Kendall County Times

City of Yorkville Public Works Committee met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

IN ATTENDANCE:

Committee Members

Chairman Ken Koch

Alderman Rusty Corneils

Alderman Craig Soling

Alderman Matt Marek

Other City Officials

City Administrator Bart Olson

Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett via Zoom

Engineer Brad Sanderson, EEI

Public Works Director Eric Dhuse

Alderman Chris Funkhouser via Zoom

Assistant Public Works Director John Sleezer

Other Guests:

Chris Ott, EEI

Noah Anderson, Strand Associates

Dave Hubert, Fox Highlands

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Ken Koch.

Citizen Comments: None

Previous Meeting Minutes: February 18, 2025

The minutes were approved as presented.

New Business:

1. PW 2025-20 Snow Operations Report

Director Dhuse said it was a mild year and 1,100 tons of salt were used mostly during ice events which require an adequate layer of salt. He noted the large expenses for a couple of trucks which are not worth repair and will will be sold for scrap

2. PW 2025-21 Resolution Authorizing Participation in the State of Illinois Bulk Rock Salt Purchase Program

This is the second year for this program and Mr. Olson and Mr. Dhuse are authorized by the City Council to execute contracts to purchase rock salt for the city. A large increase in price is not anticipated due to a mild winter. Mr. Dhuse said there are 450-500 tons of salt left and 1,000 tons at the county. This moves to the consent agenda.

3. PW 2025-22 2025 EEI Hourly Rates

Mr. Olson said this was the annual review of EEI's contractual hourly rates for the base and supplemental contract and all developer work. Last year EEI requested a 3.8 % change in rates and this year the request is for a 4% increase. Staff recommends approval and this moves to the consent agenda.

4. PW 2025-23 Resolution in Support of the “Wyland Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation”

Mr. Olson said this resolution endorses support for this effort and he said the city participates each year. Ms. Willrett noted the challenge did pause last year. Social media coverage will be initiated and citizens and the schools can sign up for this program. She has forwarded information to the school district. This will move to the regular agenda.

5. PW 2025-24 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Four Ford F-150 Trucks from River View Ford, in an Amount Not to Exceed $179,713

Public Works wishes to purchase 4 trucks, 3 of which were slated for 2026, but there is money remaining to allow for purchase now. The department is growing and there is a need for new trucks. The trucks are ready for purchase and no extra work is needed, except lettering. Mr. Dhuse said a super majority vote is needed since sealed bids were not taken. Alderman Marek asked about the chassis still not received after 2 years and it was noted there will be no additional costs. Alderman Soling asked if smaller or more fuel efficient trucks could be purchased. Mr. Dhuse said these trucks are fairly comparable in price to Explorers and the resale value on F-150's is much better at the end of life. This moves to the regular agenda.

6. PW 2025-25 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (2025 Water Main Replacement – Construction Engineering)

Mr. Dhuse said this year the focus of water main replacement will be on the south side of town. In addition to this contract for $420,291, there is a $21,000 direct cost for testing. Mr. Dhuse said citizens are notified several times and through social media prior to the repair. This moves to the regular agenda.

7. PW 2025-26 2025 Road to Better Roads – MFT Resolution and Cost Estimate

This is the standard MFT paperwork for the road program. The program is funded with local funds and with MFT. IDOT requires a resolution to be passed and approval of an estimate prior to bids. This moves forward to the consent agenda.

8. PW 2025-27 Resolution Approving a Bid to Complete the 2025 Local Roads Repaving Project (2025 Local Road Program – Contract Award

This is the local portion of the project which is non-MFT. Bids were taken a few weeks ago and the low bidder was Builders Paving for $3.3 million and they are recommended for approval. Alderman Soling asked if sidewalks will be installed since the water mains will be moved. Sidewalks will be put in at South Main and the hydrant will be relocated. This moves to the regular agenda.

9. PW 2025-28 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (2025 Local Road Program – Construction Engineering)

Mr. Dhuse said this is the construction engineering agreement for the above item. It is an hourly rate for this contract in the amount of $249,820. This moves to the regular agenda.

10. PW 2025-29 Resolution Approving a Bid to Complete the Bluestem Drive Water Main Improvements (Bluestem Water Main Replacement – Contract Award)

Bids were taken 2 weeks ago for this work which is related to the Lake Michigan project. A 12” pipe needs to be replaced with a 16” pipe for better flow and less water loss. There were several bidders with Winninger Excavating being the low bidder at $465,000. This work should start May 1st and take 6-8 weeks to complete and the street will also be repaved in July. This moves to the regular agenda.

11. PW 2025-30 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (Bluestem Water Main Improvements – Construction Engineering)

This contract with EEI is for construction observation in the amount of $51,448 and with an additional $4,000 for direct expenses. This moves to the regular agenda with committee approval.

12. PW 2025-31 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (Bertram Drive Connection – Design Engineering)

Mr. Dhuse said this is for the second connection for Bristol Bay out to Rt. 47 and will position the work ahead of the IDOT schedule. This was considered for the 2026 budget at $52,000, but the actual amount will be $58,000 due to unexpected right-of-way and legal documents needed. It is not thought that IDOT will be changing anything additional since they are far along in the design. Alderman Marek noted that he had given Bristol Bay an update about this progress. This moves to the regular agenda with committee agreement.

13. PW 2025-32 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (2026 Water Main Improvements – Design Engineering)

This is another Lake Michigan design project for next year, said Mr. Dhuse. It will involve necessary removal and replacement of old mains at a fixed amount of $308,803. He specified the areas to be re-done which also includes the rear yards in Countryside. The committee moved this to the regular agenda.

14. PW 2025-33 Pavement Management Study – Review of Results and Scenarios - Presentation

Mr. Chris Ott of Engineering Enterprises presented the findings of the road programs study including project goals, inventory of streets, paving history review, inspection results, comparisons from 2019-2025, budget scenarios and next steps.

The goal is to develop a paving management program for the city and assign a rating to each road. An inventory would be done of the number of miles in the city and the type of road surface. A maintenance cost strategy would be done along with a 5-year program. Mr. Ott said the program would help determine which streets to repair first, based on a scoring system. He gave examples of the road conditions that determine the scoring.

Mr. Ott presented charts for 2019-2025 and said the city has aggressively been replacing water main and along with that repairing the roads totaling 46.4 miles of the 115 miles in the city. He showed the expenses for those years. The city has also invested in preventative maintenance by applying crack-sealers and rejuvenators to the roads. The overall rating was 81 and 80% are in good or better condition. He also gave a handout of the ranking of all streets. To maintain the ranking of 81, Mr. Ott said $3.2 million would need to be spent annually. He said most pavements last 20 years. He also noted many upgrades have been made to the ADA ramps.

The next steps are to identify a target budget and develop a 5-year plan which will need Council approval. Then the 2026 program design engineering can begin.

Mr. Olson said the take-away is that the city has made investments and has improved the road scores. An annual expenditure of $3.5 million was suggested to maintain the replacement/repair cycle. Mr. Olson also noted that some of the roads will be funded by developers along with the projects they bring. The committee agreed with this amount and this will come back in May along with a 5-year plan. Alderman Koch suggested the presentation be included in the City Council packet for other Aldermen to review.

15. PW 2025-34 Water Revenue Study - Presentation

This item was tabled until next month.

16. PW 2025-35 Southern Sanitary Sewer Connection - Change Order No. 1

Mr. Sanderson said this project is the extension of the sanitary sewer to the Cyrus 1 data center, though it has not begun yet. The Change Order involves the pre-crossing. The initial design assumed an open cut for the Rob Roy creek crossing to install the sanitary sewer. After this project was bid, IDNR declared this section of the creek is now on the list of “biologically significant streams” and a fish study must be done along with a high level of permitting. The alternative is to go under the creek, which would save money and time and Mr. Sanderson recommended the alternative. If the committee and Council approve, this proposal will be sent to Cyrus 1 who pays 100% of the cost. Alderman Corneils asked the reason for the creek status change, however, it is not known at this time. Mr. Sanderson noted that the status of Blackberry Creek has also recently changed. Alderman Soling said phosphorus and PFAS runoff has increased in creeks in general, which could be the reason. This will move to the Council regular agenda with committee approval.

Old Business:

1. PW 2025-18 Northland Lane Parking Restrictions - Discussion

Mr. Olson said staff looked at parking restrictions in this area and it was recommended to move the parking from the east side to the west side for a net gain of 13 spaces. Alderman Funkhouser said he was concerned about the line of sight, but the number of spaces is more important to him. Mr. Sanderson recommended no parking around the curve. There are 30 spaces there now, which will be reduced to 20. Alderman Funkhouser said the use of the park may have to be reduced and also Home Depot does not like parking in the turnaround area behind their space. Mr. Olson said staff could try to identify additional parking since committee members do not want to lose parking spots and without compromising the park. He said mailers could be sent to nearby residents inviting them to a future meeting about the proposed changes since those residents would have to park on the opposite side of the street from their homes. Alderman Soling said he is not in favor of informing residents they cannot park in front of their own homes. Alderman Marek asked about the level of activity at the park and he also noted that kids run out between cars causing potential danger. Tim Evans will be contacted regarding field usage needs and traffic generated. It was decided to bring this issue back to committee in April prior to sending any mailers.

2. PW 2025-19 Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (Cannonball Trail Shared Use Path – Feasibility Study – Preliminary Engineering)

Mr. Olson said this was discussed last month and it was decided to do a feasibility study regarding a trail along Cannonball. Mr. Olson noted there might be an opportunity for cost sharing with the township and county. All committee members are in favor of this study, but would like to determine costs prior to contacting the other 2 entities. Alderman Marek asked if a path will be constructed when Rt. 47 is widened. Mr. Dhuse said there is one planned on the east side past the water park to connect with Kennedy. This will move to City Council regular agenda for a vote.

Additional Business:

Guest Mr. Hubert asked when the water revenue study would be available. Mr. Olson said it would be presented at the Public Works meeting next month.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:16pm.

https://www.yorkville.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6213