City of La Salle Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee met March 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Immediately Following the Finance Committee Meeting - City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Bacidore called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m.
Present- Alderman Bacidore, Alderman Ptak, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Jeppson, Alderman Herndon
Absent- Alderman Crane
Others Present- Deputy City Clerk Brent Bader, Attorney Jim McPhedran, City Engineer Brian Brown, Don Luttrell, Rich Gaughan, Luke Weiden, Luke Tomsha
A quorum was present.
It was moved by Alderman Reynolds and seconded by Alderman Jeppson to approve and place on file the minutes of the Streets, Alleys, and Traffic Committee for March 8, 2021. Each and every alderman has a copy.
Voice vote, all ayes. Motion carried.
In regard to a request for a handicapped parking space in front of 1045 Ninth Street, Mr. Donald Luttrell, owner, requested the sign for his girlfriend who had a major stroke and is disabled. Chairman Bacidore spoke to the owner of Walt’s Tap and she had no issue if the committee granted the request.
It was then moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Lavieri to grant the request for a handicapped parking space at 1045 Ninth Street.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: None
Motion carried.
6-0
Alderman Demes reminded the petitioner and the public that only a person with a handicap placard can park in the designated space.
In regard to a request for a handicapped space at 328 Crosat Street, Chairman Bacidore explained that there was a sign in this location previously, but he recently had it removed as he was aware the resident for whom it was originally issued had passed away. The petitioner and current owner, Rich Gaughan, explained that he is also disabled and has his own placard. He indicated that in the winter he does park in the garage in the back of the house, but in the summer parks in front of the house, so would like the sign.
It was then moved by Alderman Ptak and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to grant the request for a handicapped parking space at 328 Crosat Street.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: None
Motion carried.
6-0
In regard to a request for reserved parking at 240 First Street, the old train depot, petitioner and building owner Luke Weiden explained that there are cars frequently parked in front of his building for days at a time. Some are customers of King Tire. This has become an issue for the two businesses who are tenants in his building. Employees and visitors of these two businesses have to park some distance away. He explained that recently HBO had producers in town to film a documentary who were not able to park anywhere near the building and had to wheel equipment to the building. Luke Tomsha of the Perfectly Flawed Foundation, one of the tenants of the building, agreed that the parking situation is difficult. He said his employees park a distance away to try to leave some open spaces for visitors. Brief discussion followed about various options to resolve the issue. Alderman Lavieri asked how long visitors are typically at his location. Mr. Tomsha said it varies, but seemed to think a three-hour parking limit would suffice. Chairman Bacidore asked Mr. Weiden what he specifically was requesting. Mr. Weiden said three-hour parking for the four spaces in front of the building would be helpful. Alderman Ptak said that if we approve this, it has to be enforced. Chairman Bacidore suggested that if cars are in violation of the parking restriction, Mr. Tomsha or Mr. Weiden should call the police department.
It was then moved by Alderman Jeppson and seconded by Alderman Ptak to designate three-hour parking for the four parking spaces in front of 240 First Street.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Lavieri, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: None
Motion carried.
6-0
Mr. Weiden stated that the signs could be attached to his fence if need be.
In regard to the request from Dr. John Lavieri for a “No Parking-Drop Off Area” sign near the handicapped ramp at 206 Marquette Street, Alderman Lavieri explained that about twenty years ago the ramp was put in and the curb and space was painted yellow to indicate that it was no parking. He said the three-hour parking sign that was once on the post is now gone, however the post itself remains. Alderman Lavieri is requesting that a “No Parking-Drop Off Area” sign is added to the post. He stated that in the winter, snow covers the yellow painted curb, so cars park there and block the handicapped access making it difficult for those in wheelchairs to access the building easily.
Moved by Alderman Herndon and seconded by Alderman Reynolds to approve the request for a “No Parking Drop Off Area” sign to be placed on the existing pole near the handicapped ramp at 206 Marquette Street.
ROLL CALL:
Ayes: Alderman Ptak, Alderman Herndon, Alderman Reynolds, Alderman Jeppson, Chairman Bacidore
Nays: None
Abstain: Alderman Lavieri
Motion carried.
5-0-1
Two weeks ago, concerns were raised by the Committee as to the impact one resident’s request for changes to parking, speed limits, etc. can have on an entire neighborhood. Discussion began as to various means that could be implemented to ensure neighbors are aware of these types of requests and given the opportunity to weigh in on an issue before a decision is made. It was determined that further discussion was needed so the topic was added to the committee’s agenda for this evening. Chairman Bacidore began the discussion by explaining that this same conversation came up a few years ago, but to inform them of a pending request to make an alley one-way in their neighborhood. He said only two people showed up, but at least they were all notified. Recently, he said the committee considered a request for a stop sign in a certain intersection. He said in that case it would be very difficult to know who would be impacted and who to notify. Chairman Bacidore suggested that one option would be to handle these types of situations on a case-by-case basis. Alderman Lavieri and Alderman Demes said they liked the idea the City Engineer mentioned at the last meeting which would be to place signs throughout a certain neighborhood, similar to what is done for Zoning Variances. This would alert the residents to the petition under consideration and the time and date of the meeting. Chairman Bacidore said having signs up doesn’t necessarily guarantee that everyone will read it. Attorney McPhedran said a sign, in some cases, may only notify the tenants, not necessarily the property owner.
Alderman Demes said in his view the problem stems from residents thinking the parking spaces in front of their home belong solely to them, which is untrue. They are public streets, so anyone has the right to park anywhere they want, unless otherwise indicated. Alderman Demes stated that he has a hard time voting for altering parking in front of one place because one person comes to the council meeting who may or may not have checked with the neighbors.
Alderman Demes then suggested that some type of form is developed where the petitioner must get all the neighbors to sign off on the request.
Economic Development Director Leah Inman stated that she believes the new software for the Building Department may be able to determine a radius of a certain area, which could assist notification issues. She said she will look into this further to see what types of options the software may provide. Attorney
McPhedran wondered who the burden of notification would be put on, as that could add extra stress on support staff.
Alderman Demes said regardless of what we do there is a cost involved. He suggested that if someone comes forward to request a change to parking, speed limit, etc. there should be some type of fee involved. Mayor Grove said that issue would need to be considered at another time. He said the committee could move forward with taking a vote in regard to the implementation of notification methods, but implementing a fee would need to be discussed at a future meeting.
The committee decided to table this discussion and to schedule another Streets, Alleys and Traffic Committee. Alderman Bacidore set the meeting for April 5, 2021 immediately following the Finance Meeting to discuss the matters in more detail.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
https://www.lasalle-il.gov/sites/default/files/agendas-minutes/2021-04/3-22-2021_0.pdf
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