Village of Arlington Heights Committee-of-the-Whole met July 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Committee- of-the-Whole meeting is closed to in-person, public attendance. The meeting will be held virtually, which permits the public to fully participate via their computers or by using their phones.
To participate in the virtual meeting, please review these instructions.
If members of the public prefer, they can comment or ask a question pertaining to the meeting by emailing rhume@vah.com by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting, July 13. Please limit your email to 200 words and if your question relates to a specific Agenda item, please note that in the email. Emails will be read at the meeting.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III.ROLL CALL
President Hayes and the following Trustees responded to roll: Baldino, Canty, LaBedz, Rosenberg, Tinaglia, Scaletta, Schwingbeck, and Padovani.
Also present were: Randy Recklaus, Nick Pecora, Robin Ward, Charles Perkins and Becky Hume.
IV.NEW BUSINESS
A. Adult Use Cannabis Discussion
President Hayes explained that the focus tonight would be on the changed circumstances on the issue. Adult cannabis was discussed in great detail last fall. The issue has come up again because the world had changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and at the request of a local business. The majority of the Board wanted to revisit the issue because of the economic impacts.
Mr. Recklaus explained the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act regarding consumption, use and sales. The municipal role is to prohibit sales, tax sales and to prevent underage sales and use. Staff is looking for direction from the Board on whether it wants to sustain the current prohibition on adult use cannabis, reconsider the zoning rules to permit dispensaries or seek additional information prior to making a decision.
A Police Department work group was established to track data on the impact of changes to cannabis laws. To date, of the 46 people arrested for DUI's, three were charged with drug offenses. In comparison, in 2019 for the same time period, 59 people were charged with DUI's and 7 of those were charged with drug offenses. Five 911 calls were related to cannabis, and four regarded odors in multifamily buildings. Since VeriLife established their dispensary, two calls regarding suspicious cars were received, all other calls were because of false alarm system warnings. In speaking with Police Departments regarding issues they may have encountered at Adult Sale dispensaries, parking was the most cited problem as the demand was very high when they first opened. One location noted a fight while people were waiting in line.
In looking at the seven Adult Dispensaries in the suburbs, three cited parking as an issue. When dispensaries are in industrial locations, the parking lots are often times not sufficient. These sites tend to have lower on- site parking than comparable retail sites. Peak times appear to be during noon hours and evenings. A ratio of 1 space per 200 square feet with a minimum of 20 spaces is recommended. The current location of VeriLife has a surplus of 24 spaces in their portion of the parking lot. If you include the Jewel parking lot, there is a surplus of 108 spaces.
From a financial standpoint, the Village could realize a gain of almost $500,000 in tax revenues. Mr. Recklaus outlined the possible directions the Board could take.
1. Do nothing-current ban on adult use cannabis sales remains in effect
2. Direct staff to bring originally proposed ordinances forward-allowing up to 3 dispensaries-to the Village Board for a final vote
3. Direct staff to amend the original ordinance to change the number of dispensaries -or other conditions
4. Direct staff to develop a pilot program with the existing medial marijuana dispensary to allow adult use sales exclusively at that location for a period of time
5. Direct staff to conduct further research as needed on these issues President Hayes said he believes there is a difference between marijuana and gambling/alcohol which have been allowed for the past 100 years. Marijuana was legalized last year in the State. He has observed parking problems and lines outside the door at Adult Dispensaries. He has no objections to medical marijuana sales. He said he cannot imagine the inconvenience at Golf Road if adult sales were allowed. He has not changed his opinion in not allowing recreational sales. The denial of recreational sales has been an enhancement to the Village's reputation as being a family oriented community. If we believe something is wrong, and we look the other way because of money, what example do we set for our children?
Trustee Tinaglia asked how large the VeriLife space was. Mr. Perkins said there were three suites comprising approximately 6,000 square feet. They have 24 parking spaces right now. They have a surplus of 24 spaces in their parking pod. Trustee Tinaglia asked if there was a price difference between medical and recreational marijuana.
Trustee Rosenberg said the prices for medical marijuana are lower than for recreational material. He noted VeriLife facility is beautiful and people have private spaces for counseling.
