HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/22/2001 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, October 22, 2001
Alderman's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
\.. In Attendance: Committee Members: Alderman Bolger, Alderman Wimmer, Alderman
Glab. Also in Attendance: City Administrator Lobaito, Director of Public Works Batt, Assistant
Director of Public Works Mazcinko and City Clerk Jones. Mayor Althoff arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Members of the Community in attendance:
Werner Ellmarv�, President Chesapeake Condo. Assoc.,5625 Chesapeake
Frank A. Serpico, Vice-President Chesapeake Condo. Assoc., 5608 Chesapeake
Donald J. Butle--, Vice-President Whispering Oaks Condo Assoc., 903 Wiltshire Drive, Unit 2
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman Bolger at 7:03 p.m.
Parking Restrictions—Oakwood Drive
Chairman Bolgt�r invited Alderman Glab to initiate discussion regarding the first Agenda Item,
Oakwood Drive. Alderman Glab reported he has received a number of letters from residents
regarding difficulty experienced due to students from West Campus parking on Oakwood Drive.
Due to the configuration of Oakwood Drive, particularly the curvature of the road, pazking on
both sides of Oakwood Drive is causing vehicular safety concerns. Alderman Glab is requesting
a prohibition on parking on both sides of Oakwood Drive between Royal Drive and the west
entrance to Wiltshire Drive, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, all year.
Mr. Butler, a resident at 903 Wiltshire Drive, Unit. 2, stated he believes the students parking on
�, Oakwood are sophomores, who have just received their driver's license or juniors and seniors
who choose not to purchase on-campus parking permits. Mr. Butler informed the Committee
there are 160 condominiums in the Whispering Oaks Condominium Association. Members of the
Association have inquired what action is being taken to alleviate the problem. Mr. Butler also
pointed out some students park their vehicles on Royal Drive, particularly in front of Alden
Terrace Nursing Home. He noted additional concerns of the residents include littering by the
persons utilizing Royal Drive and Oakwood Avenue for pazking and trespassing on private
property.
In response to Chairman Bolger's inquiry, Mr. Butler stated parking on Oakwood Drive causes
problems both during the school year and in the summer when baseball game attendees utilize
the roadway for parking. Trespassing and littering are concerns during the summer months, as
well.
City Administrator Lobaito opined the parking at West Campus was limited as defined by the
number of pazking spaces available, not as a restriction. The new construction will double the
size of the parking area and may alleviate part of the problem. Mr. Butler stated the problem has
been ongoing, prior to the construction process, for approatimately two years. Alderma.n Glab
advised there were 483 pazking spaces that were to be available on the South side of the building
while construction was being completed. With the 170 parking spaces on the North side, well
over 600 parking spaces are available for pazking on campus. Alderman Glab opined some
students are averse to paying $50 per year for on-campus parking permits.
`-' Director of Public Works Batt addressed the subject of winter parking regulations and suggested
banning parking entirely on Oakbrook Drive. Alderman Wimmer opined he does not see a valid
reason to restrict parking on Oakwood Drive between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. He believes 8:00
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�, a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on school days is more standard throughout the City and would like to see
pazking ordinances remain consistent throughout the City, or, alternatively, ban pazking entirely
on Oakwood Drive.
Mayor Althoff arrived at 7:15 p.m.
City Administrator Lobaito advised the East Campus parking restrictions are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. on school days. Chairman Bolger opined he would prefer parking in the vicinity of West
Campus remain consistent with East Campus.
Mr. Butler inq�:ired about the parking situation on Front Royal Drive between Oakwood Avenue
and Crystal Lake Road. Director of Public Works Batt advised Mr. Butler and the Committee
the street is under redesign. There will be a large landscaped island down the middle of the
street and parki ng between Front Royal Drive and Crystal Lake Road will be eliminated.
Chairman Bolg,�r suggested resolving the problem on Oakwood Avenue. Mr. Butler, on behalf
of the Whispering Oaks Condominium Association, expressed satisfaction with Alderman
Wimmer's sug�estion of restricting parking on Oakwood Drive from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on
school days.
Motion by Winuner, seconded by Bolger, to recommend to the City Council that parking on
Oakwood Drive be prohibited on both sides of the road, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on school
� days, from its intersection with Front Royal Drive to the west entry to Wiltshire Drive, with the
matter to be reviewed in the Summer of 2002. All ayes. Motion carried.
No Right Turn Onto Route 31 From Pearl Street
Chairman Bolger acknowledged there have been several complaints over the years from the
residents in the Millstream Subdivision regarding access from Maple Avenue and from Grand
Avenue onto northbound Illinois Route 31. The issue has been brought to the attention of the
Public Works Committee in the past, but no immediate remedy was satisfactory to the
Committee. Chairman Bolger iterated suggestions at past Public Works Committee meetings
have included:
• No right turn on red at Peazl Street onto Illinois Route 31;
• A three lane cross section at Maple Avenue and Route 31 and Grand Avenue and Route
31; and
• No left turn at Maple Avenue and Grand Avenue
It was discovered a three lane cross section would be very costly due to the removal of IDOT
curb and gutter to allow for proper width for turn lanes. A no left turn at Maple Avenue and
Grand Avenue would only satisfy the individuals travelling southbound on Route 31. There is
insufficient data to ascertain whether a no right turn on red at Pearl Street would actually solve
the problem. It was noted drivers may choose to use Broad Street andlor Washington Street to
turn right during the breaks in traffic. Chairman Bolger advised the issue has been a problem for
an e�ended period of time and opined the problem needs consideration. Often lately, due to
difficulty turning north from Pearl Street, tr�c is backed up on Pearl Street all the way to Green
�'' Street.
