HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/11/2012 COW MinutesCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
September 11, 2012
CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the
Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Trustees present
included Paul Hoefert, John Korn, Arlene Juracek, John Matuszak, Steven Polit
and Michael Zadel. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis,
Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Finance Director David Erb, Fire Chief
John Malcolm, Police Chief Michael Semkiu, Public Works Director Sean Dorsey,
Deputy Public Works Director Jason Leib, Village Engineer Jeff Wulbecker,
Traffic Engineer Matt Lawrie, Streets Superintendent Paul Bures and Water
Superintendent Matt Overeem.
II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FOR JULY 10, 2012
Motion made by Trustee Polit seconded by Trustee Korn. Minutes were
approved. Trustee's Matuszak and Zadel abstained.
III. MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Wilks read a proclamation acknowledging Patriots' Day and National Day
of Service and Remembrance for 2012.
IV. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
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V. 2011 COMPREHENSIVE STORMWATER STUDY FINAL REPORT
Public Works Director Sean Dorsey spoke. He stated this is the fourth meeting
before the Village Board regarding this topic. He provided an overview of the
recommendations which included the following:
1) Recommendation for $14.4 million in public improvements.
2) $9.476 million in private sector improvements.
3) Additional engineering studies of $28,000
4) Total projected cost of approximately $23.9 million.
He provided an overview of what the public improvements consists of which
would bring the sewer system up to a storm water level for a 25 year storm. He
recommended private sector improvements which include removal of gravity
drains, installation of overhead sewers, and the disconnection of footing tile
drains from the public sewer system. He also stated that the installation of
overhead sewers generally provided greater protection than a 25 year storm
sewer capacity design.
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He highlighted the Finance Commission recommendations. The
recommendations consist of a multiyear phased approach to spend
approximately $1.2 million per year. The funds would be generated through the
establishment of the special service area. The Commission also recommended
increasing the sewer construction fee by $2 to generate funds for a repayable
low- interest loan, but no outright grants.
Staff is recommending the establishment of $2.5 million for public sector
improvements utilizing short -term debt. He also noted that there is sufficient
capacity in the existing revenue streams for debt service for a seven year note
with additional capacity from the quarter cent sales tax that will become
unavailable once the 1990s IEPA loans are retired. The projected interest for the
seven year note is presently 1.73 %. The priority for the private improvements
would focus on the Hatlen Heights area followed by Lonnquist, BlackHawk, and
Lawrence areas.
Staff seeks direction on the following items from the Village Board:
1) Is there support for Staff recommendation of private sector improvements
amounting to $9.475 million or $300,000 per year?
2) Should property owners that have already installed overhead sewers and
have disconnected from footing tiles since July 23, 2011 retroactively be
eligible to access any Village financing?
3) Is there support for the issuance of short -term debt finance of $2.5 million in
public sector improvement starting in 2013?
4) Is there support for the issuance of long -term debt to facilitate construction of
the Isabella improvements?
Comments of Village Board members and residents included the following items:
• There was a question about how sewer mechanics work in terms of flow
based on a 10 year versus a 25 year storm.
• There was also a general discussion regarding the benefits of individual
improvements compared to how many participants would be necessary on
an individual basins for value to be added to the group that participates in
terms of storm sewer relief.
• It was noted that a previous program had been in place and there was low
participation in that program so there is a concern that a future program
will also have limited participation.
• There is a question as to if the program is funded and a revenue stream is
established and returned back to the Village through repayments what
happens to the funds if there are no other participants.
• It was also noted that there is a concern regarding the completion of public
improvements and how the priority would be determined.
• It was noted that there is no capacity for surface retention basins. It was
also suggested the private sector improvements need to be established at
a minimum in order to benefit all persons impacted within each basin.
• There was also concern regarding how MWRD regulations would likely
impact any system that is put in place.
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Resident Calvin Hebenstreet, 1714 Martin Lane spoke. He stated that he has
had back yard flooding previously and met with the Village Board four years ago.
As a result of the meeting the Village agreed to pay for the improvements if the
residents took care of the landscaping. To date nothing has been taken care of at
his address.
Manager Janonis stated the funding for the program has not been available for
several years. The policy regarding flooding has established the need to keep
sewer water out of homes as a priority with backyard flooding as a lower priority.
He stated the Village does provide the engineering for the backyard
improvements if the residents want to undertake the improvement on their own.
Resident Casimir Zyskowski, 2114 Lawrence spoke. He wanted to inquire
about the scheduled meeting to discuss issues specifically for their area. It is
confirmed that a meeting has been scheduled and residents notified of a
discussion on September 19.
