South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Roads & Construction Committee met May 14

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Clifford called the Roads & Construction Committee meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. In attendance were Alderman Basso, Public Works Director Adam Jasinski, Alderman Lewandowski, Aurimas Spucys of Morris Engineering, one concerned citizen and recording secretary Ashley Pala.

Alderman Begley entered the meeting at 6:43 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Clifford moved to approve the minutes of the Roads & Construction Committee meeting held on April 9, 2024, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

A. 2023 MFT: Morris Engineering and Director Jasinski looked through the roads from the 2023 MFT Program. All roads survived fairly well over the winter season. The landscaping has filled in.

Director Jasinski would like to release retainage to Lindahl Brothers, Inc.

Chairman Clifford moved to approve the final payment to Lindahl Brothers, Inc. for the 2023 MFT Program in the amount of $20,000.00, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski.

On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

B. 2024 Drainage Work Update: Public Works completed a significant amount of drainage work on 70th Ct which will be resurfaced this year. There were multiple complaints of standing water. We recycled existing 12-inch water pipe to complete the work in house. The area between 130th and 131st all work has been completed on both sides of the street. Director Jasinski is requesting approval for landscaping throughout the right-of-ways on 70th Ct but the work might be pushed back depending on when the resurfacing will occur.

Chairman Clifford moved to approve landscaping restoration throughout the Right-ofWays on 70th Ct with CNC Landscapes in the amount of $4,800.00, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

There was a rather large storm that came through Palos Heights on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The storm lasted roughly forty minutes. We realized the wind and heavy hail damaged a significant amount of fleet vehicles and personal vehicles. The leaves that fell due to the storm covered inlets and caused localized flooding. Public Works was dispatched and stayed on top of the matter.

The culvert project on 123rd helped with the capacity on Navajo Creek. Director Jasinski met with IDOT as a significant amount of complaints were received that grass is tall in their ditches and right-of-ways.

The Mayor sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation regarding 135th Street road closures and flooding as this has been impacting the residents for many years. We dispatched our Public Works crews several times to try to clear the culvert to drain both  sides of the road way. I have walked the creek with Cook County to see if there are more beaver dams which were previously removed by MWRD. We have to have IDOT look into raising 135th Street. The letter addressed looking into that project.

Alderman Basso questioned if the subdivision receives water when it is severe enough to close the road. Director Jasinski stated no, the subdivision does not have standing water during heavy rainfall. The issue is the forest preserve receives a significant amount of runoff water and retains water. When heavy rain or heavy snow melt, it takes the water quite some time to disperse from the property. Raising the road will help with this issue.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Morris Engineering – Updates from Aurimas Spucys

We received the contracts back from M&J Construction for the Mayor’s signature. The pre-construction meeting will be next week.

Chairman Clifford moved to approve payment to Morris Engineering for engineering services for various projects throughout the City in the amount of $8,878.74, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Clifford asked Director Jasinski is there will be excessive patching this year to which Director Jasinski stated yes.

Alderman Clifford stated there have been vehicles parking on 76th Avenue facing the wrong way causing children to exit the vehicle towards the street. Alderman Clifford directed Director Jasinski to communicate with the Chief of Police to see if there is appropriate signage that can be placed to deter this behavior.

OLD BUSINESS

PUBLIC COMMENT

Gary Young of 6632 E. Navajo asked the Committee if the cul-de-sac will be removed with the repaving?

Chairman Clifford stated yes as a lot of the neighbors have complained about it and it has not been maintained.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Alderman Begley moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Basso. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. 

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06112024-1016