Trustee Schwingbeck asked if there were violations would the State handle them? Mr. Recklaus said the Village cannot revoke their license, but there can be local consequences if the business is selling to underage users. In 2019 two arrests were for cannabis, and one for cannabis and oxycodone. Trustee Schwingbeck asked if option three were chosen, would the petitioner have to come before the Board? Ms. Ward said if the zoning were approved, the dispensary would not have to come before the Board if they met the zoning requirements. Only three dispensaries would be allowed in the Village and only in those permitted areas. Restrictions could be written into the code so it is not a subjective process. Option 4 allows VeriLife to operate to see how it works out and it could be renewed if it was going well. The Board could expand it at a later date. If the Board allowed for three dispensaries, it is unreasonable to have them all be pilot programs. Trustee Schwingbeck said he was primarily concerned with the health and safety of the residents.
Trustee Rosenberg asked if the ordinance could be more restrictive on parking. Mr. Perkins said yes, it would need to be codified for the use. Trustee Rosenberg asked if VeriLife was expecting to expand its space. Trustee Rosenberg asked what is the vetting process for new sites or operators. Ms. Ward said the Village does not have the right to vet the operators. The State controls the vetting process. The Board can only control zoning and codify any concerns to eliminate subjectivity. Trustee Rosenberg wanted to make sure they approve something that has enough parking at the outset. The financial projection was based on one site in the Village. Trustee Rosenberg asked Chief Pecora his opinion. Chief Pecora said this year has been anything but normal. His contemporaries have said nothing that would make him reconsider as far as negative impacts to law enforcement. He said it would not be appropriate to express an opinion, he only presented facts in his report. There are no reliable field testing kit to determine impairment.
Trustee LaBedz asked if people were waiting in the lot of the Rolling Meadows dispensary because the numbers are limited in the store. Mr. Recklaus said initially there was a big rush, then things normalized. Now people need to make an appointment to go into the store. People may be waiting outdoors because of Covid. Trustee LaBedz said the revenues are worth considering. Covid has impacted the Village's businesses. She said she was one of the Trustees who asked for this issue to be revisited because she has a fiduciary responsibility to the residents to keep the tax burden low. Many people who have contacted her were initially opposed to adult sales, but now are okay with it. She asked if there was an impact in multi family buildings from smoke. Chief Pecora said there were 5 calls for service for an unpleasant odor related to cannabis. It is up to the management company or the landlord if it is permissible or not.
Trustee Padovani noted the VeriLife was in Schaumburg before it was here. It is very professional and more of a clinical setting. The other Chiefs of Police said management and the police departments have good working relationships. If other dispensaries were authorized, they might be just retail, without the medical element. He wants to ensure there are no problems in a pure retail setting and asked if there were information about this situation. Mr. Recklaus said staff will do additional research on retail only outlets.
Trustee Tinaglia expressed his discomfort in allowing 3 dispensaries without having control of who they are. He said he was okay with having VeriLife approved, and make the ordinance so that the parking was well in excess of what is required. Then the next person might have to come before the Board for a parking variance. He wants to make it very specific and strict to allow for Board control. Mr. Recklaus said you have to be careful why you are denying someone. You can't deny them because you don't like the way the operate. You can make parking standards very strict. Trustee Rosenberg agreed with having strict parking requirements.
Trusty Canty asked if the Board could include social justice issues into the ordinance in an attempt to ensure diverse ownership. Mr. Recklaus said the Village does not have the ability to license operators. Ms. Ward said she didn't think so, as the Village is limited to those who are interested. A lot of the social justice piece is controlled by who receives licenses.Trustee Canty said she would like to bake controls in as it might take time for the next proprietor to get set up.
Resident Comments
1. My name is Amy Somary. I have been a resident of Arlington Heights for 27 years, living in two different homes with my husband and four sons. While I don’t condone the use of underage drug or alcohol use, I think the Village should permit a dispensary in our town. There are many different opinions about marijuana. It is legal in our state. I suggest allowing a dispensary in the Northeast corner of Golf and Arlington Heights Road, which has been abandoned for decades. That location is far from schools and the center of town. The tax proceeds would benefit our citizens and maintain the outstanding amenities and programming offered in Arlington Heights.
