McHenry Times

Village of Algonquin Committee of the Whole met April 16

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Trustee Auger, Chairperson, called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 7:54 p.m.  

AGENDA ITEM 1: Roll Call to Establish a Quorum 

Present: Trustees, Maggie Auger; Jerry Glogowski, John Spella, Laura Brehmer, Brian Dianis, Bob Smith, President, Debby Sosine and Clerk, Fred Martin. 

A quorum was established 

Staff in Attendance: Tim Schloneger, Village Manager; Michael Kumbera, Deputy Village Manager; Michele Zimmerman, Assistant Public Works Director; Tim Cooney, Deputy Police Chief; Katie Gock, Recreation Superintendent; and Kelly Cahill, Village Attorney. 

AGENDA ITEM 2: Public Comment 

None 

AGENDA ITEM 3: Community Development 

None 

AGENDA ITEM 4: General Administration 

Mr. Kumbera: 

A. Consider a Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast of Northern Illinois 

In 2018, the Village entered into a cable service franchise agreement with Comcast (2018-R-62) effective for five years. This agreement mirrors prior agreements, granting Comcast authorization to utilize Village rights of way in compliance with municipal codes and establishing a 5% fee on Comcast's gross revenues derived from its operations within the Village. 

Under Federal law, before the Village can renew this proposed franchise agreement, a public hearing must be  held. Accordingly, the Village has published a notice to hold a hearing on May 21, 2024, to allow the public the opportunity to comment on the proposed franchise renewal. After that hearing, if this franchise agreement is in acceptable form, the Village Board may approve it at that same meeting. 

Staff recommends the Committee of the Whole forward this item to the Village Board for approval by resolution at their meeting on May 21, pending the outcome of a public hearing on the same date. 

It is the consensus of the Committee to move this on to the Village Board for approval. 

B. Consider a Revision to the Investment Policy 

The Village's Investment Policy, last revised in 2020, provides a strategic framework for managing treasury operations. Our primary goal remains the safekeeping and liquidity of principal, alongside achieving a market competitive yield on Village reserves. 

Following the acquisition of our primary banking institution by a credit union, staff conducted a thorough review  of our policy to ensure it continues to meet our operational needs and maintains robust safeguards. Key updates proposed are as follows: 

1. Management of Police Pension Fund: Responsibility for the investment activities of the Police  Pension Fund has been transferred to the Illinois Police Officers’ Pension Investment Fund.

2. Expanded Investment Options: We have updated our policy to include the possibility of investing in financial institutions insured by the National Credit Union Association (NCUA). 

3. Standby Letter of Credit: Introduced as a new option for securing deposits, providing an alternative to traditional pledged securities/collateral. 

4. Benchmark Adjustment: The investment benchmark has been updated to the three-month U.S. Treasury Bill to better align with the Village’s passive investment strategy. 

Staff recommends that the Committee of the Whole forward this item to the Village Board for approval by Resolution at their meeting on May 7, 2024. 

It is the consensus of the Committee to move this on to the Village Board for approval.

C. Consider Authorized Financial Institutions as Designated Depositories 

As part of its treasury management activities, the Village maintains several bank and investment accounts at  multiple financial institutions. The Village Board, from time to time, shall designate depositories in which the funds and moneys belonging to the Village, in the custody of the Village Treasurer, and also all moneys collected by the Village, shall be kept. 

Proposed is a Resolution listing the nine (9) banks and financial institutions the Village is actively engaged with, including Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, which is in the process of acquiring Algonquin State  Bank. 

Staff recommends that the Committee of the Whole forward this item to the Village Board for approval by Resolution at their meeting on May 7, 2024. 

It is the consensus of the Committee to move this on to the Village Board for approval. 

AGENDA ITEM 5: Public Works & Safety 

Ms. Zimmerman: 

A. Consider an Agreement with Hayes Industries for the Lead Service Replacement Project In alignment with the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act mandated by the state of Illinois in 2022, our Village has been at the forefront in cataloging water service line materials and devising an initial lead service line replacement plan. This legislation obligates communities to conduct a comprehensive inventory of water service lines by April 15, 2024. A water service line, for clarification, is the small diameter pipe facilitating water flow from the Village water main into private properties. Ownership of the service line is divided between  the Village (from the main to the parkway shutoff valve) and private homeowners (from the parkway shutoff  valve into the home). 

