Minutes - 05/10/2000 - Safety Pathway CommitteeMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE OAK BROOK SAFETY PATHWAY COMMITTEE OF MAY 10, 2000
Unofficial until approved as written or as amended ✓ on
/3, 2000
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m., Co -Chair Cullum presiding.
Committee Members Present:
Co -Chair Cullum, Co -Chair Hartmann, Doyle, Huizenga, McShane, Richardson, Walters
Committee Members Absent:
Member Lombardi
Others Present:
Howard Trier, Oak Brook Park District; Stephen B. Veitch, Village Manager; Ken Knudson, Oak Brook
Press
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Member McShane, seconded by Member Doyle, to approve the minutes of the
meeting held on March 15, 2000. Passed unanimously.
3. PROJECT UPDATES
Village Manager Veitch provided updates on various pathway projects:
A. 22nd Street. Bids have been opened and although the bid price is substantially above the pre -bid
estimate, the expectation is that the agencies involved will amend their agreement to cover the actual cost of
the project. As I understand it, construction should occur this year.
B. York Road. Work is progressing on the punchlist associated with the grant project. One tree still
requires replacement and additional work is needed on the low spot just north of Robin Hood Ranch. Minor
restoration of locations from which trees were moved this spring also remains. Comments regarding
potential future interference of pine trees with the path have been noted. The evergreen screen was a key
issue with the adjacent property owner and right -of -way dictated the location of the plantings.
The contractor on the Village project has a short punchlist, and will also stripe the crossing of York at about
3420 York. Village forces will install asphalt aprons at the crossing. No signal or flasher is planned.
DuPage County has confirmed that it would not permit an unwarranted signal given the excellent sight
distance. (Wolf Road at Salt Creek is a comparable example.) When completed, there will exist a
continuous roadside route from 31" Street to Graue Mill.
The committee agreed that a press release should be issued upon completion of the 22"d Street project and
final completion of this project noting the addition of two key links to the system.
C. Midwest Road. The pathway design has not changed and no change is expected. Drainage issues have
delayed letting of the project and letting is not expected until 2001 at this point.
Minutes of Oak Brook Safety pathway Committee
Meeting of May 10, 2000
Page 2
D. Harger/York. Phase I engineering is continuing, as is communication with the Tollway Authority
regarding the appropriate jurisdictional responsibilities. Manager Veitch indicated that the Village Board is
very unlikely to accept the Harger bridge without a significant commitment from the Tollway Authority re
the I -88 overpass at 22nd Street. The Committee again expressed its frustration with the apparent standoff
and its potential impact on the project, the system and safety in general.
E. Spring Road. Veitch noted that a striped shoulder is in place. Considering the low volume of traffic on
Spring it would be difficult to justify an off -road path. The Committee asked that the Village initiate contact
with the Forest Preserve District, if not already done, regarding feasibility of an off -road path on the south
(west) side of Spring from Adams to connect to the Fullersburg Woods path at some point.
F. 31St Street. The Phase I report has been submitted. IDOT is withholding review until the grant is
extended. The Village has responded to IDOT's inquiries relating to the extension, explaining that the delay
was the result of the 1995 State economic development commitment to McDonald's Corporation. The
Village anticipates extension of the grant and moving into Phase 11 engineering, with construction to begin in
2001.
Further east, litigation continues to delay the DuPage County project to improve 3151 Street. A petition drive
is underway to place a referendum question to authorize sale of right -of -way to the County on the November
ballot. The Committee indicated interest in designating an at -grade crossing of 31" Street opposite the
Fullersburg Woods path, if possible.
G. Regional Trail. Phase I engineering is about 75% complete. Pending issues include some wetland areas
and Brookfield's apparent intent to withdraw due to unhappiness about the route around Brookfield Zoo to
l st Avenue. The most significant design issue in Oak Brook will be treatment of the crossing of Twin Oaks
Drive at the entrance to Timber Trails. Staff was asked to clarify the extent of funding that is in place.
H. 2000 Village Project. Two segments are budgeted for construction this year. Design work on the
segment on 35th Street between Covington Court and St. Stephens Green is nearly complete. The staff is
attempting to work out right -of -way issues pertaining to the segment on Wood Glen Lane between York
Road and the existing path.
4. OLD BUSINESS
A. Maintenance Activities. Manager Veitch reported that this year's screenings work is completed,
including the connection from 22 "d Street to the underpass and Hunter Drive and the old exercise ring area of
the Sports Core. Work on Polo Road will take place shortly, as the polo season begins. Overlays are
planned in Brook Forest, on Hunter Drive, and in Trinity Lakes (including the area south of the bridge) this
summer.
In addition to the asphalt aprons at 3420 York, aprons are planned at 16th Street and Spring and at 22 "d and
Jorie.
The Forest Preserve District has not removed the cable from the path at York by Salt Creek, but a useable
bypass exists. Committee members indicated that the area between the end of the paved path west of Graue
Mill and the Mill area is still uneven and difficult to negotiate. Staff was asked to follow up with the Forest
Preserve District on this.
Minutes of Oak Brook Safety pathway Committee
Meeting of May 10, 2000
Page 3
It was reported that there could be an opportunity to improve the connection from Canterberry Lane to the I-
294 underpass as part of initial phase work on the Dean property. It was also noted that the existing
connection on public right -of -way is passable most of the time.
B. System Signage. There was a discussion of acceptable and appropriate directional signage for the
system. Manager Veitch indicated he would pursue some ideas, perhaps in connection with the Village's
project to replace street markers.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Committee Vacancy. It was noted that there is a vacancy on the Committee from the SE quadrant.
After discussion, the Committee concluded that it does not wish to recommend abandonment of the current
geographic make -up of the committee, but suggested that Member McShane be shifted to the SE quadrant
position, making the vacant position an at large position. Manager Veitch indicated that would be helpful as
the interest that has been expressed is from residents outside the SE quadrant. He will relay this discussion
to the Village President.
B. Policy on Pathway Surfaces. Manager Veitch noted recent correspondence from a resident questioning
the retention of the soft (stone) surface on the pathway ringing the Sports Core. It was agreed that the 1996
policy, approved by the Village Board, that pathways ringing the Sports Core remain as stone paths (all other
paths to be constructed of asphalt) should be reconsidered. Manager Veitch reported that the 31" Street leg
to be relocated by DuPage County could be rebuilt in asphalt if desired by the Village. He will investigate
the cost of surfacing the other sections.
C. Review of Priority List. It was agreed that the most recent Priority List will be circulated in advance of
the next meeting and that the list will be reviewed at that meeting.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no additional business, a motion was made by Member Huizenga, seconded by Member
Walters, to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Passed unanimously.
The next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Samuel E. Dean
Board Room at the Village Hall.
Stephen$. V_eitch
Village Manager