Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/21/1998 - Public Works Committee � Cit of McHenry y ���. � � v ;��: 333 South Green Street McHenry,Illinois 60050-5495 � - �,�, ,; .-� - ��; -� PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1998 7:00 P.M. Clerk's Office and McHenry Municipal Center Administration (815) 363-2100 Aldermen's Conference Room Fax(815)363-2119 Public Works, Building and Zoning (815) 363-2170 A G E N D A Fax(815)363-2173 Pazks and Recreation (815) 363-2160 Fax(815)363-2173 � , Irish Prairie Roads Police (Non-Emergency) 2, Millstream Sidewalk/Pyndale Street Light �363-2200 �„015)363-2149 3. Paving Program Mayor Steven J.Cuda 4. McCullom Lake Road Speed Study City Clerk PamelaJ.Althoff 5, Report on One-Hour Traffic Counts: 'h�easurer A. Crystal Lake Road/Royal Drive DavidM.Welter B. Crystal Lake Road/Kensington Drive Aldermen C. Oakwood Drive/Kensington Drive D. Royal Drive/Oakwood Drive WARDI William J.Bolger � 6. Discuss Fee for Special Movement Permits WARD 2 ' Andrew A.Glab 7. Any and All Matters Which May Properly Come Before t e WARD 3 Committee Frank S.McClatchey � WARD 4 Steven C.Murgatroyd ;;;`�'�^-' C�-�{/! WARD 5 � William V.Baird , � � ' Pamela J. Althoff City Clerk � Posted and Mailed: July 17, 1998 fjm � PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MINUTES July 21, 1998 MembE�rs Present : Chairman Alderman Bolger, Alderman Baird, Alderman Glab Other�s Present : City Clerk Althoff, City Administrator Lobaito, Director of Public Works Batt, Alderman McClatchey arrived at 7 :20 p.m. Residents : Curtis Riper 4405 Shamrock Margaret Gewecke 4316 Shamrock Mary Rossi 4305 Shamrock Public Wor-ks Committee Chairman Alderman Bolger called the meeting tc� order at 7 : 05 p.m. He noted this meeting' s agenda included several items . He noted the first agenda item, the request by John and Brian Cunat to dedicate the Shamrock Lane circle drive to the City of McHenry be postponed. John and Brian Cunat had been invited to attend this evening' s meeting and were not yet in attendance . The Committee concurred. MILLSTREAM SIDEWALK/PYNDALE STREET LIGHT REQUESTS � Director of Public Works Batt explained how numerous residential requests for public improvements can cause staffing and funding dilemmas �or council . He cited Lakeland Park drainage improvemeiits and sidewalk installations as two such requests . He noted addytional improvement requests are currently being considered by council, including Millstream sidewalk installat�on, the Pyndale streetlight installation, the paving of Northside Avenue, and McHenry Shores streetlight installations . He requested the committee consider establishing a policy and/or procedure to handle these types of improvement requests . Some discussion followed. In response to Alderman Bolger' s inquiry, Director Batt explained the scope of the Millstream sidewalk installation. He stated the sidewalk would be extended from the bridge south to Route 120 . The sidewalk' s installation is further complicated by drainage issues . The demand for sidewalks in this area has increased as younger families, with small children, desire pedestrian access to Freund Park. Alderman Bolger noted he had received similar sidewalk installation requests for Maple Avenue . Director Batt suggested council and staff differentiate between maintenance requests and improvement requests . Many improvement requests should be conducted as Special Assessment or Special , � Service p:rojects . A lengthy discussion ensued. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 �, Page Two In response to Alderman Bolger' s inquiry Director Batt stated federal monies are available for many of these improvement projects, however the payback mechanism is slow and onerous . In addition nany times the funding amount is small . Alderman Clab opined the Millstream sidewalk installation and the Pyndale street light installation are two different issues . The Millstrearr sidewalk installation is distinctly an improvement whereas the Pyndale street light installation is the correction of a subdivision development error. Some discussion followed. In response to inquiry Director Batt reported the street light installation cost is approximately $2395 . Commonwealth Edison completes all work except for the landscape restoration. Alderman Baird opined there would be a significant decrease in improvement projects if left to the approval, for a special assessment or service area, by the affected property owner. He opined further it was the responsibility of the elected council to allocate tax dollar monies for these types of improvement projects and not require additional tax dollars and/or monies from property owners . He stated taxpayers today expect government to do more with less . Director Batt stated the question in consideration is whether the affected property owners `' should benefit at the expense of all city property owners . Alderman McClatchey arrived at 7 :20 p.m. City Administrator Lobaito suggested the committee consider addressing such requests twice a year in committee . Some discussion followed. IRISH PRAIRIE/CUNAT REQUEST Director of Public Works