August 05, 2008


1. Call to Order

Mayor Ron Sandack called the regular meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Downers Grove to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Downers Grove Village Hall.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Mayor Sandack led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

2. Roll Call

Present: Commissioner Marilyn Schnell, Commissioner Martin Tully, Commissioner William Waldack, Commissioner Sean P. Durkin, Commissioner Bruce E. Beckman and Mayor Ron Sandack Absent: Commissioner Geoff Neustadt and Village Attorney Enza Petrarca Non Voting: Village Clerk April Holden, Deputy Village Manager David Fieldman and Staff Attorney Beth Clark The Council meeting is broadcast over the local FM radio station, WDGC . In addition, a tape recording and videotape of the meeting are being made using Village owned equipment. The videotape of the meeting will be used for later rebroadcast of the Council meeting over the Village cable television Channel 6.

The Council will follow the rules of conduct for this meeting as provided in Sec. 2.5 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code. These offer the public the opportunity to comment at several points in the meeting. First, immediately following approval of the minutes of the past meetings, an opportunity will be given for public comments and questions on the active agenda items for this evening’s meeting. Following this, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions on any subject. Finally, if a public hearing is scheduled for this meeting, an opportunity is given for public comments and questions related to the subject of the hearing.

The presiding officer will ask, at the appropriate time, if there are any comments from the public. If anyone wishes to speak, the individual should raise their hand to be recognized and, after acknowledgment from the presiding officer, approach the microphone and state their name and address. Remarks should be limited to five minutes, and asked that individuals refrain from making repetitive statements.

Mayor Sandack said there are agendas located on either side of the Council Chambers, and he invited the audience to pick up an agenda and follow the progress of the Council meeting.

3. Minutes of Workshop and Council Meetings

Executive Session Minutes for Approval Only – July 1, 2008 & July 15, 2008 Strategic Planning Sessions – July 10, July 11 & July 12, 2008 Council Meeting – July 15, 2008 Workshop Meeting – July 22, 2008 There being no additions or corrections to the minutes, Mayor Sandack said they would be filed as submitted.

Heritage Festival Photo Contest Winners

Mary Scalzetti, Director, Community Events, asked Mayor Sandack to hand out the awards to the Heritage Festival Photo Contest winners. She announced the following winners:

  • 1st Place – Carl Sandberg, III
  • 2nd Place – Kate Skegg
  • 3rd Place – Joshua Merril
  • Honorable Mentions – Bill Novak, Janice McCrimmon and Logan Sanders

Ms. Scalzetti said 97 photos were entered into the contest this year. The winning photos may be used in future publications.

July 4th Parade Awards

Ms. Scalzetti announced the following 2008 July 4 parade winners:

  • Community Spirit Award, depicting neighborliness and enthusiasm – Cub Scout Pack #99
  • Youth Award, from a youth organization – Downers Grove Roadrunners Soccer
  • Council Award, celebrating the nation’s birthday – Samahang Kapatid
  • C.J. Shoemaker Award for the best musical presentation – Proviso East High School
  • Mayor’s Special Recognition Award – Maple Hill Recreation
  • Honorable Mention – Kin-Ko Ace Hardware

The Mayor thanked all the people who participated in the parade.

Capital Projects Update

Robin Weaver, Interim Director, Public Works, stated that staff is involved in 48 projects. The budget and project progress will be tracked on a weekly basis. She said that 23 projects are in the design phase, 20 are under construction, 4 have been completed, and one (Lee and Ogden) has been cancelled.

Ms. Weaver said that Prairie Avenue construction began utility work on Monday for a $4.1 million project to be completed this year. She said that Prairie Avenue carries an average of 6,300 trips per day. The Woodward Avenue project is a $1.5 million project which was delayed from 2007 due to funding issues. It is 80% complete at this time with restoration of parkways, sidewalks and signal changes remaining. Daily trips on Woodward Avenue average 21,000. She showed pictures of the status of the Woodward project.

Commissioner Schnell asked if instructions about tree protection and preservation are given to a firm when it begins a project, because this did not happen on the Woodward project. Ms. Weaver responded that Public Works has incorporated tree preservation into its bid specifications. This was not a requirement when the Woodward project was bid.

