Joliet Public Service Committee met Tuesday, July 5.
Here are the minutes as provided by Joliet:
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING of the City of Joliet, Illinois as held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 4:30 pm in the Executive Conference Room, 150 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilman Larry E. Hug. ABSENT: None.
ALSO PRESENT: Jim Trizna - Director of Public Works, Greg Ruddy - Public Works Administrator, Bon Mui - Public Utilities Administrator, Alfredo Melesio - Director of Neighborhood Services, Mark Sefcik - Civil Engineer I, Russ Lubash - Traffic Engineer, Residents of Briargate Subdivision: Jori Gura, Emily Gura, Cathy Buchanan, Resident of Kerwin Terrace: Robert Pedersen, and resident Chris Pedersen. Larry Hug was running late; joined the meeting at 4:45 pm.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes 6.20.16
Motion to approve the minutes of the Public Service Committee meeting of the Council of the City of Joliet, Illinois was held on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 was made by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin.
Motion seconded by Councilman Jim McFarland.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin.
NAYS: None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
a. Motion to Accept Staff’s Recommendation Regarding a Request to Cul-desac – Clara Avenue at Lemorr Avenue
Russ Lubash, Traffic Engineer, discussed the traffic counts taken for the cul-de-sac request at Clara Avenue at Lemorr Avenue. A report was given to Council members. Traffic counts were taken at six locations. Traffic counts differ per day and range from 3,000 vehicles to 960 vehicles. Clara is classified as a minor collector street. The volumes counted are well within a minor collector street. This petition was received prior to approval of the cul-de-sac policy on how to handle such requests. Collector streets are not to be considered for cul-de-sac. The petition received is only for residents on Clara. Russ Lubash suggested if a new petition were to be submitted it should have support from all streets affected. Recommendation is to deny. Jim McFarland wanted to clarify the reason for the second traffic count was due to faulty equipment due to cold weather. If the cul-de-sac was approved, the City would assess the entire amount of the costs. Jori of 1304 Clara asked about the counts. The two times prior schools were in session but the equipment was faulty. The amounts taken in June 2016 Taft and JCA are not in session. Jim Trizna stated the pattern is not from the school to the neighborhood not from the school through the neighborhood. The neighborhood complaint is that parent’s park on Clara waiting for kids to pick up schools. There was a letter sent from Taft allowing parents to park on Clara for pickup. The residents concern is the speed and disregard for stop signs. Numerous cars in the area have been totaled because of disregard for stop signs. Jim McFarland asked Russ Lubash to come up with other measures to help this situation. Jim McFarland asked for two weeks to get some traffic control and other measures. Bob Pedersen stated that Neighbors and Taft School have wanted to do something about the traffic. They are asking for assistance from the City to alleviate the traffic. The neighborhood is posted for 20 MPH.
Previously a police officer has been in the Taft parking lot and that seemed to help with compliance of speed and stop signs. Larry Hug stated that this works for a short time. This helps for the time and a few weeks after and then everyone goes back to the same habits. Larry posed the question of how do we cure this problem of where people care less and less? The residents in attendance police their own neighborhood. Larry suggested upping the fine for blowing a stop sign from $100 to $1,000. There are signatures from the other streets on the petition. There are some residents who are afraid to step up and sign. Some of the older residents on Briargate do not want to drive around their own neighborhood. They want things to stay the same. Russ Lubash wants to go through and make sure all signs are visible. Enforcement issues are a city wide issue. The bigger picture is when you block off a road you don't eliminate the issue, you redistribute the traffic. He will compile the information and bring back to the August 1st meeting. This item has been tabled until August 1st meeting.
4. CONTRACTS
a. Request for Authorization to Award a Contract for the 2016 Electrical Maintenance Assistance Contract
Russ Lubash, Traffic Engineer, discussed this contract that goes out every two years to assist our Electrical Department with items that are outside the scope of our abilities and equipment. Van Mack has the lowest rates and has been the contractor for several years. Bettye Gavin confirmed with staff they are satisfied with them.
b. Request for Authorization to Award a Contract for Design and Project Management for Rehabilitation of the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Fountain to Hitchcock Design Group
Alfredo Melesio, Director of Neighborhood Services, discussed the Contract for Design of the Fountain Rehabilitation and Project Management, in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00, on behalf of Hitchcock Design Group. Jim McFarland wants to clarify what this contract is for. Alfredo stated it is for the design of the fountain, and then to bid it out and oversee the project. Larry Hug and Bettye Gavin asked why this was underestimated by City staff. Alfredo discussed that this fountain will be redesigned as a zero depth fountain with minimal maintenance for future. Bettye agrees that it does need a redesign but this is over half the budget and will not leave enough funds to build it. Some committee members submitted design ideas. As long as the committee is very clear in wants and needs, this will minimize the cost of the redesign. Alfredo stated most architectural firms do not work on a time and material basis, instead on a lump sum. Hitchcock has agreed to do this as a time and material basis. Alfredo stated the remaining $75,000 may not be enough for the construction costs. We will know less than half way through what this will cost. Committee members asked if we can go back out for bid. Alfredo is not sure anyone else will submit because they already had the chance. Jim Trizna stated hiring someone for a minimal cost to come up with concepts before spending this money to design and oversee the project. Jim McFarland stated at the end of the day we don't want to exceed the amount budgeted for of $150,000.00. Larry Hug wants Alfredo to find out from the Joliet Park District who did their zero depth fountain and report back.
