Public Works Committee Minutes 2019 03-19-19Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 4/16/19
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 6:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
IN ATTENDANCE:
Committee Members
Chairman Joel Frieders Alderman Ken Koch
Alderman Jackie Milschewski Alderman Seaver Tarulis
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson Engineer Brad Sanderson, EEI
Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett Public Works Director Eric Dhuse
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Other Guests: None
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Joel Frieders.
Citizen Comments: None
Previous Meeting Minutes: February 19, 2019
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business:
1. PW 2019-13 Snow Operations Report
Director Dhuse reported only small amounts of snow in this time period.
2. PW 2019-14 Fox Highlands – Raintree Village Water Main Interconnect – Change Order No. 1
This is the balancing change order to close out the project and Mr. Sanderson reported a decrease of
$49,859.32 due to items not used. This moves to the March 26th Council meeting consent agenda.
3. PW 2019-15 Church Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements – Engineering Agreement
Mr. Olson said this is part of the Roads to Better Road project. Design engineering is $13,000 and
construction engineering is $15,999. He recommended approval and said it is budgeted. The
committee agreed and it moves forward to the March 26th consent agenda.
4. PW 2019-16 2019 Road to Better Roads Program – Contract Award
There were 4 bidders with D Construction being the low bid. A portion of the project is in Bristol
Township and they have not yet agreed to pay for their $38,000 portion. If not approved, it will be
removed from the contract. Mr. Sanderson recommended approval of the $624,997.07 bid.
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Alderman Frieders questioned the difference in the bid prices. Staff is trying to tighten up cleanup
schedules and restoration with D Construction or fines could result. Construction will not start until
May 1 and this moves to the consent agenda.
5. PW 2019-17 Fox Hill Unit 7 – Easement Abrogation
Mr. Sanderson explained some of the foundations in Fox Hill encroached on city easements. The City
met with the builder and it was determined the encroachment would not affect maintenance, so
easement rights were vacated for these areas. He recommended approval by the city. Chairman
Frieders asked if more frequent city visits were necessary to prevent further situations and if it should
be factored into the cost. Mr. Dhuse said the developer has been asked to have contractors familiar
with these types of projects, in place in the future. This moves to the March 26th consent agenda.
6. PW 2019-18 Wyland National Mayors Challenge for Conservation
This is the second year for this challenge which will take place in April and Ms. Willrett proposed a
resolution for the conservation effort. This moves to the March 26th Council meeting on the regular
agenda.
7. PW 2019-19 Hanging Baskets
Mr. Dhuse suggested flower baskets in the downtown on private buildings and the city will be
responsible for the maintenance. The flowers are budgeted and he hopes to expand the program.
Alderman Milschewski cautioned about not placing them where the sun will be extremely hot and
locations were discussed. Mr. Dhuse is working with Winding Creek Nursery and will order soon.
This moves to the consent agenda.
8. PW 2019-20 Utility Box Art
Alderman Frieders proposed a program of painting utility boxes similar to those in Aurora. He said
each box is painted differently. Contracts are signed along with a release of liability. The artists are
not paid and sponsors can be secured for the boxes. Mr. Frieders said this idea gets people involved in
city meetings and engaged in the community and builds a list of artists for other projects. He suggested
a point of contact person who could act as a curator. Alderman Koch commented he thought it was a
good idea and asked who would determine what art is allowed. Mr. Frieders said the city would make
the decision. He said the art was well-received in Aurora and it will liven up the downtown. The
committee was OK with this project.
9. PW 2019-21 Speed Sign Update
There are currently speed devices on Kennedy Rd. and Cannonball Trail and will be rotated to other
locations during the year. The various speeds recorded were discussed. Public Works Director Dhuse
said there are about 7,000 cars on Cannonball and 5,500-6,000 on Kennedy Rd. per day. It was noted
that 20,000 cars a day on a given road is the threshhold for a 4-lane road.
Old Business:
1. PW 2018-102 East Alley and Van Emmon
Mr. Olson said he now has a revised cost estimate and a timeline for this project. Mr. Dhuse had
spoken with the business owners who had differing opinions on how this area should be improved. It
was decided to proceed with option #3 discussed at previous meetings. Written consent from Imperial
Investments will be needed and they have already verbally approved. City Council approval will also
be needed.
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Additional Business:
Chairman Frieders asked if it was possible to speed up the Rt. 34 improvements. Mr. Dhuse explained
the status of the project and said it should move faster now. Mr. Olson noted that the city cannot force
quicker construction, but he said the IDOT phone number is on the website so citizens can register
complaints. Mr. Dhuse noted that the original engineer is back and issues are being addressed. The
committee also discussed the location of the shared use path along Rt. 34. Alderman Funkhouser asked
if the stop lights on Rt. 34 west could be re-timed since it is becoming more difficult to get across town.
It was noted that Rt. 71 improvements will begin soon and the city has been getting competitive prices
with D Construction.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 6:49pm.
Minutes respectfully transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker