HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/14/1994 - Public Works Committee PUBLIC WORKS CON�fITTEE MEETING
MINUTES: JULY 14, 1994
�. Members in Attendance: Chairman Bolger, Alderman Baird.
Others in Attendance: Alderman Lawson, Director of Public Works Batt,
City Administrator Peterson, Mayor Cuda, City Clerk Althoff, Attorney for
T.P. Mathews Thomas Nulle, IEPA staff: Ronald Lee Schallawitz, attorney;
Leonard Lindstrom, P.E./Elgin Regional Manager; Susan Konzelmann,
Paralegal; and Emmanuel Abad, Engineer, and McHenry Shores area residents.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bolger at 7:10 P.M. Staff
from tr�e Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Mr. Nulle were
introduc:ed. Alderman Bolger stated that the committee was not only
concerne�d with the McHenry Shores water quality, but also the lack of
water pressure, particularly in regards to fire protection. Alderman
Bolger also informed the residents that the City investigated the
possibi].ity of purchasing the company.
Alderman Baird thanked all the residents for attending the meeting. He
noted that there had been a history of non-compliance by the McHenry
Shores Water Company, however as it is a private water company, the City
of McHenry has no control over its operations. The regulatory bodies are
the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Commerce
Commission. Alderman Baird stated that the water quality must be brought
up to a better standard and that there might be several ways in which to
address the problem, Baird also urged the residents of McHenry Shores to
continue contacting and informing the regulatory bodies of the problems
they face with the McHenry Shores Water Company. Flyers with the
L- addresses and phone numbers of these agencies were distributed. Baird
also requested that interested residents form a committee for purposes of
information dissemination and to cohesively organize their actions.
The floor was opened for comments. Pat Guardyak addressed the Council.
He asked the residents for a show of hands to the following questions:
- How many had orange-colored water?
- How many had low pressure?
- How many have water that looks like milk?
- How many have water that smells?
A majority of the residents raised their hands to each of these
questions. Mr. Guardyak noted that those items were the residents'
concerns. Other residents present stated in addition to the above-sited
concerns, clothes by wash water and ma3or appliances (water heaters,
softeners, etc.) were damaged. Mr. Guardyak also requested the Council
not suggest another special assessment as a means to correct the
problem.
Questions then were asked about a possible moratorium on building. It
was stated that as McHenry Shores has been zoned for residential use, the
City does not have the power to refuse building permits to lot owners who
wish to develop their property. Ron Schallawitz, attorney for the IEPA,
stated that the IEPA could only restrict water main extentions, not
hook-ups, and at this time McHenry Shores Water Company was not extending
�' their mains. It was also noted that when no water was available, the
water company never posted a "Boil Water Order".
Public �orks Committee
July 14, 1994
Alderman Baird then reviewed and summarized the IEPA's evaluation reports
�- on McHenry Shores Water Company for the years 1990-1992 and 1994.
Several residents requested attorney Nulle to respond to their comments.
Attorney Nulle noted his sole function was to gather information and
report his findings back to the water company. He directed the residents
to put their questions in writing and forward them to the water company
and/or his office.
The residents then addressed questions to the IEPA. Leonard Lindstrom,
Regional Manager of the Elgin office, reminded the residents that it was
best tc follow-up all phone calls with letters that can become part of
the per�anent file. Letters can be sent to his attention at the Elgin
office.
City Administrator Peterson also noted that in the future, if the
residents experience a period of no water, they can contact the City and
the City will log the phone call, as well assist in posting a "Boil Water
Order". The City will then forward the information on to the IEPA.
Attorney Schallawitz from the IEPA then reviewed the procedure the IEPA
must follow before filing the case with the Attorney General's office.
He stated the IEPA is obligated to give the water company an opportunity
to meet with them and come into compliance.
Mayor Cuda then reminded all present that one of the preliminary steps
the City will attempt to discern is whether McHenry Shores Water Company
�'' has a valid franchise to provide water to the residents of McHenry
Shores. It also must be determined who owns the water mains that run in
front of the McHenry Shores residents' homes. Ctiy staff will research
all available historic data in an attempt to establish a definitive
answer to these issues.
This Committee will also seek Council approval to run parallel water
testings for a designated period of time.
Discussion followed regarding potential grant funding. City
Administrator Peterson noted that the City had applied for a CDAP grant
in 1992 and had been informed that the low income requirements had not
been mer.
Alderman Bolger adjourned the meeting at 10:04 P.M.
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Bill Bolger, Cha man
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