Our proactive efforts over recent years have significantly advanced our lead service line identification and replacement endeavors. Among the 11,809 active service lines within the Village, only 66 remain unidentified. Of the total, 35 are confirmed lead and are slated for full replacement within this year. The downtown area  predominantly hosts these lead service lines. In our commitment to infrastructure improvement, we have preemptively replaced lead service lines during area constructions, thus avoiding the necessity to disturb newly paved roads. To date, 122 lead service lines have been replaced by a private contractor, encompassing the full scope from the water main to the water meter inside the homes. The preferred method of replacement has been directional boring, aimed at minimizing restoration efforts. All internal restorations have been executed with minimal disruption, ensuring the new copper pipe is seamlessly integrated into the property. These interventions are thoroughly inspected by certified plumbing inspectors and are backed by a one-year warranty  from the executing contractor. 

Currently, with a relatively minor tally of 101 lead service lines awaiting replacement, the Village is positioned  to set a commendable example for lead mitigation within community distribution systems. The FY-2024/2025  budget includes $400,000.00 in the Water/Sewer Capital fund dedicated to the replacement of approximately 40 lead service lines. Following our satisfactory history with Hayes Industries, Inc., a proposal has been received from this certified plumbing entity, which has reliably completed similar projects within the downtown vicinity. Hayes Industries, Inc. is well-acquainted with our expectations regarding customer service and has consistently demonstrated excellence in their past engagements. Their proposal outlines the removal of 40 lead  service lines at a capped expense of $400,000.00, for a unit cost of $9,736.98 per home. 

Given the proven track record of Hayes Industries, Inc., their competitive pricing, and the intricacies involved in working on private properties, it is recommended that the Village awards the contract to this firm. The contract  will maintain a (not to exceed) of $400,000.00 to accommodate any incidental costs arising from the nature of the work on private premises. The replacement lines will be of copper, matching the dimensions of the existing 

lines. Residents opting out of this service will be required to sign a waiver issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which will exempt them from the Village's replacement mandate. 

This initiative not only aligns with state legislation but also significantly contributes to the health and safety of  our community by eliminating lead exposure risks. Your support and approval of the recommended contract award to Hayes Industries, Inc. will facilitate the continuation of this vital public health initiative. 

It is the consensus of the Committee to move this on to the Village Board for approval. 

B. Consider an Agreement with Utility Service Co. Inc. for the Huntington Standpipe Renovation and Maintenance Project 

In the Villages water distribution system, our inventory includes seven elevated water tanks. Following comprehensive inspections, we have systematically evaluated each tank to prioritize our rehabilitation schedule based by its overall condition. To date, the Countryside Standpipe and Copper Oaks Tower have been successfully renovated. This year, we are focusing on the Huntington Standpipe. Plans include restoring it to baseline condition and incorporating it into our annual maintenance program, with budget allocations set for the  following year. 

Utility Service Co., Inc., recognized as a leader in potable and industrial water tank maintenance across America, offers extensive solutions for water quality management. Their expertise spans active water mixing systems to tank cleaning, underscoring a commitment to exceptional water quality standards. Over the past three years, Utility Service Co., Inc. has remarkably renovated two of our tanks, both aesthetically and structurally, thereby enhancing their longevity and reliability. 

Currently, the Water and Sewer Improvement Fund (Infrastructure Maintenance) has allocated $750,000.00 for  the Huntington Standpipe project. Therefore, it is our recommendation that the Committee of the Whole take  action to move this matter forward to the Village Board for approval of Huntington Standpipe renovation with mixing system installation in the amount of $692,764.00 to Utility Service Co., Inc. 

It is the consensus of the Committee to move this on to the Village Board for approval. 

AGENDA ITEM 6: Executive Session 

None 

AGENDA ITEM 7: Other Business 

None 

AGENDA ITEM 8: Adjournment 

There being no further business, Chairperson Auger adjourned the meeting at 8:04 p.m. 

https://www.algonquin.org/egov/documents/1715176549_34983.pdf