Dupage Policy Journal

City of Warrenville Public Works and Infrastructure Committee of the Whole met Feb. 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: J.P. Augustynowicz, Kathy Davolos, Craig Kruckenberg, John Lockett, Bill Weidner, and Judy Wilkie 

Absent: Alderman Stuart Aschauer  

Also Present: City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Public Works Director Phil Kuchler, Asset Management Analyst Kassandra Hernandez-Galvan, City Planner /GIS Technician Jack Maszka, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Capital Maintenance Superintendent Jamie Clark, Utility Maintenance Superintendent Zach Jardine, Street Division Crew Leader Jeff Simmons, Utility Division Crew Leader Joe McFadden, City Treasurer Maury Goodman and Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti  

Also Absent: 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 reported on attending the Warrenville Park District Mother and Son Olympics event. He commended the Park District for putting on a fun event. 

Public Works Director (PWD) Kuchler introduced Asset Management Analyst Hernandez Galvan as the newest member of the Public Works staff. 

F. BUSINESS OF MEETING 

1. Finance Department FY 2025 Budget Presentation 

Finance Director (FD) Dahlstrand gave the Finance Department’s budget presentation for FY 2025. He reported the department’s FY 2024 accomplishments including the issuance of general obligation debt to be repaid with TIF revenue; and how the department continues to protect taxpayer assets using check fraud security measures. He reported on staff changes in the past year and the Department’s progress implementing the new enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system. 

FD Dahlstrand identified the Department’s FY2025 goals and objectives, including the reorganization of staff, continued progress with ERP software implementations, and the production of periodic financial updates for staff and officials. 

Mayor Brummel emphasized that the general obligation debt will not be paid off using general fund revenue from property taxes. 

There was additional discussion regarding check fraud prevention and the increased use of electronic transfers to distribute funds in the future. 

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED 

2. Public Works Department FY 2025 Budget presentation 

PWD Kuchler gave the Public Works Department’s budget presentation for FY 2025. He reported the Department’s FY 2024 accomplishments, which include the continuing  progress of the sanitary sewer maintenance program and the water system improvements, which include painting of the west water tower, leak detection,  pipelining, and new well construction. Other accomplishments include Street Division construction projects, staffing improvements, new software assessments and the tree maintenance and planting program. 

PWD Kuchler identified the Department’s FY 2025 projects, which include continuing with the sanitary sewer system flow monitoring, water system improvements, construction projects, new software solutions and implementations, and other various  projects. 

Public Works staff was commended for the high level of performance of routine tasks as well as their ability to manage new projects and special events. 

Mayor Brummel addressed the general issue of lead waterline services and confirmed that there are no lead waterline services in the City. PWD Kuchler concurred.  

There was further discussion of the planned Cerny Park improvements, the grant funds associated with those improvements, and the City’s intent to transfer ownership of the  property to the Warrenville Park District. FD Dahlstrand noted that half of the Cerny Park improvement costs will be paid using grant funds and the other half will be paid using park developer donation funds. 

City Administrator (CA) White reminded the Committee that the Finance Department  and Public Works Department FY 2025 Work Plans are also presented for review and  may differ from the FY 2025 Citywide Work Plan. PWD Kuchler added that he has  proposed a change to the Route 59 Sidewalk Path Improvement Project within the Citywide Work Plan, moving it from Tier 1 to Tier 2. 

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED 

3. Consideration of Bid Letting and Construction Engineering for 2024 Construction Projects Prior to Approval of the FY 2025 Budget 

PWD Kuchler stated that staff is requesting authorization to seek bids for the 2024 Road Program, and the Batavia Road Resurfacing Project before the FY 2025 Budget is formally approved. He noted that it is staff’s experience that seeking bids for planned infrastructure construction projects in late winter or early spring results in lower bid  prices. 

There was discussion regarding the City’s plan to replace curb and gutter rather than adding curb and gutter where none exists. 

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council authorize staff to advertise for bids for the 2024 construction projects outlined in Public Works Director Kuchler’s February 7, 2024, memorandum, prior to formal approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. 

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE 

4. Consideration of Revocable Right-of-Way Agreement for 27W680 Warrenville Road City Planner and GIS Technician (P/T) Maszka presented a request from a property owner for a revocable right-of-way agreement for a private brick paver sidewalk and steps in the public right-of-way. He provided a brief history of the project and the non conforming property. P/T Maszka indicated that a brick paver sidewalk is not explicitly listed as a permitted or permissible private use of the public right-of-way and requires City Council approval to continue through the building permit and inspection process.  

There was discussion regarding future liability and maintenance of the walkway. P/T Maszka indicated that with the agreement, the property owner would be liable for any injury and responsible for all future maintenance. There was discussion regarding the safety of the final, installed walkway. Property Owner Adam Annala stated the images presented show an incomplete walkway, and with proper permitting and inspections, the walkway will be safe once completed. 

