Public Works Minutes 2010 12-21-10
APPROVED 1/18/11
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
6:30 pm
City Hall Conference Room
Committee Members:
Chairman Joe Plocher Alderman Diane Teeling
Alderman George Gilson
City Staff
Eric Dhuse - Director of Public Works
Joe Wywrot – City Engineer
Bart Olson – City Administrator
Laura Schraw – Community Development
Others Present
Tony Scott – Kendall County Record
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Plocher at 6:30pm.
Minutes for Correction/Approval
June 15, 2010
The minutes were approved as read.
Items Recommended for Consent Agenda
1. PW 2010-85 Water Department Report for September 2010
2. PW 2010-86 Water Department Report for October 2010
Both items were recommended to move to Council consent agenda.
Old Business:
1. PW 2010-47 Proposed Revisions to Nuisance Ordinance – Weeds and Property
Maintenance
Eric Dhuse said he was asked to put together a recommendation of minimum areas he
thought would be conducive to certain types of planting and he asked the committee for
further input. Alderman Gilson said he feels the ordinance revisions would become an
upkeep problem. Buffalo grass was suggested as a possible planting by Alderman
Teeling, however, it was noted that it was very expensive. Prairie grasses were also
suggested. Ms. Teeling added that the concern of most people is that visibility is limited
traveling around corners where there are tall grasses or weeds.
Alderman Gilson also said he thought the mosquito population would increase with taller
grasses. However, it was noted that any such increases are water-driven. Minimum area
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sizes for the plantings were discussed with suggestions of ¾ , 1.5 and 2 acres. Ms.
Teeling also noted that EPA has guidelines for erosion control and that chemical usage
would not be proper for weed control.
Ms. Schraw suggested language regarding thistle maintenance.
Proper enforcement of mowing etc. was questioned by Gilson. Bart Olson said 150
mowing invoices were sent out last year and there were approximately 300-400
complaints.
It was decided that language would be added for thistle control.
2. 2010-77 Parkway Tree Program Discussion
Eric stated this program was to allow residents in unaccepted subdivisions to participate
in the program for tree replacement. The committee had also asked that developers be
liable for replacing trees as well.
Alderman Gilson asked how individual trees would be tracked. Eric explained that if a
resident volunteered to replace a tree rather than wait for a developer to do so, the tree
invoice would be placed on a punchlist if the tree was not paid for by the developer. Or
the developer could also be responsible for a tree in another location. The City will water
the trees one time and City personnel will also remove dead trees. It was noted that 15
people called last year to take part in this program. A report of the tree plantings etc.
would be made at the end of the year.
This item will be revised and brought back to the January Public Works meeting.
3. PW 2010-82 Illinois Prevailing Wages Discussion
There was no discussion and this item will return to the January Public Works meeting.
New Business
1. PW 2010-87 Route 47 Widening – Resolution for Right-of-Way Conveyance
Mr. Wywrot said this is a request from IDOT for the City to convey a strip of land at the
northwest corner of Countryside Parkway and Rt. 47. This is an open space buffer and he
recommended that this be conveyed at no cost since the City acquired it from a previous
developer. This item will move to the consent agenda.
2. PW 2010-88 2010 Miscellaneous Bituminous Patching – Change Order #1
This is a final balance and change order for this project. The bid price was $59,000 and
the final amount was $52,500. Wywrot recommended approval and this will move to the
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December 28 consent agenda.
3. PW 2010-89 Bristol Bay Units 1, 2 & 6 – Warranty Bond Release
A warranty punchlist inspection was done with some minor issues being fixed. Wywrot
recommended release of the bonds and this will move to consent.
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4. PW 2010-90 Private Improvements in the Right-of-Way
Mr. Olson said this item relates to curb painters. After speaking with other
municipalities, he said those towns prohibit curb painting and have language in the City
code since it can create maintenance and other issues. Bart will draft an ordinance
amendment to include tree removal and language to prohibit curb painting. This item
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will move forward to the January 11 consent agenda.
5. PW 2010-91 Vehicle Registrations for Road Maintenance Fund
A resident suggestion had been made to allow for $10 vehicle stickers with revenue being
applied to road improvements. Gilson voiced his opposition to this. It was noted that the
City did have this program at one time.
It was estimated that there are 10,000 vehicles in town and that would generate $100,000.
Mr. Olson said the cost of design and printing would be roughly $50,000. He said that an
additional tax such as this would not be well-received since no service is provided. It
was thought that this previous program was discarded because it was not properly
administered and it became a burden.
Alderman Plocher suggested looking into this further and Mr. Olson further stated that
many revenue ideas would be discussed in upcoming meetings.
Additional Business
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:12pm.
Minutes by Marlys Young
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