Public Works Minutes 2016 12-20-16Page 1 of 4
APPROVED 1/17/2017
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 6:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
IN ATTENDANCE:
Committee Members
Chairman Chris Funkhouser Alderman Jackie Milschewski
Alderman Ken Koch Alderman Larry Kot
Other City Officials
Mayor Gary Golinski Public Works Director Eric Dhuse
City Administrator Bart Olson EEI Engineer Brad Sanderson
Interim Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett
Other Guests:
Phil Schneider, Fleet Solutions Mike Albert, Fleet Solutions
Alex Meierdiericks, Fleet Solutions Rob Vollrath, Leopardo Co.
Bob Pfister, Advanced Disposal John Albrecht, Leopardo Co.
Drake Wahlers, Leopardo Co. Joe Plocher, Yorkville resident
Don & Carol Hirsch, White Oak Subdv. Joe Flynn, Director of Operations
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Chris Funkhouser.
Citizen Comments:
Mr. Hirsch said he is very interested in a study for a railroad quiet zone. He said some train engineers
sound the horn very loudly, while others are considerate. He said the loudness is affecting children.
Previous Meeting Minutes: November 15, 2016
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business:
1. PW 2016-78 Snow Operations Report
Mr. Dhuse said he will be reporting on snow operations throughout the winter outlining what was done
and fleet actions. Informational at this time.
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2. PW 2016-79 Water Department Reports for January - September 2016
Alderman Funkhouser asked to have the reports done quarterly. He said water main breaks have
resulted in 1.5 million gallons of water lost, but the breaks are being repaired through the in-town road
program. These reports will move to the Council consent agenda for January 10, 2017.
3. PW 2016-80 Route 47 ITEP (Streetlights) – Authorization No. 2, 3, and 4
Mr. Sanderson said IDOT did most of the Rt. 47 work and this contract is for installation of the lights.
There were some issues that were identified and the City is responsible for $1,400 of the $7,000.
Approval is being recommended. Chairman Funkhouser questioned the cost of the nuts and bolts in #3
and asked if the City was paying twice for these items. He asked for clarification before approval of
payment and Mr. Sanderson will research this question with IDOT. These authorizations will be
moved to the January 10th Council consent agenda.
4. PW 2016-81 2017 Sanitary Sewer Lining Engineering Agreement
This agreement covers the cost of all planned linings in the Road to Better Roads program and is
budgeted. These rates will be held for 2017. It moves to the January 10th Council consent agenda.
5. PW 2016-82 West Washington Street Water Main Replacement Engineering Agreement
Mr. Olson said this is the only water main replacement scheduled in the 2017 Road to Better Roads
program. The cost of $19,600 is budgeted and approval is recommended. Alderman Kot asked if any
water mains would be replaced on State Street. They will be done in the next road cycle (in 7-9 years).
This moves to the Council consent for January 10.
6. PW 2016-83 Hamman – USPS Water Main Acceptance
There were some outstanding punchlist items for work near the post office and in November a
contractor was hired to complete the work. Acceptance of the water main and a full release of the letter
of credit is recommended. This moves to the January 10th Council consent agenda.
7. PW 2016-84 Well No. 3 Update and Recommendations
In August, televising of the well was authorized and it was found the casing pipe had significant holes.
It is being recommended to abandon the well due to the expense of repairing the well due to several
deficiencies. It is thought the City will be OK without it for another 8-10 years. The building would
also be removed at a separate cost. Mr. Dhuse recommended having Layne Christensen do the
abandonment work. Alderman Koch asked about a new well when the City reaches a certain
population. Mr. Olson said a new well could be installed when the population reaches 25,000
depending on usage. The committee was OK with abandonment and staff will be authorized to move
forward. A contract will be reviewed at the next Public Works meeting.
8. PW 2016-85 Solid Waste Collection Services RFP
Mr. Olson handed out a waste matrix which mapped out 5-year price proposals from various vendors.
He said Groot and Advanced Disposal are very similar in their proposals and he detailed some of the
costs. Staff recommended remaining with Advanced Disposal and he noted that Groot's proposal
arrived after the bids closed. Mr. Bob Pfister from Advanced Disposal explained how their compost
service works and said it is a new program in the Midwest. He also said a new brochure explaining
their programs will be provided to citizens. The committee recommended moving this forward to the
Council consent agenda on January 10.
