SYCAMORE CITY COUNCIL AGENDAMay 04, 2020  · comprehensive plan outlines low density as 0-3 units...

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1 SYCAMORE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA May 4, 2020 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 P.M. Pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order No. 2020-07 (COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5), Governor Pritzker has suspended certain rules of the Open Meetings Act specifically the Executive Order permits remote public meetings. In light of the current COVID-19 public health emergency and the prohibition of public gatherings, the City Council will conduct the meeting remotely. To submit questions or comments during the Audience to Visitors portion of the meeting, please submit your questions prior to the start of the meeting to [email protected] and your questions and/or comments will be read during the meeting and addressed, if appropriate, at that time. Electronic Via Zoom If you would like to listen to the meeting, please go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/98555134095?pwd=allUTHNma1U3eE5jQzlQS1luZTQxdz09 Meeting ID: 985 5513 4095 Password: 543866 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. INVOCATION 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. AUDIENCE TO VISITORS 6. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 20, 2020. B. Payment of the Bills for May 4, 2020. C. Receipt and File of the Fire and Police Commission Annual Report.

Transcript of SYCAMORE CITY COUNCIL AGENDAMay 04, 2020  · comprehensive plan outlines low density as 0-3 units...

Page 1: SYCAMORE CITY COUNCIL AGENDAMay 04, 2020  · comprehensive plan outlines low density as 0-3 units per acre, moderate density at 3-6 units per acre and high density at 6-9 units per

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SYCAMORE CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA May 4, 2020

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 P.M.

Pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order No. 2020-07 (COVID-19 Executive Order No.

5), Governor Pritzker has suspended certain rules of the Open Meetings Act – specifically the

Executive Order permits remote public meetings. In light of the current COVID-19 public health

emergency and the prohibition of public gatherings, the City Council will conduct the meeting

remotely.

To submit questions or comments during the Audience to Visitors portion of the meeting, please

submit your questions prior to the start of the meeting to [email protected] and

your questions and/or comments will be read during the meeting and addressed, if appropriate, at

that time.

Electronic Via Zoom

If you would like to listen to the meeting, please go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/98555134095?pwd=allUTHNma1U3eE5jQzlQS1luZTQxdz09

Meeting ID: 985 5513 4095

Password: 543866

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. INVOCATION

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

5. AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

6. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of April 20, 2020.

B. Payment of the Bills for May 4, 2020.

C. Receipt and File of the Fire and Police Commission Annual Report.

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7. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND BILLS

A. A Proclamation Declaring May 3rd through May 9th, 2020 as Public Service

Recognition Week in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

B. A Proclamation Encouraging Resident Safety and Precaution with COVID-19.

C. A Proclamation Declaring May 10 through May 16, 2020 as Police Week in the City

of Sycamore, Illinois.

8. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

9. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

10. PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Public Hearing on Applications to the Downstate Small Business Stabilization

Program.

The State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has made

available $20,000,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds for the Downstate Small

Business Stabilization Program. Under this program, funds are granted to local governments to

provide financial assistance to businesses within its jurisdiction that have been significantly

impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for assistance, businesses must meet certain criteria, including being deemed non-

essential without the ability to work remotely, having more than one but less than 50 employees,

and being able to demonstrate the need for the assistance. The Downstate Small Business

Stabilization Program makes funds available for 60 days of a business’ working capital up to a

maximum of $25,000.

While the City would serve as the grant applicant on behalf of each benefiting business, the

DCEO will make the final determination if grant funds will be awarded and the amount. If a

grant is awarded, the City would administer the grant and distribute funds to the benefiting

businesses. The City and the benefiting business will enter into a participation agreement that

outlines the responsibilities of each as it pertains to the grant funds.

A public hearing is required prior to both the submission of each application and the passage of a

resolution of support from the City Council. The City of Sycamore will be submitting

applications on behalf of the following local businesses:

Local Business Grant Amount Requested

Knodles Appliance Service Co. Inc. $25,000

Professional Services in Health Psychology, Ltd. $25,000

Diamond Tour Golf Wholesalers, Inc. $25,000

While this public hearing is for the three businesses that have submitted applications, any

business that meets the criteria of the program can apply by contacting the City. More

information is available on the City’s website www.cityofsycamore.com.

