Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-04-05 City Council Regular MinutesCOUNCIL PROCEEDINGS 11906 : CFt'ICIAL PROCEEDINGS : : OF THE CITY PP PEORIA Council Chambers, Peoria, Illinois, April 5, 1977. A regular meeting of the City Council was held this date at 6:00 P.M.; Mayor Richard E. Carver presiding. ROLL CALL Roll call showed the following members present: Bateman, Berljten, Brawn, Neumiller, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 8 Councilman Renner arrived at 6:05 P.M. INVOCATION At the request of Mayor Carver, heads were bowed in a moment of silent prayer. Mayor Carver requested that Captain Robert Clark and his family be remembered in the silent prayer. Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Carver. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, ETC. PROCLAMATION issued by Mayor Carver declaring the week of April 10 through 16, 1977 as MEDICAL LABORATORY WEEK in Peoria in recognition of the quality health care given in this field. PION issued by Mayor Carver to Millie Pisano declaring May 1, 1977 as LOYALTY DAY, and askew citizens to display the flag on that day. Mrs. Pisan° and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 814 presented a commendation to Mayor Carver for his example of loyalty. MINUTES Councilman Bateman moved for approval of the minutes of the previous week's meeting; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. Approved by viva woe vote. P1riTIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS (77-187) TAG DAY REQUEST fiol« the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ, requesting the date of April 9, 1977. Councilman Bateman moved for the request to be granted; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. Approved by viva voce vote. (77-188) NOTICE OF SUIT filed by Attorneys William R. Kelly and David H. McCarthy on behalf of their client, JUDITH K. VOLK for injuries sustained by her on April 4, 1976. Councilman Bateman moved that the communication be received, filed and referred to the Legal Department; seconded by Councilman Neuuniller. Approved by viva voce vote. (77-189) NOTICE OF SUIT filed by Attorney Julian Carrell on behalf of his client, TAD D. BARTEL, for injuries sustained by hire on March 1, 1977. 11907 Councilman Bateman moved that the communication be received, filed, and referred to the Legal Dept.; seconded by Councilman Neumiller. Approved by viva voce vote. (77-190) RESOLUTION in regard to a FIRE HYDRANT in the Woodruff High School Addition. Councilman Brown moved for the adoption of the resolution; seconded by Councilman Bateman. Adopted by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-168) UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Presentation of PARKING PROGRAM DOWNTOWN CORE AREA, PEORIA, ILLINOIS - By Ralph Burke Associates. Mr. Hauck requested privilege of the floor for Mr. Larry Donoghue, and Mr. Lathan, of Ralph Burke. Counclman Reynolds moved for privilege of the floor for the representatives of Ralph Burke; seconded by Councilman Brown. Approved by viva voce vote. Mr. Donoghue stated that Mr. Lathan was the project manager for this project. The project is now completed, and Mr. Donoghue ocuulimented the staff for the original study they prepared. Mr. Donoghue said parking is an essential need for any vigorous downtown central business district. You also need good traffic circulation, and a reason for going downtown. Peoria has over 9,000 spaces downtown, and most of them are used intensively. In the 16 blocks in the CBD, occupancy is running 89 to 90% without the Sear and Carsons structures. This means that street congestion develops with people waiting for parking spaces. The study shows that Peoria needs about 2,000 spaces, the first recommended location for parking is in Block 20, next to the Jefferson Building, which could be a 600 car facility with retail on the ground floor. The second recommendation is a 400 car lot that will be a part of the redevelopment of Franklin Street. They urge at least that we get those two lots underway as soon as possible. Mr. Donoghue said we also need to look at the rate structure, as the fine structure is too low. The rate should be that the fines are twice as high as what a 9 hour rate would be for the occupancy of a meter. We also need to look at our rates, to build a facility that will be self sufficient. The nickel meters should be raised. They are recommending that the new structure would be attendant operated, and it could use the validation system. They also urge us to create a parking system fund, and this should have at least z million dollars in it as a continuing fund to take care of immediate acquisition. This would be funded entirely by parkers and fines. Mr. Donoghue said this is only a study, and council must implement it. This might not be popular, but it is the way to have a strong system downtown. Councilman Brown referred to the report and Eckwood Parking lot being used to a great extent, and asked why people would park there and waik up to 1,000 feet rather than park in the Sears