PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 2013/07/15 Minutes
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
MONDAY, JULY 15, 2013 – 5:15 P.M.
CITY HALL – 220 E. DEERPATH
COUNCIL CHAMBERS CONFERENCE ROOM
MEETING MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Chairman Kent Novit called the meeting to
order at 5:15 P.M. Alderman Waldeck was present.
City staff in attendance included Michael Thomas, Director of Public
Works; Dan Martin, Superintendent of Public Works; Robert Ells,
Superintendent of Engineering; Jeff Howell, Fire Chief; Dave DeMarco,
Fleet Supervisor; Chris Garrison, Deputy Fire Chief; Donna Dunn, Assistant
to the Director of Public Works; Elizabeth Holleb; Director of Finance.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 20, 2013 PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES: Alderman Waldeck moved to approve the minutes of the
May 20, 2013 meeting as written. Chairman Novit seconded the motion,
which carried unanimously.
III. REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING FIRE ENGINES #215 AND #216: Director of Public
Works Michael Thomas discussed the scheduled replacement of two
existing fire engines with the Committee. He noted that the engines have
been scheduled for replacement for several years. The units are a liability
to the City because of increased downtime and the cost to make repairs.
Mr. Thomas added that the shared services study is still underway and that
it may include joint purchasing options for the communities involved in the
study. Staff is also investigating leasing options and the purchase of demo
units. At the November Budget Meeting, staff will have a
recommendation regarding the capital purchase.
Fire Chief Jeff Howell added that they have tried to extend the life of
these engines, but there are other pieces of equipment that will also need
to be considered for replacement in upcoming years. Additionally, after
the equipment exceeds a specified number of years, which these engines
have, a complete recertification is required. This has not yet been
completed because the engines were due for replacement. The
estimated cost for a fire engine is approximately $500,000 and the trade-in
value for each engine is approximately $20,000 - $25,000.
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Meeting Minutes from July 15, 2013
Page 2 of 3
Finance Director Elizabeth Holleb stated that the equipment was
designated to be paid for through bonds. The Finance Committee will be
discussing this more thoroughly at their meeting later this evening.
Staff was directed to research all the options, costs, pros and cons of
each option, and present their findings with a recommendation at the
November Budget Meeting.
No action was required.
IV. UPDATE ON BAXTER & WOODMAN STORM WATER STUDY: Superintendent of
Engineering Robert Ells provided an update on the Storm Water Study. All
of the administrative work, the Citywide analysis, and most of the field
work has been completed. Staff met with Baxter & Woodman to review
the data of the rain events (some which resulted in flooding) and were
able to identify eleven areas in the City that will undergo a more in-depth
analysis. Baxter & Woodman will provide options for fixing trouble areas
and the costs associated with each option. Mr. Ells provided the
Committee with a list of the top ten problem areas based on history and
the analysis provided by Baxter & Woodman.
Committee members asked if there were as many reported home
floodings this year as in years past. Mr. Ells reported that less were
reported this year. The final report will be presented in October, 2013.
No action was required.
V. UPDATE ON SUMMER WATER PUMPAGE: Superintendent of Public Works
Dan Martin distributed a graph correlating the amount of rainfall with
water pumpage for 2012 and 2013. Mr. Martin noted that the City is in a
better position this year in terms of pumpage than in 2012.
Mr. Martin explained the issue with algae in the lake that was drawn into
the intakes at the plant. Algae limits the amount of water that can be
filtered and pumped. Two of the interconnects with Lake Bluff have been
opened in order to help fill the booster station and the elevated tank
each night. He added that the plant was designed in 2000, constructed
in 2002, and that since this time, the number of irrigation systems have
significantly increased, but the capacity of the plant has not. This is why
the odd/even watering restrictions are important.
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Meeting Minutes from July 15, 2013
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No action was required.
VI. FUTURE MEETINGS & DRAFT AGENDA TOPICS: Director of Public Works
Michael Thomas reviewed the meeting schedule and agenda topics with
the Committee. He noted that review of the IMS study (Pavement
Management Study) may be added to the September, 2013 agenda.
VII. OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: None
VIII. NEXT MEETING – SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
IX. ADJOURNMENT: Alderman Waldeck moved to adjourn the meeting of the
Public Works Committee at 6:30 p.m. Chairman Novit seconded the
motion, which carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Dunn
Assistant to the Director of Public Works