Batt informed the committee City Administrator Lobaito received a letter from John Cunat, back in November of 1997, requesting the City of McHenry accept the Shamrock Lane private road as well as the water/sewer utility improvements . It was noted, although invited, neither John or Brian Cunat was in attendance . Director Batt stated it was never the City of McHenry' s intent to accept the private street, however obtaining the utilities would be desirable. Some discussion followed. Director Batt noted the current private road was not built to subdivision specifications, specifically the roadway' s width. It is believed the road' s width was reduced to discourage street parking. Director Batt suggested as the reduced width was a benefit to the developer some monetary concession for the City of � McHenry be considered. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 � Page Three In response to committee inquiry Director Batt stated the utilities are sized correctly. Staff supports the acceptance of the water/sewer utilities noting the utilities should be under the management and maintenance of the City of McHenry for practical considerations . Alderman Bolger suggested the utilities be accepted along with a substantial monetary donation to be used toward the installation of a traffic signal at the Shamrock Lane and U.S . Route 31 intersection. Additional requirements would include the removal of the gate house and a full inspection of the utilities . All repairs would be at the expense of the Cunats and completed prior to the conveyance to the City. Some discussion followed regarding the Cunat contribution amount . The committee alluded to a six figure amount . Alderman Baird expressed reservations regarding the private road acceptance . He noted the road was currently in a state of disrepair and the city would incur on-going maintenance costs . Alderman Glab expressed interest in obtaining comments and opinions from the Irish Prairie Homeowners as well as other area property owners regarding the City of McHenry' s possible acceptance of these utilities and the private street . Some concerns were expressed by the residents in attendance altho they `- expressed overall support for the City' s acceptance of the street and utilities . The committee discussed on-going street maintenance costs for the Shamrock Lane private street . Alderman Glab state3 he would not support the maintenance of a street which served only a specified number of property owners . Alderman Baird concurred noting the acceptance of this private street would set a precedent . He reminded the committee of the numerous requests received to accept other private streets and the conscience decision of council to prohibit any new private roadway development . It was the consensus of council to obtain more information from John and Brian Cunat before making a recommendation to council regarding this issue . Staff was directed to invite, in writing, John and Brian Cunat to the next Public Works Committee Meeting. The committee will review this item again at that time . Shamrock Lane resident, Mary Rossi, addressed the committee thanking them for their consideration of accepting the water/sewer utilities and private street as well as urging them to reevaluate the Bull Valley Road egress option from Irish Prairie . � Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 � Page Four PYNDALE STREETLIGHT INSTALLATION Alderman Bolger supported Alderman Glab' s request for the installation of a streetlight on Pyndale in the 4900 block. Alderman Glab stated all the residents in this area supported the installation. Alderman Baird expressed concerns correcting a single issue which affected such a small segment of the city' s population. In response to Alderman Bolger' s inquiry, staff stated the installation was not covered under Motor Fuel Tax revenues . Alderman Baird supported City Administrator Lobaito' s recommendation to review these types of requests twice a year at the committee level . He noted council could better evaluate which projects to approve and review the total cost of these improvement requests annually. Alderman Glab again stated the installation of a streetlight on Pyndale was the correction of a subdivision control ordinance violation by a developer. A lengthy discussion followed. It was the consensus of the committee to permit Alderman Baird an opportunity to view the area and address the resolution of this � issue at the next scheduled Public Works Committee Meeting. Alderman McClatchey requested the committee address the Millstream sidewalk installation request . Director Batt stated again the issue was complicated because of drainage problems as well as consideration of Millstream Avenue within the proposed street pro�ram. In response to committee inquiry Director Batt noted Millstream Avenue improvements, as part of an FAU Route, qualify for federal monies . Some discussion followed regarding funding and the lack of budgeted monies for this specific project . Alderman McClatchey suggested the installation of sidewalks along only one side of Millstream. Staff stated drainage was yet an issue . Further