Resident Jim Cosi, 2110 Lawrence spoke. He inquired as to if Arlington
Heights has establish a budget if improvements are necessary on the area that is
their responsibility compared to the area that is the responsibility of Mount
Prospect to correct their issue.
Resident Joe Bonomo, 305 S. Hatlen spoke. He inquired as to whether having
a storm sewer system that can only handle a one year flood event caused
flooding that was more damaging than if the system had been able to
accommodate additional storm levels and should not be the cost of the
improvements borne by the public sector.
Public Works Director Dorsey stated that the basin that services the Hatlen
area was flooded well beyond capacity and the sewer system that services that
area was built to the standards in place at the time. He stated staff is
recommending the Hatlen improvements be a priority in the next round of
funding.
Resident Kathy Zielinski, 620 N. Fairview spoke. She stated that she has had
backyard flooding that has come into her house and was inquiring as to what
solution is available for her.
Public Works Director Dorsey stated that this address is in a combined area
and the civil engineer is reviewing the options for a possible solution.
Fran Zalewski, 310 S. Hatlen spoke. She stated that she has a concern
regarding the street holding water and feels it is a problem that should be
addressed as part of the improvements being considered by the Village.
Randy Paget, Engineering Consultant, stated that water is in the street
because it has nowhere else to go and the proposed improvements will help get
the water out of the street providing there is capacity to move the water.
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Resident Beth Fernadez, 1715 N. Elmhurst spoke. She had questions
regarding how the funding would be obtained. She wanted to know how a loan
program would work since she has a previously built in an overhead sewer
system.
Public Works Director Dorsey provided an explanation of how the sewer fee
would generate additional funds and how the residents would benefit from the
loans available through these funds.
Paul Soliza, representing his daughter and son -in -law at 1704 Verde spoke.
He stated the he is concerned about the street grading and how that affects
water ponding in the street.
Resident Mike Handler, 413 N. Wille spoke. He stated he put in an overhead
sewer in 2008 and did not get any black water from this past storm. However, he
did get 5 feet of water in his basement from the overland flooding due to his
house being in a low area. He stated he would be open to selling his house for
the creation of a basin along with the vacant house next door.
Village Engineer Wulbecker stated that the amount of water necessary for a
basin to be effective would be much greater than the size of two housing lots.
Resident Debbie Caccamo, 717 N. Elmhurst spoke. She stated her house was
flooded and they did have an overhead sewer in place. She wanted to know why
her home flooded along with a few others in her general area and why the impact
was very sporadic rather than more universal for the residents on her block. She
could not understand why her house and five others flooded when they had not
flooded previously. She also inquired why residents should pay for overhead
sewers if the benefits are to the community at large.
Public Works Director Dorsey stated that the North Elmhurst area has
benefited from the improvements at Prospect Manor and the area already has a
25 year sewer system in place. He also stated a review of possible causes to this
flooding did not reveal any structural issue.
Resident Roberta Dusek, 507 W. Lonnquist spoke. She stated that her home
has flooded previously and sewers have been cleaned out regularly and she
supports the Lonnquist improvements.
Consensus of the Village Board was to support the staff recommendations for
improvements on Hatlen, Lonnquist, Blackhawk, and Lawrence starting in 2013
and to move forward with the short -term financing plan as presented. There was
also an acknowledgement that there will be a need to have additional discussion
on how to fund the Isabella section plus how to handle the private sector
improvements. It was suggested that a review of what other towns are doing on
this topic be undertaken and how the MWRD rules may impact any
improvements the Village is considering.
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VI. DOWNTOWN COMMUTER PARKING STUDY
Public Works Director Sean Dorsey provided a summary of the downtown
parking study that was prepared by KLOA consultants for the commuter parking.
He stated that staff had planned on replacing the automated parking machines in
the near future due to obsolescence and the need to address the long lines of
commuters using the machines.
The recommendations from the consultant include an additional pay station with
machines that allow for remote payment and to consider permit parking in the
commuter parking lots. Staff would also recommend that such a permit parking
system be considered for next year through the use of placards and invite the
consultant back to review the results of the system on a real -time basis.
General comments from the Village Board members included the following items:
• There was support for a permit parking system.
• There were questions regarding how the permits would be sold including a
number of point -of -sale options.
• There was support for a quarterly permit system.
• There was also a question about how the enforcement would be
undertaken and how, if any refunds would be considered if the permits
were not used.
Manager Janonis stated that staff could bring back a summary of the program
prior to implementation the spring.
VII. MANAGER'S REPORT
None
VIII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
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IX. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM
DAVID STRAHL
Assistant Village Manager
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