4. Public Comments and Questions

A. Comments and Questions on Active Agenda

There were no comments.

B. Comments and Questions on General Matters

1. John Schofield, 1125 Jefferson Avenue, commented on the projects on the capital projects update list, saying it would be helpful to have updates of other projects, such as utility companies working in the Village, on the website. He referenced a project that had no tree protection on 59th Street, saying that this was an example of why the community should know what is happening. He urged citizens to call in these projects.

Mr. Schofield then referred to an article authored by the Mayor on TCD3 , saying he has not received a copy of the article, and suggested that it be placed on the website. The Mayor said that the article is on-line at Grovernews.com. There will be a website established for TCD3 .

Mr. Schofield commented on the minutes for the July 10 Citizens Summit, saying it was a valuable meeting, but there is no record from which to obtain information as to the output from the meeting. The minutes are only a statement of questions asked, and do not cover the content of what was answered. He hoped these would be made available soon, preferably before the meeting where this will be discussed.

2. Frank Falesch, 820 Prairie, commented on the property at Main and Prairie, saying he understood that the Village has to negotiate to obtain property to increase the size of the turn. He asked as to the status of negotiation and the Mayor said that the negotiations have been ongoing. Mr. Falesch added that the powder from the work on Prairie has created a mess on the street. In addition, the heavy equipment on the trailer left the street dirty with a lot of mud.

5. Public Hearings

6. Consent Agenda

COR00 -03420 A. Claim Ordinance: No. 5753, Payroll, July 18, 2008 Sponsors: Accounting A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: N/A

BIL00 -03421 B. List of Bills Payable: No. 5732, August 5, 2008 Sponsors: Accounting A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: N/A

MOT00 -03423 C. Motion: Increase Stormwater Project Cost Share Program Sponsors: Public Works Summary of Item: This increases the budget for the stormwater project cost share program for 2008 from $5,000 to $50,000. A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Stormwater Improvements

RES00 -03425 D. Resolution: Authorize a First Amendment to License Agreement with Nextel Communications to Install, Maintain and Operate Antenna Equipment on Village Property Sponsors: Village Attorney Summary of Item: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO LICENSE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF DOWNERS GROVE AND NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS TO INSTALL , MAINTAIN AND OPERATE ANTENNA EQUIPMENT ON VILLAGE PROPERTY

RESOLUTION 2008 -77 A motion was made to Pass this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Antenna Equipment

RES00 -03426 E. Resolution: Authorize Participation in the State of Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program Sponsors: Finance Summary of Item: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF ILLINIOS FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM

RESOLUTION 2008 -78 A motion was made to Pass this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Surplus Property, Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program

BID00 -03427 F. Bid: Award $51,000 to A&R Cement, Inc., Bartlett, IL, for 2008 Downtown Business District Paver Crosswalks Upgrade Sponsors: Public Works A motion was made to Approve this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Central Business District, Crosswalks

MOT00 -03428 G. Motion: Note Receipt of Minutes of Boards and Commissions Summary of Item: Architectural Design Review Board – May 22, 2008 Library Board – July 9, 2008 A motion was made to Note Receipt Of this file on the Consent Agenda. Indexes: Boards and Commissions Minutes Passed The Consent Agenda

A motion was made by Commissioner Tully, seconded by Commissioner Durkin, that the consent agenda be passed. The motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Mayor Sandack

7. Active Agenda

BID00 -03422 A. Bid: Award $421,252.90 to G & M Cement Construction, Addison, IL, for 2008 New Sidewalk Program Sponsors: Public Works Summary of Item: This authorizes execution of a contract between the Village of Downers Grove and G&M Cement Construction as part of the 2008 New Sidewalk Program in the amount of $421,252.90. Commissioner Schnell thanked staff for researching her question on this item.

