HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 4/1/2002 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, April 1, 2002
Alderman's Conference Room, 6:30 p.m.
�, In Attendance: Committee Members: Alderman Bolger, Alderman Wimmer, Alderman Glab.
Also in Attendance: Mayor Althoff, City Administrator Lobaito, Alderman Low, Assistant Director of
Public Works Mar�;inko, City Clerk Jones and Donald Westfall of Commonwealth Edison and Scott
Smith of Smith Eng;ineering Consultants. Alderman Murgatroyd arrived at 7:15 p.m
Members of the C��mmunity in attendance:
John Hose, 3906 W. Grand (815/385-0674)
James and Wendy Tiffany, 1512 N. Millstream(815/344-1927)
Ron and Shari Colv�, 3905 Maple (815/344-5433)
Ken and Kathi Kunaer, 3905 W. Grand (815/385-2349)
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman Bolger at 6:30 p.m.
Cummonwealth Edison Millstream Subdivision Utility Installation
Chairman Alderman Bolger introduced Donald Westfall, E�cternal Affairs Manager for
Commonwealth Edison noting Mr. Westfall's attendance is in response to a request by the Public Works
Committee to answer questions raised at the Public Works Committee Meeting held on March 18, 2002.
Alderman Bolger opined difficuhy comprehending the disparity in the cost of overhead
installation at $14,781 compared to $64,979 for underground installation. Mr. Westfall staied the
figures are based upon amounts provided to ComEd for engineering and construction costs. He noted as
� a public utility ComEd is not permitted, according to statute, to negotiate costs. Mr. Westfall stated the
issue has been challenged previously in court proceedings; rulings have favored ComEd. Mr. Westfall
indicated the municipality must pay any additional costs incurred by ComEd caused by the
municipality's insisting on other than customary and usual installation of services, i.e. underground
installation.
Alderman Bolger opined it is ComEd's responsibility to install the utilities underground pursuant
to an agreement adopted forty yeazs ago. He stated if utilities throughout the subdivision are currently
underground any utilities installed now, or in the future, should be consistent and the cost should not be
imposed on the residents. Mr. Westfall stated he is unfamiliar with any past agreement which states the
utilities must be installed underground in the Millstream Subdivision as it is ComEd's standard practice
to install utilities overhead. In response to Alderman Bolger's inquiry Mr. Westfall stated, as a public
utility company, ComEd operates within the parameters established by law, according to the Public
Utilities Act, and is required under the law to utilize the least expensive route. Mr. Westfall indicated he
would provide the Committee with a copy of the Public Utilities Act.
In response to Mayor Althoff's inquiry City Administrator Lobaito informed the Committee
ComEd has a Franchise Agreement with the City af McHenry, executed in 1992, which permits ComEd
certain rights regarding the use of right-of-ways. At the initiation of each project ComEd is required to
obtain a Permit from the Public Works Department for the project. The file indicates ComEd notified
the City and obtained the required Permit.
Responding to Alderman Wimmer's inquiry, Mr. Westfall stated it is difficult to say if this
�' installation will satisfy future needs. Mr. Westfall stated the proposed line is a permanent distribution
Public Works Committee Meeting
April 1, 2002
Page 2
`,,, feeder. It is considered a summer critical feeder installation, with a June 1, 2002 service date. There are
no plans to use the raikoad right-of-way for installation of this fieeder.
Alderman C�lab suggested contacting State Representatives and Senators in an effort to revise the
laws, which permit ComEd to dictate installation of public utilities to municipalities. In response to the
Mayor's inquiry Mr. Westfall informed Council the corporate offices for ComEd are in Chicago and the
Chairman is Mr. John Roe. He stated he would provide the address to Mayor Althoff.
Chairman ��lderman Bolger acknowledged the project cannot remain inert indefinitely and
suggested the Committee recommend to Council approval to move forward, to authorize underground
installation with the understanding negotiations would continue regarding cost method for payment of
the installation. Lengthy conversation ensued regarding the above-ground versus underground
installation. Alderman Low opined if the utilities are already underground throughout the subdivision
ComEd bas an obligation to the residents to comply with the current design.
In response to City Administrator Loba.ito's inquiry, Mr. Westfall noted no contract between the
City and ComEd is required for this project. It is understood if the City offers no means of financing the
additional cost for this project, Rider 28 will be implemented. Rider 28 would spread the cost over all
City customers for the underground installation of the feeder.
Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer to recommend installation of the utility lines
underground, eliminating the utility pole entirely on the north side of the creek, and to proceed with
�� tunneling under the creek, pending a cost estimate, with financing to be determined at a la.ter date. All
ayes. Motion carried.
2002 Street Program Discussion
Director of Public Works Marcinko informed the Committee poor soil conditions have been
discovered on Park Street from Route 120 to Washington Street and on Court Street from Broad Street
to Washington Street. He noted the elimination of Pazk Street and Court Street from the 2002 Street
Program will reduce the budget by approximately$500,000, permitting the City to go forwazd within the
budget for the project bid opening on April 16, 2002.
Director Marcinko opined elimination of the two streets will allow Staff the opportunity to
investigate the soil conditions further and consider alternate funding sources to offset some of the costs
of reconstruction.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Glab, to direct Staff to eliminate Court Street and Park Street
for the 2002 Street Program. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Glab,to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
� ' .
William J. Bolg , Chairman