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\.- Alderman Glab stated the City should explore the possibility of another point of ingress/egress in
Millstream Subdivision. Director of Public Works Batt suggested a left turn lane onto Route 31
North might alleviate the situation somewhat. He agreed there is a problem and an enormous
amount of traffic, but believes most of the problem is caused by vehicles attempting a left hand
turn onto Rout� 31. Director Batt suggested hiring a traf�ic planner to conduct a study aimed at a
long-term solution to resolve the problem Alderman Low opined a tr�c study at this time
would not be c onclusive due to detoured tr�c caused by the current construction on Riverside
Drive. It was suggested waiting until tr�c patterns are back to normal prior to any traffic study
being conducted. Discussion ensued.
Director Batt suggested posting a non-ordinance sign, indicating no right turn on red at Pearl
Street in an effort to observe traffic patterns over a period of a week or two. Alderman Glab
stated he could not support the posting of signs without an ordinance. Director Batt advised the
posting of a sign is for a study of traffic patterns not for enforcement purposes.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Bolger, to recommend to Council to pass an ordinance
prohibiting right turns on red from Pearl Street onto Illinois Route 31 to be considered for formal
action in March of 2002. All ayes. Motion carried.
Street Dedication —Chesapeake Drive
Chairman Bolger advised the Chesapeake Hills Condominium Association (CHCA) has inquired
wha.t steps would be necessary to dedicate Chesa.peake Drive to the City of McHenry.
�
Director Batt stated when the subdivision was built the streets were not constructed according to
City ordinances. Several issues are not in compliance including:
• Curb is M3.12 instead of M6.12 with depressions for driveways;
• No sidewalks are installed in the subdivision;
• Street width is 25'-0". The Ordina.nce requires a width of 27'-0";
• Asphalt is 2 inches with 6 inches of stone base. The Ordinance requires 3 inches with 12
inches of stone base.
• Pavement cores need to be submitted for review;
• Some driveways have proper flares, others do not;
• Sidewalk at the entrance is not ADA approved;
• Curb and gutter inlets aze not constructed in accordance with Ordinance requirements;
• Sprinkler heads aze installed at the back of the curb;
� City files do not indicate the dedication of any utility easements.
Mr. Werner Ellmann, President of the CHCA and a resident of 5625 Chesapeake stated
the current residents should not be held responsible for the way the streets were originally laid
out and installed in the subdivision. The residents would like the streets to be dedicated to the
City. Mr. Ellmann opined the residents of the subdivision are entitled to City services due to
ta.aces paid to the City. Discussion ensued.
It was the consensus of the Committee to recommend to the Council the request of the CHCA to
�.,. dedicate Chesapeake Drive to the City of McHenry be denied. Chairman Bolger noted the
Committee's recommendation for denial bore no reflection on the individua.ls residing in the
subdivision or the quality of the development. Cha,irman Bolger invited the residents to
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�. approach the Committee in the future for further consideration. Mr. Ellmann agreed to
accumulate additiona.l information and present it at a later date.
Patriotic Banners
Chairman Bolger advised Mayor Althoff has requested the Public Works Committee
discuss the purchase of patriotic banners be included in the budget for the fiscal year 2002/2003.
A ba,nner would be placed on each pole throughout the downtown azeas and would be displayed
year round. The approximate cost of the banners would not exceed $7,900.
In respunse to Chauman Bolger's inquiry, Assistant Director of Public Works Marcinko
advised the patriotic banners could be ordered concurrently with the Christmas banners.
However, the patriotic banners would not be invoiced until May 1, 2002.
In response to Alderman Glab's inquiry it was noted past banners were purchased for
Riverside Drive only, by the merchants along Riverside Drive. It was the consensus of the
Committee they would like to see consistency throughout the business districts.
Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Bolger, to recommend to Council the approval of the
purchase of patriotic banners and inclusion of the purchase in the budget for the fiscal year
2002/2003, in an amount not to exceed $7,900. All ayes. Motion carried.
New Public Works Garage
� Director Batt advised $40,000 is being moved from 2004/2005 to 2002/2003, in
the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), for a site engineering study for the construction of a
Public Works Garage on the property located at Bull Valley Road and McHenry Avenue.
Director Batt noted formal Council approval is required to move forward with the engineering
study. Director Batt stated the approximate cost to build the new facility is $4.5 million. One
reason for the high cost of the facility is the installation of a fueling station. Discussion ensued
regarding the need for a new facility.
In response to Chairman Bolger's inquiry, Director Batt responded the present facility
could possibly be used by the Parks and Recreation Department. It was the consensus of the
Committee to discuss the construction of a new Public Works Garage further at the CIP meeting
scheduled for November 12, 2001.
Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
� ,� . �
William J. Bolger, hauman
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