2. The Trustee's previous decision to prohibit the sale of adult-use cannabis was a bad decision, at the time and even more so now with the benefit of hindsight. It is not often that we are given an opportunity to rectify past mistakes. I strongly urge the Village Trustees to exercise sound judgement this time based on data and facts (tax revenues, lack of crime increases, etc.), rather than outdated and misguided beliefs informed largely by 1950s- era school textbooks. Please correct the error in your previous decision by now approving the sale of adult-use cannabis. The sales figures, and more specifically state tax revenues, appear to be more than double what was budgeted for the first six months, proving the demand and tax revenue available, and those numbers are increasing month-over-month with June showing the highest sales figures yet. Please take this opportunity to approve the sale of adult use cannabis, at least in the existing medical use dispensary already in town, as proposed 6 months ago by Trustee Canty, leaving open the option to readdress in the future if needed. Michael Thompson
3. I support the addition of Adult Use Cannabis shops within Arlington Heights with the specific exception that these shops be restricted to a commercial zoning location outside of a one half mile radius from downtown Arlington Heights; with consideration of “downtown” being the intersection of Vail and Campbell. Maintaining this boundary will ensure our downtown area upholds the Family Friendly atmosphere that Arlington Heights works so hard to sustain in the heart of our Village, and the hearts of our neighbors. Philip Goski
4. I strongly urge the Village Trustees to exercise sound judgement and to please correct the error in your previous decision by now approving the sale of adult-use cannabis. The sales figures, and more specifically state tax revenues, appear to be more than double what was budgeted for the first six months, proving the demand and tax revenue available, and those numbers are increasing month-over-month with June showing the highest sales figures yet. Please take this opportunity to approve the sale of adult use cannabis, at least in the existing medical use dispensary already in town, as proposed 6 months ago by Trustee Canty, leaving open the option to readdress in the future if needed. Gregory McGrath
5. Please reconsider the ordinance to allow cannabis sales in Arlington Heights. Many neighboring communities will be reaping the economic benefits of dispensaries. Having a dispensary in Schaumburg or Mount Prospect but keeping them out of AH isn’t going to keep pot out of the hands of kids. That is the job of parents. Kids aren’t going to go to a dispensary anyway. I am not and have never been a user or proponent of cannabis, but even I recognize that not allowing cannabis sales is just puritanical and ridiculous at this point. Thank you, Ann Vogel
6. My name is Mary Lou Olhava. Rahm Emanuel said "Never let a serious crisis go to waste." With the pandemic and the shut-in and shut down of most businesses recreational marijuana was left open as an "essential." The State of Illinois recorded in May $44 million transactions for recreational marijuana surpassing the $39 million in January. Knowing how attractive this figure looks to some of you board members who voted against the ban and one or two on the fence it is an opportunity to take advantage of this crisis. After months of meetings and speakers last Fall on this issue there is no reason to reiterate again the cons on the effect on school age children. I leave you with 'CHILDREN'S LIVES MATTER.'
