said that eight (8) additional families have been evicted, making a total of fourteen (14) or fifteen (15) . Mr. Archbold stated that if permission is granted (to place mobile homes in the area) , they would abide by housing codes and should a family move from the mobile home, it would be taken from the area and by process of elimination the mobile home park would gradually disappear. Mr. Archbold stated that in the meantime, the Committee would be working on moderate or low income housing to provide for these and other families that will be displaced because of similar unsafe conditions and inspections by Cook County. Mr. Sheehan gave the following discription of the Committee' s efforts to date to provide housing: 1. They have explored the possibility of renting apartments in Elk Grove Village. However, the rents are more than can be afforded by the families in question. 2. The Cook County Housing Authority has been requested to investigate Federal Rent Supplement Programs. However, even if these funds were available (Mr. Sheehan said they are not) , it would take six (6) months to get the program established. 3. The Committee has visited all the existing trailer courts in the vicinity of Elk Grove Village and has received a negative response as to vacancies. 4. The Committee has received commitments from nine (9) people who are willing to act as guarantors on loans for mobile homes. 5. A commitment of Two Thousand ($2,000.00) Dollars toward this program of mobile home loans has been made through the Reverend J. Ward Morrison. The Reverend J. Ward Morrison, Pastor of the Queen of the Rosary Church, read a letter dated December 22, 1969 from Brother Ferdinand Leyva, C.F.A. , Administrator of St. Alexius Hospital , to the President and Board of Trustees stating that, at the request of the Village Board and with the advice of the Reverend J. Ward Morrison, the governing board of St. Alexius has agreed to allow two (2) acres of land to be used to provide for temporary mobile housing. Brother Ferdinand Leyva, C.F.A. stated that it is understood that neither the Alexian Brothers nor St. Alexius Hospital will be responsible for improving the mentioned land nor provide the necessary utilities. And it is further understood that the land be used for the said purpose for a period of two (2) years. An extension of time would require another approval from the Board of St. Alexius. The Reverend J. Ward Morrison said that as a result of action by Cook County, six (6) families must evacuate their homes within the next twenty-four (24) hours. Mr. Sheehan then requested the Village Board to consider a proposal of allowing immediate use of the St. Alexius Hospital site for up to fifteen (15) mobile homes for up to a period of two (2) years. - 2 - Spec. 12/22/69 r- In response to Trustee Zettek' s question, Attorney Hofert stated that to permit trailers to be placed on the St. Alexius Hospital grounds would require a Special Use hearing by the President and Trustees fifteen (15) days following publication of a legal notice of said hearing. He stated that if permission is granted without the benefit of the public hearing, a court action might be brought against the Board because the correct legal steps had not been taken prior to the authorized use of the land. Mr. Hofert stated that he could not forecast what judgment the court would render in such a lawsuit. Trustee Ullmann questioned the arrangements which are to be made regarding the concrete slabs on which the trailers will sit, the utility lines, the parking, the access roads, and why apartments other than the Elk Grove Apartments were not sought. He stated there are lesser rents in the local area. Trustee Ullmann also stated that he felt this is a welfare situation and State Statutes do not provide the Village the authority with which to act. The Township Government is provided with such statutory authority. Trustee Keith stated that it is his position that this is not an Elk Grove Village problem. He said that he will meet the problem and work toward helping to solve it; however, it should not be termed an Elk Grove Village problem. Trustee Chernick stated that he would like to help the particular people who are in this situation now subject to the following conditions: 1 . There should be a time limit of one (1) year for the location of the mobile homes on the hospital site; there is to be no relocation of trailers in Elk Grove Village; the arrangements ({l should be for fifteen (15) trailers only and if a family moves out the trailer is taken away; there should be no increase in the number of people except through family additions. 2. Controls will be enforced by the Village and the Committee; the Village is to have the power to inspect and correct any Code violations; the Committee should have the power to evict for failure to pay rent or for continued violations. Trustee McGrenera questioned the precedent setting aspect inherent in this type of Board action. He also questioned who would manage the area, what type of soil conditions exist, and whether or not the present drainage facilities could accommodate this type of use. Trustee Zettek stated that he felt this action by the Board might have some effect toward getting necessary Federal , State and local governments to take action on this problem. President Pahl stated that the only location the Committee has to work with is the one in question and he supports it. The meeting was opened for questions or comments from those in the audience who question or have objections to the proposal submitted to the Board at this meeting. The following comments were heard during ( the course of the discussion: It would seem a lot of money is being spent to prepare a site; trailers why# depreciate at a very rapid rate, the money can be better spent; why does the Committee pressure the Board for a Christmas deadline when to fulfill this request would be contrary to legal authority; why are there no existing vacancies in trailer courts in the area -- if they are refusing admittance then - 3 - Spec. 12/22/69 there are Federal laws to bring to bear; this (the trailers on the hospital site) would create a slum condition which is as bad as that the families are now living in; what happens after the one or two year period; there is no concrete plan for steps to be taken to accomplish the establishment of this trailer facility for the homeless r families -- this cannot be done overnight; money is never wisely spent It when it is spent as the result of an emergency, emotional situation; who is going to pay for the utility lines? All the foregoing questions were not answered; however, it was pointed out by the Village President that in the brief period of time the Committee has had to work, all of the problems as to the necessary arrangements have not been resolved. Mrs. Jane Broten said that the facilities of the Opportunity Center in Rolling Meadows are available and she encouraged their use. She said that this is a self-help organization. Mrs. Broten also reported that other sources of assistance are listed in today' s ''Day'' newspaper. A number of people in the audience responded to Mr. Sheehan' s appeal for funds and pledges totaling Fourteen Hundred ($1 ,400.00) Dollars were made toward financing the mobile homes in question. During the discussion relating to the financing of the mobile homes, it was made clear by the President and Trustees that the Village will not co-sign to secure loans. A poll of the Board members was made at this point to determine whether or not they would favor granting this special use for the purpose as stated above. The poll showed one NAY vote, that being Trustee Ullmann, and the remaining Trustees and the Village President would favor the proposal with qualifications and conditions as stated by them during the meeting. It was moved by Trustee Zettek and seconded by Trustee Chernick that the Board direct the Village Attorney and the Village Clerk to prepare a proper legal notice for public hearing on a Special Use for two (2) acres at the St. Alexius Hospital site and that this be held at the earliest possible time. The motion was voted upon by acclamation; Trustee Ullmann cast a dissenting vote, whereupon the President declared the motion carried. President Pahl suggested that the Northwest Opportunity Council be represented on the ad hoc Committee and that the Township Government be invited to be represented. He stated that many practical suggestions have been given at this meeting and that anyone in the audience or any member of the Board should contact Mr. Sheehan with additional comments, suggestions, or for becoming a member of the committee. It was moved by Trustee Zettek and seconded by Trustee McGrenera that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the President declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Eleanor G. Tu rry Village Clerk APPROVED: / Jack D. Pahl , President - 4 - Spec. 12/22/69