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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 10/12/2001 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, September 12, 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 Marcinko, Transportation Engineer Scott Smith and City Clerk Jones. Mayor Althoff arrived at 7:45 p.m. Members of the Community in attendance: Bill Houck 4307 Ponca Street The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman Bolger at 7:03 p.m. Caution Light on Route 31 Chairman Bolger reported at the July 30, 2001 Public Works Committee Meeting, a request was received from Tom Bolger regarding the installation of a caution light on Route 31 at the intersection of'Washington Street or Broad Street. Mr. Bolger noted cars from the north do not slow down until they near the light on Pearl Street. There are safety concerns regarding school children and people crossing the highway at these two locations. Noting Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) would participate in resolution of the issue, the Committee referred the matter to Staff for review. Assistant Director of Public Works Marcinko reported correspondence was received from IDOT concerning installation of a caution light on Route 31 in advance of Pearl Street. The letter indicates IDOT field-checked the location and reviewed the accident history. IDOT has � determined a flashing beacon is not warranted at the location. While the area falls within a high accident segment, the majority of accidents occurring are not of the type attributed to inadequate intersection warning. Cooney Heights Drainage Director of Public Works Batt stated the issue before the Committee this evening is a proposal from Ba�cter 8i Woadman to conduct a drainage study of the southeast portion of Cooney Heights. Director Batt noted Baxter & Woodman proposes analyzing the drainage area to determine how the neighborhood drainage system works and to develop improvement alternatives. The cost of the analysis is an amount not to exceed $16,000. The scope of services include: • Collection of topographic information, including field surveys as required. • Estimate storm water runoff in the sub-drainage areas and evaluate conveyance and storage of the runoff within the tributary areas during different storm events, including the 100-year storm. • Review the existing conveyance system to determine the capabilities of the existing system to handle current and future flows and to evalua.te various alternatives to improve conveyance. � Review site requirements and property availabitity for providing storage of runoff, detention, for the various rainfall events considered. • Meetings with Staff to review proposed improvement alternatives and their associated � cost estimates. • Preparation of a report, including exhibits, outlining the fmdings, conclusions and recommendations. Page 2 Public Works Committee 9/12/O1 `' • Assistance with the presentation of alternatives and estimated costs to residents, including research of funding options. Chairman Bolger opined the study is eligible for Motor Fuel Tax Funding. He recommends pursuit of this option. Chairman Alderman Bolger recognized Bill Houck, a resident of 4307 Ponca Street. Mr. Houck addressed the Committee stating he continues to suffer flood damage at his residence. Over time neighbors have filled in the swales and inserted pipe to improve their property drainage. Since his residence sits at a low point in the subdivision, his property retains subdivision surface water until it drains off. Mr. Houck requested the City crown the road and correct drainage in the subdivision. He noted he would like curbs and gutters installed in Cooney Heights Director Batt noted a Special Service Area has been discussed with Mr. Houck in the amount of approximately $14,000 payable over a period of fifteen or twenty years. Mr. Houck acknowledged this amount could be a burden to some of the residents in the subdivision. Noting a Special Service Area takes some time to establish, Chairman Bolger stated he would like to see the project started by spring 2002. He suggested the drainage problem be resolved immediately, and the Special Service Area be addressed at a later date. Director Batt noted the proposed Baxter & Woodman study is not included in the Capital Improvement Program. � Alderman Glab opined the City should determine the proper drainage configuration in the Cooney Heights Subdivision. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimtner, to recommend Council approve a Cooney Heights Drainage Study by Baxter & Woodman in an amount not to exceed $16,000. All ayes. Motion carried. Vacation of Right of Way on Oakwood Drive Between Chesterfield and Kensington Chairman Bolger noted there are potentially fifty-eight rights-of-way which could be vacated by the City. He has not looked at any of them and expressed discomfort voting on an issue about which he had no knowledge. Alderman Glab stated Oakwood Drive at the point in question was originally intended to cross the creek to access a proposed golf course. Alderman Glab opined vacating the right of way is appropriate, however, the City should retain an easement for a pedestrian walkway. He noted it was City Administrator Lobaito's opinion the right-of-way not be vacated. It was the consensus of the Committee to review the list of potential rights-of-ways for vacation at a later date. � Larkin Lane At the July 30, 2001 Public Works Committee Meeting Chairman Bolger requested Staff investigate the cost to lower the sidewalk at the southeast corner of Green Street and Larkin Page 3 Public Works Committee 9/12/O1 `- Lane. The cost would include engineering analysis as well as completion of the work. Chairman Bolger suggested StafF do the work required in an effort to reduce the overall cost of the project. Staff opined the Street Division does not currently have the time or the proper equipment for such a project. City Administrator Lobaito suggested the Committee define the parameters of the project, which could then be submitted for quotes from different contractors. Alderman Bolger concurred but insisted Staffoversee the project. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to direct Staff to determine a less e�ensive alternative to lower the sidewalk at the southeast corner of Green Street and Larkin Lane to improve sight visibility. All Ayes. Motion carried. Assistant Director Marcinko reported an estimate was received from Thelen Sand and Gravel for removal of the sidewalk and earth excavation on the south side of Larkin Lane along Green Street, in the amount of$5,750. Assistant Director Marcinko noted this amount does not include landscaping, topsoil re-spread, seeding, or sodding. Assistant Director Marcinko further advised if this project is approved, Streets Superintendent Rich Stull could begin installing the landscaping and the new sidewalk the week of September 24, 2001. Discussion ensued. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to recommend to the City Council the Thelen Sand & � Gravel proposal, in the amount of$5,750, for improvements on Larkin Lane, be approved All ayes. Motion carried. 2002 Street Program Assistant Director Marcinko reported it is Staff's recommendation to consolidate the 2002 and 2003 Street Programs into one $1.6 million dollar program. The City's Traffic Engineer, Smith Engineering, proposes providing the City with two separate engineering agreements for the project: ■ A preliminary contract encompassing the research and field investigation necessary to determine the scope of construction to be performed on each street. � A final contract based upon the results of the preliminary investigation. Discussion ensued. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Glab, to recommend to City Council the Smith Engineering Proposal in an amount not to exceed $12,991, for the research and field investigation necessary to determine the scope of the 2002-2003 Street Program construction, and that consideration be given to combining the 2002-2003 be approved. All ayes. Motion carried. Allen Avenue Traffic Problem Chairman Bolger reported he received a request by an Allen Avenue resident to prohibit left- hand turns from John Street onto Allen Avenue. Chairman Bolger opined these calls were generated due to concerns about speeding traffic and parking congestion on Allen Avenue. � Staff suggested the speeding and congestion was attributable to East Campus construction. Chairman Bolger suggested the installation of a"No Left Turn" sign between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on school days, from John Street to Allen Avenue, with intermittent enforcement. Discussion ensued. Page 4 Public Works Committee 9/12/O1 �. Motion by Wimmer, seconded by Glab, to recommend to the City Council that a sign be installed at the John Street East Campus exit, indicating no left turn on John Street on school days during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. Other Business Mayor Althoff stated she received a request from a West Campus representative for limiting pazking on Oakwood Avenue. It was the consensus of the Committee to defer consideration of this matter to a future committee meeting. City Administrator Lobaito stated Alderman Murgatroyd requested pazking on Dartmoor Drive and Huntington Drive, in front of Fox Ridge Park, be addressed. Cars are parking on both sides of Dartmoor Drive, causing traffic congestion. Chairman Alderman Bolger suggested the matter be addressed at a future meeting of the Public Works Committee. Motion by Glab, seconded by Wimmer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. All Ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, , r William J. Bolger, hairman � `�..