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9. PW 2016-86 Street Sign Sale Close-out
Over 500 signs were sold and the remaining signs will be sold for scrap. Profits will go toward
purchase of new Public Works equipment. Chairman Funkhouser questioned if the profits should be
decided upon by the Council. Mr. Olson said since it's a small amount it could be placed anywhere.
Information only, no further action.
10. PW 2016-87 Detention Basin - Update
Mr. Dhuse said letters will be sent to owners of basins for the areas mentioned in his memo. He said
Grande Reserve has many basins. Chairman Funkhouser asked to include a link regarding the
ordinance and the ordinance number will be included in the letter. Information only at this time.
Old Business
1. CC 2016-47 Intergovernmental Agreement for the Sharing of Services
Mr. Olson said Montgomery wishes to join in sharing services with Yorkville and Oswego. Attorney
Orr has reviewed the agreement and the City will be signing it. Some sharing has already occurred.
This item moves to the January 10th consent agenda.
2. PW 2014-74 Railroad Quiet Zone
This idea was studied in 2014-2015 and went to Council in 2015 where it was decided not to pursue at
that time. After complaints from citizens, the Mayor recently initiated contracts for the study, but the
item was requested to be brought forward for discussion first. Mr. Olson is gathering data regarding
the rising number of complaints and will forward this information to the Aldermen. He said the study
expense has been prohibitive in the past, however, there are some state and federal grants which would
offset the overall cost of less than $20,000. There are 16 crossings in the City.
Mr. Olson also noted that a railroad contact who lives in Yorkville would come to a future meeting and
has also forwarded citizens' concerns to the engineers. Alderman Kot said he was in favor of doing the
study and said it's a quality of life and economic issue. Alderman Milschewski said she is not in favor
of the study due to the cost in comparison to the complaints. She would like to see other improvements
in the City first. Ms. Milschewski noted many other things affect the quality of life including noise
from the Rt. 47 traffic. She said many Facebook posts have been pro-horn and she likes the horn for
safety reasons. She also questioned the liability of a quiet zone if there was an accident.
Mrs. Hirsch said the number of trains and the speed has increased and the train patterns have changed
since the Council held their original discussions. Aldermen Funkhouser said those issues were
discussed following the derailment a couple years ago.
Mayor Golinski said he has received more complaints and he is very concerned about re-development
downtown and what effect the noise might have. A developer said the noise could be a deal-breaker
and developers may not receive grants.
Mr. Olson said he felt the feasibility study should be done. More citizen input was also requested. He
is compiling a survey and the costs of quiet zones in other towns and will forward it to all Aldermen.
This matter will be discussed again next month.
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3. PW 2016-21 Leopardo Energy Update
The Leopardo Energy group was in attendance to give a cost-savings presentation. Rob Vollrath of
Leopardo Co. reviewed the background of this project and said discussions began in April to save on
operating costs through energy-conscious projects. The City approved a feasibility study at that time.
Leopardo studied six city buildings, street lights, water meters, alternative energy and the city fleet. He
said LED lights result in a 2/3 cost savings and newer water meter technology could also save money.
Beecher Center was also identified for significant savings due to outdated heating and cooling.
Leopardo would also like to do a well station survey in the future. The 63-vehicle fleet was reviewed
for two potential savings areas: fuel upgrade to propane or bi-fuel system and a lease vs. buy program.
A summary was given for possible savings in all categories and Leopardo also provides a yearly report
of savings. If Leopardo's savings guarantees do not materialize, they will write a check to the City for
the difference. It was noted that Kendall County is also considering the program.
Mr. Olson said there are several other companies who also conduct this program and the City would go
to RFQ and then select a company. He said LED lighting and water meter studies have the greatest
savings potential. Alderman Kot said the Leopardo ideas are good, however, he would like
endorsement from department heads and referrals from other towns. This item will be brought back to
committee in January after Mr. Olson has consulted with the City Attorney and has had a chance to
compile a report.
Additional Business:
Alderman Milschewski asked about a contingency plan for leaf pickup when leaves drop later in the
season. Mr. Dhuse said it would be difficult since the facilities that accept leaves are closed after a
certain point. It was noted that Oswego makes multiple passes for leaves and that Yorkville might have
to consider this as well. This will be discussed more in the future.
Alderman Koch asked for higher intensity light bulbs for the Windett Ridge entrance. This will be
done.
Chairman Funkhouser asked about the water study status. A formal report should be done by mid-
January. Land acquisition will also be a big part of the project. He also thanked Alderman Kot for
his service on the Council.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.
Minutes respectfully transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker