Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees Committee of the Whole Met June 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Kathryn Ciesla | Village President | Present | |
| Bob Israel | Trustee | Absent | |
| Muriel Collison | Trustee | Absent | |
| Heather Ross | Trustee | Present | |
| Johannah Hebl | Trustee | Present | |
| Dan Pepoon | Trustee | Present | |
| Joy Ebhomielen | Trustee | Present |
A. Board of Trustees - Special Committee of the Whole - May 18, 2021 6:00 PM
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee SECONDER: Heather Ross, Trustee AYES: Ciesla, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen ABSENT: Israel, Collison |
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee SECONDER: Heather Ross, Trustee AYES: Ciesla, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen ABSENT: Israel, Collison |
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee SECONDER: Heather Ross, Trustee AYES: Ciesla, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen ABSENT: Israel, Collison |
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Johannah Hebl, Trustee SECONDER: Heather Ross, Trustee AYES: Ciesla, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen ABSENT: Israel, Collison |
The following emails were read at tonight’s meeting:
Tony Riccardi requesting that Northbrook Days be kept in downtown Northbrook. The email states that the Park District does not have the best interest of the residents in mind and that it is not the Park District’s land. Mr. Riccardi asks for a strong Village Board to plan a Northbrook Days event.
Michelle Nichols stating that the Village Green is the center of the community where memories are made and that she was saddened when the event was moved.
Greg Cameron stating that he is concerned that Northbrook Days may go away. The Park District Board has no problem taking tax dollars but is not offering any property for the event. Sportsman’s’ Golf Club will lose over two years of revenue.
Emily Taylor stating that Northbrook Days is the best community event each year and it is hosted by Civic. She hopes the Village will continue to help the Civic Foundation with their best fundraiser of the year. Civic funds help support Glenbrook seniors as well as many other organizations.
Maggie Walters requesting that Northbrook Days be moved back to the Village Green. She states that the community should have a place to gather. She asks that the tradition continue to have the festival in the Village Green. She offered locations and suggestions that the Village and Civic should consider as possible downtown sites for Northbrook Days.
Kyle Parker stated that Northbrook Days is in its 96th year and that moving to Northbrook Court is not the answer. The Village Green is allocated for downtown community outdoor events.
4. DISCUSSION TOPICS
A. Northbrook Days Discussion (No Attachment)
President Ciesla opened the meeting stating many meetings had been held between Civic, the Village, Library and School District, Park District and other entities to try to get Northbrook Days back downtown for this year. The goal is to give the Village something to celebrate. President Ciesla thanked Village staff and Manager Nahrstadt.
Manager Nahrstadt provided a brief synopsis of discussions and proposals working with Civic, District 28, Library, and Village staff, Northbrook Police and Fire Department and the Park District. Manager Nahrstadt announced that as of today it appears that Northbrook Days 2021 can be fully contained in the Metra West Commuter Parking Lot. It will be a good and safe alternative. The goal was to keep Northbrook Days downtown.
Other alternatives had been looked at. Civic presented a proposal to close down Cherry Lane downtown and hold the event in the Northbrook Shopping Plaza and the Meadow Shopping Plaza. When only one parking lot could be secured there were logistical problems with pedestrian flow and vehicle flow.
Another option was to use the Village Hall Campus, Library and Greenbriar School area. Cedar Lane would have been closed down by the Village Hall but the Library would have remained accessible. Additional potential space would have been the area behind the Village Hall and the commuter lot behind the train tracks by Public Works Fleet Maintenance Garage. The idea was to place the stage behind the Library and use the adjacent retention pond area for viewing but after further review that proposal was not feasible. There were not enough strategically hard surfaces for the rides to be located and there were logistical concerns about electricity and parking.
The working committee also looked at Greenbriar School. District 28 offered to locate the stage on a portion of the school property however alcohol is not allowed anywhere on school grounds. Civic also asked if the entire event can be held on the Greenbriar school property including the carnival rides. Ultimately it was decided that would not work due to site restoration considerations in relation to the start of the school year in August.
Director Hamill proposed to Manager Nahrstadt to host Northbrook Days in the Metra West Commuter Parking Lot. Civic was in agreement on the new location. Unless the Village Board had objections, Northbrook Days could now be held August 4 - 8, 2021 in the West Commuter Lot. Director Hamill stated that there is a lot of open space. The parking stall number signs could be taken out and reinstalled after the event. Due to Covid, the parking lots have not been in high demand. Logistics are not all in place at this time but will be worked out. There are still details to be pursued. President Ciesla stated that she was delighted. She would like to hold a debriefing meeting after the event to build upon the working relationship with community partners. President Ciesla asked the Board if they had any questions.
Trustee Hebl asked if we would charge commuters for parking during Northbrook Days as they may be inconvenienced. She questioned where the trucks would be parked that are associated with Northbrook Days. Director Hamill stated that this can be worked out if we are good with the concept. Trustee Hebl asked that the Police Department look at Shermer Road and safety concerns with the use of signage.
Trustee Pepoon asked if anyone has been in contact with St. Norbert Church. The answer is that someone is in contact with the organization. President Ciesla stated that the Village insurance carrier will require additional fencing along Shermer Road.
Trustee Ross asked if everything for the event will be in the parking lot. The answer was “Yes”.
Matt Settler addressed the Board. He thanked everyone for their effort and believes the new location will work.
Manager Nahrstadt concluded by saying that Northbrook Days is a collaborative undertaking. All discussions and planning events are for the sake of the community. He thanked the Village Board, Director Hamill and staff, members of Civic, the Park District, Library, and District 28.
President Ciesla asked that the planning continue to move forward.
5. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
None
6. CLOSED SESSION
7. ADJOURN
A motion was made to close the regular COW meeting at 6:28 p.m. by Trustee Ross and seconded by Trustee Hebl. The COW then moved to a closed session.
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