South Cook News

City of Oak Forest Committee of the Whole met Nov. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Mayor Kuspa called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Roll Call as follows:

Present: Alderman Gray

Alderman Wolf

Alderman Selman

Alderman Hortsman

Alderman Danihel

Also Present: City Clerk Jack Janozik

Treasurer Ericka Vetter

City Administrator Timothy Kristin

Finance Director Colleen Julian

Public Works Dir. Darlene Milanowicz

Absent: Alderman Simon

Alderman Emmett

4. PRESENTATION: CITY OF OAK FOREST WATER MODEL AND MASTER PLAN PRESENTER: BAXTER & WOODMAN, CONSULTING ENGINEERS

Public Works Director Milanowicz stated for the last year and a half Staff has been working with Baxter and Woodman on the Water Model and Master Plan of the city infrastructure of the water mains. Our mains are getting older, causing more breaks. This leads to more funds in overtime and water loss.

Mr. Jason Ruffatti, the main engineer on this project, spoke on behalf of Baxter and Woodman. Mr. Ruffatti presented a Power Point showing the Master Plan Project. This included the Project Overview, Water Model and Capital Plan Overview, Water System Age Impacts, Water Main Break Ranking, and DRAFT Capital Improvements Program. These touched on everything from miles of water mains, water usage, pipe installation, breakage information, water flow, and looping projects. Mr. Ruffatti answered questions based on his presentation from Alderman Hortsman, Mayor Kuspa, and Alderman Selman. This is being called a five-year capital improvement plan for $15.3 million dollars. Mayor Kuspa and Mr. Ruffatti feel that with the infrastructure money coming in from the government, this is a good time to get ahead of this project.

Alderman Gray asked if the charts are proposed or completed and Mr. Ruffatti answered, they are all proposed. Director Milanowicz added that one of the areas mentioned was partially done and would be completed under this proposition.

Alderman Danihel asked if some are resurfacing projects and future development, shouldn’t the projects be done while the streets are open. Director Milanowicz explained that’s why there is a plan with the water main project and the MFRT project. Certain streets that should be resurfaced they cannot because on the water main project planning they need to replace those water mains.

Alderman Selman asked if the streets with multiple colors (based on a graphic handed out) would be ranked to the highest priority, and Mr. Riffatti answered yes.

Alderman Hortsman asked Mr. Raffitti when looking (at the graphic) and there are red and orange would they be done in square block areas. Mr. Raffitti said yes, they would start there and go a block or two, whatever makes sense with best judgement. Alderman Hortsman then asked if the infrastructure money from the federal government will have restrictions. City Administrator Kristin answered it can be used for water delivery and storage.

Mayor Kuspa asked if there are segments of water delivery that aren’t covered or certain kinds of equipment not covered. Administrator Kristin explained it is an evolving bill. Right now there is general guidance, there will be more clarification coming.

Alderman Selman asked if the City Request Column (on the handout) is requests that have already been made. Director Milanowicz answered these are items they are working on with Baxter and Woodman. Anything East of Cicero they want to replace the water mains because that is one of the older parts of town. Alderman Selman then mentioned a unit price variation and asked if it was per mile. Mr. Ruffatti explained it is per linear foot of water main. It has to do with the size water main being put in, and the installation method of the main.

Administrator Kristin explained even with the additional funds there will still be a significant gap in funding for this project. It needs to be discussed further. Alderman Hortsman asked if most of these projects in the past have been bonded out, to which Finance Director Julian answered there has not been a bond issued for water since ’08 – ’09. The problem with this is it is recurring, so what needs to be decided is doing a project and stretching out a twenty-year bond, the problem is there needs to be a recurring program; Director Julian is looking for direction. In the spring, she spoke about increasing water rates, and that’s what would need to be done to pay for improvements, or the bond issue. Director Julian is interested in a subcommittee meeting to discuss how to pare this down. The most recent analysis of the water rates showed the City is much lower on the flat rate; it hasn’t been changed in a decade. Director Julian offered good news, in that there will be an increase in usage from Cook County; the more users there are the more the cost can be spread.

Alderman Selman asked about changes in the plan with water coming from Oak Lawn, and building out the old Cook County Hospital, how to account for those. Mr. Ruffatti explained the current agreement with the old hospital development is simply supplying water on off-peak periods; Oak Forest will fill their reservoirs at night, and they will be able to pump their own water.

5. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION

None

6. OLD BUSINESS

None

7. NEW BUSINESS

None

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

9 November 2021

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Not needed

9. ADJOURMENT

Alderman Danihel made the motion to adjourn.

Alderman Hortsman seconded.

Roll Call vote was taken as follows:

AYES: Alderman Danihel, Alderman Gray, Alderman Wolf, Alderman Selman, Alderman Hortsman

NAYS:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT: Alderman Simon, Alderman Emmett

The motion to adjourn carried 5/5. The Council of the Whole meeting ended at 7:13 p.m.

http://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11092021-1456