City of Crest Hill City Council met Oct. 28.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The October 28, 2019 City Council work session was called to order by Mayor Raymond R. Soliman at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1610 Plainfield Road Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois.
The following Council members were present: Mayor Raymond Soliman, City Clerk Vicki Hackney, City Treasurer Glen Conklin, Alderman Scott Dyke, Alderman John Vershay, Alderwoman Barbara Sklare, Alderwoman Claudia Gazal, Alderwoman Tina Oberlin, Alderman Marco Coladipietro, Alderman Nate Albert, Alderman Joe Kubal.
Also present were: City Administrator Heather McGuire, Community Development Director Scott McMaster, Public Works Director Tom Migatz, Financial Advisor Nick Narducci, City Mechanic Brian Semplinski, Attorney Chris Spesia, Engineer Dana Ludwig.
Absent were: Assistant City Administrator/HR Director Megan Fulara Director of Water/Wastewater Mark Siefert, Police Chief Ed Clark, Finance Supervisor Ashli Motyka.
TOPIC: Restricted Truck Traffic-Patrick Drive and Kubinski Drive
Mayor Soliman presented a request for no truck traffic signage on Patrick Drive and Kubinski per the memo dated October 14, 2019. Administrator McGuire explained that with the new Speedway Station opening, we are seeing more truck traffic using Patrick Drive and Kubinski. The City would like to restrict truck traffic to keep the roadway intact. Community Development Director Scott McMaster explained that we are trying to restrict trucks from using the “horseshoe” along Patrick and Kubinski. There would be exemptions to trucks that make regular deliveries. Alderman Coladipietro asked if Kubinski would have no truck traffic at all. Director McMaster explained that this is what the city would like to see. Alderman Kubal asked about a truck that was waiting to unload at Menards and had to wait. Could they park along the restricted area. Director McMaster explained that the City would prefer they don't. Director McMaster also explained that there is a trucking school that is using the roads around Menards for training. Alderman Albert asked what would happen if a truck came down Perinar Drive to Kubinski. Director McMaster explained that once the signs are posted for no truck traffic, they could be ticketed. Administrator McGuire explained that we could post signs on Perinar to warn vehicles of the restriction. Alderwoman Oberlin asked how far trucks would be allowed on Patrick Drive. They would be allowed as far as the rear of the Speedway property. Alderwoman Oberlin questioned the road that connects Patrick and Kubinski near Weber Road. Administrator McGuire explained that this is a private road and not under City jurisdiction. Administrator McGuire gave the Council an update on the east end of Patrick Drive and the progress that has been made on the roadway. Alderman Albert asked if we can get ahold of the owner of the property east of Weber and South of Patrick and get it cleaned up.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on restricted truck traffic-Patrick Drive and Kubinski Drive. All members present were in agreement.
TOPIC: Jasmine Creek Special Service Area
Mayor Soliman presented a request for the Jasmine Creek Special Service Area per the memo dated October 23, 2019. Public Works Director Tom Migatz explained that there is a creek that runs under Jasmine Drive from Gaylord Road. This has been a problem area for years. Canterbury Homes is the owner of record and they are a defunct developer. The property was never transferred to the City or an HOA. Over the years the City has gone in to try and keep up with the property. Director Migatz explained that the City can establish a special service assessment (SSA) for the area. Under the plan, properties considered to contribute storm water to the creek would pay an assessment to the City based on actual maintenance costs for the year. Director Migatz is seeking approval to proceed with initiating the formal process of establishing an SSA for this area. Discussion followed on the cost and what the homeowners are responsible for. Administrator McGuire explained that this should have been deeded over to an HOA when the subdivision was developed. Attorney Spesia explained what the procedure for an SSA would be. Director Migatz explained that we would get the initial cleaning of the creek done. Discussion followed on how the maintenance would work. Engineer Dana Ludwig gave a presentation. Attorney Spesia explained that we would have to hold a public hearing and allow the property owners to file an objection. If 51% of the owner's object, you can't go forward. Director Migatz explained that it would be roughly $50,000.00 to clean up the creek and $10,000.00 for the yearly maintenance. Discussion followed on the cost per parcel, length of payment time and how the City would secure the payment through a tax levy. Alderman Albert felt that we should correct the problem and do the maintenance ourselves. Alderwoman Gazal advised that there is a problem in Willow Falls that needs work. Are we going to take care of this also. Discussion followed. Alderwoman Sklare asked what is going to happen if this type of situation comes up in another part of the City. Alderman Kubal asked if we have a area like this anywhere else. Engineer Ludwig explained how this creek came into play. Alderwoman Oberlin asked if there is some type of grant we can apply for to help with the initial cleanup of the creek. Engineer Ludwig said that we might be able to apply for one through the County. The Mayor said that there is a retention pond near Caton Crest Ct., and he thinks the residents may be contributing to the upkeep of the pond. Discussion followed. The Mayor doesn't feel that the City should maintain this creek. Alderwoman Oberlin would like to see us try to secure a grant. The Mayor suggested contacting the HOA's in this area.