lot. Mr. Donoghue said the price is right as it is much cheaper. Mr. Brown asked if it would be logical, where practical, to require large employers to provide parking for employees even if they do not use it. Mr. Donoghue said this should be done on an area wide basis. There could be a requirement that employers with over 15 employees must provide parking or an equivilent dauunt of money. If they have the parking, they should be given credit for that. 11908 Mayor Carver asked how Mr. Donoghue found the parking rates, monthly, hourly, etc. off street in the facilities that are well used. Mr. Donoghue said they found the City to be underpricing our service. On a national norm, they are fairly comparable, or slightly less. For comparable cities, $1.75 for a eight hour day, $35 to $40 a month rate, is a good average. Our rates are below that, and private enterprise cannot compete with this. A good balance is where about 50% of the spaces are owned privately, and 50% are owned publicly. Councilman Reynolds stated that the Administration intends to bring back individual portions of this report for consideration fran time to time, and moved that this report be received and filed with this understanding; seconded by Councilman Renner. Approved by viva voce vote. (77-191) Communication from the City Traffic Engineer with a request for SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE of Traffic Signal Control Equipment. Councilman Bergsten moved for approval of the sole source purchase; seconded by Councilman Neumiller. Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-192) Communication fran the City Traffic Engineer with an ORDINANCE for NO PARKING ANYTIME restrictions on the north side of McBean Street from Sheridan Road to MacArthur Highway. Councilman Bateman moved for the ordinance to be placed upon passage; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. ORDINANCE NO. 10,013 adopted by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-193) Communication from the City Traffic Engineer with an ORDINANCE for IIV'IERSECTION CONTROL at West Hayes and South Livingston Streets. Councilman Sutton moved for the ordinance to be placed upon passage; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. ORDINANCE NO. 10,014 adopted by roll r-all vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-194) Communication fiau the City Traffic Engineer with two ORDINANCES for a change from NO PARKING ZONE to a LOADING ZONE at 926 Main Street - Glen Oak Towers. Councilman Bateman moved for the ordinances to Councilman Bergsten. ORDINANCE NO. 10,015 adopted by roll call specified distance ) Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brawn, Neumiller, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None be placed upon passage; seconded by vote. (Designating loading zone for Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, ORDINANCE NO. 10,016 adopted by roll call vote. (Striking out the limit of 25 feet in 900 Block Main Street) 11909 Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-195) Communication from the Planning Dept. with an ORDINANCE to rezone propertS at 8615 N. Knoxville from an R-1 to a C-2 Classification. Councilman Beaten said there is adequate parking and land for this facility, and C-2 is appropriate. Mr. Bergsten said he is encouraged because of the use of a frontage road to this facility. Councilman Bergsten moved for the ordinance to be placed upon passage; seconded by Councilman Reynolds. ORDINANCE NO. 10,017 adopted by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-196) Communication from :he City Engineer regarding maintenance of Remote Sewer Outfall Nbnitoring Sites. Councilman Reynolds roved for approval of the request not to exceed $3,000; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. Councilman Bateman asked if this type of expense can be expected as these parts wear out. Mr. Hewitt said it'is a typical expense because we are dealing with electronic equipment in an adverse atmosphere. Motion approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-197) Communication from the City Engineer regarding Hayward Street STORM SEWER EXTENSION. Councilman Brown moved that permission be granted to use Public Benefit funds to construct the storm sewer extension, the amount to be estimated at $12,000; seconded by Councilman Neumiller. Councilman Reynolds asked how this project is different from other water control projects where we have required assessments in the area. Mr. Hewitt said with the construction of the sewers with the Woodruff High School project, we now have a way to correct this longstanding problem. The aurunt of assessment is very small, and it is just not practical to do it on the usual basis. Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-198) Communication fran the Corporation Counsel regarding EXTENSION OF LEASE for the Dept. of Housing and Redevelopment. • Councilman Sinclair asked if she is correct in that if we vacate by June 30, 1977, there is no way we can incur extra expense. Mr. Teplitz said that is the way the lease is drawn up.411 • • 11910 Councilman Sinclair moved that the lease extension be approved; seconded by Councilman Reynolds. Mayor Carver commented that the University of Illinois has been very cooperative in allowing this lease extension. Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-199) Communication from the Dept. of Housing and Redevelopment regarding approval to enter into Contracts for Appraisals of CIVIC CENTER AREA. Councilman Renner stated that the recommendation is for the $41,000 contract, and moved that the recommended appraiser be hired by the Administration and we proceed immediately with this work; seconded by Councilman Reynolds. Councilman Sinclair asked what the second column of figures represents. Mr. Ulmer said that is per diem and is the cost for court cases of eminent domain. Mr. Ulmer said they have contacted two fixture appraisals firms and it is necessary that we get a property analysis immediately. A property analysis gives us the cost of real property versus the fixtures, and gives us some idea of what the cost of moving the businesses might be. The Delta Appraisal Firm came in with a cost of $25 per parcel, and they are asking Council to also approve entering into a contract with them. Councilman Renner asked if the cost of moving will be borne by us. Mr. Teplitz said when we go in and value a piece of property, they look at the land value and building, and also the personal property that is fixed to the building and cannot be moved without destroying it. Councilman Renner moved that the additional contract be let; seconded by Councilman Reynolds. Notions approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 9 Nays: None (77-200) APPOINTMENT by Mayor Carver to the PLANNING COMMISSION: Thomas E. Wilson Councilman Renner moved for approval of the appoint.' nt; seconded by Councilman Reynolds. Approved by viva voce vote. (77-201) APPOINTMENT by Mawr Carver to the TAKE PRIDE IN PEORIA COMMISSION: Mrs. Rebekah Hansen Councilman Sinclair moved for approval of the appointment; seconded by Councilman Renner. Approved by viva vooe vote. (77-202) REPORTS: (INFORMATION ONLY) - Dept. of Housing & Redevelopment - regarding Amendment to Urban Renewal Appraisal Contracts. CILCO - Annual Report to the Illinois Commerce Commission & Annual Report to Stockholders i 11911 Councilman Reynolds moved that the reports be received and filed; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. Approved by viva voce vote. LUFINISHED BUSINESS (77-185) Communication from the Planning Dept. with a RESOLUTIcN in regard to the Jefferson Trust and Savings Bank. Mr. Frishman passed around a rendering of the proposed project, and stated that Mr. Kassing is present for questions. Councilman Bateman stated that this will solve the problem that this parking deck has been empty, and this will fill it. The Downtown Redevelopment Commission went over this project in detail and the questions they raised were well answered. They feel the proposal before Council is the recommendation of the commission and needs final approval of Council. Councilman Bateman moved that the recommendations be concurred in and the resolu- tion be adopted; seconded by Councilman Bergsten. Mayor Carver said the minutes of the commission meeting points out a matter of concern, that being that although we are adopting a variance that places the Jefferson Bank at the standard for parking that is going to be proposed to Council, this is not a standard that has yet been adopted. Mayor Carver said he feels it is a reasonable standard, and will iueet the needs of this facility. However, Mayor Carver said the commission hopes the standards can be brought to Council as soon as possible so we will not have to deal with what is going to be the standard in the downtown.411 Councilman Bateman commented that the essential problem that we have is that the same kind of facility in the downtown, would be required to have substantially less parking if it were built elsewhere. This discourages new facilities and the remodeling of facilities in the downtown. Councilman Neumiller asked in the event that the decision with regard to downtown parking would be different that what is anticipated at this time, would this petitioner would cone under any modification. Mayor Carver said this is a variance, and as a result, this will be the standard for this building. Mayor Carver said he is confident that if this business finds themselves short of spaces, they will make an effort to achieve the right amount of spaces they need. Councilman Neumiller said he is sure that if additional parking is necessary they will address the problem. Councilman Brown asked if the request is to grant a variance on the proposed parking regulations. Mayor Carver clarified that it is to grant a variance to meet the proposed parking regulation. In numbers, this means a variance of 8 spaces. Mayor Carver said they have agreed to meet the other spaces across the street, so they will meet the 346 standard that is proposed. Councilman Brown asked if we have granted variances to any proposed standards prior to approving the standards. Mr. Teplitz said the reason Council is considering this, is that instead of going to the Zoning Board of Appeals where they would normally have gone, in the downtown, that matter goes to the Downtown Redevelopment Commission and then to Council. Mr. Timmerman said they are not asking for a variance from the proposed ordinance, they will meet this ordinance, they are asking for a variance from the current ordinance. 