Application materials are available for review by emailing [email protected].

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11. ORDINANCES

A. Ordinance 2020.01—An Ordinance Approving a Request by James Mason, Owner of

Mason Properties, for an Amendment to a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit

Development for Approximately 2.48 Acres Located at 711 South Main Street, Sycamore,

Illinois in accordance with Article 4.3 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (PIN

number 06-32-456-023). First and Second Reading.

Last July, fire ravaged the forty-unit St. Albans Greens Apartment complex on S. Main Street.

Jim Mason, the owner of the property, submitted plans that were approved in December for the

site of the former apartment building. The framework of the Planned Unit Development (PUD)

factored in community and Planning and Zoning Commission feedback.

The Planning and Zoning Commission directed Mr. Mason to consider meeting today’s density

guidelines which would allow for twenty-four three-bedroom units on the site. The City’s

comprehensive plan outlines low density as 0-3 units per acre, moderate density at 3-6 units per

acre and high density at 6-9 units per acre. While the comprehensive plan is a guideline, the

Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) calls for 4,000 square feet of land per three-bedroom

unit. Other factors that were addressed included lot coverage, density, total bedrooms, and

opportunities to enhance and bring the adjacent Building B into better conformance with current

regulations.

Mr. Mason has expressed a desire to build the same number of units, however, is now proposing

to build single-story, two-bedroom units, instead of two-story, three-bedroom units. With the

plans previously approved, the change would require an amendment to the PUD. Staff has

outlined development details below as originally approved and what is now being proposed. In

addition, the proposed site plan, front and rear elevations and an interior floor plan have been

inserted into this background.

A summary of the previously approved PUD and the proposed amended PUD details are outlined

in the table below:

Item Required per

UDO

Previously

Approved PUD

Proposed

Amended PUD

Net Change

Density (sq. ft.) 3800 2-

bedroom unit

N/A (Previously

3-bedroom)

3958 per 2-

bedroom unit

+158 above UDO

Lot Coverage 75% max. 70% 77.4% -2.4% per UDO

Building Setback -

South

30’ 30’ 25’ -5’ per previous

approval

Building Setback -

West

30’ 57’ 53.49’ +23.49 above

UDO

Aisle / Parking

Setbacks

12’ (West) 10’ (West) 10’ (West) -2’ as per UDO

Parking Spaces 2.75 spaces

per unit = 77

85 69 -8 spaces per

UDO

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Number of Units/Density:

Previously Approved PUD: The plan indicates a subdivided “Lot Two” that is 2.48 acres or

107,930 sq. ft. The remaining 2.60-acres of the property become “Lot One” and is the site of

Building B, the remaining apartment complex. With 4,000 square feet required per three-

bedroom unit, a total of 26.98 units could be built without a PUD. The proposed plan would

allow for 27 three-bedroom units and 1 one-bedroom ADA accessible unit. This brings the total

number of bedrooms proposed to 82, matching the number that was in the building that was

destroyed.

Proposed Amended PUD: The UDO calls for 3,800 sq. ft. per two-bedroom unit. The amended

plan proposes 28 two-bedroom units, which amounts to 3,855 sq. ft. per unit. From a density

standpoint the plan complies with the UDO and would not require a variance.

Lot Coverage:

Previously Approved PUD: Significant discussion focused on lot coverage during the workshop

in September. The proposed plan for Lot 2 includes 70% lot coverage (Lot Coverage: shall

mean the percentage of a zoning lot occupied by buildings, including accessory buildings and

structures, driveways, sidewalks, decks, and patios) which is below the 75% maximum.

Proposed Amended PUD: The proposed plan, while less dense has more lot coverage at 77.4%.

A portion of the lot coverage increase is attributed to wider aisles and a shifting of the building

layouts to accommodate the turning movements of emergency vehicles. These modifications to

the turning aisle widths were requested by staff as part of the PUD plan.