discussion followed. Director Batt suggested approving an expenditure for preliminary engineering. An estimated project cost could be provided and included in the 1999-2000 budget . Director Batt also noted he would be investigating the Village of Mount Prospect' s streets management program including a visit to the Village the week of July 27th. Information obtained will subsequently be provided council . Alderman McClatchey stated the installation of sidewalks on Millstream was more a safety issue and the budget reflects approximately $25, 000 to resolve this request . City � Administrator Lobaito stated if council ultimately approved this Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 L- Page Five sidewalk installation project, additional areas needing sidewalks should be considered. Bids could then be sought for a total project cost not to exceed the budgeted $25, 000 . Alderman Glab stated his opposition to installing the Millstream sidewalks at grade. He opined if approved the project should be completed correctly including any needed drainage corrections . He also recommended increasing the streets program by the $25, 000 allocated for sidewalks . City Administrator Lobaito suggested staff obtain grades for the designated Millstream sidewalk installation area. Determination can then be made as to proceed with the installation. If it is the recommendation of the committee and subsequently full council to proceed with the Millstream sidewalk installation other sidewalk installations totalling $25, 000 should be considered. A complete bid packet could then be developed and bids sought . The committee concurred with City Administrator Lobaito' s suggestion. Staff was directed to obtain information regarding the draina��e issue on Millstream and other sidewalk installation areas subm.itting recommendations to the committee at the next public works committee meeting. `' Further discussion ensued regarding the development of an acceptable procedure to handle these types of improvement requests . It was the consensus of the committee to direct City Administrat=or Lobaito to develop a policy, including criteria, requiring t:he appropriate committee (s) to review, twice a calendar yE�ar, individual public improvement requests . Any request wh�ch encompasses a safety issue or might be considered a special assessment/special services area can be addressed, at any time, as a regularly scheduled council meeting agenda item. PAVING PROGRAM Director of Public Works Batt reported staff, in the process of preparing bid documents for the paving of Northside Avenue, Riverside Drive and the Municipal Building parking lot calculated a new estimated project cost of $103 , 000 which is $3 , 000 above the 1998-99 budget amount . Staff discovered the need to maintain an appropriate height of exposed curb in the Municipal Building' s parking lot which required the inclusion of pavement milling in the bid specifications . This milling inclusion increased the Municipal Building' s paving project cost from $50, 000 to $65, 000 . Director Batt noted however, the estimated project cost for Riverside Drive and Northside Avenue was approximately $12 , 000 less than reflected in the 1998-99 budget . With a 3a increase over budget staff supports a committee recommendation to proceed � with advertising for bids. Some discussion followed regarding Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 � Page Six the possibility of obtaining a better bid amount if bids were to be sought in February. Staff recommended going forward noting if council determined the bids were too high, the project could be rebid in February. It was the consensus of committee to recommend to full council this project, the paving of the Municipal Building lot, Riverside Drive and Northside Avenue be advertised for bid. Alderman Glab inquired as to the need to provide an alternative ingress and egress to the Municipal Building during the Green Street Phase III construction and the parking lot' s repaving. City Administrator noted the terms of the Green Street Phase III project in�luded a provision requiring one lane on Green Street be kept op�n at all times . Further discussion followed with no formal action taken. City Administrator Lobaito stated his intent to keep council appraised of this situation. McCULLOM LAKE ROAD SPEED STUDY Director B�tt reminded the committee council, at their regularly scheduled ��ctober 30, 1996 meeting, had directed staff to conduct a speed st�.zdy on McCullom Lake Road after the Olde Mill Ponds subdivisio� was substantially under construction. Staff is `' seeking committee recommendation as to proceed with the second study in a;� effort to reduce the currently posted 45mph limit . Alderman B��lger stated his support for a reduction in the speed limit on M��Cullom Lake Road to 35mph. Aldermen Glab and Baird stated the:ir opposition to any speed limit reductions unless warranted. Some discussion followed. It was the direction of the committee to proceed with the speed study for this area. Alderman Bolger also noted no speed limit signs were posted on the north side of Bull Valley Road. Staff was directed to