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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - 2/26/1997 - Public Works Committee SUMMARY � PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING February 26, 1997 Chairman Bolger called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM with the following in attendance: Alderman Baird, Alderman Locke, Mayor Cuda, Fred Batt. Alderman Bates arrived at 7:35 PM and Alderman Lawson arrived at 7:40 PM. Stop Si�n at Center and John Alderman Bolger received a letter from a resident requesting a 4-way stop sign at the intersection of John and Center Street. There is no speed limit sign from Route 31 down to the Country Club. Alderman Baird would not object to a stop sign. The Committee recommended to the Council that a 4-way stop sign be placed at Center and John. Pleasure Drive Status The City is only allowed two streets with a pleasure drive status. The request is for Orleans and Riverside Drive. Bull Valley Road and Lillian Street are also problems. There are petitions submitted that were signed by two-thirds of the residents with regard to Orleans and Riverside Drive. Alderman Bates asked whether a petition was submitted for Oak Drive. According to `— Mayor Cuda no petition was received for Oak Drive. Alderman B�ites asked the residents if the issue is public driveway status or noise and welfare? The residents advised that the real issue is the safety factor and quality of life. Bates is hesitant about namin�; either Riverside or Orleans as a pleasure drive because once its done we lose that ability. In the future if we wanted to create a riverwalk the opportunity would be lost. If, in the staf�s opinion, the only way we can reduce the traffic on these streets is a public driveway, then Alderman Bates said he would favor that. Discussion centered on enforcement of the speed limits. The residents want some commitment as to what kind of enforcement they can expect. There is an Ordinance restricting trucks on Riverside between Broad and Washington, but nothing on Orleans. Alderman Bates suggested that if making these two streets public driveways is the only way to ensure safety and the qualify of life for these residents, then he feels the Committee should make that recommendation to the Council. Alderman Bolger stated that the key is enforcement. Perhaps there should be a 60 day warning period advising that trucks will be prohibited. Speed limits are posted. There was a request to the township to reduce the speed in the 1600, 1700 and 1800 block of Riverside Drive in compliance with the City speed limit of 25 mph. There should be a designation allowing garbage trucks and local deliveries access to the area. The residents are opposed the huge semi trucks on Riverside Drive. L Alderman B�iird asked Batt if without the designation of pleasure drive, what else can the Council do to restrict trucks and reduce speeds. Batt responded that he was not sure you can legally do �' that for more than 90 days. McArdle's research on the subject indicated that pleasure drive status is the way to do it. If you want to restrict truck traffic to a B plate, this is the way to do it. You can restrict seasonally, by weight truck traffic on any street in McHenry. The pleasure drive designation seems to be the only way to do it permanently. Mayor Cuda advised that Attorney McArdle stated that you could probably post no trucks, but it is a gray area. To be sure the mechanism is the public driveway designation which regulates speed and stop signs. Batt advised that pleasure/public drive status is enforceable. The 25 speed limit probably is not enforceable because there has never been a traffic study performed on Riverside Drive. Alderman Locke stated that we could physically restrict the size of the street. If we made it more narrow it wc�uld restrict some truck traffic. A bike path along the side of the road would also restrict truck traffic. Locke asked Batt if from a legal standpoint can the road can be made smaller? Batt responded, "yes". This was considered on Orleans. Mayor Cuda stated there seems to be some reluctance on the part of the Council to take drastic action to designate two roads as pleasure drives. Maybe an alternative would be to place a time limit of about a year to see if this makes the streets safer. Then after a year if this is working, then make it permanent or come up with a different alternative. Alderman Bates feels enforcement is the key to making any change successful. Alderman Lawson feels that a one year trial would give some relief to the residents and will allow time to see if this does work. Alderman Baird feels this is a good option. However, it must be stressed to the Police that we need strict enforcement. � Motion by Baird, seconded by Bates to recommend to the Council that Riverside Drivc and Orleans be designated as pleasure drives for the period of one year. On a voice vote, all ayes. Mayor Cud� advised the residents who attended the meeting that they will be notified of the Council meE�ting that addresses the pleasure drive issue. The residents asked the Mayor if the area can be �;iven special attention until the Ordinance is passed. Discussion continued as to what types of restrictions can be instituted for pleasure drives. Chairman Bolger advised that any suggestions the residents may have should be put in writing to Fred Batt for consideration. Green Valley Stop Si�ns All the streets that intersect with Ronda beginning with