South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Roads & Construction Committee met Jan. 14

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Clifford called the Roads & Construction Committee meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. In attendance were Chairman Clifford, Alderman Basso, Alderman Lewandowski, Alderman Begley, Public Works Director Adam Jasinski, Al Rugienius with Morris Engineering and recording secretary Morgan Pukula.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Clifford moved to approve the minutes of the Roads & Construction Committee meeting held on November 12, 2024, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Public Works Director Adam Jasinski reported:

A. Snow Report

We responded to 9 snow falls and utilized 135 tons of salt, and 1500 gallons of brine/organic mixture. Over the winter months, we built a trailer that will hold 400 gallons of brine/organic material to pretreat the roadways. We did this on 76th Avenue, 123rd Street, Oak Park Avenue, 123rd Place and Ishnala Drive. This provides better traction at the beginning of the storm on the roadways.

B. 2025 MFT

This is a combination to utilize the remaining rebuild Illinois funds for Harold Avenue and Cypress Avenue. Since the last meeting, we have met with the residents who this impacts the most and explained the proposed process. The residents decided they did not want to grant additional easements in front of their properties so we are continuing with the original plan of running a storm sewer down Harold Avenue. In regards to Cypress Avenue, it was scheduled to be reconstructed last year but MWRD did not commence their project until November 2024. They are now going to start work on Cypress Avenue on February 20th, 2025 and hopefully finish by spring. When this project is complete, we can rebuild Cypress Avenue using rebuild Illinois funds; that would utilize the rest of the MFT funds roadway resurfacing.

Chairman Clifford motioned to approve a resolution utilizing MFT Funds and Rebuild Illinois Funds for salt deliveries, roadway surfacing, Harold Avenue reconstruction and storm water improvement, and Cypress Avenue reconstruction in the amount of $947,510.00, seconded by Alderman Begley.

On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

2025 – Roads Resurfacing List

We have two exhibits from Morris Engineering and ARA consulting. The exhibit from Morris Engineering is the remainder of our 5-year plan that was assessed in 2020. Our budget for roads has increased, so we do have the possibility of adding roads to our list. The ARA study is the pavement assessment that we received a grant for, where a vehicle surveyed all the streets in the city in which we are responsible for. The exhibit specifies the roads that need most attention. These are preliminary results based on the scans. We are looking to add Melvina Avenue between 124th Street and Carol Lane, as well as Kiowa Lane. Adam and Morris Engineering will be walking the streets on Friday to evaluate the curbs that are required to be replaced and discuss a budgetary number to see how many streets can be replaced. We will provide an updated exhibit to the committee in February to be approved for the bid process.

Alderman Lewandowski questioned Lake Katherine Drive but it was mentioned the road and bike path is being addressed with Christopher Burke and we are considering several different proposals for the multiuse roadway.

Conversation included the approval to actually go out to bid and use the funds from the MFT to complete these projects. The bids will be requesting contractors to perform the work that IDOT has approved.

Chairman Clifford motioned to approve the solicit bids for Harold Avenue drainage improvements and Cypress Avenue reconstruction, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Cypress Avenue Drainage Improvement Updates

MWRD has commenced the work in November and sent out crews to locate their gas services. The contractors are working with NICOR to ensure there are no conflicts with the storm sewer and construction. They are anticipating to have equipment on site starting February 20th.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Morris Engineering – Updates from Al Rugienius:

Morris Engineering is finishing the specs for the bid documents for the Harold Avenue drainage improvements and Cypress Avenue reconstruction.

Chairman Clifford motioned to approve payment to Morris Engineering for engineering services for various projects throughout the city in the amount of $14,337.75, seconded by Alderman Basso. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

The pedestrian crossing at Route 83 and 68th Court is under review with IDOT. Morris Engineering is working on addressing the comments with IDOT.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Chairman Clifford moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by

Alderman Lewandowski. All in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02112025-1131