Motion to recommend Request for Authorization to Award a Contract for the 2016 Electrical Maintenance Assistance Contract to full Council was made by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin.
Motion seconded by Councilman Larry E. Hug. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilman Larry E. Hug. NAYS: None.
Motion to table Request for Authorization to Award a Contract for Design and Project Management for Rehabilitation of the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Fountain to Hitchcock Design Group was made by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin.
Motion seconded by Councilman Larry E. Hug. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilman Larry E. Hug.
NAYS: None.
5. CHANGE ORDERS / PAY ESTIMATES / AND FINAL PAYMENTS
a. Request for Authorization to Approve Change Order No. 1 and Payment Request No. 13 and Final for the 2014 Electrical Maintenance Assistance Contract
Russ Lubash discussed Change Order No. 1, in the amount of $19,337.27, on behalf of Van Mack Electric Company.
b. Request for Authorization to Approve Change Order No. 1 for the Laraway Road (East of Illinois Route 53 – Rowell Avenue) Roadway Improvements Project
Greg Ruddy, Public Works Administrator, discussed Change Order No. 1 for Laraway Road, in the amount of $144,702.81, on behalf of Austin Tyler Construction, Inc. At this time it is in the interest of the City to install Fiber Optic conduit. By installing now it is roughly 10% of the cost of just doing this work as stand alone. The IT Department will fund this improvement.
c. Request for Authorization to Approve Change Order No. 3 and Payment Request No. 5 for the Mayfield Avenue / Taylor Street Roadway Improvement Project 2015 – MFT Sect. No. 14-00482-00-FP
Mark Sefcik, Civil Engineer I, discussed Change Order No. 3, in the amount of $6,098.51, on behalf of P.T. Ferro Construction Co.
Motion to recommend Request for Authorization to Approve Change Order: a) No. 1 and Payment Request No. 13 and Final for the 2014 Electrical Maintenance Assistance Contact; b) No. 1 for the Laraway Road (East of Illinois Route 53 - Rowell Avenue) Roadway Improvements Project; and c) No. 3 and Payment Request No. 5 for the Mayfield Avenue / Taylor Street Roadway Improvement Project 2015 – MFT Sect. No. 14-00482-00-FP to full Council was made by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin.
Motion seconded by Councilman Larry E. Hug.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilman Larry E. Hug.
NAYS: None.
6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
a. Resolution Appropriating Additional Funds for the Mayfield Avenue / Taylor Street Roadway Improvements Project 2015 – MFT Sect. No. 14-00482- 00-FP
Jim Trizna discussed this is the Motor Fuel Tax Resolution to appropriate the funds.
b. Application for Drive Thru Permit for First Midwest Bank at 212 N. Chicago Street
Russ Lubash discussed that First Midwest Bank will be moving to the 212 N. Chicago Street site and Public Works reviewed plans and recommends approval.
Motion to recommend Resolution Appropriating Additional Funds for the Mayfield Avenue / Taylor Street Roadway Improvements Project 2015; and Application for Drive Thru Permit for First Midwest Bank at 212 N. Chicago Street to full Council was made by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin.
Motion seconded by Councilman Larry E. Hug.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilman Larry E. Hug.
NAYS: None.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
8. NEW or OLD BUSINESS, not for final action or recommendation
a. Report on Hydrant Repairs
Bon Mui stated 8 hydrants are back in service, 39 out of service; 25 are operational and still need repair.
b. Report on Valves
Bon stated 2 valves were fixed, 2 were added, the total remains at 10.
c. Utilities Contracted Services
Gravel Well 105 - back in service1514 Hosmer Street - digging 12 feet deep to sewer main.
d. Leak Check
Wilcox & Hutchins - check leak by hydrant; Jim McFarland will email Bon & resident
e. Restoration
Larry Hug asked about restoration. He will discuss with Bon and forward an email.
f. 1400 Block of Fairview
Bettye Gavin asked about 1400 block of Fairview where new water main is going in. About 20 feet north of that section that road is soggy and soft. Bon stated this is the first he heard of it. Public Utilities will check this out.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Larry E. Hug.
Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bettye Gavin. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Jim McFarland, Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Councilman Larry E. Hug.
NAYS: None.
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