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MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
June 30, 2008
The Village Board met in the Board Room of the Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 30,
2008. In attendance were:
Village Board Staff
Robert Benton, Trustee Phil Kiraly, Assistant Village Manager
Thomas Jester, Trustee Robert Fialkowski, Director of Finance
Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee Jeff Ryckaert, Principal Planner
William Seiden, Trustee Kathy Van Ohlen, CD Secretary
Barbara Struthers, Trustee Jim Bernahl, Assistant Village Engineer
Brad Fink, Assistant Director of Public Works
Dan Busscher, Superintendent of Streets and Utilities
Frank Cisek, WRF Superintendent
Kendal Dean, Administrative Intern
Kent Street, Village Manager
Workforce Housing – Metropolitan Planning Council
Mr. Ryckaert introduced Joanna Trotter representing the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC)
who presented an introductory video outlining the value of workforce housing. She reviewed the
concept of an inter-agency coalition to locate workforce housing currently being explored by
Highland Park, Lake Forest, Highwood, Northbrook and Deerfield.
Mr. Ryckaert reviewed several tools available to encourage workforce housing. Trustee
Struthers encouraged further consideration of inclusionary zoning and expanding the region
beyond the 5 communities currently considering the approach, as well as recognized the limited
vacant land available for development in Deerfield. Trustee Jester noted other issues impact this
discussion, including transportation facilities and tax credit availability. It was agreed that staff
should prepare a report on the various tools available and their possible impact on Deerfield prior
to further consideration of formally endorsing the coalition.
WRF Design Study – Progress Report
Mr. Bernahl introduced Randy Wirtz and Vern Witthuhn of Strand Associates to present the first
progress report concerning replacement of the Wastewater Reclamation Facility (WRF). Report
elements included the following:
Goal of the Report
History Overview
Project Need and Drivers
Status of the Report
Results to Date
Next Step and Schedule
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Mr. Wirtz noted that the basic goal was to develop a long-term plan for the Deerfield WRF to
reliably meet environmental requirements for the lowest practical cost to the rate payers. He
reviewed the current service area and the development history of the current facilities. He
concluded by noting the replacement project was being driven by several factors:
* plant age and deficiencies;
* operations and maintenance costs;
* automation;
* regulatory changes, including dissolved oxygen and discharge measurement;
* future regulations pertaining to phosphorous and nitrogen discharge limits.
Mr. Witthuhn reviewed the conditions of the current plant.
Mr. Wirtz outlined various project tasks, noting that the next major steps were to identify and
evaluate alternatives and develop a recommended plan. A major outcome of this study includes
the conclusion that based upon minimal projected demand growth, there is no need to increase
discharge limits to the Chicago River. As a result, anti-degradation analysis is not required,
thereby easing the permit approval process. Other findings resulted from the current condition
assessment, revealing that the existing WRF has a complicated pumping and treatment scheme,
equipment and structures are deteriorating, outdated control and monitoring systems are used and
some processes have inadequate capacity.
Five alternative treatment designs are being considered and their evaluation will include site and
system integration requirements, as well as costs for capital, operating, maintenance and a
present worth analysis. Any selected alternative should significantly reduce the risk of odors and
energy consumption due to the current requirement that the wastewater be pumped 3 times.
An upcoming public information session will be held, inviting surrounding neighbors, prior to
the next progress report to the Village Board. The project schedule was reviewed, noting it is
hoped to have a submittal to the IEPA before the end of 2008, complete the detailed design and
bidding in 2009, and construct the project over two construction seasons in 2010 and 2011.
It was agreed that construction traffic routing and the reduction of construction impacts were
important considerations.
The next progress report will likely be presented by Strand to the Board in August.
Sanitary Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Monitoring Report
Mr. Fink introduced Cathy Morley and Jim Liubicich of the RJN Group. They provided an
executive summary of their firms study results from monitoring 21 points in the sanitary system
for 60 days in April and May of 2007. Wet weather peaking factors for a good system are 3.0 to
5.0, and the Village-wide system peaking factor is found to be over 10. This means that double
the amount from a good system must be treated by the treatment plant or excess flow facilities.
System defects which allow excess rain water into the system and results in high peaking factors
can include such things as cracked pipes and joints on Village and private property, as well as
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improperly connected storm drainage systems and sump pumps on private property. RJN
recommends source identification and cost-effective removal of excess flow sources.
Ms. Morley and Mr. Liubicich reviewed various program phases and priorities to reduce public
and then private inflow and infiltration. Typically a long-term effort (10 years or so), this type of
program requires a concerted effort to repair Village lines and inlets, as well as conduct private
property inspections and follow-up to assure that the disconnection of sump pumps, gutter
systems and driveway drains takes place.
It was agreed that a prioritized approach should be identified for further Board consideration.
Staff will work with RJN to develop a recommendation for further consideration by the Village
Board.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. following unanimous approval of the motion to adjourn
made by Trustee Jester and a second by Trustee Rosenthal.
Minutes prepared by:
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KENT S. STREET, Village Manager