7. I was under the impression that we were going to wait one year before again bringing up the issue. One year hasn't passed and additionally, due to the Covid virus, we are not able to have significant resident input. During the hearings last year residents spoke about Arlington Heights' brand as a great place to raise a family. That reputation was built over many years, is one to cherish, and to not take lightly. We do not want to destroy it. I urge you to at least wait the agreed upon year to vote upon this issue. And even more fairly, wait until we can attend our board meetings in person. Ilene Templer
8. I do not believe a cannabis dispensary will better our community, in fact I strongly believe it will have a negative effect. It would not align with the good reputation of our city. There are other dispensaries in the surrounding area for those who are in search of their products. Maria Fragias
9. I'm writing to express support and encouragement of the reversal of the decision to prohibit the sale of adult-use cannabis in the Village of Arlington Heights. Among other benefits, the top would be the additional tax revenue to the Village of Arlington Heights - revenue currently being received by surrounding communities. State tax revenues currently appear to be more than double what was budgeted for the first 6 months of 2020. Please base your conversation and decision on the tax revenue lift for the Village and on data showing a lack of crime increase in surrounding locations that allow the sale of adult-use cannabis. Please take this opportunity to approve the sale of adult use cannabis, at least in the existing medical use dispensary already in town, as proposed 6 months ago by Trustee Canty. Thank you, Talicia Bashford
10. I am writing this today in hopes for our community to not allow cannabis dispensary facilities. Our community would not benefit from increased cannabis use knowing how much is already going on in surrounding communities. I feel it would hurt our community and it’s population. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Angela Ninis 11. Arlington heights is a community with high core values. What makes us unique is our ability to continue to adhere to our standards of family
living. It is a compliment to us when other towns and suburbs try to mimic the character of our village to theirs. This villages reputation has been built on trust and respect for each other and our commitments. It was agreed upon at the meeting in December that the topic of recreational marijuana would be taken back up in a year. Six months later and the topic is being brought up again. Other than monetary reasons for this business, is there an advantage for Arl Hts to discuss this now? The climate today is one of upheaval. Covid-19 has our undivided attention in our everyday lives. The State of Illinois has postponed handing out marijuana licenses. This will not be started up again until late August. They want to make sure that minority businesses get considered for licenses first. I feel that this topic to be brought up at this time is very inappropriate. It is very frustrating when a business or individuals take advantage of a situation or time to further their own goals. Thank you very much, Laurie Taylor
12. I write in support of the Village's consideration of authorizing the retail sale of adult use cannabis in Arlington Heights. At this juncture, we all can agree that any public health concerns (if they truly exist) are not affected by opting-out. With dispensaries literally right across the street from the Village limits, and with the ability of anyone over the age of 21 to possess and consume cannabis within the Village, this Board's consideration has nothing to do with public health, because these perceived risks do not recognize city limits. Instead, it's about revenue versus the "brand" of Arlington Heights. On one hand, the Village could generate $600,000 to $1M in revenue that residents won't have to pay in property taxes. On the other, is the perpetuation of archaic, biased thinking that considers horse-racing, gambling, alcohol, and sex shops to be consistent with the "brand" of Arlington Heights, but can't fathom the notion of the regulated sale of a substance that's been legalized by the state legislature, and is, by all accounts, less harmful to the public than alcohol abuse and gambling addiction, and is intended to displace the unregulated, illicit market. Unfortunately, what's lost in this tired debate is the fact that the Illinois adult-use law is designed to bring career advancement opportunities to disproportionately-impacted persons who have borne the brunt of the War on Drugs. In light of this, the persistence of the Board's current NIMBY mindset seems to be the worst form of tone-deafness at a time when the Board should be finding ways to reach out to persons and communities of color, not reject them. JEREMY UNRUH , Pharmcann
13. As an Arlington Heights resident I would like to voice my opinion on the topic of new cannabis business. I do not believe a cannabis dispensary will better our community, in fact I strongly believe it will have a negative affect. It would not align with the good reputation of our city. There are other dispensaries in the surrounding area for those who are in search of those products. Thank you, Maria Fragias
14. We as residents of Arlington Heights with a teenage child we disapprove of the use of cannabis for adults in the community. I know that kids are able to get cannabis from anywhere, but that doesn't make it right to have it at our door step. We strongly disapprove of any part of it for the safety of all the residents young and old. The quality of life in Arlington heights will diminish and crime will rise because of it. Thank you. Sincerely, Molina Family
