McHenry Times

Village of Algonquin Committee of the Whole met April 15

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Trustee Auger Chairperson, called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 8:06 p.m.

AGENDA ITEM 1: Roll Call to Establish a Quorum

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

Absent: Trustee Brian Dianis

A quorum was established

Staff in Attendance: Tim Schloneger, Village Manager; Mike Kumbera, Deputy Village Manager; Nadim Badran, Public Works Director; Dennis Walker, Chief of Police; Patrick Knapp, Community Development Director; Matt Bajor, Assistant to the Village Manager; Jacob Uhlmann, Management Intern; and Attorney, Kelly Cahill.

AGENDA ITEM 2: Public Comment:

None

AGENDA ITEM 3: Community Development:

None

AGENDA ITEM 4: General Administration:

None

AGENDA ITEM 5: Public Works & Safety

Mr. Badran:

A. Consider an Agreement with Trotter and Associates, Inc. for the Construction Oversight of the WWTP Biosolids Handling Project

The Public Works Department is undertaking a project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to replace biosolids handling equipment with centrifuge technology. The Village of Algonquin’s 2014 and 2024 Wastewater Facility Plans identified significant deficiencies in biosolids processing. This project addresses the final major deficiency by improving the efficiency of the sludge dewatering process. At the April 1st Village Board meeting, the construction contract with Manusos General Contracting, Inc. was approved. To provide proper oversight of construction activities, staff has included a proposal from Trotter & Associates, Inc (TAI) for managing the construction of this project. Over the last three years, TAI completed preliminary and final design which included detailed plans and return on investment analysis. Trotter has recently completed construction oversight on the Creek Lift Station Upgrade (2022), Braewood Force Main Replacement (2024), and is currently completing the rehabilitation to the Braewood Lift Station. TAI’s proposal for construction oversight is a not to-exceed amount of $302,100.00, which is 7.5% of the construction bid. This project will span two fiscal years. Sufficient funds are available in FY 2025/26 and the remaining amount will be budgeted by staff to complete the project in FY 2026/27.

Summary:

1. Experienced oversight of this project is necessary, TAI is more than capable of successfully overseeing construction of this significant project.

2. The proposal amount for oversight is within budget and below the estimated amount. Therefore, the Public Works Department recommends the Committee of the Whole move forward with Trotter & Associates, Inc.’s proposal in the amount of $302,100.00 and forward it to the Village Board for approval.

It is the consensus of the Committee to forward this to the Village Board for approval

B. Consider a Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Contract Extension Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) for In-House Engineering Task Order

The Public Works Department has been utilizing engineering staff from Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) since June of 2019 due to the increase in project management workload. Since then, the Capital Budget and the number of projects has increased significantly. Specifically, in FY2025/26, the Engineering staff is tasked with over 50 capital projects, steady with last year's workload and nearly double that from 2019. During FY 2025/26 budget discussions, money was budgeted in the Water and Sewer Improvement and Street Improvement funds to continue using CBBEL staff during this fiscal year; $50,000 in each Capital account for a total of $100,000. This amount remains unchanged from last fiscal year and represents a reduction of $100,000 from FY2023/24 and a total reduction of $140,000 since FY 2022/23 due to the additions of the Engineering Division staff. Despite recent inflation, CBBEL has once again offered to keep the current rate of $120 per hour for in-house engineering services. This rate is extremely favorable when compared to outside consultant engineering services. Staff has been pleased with the work that has been performed by CBBEL, and they are a great addition to our team at Public Works, as well as other departments in the Village.

Therefore, staff recommends that the attached Task Order Amendment be moved forward by the Committee of the Whole to Village Board for In-House Engineering Services with CBBEL in the amount of $100,000 for FY 2024-2025, beginning May 1, 2025.

