South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Roads & Construction Committee met June 11

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Clifford called the Roads & Construction Committee meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. In attendance were Alderman Basso, Public Works Director Adam Jasinski, Alderman Lewandowski, Aurimas Spucys of Morris Engineering, multiple concerned citizens and recording secretary Ashley Pala. Alderman Begley was absent.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Clifford moved to approve the minutes of the Roads & Construction Committee meeting held on May 14, 2024, seconded by Alderman Basso. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

A. Work Completed by Public Works: Street sweeping was completed throughout the entire City.

Asphalt restoration was completed after the water main breaks that occurred during late winter and early spring. The street pole bases that were damaged from salt erosion and signs are beginning to be repainted along Harlem Avenue. The goal is to utilize the summer helpers to ensure all damaged poles are repainted by the end of summer. A pre-construction meeting was help for the MFT Road Resurfacing Program. M&J Asphalt is scheduled to begin work the week of June 17th with concrete removal. The drainage work on 70th Court is 90% complete. The new deck mower has been used to clear brush on 76th Avenue. Director Jasinski met with IDOT to discuss the ongoing drainage issue on 127th Street that has standing in the ditches. Director Jasinski met with engineers from the department of hydrology and discussed a potential solution.

B. Navajo Ct East & West Cul-de-sac: Director Jasinski stated that the City went out for bid and within that project, the cul-de-sacs were scheduled to be removed. There are five cul-de-sacs with islands within the City. Our intention is to remove all the islands with the road program as we progress forward budget pending. This year we have adequate budget to remove these culde-sacs. They roughly cost $40,000.00 each to remove. That price does not include the work of Public Works such as hydrant removal. This issue originally came up at the September 2022, Roads and Construction Committee meeting where residents voiced concerns of the maintenance for the islands with ruts and standing water. Several different solutions were provided and the committee tabled the item until October of 2022 where the committee decided to move forward with the elimination of the islands. In June of 2024, residents attended the City Council meeting and asked if City Council could reconsider the removal of the islands.

Alderman Clifford stated this was originally brought to the Committee by Alderman Bylut in 2022 who residents spoke to in order to find solutions for the ruts within the island.

Alderman Lewandowsi stated he was not in favor of this idea from the beginning and was under the impression that multiple residents within the cul-de-sac did not want the island. After listening to the residents during the meeting tonight, that does not seem to be the case. He questioned if extensive repairs have been completed on the islands.

Director Jasinski stated that extensive repairs have not been completed on the islands. He stated that multiple attempts have been made to repair ruts such as utilizing large boulders, woodchips and smaller rock. All of which did not work for various reasons. Director Jasinski took several  Aldermen on different occasions to view the site and show the traffic pattern. When a vehicle is parked along the cul-de-sac, they witnessed a small post office vehicle curb the island.

Alderman Lewandowski motioned to amend the budget to exclude the two cul-de-sacs on Navajo Ct. east and west from the program and to look at alternative means to address maintenance issues. Neither Alderman Basso or Chairman Clifford seconded the motion. Motion fails.

Aurimas Spucys of Morris Engineering explained that there are three cul-de-sac islands within the project that could be removed this year. The cul-de-sac island on 70th Court has a pitch towards the center of the island. The two on Navajo Court east and west pitch away from the center of the island.

Alderman Lewandowski stated that the one on 70th Court has engineering reasons for the pitch to be redesigned. The other two is for maintenance and aesthetics.

Alderman Clifford stated he would be discussing options with Mayor Straz and City Administrator David Strohl of how they wish to proceed.

Discussion ensued and determined that this will be brought back to the Roads and Construction Committee after Alderman Clifford speaks to Mayor Straz and City Administrator David Strohl.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Gary Young of 6632 E. Navajo stated Palos Heights has been a Tree City U.S.A location for decades.

Unfortunately, due to age, we are losing lots of trees. He stated removing the grass and replacing with asphalt is moving in the wrong direction. He stated a much less expensive solution would be to shrink the island as the road would not be as narrow. He would like to keep the community family friendly. Later in the meeting, he stated that the tree is on its last leg.

Carrie Callahan of 12630 Navajo Ct stated there are multiple young children that live within the cul-de-sac houses. The island is a diverter from cars speeding through. She stated it is a protection barrier and she enjoys the islands. The island can be made smaller.

Eddie Sceva who resides near the Navajo west cul-de-sac stated that if the island is smaller, the ruts would not be a problem. The hydrant would not need to be relocated. He stated he spoke to all the residents and no one said they wanted the island removed but to just be made smaller. He stated he sent Alderman Key an email over a year ago regarding this cul-de-sac. He stated he and other neighbors have been maintaining the grass within the island this year.

Susan Miller of 12116 Cheyenne Dr. stated that she is on the Navajo Board. She thanked the Committee and Director Jasinski for addressing the concern. The aesthetics of the cul-de-sacs are important. She worries that the drainage would be an issue if the grass and tree is removed. She stated we can work together to improve the area.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Chairman Clifford moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_07092024-1030