Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - 04/21/1987 - CABIE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 21, 1987 7:45 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Zettek, Village President Michael Tosto, Village Trustee Edward Hauser, Village Trustee James Petri, Village Trustee Ronald Chernick, Village Trustee Joseph Bosslet, Village Trustee Dennis Gallitano, Village Trustee STAFF PRESENT: Charles Willis, Village Manager (9 p.m. ) Gary Parrin, Assistant Village Manager Melvin Mack, Police Commander Alan Boffice, Village Engineer George Knickerbocker, Village Attorney CABIS Representatives Reporters Present: Edward Russel Ken Hopkins, THE VOICE David De Fabio Dave Mc Kinney, Kurt Jacob THE DAILY HERALD Ken Matlak of Elk Grove Village Steve Sarley Dan Sharp Bob Boyle Zettek opened the discussion by noting the large number of elementary and junior high schools that are located on heavily traveled roadways (schools were listed on a chart). Sites are chosen by school districts that provide accessibility for parents, teachers and buses. Park Districts often locate park sites adjacent to schools. While the Board appreciates the concern for child safety, proponents of the interchange would counter the CABIE argument about the safety of children attending schools on Biesterfield or Kennedy by showing the large number of schools in Elk Grove and surrounding areas that are on major thoroughfares. Zettek then showed (using a chart) how the Village is impacted by intergovernmental cooperation to address regional needs: - Arlington Heights Road/Northwest Toll road Interchange - NWMC - Greater Woodfield Convention & Visitors Bureau - M.A.B.A.S - Emergency Water connections - Boundary Agreements - Northwest Central Dispatch - High Excess Liability Pool (HELP) -2- - Joint Action Water Agency - Suburban O'Hare Commission (SOC) - NORTRAN The region comes together and joins for a larger voice and working together on shared desires and needs. Zettek appreciated CABIE's concern for the traffic but the Village acknowledges that traffic is a regional issue. While the interchange is in the Village, it will facilitate Village traffic, as well as serve the region. The last issue addressed by Zettek was the FAUS program. He showed the distribution of FAUS funds (on a chart). While the Village benefitted from the funds, the funds are distributed by what's best for the region, not what's best for the individual municipality. Zettek concluded his remarks by stating that ABMC is prepared to fully support and become more actively engaged in addressing the needs for the interchange. The Village also supports the interchange since it's a regional approach to traffic; allows our residents a more direct access to their community; allows access to the hospital; will provide for a safe pedestrian walkway over the bridge; and could possibly enable the Village to acquire a 32-acre parcel to develop as a showcase park rather than high-rise development. The above reflects the Village's posture and those issues considered when reviewing the need for the interchange. Schaumburg assured Elk Grove that Martingale will be extended to Rohlwing Road and Schaumburg Road will be extended to Martingale. In addition, the Village will not widen Biesterfield Road, increase the 25 MPH speed limit, or remove the median on Kennedy. A CABLE member said that the interchange has no benefit for the Village and brings pollution. An article from National Geographic was passed around to those persons at the meeting. When the interchange was considered ten years ago, no one could have appreciated the phenomenal growth that would occur in the northwest suburbs. Tosto, as a point of reference, said that Elk Grove has jurisdiction for emergency response on I-290 but has no access except for Thorndale and Higgins. The CABLES asked how we could obtain a Village-wide open opinion on the issue. The Village could reach out to the community but Zettek noted that so far only the CABLE position has been heard. The Village has yet to use its resources to counter the CABIES and defeat the Cabies' efforts. -3- He also noted that for the morning and evening rush hours some residents will experience an inconvenience. But that doesn't become a reason for not constructing an interchange that will provide so many other benefits to the community. In response to a CABIE question on the Village's commitments to IDOT, Zettek responded that both Elk Grove and Schaumburg agreed to spend up to $I.5 million each. IDOT has recently requested a Resolution from the Village committing us to the $1.5 million and acknowledging our support of the interchange. In addition, the Village asked IDOT not to allow ramps to intersect with Rohlwing, to prohibit truck traffic onto Biesterfield, and to install pedestrian access over the bridge. A CABIE felt that there was a need for more Village traffic control, more police personnel and more than one squad west of I-290. He also expressed concern with "aggressive" drivers doing excessive speeds on residential streets. (Willis arrived) The Village Attorney said that upwards of 75 tickets per court call are Biesterfield Road tickets. The count doesn't include tickets that were pre-paid. When asked their position on the interchange, the Board responded: Gallitano - Supports the interchange Hauser - Supports the interchange with the 2 Left Turn lanes, 2 Right Turn lanes and 1 straight lane Tosto - Supports the interchange Bosslet - Supports the interchange Petri - Supports the interchange with some conditions such as other roadway improvements Chernick - Does not support the interchange but if it is constructed then Biestefield must be extended to Wise Road. If no interchange, the Biesterfield ex- tension isn't necessary. Gallitano added that his support of the interchange is not because of Schaumburg but for Elk Grove Village, ABMC, the industrial park and regional concerns. If a poll were taken, Zettek advised the CABLES that the Village would consider it advisory but that CABIE would have to abide by the response. If the poll is in favor of the interchange then CABIE would have to cease its opposition and request for a referendum. -4- He also noted that in their enthusiasm for obtaining petition signatures, many untruths were said by CARIES. Zettek reiterated that the Village has yet to use its resources to refute the untruths and tell the public our reasons for support. CABIES felt that the only fair method is a referendum. The CABLES will go back to their groups to consider what was mentioned at the meeting. It was noted that in the Village's resolution to IDOT, we can condition our support for the interchange by stating that there will be no extension of Biesterfield Road to Wise; there must be a pedestrian walkway over the bridge; the 25 MPH speed limit will remain on Biesterfield west of Rohlwing; no ramps onto Rohlwing Road; no truck traffic, and 2 Right Turn lanes, 2 Left Turn lanes and 1 straight lane for westbound Biesterfield at Rohlwing Road. The meeting ended at 10:54 p.m. c: President and Board of Trustees Village Manager Assistant Village Manager Administrative Assistant Department Heads