HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/27/2006 - Public Works Committee `� PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, February 27, 2006
Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
�-- In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Wimmer, Alderman
Murgatroyd, Alderman Glab. Absent: None. Also in Attendance: Assistant City Administrator
Martin, Director of Public Works Marcinko, Assistant Director of Public Works Fink, City
Engineer Bob Wegener of Smith Engineering Consultants, Water Superintendent Schmitt and
City Clerk Jones.
Chairman Alderman Wimmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Discussion Regarding Ston Signs—Riverside Hollow Subdivision
Directc�r of Public Works Marcinko reiterated that at the Public Works meeting on
February 13, 2006 the Committee directed Staff to submit recommendations for stop sign
locations within the Riverside Hollow Subdivision.
Director Marcinko informed the Committee the Manual of Urban Control Devices
(MUTCD) is the standard guideline used regarding tr�c control devices on streets and
highways. Director Marcinko stated the conditions outlined in the Mi7TCD support the
installation of stop signs at intersections of a less important road with a main road where
application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonably safe
operation. Staff is recommending installation of stop signs in the Riverside Hollow Subdivision
at the following locations:
Stoa Street Intersecting Street
McCullom Lake Road (WB) Riverside Drive
� Kennedy Drive(NB) McCullom Lake Road
Kennedy Drive(SB) McCullom Lake Road
Kennedy Drive(EB) Hemlock Drive
Hemlock Drive(NB) Arbor Drive
Hemlock Drive(WB) Kennedy Drive
Arbor Drive(WB) Hemlock Drive
Arbor Drive(WB) Riverside Drive
Plumrose Lane(WB) Hemlock Drive
Plumrose Lane(NB) Arbor Drive
Director Marcinko noted the stop signs recommended for installation do not include the
stop sign that was recommended for installation at the Public Works Committee meeting held on
February 13, 2006.
Motion by Glab, seconded by Murgatroyd, to recommend to Council an amendment to
Chapter 13 of the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Code for installation of stop signs in the Riverside
Hollow Subdivision as follows:
Stop Street Intersecting Street
McCullom Lake Road (WB) Riverside Drive
Kennedy Drive(NB) McCullom Lake Road
Kennedy Drive(SB) McCullom Lake Road
� Kennedy Drive (EB) Hemlock Drive
Hemlock Drive(NB) Arbor Drive
Hemlock Drive (WB) Kennedy Drive
Arbor Drive(WB) Hemlock Drive
a Public Works Committee Meeting
February 27, 2006
Page 2
`— Arbor Drive(WB) Riverside Drive
Plumrose Lanc� (WB) Hemlock Drive
Plumrose Lanf�(NB) Arbor Drive
Aye: Wimmer, Murgatroyd, Glab.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Discussion Private Water Utilities Ouerating Within and
Adiacent to the Citv of McHenry
Assistant City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that poor water quality and
supply issues have plagued the McHenry Shores Subdivision and Eastwood Manor Subdivision
for an eartended period of time. T.P. Mathews, owner of the Northern Illinois Utilities Water
Company, which services the McHenry Shores Subdivision, has been involved in numerous
regulatory actions by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Illinois
Commerce Commission (ICC).
Recently the Eastwood Manor Water Company experienced supply issues with service
for residential and commercial accounts, which ran dry during repair. The Council has discussed
the feasibility of purchasing one or both of the companies on numerous occasions. Staff opined
that neither of the utilities meets fire flow requirements for adequate safety.
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Assistant City Administrator Martin stated that two reports have been prepared by Ba�er
& Woodman. Qne report prepared in 1997 examined the McHenry Shores system. At that time
it was estimated upgrading the system to City standards would cost in excess of$2 million, over
and above the purchase price. Mr. Martin indicated that Mr. Mathews is currently asking $3,000
per account for a system with 528 users. Mr. Martin noted the McHenry Shores Subdivision is
located within the boundaries of the City of McHenry.
Assistant City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that the second report,
completed in 1998 by Baxter & Woodman, concerned the integrity of the Eastwood Manor
system, but did not provide a dollar amount for upgrading the system to City standards. He
noted the Eastwood Manor system services approximately 325 accounts. The residents are
located adjacent to the City of McHenry in unincorporated McHenry County. Mr. Martin
informed the Committee that the owner appears anxious to sell the utility and has offered $2,000
per account, or $650,000.
Staff is seeking to ascertain the Committee's interest in pursuing acquisition of one or
both of the utilities. Should the Committee exhibit interest in the acquisition and recommend
negotiations to Council, Staff suggests the following:
• Negotiate a purchase price with the companies contingent upon approval of a Special
Service Area for both areas, and annexation in the case of Eastwood Manor;
• Hold public meetings to inform the residents of the probable cost;
� • Create a Special Service Area and complete the annexation;
• Close on the acquisition of the utilities; and
• Begin the process of upgrading the systems.
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February 27, 2006
Page 3
L— Chairrrtan Wimmer expressed concern with moving forward with acquisition of both
private water 5ources simultaneously. He suggested negotiations with Mr. Mathews be initiated
first since McHenry Shores Subdivision is within the City limits, followed by negotiations with
the owner of the Eastwood Manor utility..
Discussion followed regarding placement of water lines, specifically whether the lines in
the McHenry Shores Subdivision should remain in the rear yard easements, or be moved to the
front yard.
Alderman Glab voiced concerns regarding breakage in the old systems of both utilities
once water pressure is exerted by the City's system should the old lines not be replaced. Staff
opined there would not be a significant differential in pressure.
Responding to an inquiry Assistant City Administrator Martin stated that hydrants would
need to be replaced and meters installed. Additionally, he stated that should the Committee
support acquisition of the utilities, both of the studies would have to be updated.
Alderman Murgatroyd concurred with Alderman Wimmer regarding negotiating for the
purchase of both utilities simultaneously. He inquired regarding the approximate time ta
complete the public improvements. Director Marcinko opined completion of the entire project
would take between one and four years. Superintendent Schmitt noted there is a connection at
Crreen Street, between Biscayne and Vine, enabling immediate connection.
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Responding to an inquiry regarding the impact the project would have on residents,
Superintendent Schmitt stated that lateral flushing is performed, which would have no impact on
current residents.
Alderman Glab opined support regarding moving forward with acquisition of both
utilities. However, he requested that Staffresearch the cost of moving the lines to the front right-
of-way in conformance with the rest of the City.
Motion by Murgatroyd, seconded by Glab, to recommend information regarding the
potential acquisition of Northern Illinois Utilities and Eastwood Manor Water Company be
brought before Council for discussion in Executive Session regarding a purchase price for the
utilities, with a focus on first negotiating for the acquisition of Northern Illinois Utilities
followed by negotiations for the purchase of the Eastwood Manor utility.
Aye: Wimmer, Murgatroyd, Glab.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
New Business
No new business was discussed.
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� � Public Works Committee Meeting
February 27, �006
Page 4
L-' Adiournment
Motion by Glab, seconded by Murgatroyd, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Aye: Wimmer, Murgatroyd, Glab.
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carriec..
Respectfully s�.�bmitted,
'� y� ; ;
�-j� v� �'�
Richard W. Wimmer, Chairma
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