Mayor Brummel noted that the revocable right-of-way agreement allows the City to make any necessary improvements to the right-of-way without being liable for the replacement of the walkway. Ald. Weidner raised the issue of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). PWD Kuchler responded that a private walkway does not need to conform to the ADA, however, he will confirm this with the City Attorney upon recommendation to proceed from the Committee. 

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to  recommend the City Council approve a Revocable Right-of-Way Covenant agreement for a brick paver walk at 27W680 Warrenville Road.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE 

5. Informational Update of Briggs and Estes private well monitoring 

PWD Kuchler stated that, last year, City and Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) staff measured and recorded water levels in twelve private residential wells on Briggs Avenue and Estes Street. The measurements were taken before, during, and after the contractor performed test pumping of the City’s new Well No. 13, between August and November 2023. 

PWD Kuchler provided a report summarizing the water level data, a local hydrogeological analysis, water level data analysis, and the implications these results  will have on the long-term sustainability of the residential water supply. The report concluded that the private residential wells in the vicinity of Well No. 13 will not be  negatively impacted by the normal operation of Well No. 13. 

PWD Kuchler added that City staff will continue to measure water levels quarterly during well construction, and monthly for two years following construction, to verify that the private residential wells are not being negatively impacted. 

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED 

6. Consideration of Intergovernmental Agreement with DuPage County 

PWD Kuchler stated that an intergovernmental agreement with DuPage County is  required to document two items to complete the Old Town Redevelopment Site (OTRS) #2 remediation, parking lot and utility improvement project. He provided a brief description of the items, which include a request to use excess floodplain storage and the City fulfilling a County commitment to plant trees along the West Branch  DuPage River. 

Senior Civil Engineer Hocking was commended for the work performed on stormwater management with the County. 

ALDERMAN KRUCKENBERG MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Augustynowicz, to recommend the City Council approve an intergovernmental agreement with DuPage County for the OTRS #2 project. 

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE 

7. Informational Presentation of Tree Grant and Associated Requirements PWD Kuchler reported that the City has been approved for a $7,732 grant from the 2023 Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program for parkway tree planting. The grant will fund 50% of the cost to plant the proposed 112 new parkway trees for the 2024 City Parkway Tree Planting Program. He described the requirements associated with the grant award, calling specific attention to the adoption of a tree preservation ordinance. 

There was discussion regarding the number and choice of trees included in the annual parkway tree planting program. PWD Kuchler stated, given the City Council’s discussion in November 2023 regarding the number of trees to plant each year, staff included the intended 100 trees plus 12 more to maximize the grant funds. He added that, because the tree planting program is new, it is in the City’s best interest to monitor the planting and maintenance of a consistent number of trees to analyze the health of the program and the ability of staff to maintain the program before incrementally increasing the number of trees planted. 

There was further discussion regarding the loss of trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer over the years and the continued replacement of the trees in areas most affected by the  invasive insect. PWD Kuchler noted that Warrenville qualifies as a disadvantaged community favoring the City’s ability to receive grant funding to plant trees in future years. 

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED 

8. Consideration of City Entry Sign Replacement 

PWD Kuchler stated that the existing wooden City entry sign on southbound Route 59  near Maple Hill, was recently knocked down and destroyed by a vehicle. Staff is seeking direction from City Council on how to proceed with the replacement of this  and other wooden City entry signs that may be destroyed in the future. He indicated  staff’s intent to replace entry signs with masonry signs placed in locations approved by IDOT and DuPage County. He provided options for replacement signs located close to  the roadway and made of breakaway materials that will not be a danger to drivers who may leave the roadway and come in contact with one. 

Staff’s recommendation is to continue to maintain the signs and only replace damaged or broken signs as they are encountered. 

A consensus was reached to construct a sign with materials that would not pose a safety risk to vehicles that leave the roadway and are approved by the State and County highway authorities. 

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to direct staff  to include the development of options for a new City entry sign on southbound Route 59 near Maple Hill as a Tier 3 item on the Public Works Department FY 2025 Work Plan. 

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE 

9. Discussion of FY 2025 Citywide Work Plan 

Assistant City Administrator Morgan presented the proposed FY 2025 Citywide Work Plan. Committee members were advised this was an opportunity to review the initiatives, give feedback, and make changes prior to the adoption of the FY 2025  Budget. PWD Kuchler reiterated staff’s intent to move the Route 59 Sidewalk and Path  Improvement Project to Tier 2 due to a change in the scope of the project.

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAST AKEN NOR REQUESTED  

10. Review and file FY 2024 Public Works Department Work Plan There was no discussion regarding the report.  

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED  

G. MISCELLANEOUS  

There were no miscellaneous items discussed.  

H. ADJOURN  

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Augustynowicz, to adjourn.  

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE  

The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.  

https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02122024-1356