Landscape Beautification Committee Agendas & Minutes

MINUTES LANDSCAPE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Village Hall, Room 114 July 20th, 2011 at 9:15 a.m. Landscape Beautification Committee Meeting 9:15 a.m. In Attendance: Louella Preston- Trustee Susan Bus- Finance Bob Pilat- Public Services Chuck Ostman – Community Development Absent: None Meeting called to order by Louella Preston. Louella Preston started discussion of the beautification plan dated 7/6/2011 which was drafted by Bob Pilat. This plan included revised dollar amounts from John Ryan. The total grant dollars for work performed on Touhy between Milwaukee and Harlem was $233,633.00. The discussion also included the budgeted dollars in which the Mayor vetoed that line item. The veto was to be discussed at the next regularly scheduled Village Board meeting. Bob Pilat continued to further explain the beautification plan in more detail. The total grant amount is $205,000.00. It was noted that grant money not used in a different grant would be applied to the Touhy Avenue work in the amount of $28,663.00 due to the modification of the previous grant project agreement. The addition of this additional grant money brought the total to $233,633.00. The grant expiration date is December 31, 2011. The subject of the rain garden was discussed briefly. It was noted that Steve Vinezeano was the lead person on that project. Recent improvements were made to the rain garden through several Niles businesses. It was confirmed that there are no detailed plans for further improvements to the rain garden. The committee discussed the options for landscape improvements if the veto was sustained. The discussion included whether the plant material was included in the budgeted price for the hardscape or landscape. This item was clarified by John Ryan that the plant material for the planters to be installed. The budgeted dollars were reviewed and a recommendation was made to hold back on the pavers to be replaced at the fountain which was budgeted around $100,000.00. The committee supported the recommendation that the pavers be considered for elimination if the veto was sustained. It was noted that the pavers could be installed at a later date. Discussion was also brought forward to the construction of the planter details, and that the architect review and recommend different alternatives to the planter beds, including being fenced in or raised to provide seating. A call was made to John Ryan to confirm some of the discussion on the pavers and planters. John was also invited to attend this meeting which was to be continued the following Monday, July 25th, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the site. A motion was made to continue the meeting on July 25th, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Touhy and Milwaukee Avenue. On Monday, July 25th, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. the meeting was called to order. The following persons were present: Louella Preston Bob Pilat Susan Bus Charles Ostman John Ryan, Ives Ryan Group, Inc. Discussion included the locations, and construction of the planters. It was observed that 2 manholes within one of the planters would need to be raised. The committee proceeded to the rain garden to discuss if this public land would also be included in the project. It was identified in a call to the Assistant Village Manager that there are no detailed plans for any work to review by the landscape committee and the time needed to prepare the drawings was not available due to the expiration date of the grant. The committee moved the meeting to the Public Works administrative building to further discuss the ability of John Ryan to review the project time frame to determine if a contract can be awarded this year with the completion of the work prior to December 31, 2011. A motion was made to close the meeting with the future meeting date to be determined.