Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape Committee MEETING SUMMARY March 23, 2011 The following persons were present: Chair Louella Preston, Chuck Ostman, Steve Vinezeano, Bob Pilat, Jeff Pisha (HR Green) and Akram Chaudhry (HR Green). Trustee Chris Hanusiak did not attend. I. Approve Meeting Summary: a. The Chair stated that the draft summaries of February 8, 2010 and March 9, 2011 would not be voted on until Trustee Hanusiak is available. II. Old Business: a. Touhy/Milwaukee ITEP Project (ITEP1) Akram Chaudhry began the meeting with an update on ITEP 1 at Touhy/Milwaukee. He stated that it is almost complete, but there are accent strips with the wrong number of courses (6 and not 5) that DiPalo refuses to fix because they haven’t been paid. Akram stated that IDOT does not care about the accent strips and will not assist. Funds have been withheld from them by HRGreen. Akram stated that the planters are in place, but plantings in the planters are not part of the project scope. Vinezeano stated that this is contrary to what he was told in the past. Vinezeano does not believe that these plantings are in the draft budget for spring. Akram stated that Moses will receive a copy of As Built Plans when available when the project is officially closed out. No reports provided, but they are willing to assist with one in the future. III. New Business: a. Oakton/Milwaukee (ITEP 2) and Harlem/Howard/Milwaukee (ITEP 3) The Chair asked Akram to summarize what is needed. Akram stated he talked to IDOT about the signals (with countdowns) at these intersections and they told him they have it budgeted with federal funds. He said that it is their road and they will do it when they want, but that they plan to do it (construct) in 2013 or 2014. It was agreed to let IDOT do the project. Jerry’s is a private crossing and does not qualify for work by IDOT. Akram said they will look for some level of cost share for the work, but it will be significantly less than if the Village did it as part of the streetscape project. He stated that if they disturb and of the work already done by the Village, the Village will have to repair it. Akram asked if we now want to do new work north of Monroe or do work between the intersections like sidewalks and fencing. There was discussion about the improvements (per the Committee decision from the past) to be completed at these intersections. There was a question  about the bus stop at Jerry’s and the crosswalk. It was decided to put in two crosswalks (brick paver) at that location due to safety reasons. The HR Green architect will take a look at what could be done with the nodes in that area. There was further discussion about a “pork chop” or “right in/ right out” north of that intersection. The Riggio’s sign at the northwest corner of Milwaukee and Oakton was discussed and how it is on right of way. At some point if the sign is ever rebuilt, it will have to move. There was discussion about having the gravel in front of the sign considered for landscaping. b. Other New Business. It is anticipated that the established scope of work minus the cost for the traffic signals at three intersections will result in an excess of ITEP funds of approximately $500k. There was discussion of how to utilize these funds. The options were: 1. Maintain the scope of work of only doing the intersections and hope to use it for an ITEP IV project plan that would need to be created and would involve Phase I design from Monroe to Greenwood and some construction work; 2. Expand the scope of work and complete some of the streetscape work that is between the intersections and try later to establish ITEP IV work. The streets between the intersections would be improved with fencing, landscaping and new sidewalk would be from Birchwood to Jonquil and Mulford to Oakton. Akram stated that we could not do the poles to Greenwood with the funds due to project limits. Vinezeano asked that they do what they can to expand the boundaries of the project to all for that to happen with these funds. Akram stated that the TCSP funds must be committed by September. There was discussion regarding what else the ITEP funds could be used for and banners were mentioned and trees. HR Green will get plans 60% and return to add any suggested trees, etc. Akram stated that an addendum to the existing Agreement for HR Green is forthcoming. IV. Adjournment at 10:55 a.m.