Village of Northbrook Committee of the Whole met Nov. 29.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. ROLL CALL
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Kathryn Ciesla | Village President | Present | |
| Bob Israel | Trustee | Present | |
| Muriel Collison | Trustee | Present | |
| Heather Ross | Trustee | Present | |
| Johannah Hebl | Trustee | Present | |
| Dan Pepoon | Trustee | Present | |
| Joy Ebhomielen | Trustee | Present |
2. MINUTES APPROVAL
1. Board of Trustees - Committee of the Whole - Nov 8, 2022 5:00 PM
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [6 TO 0]
MOVER: Muriel Collison, Trustee SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee AYES: Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon, Ebhomielen ABSTAIN: Ciesla |
3. PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
4. DISCUSSION TOPICS
A. Draft FY 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan
Deputy Village Manager Farrell stated that tonight’s meeting would include an overview of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process, a review of FY 2022-23 projects, and a five-year summary for FY 2024-28. She stated that the CIP is a roadmap and includes projects and costs for 5/1/2023 through 4/30/2028. It is used for forecasting. Final expenditures must be approved by the Board. The four various funding sources are bond proceeds, grant proceeds, designated revenues, and undesignated revenues. Unless a designated revenue source is identified, an asset’s anticipated useful life determines how the project is funded. If a project or asset is bonded, the length of the bond shall not exceed the anticipated useful life. Undesignated revenues are not tied to a specific revenue source. This CIP includes $8.8 million in grant proceeds.
The FY 2022-23 capital-amended budget includes approximately $13.5 million for capital improvements. This includes Infrastructure Capital Projects Fund $4.7 million, Stormwater Fund $790,000, Water Fund $3.5 million, Sanitary Sewer Fund $466,000, General Fund $2.67 million, Senior Housing $834,000.
Completed or scheduled to be completed this fiscal year FY 2022-23 Infrastructure projects include asphalt streets on Willow Creek Phase Two, Cedar Lane with a reduced scope, Skokie Valley Trail is continuing but is currently delayed, sidewalk and arterial sidewalk improvements, design portions of the identified bike and pedestrian projects, temporary downtown improvements, regular traffic signal and street lights improvements.
Stormwater Fund completed projects include the Willow Creek subdivision project. Water Fund projects include scheduled water main replacement Willow Creek Phase 2 and South Lane, SCADA system replacement year 1 with the RFP for initial phase of engineering underway, regular water meter program replacement continues this year, water filter and valve replacement is delayed because materials are unavailable, Dundee Road at the railroad tracks easements are a work in progress. Scheduled Sanitary Sewer lining and Manhole Rehabilitation projects were completed. General Fund completed projects include computer and mobile device replacements, cyber security enhancements and IT upgrades, and Taser replacement continues with year 2 of 5 years, automated license plate readers has 11 of 20 in place. Village demonstration garden was completed. Facility minor improvements include the HVAC at Village Hall, heating and automation at Public Works and code compliance work at Station 11.
President Ciesla inquired about agenda management software. Manager Pavlicek answered that it is not a capital project and the transition will probably take place 2023, first quarter. Vehicle replacement has been difficult. Staff continues to see significant delays and even cancellations of orders.
Senior Housing completed improvements include tuck pointing and elevator control replacement in all three buildings.
The FY2024-28 CIP includes $99 million in capital expenditures. This is approximately $30 million higher than last year’s CIP. This increase is larger due to the Facility Capital Projects fund of $13.5 million and an increase in the water fund of $20 million, which includes significant one-time projects such as the water meter project and SCADA replacement. The Infrastructure fund has almost $25 million in projects. The Storm Water fund includes a localized drainage improvement program and the Water Fund has $42 million in projects. Sanitary Sewer Fund is using all designated revenue to pay for projects The General Fund has $15.6 million in projects. Senior Services has projects in the first three years. The Facilities Capital Fund has preliminary estimates for planning.
The five-year summary of planned financing shows $65 million in bond proceeds, $8.8 million in grant proceeds, $11.2 million in designated revenue and $13.75 million in undesignated revenue. A detailed review of FY 2023-24 projects total $16.2 million. Storm Water is $50,000 in projects. Water Fund is $7 million. Infrastructure Fund projects include asphalt reconstruction, gateway signage, traffic signals and streetlights. Deputy Director of Public Works Morrison stated that roadway repair work and water main replacement are coordinated. Northbrook Highlands will be worked on in FY 23-24. The minor area resurfacing program is new to the CIP.
Trustee Ebhomielen questioned curb replacement. Deputy Director of Public Works Morrison answered that curbs are replaced on roadways if they previously existed. New curbs are not added where none were previously.
Cherry Lane underpass will have the concrete roadway removed with full asphalt replacement. It will be potentially closed for two months in order to have the road accessible for the July 4th parade. President Ciesla questioned the timing. She is sensitive to parents walking their children to school. She is also aware that there has not been a July Fourth parade for a few years. Trustee Israel questioned emergency use access of the roadway. Manager Pavlicek stated all project plans and schedules would be reviewed with impact considerations.
The sidewalk replacement program for FY 2023-24 includes projects north of the central business district and east of Waukegan Road. The Arterial Sidewalk Placement program is proposing sidewalks along the roadways of Sunset Ridge and Skokie Boulevard. In FY 2023-24 the Metra Station has construction of an enclosed bicycle shelter in the north commuter lot and signage on street pavement markings for way finding. RTA is the primary funding source.