Commissioner Tully said that the engineering estimate for tree removal of trees over 15” in diameter was twice as much as the average. Acting Manager Fieldman said that G&M told staff that they will stand by the bid including all unit prices, and any savings will come back to the Village. Commissioner Tully then asked whether staff is satisfied that traffic control protection will be sufficient and satisfactory. Manager Fieldman said that G&M will be held to performance standards of safety and traffic control. A motion was made by Commissioner Tully, seconded by Commissioner Durkin, to Approve this file. Mayor Sandack declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Mayor Sandack Indexes: Sidewalk Construction

MOT00 -03424 B. Motion: Change Order No. 2 for the Maple/55th Street Water Main Replacement Project Sponsors: Public Works Summary of Item: This authorizes Change Order #2 in the amount of $130,090.95 for the Maple Avenue/55th Street Watermain Replacement Project. The revised contract amount would total $1,516,476.05. Commissioner Durkin asked where the Village stands with the DuPage County permit. Manager Fieldman said it will be ready for pick up on Friday.

Commissioner Waldack commented that he has some concerns about this item and previously asked about the math. He is disappointed with the worksheet provided in the Council’s packet. The project was reduced by 14%, yet there is a 9.5% increase for fuel charges. He asked how they came to the $130,000 figure. The Commissioner said if this is not passed this week, the project might not be able to move forward until next year. He would like to have more information for future bids identifying the effect of petroleum prices on the projects, and perhaps include escalators or discounts based on fuel prices. He learned from staff that this bid is only good for 90 days. Commissioner Waldack said based on last year’s bids, the difference between the lowest and second lowest bid was $56,000. Because petroleum prices have gone up and based on his personal analysis he will support this change order. He stated that he wished the worksheet had been more specific with regard to fuel costs. He has asked for a report card from staff, and would like to see the fuel costs better addressed.

Commissioner Schnell said she would support this as it is a unique situation. She noted that the bid was accepted but they did not get the permit in a timely manner. She further noted that this bid includes petroleum products, not just fuel costs. A motion was made by Commissioner Durkin, seconded by Commissioner Beckman, to Authorize this file. Mayor Sandack declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Mayor Sandack Indexes: Water Main Improvements

RES00 -03430 C. Resolution: Final Plat of Subdivision for Haider’s Main Street Subdivision Sponsors: Community Development Summary of Item: At their meeting of July 7, 2008, the Plan Comission recommended approval of the Final Plat of Subdivision for the Haider’s Main Street Subdivision.

A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION FOR HAIDER ’S MAIN STREET SUBDIVISION

RESOLUTION 2008 -79 A motion was made by Commissioner Beckman, seconded by Commissioner Schnell, to Adopt this file. Mayor Sandack declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Mayor Sandack Indexes: Subdivision – Haider’s Main Street Subdivision

ORD00 -03431 D. Ordinance: Authorize a Special Use to Permit a Contractor’s Shop and Office at 5106 Walnut Avenue Sponsors: Community Development Summary of Item: At their meeting of July 7, 2008, the Plan Commission recommended that a Special Use be granted on property located at 5106 Walnut Avenue to permit a contractor’s shop and office.

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL USE TO PERMIT A CONTRACTOR ’S SHOP AND OFFICE AT 5106 WALNUT AVENUE

ORDINANCE NO . 4992 A motion was made by Commissioner Schnell, seconded by Commissioner Waldack, to Adopt this file. Mayor Sandack declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Mayor Sandack Indexes: Special Use – 5106 Walnut Avenue

8. Mayor’s Report

New Business

RES00 -03429 Resolution: Appoint Members to Boards and Commissions Sponsors: Mayor Summary of Item: This confirms the following appointments:

HUMAN SERVICE COMMISSION

Reappoint Theresa Carlquist to a three-year term expiring August 31, 2011

LIQUOR COMMISSION

Appoint James Krusenoski to a one-year term expiring August 31, 2009

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AND REAPPOINTING MEMBERS TO VILLAGE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

RESOLUTION 2008 -80 Commissioner Schnell said there is a Liquor Commission meeting this coming Thursday night. She expressed her appreciation to the appointee for his willingness to serve. He has a great background.

The Mayor extended his appreciation to those people willing to serve on the Village Boards and Commissions. A motion was made by Commissioner Tully, seconded by Commissioner Durkin, to Adopt this file. Mayor Sandack declared the motion carried by the following vote: Votes: Yea: Commissioner Schnell, Commissioner Tully, Commissioner Waldack, Commissioner Durkin, Commissioner Beckman and Mayor Sandack Indexes: Boards and Commissions Materials to be Placed on File

9.Manager’s and Directors’ Reports

Manager Fieldman reported on the storm that occurred last night between 7:00 and 10:30 p.m., saying staff received approximately 200 calls on downed trees and power lines, fire alarms, traffic signals out, etc. He said staff responded to the calls. Com Ed reported 950 residents without power, which now stands at 257 households.

