South Cook News

Village of Lemont Village Board Committee of the Whole met Nov. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order

Roll Call: Trustees: Janelle Kittridge, Kevin Shaughnessy, Ron Stapleton, Dave Maher, Rick Sniegowski and Mayor Egofske; present. Ken McClafferty, absent. Staff: Jason Berry, George Schafer, Janet Schatz; Ralph Pukula and Darshana Prakash on zoom.

III. Discussion Items

III.A Authorizing the Village of Lemont, Cook, DuPage and Will counties, Illinois to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan Program of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and appoint Village Administrator to execute loan agreement between the Village and IEPA.

The inventory of lead service lines that need to be replaced within the Village was submitted to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) in April 2024. Of the total, 35 lead service lines will be replaced in late FY25/early FY26 for a total cost of $560,000. Being that this mandate is costly and spans over several years, the IEPA provides funds through its Public Water Supply Loan Program. The loan is at a 0% interest rate for a term of 30 years. Staff recommends availing of this zero interest loan which has a budgetary impact of $19,000 in the first year in the Water Fund. The repayment of the loan will be from water revenues and if necessary from sales tax revenues (as a loan from General Fund). Ralph Pukula noted Darshana Prakash is working on funding. 35 lines will be replaced next year and the Village is right on schedule. Darshana said it is about $16K per year per house for a total of $560K. The service lines will be sent out to bid with each home having a different costs.

Landscaping and other maintenance issues will vary. Trustee Maher said the mandate is to cover the lead lines from house to box. Will the mandate change in future. Ralph Pukula said PW is taking photo’s of all landscaping beforehand, following what other towns are doing. Trustee Sniegowski said the mandate needs to be reviewed. Trustee Sniegowski would like to have a firm average price per home. Mayor Egofske asked if the old line stays in the ground. Ralph said yes they are boring and pipes are five feet down. Trustee Stapleton asked if we have ever tested for lead. Ralph said it is a special test and no, the Village has not. Deadline for application is November 30, 2024 with no penalty if the work is not done. Darshana would like approval of the loan and will present at the next board meeting. Mayor Egofske recommended building a fund for this. Board agreed to apply for loan.

III.B FY2024-2025 Budget Amendment #2 

Per State Statute, a budget needs to be adopted by the Board before the beginning of the fiscal year and can be amended with Board approval during the course of the fiscal year. On April 8, 2024, the Village Board passed Ordinance O-13-24 adopting the current FY2024-2025 Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Budget. The first budget amendment was approved on June 24, 2024 to recognize the rollover of prior year (FY24) approved purchase orders into the current (FY25) fiscal year. This is the second amendment to the FY25 budget. This amendment is based on increases and decreases in revenues and appropriations in various funds between May and October. There are several proposed transfers based on actual activity in the first 6 months of the current fiscal year.

Amendment is based on revenue coming in. The site development came in higher than projected. ARPA fund was reassigned for water meters. The general fund is for the ADA, pedestrian bridge and Marbella parking lot which was partially covered by grants. Trustee Maher requested the total of water fund. Darshana noted the water tower is not completely paid and fund currently is around $6 million. Trustee Sniegowski asked why the water is not self-sufficient. Darshana said it is but we are building a fund based on the last four years. George said we could do a partial savings fund for the future. Trustee Maher would like the figures to reflect accordingly. Trustee Stapleton said to possibly move more money from the general fund in to the police pension. Darshana noted this can be reviewed at the budget meeting and will incur interest in the pension fund.

III.C Engineering Services Discussion

The Village currently uses the following diverse group of Engineering and Consulting Firms for various projects and developments:

Kenig, Lindgren, Ohara, Aboona, Inc.

Traffic Studies, Crosswalk Evaluations

Terra Engineering Ltd.

Canal Bank Road Centennial Trail Separation

Stephen Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge

Landscaping Architecture

Shipley Design Group, PLLC

Stephen & Lemont Street Rail Crossing Safety Improvements

ComEd Underground Utility

Railroad Realignment Main/Illinois/Pruxne

Christopher B Burke Engineering Ltd.

Stormwater, EV Stations

Gary R Weber & Associates, Inc.

Landscaping Architecture and Ecological Services

Morris Engineering

Drainage, Grading Survey, Grading Inspection, Engineering Review, Plat of Survey

Recording for easements and rights-of-way

HR Green, Inc.

Preliminary, Design and Construction Engineering, Water System Consulting, Sanitary Sewer System Consulting, Subdivision and Development Review and Inspection, Grant Applications, Motor Fuel Tax and Federal Projects, GIS Consulting, Stormwater Consulting, MWRD and NPDES Reporting, Street Lighting, CMAP,

Crawford, Murphy, Tilly, Inc.

