Public Works Committee Minutes 2025 09-16-25APPROVED 10/21/25
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, East Conference Room #337
651 Prairie Pointe Drive, Yorkville, IL
IN ATTENDANCE:
Committee Members
Chairman Craig Soling Alderman Dan Transier
Alderman Rusty Corneils Alderman Joe Plocher
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett
Engineer Brad Sanderson, EEI Public Works Director Eric Dhuse
Assistant Public Works Director John Sleezer
Other Guests:
Michele Piotrowski, EEI Mr. Chris Ott, EEI
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Craig Soling
Citizen Comments: None
Previous Meeting Minutes: July 15, 2025
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business:
1. PW 2025-81 Ordinance Amending the Yorkville City Code (Nuisance)
Mr. Dhuse said this is an update of the ordinance regarding mowing of properties not being mowed by the
owners. It has been reviewed by Attorney Orr. Letters to the violator will be sent over a shorter time period
after non-compliance, fee structure will be adjusted and it also indicates who can write tickets. The committee
approved the update and it will move forward to the City Council regular agenda.
2. PW 2025-82 Water Audit Update Presentation
Mr. Sanderson said the water audit report will be needed annually when Lake Michigan water is connected and
he introduced Ms. Piotrowski from EEI who presented this report. She said the report shows the progress on the
water audit which is required for connection to Lake Michigan water and what can be done to reach the goal of
less than 10% water loss. She said it also shows the amount of water taken from the water source compared to
the amount being billed and all else is non-revenue water. She noted that in 2024 there is 14.2% of non-revenue
water.
When the application for Lake Michigan water was submitted, EEI had to compile a non-revenue water
reduction schedule to achieve the 10% or less water loss. The audit form breaks the non-revenue water into 3
categories: unbilled authorized use, apparent losses and real losses. Unbilled includes usage in homes and
construction uses. She said staff has been meeting regularly as a water loss team and is trying to convert non-
billed to billed revenue and meter items previously not tracked such as flushing hydrants, fire department, etc.
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Apparent losses are paper or economic losses/billing inconsistencies and meter inaccuracies. For apparent
losses, the city will implement effluent meter testing, meter replacement, update or replace billing software and
review policies of illegal water use. Ms. Piotrowski stressed the need for very accurate data and customer meter
replacement. She said the focus moving forward is better data since water main replacement has not necessarily
reduced the water losses. She also suggested a third party to examine billing data. She said the final water audit
dates prior to connection are October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. She stressed the need for compliance by
October 1st so that a full year of data is available. When meter replacement is finished, it will be all “radio-
read”, said Mr. Dhuse. He will bring the second half of that project to the next meeting.
Real losses are physical, water main breaks, etc. and are the largest component. As a result, water main
replacement has been aggressive. The city will implement GIS tracking of water main breaks and annual leak
detection.
EEI met with IDNR this summer and the basic requirement they look for is to have less than 10% loss. DWC
commissioning is slated for spring 2028 and water connection will be summer of 2028. Alderman Transier
asked if achieving substantially below the 10% will accelerate the process and what is the repercussion if the rate
rises to 10% after connection. There is no particular penalty, however, the rates could be raised or a water loss
plan would be required.
3. PW 2025-83 Quiet Zone Update Presentation
Mr. Chris Ott of EEI gave a presentation updating the railroad quiet zones proposal. It was noted that since
2005, train horns are required to sound for a specified time at most railroad crossings. The railroad does allow
the opportunity to have quiet zones and two separate zones are being suggested. To have a quiet zone, traffic
and accidents are considered along with a risk index. Also, certain physical barriers must be put in place
including delineators, non-traverseable medians, one-way streets or quad gates. The barriers must prevent cars
from swerving into the other lane to circumvent the gates. Each crossing also requires gates, flashing lights and
detection system to help activate gates and lights. Any other crossing within a half mile is also included in the
quiet zone. A meeting must also be held with the railroad and a notice of intent is required along with a 60-day
calming period. He said the railroads in general do not support quiet zones for safety reasons.
Mr. Ott said the 2 quiet zones are for the BNSF line and Omnitrax/Downtown. Cannonball Trail (in the county),
is scheduled to be a a quiet zone effective in October. Kennedy Rd. has the correct equipment already, but the
pedestrian crossing will need to be re-evaluated. Signage will likely be needed there to indicate quiet zone.
