City Council Planning Sessions

Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 6:55 p.m. by Mayor Suess. The following were: Physically Present: Mayor Suess Councilman Barbier Councilman Brown Councilwoman Fitch Councilwoman Robbins Councilman Weller Absent: Councilwoman Bray-Parker City Staff Present: Michael Dzugan, City Manager John Duguay, Assistant City Manager Joseph Tebrugge, Director of Engineering Susan Bishel, Public Information Officer Halie Cardinal, Public Relations Coordinator II. Public Comment There was no public comment. III. Approval of Planning Session Minutes – December 12, 2022 The City Council approved the December 12, 2022 City Council Planning Session Minutes. IV. Wheaton Sanitary District/North Side Interceptor City Manager Dzugan stated that the Wheaton Sanitary District, represented in the meeting by Wheaton Sanitary District (WSD) Executive Director Matt Larson, is requesting to amend the current permit issued by the City to allow closure of a portion of Manchester Road to all traffic for a minimum of two weeks in June 2023 to install a section of the North Side Inceptor (NSI). Executive Director Larson stated that this section of the NSI is the final piece to complete the project. For this work, the WSD proposes utilizing an open-cut trench method as opposed to the trenchless pipe installation methods permitted and used throughout the remainder of the NSI Project. He stated that the main benefits of the open-cut trench method include a higher probability of success in comparison to trenchless installation based on previous experience within the NSI Project and a significant reduction in construction costs. The proposed detour plan requires all westbound traffic to use Gables Blvd. south to either Childs or Roosevelt Road then back north to Manchester. Eastbound traffic would need to be detoured south on a north/south street to Childs then east to Gables. He stated that the construction work is anticipated to last  Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 CITY COUNCIL PLANNING SESSION MINUTES 10 working days or less with consideration to normal work hours of Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. However, the contractor is willing to work extended hours to decrease the number of days required for the road to be closed. In response to a Council question, Executive Director Larson stated that using the updated process of the open-cut trench method increases certainty of the construction’s success, assists with the goal of completion within 10 working days or less, and saves public resources. In response to a Council question, Executive Director Larson stated that there is not a staging area for this work and the only equipment related to staging are the excavators. He stated any needed restoration is covered within the scope of the project. In response to a Council question, Executive Director Larson stated that the construction team throughout the entirety of the NSI Projects maintained contact with the Fire Department and Police Department and informs those respective groups of road closures. In response to a Council question, City Manager Dzugan stated that emergency services’ response times may experience a slight increase while the road is closed. In response to a Council question, Executive Director Larson stated that the new pipe will be underneath the westbound lane of Manchester, and work would require an approximate 10-foot trench. On the north side of Manchester, two to three homes would be impacted by construction, and the south side has four to five. The south side residents will have access to personal driveways throughout the entire project and the north side residents may for one night, depending on the stopping point of work, not have access. Council members requested that the WSD clean and pave Childs Street before construction, ensure the schools are out of session during the construction, ensure that major community events in the vicinity such as the Fourth of July festivities or Ribfest are not impacted, and ensure the sidewalk is open. City Manager stated that the WSD should consider not allowing parking on one side of the street since it narrows and is without curbs. Council members discussed the WSD and its contractor using a working schedule of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a potential contingency of working later if needed. Council members also requested that WSD ensure that none of the construction traffic goes down Gables. V. City Council/Staff Comments There were no City Council/Staff comments. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Halie Cardinal