Bridge Inspections, NPDES Permitting

Teska Associates, Inc.

Landscape Architecture

Municipal GIS Partners

Geographical Information Systems

TPI Building Code Consultants Inc.

Plan Review and Inspections

The Village uses ten engineering firms. Ralph thinks bargain shopping for general engineering is not appropriate. This is supported by Jim Begy in the building department as well. Ralph would like to use the firms we have. Our relationships which are built on trust, means more reviewing on their part and a better service. HR Green offers more specialty engineers with contacts than others. Bruce Hill is willing to support the Village community and works directly with residents when required. Trustee Maher said the request regarding engineering is not because of personnel, rather firms that are turning in complete services. Mayor Egofske stated we do not want to be gouged on invoicing. Trustee Shaughnessy said HR Green helps the Village with bureaucracy as well. Ralph agrees with the board that jobs do need to be bid. Board is good with recommendations.

III.D A Discussion of Case 2024-16 UDO Amendments

SUMMARY/BACKGROUND

Staff, the Planning & Zoning Commission and Elected Officials appropriately review the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) from time to time due to modernization, trends in land development, a change in policy direction or to update any noted errors in text language. The proposed modifications to the UDO have been either repetitive requests, discussions with PZC Commissioners at past meetings, brought forward to Staff by elected officials, errors and language omissions noticed by Staff or clarifications that are necessary due to changes in materials, offerings or law.

The following are proposed updates to the UDO to discuss:

• Chapter 17.02 Definitions; and

• Chapter 17.06 Use Regulations; and

• Chapter 17.09 Downtown District; and

• Chapter 17.11 Signs.

Jason Berry would like to have smaller offices in the downtown district with none larger than 2500 square feet. This list of the downtown district removals, will now reside under Special Use. A discussion regarding food trucks should be considered with a formal policy. Mayor Egofske  would not want cross overs between a permanent restaurant with a food truck parked outside. It takes away sales tax revenue. Trustee Maher noted special event food trucks are good but need a business license. Trustee Sniegowski recommends maybe one regional site for food trucks. Jason believes the fire trucks monitor these trucks with special permits including licenses. Lemont has two food/health inspectors that oversee this for the Village.

Jason wants awnings in downtown to be used as shade rather than a sign. Current awnings can remain. Future signs will be put on the building itself. Current grants are for safety such as fire sprinklers but we can re-open the grant process. Mayor Egofske recommends to bring up at the next downtown Merchants Meeting. Board is in agreement.

III.E Amending the Phase I Final PUD for The Forge: Lemont Quarries

SUMMARY/BACKGROUND The Forge: Lemont Quarries is a comprehensive adventure park covering approximately 300 acres of natural and vacant land, including abandoned quarry sites along the Illinois & Michigan Canal. In collaboration with the Village of Lemont and Lemont Township, the park’s design was intended to operate year-round, from 8 AM to 11 PM daily (except for certain holidays). Approved in June 2019 as a phased development, The Forge: Lemont Quarries aimed to create a versatile adventure park that combined recreational activities with community events, making use of the natural and historical elements of the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA) while establishing private facilities for an enhanced visitor experience. The Forge: Lemont Quarries Planned Unit Development (PUD) application focused on a range of outdoor adventure activities, phased infrastructure, and amenities within a large natural setting. Phase I, as approved, emphasized the aerial adventure course, a Kid Zone, water sports, mountain biking, and a concessions area plus a stage for live performances. Phase II included more permanent facilities like an events center, indoor climbing areas, and additional amenities to support larger gatherings and corporate events. In practice, the park gradually evolved beyond this initial vision, introducing a broader array of activities and community events each year. By 2021, The Forge began hosting live music, festivals, and themed activities, which were not specified as core elements in the initial plan. By 2022, they introduced social and family-oriented features like axe throwing, archery tag, and large public events such as food truck festivals. This trend of expanding recreational and event options continued through 2023 and 2024, with the park adding diverse experiences like laser tag, gemstone panning, and themed seasonal events, reinventing itself as a hub for entertainment, social activities, and family outings. While the original plan was adventure-focused with a primary emphasis on outdoor sports and natural engagement, The Forge: Lemont has evolved into a multifaceted venue. It now balances its adventure offerings with family entertainmentoriented experiences, aiming to increase its appeal to a wider audience, with an expanding emphasis on nature conservation. The ordinance approving Phase I Final PUD, II Preliminary PUD for The Forge is online, dated June 10, 2019, Village Board meeting.