Fairway, Skyway, Lorient, Bretons, Turnberry a�id Katie Lane have no stop signs. Chairman Bolger asked Fred Batt and Chief Joyce to review the subdivision with respect to stop signs. Alderman Baird stated that after a new subdivision is completed there should be a policy where these kinds of traffic issues be addressed. Stop signs can be looked at when we are reviewing the subdivision. Alderman Baird also recommending a sign advising Slow - Hill on Turnberry and Ronda, and then a stop sign. � Street Li�hting �— A resident uf Whispering Oaks suggested that high pressure sodium lights be installed in Whispering Oaks. Commonwealth Edison advised that if the lights are 15 years or older the City would not be charged for the installation. Alderman Baird feels that the lights in Winding Creek are adequate. With regard to Whispering Oaks, perhaps a section at a time could be completed. Andy Glab suggested that we should ask all the residents how they feel about the lighting, not just listen to one resident, but take a poll. Batt stated that Lakeland Park and Whispering Oaks could be looked at. Alderman Locke feels this request should be given more consideration. Alderman Lawson sees no problem with the light in his neighborhood. Alderman Bolger stated that we should look into the lighting. Batt suggested that perhaps we could have a policy to change the lights after 15 years. Alderman Baird agrees that this needs mare discussion, but we do need public input perhaps with a questionnaire. 1997 Street Pro�ram Discussion began about what streets should be considered in the program. Batt advised that a program was put taking into consideration the information brought up previously at the Public Works Committee Meetings. Originally we budgeted $481,000 and was increased to $507,000. Beach Street is included in the program and has been approved by IDOT. After bids have been taken we can make changes; i.e., John Street. � Motion by Baird, seconded by Bates, recommended to the City Council to approve the Street Program as presented and consider John Street as an alternative in the unit bid price. On a voice vote, all ayes. Alderman Baird suggested that someone look at the concrete work done recently in Winding Creek. Batt stated that he would like more control over the contractor. This unfortunately would cost more money, but the quality of work would improve. We could make it a MFT program. Alderman Bolger asked if Meadow Lane (near the Library) could be worked on. Also, we might look into changing the name of the street. Parking on Driftwood Trail Alderman Lawson asked that no parking be implemented on Driftwood Trail during school hours. There are concerns about the congestion as well as the safety of the children and buses. Motion to adjourn by Bates, seconded by Baird. On a voice vote, all ayes. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM. '�.- � , . �t.tk3l I G �O le 4C S � MEETING OF a��'9� he City Council schedules up to ten minutes at the beginning of each meeting for publ c s ents. The purpose of this segment of the meeting is to allow City residents an o unity to address the Council on \.. matters of local interest. For the benefit of ot , ease keep your comments brief and specific. r--- This segment is not intended to ed for promotional purposes or to engage the (:ouncil members in debate or dia o Residents who desire to contact their elected officials are encouraged to do so e of the meeting format. Responses to statements and co if required, will typically be addressed as an agenda item at a future meeting. PLEASE PRIflT ftAME AND ADDRESS ;`•, • �l � ' `�`� S� N� / "�"�� CP�V1�I,l G'�- NAME � � /� J (� � ` ADDRES�C^ � c/ �� /C [f/C�I�c�� `� ADDRESS ` "� � � 1�. � �(,��L�-�C� �� TOPIC !/C�� e�-�'°L �� "�'' �ve / ✓�c. TOPIC rrar� �f�� 1�-� P� �s i ►��lL Nar� .��u> ,�C:,,va� `' ADDRESS � � ' �V �� 1�� S��' '� �'2— ADDRESS l��a � �,��r/�.cnp. ,�/� TOPIC �i�Ls��s ��_J�/� ��yf��. ��U:�cl'fs TOPIC %,P,��t�c NAI'� � i vi�� C �'T�/ �� NAME 1.3�J�'c ,,��_.A2 t,� ADDRESS ��',.� �/�i �'i�Si ��- ADDRESS /Sv� �,/. ,�i.v�>-�s,v� �� _ � .... TOPIC ��1%�/� �- TOPIC T F�ic c�.✓.eiufes�o£ :a�? � NAME �� _T�T NAME ��`-� � �� ADDRESS ��o/� %�/• / )lL/��i��C_ ADDRESS �/��-�v"�-�i TOPIC �� (� �C TOPIC �Lc,��.��u.�l✓ cKa��;�.w.T��-�' -� � �� . �- �� C� . l� � - NAME /l � � N ADDRESS /CG � !��2S /�'�i" , ADDRESS I � � /�� / �l' Y'Er'`�i��C .L�/'` � �� , TOPIC ,��/ �T / C� _ TOPIC ��:�-�� `' NAME ' c ) NAN�: �...-,.��LJ ��Lt� ADDRESS j� � '� /� ��• ADDRESS � �SO � ��"I�C_.Le-*�� TOPIC C�C�-�'�-�-� ��-'�-� TOPIC L//"(��i� S� . ^�/l�i�� /. � COUNCIL MEETING OF The City Council schedules up to ten minutes at the beginning of each meeting for public statements and comments. The purpose of this segment of the meeting is to allow City residents an opportunity to address the Council on d— matters of local interest. For the benefit of others, please keep your comments brief and specific. This segment is not intended to be used for promotional purposes or to engage the Council members in debate or dialogue. Residents who desire to contact their elected officials are encouraged to do so outside of the meeting format. Responses to statements and comments, if required, will typically be addressed as an agenda item at a future meeting. PLEASE PRIPT NAML AND ADDRESS � NANIE ��'� � �I'�aG� NAI� ��w� C,�Z�Z_ ADDRESS �`�( � OkS�C�� 5 ADDRESS l�C�� N o . C�Y�I.�G�-5 � TOPIC d��-��5 TOPIC U��G�-� �►�CP'F . 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