11912 Councilman Brown said that the lot is being occupied at 35% without the building being occupied, and asked if the Sears lot has any other agreements with other businesses to lease them spaces. Mr. Timmerman said he knows of one other agreement, and there is a proposed agreement with a business looking at a location in the downtown. Mr. Timmerman said the number of spaces in Sears for their own purposes leaves many open spaces. Councilman Brown said that if we grant the variance, and later discover we need more spaces there, it will be very difficult to go to someone already established and tell them they need additional parking. Mr. Frishman said the variance being asked for, is a variance based upon the standards they feel are appropriate for this kind of use in the downtown area. The only reason they have not been brought to Council, is that they have not gone through all the possible uses that may go into the downtown area and developed standards for those uses. Councilman Brown said we need to leave the door open to require more parking if it is necessary. Mr. Teplitz said the business is able to lease 150 additional spaces at the Sears deck, and the proposed ordinance would only require 8. Mr. Teplitz added that if Council determines that a higher standard is needed than the one being talked about, one thing they are looking at is a parking development fee as a possible source and Council has the option that on a area wide basis for anybody who did not meet that standard. That way they would have to produce additional parking or pay the fee, if Council adopted this system. Mayor Carver said the issue is, if this is a reasonable standard, are we going to penalize a developer who is Going to take a building and convert it into an asset. Mayor Carver also commented that the people that will become involved in the development of the mall will be very interested in parking before they tie up large amounts of money. Councilman Renner said he shares Mr. Brown's concern because downtown develomament is very sensitive. Mr. Renner said he feels we can serve both purposes if we issue building permits for the portion that the bank wants to develop now, get the standards before Council for this use so Council can go forward with the project and still stay within the law. The bank will not be able to tackle all 7 floors of the building at one time, and by that time we can have the standards for this use passed. Mr. Timmerman said the bank appeared before the commission, and the standards have also been before the commission, and both were approved by that commission. He does not believe we need to make any changes at this point. Mr. Teplitz said he does not believe we can give partial approval for this. Councilman Renner said he is talking about the Administration approving building renovation plans for a certain number of floors up to the amount permitted under the current ordinance. When the new ordinance is adopted, they can go forward. Mayor Carver said there is the potential for two motion, the one on the floor, and one to grant a variance based on the standard to be adopted. Councilman Neumiller asked for clarification as to the difference in the figures. Mr. Frishman said the business needs 8 additional spaces. The total number of spaces that would be needed under the new ordinance is 354. Councilman Bateman said in reference to Nr. Renner's suggestion, that the business is talking about replacing all major systemns in the building, including heating and air conditioning. Councilman Bateman moved for privilege of the floor for Mr. Kassing; seconded by Councilman Neumiller. Approved by viva voce vote. Mr. Kassing stated that there is a lot of money at stake, and therefore it is very important for them to know if they will be able to get it done for that d uuunt of money. 11913 If they are required to substantially change the number of parking spaces, they may have to reconsider the entire project. They are beginning to feel the pressure of time as they need to accu4plish the reconstruction of the exterior and of the replacement of the data processing center in this new building by this411 fall. In replacing the new heating and air conditioning system, the size of the equipment necessitates committing putting the money into the equipment and derrick it onto the floors before putting the exterior on the building. The numbers involved in the parking requirements were brought to their attention shortly before the commission meeting. They could restrip the floor of the deck in order to gain some more parking spaces. They have