MINUTES OF INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING

CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE – CITY HALL

NOVEMBER 4, 2013 – 5:30 P.M. CHAMBER ROOM

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

1. The meeting called to order at 5:30 P.M. Present: Chair Karen Michalczyk, Alderman Sean McDermott, Alderman Scott Musillami. Also present: Mayor Ed Krzeminski; Alderman John Von Drasek; Alderman James Jasinski; Alderman Bob Pondelicek; City Clerk Sharon Sweeney; City Administrator Gail Paul; Assistant Administrator Sharon Peterson; DPW Superintendent Jim Essig.

Residents: Al Arneson, Don McGoorty, Len Cegielski.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2. The minutes of the August 5, 2013 were approved as submitted.

DISCUSSION ON THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHTED STREET SIGNS

AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF JOLIET ROAD AND LAGRANGE ROAD

3. IDOT will be improving the intersection of Joliet Road and LaGrange Road in 2014. Administrator Paul discussed with IDOT the feasibility of installing lighted signs at this location. Adjustments are able to be made before the bid letting in January. This type of sign hangs off of the traffic signals over the intersection. Logos can be added and the sign typically displays the route number. The cost of each sign is $4,000 for a total of $16,000 for the intersection. This amount includes engineering, cost of installation and the equipment. This is not a requirement, but it is an enhancement.

Administrator Paul will approach the Village of Hodgkins again to inquire if they would like to contribute to the purchase of the signs, inquire if both the City of Countryside logo and the Route 66 logo can be on the sign and if there is any other type of reflective signage in place of the lighted signs.

The committee recommended purchasing four lighted signs for the intersection for $16,000.

DISCUSSION ON LED LIGHTING FOR CITY STREETS

4. LED lighting suppliers have approached the city regarding changing the street lights to LED lights. DPW Superintendent Essig researched this item and submitted a proposal from Intex Lighting for review. The LED lights are for residential streets. Intex Lighting will do the grant application which would amount to approximately $75,000. The total investment for 400 80 W street lights is $123,221.25. The electrical savings is estimated at about $20,000. The payback period is approximately 3.4 years.

The lights are brighter, but are a different type of lighting. A few lights in front of City Hall will be replaced with the LED lights for evaluation. A lot of communities have started the change over and the next step would be to apply for the grant the next time it is available. Currently the city spends approximately $2,000 a month in maintenance bills and LED lights have a guarantee of 3, 5, or 10 years.

The committee recommended installing the lights in front of City Hall and waiting until the next grant available to discuss.

DISCUSSION ON AMENDING THE CITY CODE TO ALLOW

CHICKENS IN ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

5. Staff has received an inquiry on amending the City Code to allow chickens in residential areas. Chickens are currently prohibited within the city. Several communities do allow residents to have chickens with restrictions and temporary easements are given. In the code they are kept in a coup as to not run freely.

Ald. McDermott requested a draft amendment be brought back to the committee for review and the nuisance and the livestock/health and sanitation ordinances should match. The committee concurred.

DISCUSSION ON AMENDING THE CITY CODE TO PROHIBIT

WHIP SIGNS IN THE CITY

6. The Ad Hoc Committee recommended prohibiting whip-signs in the City Center. Whip-signs are defined as teardrop flags, feather flags and falcon flags. These are temporary signs currently allowed for 40 days.

The committee recommended prohibiting these types of flags/signs in the city.

OTHER BUSINESS

7. DPW Superintendent Essig reported the Drainage Project is beginning next week. The areas where work has been completed have not flooded.

8. Resident, Al Arneson noted he was disappointed in the amount of time it has taken for the Infrastructure committee to review the Presale Inspection program. Chair Michalczyk responded the city is reviewing the program and will discuss the program when all of the data is available.

ADJOURNMENT

9. No other business. The meeting is adjourned at 6:09 PM.

Dated: __________________ ________________________

Karen Michalczyk, Chair

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