Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

MILWAUKEE AVENUE CORRIDOR COMMITTEE JULY 12, 2019 - MEETING SUMMARY CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair McMreery at 9:01 a.m. ATTENDANCE The following Committee members were in attendance:  Danette Matyas, Village Trustee  Denis McCreery, Village Trustee  Ross Klicker, Economic Development Coordinator  Bob Pilat, Asst. to the Director of Public Works  Tom Powers, Village Engineer  Nathan Bruemmer, (Representing Ron Traub, Senior Planner) Others in attendance were:  Andrew Przybylo, Mayor (by phone)  Fred Braun, Director of Public Works  Tim O’Brien, Civil Engineer II  Mike Hudspeth, Baxter and Woodman  Matt Washkowiak, Baxter and Woodman APPROVAL OF MEETING SUMMARY A motion was made by Ross Klicker, seconded by Danette Matyas, to approve the January 7, 2019 meeting summary notes. The motion carried unanimously. REVIEW AND SELECTION OF MILWAUKEE AVENUE STREETLIGHT OPTIONS Bob Pilat explained that Sternberg Lighting was looking for direction on assembly and accessory items for the streetlight poles with the Solana fixture. This is the fixture that would be used with the decorative lit finial. Notably they wanted answers regarding banner arms, flower baskets and bases. It was also mentioned we will need to revisit one of the earlier bases selected the last time the committee selected various fixtures to present to the Village Board. Banner Arm The first item discussed was the banner arm. The Sternberg assembly is integrated into the pole, provides a cleaner look, and does not require banding similar to the type we use on our existing streetlights. Page 1 of 5 There was discussion concerning the pros and cons of fixed banner arms versus banded arms and would our existing banners fit the fixed banner hardware. It was decided future banners would need to be ordered with the size of the integrated arms. The actual size could be determined later. Sternberg just needed to know if it would be a component of the pole for pricing. A question was asked if the banner arms could be replaced if they are integrated in the pole, for instance if they are damaged. Mike Hudspeth from Baxter and Woodman explained a sleeve component is welded to the pole, and the banner arm slides into this component and is held in place by a pin. If the arm is damaged it can be removed and replaced. It was also mentioned they are breakaway arms and can be replaced if needed. There was discussion about holiday decorations as well and making sure we would be able to use them in conjunction with the banner hardware selected. Mayor Przybylo asked if the banner will be lit as previously discussed. Bob Pilat said IDOT did not allow this in their conditional letter of approval, therefore Sternberg Lighting did not offer the option. There was discussion concerning the cost of the fixed banner arms compared to the banded banner arms. Bob Pilat will make this information available when providing the summary costs for each streetlight assembly. Flower Basket Attachment There was discussion about the pros and cons about obtaining new hardware that matched the pole, versus reusing the scroll hangers currently used. There was also concern about whether or not we could holiday decorations could be used. Tom Powers mentioned if we reused the existing scroll hangers used to hold the basket, there may be issues trying to incorporate new and old items, and Sternberg would not warranty the items should there be an issue as it was not a design component of the pole. This also applies to wind loading calculations. Denise McCreery indicated she had a preference for decorative hanging basket arms rather than the plain wire shown. Mayor Przybylo requested that the paint/powder coat color for the baskets and hanging arm match the pole. Fred Braun noted that the basket and banner arm orientation shown in the exhibit was opposite of the current configuration. He also noted that the banner arms and baskets are currently alternated between poles. Page 2 of 5 While there are decorative features available, it was agreed to have a standard flower basket arm used for pricing. Base All bases must be Federal Highway Authority (FHWA) approved and meet their breakaway standards. As of now Sternberg only offers five different types of bases that meet FHWA standards. Of the five, Sternberg does not recommend two of the bases due to size, both in circumference and height. These are the Harrisburg and Memphis option. Additionally while they provided a rendering with the Osceola base, they feel this base is too large as well. Therefore it is recommended we choose between the Washington and Huntington base options. For the Solana fixture with and without the finial the Huntington base was unanimously chosen by the committee. Bob Pilat then explained that the base previously selected by the committee for the Omega fixture was not available, and actually was a likeness of another base offered for pedestrian poles and was not offered for streetlights. After limited discussion the committee unanimously agreed to the selection of the Huntington base as well. Pole The type of pole to be used for the Solana fixture was reviewed as well. Denise McCreery deferred to the Mayor’s previous selection for this item which was explained to be a smooth pole as it was the best compliment to the fixture. There was discussion whether or not the lit finial would change colors, and it was explained IDOT in their approval letter only authorized the use of a white light on the lit finial. Mayor Przybylo discussed the color selection of the item, however that did not need to be firmed up today as part of the discussion today for Sternberg to move ahead. ITEP VI – PROJECT UPDATE Phase I engineering was completed, submitted and approved by IDOT. They also extended the project deadline to September 30, 2020. The consulting engineering, Baxter and Woodman, is currently completing the Phase II design for the project. As it stands, easement agreements for construction will be the most critical path for completing the design and letting of the project. As you may recall, the crosswalks at Milwaukee Avenue and Howard Street will be included in this project. Planning for a January, 2020 letting. ITEP VII Following the presentation to the Committee in January, a kickoff meeting was held with IDOT for their input on procedural manners. There were no changes to the design. A public hearing was also held on Tuesday of this week to present the project for public Page 3 of 5 comment. Overall comment was limited but was in support of the project as proposed. The PDR (Project Development Report) will be submitted to IDOT in September or October, and we anticipate their approval in October or November. The timing of the open house was discussed. Denise McCreery was in favor of having extended hours so more people would be able to attend. It is difficult for people that work to make it to an open house by 5:30. Mayor Przybylo agreed with the comment. PRIORITIZATION OF STREETSCAPE PROJECTS Bob Pilat explained the next ITEP grant cycle is opening this fall, with applications due in December. Because of the limited funding available, we need to prioritize eligible project. The Village has completed Phase I engineering on Milwaukee from Monroe to Greenwood, and also for projects at the intersection of Milwaukee and Waukegan, and the intersection of Waukegan and Oakton. We can choose to apply for some or all of the projects, reduce the project size to only complete intersections, and increase the match amount provided by the Village. There was general discussion and it was agreed committee members could review the projects on their own and it will be discussed at the next meeting. The application is not due until December. The present timeline calls for the applications to be completed in September and October, a resolution of support approved by the Village Board in November, and filing of the application in December. OLD BUSINESS Mayor Przybylo brought up the condition of the landscaping for the streetscape area on Milwaukee north of Oakton to Monroe. He mentioned he felt the trees did not look good and were not planted properly or spaced properly and thought perhaps it was moved from the planned planting location. He recommended the committee visit the landscape areas in Park Ridge along Northwest Highway. Bob Pilat said the trees were planted were selected as slow growing trees that did not extend into the parking areas or street, could handle the urban environment, recommended by the Illinois Arborists Association, and were columnar in nature, limiting the impact on the business signage. Also, the trees were planted according to plan. The only minor issue was one tree died and was replaced by the contractor. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. Page 4 of 5 The next meeting date was set for August 30, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Ross Klicker made a motion, seconded by Danette Mayas to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Handouts provided at the meeting are attached as part of the meeting minutes. Page 5 of 5