Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape Committee MEETING SUMMARY July 6, 2011 The following persons were present: Chair Chris Hanusiak, Chuck Ostman, Bob Pilat, Denise McCreery, Trustee Louella Preston, George Van Geem and Steve Vinezeano. Chair Hanusiak opened the meeting at 10:33 a.m. There was a request to modify the agenda to enter New Business first. I. New Business: a. Logo for Banners, Benches and Shelters. The Chair turned it over to Denise McCreery who provided a handout. She mentioned that as a courtesy she kept this Committee informed about the banners for Milwaukee Avenue that target the award of being the best place to raise kids. McCreery discussed the handouts, which showed costs and designs. She stated the quotes were based on 100 banners. The Chair asked Ostman about the material for the banners (vinyl vs. cloth). He mentioned the sumbrella material, but there was no quote for this by McCreery due to the limited amount of time the banners will be up. Sumbrella is more for long- term banners. She discussed warranties on the vinyl of 15 months or 5 years seasonal. The Chair asked about having Public Services do the installation to save on costs and McCreery stated that is what her and Van Geem discussed. There was a brief discussion about comparative costs of having Public Services do the work versus a private company. McCreery estimates it will take a day to install 100 banners and brackets. Past banners were discussed briefly. The Chair asked about funds for this project and Van Geem stated that $30k was budgeted for promotion, to include banners. It is estimated that about $24k is available for this banner program. There was discussion about planned activities and how nice it was to see the kids wearing the t-shirts during the parade. McCreery stated that Nimlok was a local company and should be considered. There was discussion about the logo and possible costs if our design was chosen versus stock photos. The request was to proceed with placing the 100 banners on Milwaukee Avenue and to pick what design will used. The banners are double sided and could be used along with seasonal banners. There was a request by McCreery to use the banners on Milwaukee Avenue only. There was discussion on where to place the banners on Milwaukee. Do they go at entry ways or along central business district? The Chair asked for input on the design. It was agreed that the current design, which has been used already on vehicle stickers, website, etc. is already a known design. The banner recommendation was to remove the “Welcome to” and to reduce the size of the “Businessweekcom” and possibly add 2011. The goal is to use these this year and next and beyond. There was brief discussion about organizations other than the Village. There was a statement that some banners should go on Waukegan near the Library and other locations. The Chair recommended that the other districts be asked to share in the costs of promoting this with banners. If other banners, beyond the 100, are acquired through funds from other districts they can be placed on Waukegan and other areas. The Village would install the banners. The Chair mentioned $15k from other districts could make this happen. Preston stated budgets have been passed and no one has an extra $15k. Van Geem said even if they cannot donate to the program, it will plant the seed for the future. McCreery stated that she shared the program with the library and other districts. Preston stated that the Board of Trustees should assign this project to someone, to task someone, to spread this program village wide, since it has not been done till now. Van Geem stated that Denise McCreery is that person assigned the project. The Chair asked for samples of the materials from the different companies. It was mentioned that these are quotes and not bids, so staff can approach the companies for updated quotes. Preston stated again that she thinks these banners should be placed on Waukegan Road since this is where Village Hall, the Senior Center, Fitness Center, etc. are. She believes that some of the 100 banners should be placed here and not all on Milwaukee Avenue. She said she thinks it should be her committee making these decisions since these are being placed on Village property. She mentioned the funds are not in Chris’ budget or her budget, but the Village budget. She stated she would like them in front of all Village buildings like the fire houses, police, public services, etc. There was discussion by the Chair that the idea of the banners is to publicize and how can that be done when the banners are in hidden away areas instead on the main thoroughfare of the Village. It is important for them to be where they will be seen the most. There was discussion of which poles are under the control of the Village. There was discussion about the strain that some banners can put on poles. There are 260 poles on Milwaukee and 60 on Waukegan. The Chair mentioned the most banners we would need is 200. There was discussion about possibly using these banners temporarily on private property, but a policy will need to be developed through the Village Board of Trustees. Public Services will ensure if any existing brackets can be used they will be used with the new banners. A follow up meeting was set for next week on Tuesday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m.  The benches and shelters will be done with a cohesive look based on what is chosen for the banners. Shelters are limited to spaces not sold by the shelter company. It is $75 for the poster, but placement is free and can be up long periods of time. There are also 12 available benches. II. Approve Draft Meeting Summaries: a. The Committee approved the draft summaries from February 8, 2010; March 9, 2011; March 23, 2011; April 22, 2011. III. Old Business: a. Decorative Fencing Remains/Switch to Aluminum. The Committee approved to keep the decorative fencing in the plan, but to change it to aluminum from wrought iron due to the 30 year warranty. b. Remove Small Plaza. i. Sheet no. 5 & 6 of 14 (Jonquil/Mulford) showed stand alone brick paved plazas and the Committee requested to remove from the plan. c. Ornamental Pedestrian Lighting. i. Use Same as Touhy Intersection. The Committee decided to use the same pedestrian lighting as was used at the Touhy intersection to keep the plan consistent. d. Direct HRGreen to Investigate Crossing Time vs. Seniors. Based on safety concerns, the Committee will request what can be done to increase crossing time at the improved intersections. IV. New Business: a. None IV. Adjournment at 11:34 a.m.