City of Warrenville Public Works and Infrastructure Committee of the Whole met June 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Barry called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Physically Present: Chairman Clare Barry, Mayor David Brummel, and Aldermen: Stuart Aschauer, J.P. Augustynowicz, Kathy Davolos, Craig Kruckenberg, John Lockett, Bill Weidner, and Judy Wilkie
Absent: None
Also Present: City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Public Works Director Phil Kuchler, Police Chief Sam Bonilla, Management Analyst Kristin Youngmeyer, Communications Coordinator Paula Krapf, Capital Maintenance Superintendent Jamie Clark, Utility Division Crew Leader Joe McFadden, and Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti
Also Absent: City Treasurer Maury Goodman and City Clerk Julie Clark
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Barry led the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. CITIZENS COMMENTS
There were no comments from the public at this time.
E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS
Mayor Brummel thanked the Warrenville Park District and members of the City’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Commission (IDEC) for hosting the Multicultural Event this past weekend. It was a wonderful event and was well attended.
F. BUSINESS OF MEETING
1. ISAWWA Presentation of Award
Management Analyst (MA) Youngmeyer stated that in February, the Illinois Section American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) confirmed that the City had achieved Gold Level status as a Water Ambassador. She added that the Water Ambassador Program was created to increase public perception, knowledge, and consumer education of the water industry.
ISAWWA Marketing Coordinator Tracy Leach and ISAWWA District 2B Trustee Michele Piotrowski presented the City of Warrenville with the Water Ambassador Certificate and a street sign to recognize Warrenville’s achievement.
NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED
2. Consideration of Continuing Suspension of the Electrical Aggregation Program Assistant City Administrator (ACA) Morgan reported that Northern Illinois Municipal Electrical Collaborative (NIMEC), the City’s electrical aggregation consultant, was unable to find a fixed rate that would guarantee residents and small businesses savings from the newly released ComEd rate of 7.0¢. She noted that one supplier did provide the City with rate options, however, they did not meet the City’s electric aggregation program goal of saving customers money, and contributing to the generation of 100% renewable green energy. Therefore, ACA Morgan stated staff is recommending the City continue the program suspension.
NIMEC representative Adam Hoover was present to respond to any questions. There was discussion regarding the potential confusion for customers if a new supplier were chosen, and the lack of options for green energy credits. Mr. Hoover stated that ComEd is currently offering 17% renewal energy credits aside from the aggregation program and that one option presented adds an additional 5% credit. Mr. Hoover added that the 18 month suspension is just a recommendation. NIMEC will contact the City when ComEd’s rates are reported again next May.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council continue the 18-month temporary suspension of the electrical aggregation program, and direct staff to revisit program rates again in Spring 2024.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
3. Consideration of an Agreement to Outfit Four Dodge Durango Police Pursuit Vehicles Police Chief (PC) Bonilla stated that staff is requesting City Council recommendation and approval for the expenditure of $40,320.88 to outfit four Dodge Durango police vehicles the City is expected to receive this year. He explained how staff determined the FY 2024 budgeted amount based on similar expenses in the previous fiscal year, and noted that the average per vehicle expense currently quoted is less than the previous year’s per vehicle expense. This is due in part because some of the equipment will transfer over from the current Ford squad cars to the new Dodge vehicles.
PC Bonilla added that approval of the request will enable staff to lock in the current estimated price and acquire the equipment before the vehicles arrive.
There was a discussion regarding the types of vehicles being replaced and outfitted with the various equipment necessary for the roll each vehicle serves in the Police Department.
ALDERMAN WEIDNER MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Aschauer, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution approving the agreement with Ultra Strobe Communications for $40,320.88 to outfit four Dodge Durango police pursuit vehicles.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
4. Presentation on Community Survey Results
Communications Coordinator (CC) Krapf reported that, in March, Polco and the National Research Center conducted the Warrenville 2023 National Community Survey. She added that the survey looks for trends in resident opinion, measures government performance to inform budget and land use decisions, and provides benchmarking comparisons to other communities. Survey topics included the economy, safety, utilities, inclusivity and engagement, mobility, and natural environment.
CC Krapf introduced Polco Survey Research Associate Kim Daane, who presented the results of the survey, key findings, and national comparisons; and discussed how the City can use the results to guide future decisions.
Key findings in the survey concluded:
∙ Residents appreciate Warrenville’s natural environment and recreational opportunities and identify priorities for climate change mitigations.
∙ Residents value Warrenville’s economy and emphasize its importance.
∙ While ratings for utilities are strong overall, residents point to drinking water as an area of opportunity.
∙ Trust in Warrenville government is high, and Warrenville services are well regarded.
CC Krapf reported the presentation will be made available to the public on the City’s website, and that the information will be used by the City in a variety of ways.
There was discussion regarding the overall response rate of the survey. Ms. Daane stated the 16% response rate is considered to be comparable to the national average, and the responses met the consultant’s targeted margin of error rate of plus or minus 5% as well, providing for a great deal of confidence in the results.
There was discussion regarding the benefit of conducting future community surveys. Ms. Daane stated that trends can be determined with general community surveys conducted every two to three years, and that shorter surveys produce more responses. She added that targeted surveys can be conducted every year, however, over surveying can produce smaller return rates.
