Public Works Minutes 2011 05-17-11
APPROVED 6/21/11
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
6:30 pm
City Hall Conference Room
Committee Members:
Chairman George Gilson
Alderman Jackie Milschewski
Alderman Larry Kot
City Staff
Mayor Gary Golinski
City Administrator Bart Olson
Public Works Director Eric Dhuse
City Engineer Joe Wywrot
Others Present
Tony Scott – Kendall County Record
Jill Duchnowski – Kendall County Patch
Jeff Freeman – EEI
Robert Dearborn – Bridge Street Café
Dave Richmond
Rainier Galliano
The meeting was called to order by Chairman George Gilson at 6:30pm
Minutes for Correction/Approval –
April 19, 2011
The minutes were approved as read.
Items Recommended for Consent Agenda
- None
New Business
1. PW 2011-25 Downtown Parking Lot Status Update and Alternative Analysis
Bob Dearborn of the Bridge Street Café addressed the downtown parking north of the old
jail. Joe Wywrot and Krysti Barksdale-Noble prepared a summary and site analyses of
the 9 sites evaluated. The City-State agreement was discussed and Wywrot noted that the
City has to acquire the property, design the project and do the construction. Gilson felt
the design was too steep and the city should not move forward with this design.
The City has received $151,000 of the $643,000 earmarked for the lost parking spots
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Other parking alternatives were briefly discussed including the empty lot adjacent to
Kendall Pub. Alderman Kot said this empty lot might be more valuable as commercial
property, but also agreed any new parking should be on the west side of Rt. 47. He also
questioned the safety of this lot since it had been backfilled. This lot was also recognized
for its size and later salability. Improvements to this lot would be more aesthetically
pleasing as well. Parking near the old courthouse was also discussed.
Wywrot noted that the State agreement says a construction contract must be awarded by
July 2013. Mr. Olson added the following timelines: 1) if no decision is made in the
next 30 days, the City will miss the construction season. 2) He believes the State would
agree to an extension of the July 2013 date if no decision is made now.
Alderman Milschewski asked about the old hotel lot as a parking site. Mr. Wywrot said
the owner would not agree to sell, but would only lease the lot. She also asked if the
cement wall on Route 47 and the Muellner building would remain—both will be removed
during construction
Wywrot said any diagonal parking on Van Emmon would only result in a few additional
parking spots.
Chairman Gilson asked staff to explore alternative properties and the cost. Bart Olson
will bring ideas to the committee next month for the Kendall Pub lot, Dearborn lot and
Groner lot. Construction costs will be calculated and he will also discuss with IDOT.
(out of sequence)
Minutes for Correction/Approval –
April 19, 2011
The minutes were approved as read.
2. PW 2011-26 Com2 Electronics Recycling Contract Renewal
This is an existing contract up for renewal and has no cost to the City. The site is located
at the Public Works building where citizens can drop off recyclable electronics.
Alderman Milschewski noted that the term “Village” needs to be revised in the
agreement. Staff recommends the contract be renewed and this item will move to the
consent agenda.
(out of sequence)
14. PW 2011-38 Game Farm Road/Somonauk Street Project – ROW & Temporary
Easement Acquisition
Money has been appropriated to purchase the parcels for easements. There are 27
separate parcels and Wywrot recommended authorizing the City Administrator to
approve the necessary acquisitions on behalf of the City Council.
Resident Mr. Rainier Galliano was present and stated he had not yet received a check for
the parcel he sold. Olson said he had not been authorized, though spending has been
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approved and the money is budgeted in MFT. He will update the committee as to the
progress of the acquisitions.
Mr. Olson explained the process saying an appraiser will determine a Fair Market Value
and an offer will be made to the property owner. If the offer is rejected, the matter will
go to City Council for approval, to negotiation or court. If accepted, the check could be
cut to the landowner.
This matter will move forward to consent agenda with an amendment following above
guidelines.
3. PW 2011-27 Committee Meeting Date and Time
The committee decided to hold their committee meetings at 6pm on the third Tuesday of
the month. A Public Notice will be published.
4. PW 2011-28 Water Department Reports for March & April 2011
Eric Dhuse commented that the report next month will show a water main break. No
other comment was made and this moves forward to the consent agenda.
5. PW 2011-29 Roadway Signs for State Champion YHS Wrestlers
Mr. Dhuse said he contacted the State regarding the purchase of a $100 sign recognizing
outstanding wrestlers. Gilson suggested that if the State disapproves, the school should
be asked to purchase it. The coach will be contacted about the possible purchase and it
was also suggested that the City should purchase it as a last resort
6. PW 2011-30 Nuisance Ordinance for Weeds
Chairman Gilson said any weeds over 8 inches in height would create complaints and he
would like this ordinance re-examined. Administrator Olson explained that weeds over 8
inches are cut by the City and the owner is invoiced and/or a ticket issued. Alderman Kot
noted that many weed lots are in foreclosure and wondered if banks would comply with
the mowing etc.
A recent meeting at Grande Reserve concerned weeds and a mix of seeds was developed
to discourage weeds and require less maintenance. This type of seed mix is a recognized
option for 1 acre or larger lots or 3 contiguous lots. The cost is $157/acre to plant. The
committee recommended trying this program for a year.
Following discussion, Gilson suggested striking the height exception “d” in the
ordinance.
