Plan Council Minutes 2000 04-13-00 { {
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
Committee Minutes - Plan Council
April 13, 2000 Meeting Location: 800 Game Farm Rd.
Time Convened: 9:44 a.m.
Time Adjourned: 10:50 p.m.
Attendees:
Jim Nanninga - City Administrator Joe Wywrot - City Engineer
Tony Graff- Chief of Police Tim Fairfield - B.K.E.M.S.
Ralph Pfister - Y.B.S.D. Mike Schoppe - Schoppe Design
Jonathon Diller - Ruettiger, Tonelli John Badevsz - People's Energy
Fred Mitro - Enron Chris Booth - Enron
Karen Way - PMRW Rick Suttler - Ruettiger, Tonelli
Mark Gershon - PMRW
Enron Great Plains - Kendall County
This is a proposed electrical power plant on 70 acres located on the north side of
Corneils Road east of Eldamain Road in unincorporated Kendall County. They
agreed to look at annexing to the City, but want to discuss it further. Dan Kramer
is checking on the legality of annexing along the ComEd right-of-way. Will
probably do an annexation agreement with the City with a Special Use. Gershon
will call Kramer today. Enron is the developer of this project, New Century is the
utility company. Ruettiger, Tonelli & Assoc is the engineering company. This
was presented to the Plan Council about a year ago. ComEd had some concern
about their lines and getting the power from the facility when it was needed.
Positive aspects were delivered by Gershon. This plant will convert gas to electric
power during peak electric times, and run when the electricity is the most limited,
daytime hours during the summer. It will be used to prevent brown and black
outs. There will be small impact to the area because of very low staff(3-8). No
traffic impact because no truckloads are used, except the initial construction. The
site was chosen because of close proximity to power and gas lines; the zoning and
comprehensive plan uses are appropriate in the County and the City. There will
ultimately be eight generators with high efficiency emission control technology.
No oil back up. Half a million dollars in real estate taxes will go to the County
and sales and use tax on eight million dollars for equipment purchased in Illinois.
Will check to see if any of that money will come to the City. This will create 300
construction jobs and 4-8 permanent jobs. They meet all federal, state and local
guides; no variances needed.
YBSD will talk with Gershon further regarding annexation to the sanitary district.
The facility doesn't need the services now and it is $1,500./acre to annex. The
rate and agreement will be discussed further as well as annexation fees to the City.
The expected service date is June 1, 2001. Up for testing May 1, 2001.
Gershon explained the changes that have taken place since last year. This will be
put in as a phased development, but if ComEd decides to upgrade their
distribution times, Enron could build out completely at any time. Phase 1 is the
north end of the site and Phase 2 the south. The dividing line can change. They
changed the landscaping around the plant to match our new Landscape Ordinance
that is now in place. There will be a significant berm on the Corneils Road side
and they added trees on the side and north corner. The size of the detention pond
was increased and is planned to be built as of day one of construction. They've
added a second entrance for fire and full road access. A concept drawing of the
facility site was shown and reviewed. Gershon pointed out that the landscape
buffers shown are significant. There will be a water tank on site for the fire
department and a drywell connected to the detention, also. CO2 will be built in to
each modular unit (generator). The site will house two small buildings (these
could be combined). There is a 30' setback from the north edge of the property.
The switch yard will be gravel over dirt, which is a pervious surface, no grass
under the towers. Wywrot mentioned that the eastern area is low and soil borings
are needed to determine if a liner is necessary in the detention pond.
ComEd determines if the lines are aerial or underground and follows regulations
from federal and state levels. Schoppe asked if the road coming in from the south
could be moved west approximately 200'-300' to align it with the pond for
appearance. Gershon agreed.
Wywrot asked about the underground gas line options. They all come in from the
west. New Century is not a public utility.
Several projects that have been completed in the last year were discussed. MW
stands for mega watt. This project, as a whole, is proposed at 600 MW, but they
are still waiting for a final answer from ComEd.
Graff asked them to enlighten the Plan Council on any obstacles they may have
battled with public concern in the past. Enron representatives explained that
during construction the traffic will need to be managed at times when bringing in
the large modular pieces and turbines. Keeping good communication open will
help. Gershon explained that they are already meeting with neighbors to inform
and address their concerns prior to public hearings but that further concerns could
be revealed during the public hearing process. Graff explained to them and the
Plan Council about the Sergeant on the City's force that is training now for traffic
management and some details of that.
Enron stated their target is to break ground by August 1, 2000 for concrete work.
The time frame for annexation with regard to permits and inspections needs to be
determined. The County may be willing to relinquish authority after a
pre-annexation agreement is signed. The inspection process needs to be discussed
since there are unusual situations with a project like this, for example, there are 50
foundation pours on site. They will meet with Bill and determine needs to avoid
surprises. They are concerned about safety and will have their own inspectors on
site. They don't want problems with certificates of occupancy. The buildings are
simple, the foundations and connections are the largest aspect of the total project.
Schoppe asked if there was information available on any existing projects that are
operational sites. Gershon will get a contact list together for Nanninga, Schoppe
and Graff.
Graff confirmed that there will always be someone on site when the plant is
operational. When it is non-operational, the plant manager is always on call. The
contact list will include some plant managers.
Fairfield requested that they be given permission to do training with the
paramedics on the 50'-120' towers once every six months or so. No problem.
Respectfully submitted by Holly J. Baker
peminuse