Delineators for Kennedy Rd. would be needed at a cost of about $20,000 and an engineering agreement is also
needed with the railroad, at a cost of over $28,000. Next steps for the BNSF agreement are City Council
approval of the BNSF agreement, diagnostic meeting, notice of intent and notice of establishment.
The Omnitrax Line/Downtown Quiet Zone includes the forest preserve and several other crossings. Most of the
crossings downtown have no lights, gates or detection systems. Each crossing would need these items and
would be a cost of $700,000 per crossing. It was noted most of the downtown trains move very slowly.
Drainage must be completed in the downtown.
Closing some of the crossings is also being researched and traffic counts were done for those crossings.
Closures would save money, however, public input is required first. There are federal and railroad funding
assistance opportunities. The city did qualify for an 80/20 split for phase 2 and phase 3 construction of an ITEP
grant for Hydraulic to be 1-way between Rt. 47 and Mill St. and the city would have to pay 100% of the costs
for the first phase. He said the next steps are to investigate interest, a public info meeting, investigate
funding/grants and discuss agreements/implementation with the railroad. The project would stretch into 2029
due to the many aspects and requirements. Mr. Ott discussed the costs of doing each crossing at about $700,009
each. There are several crossings in the Downtown quiet zone area.
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Alderman Transier asked where most of the horn complaints originate. Most are from White Oak, Mill Road
and Grande Reserve.
The staff recommendation is to move forward with the BNSF agreement at $30,000 and explore the southern
crossings to determine if there is funding. The committee agreed with this recommendation and this matter will
be brought back in October for further discussion.
4. PW 2025-84 East Hydraulic District – ITEP Grant Phase I
a. Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
(E. Hydraulic Avenue Improvements – Phase I)
b. Ordinance Authorizing the Fourth Amendment to the Annual Budget of the United City of
Yorkville, for the Fiscal Year Commencing on May 1, 2025 and Ending on April 30, 2026
Ms. Willrett said a $3 million grant had been received for the Hydraulic streetscape project. Phase I engineering
is not covered by the grant, however Phases 2 and 3 will be a match. The engineering agreement amount is
$263,354 and a budget amendment will be needed. The committee was OK with this.
5. PW 2025-85 Cannonball Trail Shared Use Path – Feasibility Study Presentation
Mr. Ott shared the findings of the feasibility study. The scope of the study was construction of a path on
Cannonball Trail from Rt. 47 to Rt. 34. There is a partial path from Rt. 34 to Blackberry Shore Lane already.
Tree removal, excavation, right-of-way, drainage improvements, striping and restoration would be needed in
some areas. Mr. Ott presented 4 options with costs ranging from $669,000 to $1,025,000. Mr. Olson said this is
just a cost estimate and is not budgeted. There are potential grants, ITEP being one, but that would not be
available until next August. Earliest construction would likely be in 2030.
If this project is moved forward, a decision would be needed by September next year in order to apply for grants.
Chairman Soling said he would like to have Aldermen Funkhouser and Marek included in future discussions.
Alderman Corneils commented the project is a lot of money and only 1 household requested a path. He also
suggested looking at grants and seeing how the proposal aligns with the Rt. 47 project. Alderman Transier said
there may be more interest when Marker completes their senior community nearby. This will be brought back at
the next grant cycle and Aldermen Marek and Funkhouser will be notified.
6. PW 2025-86 Kane-Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) – Call for Projects
Mr. Sanderson said the Mayors receive federal funds and distribute them for road projects every 2 years. They
are accepting project suggestions for this fall. The only streets eligible are FAU routes. Staff has discussed
some possible roads for re-surfacing: Cannonball Trail from 34 to 47, Game Farm Road and sections of
Kennedy Road. Roads are scored based on various factors and the suggestions are reviewed by the Mayors. Mr.
Sanderson feels these 3 roads will score very well. These projects will not be done until 2029/2030. The
committee approved this and it will move forward to the City Council consent agenda.
7. PW 2025-87 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
(2026 Road to Better Roads Program – Design Engineering)
This is the MFT program for designs for next year, said Mr. Dhuse. The contract cost is $89,914 with direct
expenses of $6,000 for a total of $95,914. The committee approved and it will move forward to the consent
agenda.