15. It is strange that Staff is already prepared to submit findings on adult use of cannabis through observation and research, when such a report was scheduled for presentation after a year from when the Board voted to prohibit its sale. My question is why? Has one or more Arlington Heights Trustee or group or organization persuaded the Board to take the topic up early? Whoever is responsible, apparently, has considerable influence over this Board in order for it to violate its commitment and break its word to its constituents. In the past, Boards followed through with their promises. Each did what it said it was going to do. Residents had confidence in the integrity of the Arlington Heights Board. What happened to the 2019-2020 Board? The continuation of the ban is not a hardship for our community as the product is readily available nearby, and Arlington Heights can proudly protect its most vulnerable. Priscilla Hagglund
16. Hi I'm Debbie a resident of Arlington Heights, which I feel is important to note as my philosophy towards this subject directly impacts me and my neighborhood. I moved to Arlington Heights years ago because I wanted to be part of a community that is one of the best in the Chicago-land area. Just like all of you. family is important to me. I'm also a good person with high morals, values and ethics. I pride myself on doing the right thing, helping those in need, and paying it forward. This is the type of person who comes before you today. a person who strongly supports the legal sale of adult- use cannabis in our Village. We are already aware that it has scientifically proven medicinal qualities. We are now discussing cannabis for adult recreation, just as alcohol is. As we know, our town sells alcohol, along with tobacco and has an internationally renowned gambling institution since 1927- our racetrack. Adult use cannabis falls under these same regulations. I feel so strongly about this, that I felt I must contact you today. I have heard claims touting recommendations that do not support selling cannabis for adult use. I encourage you to do your research on why these groups have this particular agenda. Most (if not all) of these claims are totally false and without merit, even some that doctors have proclaimed. This is not about judgement, but it is about doing the right thing for Arlington Heights and not believing the myths, the fallacies. With our health at top of mind, particularly in this pandemic, we should be even more open to ensuring adults obtain quality products. We're able to choose clean non-gmo and organic foods- we now must allow legal adult cannabis with high quality ingredients as well.One of the top priorities you, our leadership team, are focusing on is being fiscally responsible. You have a duty to our families and our village to reap the excise taxes. I strongly urge you all to move forward with Ordinances B or C.as it is the right thing to do.We have elected you, our Village Board, to oversee the city budget, establish strategic priorities and set policies. This policy decision will help achieve another meaningful improvement to our community. I'm fully confident that you will allow and regulate this industry in Arlington Heights, in a respectful, impartial and balanced manner. Debbie Ruttenberg
17. The Trustee's previous decision to prohibit the sale of adult-use cannabis was a poor decision. Now is our chance to fix this. All surrounding suburbs have capitalized on our failure and opened up Dispensaries surrounding us and taking in our missed Tax Revenue. Putting more burden on the residents of Arlington Heights doesn't make us better than the other neighboring suburbs. It doesn't make us an elite suburb. It makes us look like we missed out on bettering every aspect of our village and stepping into the current era. Please look at all of the data and sales figures and not the propaganda brought forth from Non-Residents. Our Village needs to be restored to the leading edge as it once was. Please at minimum back Trustee Canty and allow existing medical use dispensaries in Arlington Heights to now sell for Adult use as well. This is a safe stepping stone towards our financial future.Thank you! Joe Jacob
18. I feel that we need to act now and approve the sale of adult use cannabis. We missed our original opportunity and have missed out on tax revenue over the past 6 plus months. Our neighboring towns/villages have jumped on this and are placing their dispensaries all around our village; effectively attempting to box us out of the game. They are also reaping the rewards of taking decisive action. Hopefully we can still enter the market quickly at this point using the existing medical use dispensary that is already in town; which I believe was already proposed by Trustee Canty. Joe Jacob
President Hayes said Mt. Prospect does not allow recreational sales and followed Arlington Heights' lead. The Board did not formally provide for a certain time frame to revisit the issue. It was not a twelve month requirement. Circumstances have certainly changed to allow the discussion of the issue again. There are not sex shops in Arlington Heights and is not part of the Village's Brand. He asked for comments to be truthful and accurate. Nothing tonight will affect the medical dispensary in town.
Zoom Comments from Residents
19. Scott Lietzow said recreational marijuana is here to stay in Illinois. He would like the Village to reap the financial rewards. Having a store in the Village will not tarnish the brand. The people make the brand. He said he did not want taxes to be raised without seeing revenues from marijuana first.
20. Keith Moens said he was glad the Board was revisiting the issue. The Village is losing money every day that recreational cannabis is not sanctioned. Reduced taxes are very important to him. Marijuana is recession proof and a viable interest. He would like the Board to reconsider paid sick leave and minimum wage also.
21. Mike DeBlauw said Smart Asset website rated Arlington Heights as one of the best cities to live in. None of the metrics include recreational cannabis as an issue. He doesn't think it will hurt the reputation of the Village. As a business, he thought other tenants would like the foot traffic the business would bring. VeriLife might leave if they are not allowed to have recreational sales too.