REP00 -03432 Bus Purchase Manager Fieldman said that two months ago Council authorized staff to purchase a used bus at a price not to exceed $70,000. Staff was unable to find a used bus, but found a new bus at a cost of $67,590 for a 16-passenger bus. It meets all of the Village needs, and staff would like to proceed with the bus purchase. The Manager said that the photo shows it resembles the new buses.

Commissioner Durkin asked if there is a transportation fee from California, and Director Robin Weaver said that the transportation fee is included in the price.

Commissioner Tully said that with a new vehicle it is still under warranty.

Commissioner Beckman as to an analysis of purchase versus lease. Manager Fieldman said they did not look at a lease option, but will look at lease opportunities in long-term changes to the fleet. In response to Commissioner Schnell, Director Weaver said that this bus is ADA accessible.

The Mayor said that staff was charged to find a sixth bus. This exceeds expectations as this is a new bus, versus a used bus, which will be under warranty. He thinks this is a prudent thing to do and and that this fits the bill. This bus is similar to the fleet the Village has. He thanked staff for their efforts on this project.

Director Weaver then provided a review on the performance of the five new buses. She said 80% of the cost was paid by Pace. They were placed into service on June 13, 2008. They are ultra low emission diesel fuel buses. Gas mileage is 2.5 to 3.5 times better than before. They have gone from 2-3 mpg to 7 mpg. Ridership is up 15% from May and June of last year. She added that free coupons are available for first time commuter bus users.

Commissioner Durkin asked for a breakdown of riders with coupons vs. paying customers. Ms. Weaver said that 40 coupons have been used to date, half by existing riders. These expire at the end of September. She encouraged people to try the new buses. Indexes: Buses

10. Attorney’s Report

Future Active Agenda

11.Council Member Reports and New Business

Commissioner Beckman commented on the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new buses saying it was a spectacular event. He also announced that Dr. David Hendrix, the first Superintendent of District 99, died last week at the age of 64. He was a unique individual and will be missed; the kind of person who could eloquently discuss the nuances of quality education in Downers Grove as well as what the Cubs were doing wrong in their pennant race. He was an educator of the highest esteem. Two weeks before his death he participated in the 500-mile bike ride across the State of Iowa. Many will miss his presence and contributions.

Commissioner Waldack said he attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for Good Samaritan’s satellite facility at 6800 Main Street. He thanked Good Samaritan Hospital for this facility. He noted that he also attended the ribbon cutting for the buses, with many dignitaries present. He extended his congratulations to staff for assisting Pace in transferring the station to Downers Grove.

Mike Baker said he would put information on the website regarding the transfer station which is located on Branding Drive east of Finley. This went into effect on August 1.

Commissioner Durkin said he serves as liaison to the Downtown Management Corporation, and on Friday, the Chicago Tribune presented a profile of Downers Grove. It is nice to see that type of public relations coverage of our community.

Commissioner Schnell added that she thought the ribbon cutting was a great ceremony. Representatives of Pace, Representative Bellock and Senator Dillard were in attendance.

Commissioner Tully extended condolences to Wally Brown and his family on the passing of Forest Preserve Commissioner Brown’s wife, Jane Brown.

The Mayor noted the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the new buses and the Good Samaritan satellite facility. He said the Good Sam facility is a tremendous building and a welcome addition to the south side of town. He extolled the benefits to the Village of this facility, commenting on the tremendous contributions Good Samaritan Hospital has made as a member of the Downers Grove community.

Mayor Sandack reported that he participated in the County Stormwater meeting this morning, saying that a grant has been accepted by the County to do mapping through FEMA . The mapping is required for the Village’s stormwater and capital improvements projects, and our staff will have the opportunity to work with the County, FEMA and others.

12. Adjournment

Commissioner Tully moved to adjourn. Commissioner Durkin seconded.

VOTE : YEA – Commissioners Tully, Durkin, Beckman, Waldack, Schnell, Mayor Sandack

Mayor Sandack declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m

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