President and Board of Trustees

123 Madison Street Village of Oak Park Oak Park, Illinois 60302 www.oak-park.us Meeting Minutes President and Board of Trustees Monday, September 28, 2015 7:00 PM Village Hall I. Call to Order Village President Abu-Taleb called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. II. Roll Call Present: 4- Village Trustee Barber, Village Trustee Lueck, Village Trustee Tucker, and Village President Abu-Taleb Absent: 3- Village Trustee Brewer, Village Trustee Ott, and Village Trustee Salzman III. Agenda Approval It was moved by Village Trustee Tucker, seconded by Village Trustee Barber, to approve the agenda. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. IV. Public Comment Anthony Kemp. Mr. Kemp, an employee of KFC, spoke about his difficulties in making ends meet at the current minimum wage. Reverend Alan Taylor. Reverend Taylor discussed the referendum regarding enacting a living wage in Oak Park, which has not been acted upon. He noted that there is a wide gap in the community between those who can afford what they want and those who really struggle. Ron Baiman. Mr. Baiman commented that Pete's Fresh Market, who is receiving subsidies from the Village, should be paying their employees $15 per hour but do not. The Village should not be subsidizing low-wage employers. Alba Trujillo. Through a translator, Ms. Trujillo stated that she a 13-year employee of Burger King in Cicero, making $9 per hour. She spoke about the difficulty she has supporting her family and is in favor of a $15 per hour minimum wage as well as a union. Solo Littlejohn. Mr. Littlejohn, an employee of KFC, discussed why raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour would make the economy flourish. V. Regular Agenda A. ID 15-320 Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) Update and Discussion: The Austin Blvd. Interchange (ramps) Design and its effects on Air Quality and Noise Impacts. Rick Kuner. Mr. Kuner discussed several complexities to consider in regards to the Austin interchange. Village of Oak Park Page 1 Printed on 10/6/2015 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes September 28, 2015 Village Engineer Bill McKenna commented that designs for the Harlem Avenue exchange, as well as the noise and air quality impacts, were presented in August. Tonight's presentation, focusing on Austin, will be very similar to that, as many of the same issues exist. Mr. McKenna gave a brief history of the Eisenhower and noted that most of the design standards and environmental requirements of today did not exist at the time of its original construction. In order to incorporate today's requirements into the new design, there are several design constraints at the Austin interchange that need to be taken into consideration. These include CTA and CSX height requirements, various vehicle and non-motorized crossings and drainage issues. Also, the existing right of way will remain as it is. Mr. McKenna described the existing drainage system, which cannot adequately convey storm water during heavy storms. The expressway, CTA and CSX are subject to frequent flooding. The proposed improvements address these issues. IDOT is looking to add another sewer drain on the Eisenhower and make improvements at the pump station. This will allow them to lower the flood elevation and even at 100 year storm levels, the roadway and railroad tracks will stay above water. Existing railroad track clearances will be maintained and the ramp will be kept as low as possible and away from the residential area. The mainline pavement will be lowered at Austin and shifted approximately 12 feet to the south. The existing elevation of Austin Boulevard will remain relatively unchanged. Mr. McKenna discussed how these improvements will affect air quality. The greatest exposure to carbon monoxide is to those who are inside idling cars. The criteria for a carbon monoxide intersection sensitivity analysis is an average daily traffic volume of 62,500, going one way. Austin Boulevard's average daily traffic is between 20,900 - 22,000 for traffic going both ways. IDOT did do a study to address stakeholders' and the Village's concerns, however, and that was to measure background levels of carbon monoxide in the area. Carbon monoxide concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm), with 70 ppm being cause for some health concern and 150-200 ppm being a serious health concern. The pass/fail standard for transportation projects is 9 ppm (8 hour average) and 35 ppm (1 hour average). Results at each of 3 receptor locations indicated a background concentration level of 3 ppm with no significant difference between build and no-build. Mr. McKenna spoke about the noise analysis. The two noise receptors identified were a single family home on Flournoy, near the current ramps and a residence on Humphrey near the intersection itself. By shifting mainline traffic away from residential areas and lowering the pavement some noise benefits are gained. The existing retaining walls in the ramp configurations help shield that noise and keep it within the Eisenhower corridor. There is a slight reduction of noise from the build project, 1 to 3 dB(A), although this is barely perceptible. IDOT is planning on having several public forums regarding the noise barriers. In addition, they plan to send out ballots to the residents that would benefit from a sound barrier so they may vote for or against them. Mr. McKenna presented a series of video simulations of the proposed design. He and Pete Harmon from IDOT answered questions from the Board. There was discussion regarding the sound barriers and public forums. Jim Peterson. Mr. Peterson noted that the studies focused on the area north of the expressway and expressed concern regarding the impact south of the expressway. Mr. McKenna clarified that the studies included both sides. Peter Harmon from IDOT Village of Oak Park Page 2 Printed on 10/6/2015 President and Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes September 28, 2015 provided details. Elizabeth Rexford. Ms. Rexford noted that changes in design will result in increased traffic, noise and pollution. Rick Kuner addressed Ms. Rexford's comment and noted that IDOT is not to the point of looking at scenarios under the buildable alternatives. They are looking at existing conditions with every intention of looking at future conditions. Andrea Green, on behalf of Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Ms. Green asked who will represent the vote for noise barriers in public spaces. Mr. McKenna clarified that the public body that owns the space will represent it. Terry Grace. Mr. Grace commented that there has been no focus on aesthetics. Village Trustee Lueck stated that this project is probably ten years out, and a different Board of Trustees will be serving at that time. The agreement is broad brush in terms of aesthetics and also funding in terms of aesthetics. Further input will be required when it's closer to construction. VI. Adjourn It was moved by Village Trustee Tucker, seconded by Village Trustee Barber, to adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the motion was approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M., Monday, September 28, 2015. Respectfully Submitted, MaryAnn Schoenneman Deputy Village Clerk Village of Oak Park Page 3 Printed on 10/6/2015