Public Works Standing Committee Meeting Notes

Village of Shorewood Public Works Committee September 21, 2026 Call to Order: Trustee Ircink called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. p.m. at the Village Hall. Members Present: Trustees Ircink, Couto and McGovern Others present: Assistant Manager Berzin, Director Butschlick, Chief Wurth, Director Griepentrog 1. Consider modification to Village Code 500-36 Right Turns Prohibited on Red • Director Butschlick noted that on July 6th the Public Works Committee asked for input from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Subcommittee of the Parks and Public Spaces Committee, who subsequently reviewed and supported approval of the initiative. • Director Butschlick noted that comments from the Police Chief were included in the memo. Discussion • Trustee McGovern reminded the group that he brought this initiative forward in the interest of being more proactive on increased pedestrian safety, particularly around schools. • Trustee Couto questioned how some of the proposed intersections qualified as being near a school. He noted that many of these intersections are busy in the morning. He was interested in hearing more from others about why they thought this was necessary. • Trustee Ircink stated that his son has expressed fear about the intersection of Capitol and Morris. He noted that he routinely sees people ignoring the signs there. He believed the issue was bigger than something a sign could solve. • A crossing guard named Marie spoke and provided her perspective that drivers ignore signs. She also noted that some locations, such as near Lake Bluff, have a lot of congestion. She liked that Shorewood was a walking community and questioned if more crossing guards or police enforcement would be helpful. She did not believe that a sign prohibiting “right turns on red” was the solution. • Trustee Ircink thanked Marie for speaking and suggested that continued communication with crossing guards would be helpful. Trustee Couto agreed and noted that other Village committees or the schools could also be involved. • Trustee Couto stated that he would be in favor of installing a sign at the northeast corner of Shorewood Blvd. and Oakland Ave., which has been discussed as being problematic in the past. o Director Butschlick noted that may exacerbate the known issues at the condos because it would create additional back up and block the driveway at other times of the day outside of student drop off or pick up. • Trustee McGovern suggested tabling the item since it didn’t appear to have support. Trustee Ircink noted that he would be willing to continue the conversation in a future meeting. • Trustee Couto stated that other traffic calming solutions that the committee has supported in the past, such as bump outs, should be considered. o Director Griepentrog noted that the Village’s Neighborhood Greenway initiative will likely have recommendations pertaining to many of these intersections. He stated that the draft plan would be available in early October and suggested that future discussion could take place in consideration of those recommendations. Trustee Ircink agreed with that suggestion. Action • No action was taken. Follow-up • Future discussion is anticipated to take place as part of implementation of the Village’s Neighborhood Greenway initiative. 2. Consider recommendation of request to prohibit parking on one side of E. Wood Pl. from N. Stowell Ave. to N. Lake Dr. year-round • Director Griepentrog provided an overview of the request noting that staff are supportive of it and would recommend prohibiting parking on the south side of the street. He noted that the applicant had no objections to that recommendation. Discussion • Trustee McGovern noted that he used to live on that block and would support the request. Action • Trustee Couto motioned to recommend that an ordinance amendment be drafted to prohibit parking on the south side of E. Wood Place between N. Stowell Ave. and N. Lake Dr. for consideration by the Village Board. Seconded by Tr. McGovern. Vote 3-0. Follow-up • Director Griepentrog will prepare the recommended ordinance amendment for consideration at a future Village Board meeting. Motion to adjourn. Carried at 6:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bart Griepentrog, AICP Planning & Development Director