Setbacks:

Previously Approved PUD: The original plan called for 30 feet of setback from the property line

on the south and 57 feet to the west. The UDO requires 30 feet of setback in both directions.

Proposed Amended PUD: The amended plan has 53.49 feet of setback on the west and 25 feet to

the south. This would require a variance as part of the PUD as the setback is 5 feet less than

standard requirements. Aisle and parking lane setbacks were 10 feet in the previously approved

PUD and would be the same in the amended PUD. Both are 2 feet less than the UDO standard.

Parking:

Previously Approved PUD: The original plan exceeded the requirement of 77 parking spaces for

Lot 2 as 85 are provided (2 within each unit and 29 existing spaces). As part of the PUD an

additional 22 parking spaces (includes two ADA stalls) are being constructed on Lot 1 to bring

the parking for Building B into better conformance.

Proposed Amended PUD: Parking spaces on the newly created lot total 69 spaces, which are 8

less than what is required in the UDO. The majority of the spaces accounted for in the original

plan were garage spaces, while these 69 spaces will be outside and available to residents and

visitors. The new 22 spaces are still being created on Lot 1 and will serve both the existing

building and the proposed development.

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Building B:

Previously Approved PUD: As part of the PUD the petitioner will upgrade the fire alarm system

in Building B. While the current manual system is operable, it is older technology than the

system that was in Building A when the fire started in July. The new system likely played a role

in ensuring that the residents were able to safely exit the building. This is an important

component of the PUD as it enhances the existing building by adding heat and smoke detection

in the hallways and common areas.

Another safety enhancement Mr. Mason is making is the installation of draft-stopping in the attic

of Building B. This is another preventative measure that would significantly slow the spread of a

fire event in the attic.

Proposed Amended PUD: These improvements will be made as part of the amended PUD.

Elevations:

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Site Plan:

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Floor Plan:

A public hearing regarding the Special Use Permit was held at a special meeting Planning and

Zoning Commission on April 27th. Notices of the public hearing were mailed to neighboring

property owners, posted in the local newspaper and a sign was installed on the property.

After considering the request, the Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded a favorable

recommendation to the City Council by a vote of 12 to 0.

City Council approval is recommended.

12. RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 823—A Resolution of Support for the City of Sycamore’s Application to

the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program for the Benefit of Knodles Appliance

Service Co. Inc.

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The City of Sycamore will be submitting an application for the Downstate Small Business

Stabilization Program on behalf of Knodles Appliance Service Co. Inc. A resolution of support

from the City Council and the accompanying participation agreement are required components of

the grant application. The participation agreement outlines the responsibilities of both the City

and the benefiting business as it pertains to the grant.

City Council approval is recommended.

B. Resolution No. 824—A Resolution of Support for the City of Sycamore’s Application to

the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program for the Benefit of Professional

Services in Health Psychology, Ltd.

The City of Sycamore will be submitting an application for the Downstate Small Business

Stabilization Program on behalf of Professional Services in Health Psychology, Ltd. A

resolution of support from the City Council and the accompanying participation agreement are

required components of the grant application. The participation agreement outlines the

responsibilities of both the City and the benefiting business as it pertains to the grant.

City Council approval is recommended.

C. Resolution No. 825—A Resolution of Support for the City of Sycamore’s Application to

the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program for the Benefit of Diamond Tour Golf

Wholesalers, Inc.

The City of Sycamore will be submitting an application for the Downstate Small Business

Stabilization Program on behalf of Diamond Tour Golf Wholesalers, Inc. A resolution of support

from the City Council and the accompanying participation agreement are required components of

the grant application. The participation agreement outlines the responsibilities of both the City

and the benefiting business as it pertains to the grant.

City Council approval is recommended.

D. Resolution No. 826—A Resolution Authorizing the Aggregation of Electrical Load and

Executing an Agreement for Electric Supply.

