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Minutes COW 2009Committee of the Whole July 20, 2009 7:00 p.m. A meeting of the Village of Lemont Committee of the Whole was held on Monday July 20, 2009 in the Board Room of the Village Hall at 418 Main Street in Lemont, Illinois. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Reaves called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and acknowledged that the following were present: Trustees Ron Stapleton, Cliff Miklos, Debbie Blatzer, Jeanette Virgilio and Rick Sniegowski were present. Trustee Chialdikas was absent. Also present were Village staff members Gary Holmes, Dan Fielding, James Brown, Ben Wehmeier, George Schafer, Ed Buettner, and Jim Cainkar. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion of Walker/McCarthy Intersection Engineering Mr. Cainkar explained the process the Village needs to follow in order to expedite the intersection project from happening. The current project is slated for FY2014 in IDOT's capital plan. IDOT has funds allocated to other projects that take precedent over this intersection, and the Village has been told that there is no one at IDOT to work on the McCarthy intersection. By the Village completing Phase I Engineering, the project has a chance to be moved up to an earlier date. Mr. Wehmeier mentioned that the project can be completed with this budget's funds due to favorable bids on some of the Village's other projects. Mr. Cainkar mentioned that there is no guarantee that the project will be moved up, but completing the engineering is the only chance it will have to be moved up. The Board was in favor of moving forward with the project. Mr. Fielding brought up another project the village could complete this year, the repaving of KA Steel Road. With the saved money on favorable bids this year, the Village could complete this needed construction project. The Board was in favor of the project as a 50/50 split with KA Steel. Discussion of State Treasurer E-Pa,~gram The Village has been accepting credit cards for a limited numbers of services for a short period of time. One of the main reasons the cards aren't being accepted for all services is because of the finance charge the Village incurs. Through Illinois E-Pay, the fee could be passed on to card holders or absorbed by the Village. If the Village passes on the fee, VISA would not be accepted. VISA does not allow the fee to be passed on to the card holder. The Board was in favor of accepting all credit cards online and at the Village through Illinois E-Pay, and absorbing the fee as a convenience for the citizens. Staff is going to see what other communities are accepting credit cards for, and move forward with the program. Reduction of Speed Limit on Derby Road from 45 to 35 MPH Chief Shaughnessy stated that with the re-paving of Derby Road, now would be a good time to reduce the speed limit on this road from 45 to 35 MPH. There have been numerous speed related accidents on this stretch of road way over the last few years, and a slower speed is warranted. The Board was in favor of the reduction in speed. Discussion of Downtown Capital Projects and Financing Mr. Wehmeier gave a brief presentation on the numerous projects occurring in the downtown, and financing updates. The first major project discussed was the last major road reconstruction in the downtown TIF District, Talcott. The reconstruction would include utility undergrounding, curb replacement and road reconstruction. No water/sewer utility construction would be required. The initial estimate for ComEd to do the undergrounding was $430,000. The options the Village has to fund the project would be TIF fund balance, or the Rider 28 Program. The Village used the Rider 28 funding mechanism with Front/River Street utilities, which amounted to approximately $2 per homeowner's electric bill. Once the project is completed, it is taken off the bill. The Board was in favor of using the Rider 28 program, as many other communities use this funding mechanism to underground utilities. Staff will have the ordinance ready at the next Village Board Meeting for a formal vote. The next topic was dumpster enclosures in the downtown. The Board was receptive to the idea of creating "community dumpsters" with enclosures in a few different places in the downtown. The Village could offer a 50/50 program to fund the community dumpsters. Mayor Reaves stated that the Village will have to take the lead on these dumpsters to get it done. A sample of a good enclosure was noted on Jerry Culhanic's property on Talcott. Other areas for a possible dumpster include near La Dolce Vita, Old Town, and the Seamus block. The next topic was the canal landscaping. The Village received quotes for the construction documents for the landscaping on Front Street. Teska Associates was the low quote and will complete the work. Mayor Reaves stated the landscaping is important as he has talked to owners of the Front Street Cantina, and they are looking for a Village commitment to improve this area with landscaping. The I&M Canal dredging project was also discussed. Staff will attempt to get better figures on how much it would cost, the Village's consultant engineer is holding firm on his estimate of $1,000,000 to complete the project from bridge to bridge. The Village currently has no funding for the project, but has received all permits in case grant money becomes available to complete the project. There was also discussion on various improvements that are in the budget for the downtown, including directional signage and informational kiosks. These improvements will be installed this year. Discussion of Heritage Quarries Recreational Area A draft intergovernmental agreement for use of the recreational quarry area was discussed. The agreement doesn't divide financial responsibility, but instead provides the necessary structure for the use of the quarries. The main goal of the agreement is to provide the framework for other taxing bodies and the Heritage Commission to get involved. It also provides for expansion for other entities to become involved, such as the Cook County Forest Preserve District. The Village is providing police protection and liability for the area, and hopes to receive assistance for the maintenance of the area. Staff will be working out details with the other taxing bodies on funding assistance in the near future. Discussion of UDO Amendments There have been some minor changes to the UDO in the past, and staff felt like there were a few more areas of clarification needed. Of note, a new section has been added on temporary buildings, it allows temporary buildings to include mobile classrooms. In addition, the land use of heliport is defined and added as a special use in the M and INT districts. Searchlights would also be allowed for special events. The Board was in favor of the changes. Mr. Brown stated that there was discussion on requiring a plan to be shown for a new building when one is to be demolished. The Board was not in favor of this request. The changes to the UDO would be in front of the Village Board at the next Village Board meeting. Strategic Planning Session It has been four years since the Board's last strategic planning session, and the next one is scheduled to take place during the IML Conference in Chicago. Mr. Wehmeier asked the Board to email staff if there are topics they definitely want covered during the session. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Reaves brought up the recently passed legislation for video gaming statewide. There are some stipulations on who can have video machines. There are approximately 10 businesses in town that are eligible to have the machines, and the Village can license their use. This is also an opportunity for revenue as there is a municipality share. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Reaves adjourned the meeting at 9:25 PM