September 19, 2000
Present: Biermacher, Clark, Clay, James, Johnson, Julien,
Kingsland, Wallace and Woodrick
Absent: None
Others Present: Township Manager Jay Cravens
ARTICLE 1. Call the Meeting to Order
Chairman Wallace called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ARTICLE 2. Approval of the Agenda
Trustee Johnson made a motion to approve the agenda submitted by
staff. Member Woodrick seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
ARTICLE 3. Approval of the Minutes of May 16, 2000
Member Woodrick made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 16,
2000 meeting, as submitted by staff. Member Biermacher seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 4. Approval of the Minutes of June 20, 2000
Member Woodrick made a motion to approve the minutes of the June
20, 2000 meeting, as submitted by staff. Trustee Johnson noted that
the minutes show her present as a DDA Board member and absent as a
Parks Committee member. She requested that the minutes be corrected to
show she was present. Member Biermacher seconded the motion with the
suggested change. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 5. Discussion with John Elliott Regarding the
Reduction of Pathway Width on South Side of 28th Street
Township Manager Cravens informed the DDA Board of Directors that
John Elliott would not be available tonight because of a scheduling
conflict. Manager Cravens then provided the DDA Board with background
information as to why the village area has a 7-foot wide sidewalk as
opposed to the 10-foot wide width proposed on the south side of Old 28th
Street. Manager Cravens stated that the designers at M.C. Smith and
Associates developed the 7-foot width to accommodate project site
limitations at that particular time. There were areas where the
preferred width of 8 feet could not be accommodated due to power poles
and water hydrants; therefore a 7-foot width was installed to provide
uniformity. Manager Cravens stated that while the current plans call
for a 10 foot width, he would be satisfied with an 8 foot width on the
south side of Old 28th Street. The 8 foot width is a
minimum sidewalk standard suggested by AASHTO.
Chairman Wallace raised concern about the amount of increased
traffic that would travel on this sidewalk. He suggested that the
increased width would make it safer for all users of the sidewalk.
Trustee advocated a 7-foot width, noting narrower sidewalk widths in
neighboring communities. Member Woodrick agreed with Trustee Johnson’s
comments. Supervisor Julien thought he would like to see the sidewalk
narrower, because bicyclists would likely travel at a higher speed on
the 10 foot width. He felt comfortable with the 8-foot width however.
Member James asked about the capabilities of the snow removal
equipment. Could it serve the narrower width? Manager Cravens
responded that the township had snow removal equipment that would
handle a 6-foot width.
Supervisor Julien made a motion to reduce the sidewalk width on the
south side of Old 28th Street from 10 feet wide to 8 feet
wide. Member James seconded the motion. Member Clark asked if other
portions of the sidewalk were wider; particularly near the decorative
wall at the corner of Old 28th Street and Cascade Road?
Manager Cravens responded saying, "yes". The motion passed with a 7 to
2 vote (Johnson and Woodrick voting no.)
ARTICLE 6. Discussion with John Elliott of Fishbeck,
Thompson, Carr & Huber (FTC&H)
Progress Report on Old 28th St. Reconstruction
Cost Changes on Old 28th St. Streetscape
Manager Cravens provided the DDA Board of Directors an update of
the Old 28th Street Reconstruction project. He noted work
was progressing slowly. The contractor is on schedule although they
have been off the construction for several days at a time. Substantial
completion is still set for the end of October.
Manager Cravens then updated the Board about cost increases that
are likely to occur on the project. He noted that the contractor found
a substantial layer of cement below the asphalt of Old 28th
Street. This increased cost to have the cement removed and hauled away
was not anticipated. Increased costs are also expected with the
purchase of the decorative streetlights. The streetlights typically
used by the Township in the village area are more expensive that other
manufacturers. This was not factored properly in the project cost
estimate. The original project estimate also did not factor in the
cost of purchasing the 28th Street turnaround.
Member James made a motion to accept the project increase and
recommend the township board seek municipal bonding of $1.315 million
to cover the Old 28th Street projects. Member Biermacher
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Member James made a motion that the township secures the purchase
of the 28th Street turnaround property. Trustee Johnson
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 7. Discussion (and Consider Approval of) DDA
District Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan
Manager Cravens briefly reviewed the changes in the amended DDA
District Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan. The
amendments are needed to extend the life of the plans to coincide with
the TIFA bonds the township is seeking for the Old 28th
Street improvements. The plans would extend out to the year 2020, when
the bonds are scheduled to be paid off.
Member James made a motion that the amended DDA District
Development Plan and Tax Increment Financing Plan be recommended for
approval by the Township Board. Member Clark seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously.
ARTICLE 8. Any Other Business
None presented.
ARTICLE 9. Adjournment
On a motion by Member Clark and seconded by Member Clay the meeting
was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ray James, Secretary