In March of 2012, voters approved a referendum which authorized the City Council to enact an

Electric Aggregation Program. Through membership in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric

Collaborative (NIMEC), the City solicited bids and entered into a two-year contract with First

Energy for a fixed rate for electricity of 4.81 cents/kWh. Throughout those first two years,

participating households saved an average of $300 in electric supply costs, for a cumulative City-

wide savings of over $1,500,000.

Since the initial agreement, the City had suspended the electrical aggregation program as market

rates were in line or more advantageous than those quoted through the program. In May 2018,

the Council entered into agreement with MC Squared to achieve a small level of savings for

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Sycamore residents. Later that year, the ComEd benchmark rate dropped below the aggregation

program. The City worked with NIMEC and MC Squared to match the program to the

benchmark rate. Some residents were moved back to ComEd while others remained with MC

Squared as their supplier. All residents have paid the same rate and are billed from ComEd.

The City Manager has worked with NIMEC to review market pricing to determine if there are

savings once again available through the aggregation program. ComEd’s pricing is estimated to

be 6.84¢ kWh +/- 0.5¢ Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) from June through May.

When looking at current pricing the lowest rates quoted were slightly below the middle of the

range at 6.732¢ kWh. These options suggest very little savings opportunities with significant risk

that residents would pay more than the benchmark, depending on PEA.

While the aggregation program will not generate a savings to our residents, there are suppliers

that are interested in taking on part of the City’s load. These suppliers would match the ComEd

rate and PEA and share a portion of their profits through a “civic contribution program” with the

City.

How does it work?

• Every electric account establishes unique usage consumption patterns. Factors such as

volume, time of day, single family vs. multi-family, and usage during ComEd peak periods

combine to create a complex power usage profile.

• The cost of producing electricity is highly variable. Generators are required, by law, to ensure

it is perpetually available in full, and on demand.

• Therefore, suppliers analyze that variable cost to serve each account and price each account’s

individual cost to serve.

When suppliers analyze a community for a civic contribution program, they calculate the price

for each individual account and switch those accounts for which power costs less than the

ComEd default rate. The remainder of the accounts that are costlier to serve remain on ComEd

supply service. The net effect to residents is identical and the entire community, including those

remaining on ComEd supply.

All residents continue to be billed by ComEd. All residents pay the same ComEd default rate. As

with standard Municipal Aggregation, any resident may choose to opt out and there are no added

fees or early termination fees. The program is zero additional cost, and NIMEC’s services are

zero cost to the community.

The table below outlines the suppliers and annual civic contributions offered to the City as part of

the program:

Supplier Rate Annual Civic Contribution

MC Squared Exactly the Same as ComEd $60,000

Eligo Exactly the Same as ComEd $96,980

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If the City chooses to require the supplier to provide a certain percentage of green energy in the

supply, the contribution levels will be reduced. The City would need to determine the length of

the program by choosing between 12-36 months. Given the current economic climate, the City

could utilize the civic contribution in some fashion in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff recommends the Council award the program for 36 months to Eligo Energy.

E. Resolution No. 827—A Resolution of the Corporate Authority Relating to the Adoption

of a Change to RHFP Post-Retirement Healthcare Funding Plan and the IPPFA 457(B)

Plan.

As part of the collective bargaining agreement between the City and the IAFF Local 3046

approved in 2015, a retirement healthcare trust was established to allow employees covered

under the agreement to contribute wages and/or accrued leave at separation toward healthcare

costs in retirement. Such plans are commonly referred to as a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary

Association Plan (VEBA).

VEBA’s are tax-free post-retirement medical expense accounts used by retirees and their eligible

dependents to pay for any eligible medical expenses. There are no tax penalties for early

distributions and assets are protected from creditors. In order for the plan to be considered a

VEBA for federal income tax purposes the employer needs to establish a trust and have it

approved by the Internal Revenue Service.

The union has selected the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association (IPPFA) to continue to

administer the trust. The documents necessary to submit to the IRS are attached to this resolution.

Occasionally, the trust needs to be reviewed in accordance with IRS Code Section 115 Trust

Agreement, Health and Welfare Document, and the corresponding specifications to be amended from time to time to comply with any changes in applicable laws, rules and regulations or as

otherwise necessary or appropriate to accept all contributions going forward. Therefore, the City

appoints State Street Bank and Trust as passive trustee of the plan pursuant to its master trustee

agreement with Transamerica Retirement Solutions.