22. Jason Goch said the tax impact is.3 % of the budget. The risk is not worth the reward. If a lot of rif raf come in, there is no way to regulate the business. There are other ways to raise money. He said it's a slippery slope. There is no reliable test for driving under the influence for marijuana. He did not want additional accidents and deaths on the road. Recent studies show brain abnormalities in those who use marijuana who are under 30 years old. He said alcohol is not as harmful.
23. Dave Divito wanted the Board to make sure the restrictions on locations were not cumulative. He said is better to compare revenue rates from the dispensaries who are closest to us. If someone is buying, they will go to the closest dispensary, cannibalizing the sales of the nearest site. He cited the pandemic as calling into question the data cited by police from a traffic situation, he thought additional data should be collected. He asked if the other towns needed additional patrols in those locations.
24. Hugo Dubovoy said the decision will affect our families and children. Additional revenue is at stake, but the cost will be paid by our families and children and community. It will hurt them more than it will help them. He cited a sad case that derailed a young woman's life from occasional use of marijuana.
25. Emma Bonifield's fiance (audio cut out as his name was announced) said he had personal experience with gambling and alcohol addiction. These are not more family value oriented that marijuana. He didn't understand the issue with parking. Other issues are more important. If parking is the hardest thing, you can make it work.
26. Kelly Petersen said any additional tax revenue should be looked at. She suggested more food shops might open as a result of adding marijuana. She said people don't need medical alcohol cards like they do medical marijuana cards.
27. Steven Brunet has lived in states where marijuana has been legal. He said $500,000 is not enough money to ease people's property taxes. He is in support of medical marijuana, but recreational marijuana is detrimental and far worse than alcohol.
28. Brandon Nemec is a government and regulatory affairs officer for VeriLife. They hope to build upon their established relationship here. He wants to bring more jobs and revenue to the Village. They have proposed a temporary pilot program in order to study the impacts. He said VeriLife is seeking to maintain its existing space and believe it is well equipped to handle recreational sales.
29. Eric Siegel said there is demand not being met which is why there are parking issues at the other locations. Assuming there will be parking issues at every location is missing the point. People who use cannabis are not necessarily bad parents. He said alcohol is more disruptive to family life. He was wondering the number of domestic assault cases which involved alcohol.
Board Discussion
President Hayes said VeriLife indicated they would need an additional 30 employees at their dispensary, which adds to his parking concerns. He said other businesses might resent the lack of parking spaces for their costumers. There may be an impact on residential neighborhoods as well. Without any revenue from marijuana sales, the forecast is to keep the property tax at zero percent as it was last year. He said he would not sacrifice his beliefs for any amount of money.
Trustee Baldino supports adult use cannabis sales in the Village. Many of the questions from the fall have been answered. The revenue projections are exceeding expectations. The policing issues have not materialized. He said he suspected VeriLife's employees would not all be working at the same time. He said a dispensary is proposed for the corner of Thomas and Rand in Prospect Heights, which backs up to an Arlington Heights neighborhood. It will be perceived as being in Arlington Heights even though it is not. Residents are split on whether this should be allowed, however no one is in favor of increased property taxes. Many projects were cut this year in order to keep the tax rate at a zero increase. These cuts will not be sustainable moving forward. It's incumbent on the Board to generate new revenue. He did not want to sacrifice infrastructure or services. He preferred option 4.
Trustee Scaletta said he wanted to see how this played out before the Village addressed it and many of his concerns have been allayed. He said other town's images which have recreational marijuana have not been diminished. He said the dispensaries now create a queue system, so there aren't lines anymore. Trustee Scaletta pointed out that the Thornton's, Aldi and Nikko's are all in Prospect Heights even though they have Arlington Heights addresses. He said the Village may as well take the tax revenue when people think these entities are in our jurisdiction already. Trustee Scaletta gave an example from the movie industry of how the sales may not meet expectations reasoning the State may flood the market with licenses. He recommended any monies from the dispensaries be put into reserves to make sure it isn't spent before it is received. He asked about the signage. Mr. Perkins said the number of signs are limited to one wall sign for street frontage. Their name could be on a multi tenant ground sign. Ms. Ward said signs are limited by the State and they can't have an image of a cannabis plant in any form or appeal to minors. Trustee Scaletta said there needs to be enough parking. If property taxes were raised 1.5% that equals approximately $500,000. The Board does not want to raise property taxes. He said the Board never agreed to a year before this would be discussed again. He said he is supportive of sales in the Village. He said it should be south of Central and north of Thomas. Two dispensaries might be enough.
