MINUTES OF INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE – CITY HALL
APRIL 3, 2012 – 6:00 P.M. CHAMBER ROOM
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

1. Meeting called to order at 6:00 P.M. Present: Chair Karen Michalczyk, Aldermen Sean McDermott, Alderman Scott Musillami. Also present: Mayor Ed Krzeminski;

City Clerk Sharon Sweeney; City Treasurer Steven Jasinski; Alderman James Jasinski; Alderman John Von Drasek; Assistant Administrator Sharon Peterson; City Planner Bryan Swanson; DPW Superintendent Jim Essig; City Attorney Erik Peck; City Engineer Tom Brandstedt; Building Official Steve Tisinai; Pat and Bruce Schwartz, Liz Whittenberg.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2. The minutes of the February 7, 2012 were approved as submitted.

FLOOD AND STORM SEWER UPDATE

3. The City Engineer estimated the cost to install storms sewers to fix the flooding problem in the rear lots along Terry Lane at $75,000. The cost to install storm sewers near Hallowell & James is $62,500 to alleviate the flooding issues to the neighbors who live behind Hallowell and James’ funeral property. Hallowell and James Funeral Home has agreed to pay 1/3 of this cost.

A list of flooding areas was reviewed by the committee. DPW Superintendent Essig will repair the issues to the sidewalk in front of Brown’s Chicken on LaGrange Road and at the Peck Avenue ditch. The associated costs will be paid through the Department of Public Works budget. The problem seems to be a large amount of excess water in the ditch on Peck Avenue. Staff will confer with the LaGrange Highlands Sanitary District.

The rest of the items are minimal and can be added onto paving projects. The project behind Hallowell and James should go out to bid the first week of June.

PAVING PROJECTS UPDATE

4. The City Engineer recommended combining two paving projects into one to obtain a better price. The Engineer and WCMC are working together to attempt to make 57^thStreet from East Avenue to LaGrange Road a federal aid route. This will enable the city to obtain IDOT funding for paving and reconstruction. If successful, the street would need to be widened by 2 feet. Funds should be appropriated in 2015. Generally the city pays the engineering fees and 20-percent of the cost of improvement.

Two options were presented to repair 57^thStreet. The street could be ground down 1-inch and re-surfaced or pursue making it a federal aid route and try to obtain funds in the future. The cost is approximately $80,000 to remove 1-inch and re-surface.

The committee recommended due to the condition of the street the re-paving project will be done and the street not widened at this time.

Engineer Brandstedt and DPW Superintendent Essig measured 61^stPlace. The cost to do additional patching is $20,000. Spot patching will extend the street usage another 10-15 years. Chair Michalczyk would like to know if and where 61^stPlace fits into the 5-year street plan. The alley between Ashland and Catherine also needs paving.

DISCUSS INSTALLING SPEED BUMPS/HUMPS ON 57^THST AND CATHERINE AVENUE

5. In order to install speed bumps/humps on city streets, a speed and traffic count study must be done at a cost of $4,000-$6,000. The criteria to install speed bumps are: there has to be at least 600 cars travelled daily, the speed limit must be less than 30 mph and more than 80 percent of the cars must exceed the speed limit by at least 6 mph. The committee consensus is to start with increasing police patrol in the area. A traffic count during the busiest time of day will be taken and the results will be reviewed at the next meeting.

DISCUSSION ON HOME INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND INVOLVING THE PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT

6. DPW Superintendent Essig will be present when a TPI representative conducts an inspection for presales, new homes and foreclosures. It was noted on some new home construction, the curbs are not restored when driveway aprons are relocated. It is the new homeowner’s responsibility to replace the curb.

DISCUSSION ON DEMOLISHING THE PROPERTY AT 5616 ASHLAND AVENUE

7. Atty. Peck explained the homeowner at 5616 Ashland was issued several citations due to property maintenance issues. Because the homeowner did not show up to the adjudication hearings an order was entered against the property owner for fines totaling $22,500. A lien has been filed. Atty. Peck requested direction to either pursue the lien or demolish the home and lien the property for the costs of that demolition.

The committee recommended pursing demolition of the property and lien the property for associated costs.

DISCUSSION ON MATT FULLER REQUEST OF WAIVING FEES FOR PC/ZBA MEETING

8. Mr. Fuller received zoning approval to make an amendment to provide three additional oil change/auto service bays to the already existing bays at 5620 Brainard Avenue. Mr. Fuller would like to change his approved plans by eliminating the existing convenience store and replace it with the three additional bays. The proposed change in plans requires an appearance before the PC-ZBA. Mr. Fuller requested the $500 PC-ZBA application fee be waived, but he will pay the certified mail costs and legal notice fees. Planner Bryan Swanson was directed to obtain a written statement Mr. Fuller will install the crosswalk previously discussed.

The committee recommended waiving the $500 PC-ZBA application fee.

OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS

9. Building Official Steve Tisinai presented an update to the changes and impact on the city regarding the new 2012 International Code Council (ICC) Building Codes. A few years ago the State required all municipalities within Illinois to be on the 2002 version of the NFPA 1001- Life Safety Code. The City is currently on the 2006 International Building Code and 2006 International Fire Code which is equivalent. Some municipalities lessened the requirements for fire sprinkler systems and State Congress is pushing to require that municipalities operate under the 2011 version of the NFPA 101 with some amendments. Building Official Tisinai recommended waiting until the State Fire Marshall makes all amendments and review the codes at that time.

10. Fire Chief Doyle prepared a cost estimate for fire sprinkler installation in existing homes and commercial properties. A typical wet sprinkler system in a light hazard occupancy is approximately $3-$4 per square foot. This does not include the alarm work or the underground work. For residential sprinklers the cost is approximately $2.50 per square foot. Sprinkler heads are not required in closets, bathrooms, attics or attached garages. According to Building Official Tisinai, in 2011 the cost was typically $3/sq. ft. for new residential construction, but in 2012 the cost raised to $3-$4.50/sq. ft. It was also noted retrofitting costs are very expensive.

11. Atty. Peck explained the homeowners at 10705 Dawn presented the Hold Harmless agreement to their bank for a signature but the bank refused to sign the agreement because the house is in trust. Atty. Peck believes if the resident wants the agreement signed the bank should sign on their behalf. Atty. Peck will follow up with the matter and report back to the committee.

ADJOURNMENT

12. No other business. The meeting is adjourned at 6:55 PM.

Dated: __________________ ________________________

Karen Michalczyk, Chair