contact the McHenry County Highway Department and request correction of this matter. In addition staff was asked to inquiry into the feasibility of a speed limit reduction on Bull Valley Road between Crystal Lake Road and Route 31 . TRAFFIC COUNT SURVEY Director Batt reminded the committee staff, at the regularly scheduled June 3, 1998 council meeting had been directed to conduct traffic studies at the following intersections : -Oakwood and Kensington -Oakwood and Royal Drive -Crystal Lake Avenue and Royal Drive Director Batt reported only the Crystal Lake Avenue and Royal � Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 `.. Page Seven Drive intersection warrant a traffic signal . Director Batt stated this intersection may warrant a traffic light and recommended further study. He also stated the Oakwood and Kensington intersection may reach levels requiring additional controls, however currently this intersection does not meet warrants . A proposal from Smith Engineering for the development of a traffic light at the Crystal Lake road and Royal Drive intersection has been requested. The proposal which includes the construction of the signal is $46, 000 . Director Batt suggested the committee recommend to full council the performance of a warrant analysis for this intersection at a cost not to exceed $3 , 175 . If warrants are met monies, approximately $25, 000 could be included in the 1999-2000 budget for design work. In addition Smith Engineering should be considered and designated, if appropriate, Engineering Project Consultants . Some discussion followed regarding the Lillian Street and Crystal Lake Road intersection traffic signal . In response to committee inquiry, Alderman Bolger could not recall the events leading to this traffic signal' s installation. Director Batt stated this traffic signal, the proposed signals at Dartmoor and Crystal Lake Road � and the Royal Drive and Crystal Lake Road intersections would be linked togsther if and when installed. It was the consensus of the committee to recommend to full council the performance, by Smith Engineering, of a warrant analysis for the intersection of Crystal Lake Road and Royal Drive at a cost not to exceed $3 , 175 . Alderman Glab suggested this matter be brought back for full council consideration after the completion of the Comprehensive Plan update . SPECIAL MOVEMENT PERMITS Director Batt informed council the Public Works Department periodically during the construction season, receives requests for special movement permits . A special movement permit is required when a vehicle exceeds height, length or weight restrictions imposed by the State of Illinois . Currently these vehicles may traverse City Streets without a special movement permit and no fee is assessed if a permit is issued. Director Batt estimated 990 of the permit requests are handled via fax. Therefore, it is the recommendation of staff to assess an annual permit fee for all vehicles, by company, in the following manner: $50 . 00 vehicles 108, 000 lbs and under $100 . 00 vehicles 108, 001 lbs to 165, 000 lbs For vehicles in excess of 165, 000 lbs an individual permit per vehicle of $50 . 00 shall be required. � Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 1998 L, Page Eight Director Batt noted both McHenry County and the State of Illinois charge fees for the issuance of a special movement permit . Some discussion followed. It was the consensus of the committee to approve tre development of a process and fee structure to require Special Mcvement Permits within the corporate limits of the City of McHenry . Staff was directed to develop the process, criteria and appropriate fee structure for further committee review. ANY AND ALL MATTERS Alderman Bolger expressed concerns with regard to the continuing erosion along the creek between Ann and Grove Streets . He requested staff investigate the matter and advise a remedy if possible . Director Batt noted this area is private property and permission will need to be obtained for access . City Administrator Lobaito stated City Inspector Marcinko and NIPC representative Kirschner would be asked to investigate the matter more thoroughly. Alderman Glab expressed concerns with regard to the paths of Whispering Oaks stating these pathways have not been maintained since their installation. He requested permission to present a short video of this area for committee review. Some discussion � followed regarding the advisability of maintaining all the pathways or abandoning those less traveled. Staff was directed to obtain cost estimates for the repair of these pathways . In addition the committee requested staff develop a long-term maintenance plan for these pathways . Alderman Bolger suggested repairing and/or resurfacing two paths each year. Further discussion occurred regarding the overall beautification of the City of McHenry, specifically the City parks . Motion by Glab, seconded by Baird to adjourn at 9 :40 p.m. Voting Aye : Bolger, Baird, Glab Voting Nay: None Absent : None Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9 :40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, William J. Bol r, Chai an �