West Cook News

Village of Western Springs Public Works & Water Committee met Aug. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order: 7:30 AM by Chair, Al Fink

Committee Members Present Staff Present

Alan Fink-Trustee Chairman

Heidi Rudolph, Chairwoman, Finance

Scott Lewis-Trustee

Staff Present

Matthew Supert- Staff

Casey Biernacki-Staff

Chris Breakey-Staff

Erin Duffy-Staff

Grace Turi-Staff

Others

Alice Gallagher, Village President

Ingrid Velkme, Village Manager

1. Public Comment Two participants via zoom and no comment.

2. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve by Trustee Scott Lewis and seconded by Chair Al Fink.

3. Forest Hills Sidewalk-Infrastructure Commission Recommendation for Feasibility Study

Director Matthew Supert reported to the Committee there were several interested residents from the Infrastructure meeting. Staff conducted a sidewalk survey and there appeared to be a favorable opinion to complete. There is enough interest to get a better idea to get a proposal to reach out to our engineers to do a feasibility study. A preliminary area of the layout of the sidewalks would all be in the feasibility study. This is not to exceed $16,000.00 and is currently not included in the 2020 budget.

Chair Alan Fink stated 60% want sidewalks and 40% don’t want them. He stated he is in favor of the survey to determine how much this will cost and feel it would be hard to tell residents they must have a sidewalk. President Gallagher asked if we have current projections for loss of revenue this year if we are spending $16,000.00 on a feasibility study.

Grace Turi, Finance Director reported we have about $300,000 less than anticipated for this year. It would have to come out of the special purpose fund or the public improvement fund. Village Manager advised the Committee of her concerns that the Village will have to accept all sidewalks and all liability.

Trustee Lewis reported he would agree to proceed with the study. The Commission met on June 17, 2020 to review the engineering proposal from V3 engineering and has voted unanimously in favor to bring the proposal to the Public Works and Water Committee for consideration. Assistant Biernacki reported V3 will seek available grant opportunities for this project. Some sidewalk grants route to schools as we have used this in the past. It would have to be a route to school. Heidi Rudolph stated timing for an unexpected expenditure is bad and is tough timing. We need to consider this during the revenue decline due to COVID. Director Matthew Supert advised there are some grants like the “Route to School” and ancillary sidewalks would not be included.

Finance Turi recommended the public improvement fund and a budget amendment would be necessary allowing this expenditure. Chair Rudolph continued discussion about the children walking to school and not the full completion of sidewalks, Forest Hills and the problem is not just limited to this area. Old Town North also should be considered. Discussion continued regarding the neighboring community’s policy.

A motion to present to the Board the engineering proposal from V3 Engineering for an amount not to exceed $16,000 for a feasibility study for sidewalk.

Roll Call Vote:

Trustee Fink-Aye

Trustee Lewis-Aye. Capital Project Financing

Director Supert presented to the Committee the Capital Project Financing. An introductory conversation to the Committee to discuss what storm water impacts, overview of the projects and studies with a significant amount of how to prioritize and cost consideration. Staff has been working on storm water projects over the past 3-5 years. He reported there is a significant amount of capital improvement needed or estimated from the stormwater studies completed so far. Director Supert presented a summary on Ridgewood Oaks Subdivision regarding stormwater impact and Capital Improvement Projects. Baxter and Woodman did a report for the Village previously.

Summary Immediate

• Replace failing outfalls 

Widespread Flooding

• Upsize Flagg Creek Outfalls

• Relief Storm Sewer

Minor and Isolated Flooding

• Integrate Solutions into larger-scale projects

• Address separately

Director Supert explained an outfall is where the storm pipe ends, and the pipe water discharges into Flagg Creek or a detention or retention basin.

Storm Sewer Recommendation-Summary

Upsize Flagg Creek Outfalls Relief Storm Sewer

• 10 -year protection $1,710,000

• 100 -year protection $2,320,000

Relief Storm Sewer -Run along Birch Lane

• 10 - year protection $2,620,000

• 100 - year protection $3,480,000

Combination Project

• 100- year protection $5,540,000

Secondary Recommendation

• Existing Sewer Outfall Inspect and Repair

V-3 Inspection Study Ongoing

• Linden Court

Potential Inlet Improvements

• Lawn Drive

Sag at location improve inlet capacity.

• Overland Flow Routes

Existing overland flow routes

Additional Ridgewood Improvements

Water main replacement

Sanitary Sewer System

Pavement Improvement Options

Sidewalk

Street Lighting

Springdale Drainage Study

Director Supert reported on the Springdale Drainage Study to the Committee.

• Flooding on Franklin Drive and Howard has occurred repeatedly, most severely in October 2019 and May 2020.

• May 17, 2020 reported to be worst flooding to date.

Director Supert advised conversation will need to continue as to how to prioritize these projects.

Assistant Director Biernacki reported HR Green in the 2021 Ridgewood Grand Avenue reconstruction project would be starting near the park and heading up to Linden Court. Driven by the roadway and condition, we are implanting green infrastructure. The options to retain water in these beautified areas like what Hinsdale did with HR Green in their Woodland Subdivision. This helps to reduce flooding issues. This would be on the Village right of way. A meeting with residents to be announced. Trustee

Rudolph commented this would be a great option and something to consider.

Further discussion continued and Trustee Rudolph suggested to put a strategy in place for the future.

Well No. 5 Electrical Pumping Equipment :

Staff is working with Com ED to install conduit and pole to set the transformer in September and possibly on-line in early October. Landscaping will be basic evergreens in the area.

Director Supert reported the update for the SSA was to be approved and waivers still needed from the HOA. The project is still on going and still to keep it on the fall schedule.

The detention basin has been filled in with shrubs which fills with water and flows downhill to the low area. Staff is working with the HOA of Ridgewood Oaks to redesign the detention basin and try to keep the trees.

Roadway Projects 2020 Roadway Referendum Program

Assistant Director Biernacki presented to the Committee the update on the roadway projects. Prospect Avenue all underground sewer work has been completed and utility updates and relocates. The Clausen Avenue road project will be starting today and will be installing pipe soon. A water main will be installed on the east side of the street. The MFT project is substantially completed with sod work remaining. Both projects to be completed by Thanksgiving.

The Keebler tree meeting is scheduled for residents on Wednesday 8/5/2020 from 5-7pm and tree options for replacement will be available for residents.

Central Avenue: Phase I has been submitted to IDOT for final approval. Phase II has started.

Motion to adjourn by Trustee Alan Fink, Chairman and seconded by Trustee Scott Lewis

Roll Call

Trustee Alan Fink Aye

Trustee Scott Lewis Aye

Trustee Rudolph Aye

Trustee John Aye

Meeting adjourned 9:02 AM

https://www.wsprings.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08042020-1092