It is the consensus of the Committee to forward this to the Village Board for approval

C. Consider an Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) for the Clarendale Multi-Use Path Project

The Village has received several requests to install a safe pedestrian route along Algonquin Road from Clarendale of Algonquin to Oakleaf Road. The proposed path would connect to the existing multi-use path along Algonquin Road, providing access to the River Pointe Shopping Center. In response, staff engaged Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) to prepare a proposal for the Clarendale Multi-Use Path Project to address these concerns and enhance pedestrian safety and mobility in the area. The proposed project involves the construction of an ADA-compliant multi-use path along the identified corridor, with considerations for drainage, accessibility, and safe connectivity for both pedestrians and cyclists. Village staff coordinated with the McHenry County Division of Transportation (McDOT), which has agreed to fund one-third of the project cost, as the segment aligns with their long-range pedestrian improvement plan for Algonquin Road. Although this project is not currently budgeted in the Village’s FY2025/26 Street Fund, staff recently became aware of a grant opportunity through the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) that promotes senior-friendly pedestrian infrastructure.

Additionally, the Street Improvement Fund has available capacity due to Phase 2 of the Broadsmore/Stonegate Improvements project being awarded approximately $200,000 under budget. With McDOT’s cost-share and anticipated AARP grant, the Village’s remaining share of the project cost is substantially reduced.

Anticipated cost summary below.

• Total Project Cost: $350,000

• McDOT Contribution: $116,667

• AARP Grant (anticipated): $25,000

• Remaining Village Share: $208,333

1. This project provides safe pedestrian travel along Algonquin Road from Clarendale of Algonquin connecting to an existing path to the River Pointe Shopping Center.

2. This segment has been identified in McDOT’s Algonquin Road Pedestrian Improvement Plan. An IGA will be drafted for review at a later

3. Design costs are higher due to the challenging slopes, lack of right-of-way, and the need for a permanent retaining wall.

Therefore, the Public Works Department recommends that the Committee of the Whole take the necessary action to move the proposal from Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD. for $59,528.00 for Design Engineering of the Clarendale Multi-Use Path to the Village Board for approval.

It is the consensus of the Committee to forward this to the Village Board for approval

D. Consider an Agreement with Suburban Concrete for the 2025 MFT Concrete Program

The Village opened bids for the 2025 MFT Concrete Replacement Program on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. The program consists of removing and replacing concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter, and driveway aprons.

Public Works staff have aggressively pursued sidewalk inspections, repairs, and replacement to improve walkability and correct hazards throughout the Village.

The Village was split into five sidewalk zones to organize the concrete replacement program. This year will focus on areas within Zone B and a couple miscellaneous locations, which can be found in the attached location map. Seven bids (7) bids were received and are summarized in the attached bid tabulation.

Village staff have reviewed the bids, and the low bidder is Suburban Concrete, Inc., in the amount of $355,945.50. The approved budget of $500,000 in the MFT Capital Fund is under the proposed bid amount.

Suburban Concrete, Inc. has not completed work for the Village in the past, so staff contacted references provided by Suburban Concrete in their bid to assess their capability. The reviews given by other municipalities were all positive.

1. This annual program utilizes MFT funds to replace damaged sidewalk, curb & gutter, and driveway aprons.

2. The low bidder, Suburban Concrete, Inc., is below the budgeted amount.

3. Suburban Concrete has provided satisfactory performance on previous concrete projects for surrounding municipalities.

Therefore, it is Staff’s recommendation that the Committee of the Whole take action to move this matter forward to the Village Board to award the 2025 MFT Concrete Replacement Program to Suburban Concrete, Inc. in the amount of $355,945.50.

It is the consensus of the Committee to forward this to the Village Board for approval

AGENDA ITEM 6: Executive Session

None

AGENDA ITEM 7: Other Business:

Trustee Brehmer asked staff to investigate why installation, replacement and maintenance costs for Park projects are not calculated into the total project costs. Remaining Trustees asked staff to preform due diligence on project costs, what the projected lifespan would be and planned life versus perpetual.

AGENDA ITEM 8: Adjournment:

There being no further business, Chairperson Auger adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

https://www.algonquin.org/egov/documents/1746649039_88627.pdf