City Council approval is recommended.

F. Resolution No. 828—A Resolution Requesting the Permission of the Illinois Department

of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Main Street to Sacramento Street from

5:00 A.M. Until 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 26, 2020 to Allow for the “Turning Back Time”

Car Show in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

The organizers of the “Turning Back Time” car show have requested the closing of Route 64

from Main Street to Sacramento Street from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2020 for

the annual car show. As in previous years, the car show will feature vendors, antique cars,

musical entertainment and should be well-attended. This year marks the twenty-first annual

show.

City Council approval is recommended.

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G. Resolution No. 829 —A Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department

of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Governor Street to Sacramento Street

from 6:00 P.M. Until 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 to Allow for the Sycamore

High School Homecoming Parade in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

The attached resolution requests IDOT’s permission to close a portion of Illinois Rt. 64 for the

Sycamore High School Homecoming parade on October 7, 2020.

City Council approval is recommended.

H. Resolution No. 830—A Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department

of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Kingsway Drive to Sacramento Street

between 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM on Sunday, October 25, 2020 to Allow for the “Road Run”

as Part of the Pumpkin Festival in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

The Sycamore Chamber of Commerce has requested the closing of Illinois Route 64 from

Kingsway Drive to Sacramento Street from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, for the Pumpkin

Run. As in previous years, Illinois Route 64 will be opened as runners clear the course.

City Council approval is recommended.

I. Resolution No. 831—A Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department

of Transportation to Close Illinois Route 64 from Locust Street to Sacramento Street from

12:00 Noon Until 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 25, 2020 to Allow for the Pumpkin Festival

Parade in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

The Pumpkin Festival Committee has requested the closing of Illinois Route 64 from Locust

Street to Sacramento Street from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2020 for the

Pumpkin Parade as part of the 59th annual Pumpkin Festival. This year’s Pumpkin Festival runs

from October 21st through October 25th.

City Council approval is recommended.

13. CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of a Public Works Department Request for an Open Purchase Order for

Replacement Water Meters.

The Water Division of the Public Works Department uses two drive-by meter radio systems to

gather meter reads from over 5,000 water meters currently in use. Accurate reading and billing

of water use is vital to support operational and capital needs within the Water Division. Without

pass through fees, over 95% of the Water Division’s revenue is attributed directly to water sales.

The Division’s goal is to replace the roughly 1,100 Badger Trace radios (due to age and failure of

reading equipment) and 700 manual walk-up read meters by 2023. When complete, essentially

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all water meters within the City will be read via a drive-by meter radio system, substantially

decreasing the time involved to gather water meter readings. Over 700 meters were installed in

FY20, and another 650-700 meters are expected to be replaced in FY2021.

Replacement of the water meter and radio device typically occur every 15 to 20 years before the

battery life of the radio transmitter has been exhausted. Once the battery stops functioning, the

radio ceases to transmit and the drive-by reading equipment can no longer read the water meter.

Accounts that have radio transmitting devices that no longer function require the water bill to be

estimated until such time that the radio device can be replaced, and an actual meter reading can

be taken off the face of the water meter.

Warranty periods for water meters begin upon purchase and not installation, therefore it is not

recommended that the City keep a large amount of stock on hand. As a result, the Water

Division purchases meters and radio transmitters as needed throughout the fiscal year.

Council approval is requested for the purchase of up to $210,000 in water meters and radio

transmitters from two companies, Core & Main LP and Midwest Meter Inc. Council’s approval

of the request will allow for the on-going replacement of aging water meters, manual read meters

and non-functioning radio devices. This will help ensure the accurate and efficient gathering of

water meter readings and proper billing of water use consumption to the City’s water customers.

City Council approval is recommended.

B. Consideration of a Fire Department Recommendation to Purchase a Rosenbauer

Pumper Tender in the Amount of $586,755.00.

