Village of Northbrook Committee of the Whole met Feb. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Sandra Frum | Village President | Present | |
| Kathryn Ciesla | Trustee | Present | |
| Bob Israel | Trustee | Present | |
| Muriel Collison | Trustee | Present | |
| Heather Ross | Trustee | Present | |
| Johannah Hebl | Trustee | Present | |
| Dan Pepoon | Trustee | Present |
A. Review and Approval of the January 28, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
3. PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
4. DISCUSSION TOPICS
A. Northbrook Days 2020
Trustee Pepoon moved, seconded by Trustee Israel to move discussion of Northbrook Days to the top of the Agenda. The motion passed by voice vote.
Matt Settler, chair of Northbrook Days; Ellen Westel, chair of Civic Foundation; Mark Spencer, public relations for the Civic Foundation; Ed Dalton, Director of Parks and Properties at Northbrook Park District; and Selwyn Marcus, Shermer Road shopping center owner, were in attendance at tonight’s meeting.
Village Manager Nahrstadt stated that he provided the Board with copies of three new pieces of correspondence that were not included in tonight’s packet. The handout contained correspondence from the store manager of Graeter’s and two pieces from neighboring shopping center owners. President Frum stated she and Village Manager Nahrstadt met twice with the Park District last week. The Park District informed Civic that only the adult rides will be allowed in the baseball park diamond. The remainder of the rides cannot be in the park. President Frum had questions regarding the determination of the ride locations and what other options had been looked at and why there were concerns regarding the other options. Mr. Dalton replied that in 2011 a similar layout was used with the rides being in the ball field. It was a very wet event and when the rides pulled out mud was everywhere. The Park Board stated that this would never happen again and looked at other layouts. Going forward, rides were moved under the oak trees. Some of the oak trees have died and others are showing signs of distress. An arborist for the Park District reported that the issue is soil compaction. The Park District’s goal is to preserve the remaining oak trees and to reevaluate how Village Green Park is being used. Mr. Dalton stated that grass restoration can take up to nine weeks or more. Mr. Dalton stated in 2019, the weather showed a potential for rain during the carnival event. The Civic Foundation chose to relocate the festival to Northbrook Court. He stated that Meadowhill Park and Techny Prairie Park are highly programmed and are not available as alternative sites.
President Frum stated that the Park District has said 2020 is a transition year but that a long-term solution is needed.
Trustee Ciesla stated that feedback from residents is that they want a thriving downtown. She stated that Village Green Park is an economic driver for the downtown. She stated that in 2019 Village representatives came to the Park District with the idea for Friday Night Flights, an initiative to promote downtown Northbrook. She was thankful that they were able to use Techny Prairie Park. She stated how the Village and the Park District came together to host Fourth of July festivities. She stated that the Village and the Park District have had a collaborative relationship for many years. She asked the following, 1) How can we align to be positive stewards in the community to give citizens what they want? 2) How can we promote economic development in the downtown? 3) How can we work together?
Trustee Israel stated that both the Park District and the Village have the same constituents and that they want Northbrook Days to be held in downtown Northbrook.
President Frum stated the associated police and fire costs for Northbrook Days are picked up by the Village. The direct overtime costs are approximately $25-$30K. The Park District has costs for set up, clean up and restoration.
Mr. Settler stated that profits are used for scholarships. Trustee Hebel questioned the profitability of Northbrook Days when it was held at Northbrook Court in 2019. According to Mr. Settler, in an average year with one rain event, the carnival nets approximately $80K.
Northbrook Days 2019 netted $65K with the majority of the money being made in alcohol sales. Mr. Settler states that there is a good relationship with the current carnival company and he feels the company is trustworthy. There is a three-year contract in place with a minimum of 16 popular rides. It is the same vendor used for the Illinois State Fair. The Northbrook Fire Department and the contractor make all weather decisions.
Mr. Settler and Mr. Dalton examined the Village Green area. Mr. Settler stated it is an excellent location as it has an electrical building and water lines. Trustee Ciesla suggests, because school will not be in session, contacting St. Norbert to see if they would consider renting out their parking lot, or accepting a donation for the use of their parking lot for the duration of Northbrook Days. She also suggests approaching Village Green Center and the Historical Society and asking for use of their parking lot. Another consideration would be the Grainger property. Trustee Ciesla noted how the downtown businesses have been burdened the past two years and would like other options explored.
Selwyn Marcus addressed the board. He stated he agreed with comments made by Trustee Ciesla. He is happy with the movement to improve the downtown area to make it more vibrant. He is very encouraged. He stated his tenants have mixed feelings with regard to Northbrook Days. One tenant is always very eager as it creates more foot traffic; another tenant closes from Wednesday to Monday; while another tenant needs parking for patients. Patient parking is a problem for this tenant when Northbrook Days is in progress. Some tenants were neutral. Some residential tenants may be bothered by the noise. Mr. Marcus asked that all possibilities be explored. Mr. Marcus stated that every year he has parking issues with during Northbrook Days. Mr. Marcus stated that he has paid $35K over the past 12 years for sheriff’s police to patrol the parking lot area to make sure parking is available for business staff and business patrons in his shopping center. He stated that there have been three road closures on Shermer over the past four years. Trustee Collison thanked and complimented Mr. Marcus on his management practices.
Trustee Pepoon stated he wants discussions to take place with St. Norbert, and he would like to hold Northbrook Days in the downtown area, even if it means closing down Shermer Road.
Trustee Israel felt they could explore additional options, but wants an agreement that Northbrook Days takes place in the downtown.
Trustee Ross wants discussion to take place with St. Norbert before making a decision. She wants to hear from other business owners located on Shermer Road.
Trustee Hebel wants the discussion item on the Regular Board meeting tabled. She needs more information from St. Norbert and the Historical Society. She also wants more insurance information.
Trustee Collison stated that if Techny Fields was promoted it could benefit the downtown businesses. She states it has plenty of infrastructure and power. She also asked about utilizing the complete downtown area, incorporating areas in front of Ace Hardware and Sunset Foods. It disturbed her that Mr. Marcus’ tenants have been impacted, some in a negative way. She is not in favor of closing Shermer Road at this point.
Trustee Ciesla inquired about Our Lady of the Brook property. Mr. Settler stated that the paved property is not big enough and that the grassy area would have to be considered. He also stated that there are homeowners that back up to the property. Trustee Ciesla would consider closing Shermer Road for one year only. She believes the Village Green to be an economic driver.
President Frum wants all options studied for 2020 and going forward wants long-term options explored. She stated that Civic could not go more than two weeks for a design. An answer is needed by February 25, 2020. President Frum will consider looking at closing Shermer Road for one year only if necessary. She stated that it is a major thoroughfare. The item will be put on the next Committee of Whole agenda.
B. FOID-CCL Revocation Policy
The Board decided to postpone the FOID discussion.
B. FOID-CCL REVOCATION POLICY
The Board decided to postpone the FOID discussion.
5. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
None
6. CLOSED SESSION
None
7. ADJOURN
Trustee Pepoon moved, seconded by Trustee Hebl to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. On voice vote, all were in favor.
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