Mayor Soliman asked for an informal vote on the Jasmine Creek Special Services Area. All members present were in agreement with the exception of Alderman Albert.
TOPIC: City Hall and Police Department Facade
Mayor Soliman presented a request for the proposed City Hall and Police Department facade per the memo dated October 23, 2019. Administrator McGuire informed the Council that she is seeking Council approval on the material for the facade. Financial Advisor Narducci gave a presentation on staff recommendations for the building. Bob from United Architects explained that they are recommending a metal roof for the building. He went over the recommendation for the materials to be used on the structure. Discussion followed. Bob then went over the plans for windows in the upper section of the building. Discussion followed on the various materials. Mayor Soliman explained that the City Hall will be on Kubinski Drive. The Mayor is suggesting changing the name from Kubinski to Municipal Drive. The section of road where the Police Department would face could be changed to Memorial Drive. Alderwoman Oberlin did not want to see Kubinski changed as it was named after someone who did a lot for the City. Alderman Albert did not like the name Municipal Drive. Discussion followed. Alderwoman Sklare felt that we should think about this. Aldermen Dyke and Vershay were unsure of the name change. Alderman
Kubal had no problem with a name change. Mr. Narducci explained that there are a number of municipalities that have a name connected to the city center. Discussion followed on various names that could be used.
TOPIC: Garbage RFP
Mayor Soliman presented the Garbage RFP per the memo dated October 25, 2019. Administrator McGuire informed the Council that she has gotten feedback from the Council on offering an RFP. We have been with our current garbage contractor dating back as far as 1982. Administrator McGuire explained that Republic Services would like to meet with the Council to consider an offer from them before we would go out to RFP. Alderwoman Oberlin asked if they would consider adding electronic recycling to the contract. They would. Alderwoman Sklare is concerned because they have been putting recycling in with the regular garbage, not picking up the garbage and missing yard waste. Alderwoman Oberlin would also like to see the residents provided with a list of what can be recycled and what can't. Alderman Albert asked if it would be a good idea to go out to bid. Administrator McGuire agreed, but felt that we should still hear the proposal. Alderman Albert would like to see the yard waste season extended also. Mayor Soliman agreed that we should hear the proposal from Republic. We went out to bid in 2001 and they came in the lowest.
TOPIC: Heritage Corridor 2020 Travel Guide
Mayor Soliman presented the Heritage Corridor 2020 Travel Guide per the email dated October 17, 2019. Alderman Dyke informed the Council that we have placed an ad in the travel guide for a number of years and would like to continue it.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments.
MAYORS UPDATES: The Mayor had no updates.
COMMITTEE/LIAISON UPDATES: There were no committee/liaison updates.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATES: Administrator McGuire updated the Council on the email from Nicor. This information will be posted on the website.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
http://www.cityofcresthill.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10282019-417
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