The emergent of the charity arm is significant with documents presented to the Village. Jason is pleased they defined activities and their space. Currently they are removing three towers from the site due to costs and lack of use. These are moving to other sites opening in Georgia. Trustee Maher would like to know what they are doing with the footings. Jeremy said there are 20 footings present. They would like to use these footings for covered structures such as future educational classrooms. Trustee Shaughnessy asked how much land is theirs. Very little on the map is their property, only east of the quarry. Village property is along the I&M canal. Township owns where the towers are. They pay around $23K a year in property tax. They are responsible for all maintenance of the properties although there is not a mutual agreement for the specifics of the plan. Trustee Maher noted this year the south side trails had access all year. George would like more cooperation from the Forge with a transparent, approved plan. Phase I has been completed. Phase II never happened.

With their non for profit charity (TFCA), the Forge has changed the overall plan not following the PUD. Their commitment to a strong eco system is legit. But is this vision agreeable to all. TFCA will not generate income for the Village. Trustee Shaughnessy would like to know what the township thinks. Trustee Maher is concerned with development on the north side such as a pavilion that is not open to the public. Would like no exclusive use, even if it is on their property. Jason would like the pavilion permitted by the township since it is their land. Jason recommends a parking plan on web site. Trustee Maher would like the Friday night events to end at 9 p.m. so there is not conflict with Olin trains. There is not a secondary exit for ER vehicles. They also need to fix their bridge as an emergency exit near Walker. Mayor Egofske wants the road complete before other items are agreed to. They are not prioritizing the space for resident’s safety. The outline is good, but the board is not satisfied.

Jeremy Bacon said they do not have cash flow to pave the public road. Events will be capped at 1500 people so there are limited conflicts with Olin trains/trucks. Jeremy also does not want to drain the resources of the Village for larger groups. The goal is to restore the 280 acres back to marsh land and dolomite field. They will get rid of the evasive species and bring it back to a natural eco system. More native trees will be added. Mayor Egofske referred to the permanent parking and Phase I/II. Phase II had over 300 parking spots. Now those structures will not be put in, parking is not needed. Jeremy agrees if events increase a parking plan needs to be enacted. The Forge is currently drawing 100K visitors per year. Original plan was over a million visitors. Profits from the Forge go directly to the nonprofit totally around $125K. Trustee Sniegowski wants to understand what ‘acceptable maintenance’ is for the Forge. Mayor Egofske still wants a commitment for a road. Trustee Maher would like the footings removed for safety. Jason recommends consultants for parking, phase amendments to P&Z commission on 12/11/24, public hearing and then back to a COW meeting.

III.F Discussion of Rail Improvement Plan & Lemont/Stephen Street Interim Improvements Proposal

SUMMARY/BACKGROUND Staff and Village consulting engineers have been working diligently for the last several months with officials from ICC, Canadian National (CN) and recently Amtrak on short and long-term rail safety improvements for the downtown. These initiatives have been in addition to engineering efforts on the reconfiguration of Main/Talcott/Pruxne which is going through Phase I engineering along with continuing to evaluate options for the McGwuire/Boyer unincorporated areas. We are beginning to install and construct the safety improvements throughout the downtown. Through a competitive process, we have received quotes to complete the Lemont/Stephen Street signage, striping and delineator portion of the improvements. The barrier fencing, quad gates and additional improvements are in review with the ICC and we expect to receive feedback in the coming weeks. The ICC has expressed willingness to secure funding for Lemont for these improvements and we will memorialize via stipulated agreement in the near future. Federal funding was also recently appropriated through the FRA for rail improvements in Lemont to be used for project planning for additional rail safety improvements. As discussed at a prior committee of the whole meeting, we will utilize this funding to further study the McGwuire/Boyer/Walker area to convert the two private crossings to a public crossings and/or overpass. That project is set to kick off this month.

Delineators can be added for $80K and can be done in a couple days said George Schafer. Numerous board members do not like the delineators. Trustee Sniegowski would like a temporary curb nailed in. George said the delineators have been approved by the railroad, not the curb. However, more evaluation can be made.

IV. Unfinished Business

V. New Business

Waste Management contract is to expire 4/30/25. They do the billing and will keep the costs down below $30 per month. George said they do offer a snow bird billing for those that leave town. George is also looking for more garbage removal from downtown dumpsters. Trustee Kittridge would like them cleaned out due to vermin. Electronic charging stations. ComEd offers grants for e-stations. George recommends stations at $50K in the parking garage and the Village can charge for the use.

VI. Audience Participation

VII. Executive Session Discussion Under Chapter 5 ILCS 120. None.

VIII. Adjourn - Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

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