Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape Committee MEETING SUMMARY March 9, 2011 The following persons were present: Chair Louella Preston, Chris Hanusiak, Chuck Ostman, Steve Vinezeano, Bob Pilat, and Denise McCreery. I. Old Business: a. Milwaukee Avenue Beautification Plan. i. Implemented During FY 2011 The Chair stated that Mr. Vinezeano would send “draft” minutes (meeting summary) of the meeting to those in attendance. The Chair asked who at the table could provide information on what was spent by the Village of Niles on the Milwaukee Avenue Beautification Plan in 2011. Bob Pilat provided a handout. In summary, he informed the Committee that no Village funds were spent on the Milwaukee Avenue Beautification Plan in the FY 2011 budget. Funds that were spent by the Village as “flexible match” occurred in previous years out of MFT funds for Phase I and Phase II Engineering. The remainder of the work was all covered by ITEP grant funds. Bob stated that there may be grant funds remaining from ITEP in the amount of about $200k, but we will not know the amount or whether we can use these funds for the other projects to the north until the federal government closes out the project. There was a question proposed regarding the final “punch list” on the project which will be completed in the spring of 2011 at no additional cost to the Village of Niles. The Chair questioned the name of the committee. Is it Milwaukee Avenue Redevelopment Committee or something else? It was discussed that there were three projects that occurred in FY 2011: the resurfacing of Milwaukee Avenue, the watermain improvement and the streetscape project. The Milwaukee Avenue streetscape project (even though it occurred at the same time) is separate from the resurfacing and watermain improvements. It was agreed that this committee is really a continuation of the Milwaukee Avenue Streetscape Committee responsible for the implementation of the Milwaukee Avenue Beautification Plan from Albion to Monroe. This is not to be confused with the Beautification Committee that is responsible for the implementation of the Municipal Property Beautification Plan prepared by Ives/Ryan Group on February 24, 2009. The Chair questioned whether or not there was a “report” on what occurred on Milwaukee Avenue from May 1st through April 30th or if there was something that showed what exactly was completed last year that could be provided to the public. No report is available. It was mentioned that as built plans would show what was done, but they would not be available until after the project is complete. There was  discussion that maybe Smith Engineering would provide a report in the future. A report such as this is out of the ordinary and not in their scope of work, but could be added in the future within their next engineering agreement. II. New Business: a. Milwaukee Avenue Beautification Plan. i. Suggested Implementation for FY 2012 Bob stated that an agreement for Phase II Engineering (Oakton/Milwaukee intersection and Jerry’s access) with Smith Engineering for $98,000 was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2010, but the funds will not be used until the upcoming budget. The Chair questioned if this was an issue for the Finance Department, but Bob stated how these funds were required to be budgeted each year. It was stated that since the Village received ITEP funds for Howard and Harlem/Milwaukee, the agreement with Smith Engineering will need to be amended for FY 2012 to include $55,000 for Phase II Engineering. Bob stated that Smith Engineering is pushing to let the project in 2011 to ensure the TCSP funds are not lost. Construction is anticipated for 2012. TCSP funds will be used to cover most of these costs through reimbursement. The reimbursement of these funds from TCSP will be shown as revenue in MFT funds. ii. Future Direction of Beautification Plan for FY 2012 Bob discussed a meeting attended by Smith Engineering regarding the Beautification Plan. Smith stated that IDOT has offered to replace the traffic signals at Oakton, Harlem, and Howard. Not Jerry’s which is private. This would free up close to $500,000. IDOT asked whether or not we wanted to do this (replace traffic signals) work or have them do it. If we don’t do the work as part of our project, the improvement will occur the following year and may cause some ancillary damage to improvements that may need to be repaired by the Village at Village cost. If the Village does the traffic signals, there will be less streetscape improvements allowed due to lesser funds available. The Committee voted 6-0 to allow IDOT to do the work (Should the Village of Niles except IDOT offer to pay for signals at Oakton, Howard, and Harlem during construction year 2013?). A question was raised on whether or not the Village Board of Trustees should make a final decision. The Committee discussed what could be done with the remaining ITEP funds (approximately $500k). Phase I Engineering was discussed to develop a plan for Milwaukee Avenue north of Monroe to Greenwood with a possible capital improvement project. There was also discussion of just doing more south of Monroe by “beefing up” what is planned there already. The Committee discussed waiting to see what the Comprehensive Plan develops, but it was pointed out that Houseal Lavigne will we working on the corridor plan prior to that and waiting may not be necessary. Work on streetscape would remain from intersection to intersection.  The Chair summarized the meeting. 1. There was a 6-0 vote to accept the IDOT offer for them to do the signals on Harlem, Howard, and Oakton. 2. More information is required for the committee to decide what to do with the additional ITEP funds. A meeting will be scheduled with Smith Engineering to discuss. Chuck Ostman stated that economic development budgeted for banners from Monroe to Harts on Milwaukee. $30,000 budgeted to place these banners May 2011. The Committee voted 6-0 in favor of this plan. III. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.