Ms. Daane indicated Polco has pre-made surveys regarding utilities or environment that can be presented to residents for targeted results.
CC Krapf reported on the City’s next steps following release of the report. She stated staff intends to utilize Polco’s additional surveys as resources for the advisory commissions in response to resident’s requests for City improvements. She added that the additional information will also assist staff in doing a better job educating citizens and being more comprehensive with the information presented on the City’s website following its redesign, especially in the area of water service and quality. CC Krapf further indicated the survey results will be beneficial to the future strategic planning process.
City Administrator White concluded by saying a more comprehensive report will be published that includes a lot more information, and noted the Council will be pleased to see that Warrenville ranked very high in livability among the comments from the residents. CA White stated that, overwhelmingly, people are content with living in Warrenville, and with the quality of services, there are some areas the City can improve upon. Staff will continue to work with the public to gather more feedback through focus groups during the strategic planning process.
NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED
5. Consideration of an IGA with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Batavia Road Resurfacing
MA Youngmeyer reported that the State of Illinois awarded the City a grant in the amount of $448,300 to be used toward the reimbursement of certain costs associated with roadway improvements to Batavia Road between Route 56 and Warrenville Road, and Warrenville Road between Batavia Road and the West Branch of the DuPage River Bridge. She indicated the project will include street resurfacing and spot curb and gutter removal and replacement. This money was included in the State of Illinois’s 2018 Capital Bill. She stated that the City is required to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the State to access the funding.
Public Works Director (PWD) Kuchler stated staff anticipates budgeting the funds for the project in FY 2025. He added that it has taken the State longer than anticipated to get to this point with the IGA, prohibiting the City from budgeting for it until now. PWD Kuchler stated that a cost estimate for the project will be forthcoming, and there is no anticipated change to the striping of the roadway.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution approving the intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Batavia Road Resurfacing.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
6. Informational Update on Climate Action Initiatives Report
MA Youngmeyer presented the updated Climate Action Initiatives Annual Report. She stated that this year’s report incorporates more quantitative data to build a better picture of what climate action looks like in the City and the community as a whole. She added that the goal in the coming year is to build an even better picture through data, and, moving forward, to consider ways to use the data and information to measure progress in the community.
MA Youngmeyer noted the report highlights projects and initiatives the City has accomplished this past year such as the various solar assessments, and recognized ongoing initiatives like the tree management and planting plan.
MA Youngmeyer was thanked for her efforts in developing and improving the report over the years.
NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED
7. Consideration of Intergovernmental Agreement with IDOT to share costs of Route 56 Intelligent Transportation Systems Corridor Improvements
PWD Kuchler stated, that Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is implementing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) along the Illinois Route 56 corridor between Illinois Route 59 and York Road. He added that the scope of work includes traffic signal modernization, signal timing, changeable message signs, new signage, traffic surveillance, and ADA improvements. He noted that the City shares in the costs of improvements to the Batavia Road intersection, as well as painting any of the equipment at Route 59 or Batavia Road, and the emergency pre-emption equipment.
PWD Kuchler stated, the City’s share of improvements for this $16 million project is anticipated to be $31,795.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Warrenville and the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the improvement of Illinois Route 56.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
8. Consideration of Amendment to Site Lease Agreement with T-Mobile PWD Kuchler stated that when the West Street water tower was painted last year, the cellular carriers leasing space on the tower had to temporarily relocate their equipment to a temporary pole onsite. As they are now preparing to move the equipment back to the water tower, they have discovered a need to replace the existing railing on the tower with a new railing.
PWD Kuchler stated the second amendment to the City’s agreement with T-Mobile documents the replacement of the railing, the configuration of T-Mobile’s equipment on the tower, and repainting of any areas as necessary. A similar agreement with Verizon is anticipated to be presented for approval in July.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Krnckenberg, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution approving the second amendment to the communications site lease agreement with T-Mobile Central LLC.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
9. Consideration of PSA for Sanitar Sewer Manhole Inspections
PWD Kuchler reported that Phase One of the Infiltration and Inflow (III) Reduction Program work completed in the Central 2 Basin in FY 2023 involved flow monitoring. Phase Two of the program is a sewer system evaluation survey, which includes additional testing and evaluation to identify and document deficiencies in the sanitary sewer. More specifically, he stated, the proposal presented by Engineering Enterprises Inc. in the Central 2 Basin is for manhole inspections. The results of Phase Two will be recommendations for the lining of any deficient manholes, with cost estimates for constrnction in FY 2026.
ALDERMAN KRUCKENBERG MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davalos, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution approving a contract with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for the Central 2 Basin Infiltration and Inflow Investigation in an amount of $53,200 and authorizing the Mayor to execute the proposal.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
10. Review and File Public Works FY 2024 Work Program and Decision Package Report The Public Works Department FY 2024 Work Plan Program and Decision Package status report was presented for consideration. There were no comments presented.
NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAST AKEN NOR REQUESTED
G. MISCELLANEOUS
There were no miscellaneous items discussed.
H. ADJOURN
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to adjourn. MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE
The meeting adjourned at 8: 10 p.m.
https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06122023-1250
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