United City of Yorkville Public Works Committee met Sept. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
This meeting was held in accordance with Public Act 101-0640 and Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor Pritzker pursuant to the powers vested in the Governor under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Orders encourage social distancing by allowing remote attendance at this meeting.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Committee Members
Chairman Joe Plocher, in-person
Alderman Ken Koch, in-person
Alderman Chris Funkhouser, in-person
Alderman Seaver Tarulis, remote
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson, in-person
Director Public Works Eric Dhuse, in-person
Alderman Joel Frieders, remote (left 6:28pm)
Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett-remote
Engineer Brad Sanderson, EEI, in-person
Other Guests: (all present regarding Cannonball Trail speed)
Patricia Marsh, remote
Clay Hamm, remote
Sarah Nydegger, remote
Joe Stenger, remote
Max (no last name shown), remote
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Joe Plocher.
Citizen Comments:
Alderman Frieders noted that resident Clay Hamm had sent a list of questions regarding the speed on Cannonball Trail. Chairman Plocher asked to move item #7 to the top of the agenda after the minutes and all agreed.
Previous Meeting Minutes: July 21, 2020
Chairman Plocher moved and Alderman Koch seconded to approve the minutes as presented. (Roll call vote was finished following the citizen comments): Tarulis-yes, Koch-yes, Funkhouser-yes, Plocher-yes. Carried 4-0.
Citizen Comments cont.
Sarah Nydegger wants the speed limit on Cannonball Trail lowered from 45 to 35 mph between the two curves.
Patricia Marsh lives on Cannonball Trail and has endured numerous power outages after drivers hit the poles there and people have driven into yards after accidents. She has had trees and mailboxes damaged due to the accidents. Speed is the problem, though enforcement has been good.
Clay Hamm said he tried to canvass most residents on Cannonball Trail regarding the speed issue. Almost all residents agreed with the speed problems and wish to see 35 mph instead of 45 mph. He said some incidents involving speed are not reported and drivers just leave. He asked if there was any downside to lowering the speed and said there are many children in the area as well as a church. He recommended a 30-35 speed limit.
New Business:
7. PW 2020-54 Cannonball Trail Curve Speed Limit (out of sequence)
Mr. Olson said an analysis was done from recorded traffic data and a memo is included that details past discussions. He turned the discussion over to Mr. Sanderson. Engineer Sanderson said he received information from Police Department speed data from 370 vehicles as well as from Public Works speed signs on over 100,000 vehicles. From that he calculated a speed estimate with a conclusion that 45mph is the recommended speed. Improvements that can be made are shoulder strips, widening road, or rumble strips. He said there are right-of-way issues that would require acquisition to make some the improvements and moving poles farther back requires ComEd coordination.
Alderman Koch asked if there would be any drawback to lowering the speed to 35mph. Mr. Sanderson said to lower the speed would not be following accepted guidelines for establishing speed. Alderman Funkhouser asked if a portion of the road speed can be changed. Mr. Olson said there is no staff recommendation to change any part of the road and the data does not support a change. It was also noted that part of the curve is actually in the County jurisdiction. Alderman Frieders noted that rumble strips do not fare well with snow plows. In the interim, he said permanent flashing signs seem to have the most impact and suggested asking ComEd to move the pole. The City Attorney will be consulted.
1. PW 2020-48 Water Department Reports for April – August 2020
Mr. Dhuse said August reflects a large increase in water usage due to a very dry month. Alderman Tarulis said the city needs to be more proactive in enforcing the watering rules since watering is occurring on the wrong days and outside the allowed hours. The water reports will be moved forward to City Council on a roll call vote. Tarulis-yes, Koch-yes, Funkhouser-yes, Plocher-yes. Carried 4-0.
2. PW 2020-49 Cedarhurst of Yorkville Bond Release
Chairman Plocher moved to accept the bond release and Alderman Koch seconded. Roll call: Koch- yes, Funkhouser-yes, Tarulis-yes, Plocher-yes. Carried 4-0.
3. PW 2020-50 2020 Striping Program – Bid Award
Mr. Sanderson said this was budgeted and has Council approval. Three bids were received and were just slightly above the budget due to timing. He said the striping is badly needed. Some work will be done on McHugh Rd within the bid award. The committee gave a positive recommendation and it moves forward to City Council for a vote subject to determining the cost.
4. PW 2020-51 2020 Road to Better Roads Program – Change in Plans and Final Payment Estimate
This is the request for a final change order in the amount of $82,000. Mr. Sanderson recommended moving forward. Alderman Koch asked if the $82,000 goes back into the budget. Mr. Olson said it
came from MFT and will remain in the Fund Balance to be used in future years. A committee vote was taken to move this forward. Funkhouser-yes, Koch-yes, Tarulis-yes, Plocher-yes. Carried 4-0.
5. PW2020-52 ITEPApplications
Ms. Willrett presented information regarding the ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) applications. It was last applied for in 2018 and was unsuccessful. Phase 1 engineering is now covered under these grants. She is requesting feedback on the 4 applications which are:
1. Joint cost-sharing project with the County on Fox Rd. sidewalk, to Rivers Edge to Hoover. The County supports this project.
2. Vegetation management along Rt. 34.
3. East Hydraulic conversion to one-way streetscape for festivals.
4. Riverwalk extension of trail west under bridge to recreation building.
Mr. Olson said there is no limit on the number of applications. Alderman Koch expressed concern for spending the money for these projects instead of on Road to Better Roads. Alderman Funkhouser asked if there were any penalties if the city withdrew from the applications--none are known. He said he liked the Fox Road multi-use path project. He said he is not as excited about the Rt. 34 project, he is OK with the Hydraulic project and he said the Riverwalk is expensive but he would like it integrated with other trails. In his feedback, Alderman Tarulis ranked the projects giving most approval to the trail on Fox Road, then Rt. 34 project, Riverwalk and Hydraulic. Mr. Olson summarized the conversation and this item will be taken to City Council for more feedback.
6. PW 2020-53 Proposed Road to Better Roads Program and Rebuild Illinois Program
Mr. Sanderson presented this item. The City wants to take advantage of the bidding during this time of the year. There are 2 funding sources: Road to Better Roads and extra money from state funding called Rebuild Illinois. The city's allotment is $1.25 million to be paid out over the next 2 years. He said the original plan is being followed with a few extra projects added.
Mr. Olson said there are 2 action items: endorsement of next year's plan and general feedback for future plans. He also asked for feedback on a staff recommendation to use new funds in Fox Hill which is in poor condition. Greenbriar was also suggested.
Mr. Sanderson added that the Rebuild Funds do have limits on how the money is spent: 1) must be a transportation project and 2) it must be bondable. He elaborated on more details of these requirements. The committee members were generally OK with moving this plan forward and signified as follows: Funkhouser-yes, Koch-yes, Tarulis-yes, Plocher-yes. Carried 4-0.
Old Business: None
Additional Business:
Alderman Funkhouser related some residents' concerns about the Kennedy shared use path at Autumn Creek and Bristol Ridge. It was stated that pedestrians do not stop at intersection and drivers have nearly hit pedestrians. He asked staff to look at small stop signs.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:11pm
https://www.yorkville.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3715
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