Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

MILWAUKEE AVENUE CORRIDOR COMMITTEE JULY 11, 2017 MEETING SUMMARY CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair McCreery at 1:38 p.m. ATTENDANCE The following Committee members were in attendance:  Denise McCreery, Village Trustee  Ross Klicker, Economic Development Coordinator  Bob Pilat, Admin. Asst. to Director of Public Services  Tom Powers, Village Engineer  Bruce Sylvester, Senior Planner Others in attendance were:  Mary Anderson, Director of Public Services  Tim O’Brien, Civil Engineer II STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE - ITEP IV An update of the ITEP IV project, which is the streetscape project on Milwaukee Avenue from Oakton Street to Monroe Street, was provided. Bob Pilat stated the construction has been substantially completed for some time, however we are still waiting on IDOT to process the pay requests from Martam Construction and invoice the Village for our share of the construction costs. In regards to the landscaping, the trees and shrubs for the project had a one-year warranty and the one tree that died over the winter was replaced this spring. Unfortunately, under the IDOT standard specifications, perennials only have a 30-day warranty period. While the perennials thrived after being planted in late fall 2015 or May/June 2016, many died off during the winter of 2016/17. Therefore we could not require the landscaper to replace the perennials. The original plantings specified were salt tolerant species, however we believe exposure to the high levels of in this area salt may have caused them to die. Therefore the Village’s landscape contractor was hired to replace the dead plantings, and they planted more tried and true salt tolerant species. Additionally varied and smaller plant groups were used to lessen the impact should there be another die off. It should be noted Public Works will be wrapping the planter box areas this fall to minimize the amount of salt overspray as well. Page 1 of 3 STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE – ITEP V, ITEP VI AND ITEP VII An update of various streetscape projects was presented: a. ITEP V – Milwaukee from Monroe to Greenwood b. ITEP VI – Milwaukee from Howard to Jonquil c. ITEP VII – Milwaukee/Waukegan & Waukegan/Oakton As background, an application for funding under the State of Illinois ITEP program was submitted for projects ITEP V and ITEP VI. In October, 2016, ITEP VI received funding under the ITEP program in the amount of $698,620. ITEP V was not approved for funding. Subsequent to the award for ITEP VI there was discussion to expand the project limits and include median improvements at the intersection of Milwaukee and Waukegan. While the Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee was in favor of this, the State of Illinois stated we would not be allowed to expand the scope of the project. IDOT instead suggested we apply for funding in the next ITEP grant submission period of October 2, 2017 to December 1, 2017. Just prior to this, the Village provided funding in the FY18 budget to begin engineering work for a streetscape improvement at the intersection of Waukegan and Oakton. As there was still a desire to pursue both projects, it was decided to combine these two projects into one project. Based upon this plan of action, three separate RFPs for Phase I engineering services were issued for the projects in May. This was mainly due to grant requirements for ITEP VI, however each is also a stand-alone project. Seven different firms submitted proposals. Based upon the review of the proposals, it was recommended by staff to award the contracts as follows: a. ITEP V – ESI Consultants, LTD b. ITEP VI – Baxter & Woodman (with Hitchcock Design Group) c. ITEP VII - Baxter & Woodman (with Hitchcock Design Group) Criteria used to judge the proposals include completeness of proposal, understanding of project requirements, meeting RFP requirements, staff experience, similar project experience, sub-consultants, schedule adherence and potential conflicts. After discussion regarding the proposals a motion was made by Trustee McCreery, seconded by Tom Powers, to have the Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee recommend the aforementioned consultants for approval to the Village Board. On roll call the vote was unanimous. Page 2 of 3 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Bob Pilat stated there was one other topic to bring up regarding ITEP IV. On east side of Milwaukee just north of Oakton, there is a small landscaping “bump-out” just north of the Walgreens exit. This area has been driven over several times by cars and trucks damaging the sod. We have replaced the sod only to have it driven over the next day. Reflective stakes were also installed to highlight the bump-out to drivers. This did not stop vehicles either. At this time we are looking for alternative solutions to stop or minimize the damage caused when motorists drive on this bump-out. Various possibilities were discussed including removal and replacement of the sod with concrete or brick pavers, removal of the entire bump-out or installation of heavy duty driveable grass brick paver, such as Unilock’s Turfstone. The various options will be explored further. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made by Bob Pilat, seconded by Ross Klicker to adjourn the meeting. The vote was unanimous and the meeting adjourned at 2:47 p.m. Page 3 of 3