McHenry Times

City of Harvard Transportation Committee met Feb. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairperson Charles Gorman called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM. Committee members present were Chairperson Charles Gorman, Alderwoman Lisa Haderlein, and Alderman John Lavallee. Also present were Mayor Mike Kelly, Alderman Jay Schulz, City Administrator Lou Leone, Finance Director Deb Bejot, Public Works Director Jim Kruckenberg, Code Enforcement Officer Anne Nutley, and City Engineer Gary Rozwadowski.

A quorum was established.

Public Comment: None

2023 MFT Road Repair Program. 

City Administrator Lou Leone started things off by summarizing the pre-meeting held with staff and chairman Gorman just prior to this meeting. The purpose was to establish recommendations to be presented to the committee as to how the 2023-24 MFT budget, which is estimated to be about $220,000, might be allocated in a way that will be more effective in at least slowing down the rate of deterioration of the city’s streets.

Gary Rozwadowski, City Engineer, then gave a presentation covering his recommendations. 

● The anticipated budget for the 2023-24 season will be about $220,000.

● Harvard’s current average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 38. This falls within the range of “very poor” to “poor” using the IMS (PAVERS) rating scale.

○ If the funds were available Harvard’s goal should be to attain a PCI average of 70 (Fair to Satisfactory), but since our funds are limited, our goal has to be adjusted downward to an average PCI of 50. Not where we would like to be, but 14 percentage points better than today.

● He then recommended specific rehabilitation methods based on any given street’s current condition.

○ If the street is in good/excellent condition, it should be given a pavement rejuvenation application (seal coat the entire width) along with crack-sealing the edge between the pavement and the gutter. This is done in years 1, 6 and 11 after a street has been resurfaced. In year 16, you micro-surface it.

○ If the street is in fair condition, it is a candidate for micro-surfacing. Same as above, but using a (Maltene Sealant w/lime screenings)

○ If the street is in poor condition, Mill & resurface (before they deteriorate too far). This treatment is the same as what we have been doing in the past.

○ Very Poor/Serious condition, Full Reconstruction

○ Dangerous or unsafe isolated patches of pavement - If a street has dangerous sections such as isolated potholes, or collapsed pavement, Stop Gap deep patching should be implemented. (Not cold patch)

● Rozwadowski then went on to make the following recommendations:

○ The streets that were resurfaced in the last five years need to have rejuvenation performed as soon as possible. Rejuvenation can either be a seal coat or micro-surfacing depending on the condition. Then, in the following years, the city needs to plan and budget to perform repeat rejuvenation in years 1, 6 and 11 after resurfacing, or reconstruction.

○ Identify, and repair unsafe/dangerous patches of pavement using stop-gap deep patch methods.

○ Reconstruct streets that are beyond patching or sealing using various methods including IDOT-approved methods when using MFT funds and innovative methods when and if the funds come from other sources.

● Alderwoman Haderlein motioned to recommend to the City Council to allocate $120,000.00 of MFT funds for rejuvenation of roadways built in the last five years and the remaining $100,000.00 of MFT funds to be used for stop/gap repair projects. Alderman John Lavallee seconded the motion. All ayes, motion passed.

● A recommendation was made that Council members review the roadways within their respective wards and make recommendations for stop/gap projects.

Starline Crosswalk: 

Rozwadowski discussed the need for the crosswalk project to be completed according to industry standards. He suggested installing crosswalk signs and surface markings to clearly identify the crosswalk to traffic. Starline has agreed to purchase and apply the paint using IDOT-approved paint and markings. The city has agreed to purchase and install the signs.

Mayor Kelly suggested eliminating parking westward from Page Street because the width of the roadway makes it a potentially dangerous thoroughfare and when cars are parked where the crosswalk will be the signs will be difficult to see.

Chairman Gorman suggested that permission for the crosswalk be combined with the no parking requirement.

Administrator Leone was directed to create a draft ordinance prohibiting parking on Front Street from Diggins to Page Street.

Alderwoman Haderlein will share the new crosswalk requirements as well as the draft no parking ordinance with Starline. She will report Starline’s position at the next Transportation Committee meeting.

Discussion with City Engineer: (Status of existing road projects) 

● Access to Transit (Route 173 sidewalks). The grant has been approved, proceeding to the Phase 1 report.

● Access to Transit (Marengo Road sidewalks from Route 173 to Ayers). Phase 1 is complete, preparing to begin Phase 2. Funding is through CMAQ.

● Marengo Road and Marengo Road Bridge. Phase 1 reports are not scheduled until the end of 2023.

● Sidewalks North along Route 14. City has sent a letter agreeing that the soil has issues and will treat it as such to speed the project timeline up.

● Ayer Streetscape. Currently out for bids. Construction is to commence in 2023. 

● Post Office. A brief study has been completed.

New Business: None.

Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Alderwoman Haderlein, seconded by Alderman Lavallee. All ayes, motion passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 PM.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/transportation_committee/meeting/14749/minutestransportation2023-02-01.pdf