City Council > Minutes

PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON JUNE 23, 2005 AT 7:03 P.M.
CORRECTED MINUTES OF THE CENTERPOINT PRESERVE REDEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON JUNE 23, 2005 AT 7:03 P.M.

Alderman Feldmann thanked everyone for coming out and stated that the meeting is being recorded for the minutes.

The Committee members include Alderwoman Feldmann, Alderman Riesterer, Liz Biddle, the Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Chairman of the Neighborhood Watch Commission and Tom Perry Neighborhood Watch 4th Ward Coordinator.

The purpose of the meeting is to get feedback from the public on things they would like to see at Centerpoint.

The Committee thought of ideas to enhance Centerpoint. One idea is to have a picnic pavilion. They think it would be nice to have two of them for shade and in the event of rain. Other ideas are to have BBQ grills and checker board tables. Alderwoman Feldmann stated that the Committee has gone on a few field trips and one of the trips was to Redmond Park in Bensenville and this is where they saw the pavilions, grills and checker boards. They thought that if they had it behind Villa Scalabrini, it would promote the seniors to get out, get a little exercise and sit and rest in the shady area and play checkers or chess.

The Committee would like to have lighting and benches along the bike path. At Redmond Park they had sponsored benches. The City can have residents or businesses sponsor the benches. The Committee would also like to have drinking fountains. Alderwoman Feldmann stated that she saw this at Lake Park West High School in Roselle. She would also like to see a “Champions of Northlake” sign that recognizes and honors the number of individuals that have earned accomplishments from our youth.

Alderman Riesterer works for the Public Works Department in Schaumburg and has literature on frisbee golf. They would be able to make them permanent or removable.

The Committee suggested making a trail for BMX bike riding by the patch of land at the skate park.

There is a retention pond behind Delta-Unibus and there are fish stocked in there. It is not opened to the general public. The Committee would like to work out some arrangement with Delta-Unibus to get this opened to the public and put overlooks and benches. They would like to do catch and release.

Alderwoman Feldmann stated that at Redmond Park they also have rock climbing and a high ropes course. She called Donna Peluso at Veteran’s Park District and told her about the idea and would like to see if Veterans Park District can offer classes and provide the support staff to supervise for open climbs.

The Committee would like another volleyball court, splash fountain and a dog park at Centerpoint. There is a little triangular shaped area of land behind Villa Scalabrini along Palmer Avenue. The dog park would be a place for the dogs to run with a double gated area so the dogs cannot accidentally get through the gate when someone is entering the area. There are doggy dropping bags to encourage people to pick up the waste. There will be rules posted. There would be a doggy drinking fountain which would also be handicapped accessible.

Other ideas the Committee came up with is an obstacle course, fitness trail additions, a cross-country running course, concrete grades along the edges of the road, a portable concession stand, paint-ball tournament and port-a-potties. A few suggestions sent in by residents include a safety town to teach kids about bike safety, a permanent band shell, dredge the creek to having fishing there and the dog park. Alderwoman Feldmann stated that currently she has 124 petitions of support for the dog park concept. She has received two emails from residents of Northlake stressing the importance and desire for a dog park in Northlake. She has a letter from Representative Skip Saviano stating that he is favor of this concept and if there is anything he can do to assist the City to feel free to contact him. A letter was also received from Senator Don Harmon stating that he thinks this would certainly be a great opportunity to develop park land and he would be proud to have such a park located within the 39th Legislative District and any opportunity placed before a community to bring families with pets together in a positive and safe environment deserves his support. A letter was also received from Dr. Richard Blazer from the Mannheim Veterinary Hospital stating that he supports this endeavor and feel that this will promote better socialization amongst our canine population. An email was received from Jeff Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong’s son Ryan was attacked by a Rottweiler about 4 years ago. The person who owned the dog received a slap on the wrist for his negligence which almost cost his son his life. Jeff Armstrong spearheaded the efforts to get a law passed in Illinois called the Ryan Armstrong law. This law was passed in 2003 and holds dog owners criminally liable for the actions of their dogs. Mr. Armstrong addressed the Committee and explained his story and the law he pushed for. He explained the importance of dog socialization and thinks that the dog park is an excellent idea and added that he will be there for any support he can give.

The hearing was opened to the public for any comments or suggestions.

Lisa Zatko, 67 West Drive, thanked the Committee for doing this and she thinks that the whole idea of a dog park is fabulous. She thinks it is great for the animals with exercise as well as for the residents to get to know each other. She likes the idea of the lighting and the pavilion will entice more people to come out and use it.

Chrissy Swiontek, 124 E. Bernice, stated that she thinks the dog park is a great idea. Her husband is a fireman and she is out alone and likes the lighting as well. One week ago, she had an incident where there was a gentlemen mowing the library lawn and he informed her that dogs were not allowed on that side of wolf road. He was really upset that she was walking her dog and her dog happened to go to the bathroom, even though she picked up the waste. She would really like to have a place where she is comfortable to bring the dog to run around.

Carol Lindquist, 238 Village, gave her support for the dog park. She stated that it is a wonderful idea as a dog owner herself and it is a great way to meet the neighbors. She thanked the Committee for doing this.

Joyce Krasche, 150 Whitehall, stated that she is in favor of the dog park, but she is concerned and asked if it would be opened to all breeds. She had an incident two times in one month that a woman let her dog out the front of her house and the dog had came after her. Also, after seeing the presentation, she thought that an emergency phone set up there would be another idea to consider.
Paul Feldmann of the Northlake Fire Protection District mentioned an emergency speaker phone such as a push button that is connected to the Police Department and Fire Department.

Isabelle Otte, 56 E. Charles Drive, stated that she thinks the pavilion is a really good idea. She works at the Home Depot and every summer they get permission for a picnic at Centerpoint and always worry about the weather with the rain. This way they would not have to worry because there would be shelter there regardless. She walks Midland Trail a lot and thinks that the lighting is a great idea. She added that the dog park is also a good idea since they can have a place to go.

Alderwoman Feldmann addressed the concern about certain breeds and stated that the City has a vicious dog ordinance that requires certain breeds to register. She knows that we cannot ban a specific breed from the park, but we can ban aggressive or vicious dogs. It is possible that we can separate and have an area for the small dogs and another for the large dogs. That detail can be for discussion further down the road.

Rich Grochowski, 364 Medill, Alderman of the 4th Ward, stated that he noticed that there is nothing on there for winter. He suggested sledding hills and an ice skating rink so that we can have a year round use of the facility.

Denise Knox, 124 N. Roberta, asked how big the rocking climbing equipment will be. Alderwoman Feldmann stated that she knows the one at Leyden is tall enough to touch the gymnasium ceiling. She asked if the equipment will be fenced off and questioned insurance. Alderwoman Feldmann stated that there will be insurance in place and illustrated the safety mechanism to prevent access to climbs in the off hours.

An unknown resident asked where would the funding for this come from. Alderwoman Feldmann stated that the City is looking at applying for an OSLAD grant which is a development grant through the Department of Natural Resources. There deadline is July 1st and the City has no intentions to move forward this year. The City can take the time to plan this out, get exactly what we want and the grant would be 50% of the total costs. There are corporate grants the City can apply for from various corporations.

Alderwoman Feldmann thanked everyone from coming to the Centerpoint Redevelopment Public Hearing.

There being no further discussion the HEARING ADJOURNED AT 7:40 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

JOANNE FLOISTAD, CITY CLERK