already spent alot of money to restrip, paint and add more lights in the deck. They will also be resurfacing the top floor. Some buildings have been built in the downtown with no parking provided, and they are proposing to provide substantial parking. Councilman Neumiller asked Mr. Kassing if he was required to have more spaces when the standards are adopted, if he would be willing to accept a motion that the number of spaces fall somewhere within a plus or minus range of about 130. Mr. Kassing replied that he does not know where they would get the extra spares. Restriping the floor could allow for 66 additional spaces, or they could lease spaces from Sears. Councilman Renner said we have sometimes been over -ravenous in our requirements for new buildings, and probably maybe discouraged building and parking. Councilman Sutton clarified that the new standard will require 354 spaces, and the present code requires 635. The petitioner will provide the 354, and this bothers him some, but the members of Council that are on the commission feel this will be a fair number, so he can agree to this. Councilman Sutton said we need to have the standards before doing this type of thing, and asked that the proposed ordinance coma to Council as soon as possible. Councilman Neumiller amended the motion to request that the development, if necessary, correspond with the new standard in the dlrlunt of plus or minus 10% of the 354 spaces new asked for; seconded by Councilman Brown. ,Mr.Teplitz stated that a way to phrase the motion would be if the parking standards are revised by Council to require by base requirements at least 10% more than the variance being granted, then the owner would meet the requirement. Councilman Neumiller said that is the intent of his motion. In figures that would be from 354 to 390. Amendment approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Renner, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver - 8 Nays: None Abstention: Reynolds - 1 Notion as amended adopted by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neumiller, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver -7 Nays: Renner - 1 Abstention: Reynolds - 1 NEW BUSINESS Mayor Carver introduced Pack 35 from Columbia School, Webelo's,in the audience and thanked them for their interest. • 11914 Councilman Reynolds referred to the sixth item in the Manager's report, there was a heeting with the owners of the property to be cleared for the Civic Center Site, and one thing.. that disturbed these cwners was that the City does not plan to pay relocation expense. Mr. Reynolds said our objective is to maintain as much business downtown as possible and relocate businesses downtown, and we should at least look at the possibility of paying relocation to people who relocate within the CBD. Mayor Carver said that relocation expense as related to federal projects, is a formula type of cessation, and the ability to make that kind of payments in this situation is impossible. Each property will be dealt with on an individual basis and a fair price will be strived for. Mayor Carver said he is confident that the Administration will respond to these problems. Councilman Reynolds said he feels this should be tailored to what is necessary to encourage these people being displaced to relocate in the downtown area. Councilman Reynolds asked the Administration to care back to Council with an answer on what they will be doing to help these people relocate. Mr. Teplitz said Council will have the chance to review each individual transaction with each property owner, as Council will have to approve each purchase. Mr. Timmerman said that only 1% of all the land purchased by the government involves relocation payments, so we are not setting a precedent by not paying an outright relocation fee. We will have flexibility in time and therefore have the ability to work with the occupants within that area when we become their landlord, and we will do everything we can to make their move as easy as possible. In response to Councilman Reynolds, Mr. Timmerman said we will do everything we can to encourage people to remain in the CBD. BT71,S BTLLS in the Grand Total of $525,264.46. Sinclair - page 4 - Election Commission - Sundry persons for $280.00. Mrs. Sinclair asked who these people were. Mr. Timmerman said they will check on this and report back. Bergsten - page 13 - Engineering - $5,629.57 to the Greater Peoria Sanitary District. Mr. Bergsten asked if we are reimbursed. Mr. Hewitt said we are paid back, and he will check on the large a«iiunt. Carver - page 14 - Inspections - $37.50 for Richard Doyle - Mr. Wright said we will check out what this was for. Councilman Bateman moved that the bills be approved; seconded by Councilman PPrgsten. Approved by roll call vote. Yeas: Bateman, Bergsten, Brown, Neum_iller Renner, Reynolds, Sinclair, Sutton, Carver -- 9 Nays: None There being no further business, Councilman Bergsten moved for adjournment; seconded by Councilman Bateman. Approved by viva voce vote. -2/21:2116.41.0.,A.) 21%/ 7/:/7/1 City Clerk