President Hayes said the Prospect Heights location is proposed and going before their board this evening. It will probably be approved. Many Village residents are very upset by this location. He communicated with Mayor Heilmer his dismay with this location and asked for Prospect Heights' assistance in keeping lines and overflow of traffic out of Arlington Heights.
Trustee Canty gave her support on options 2-4. Based on her reading of the feedback online, residents wish to keep taxes low.
Trustee Padovani said he communicated with people who were against the issue in the fall. Many have changed their minds based on the Police report and the hope of increased revenues. Some people are still very much against it but he believes there has been a changing of minds in the community. Parents cited their focus on teaching their children about marijuana and alcohol. He said virtually everyone was concerned with the economics of the Village and the additional revenues help. He is in favor of option 4 to see how recreational sales work here. He would like to have information on the shops that are purely recreational without the medical background.
President Hayes asked if there was anyone besides him who wished to continue the ban on recreational marijuana sales. No one responded.
Trustee Baldino moved to direct staff to develop option 4, to work with the existing medical marijuana dispensary to allow recreational sales exclusively at this location for some period of time. Trustee Canty seconded the motion.
Trustee Rosenberg said parking needs to be addressed along with a study for the pilot program. The shopping center lease needs to be checked as well as part of the use. A length of time would need to be determined and conditions for continuance.
Mr. Recklaus said staff will explore the limits of this potential pilot program. Temporary revenue and parking would be included. Staff will talk to the incumbent.
Trustee Tinaglia said he will go along with this. He reiterated that he wanted the pilot program to be as strict as possible so the Village can have control down the road. The next operator might not be as easy to work with.
Trustee LaBedz agreed with the motion. She said parking is discussed in this detail because on many projects, parking is the one of the biggest concerns and one of the things that the Board receives the most complaints about.
Ayes: Baldino, Canty, LaBedz, Rosenberg, Tinaglia, Scaletta, Schwingbeck, Padovani
Nayes: Hayes
The Motion: Passed
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Dear Council Members, We are writing to express our concern regarding street racing near Heritage Park. We live opposite Heritage Park and have frequently observed individuals street racing on Fernandez Ave. This is a serious safety issue in the neighborhood as there are numerous young children that live and play along Fernandez Ave. as well as children (and adults) that use Heritage Park. Through conversations with neighbors we have learned that they have also witnessed racing on other streets near the park and are concerned for the safety of their children as well.
We contacted the Arlington Heights Police Department with a car description and plate number of one frequent offender and were advised that unless the street racers were caught in the act or, God forbid, someone were hurt, there was little that could be done. We find this response wholly unacceptable as we should not have to tolerate individuals driving at highway speed through our neighborhood with no recourse until a child is hurt or killed.
Our ask is that the city counsel seriously consider this issue and what action can be taken to make our neighborhood safe. At a minimum, we would request increased policing near the park to deter (or even catch) would-be street racers.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, Jeff & Erin Lonard
Mr. Recklaus said any kind of traffic issue is a concern. The Police Department is aware of the issue. It is patrolled regularly. The Village needs help of the residents and they should call 911 immediately. Chief Pecora said the Traffic Bureau Chief will follow up with the Lonards.
Mr. Recklaus said the Library has not made a determination whether they can keep a zero percent increase on their tax levy. Mr. Recklaus said he mistakenly spoke on this topic at the last meeting.
VI.ADJOURNMENT
Trustee Scaletta moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Trustee Rosenberg seconded the motion.
Ayes: Baldino, Canty, Hayes, LaBedz, Padovani, Rosenberg, Scaletta, Schwingbeck, Tinaglia
The Motion: Passed
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