There is $500,000 in the CIP for downtown streetscape enhancements in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-2025. Temporary streetscape has been put in place in front of Oliverii’s and Eataco and extended to Leonidas. Permanent improvements would be constructed prior to outdoor dining in 2024. The CIP includes preliminary costs for improved gateway signs around Village. Consideration for the number of signs may be necessary,
Trustee Ebhomielen asked if the streetscape funding includes trees near Leonidas. Deputy Village Manager Farrell answered that they are not included in the CIP but there is room for consideration. Trustee Collison asked if the light up balls, previously request, were in the CIP. Manager Pavlicek answered that the item is not a capital project.
The Storm Water fund of $50,000 is for localized drainage improvements. It is not part of the storm water management plan.
The Water Fund has $100,000 for design work on the Deerfield interconnect. SCADA replacement is year two of a four-year project. The water plant pipe support and electrical conduit is a two-year program. Plus safety improvements of sprinkler heads and fire alarm control panel. Water meter replacement FY 2023/24 is continuation of an ongoing program of $75,000. There is design work and planning work on the critical water main replacements. Dundee at the railroad will be completed in FY 2023-24. The easements were acquired for the south side of the tracks.
The Sanitary Sewer Fund includes sanitary sewer lining and manhole rehabilitation. Lift station generator improvement for all five years is $50,000.
Automated license plate readers continue. Body worn cameras are scheduled for FY 2023-24. The cost is spread over five years. Police laptops will be replaced in FY 2023-24. There are some planned minor facility improvements. A number of vehicles will be purchased. Alternative fuel vehicle or hybrids will be selected when possible.
Three years of senior housing improvements at Crestwood include window replacement and roofing projects.
Contracts were signed with Leopardo and FGM Architects for the Facility Capital Projects Fund. Trustee Hebl asked about water main breakage percentages on mains that are 75 years or older in the five year look out and the percentage rate reduction. Public Works Director Hamill will follow up with that information.
Trustee Ross asked about sustainability projects tied to the CAP. Manager Pavlicek answered that she will add an appendix.
B. Community Identity Project Discussion
a5 is a Chicago-based brand and digital agency contracted by the Village of Northbrook to design a community identity. a5 President John Harris, Creative Director - Fletcher Martin, and Digital Media Specialist - Juliane Allen presented at tonight’s meeting. The team stated that they had three visual options to present to the Board. Deliverables were outlined. Launch is anticipated for late February or early March.
The outreach and engagement process included survey responses, focus groups, one-on-one interviews and intercept interviews. All were used as a means of identifying a community identity. The process included four principles: listening, thinking, creating, and launch.
General public favorable consensus is that people believe Northbrook has excellent schools, has a close proximity to Chicago, good access to Chicago trains and airport, affordability, amazing amenities, a safe community, diversity, and a walkable community.
Items for improvement include better curb appeal, housing affordability, more diversity, more business friendly, connections with different populations, and a welcome package for newcomers. a5 revealed that the key messages include that education is valued, the community is welcoming to all, community driven (people get involved), green living (green space, forest preserves, access to Botanical Garden), convenient location with outstanding services. The tone is friendly, welcoming, accepting, professional, accommodating and confident. Three design options were outlined. Tonight’s goal is to come to consensus on one graphic identity and a tagline.
Concept A
The design is organic with a yin/yang balance, contemporary design. The design is simple, clean, elegant, warm and inviting.
Concept B
The design image creates a peaceful feeling. The tagline stated “Thrive Here”. Everything is better by nature.
Concept C
The design is very contemporary and simple. It uses a bold friendly font with bans of colors. It features bright vertical stripes on everything.
President Ciesla asked for feedback on the logo. Trustee Ebhomielen, Trustee Pepoon, Trustee Hebl, and Trustee Ross favored Concept A. Trustee Collison does not think that folks will see the abstract “N” in Concept A. Trustee Israel favors the text on Concept A but likes the symbols on Concept B. President Ciesla favors Concepts A and C. Trustee Pepoon likes linking the “oo” in Northbrook.
Consensus is Concept A.
President Ciesla asked for feedback on the tagline. Trustee Ebhomielen favors Thrive Here and Northbrook True. Trustee Pepoon favors Thrive Here. Trustee Hebl favors Where Togetherness Comes Naturally. Trustee Ross favors Thrive Here. Trustee Collison favors True Northbrook. Trustee Israel favors True Northbrook or Thrive Here.
Trustee Collison gave a pitch for True Northbrook (with a compass). President Ciesla asked if True Northbrook could be a mission statement. President Ciesla would like another meeting to do a deeper dive into the research. The a5 team will provide a packet of the research findings. This item will come before the Board for final approval at the December 13, 2022 board meeting.
5. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
None
6. CLOSED SESSION
Trustee Israel moved, seconded by Trustee Collison to go into close session to approve closed session minutes at 7:26 p.m. On voice vote the motion passed.
7. ADJOURN
Trustee Pepoon moved, seconded by Trustee Collison to adjourn the Committee of the Whole at 7:29pm. On voice vote, all were in favor
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