8. PW 2025-88 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
(2026 Local Road Program – Design Engineering)
This is the larger of the road programs and for roads in subdivisions built in the early 2000's. It includes
Raintree, Adrian, Dolph, Fox, Mill and older areas by Circle Center. The engineering fee is $914,732 for design
work which is mostly within the budget and reduced work could bring it within the budget. This also moves to
the consent agenda with committee approval.
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9. PW 2025-89 Resolution Approving a Change Order to a Contract to Construct a 1,500,000 Gallon
Standpipe and Water Main (South Receiving Station Standpipe – Change Order No. 2)
This pertains to the standpipe on the southern connection point, said Mr. Sanderson. Staff is looking at ways to
reduce costs since the bids were substantially higher than anticipated. For value engineering, he is suggesting to
remove the underground work from this project and put it into the Rt. 126 water main work which is an
underground contract. The reduction will be about $158,000+ with a net savings of at least $90,000. This
moves forward to the consent agenda with committee approval.
10. PW 2025-90 Nexamp - Plat of Dedication and Grant of Easements
Mr. Sanderson said these 2 Nexamp solar projects are moving forward and the developers have right-of-way to
be dedicated along Corneils Road. There are also seeking some easements. They have submitted plats which
were reviewed and he recommended the city accept the dedications and grants of easements. The committee
approved and it moves forward to the consent agenda.
11. PW 2025-91 Faxon Road and Beecher Road Reconstruction – Rejection of Bids
Bids were received in May for reconstruction of these roads, driven by and paid for by the Cyrus 1 project. It
was hoped to have this work done by August, however, work has not begun yet since additional right-of way and
land acquisition is needed. Mr. Sanderson recommended rejecting the bids since the project is not moving
forward yet. He said they will work on getting right of-way in the winter and coordinate with Cyrus 1 on a new
schedule. This moves to the consent agenda with committee recommendation.
12. PW 2025-92 Resolution Pledging Financial Commitment and Support of an Illinois Department of
Transportation's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant Application for Yorkville Prairie Meadows
Sidewalk Gap Project
Ms. Willrett said this is a grant program that the city hopes to apply for by October 15th in cooperation with the
school district. The resolution is for funding and support and staff is waiting for a letter of support from the
schools along with a parent survey. This project will help to complete the gap in Prairie Meadows sidewalk and
will be of benefit to Autumn Creek School. The committee approved and moved it forward to the Council
consent agenda.
13. PW 2025-93 Moda Homes – Call of Performance Bonds
There has been a lack of progress on this project in Bristol Bay, said Mr. Olson. He said vandalism has occurred
and no repairs have been made. The city UDO allows the developer 4 years to complete infrastructure with an
update required each year. No infrastructure has been done for more than a year and four formal notices have
been issued without response. Due to other lack of work, a bond call is being recommended and the city would
then take over the infrastructure work. The bonds will be adequate to complete the necessary work. Mr. Ratos
is also able to rescind permits for this property. Mr. Olson noted that 1 unit is done, one is partially done and 1
not built at all. This matter will proceed to City Council for consideration by the full Council.
Old Business:
1. PW 2025-62 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.
(2025 Stormwater Basin Inspections)
Mr. Olson asked to move this item to next month to allow for further discussion with the Mayor.
Additional Business: None
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:19pm.
Minutes respectfully transcribed by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker
1
Monica Cisija
Subject:FW: Public Works Committee Comment
From: Dave Hubert
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2025 12:58:56 PM
To: Jori Behland <jBehland@yorkville.il.us>
Subject: Public Works Committee Comment
Per this agenda item-
PW 2025-70 Water Audit Update Presentation
On pages 21-22, the presentation identifies 'Real losses' as the physical loss of water by water main breaks and other
leaks as the cause of 77% of typical non-revenue water. Other causes such as billing errors, hydrant flushing and
miscellaneous account for the rest. However, despite replacing over 5 miles of 7 miles of old pipes from 2023-2025 the
'NRW' is still at 14%+ well over the required 10% to connect to the Dupage system.
The subsequent commentary suggests that the numbers are not reliable since the amount of water main breaks has been
stable and so much of the system has been replaced.
If the causes are not 'real' loss, then how is a billing audit review going to identify enough errors to get to the 10%
threshhold. Please comment on what other 'real' remediation can be used.
regards,
Dave Hubert