Trustees Examine Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan

met Monday night for a study session on the village's five-year — and beyond — capital improvement plan.

Mayor Suzanne Branding said the purpose of the session was not only to lay out the five-year plan but also to work toward determining which projects could fall within the 2012-13 budget. Branding said the village is in the process of laying out a preliminary budget for 2012-13.

The projects presented by village staff Monday night essentially represent a wish list of projects that could be done should the funding be available. Trustees reached a consensus that overall, they approve of the organization of the projects proposed.

"The question is how we're going to pay for it," said Trustee Rich Sustich.

Much of Monday night's discussion centered on road and highway maintenance, along with utilities-related projects. Public Works Director David Heyden said the village's road resurfacing program is about two years behind because of the limited work done in 2009 and 2010. The $1.8 million road-resurfacing program being proposed for 2012-13 includes Chestnut Corners, Hunters Creek, Ancient Oaks, Marina Park, Oak Creek Estates and Oak Street. The program would be paid for with funds.

Other road-related projects being proposed include: Construction of right-turn lanes on northbound and southbound Route 12 onto Ela Road at $427,000, which would be covered by a grant, funds and Lake County; installation of additional traffic-detection loops on eastbound and westbound Oakwood at Midlothian, a $10,000 cost which would be covered by funds; and street sign replacements.

The latter, Heyden said, would be blended in to the road resurfacing program cycle. The $200,000 cost, covered by funds, would be spread out over a 15-year period.

"It's not set in stone," Heyden said of the roads/highways portion of the capital improvement plan. He noted that the plan is designed to show priorities. "It's meant to be flexible."

Proposed utilities-related projects include spending $60,000 in connection fees and funds to complete the installation of a system at the water treatment plants and lift stations that will allow for the remote control and monitoring of those facilities, reducing personnel costs. Heyden also proposed spending $510,000 in water and sewer rates and funds to paint the interior of the water tower, along with the exterior of well No. 12.

One of the more critical projects, Heyden said, is a sanitary study, which would cost $20,000 and would be paid for by the developer and TIF funds. Heyden pointed out that under the existing system, sewage from the downtown TIF district must travel a long way to the lift station. The $20,000 expenditure would allow a consultant to evaluate future TIF flows and determine a new lift and force-main route, Heyden said.

"It's something that we'd like to have sooner than later," said Heyden.

A number of parks and recreation projects also were proposed, including: $40,000 for a new asphalt parking lot at the Countryside West soccer field; $10,000 for improvements at the Oakridge Marsh Pier; $40,000 for the replacement of the roof at 351 Lions Drive; and $8,000 to $12,000 for the installation of security lighting and surveillance cameras at Staples and Paulus Parks. Though the majority of the proposed projects would be covered by special recreation assessment funds or the park improvement fund, trustees asked Park & Recreation Department Director Michael Perkins to formulate a list of priorities.

Here is a look at some of the other projects that could be included in the 2012-13 budget:

• Construction of a fenced-in protected lot to temporarily store seized vehicles; $24,000; .
• Implementation of new records software; $80,000; police department.
• Removal and replacement of 70 ash trees due to the emerald ash borer infestation; $13,000 funded by a federal grant and staff match.
• Modernizing the Building and Zoning Department vehicle fleet, with $15,000 spent on vehicle replacement each year from 2012-15.
• Replacement of 20-year-old carpet on the second floor of the ; $9,000.
• Replacement of braces in elevator shaft due to rust damage in the Public Works building; $25,000.
• Replacement of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units on first floor and basement of Village Hall; $45,000.
• Replacement of carpet on first floor of Village Hall; $10,000.
• Replacement of elevator rails in Village Hall; $20,000.
• Improvements to information technology systems in the Village Boardroom to make it paperless; $20,000.

The entire five-year capital improvement plan can be seen on the village website.