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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/18/2002 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS C4MMITTEE MEETING Monday,February 18, 2Q02 Alderman's Conference Room, 6:30 p.m. � In Attendance: Committee Members: Alderman Bolger, Alderman Wimmer, Alderman Giab. Also in Attendance: Mayor Althoff, City Administrator Lobaito, Assistant Director of Public Works Marcinko, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Hester, City Engineer Scott Smith and City Clerk Jones. Members of the Community in attendance: Geri Condon, President, Riverwood Parent Teacher Organization Bob Benson, Baxter& Woodman The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman Bolger at 6:30 p.m. Traffic Signal at Winding Creek Drive and Crystal Lake Road Assistant Director of Public Works Marcinko summarized Alderman Glab's concerns regarding safety at the intersection of Crystal Lake Road and Winding Creek Drive. At the recammendation of the Public Works Committee on July 30, 2001 Smith Engineering Consultants initiated a traffic study of the intersection. Smith Engineering determined warrants were met regarding the installation of a traffic signal at this location. City Engineer Smith stated the traffic signal warrant study was initiated due to the increased number of complaints received from residents of subdivisions adjacent to the study intersection and from parents of children attending the adjacent elementary school. Mr. Smith explained Winding Creek Drive is a residential collector road, which forms a four-legged intersection with �, Crystal Lake Road. Currently Winding Creek Drive is controlled by a stop sign. Crystal Lake Road has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour in the designated study area. City Engineer Smith advised study results indicate installation of a traffic signa.l at Winding Creek Drive and Crystal Lake Road would greatly reduce delays along Winding Creek Drive causing minimal adverse impact on Crystal Lake Road. Exclusive left hand turn lanes are proposed along the north and south approaches. Numerous studies have shown accident rates increase at intersections where signa.ls are installed without left turn lanes on major rautes. Riverwood School generates a significant amount of left turn traffic from the north leg during peak periods. Mr. Smith stated the traffic signal would include provisions for pedestrian access, pedestrian heads and push buttons. This factor will improve pedestrian safety, particulazly for the children walking to and from Riverwood School. Currently crosswalks exist on the south and west approaches. Crosswalks aze proposed along each of the four legs of the intersection due to the existence of sidewalks along all four legs of the intersection and the residential nature of the area. Chairman Bolger suggested the City move ahead rapidly with the signal installation, City Administrator Lobaito advised $250,000 is budgeted for engineering in 2002/2003. He explained typically engineering is initiated during one fiscal year and the following fiscal year the project is camrnenced. Alderman Glab expressed concern regarding the proposed lengthy completion of the project. Alderman Wimmer concurred with Alderman Glab stating he would like to see the project `-- proceed rapidly expressing his concern regazding the amount of traffic in the area. Assistant Director of Public Works advised construction could begin in approximately fifteen ta eighteen Page 2 Public Works Committee 2/18/02 �,- months. Chairman Bolger concurred with Aldermen Glab and Wimmer, suggesting beginning engineering as quickly as possible pernutting rapid initiation of the project. City Administrator Lobaito noted the installation of a yellow warning light at the intersection, in response to residents' concerns regarding children crossing the street. He stated research is being conducted exploring the addition of another apparatus in the interim prior to installation of the traffic signal. Chairman Bolger suggested the occasional posting of a police officer at the intersection to monitor activity. City Administrator Lobaito opined other locations in the City might also warrant a police officer's presence. The situation then becomes a staffing issue. Ms. Geri Condon, President of the Riverwood Parent Teachers Organization, expressed appreciation to Mayor Althoff and the Alderman for interest in the traffic signal at Winding Creek Drive and Crystal Lake Road. Ms. Condon stated the residents of the area would like the project to be a priority. She stated the flashing yellow light does not appear to deter speeding motorists but the portable A-frame "School Zone" signs used to have an efFect. Alderman Glab concurred the signs were effective. Alderman Wimmer disagreed, citing a safety factor with installation and removal of the signs. Chairman Bolger requested Staff research the legal issues regarding utilizing the portable signs. � Motion by Bolger, seconded by Glab, to recommend to Council that the City proceed with engineering for the traffic signal at Winding Creek Drive and Crystal Lake Road during the ne� fiscal year, moving the project ahead as rapidly as possible, and that the City station a police officer occasionally in the vicinity of this intersection. All ayes. Motion carried. City Administrator Lobaito suggested bringing the matter to Council at the regular meeting scheduled for March 11, 2002. Discussion of Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Assistant Director of Public Works Marcinko reported the City's Central Wastewater Treatment Plant is currently operating at 70% capacity. Minimum water quality requirements for treated effluent are set forth in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pernuts, issued by the IEPA. The Central Plant historically has operated in compliance wit the respective permits. Assistant Director Marcinko explained the Central Plant's NPDES Permit expired in September 2000 and the (;ity filed an application with the IEPA for permit renewal prior to its expiration. The Central Plant Permit was renewed in September 2001 with an expiration date of August 2006. The IEPA's newly-issued permit has additional ammonia nitrogen requirements the Central Plant is required to meet. With some minor adjustments to the Plant, compliance has been met since Apri12001. The earlier acceptable limits of daily ammonia were 12.4 mg/L in the summer and 24.9 mg/L in `-- winter. The new permit limits are 3.0 mg/L in summer and 8.0 mg/L in winter. Currently the Plant is meeting the new ammonia requirements while operating at 70% capacity during dry weather events. It is unknown, at this time, if requirements can be maintained while operating at Page 3 Public Works Committee 2/18/02 � 100% capacity. Assistant Director Marcinko opined in the event of significant storm events, there is the potential for violation with the IEPA. Assistant Director Marcinko noted Baxter and Woodman continues to work with the IEPA to develop a permanent plan. Mr. Robert Benson of Baxter & Woodman summarized the Facility Planning Report submitted to the City in 2001, which suggests the most cost effective design. Mr. Benson opined while new technology is less costly, he advised it has not been approved by the IEPA. He stated the difference between the IEPA standard operation and an alternative approach is approximately $1.5 million. A discussion ensued regarding the circumstances which might cause the system to go into violation of IEPA standards. Discussion of South Wastewater Treatment Plant Assistant Directar Marcinko reported the City's South Wastewater Treatment Plant has a capacity to treat an average daily flow of 1.0 MGD. The Plant is currently operating at 80%. Historically, the Plant has operated in compliance with the NPDES Permit. Critical review status for the IEPA is 80%, a warning we are approaching capacity. When the Plant reaches capacity the IEPA will no long issue construction permits. The South Wastewater Plant expansion was originally scheduled to take place in 2004/2005. Due to rapid growth along the City's south side the expansion has been moved ahead to 2002/2003 for engineering, and 2003/2004 for construction. The expansion will take the Plant from 1.0 MGI)to 1.5 MGD. The ne� expansion would be from 1.5 MGD to 3.0 MGD based on � operating equipment and design criteria required by the IEPA. Discussion ensued regarding the ramifications of restricted status. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Glab, to recommend to Council moving the engineering for expansion of the South Wastewater Treatment Plant to the 2002/2003 budget, with construction of the South Wastewater Treatment Plant to begin in fiscal year 2003/2004. All ayes. Motion ca.rried. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, . � � � William J. Bolger, hairman ti..-