MINUTES OF A SPECIAL HEARING OF THE GURNEE VILLAGE BOARD IN REFERENCE TO THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER MAINS IN THE NORTHEASTERN AREA OF THE VILLAGE.

WARREN TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

SEPTEMBER 13, 1988

The Special Hearing was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Welton.

Roll Call, present: James T. Hayner, Village Administrator W. Howard Swanson, Village Attorney Bud Reed, Village Engineer

Mayor Welton announced that this hearing is being held, to consider the proposed water and sewer main in the northeastern area of the Village. He then explained the history of the proposal which began with c petition for Village water service by residents on several streets, the previous hearing in August,1988, and of the receipt of a petition from residents, living north of Pacific Avenue, of whom 74% were against the proposal servicing their area. The Village will respect these residents' wishes.

A resident, living north of Pacific Avenue, stated the proposal was cost prohibitive, he prefers big lots, and questioned about water service only, dropping the sewer main proposal.

Another resident, living on Lee Avenue, added that she is only interested in water, not sewer. She had signed the original petition for water.

Mayor Welton added that the Village will respect the residents' wishes. That is the purpose of this hearing.

A resident, living north of Pacific Avenue, stated he had not been approached for signing the latest petition and questioned the accuracy of any post card vote.

A resident, who owns vacant land north of Pacific Avenue, stated she wants to build, but cannot, due to the lack of sewer and water. She asked about the interests of the vacant land owners and if some lots could benefit without everyone paying for water and sewer extension.

Mr. Hayner replied that even if vacant land owners had voted on the most recent petition, for the area north of Pacific Avenue, the majority would still have been against water and sewer main extensions in said area. He added that revenue bond financing, for water mains only, in the area north of Pacific Avenue is feasible only if the density increased with more houses paying connection fees.

Mr. Hayner, when questioned, stated that the recent installation of sanitary sewer on Cheyenne was necessitated by the land topography.

When questioned about estimates for cost of installation of mains in the area north of Pacific Avenue, Mr. Hayner stated that all costs are estimates at this time, based on comparable costs in other parts of the Village. He added that true costs can vary from estimates, due to the bidding process.

Mr. Hayner replied to a question that Special Assessments go with the property, even if sold. He also replied that no lien is placed against any property if the project is installed by revenue bonds; the property owner pays only when connecting onto the water system.

A resident suggested that the Village allow four vote choices on the post card vote: Water, Sewer, Water and Sewer. or None desired.

The Village Administrator then explained the cost of installation of water mains, without Special Assessment, as follows: $18.00 per front foot charge, plus $700.00 Connection fee, plus $25.00 Inspection fee, plus $82.00 for a water meter, plus approximately $500.00 for a Service Connection from the property line to the house. The variable costs for a property owner are the front footage and Service Connection fee, which are dependent on distance.

Mr. Hayner added that costs would be higher if both sewer and water projects were done separately.

Mayor Welton stated that if residents in an area want water, the Village will consider installing it at a charge of $18.00 per front foot cost. However, the Village must have firm commitments by a vast majority of residents that they will hook up to the system in an area, if extended.

When questioned, Mr. Hayner replied that the present cost of water in the Village is $1.80 per 1000 gallons used and that the present cost of sewer is $2.80 per month plus $.15 per 1000 gallons of water used. A property owner will also have costs from the North Shore Sanitary District for sewage treatment.

Mayor Welton added that all property owners will pay, through their property taxes, for the bonds for the CLCJAWA, even if they do not receive Village water.

Mayor Welton explained that the installation of water and/or sewer mains can be done by three options: (1.) front foot charges, presently in the amount of $18.00 per front foot for water main; (2.) Special Assessment; and (3.) Revenue Bonds, for water only.

The Village Administrator then presented a report, dated September 13, 1988, outlining the costs for a Special Assessment for Watermains extension; a Special Assessment for Sewer main extension; and a Special Assessment for both water and sewer main extensions.

After discussion, Mayor Welton stated that the Village will consider putting in water mains for the area which originally petitioned for water service and will use a post card ballot mailing for the entire northeastern area of the Village, as to options for water main extension only. The sewer main extension appears to be not desired by residents.

The Village Engineer, when questioned responded that water service could be available for residents in the original petitioning area by the summer or fall of 1989.

In response to questions, Mr. Hayner stated that the post card ballot mailing would serve only as an advisory referendum in the northeastern area of the Village to guide the Village Board for water main extension. It would be used to determine what streets, if any, have a commitment to water connection. A street might have a commitment to water connections if 90% of the properties intended to connect when water is available. The post card could include the

PIN - the Property Identification Number, to identify each property. In that matter vacant property owners would also be identified and could vote. If enough interest exists in the northeastern area of the Village, perhaps a trunk water main could be run north on Belle Plaine to service residents who desired water connection.

Mayor Welton stated that he considers the sewer main extension proposal dead for the present time.

Yost moved, seconded, Petropoulos, to adjourn the Special Hearing.

All Aye Motion Carried.

The Special Hearing was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. by Mayor Welton.

Norman C. Balliet

Village Clerk