If no payments are received from property owners for mowing, liens can be placed on the
property. Liens as well as time to procure them will be explored by Joe Wywrot.
7. PW 2011-31 Kendall Marketplace Development Infrastructure Update
The development has gone back to the Bank of America. Wywrot explained there is
private and public punchlist work to be completed. There are 2 specific bond funds and
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he felt there are enough funds to cover the work. He discussed the pond on the property
and the poor drainage. The pond bottom is flooded for long periods of time and kills any
vegetation. He suggested natural growth.
Alderman Gilson said the City should take advantage of the bond funds to complete the
work needed to make the property more marketable. Two-thirds of the shopping center is
built with the outlots remaining.
Bart Olson asked for a timeline of completion for next month’s meeting and the
committee consensus was to proceed with the work.
(out of sequence)
Old Business:
1. PW 2011-12 802 S. Bridge Street – Proposed Groundwater Ordinance
Joe Wywrot said this item had been sent to City Council with a revised ordinance and
was sent back to this committee for review.
Dave Richmond spoke on behalf of this item and said the ultimate goal is for the owner
of this property (former Yorkville Marathon) to receive a “no further remediation letter”
from the Illinois EPA. The land can then be sold by those parties who inherited the
property. The current renter wishes to purchase this property and without the letter, the
property is in “legal limbo.” To obtain the letter, the City must to agree to not take
potable water from that area. By adopting the ordinance it will allow the Illinois EPA to
sign off on the letter and the property can be sold, however, the property will never be
cleaned.
There are 3 levels of contamination: industrial level, construction worker level and
residential level. Part of the land underneath Orange Street has been contaminated with
benzene at the industrial level of cleanup. The extent of the contamination is not known,
however, 3 locations still exceed allowable levels and the contaminated soil is 5 feet
underground. It was noted that currently there is a list of 1,000 sites to be cleaned.
This item will moved forward to the consent agenda to pass the ordinance.
(Out of sequence -- back to New Business)
8. PW 2011-32 Saravanos – LOC Call Update
Mr. Wywrot said this property is now in receivership and the structure is a steel shell.
The potholes will be discussed with the bank/owner. This matter will come back to this
committee for an update after he contacts the bank rep. Information only at this time.
9. PW 2011-33 Cost of Maintaining Bike Trails
Chairman Gilson said he wished to bring this item to City Council for further discussion.
He has spoken to the non-profit group raising funds for future bike trails.
Administrator Olson discussed the costs of trails and maintenance. The trails would be
10 foot wide per federal policy. The trail would begin at Rt. 71 then to Rte. 126 and
north to Kennedy Rd.
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Mr. Gilson said he polled residents and the concern was staff time to maintain trails.
Other subdivision trail systems were also discussed.
Alderman Kot suggested that the Police Department be contacted for their thoughts on
design and safety of the trails.
Administrator Olson will calculate the cost for all trails. Gilson wishes to bring this item
forward to the Council as information and it will be on the agenda in June. It was noted
that the non-profit group had a fall deadline to raise the funds.
10. PW 2011-34 Water Ordinance Turning on Water Service Prior to Full Bill
Payment
This item was tabled by request of Alderman Teeling.
11. PW 2011-35 Ordinance Updating Intersection Signage Control
A preliminary ordinance was introduced regarding traffic control signs. Mr. Wrywrot
said there were no ordinances to back up some of the signs. It would also give the Chief
of Police the authority to add certain intersections to a master list of controlled locations.
The current ordinance references only about 90 intersections. Over time, many locations
were not added to the list because they were approved as part of certain developments.
This ordinance will be reviewed by Attorney Orr and then moved to the consent agenda.
12. PW 2011-36 Sunflower Estates Unit 3 – Warranty Punchlist
13. PW 2011-37 Heartland Circle – Warranty Punchlist
Mr. Wywrot discussed the above 2 items together. Both developments had been accepted
a year ago and have now been inspected a year later. Dead trees were found and bonds
will be called if the trees are not replaced. Both these items will move to the Council
consent agenda.
Old Business
2. PW 2010-82 Illinois Prevailing Wages Discussion
Attorney Orr sent an email to Mr. Olson recommending language changes regarding
wages and benefits paid for public works. Chairman Gilson suggested that “eligibilities”
for prevailing wages be included as well as exceptions, in notices to bidders.
Administrator Olson will ask Attorney Orr to review and provide revised documents.
This will be brought back to committee in June.
3. PW 2010-91 Vehicle Registrations for Road Maintenance Fund
Administrator Olson stated the previous City Council was opposed to vehicle stickers,
however, he asked for opinions from new Council members. The committee consensus
was opposed to this measure. This item was killed in committee.
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Additional Business
Alderman Milschewski brought forward a concern about the sidewalks on Heustis near
Orange and Fox. Some of the walks are on private property and narrower easements will
be needed for reconstruction She also mentioned the grants for “Safe Routes to School”
and the 5-foot required width of the sidewalks for that grant.
Alderman Kot asked if a notice would be given to area residents since the construction of
the walks could alter their front yards. Residents are being informed if an easement is
needed and the project is only in the design stage at this time. Alderman Milschewski
asked if a map was available to show which streets are involved in this project. This
sidewalk replacement will be discussed in Administrator Olson’s weekly report.
In another matter, Alderman Kot requested a Table of Organization for Public Works and
Public Safety to show the number of personnel and their duties.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:47pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted
by Marlys Young
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