Public Works Minutes 2010 08-17-10
APPROVED 11/16/10
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
6:00 pm
City Hall Conference Room
Committee Members:
Chairman Joe Plocher Alderman Marty Munns
Alderman George Gilson
City Staff
Eric Dhuse - Director of Public Works
Joe Wywrot – City Engineer
Bart Olson – City Administrator
Rose Spears – Alderman
Others Present
John Philipchuck Walter Stagner
Angel Trenado Jessica Trenado
Minutes for Correction/Approval
None
Items Recommended for Consent Agenda
1. PW 2010-49 Water Department Report for May 2010
2. PW 2010-50 Water Department Report for June 2010
3. PW 2010-54 Kendall Marketplace – Earthwork Letter of Credit Expiration
New Business
(
out of sequence)
8. PW 2010-62 Rush Copley – Regional Stormwater Easement
Joe Wywrot reported that this easement is needed along Rt. 34 and he recommended
moving this forward to the consent agenda for discussion.
Additional Business
In another matter, Alderman Gilson read a letter from a concerned citizen, Mr. Trenado,
who had had water in his basement following recent heavy rains. Bart Olson said the
insurance company had investigated the claim made and was not yet ready to make a
decision. He asked Mr. Trenado to document the events including cleanup.
Alderman Munns commented on the lack of speed in handling this claim and this will be
reviewed when insurance companies are considered in the future. There was extensive
discussion on how this situation will be handled and the extent of the cleanup by the
homeowner. Mr. Olson will contact Veolia to determine contract coverage regarding
pickup of the damaged goods.
1
New Business
1. PW 2010-55 Traffic Study – Faxon Road and Alan Dale Lane
Mr. Wywrot said the intersection has been reviewed to determine if a 4-way stop is
warranted and it is not, with no backlog of accidents, etc. No further action.
2. PW 2010-56 Route 47 Widening – City Easements
IDOT is requesting 3 separate easements at 2 locations: near the city parking lot on
Hydraulic St. and also a temporary easement to replace the entire parking lot when
finished. IDOT is asking the city to grant the easement at no cost. The third request is
for a no-cost temporary easement in front of Town Square Park. Landscaping items and
a sign need to be moved and IDOT is offering $5800 for that move. Recommendation is
to grant the easements and this will move to the consent agenda.
3. PW 2010-57 Weight Limit Ordinance (E. Main St. & McHugh Road)
In reference to the Rt. 47 widening project, IDOT notified the City of several weight limit
signs on Rt. 47 and it was found that ordinances established these limits. McHugh and E.
Main St. will be signed, however, Mr. Wywrot is recommending fewer signs. The
notification also reviewed using “no-thru truck traffic”, however, Mr. Wywrot
recommended against this except on Countryside Parkway. The weight limit portion will
move forward to City Council.
3. PW 2010-58 ISAWWA Hold Harmless Agreement
Mr. Dhuse said this would be an educational tool for Hometown Days. This item will
move forward to consent agenda.
4. PW 2010-59 ISAWWA Mutual Aid Agreement
This is a mutual aid agreement for nearby towns that agree to assist each other with water
and wastewater matters in the event of a disaster. Moves to consent agenda.
5. Miscellaneous Bituminous Patching – MFT Appropriate Resolution
Mr. Wywrot said $50,000 is budgeted for small patching projects on Kennedy Road and
Game Farm Road. IDOT said 10% more should be budgeted to move this project
forward since the agreement states this item must go before Council if it exceeds
$50,000. Road improvements such as this are based on traffic volume and speed
according to Joe. Since Game Farm Road will be replaced in 3-4 years, he advised
against spending more money on this road. The committee agreed and it will move
forward to City Council consent agenda.
6. PW 2010-61 Standard Specifications for Improvements
This matter concerns a builder who questioned a street-cleaning deposit of $5,000 for one
home. After review, Mr. Wywrot recommended a sliding scale with replenishment
triggers. He also made recommendations regarding stormwater storage, fire hydrants and
driveway approaches. These items will move forward to City Council and a resolution
will be drafted with review by the Attorney. This will be part of the Zoning Code.
2
9. PW 2010-63 Grande Reserve – Letter of Credit Expirations
In July, 19 letters of credit were received regarding Grande Reserve. Mr. Wywrot
contacted the bank and a letter of retraction was to be sent, however, it has not been
received. He asked that this item be placed on the agenda to authorize the Clerk to call
these letters if necessary. All these letters pertain to property owned by Pasquinelli. This
item will move forward to the Council consent agenda.
Old Business
1. PW 2010-47 Proposed Revisions to the Nuisance Ordinance (Weeds and Grass)
This item has been reviewed in previous months and Mr. Olson said the issue is whether
plantings should be allowed to grow over 8 inches, but a decision could not be reached at
those meetings. Alderman Spears made reference to a meeting the previous night where
a decision was made to allow prairie plants. Alderman Spears had suggested a
mandatory fine for repeat offenders. Currently, a notice is sent for weed violations and it
proceeds to the adjudication process with no option to pre-pay.
According to Mr. Dhuse, the repeat offenders this year were for vacant lots. Alderman
Gilson said he received many calls regarding weeds and feels the limit should be 8 inches
and not 12 inches. He also feels mowing 3 times a year is not adequate. Plantings in
ponds were also discussed. After much discussion, it was decided to bring Laura Schraw,
who is an expert on such plantings, to the next meeting to discuss with the committee.
2. PW 2010-48 Proposed Water Ordinance Revision
Bart Olson said there are many changes with an overall revision of the ordinance. He
not
said the notice procedures for water billing were changed. Currently a bill is sent, 30
days are given to pay, if no payment another notice is sent, 10 more days are given and
then the water is shut off. He said this has been successful. Liens are placed after a
certain dollar amount. Alderman Spears said a realtor had called her about an incident
where new homeowners were being asked to pay the overdue water bill. Liens must be
cleared before a house can be sold.
Alderman Gilson asked if water revenues are used for other costs. Mr. Olson replied they
are used for employee insurance, administrative fees and other items. A certain
percentage of money is allowed to be transferred to the General Fund to offset customer
service costs. The committee was divided regarding the transfer of funds.
Fire protection system inspections were also discussed. Gilson asked if language to
require back-flow systems should be included in the ordinance. Mr. Dhuse said he
thought this was already included in the Building Code adopted this year, but could be
added to this ordinance also. Gilson suggested an annual inspection be included in the
language. This will move forward to City Council.
Additional Business
Alderman Gilson asked for updates in response to emails he received. One concern was
about an overgrown pond on Garden Circle. Bart Olson has contacted the complainant
and naturalization was discussed. The developers decide on the design of the ponds.
3
In another matter, weeds have been trimmed on Adrian Street and permission was
granted by the rear year neighbors for access to the back. Bart Olson will also contact
this resident.
Gilson also discussed the crack sealer program and weed growth throughout Countryside
and other streets. He asked for a plan to address the problem.
Chairman Plocher discussed sewer repairs, but not all repairs will be done due to lack of
funds. Gilson questioned why the liaison to the sanitary district would not be involved in
the discussions. Munns addressed why some of the $10 million surplus money cannot be
rebated back to the residents since it originally came from the City. As liaison to the
sanitary district, Gilson said he would try to relay that to the district for an answer.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:20pm.
Minutes submitted by
Marlys Young
4