In late 2018, the City of Sycamore and the Sycamore Fire Protection District began discussions

to pursue the joint purchase of a pumper/tender to replace Engine 4, a 1989 Spartan Pumper. The

City and the Fire Protection executed an Intergovernmental Agreement where the District would

provide a contribution of $365,000 to help defray the cost. The cost of the replacement pumper

engine was expected to be roughly $550,000. The difference between the cost and the

contribution from the Fire Protection District will be offset by the sale/trade of Engine #4 and

current and future Fire Department capital allocations.

Rosenbauer America is the Department’s preferred vendor for the new engine to continue

standardizing the fleet to the extent possible; including fleet maintenance, warranty work and

parts supply. Both current Engines 1 and 3 are Rosenbauer products and have proven to be

reliable with an excellent record of local service and warranty work. On June 3, 2019, the City

Council approved the purchase of the new engine via a cooperative purchasing agreement. The

Fire Department, led by Deputy Chief Art Zern, immediately started the process of joining the

Houston-Galveston Area Council’s (HGAC) cooperative purchasing program, known as

HGACBuy. This consideration outlines the purchase price after modifications to the standard

vehicle outlined in the purchasing cooperative.

As is the custom of the Sycamore Fire Department, an internal committee was formed to begin

working on specifications for the new engine using the Boroda engine as a baseline. The

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committee met in June to begin the process of adapting the base or prototype engine

specifications to meet the department’s needs. Although the Boroda, Michigan engine was a

good starting point, several changes needed to be made. These changes were communicated with

the vendor to explain the City’s needs and to have the new engine specifications sent back to

Rosenbauer engineering for review, revision and to revise drawings.

After the specifications were revised and reviewed by Rosenbauer engineering, the committee

assessed the specifications and continued to fine-tune the engine design. Based on the revised

design of the new engine, the weight of the engine increased enough to necessitate an upgraded

transmission and rear axle capacity. Additionally, the Boroda engine did not have an on-board

generator. This necessary addition along with cord reels allow the Fire Department to provide

power for all of the various power tools, extrication tools, lighting and ventilation fans used in

emergency operations. These changes along with a few other additions caused an increase in

price to $602,000. After the new pricing was received, a few items were removed, and others

downgraded to lower the price as much as possible without impacting necessary items or overall

quality of the engine. These changes lowered the cost to $597,688. With the grant funds already

received, the plan is to pre-pay the engine chassis which will reduce the cost by $10,993 for a

final cost of $586,755.

The construction of the new engine will take at least a full year to build.

Given the current pandemic, the City is suspending or reducing all capital purchases and

allocations, however, those projects that were previously approved, are ongoing, or are grant

funded will continue as planned. Over 62% of this expenditure is being funded by the grant

funds provided from the Sycamore Fire Protection District.

City Council approval is recommended.

C. Consideration of a Public Works Department Recommendation to Replace Four

Variable Frequency Drives in the Influent Pump Station to LAI, Ltd. in the Amount of

$52,600.

A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by

varying the frequency and voltage of its power supply. The VFD also has the capacity to control

ramp-up and ramp-down of the motor during start or stop, respectively. They are often referred to

as a speed control, since the result is an adjustment of motor speed. The Influent Pump Station

(IPS) wastewater pumps are controlled by a VFD.

As part of the wastewater improvement project, the IPS will be modified. Among the

modifications is the total removal of the motor control centers in the IPS’s electrical room. This

will allow a new backup generator and automatic transfer switch to be installed. The existing

pump drives will then be relocated. The plans called for reusing the VFDs for the four large

pumps.

There are some concerns/advantages of replacing the VFDs for the large pumps:

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• The large pump VFDs are now over twelve years old and have an

average useful life of fifteen years. The decision to reuse the VFDs

was over three years ago prior to design, mostly as a cost savings.

These VFDs will likely need to be replaced within the next two to

three years.

• The VFDs will need to be modified with an ethernet circuit board.

There are questions as to how well a drive of this age will work with

the ethernet cards? The cost to add the ethernet board is

approximately $900 - $1,000 per VFD.

• If the old drives malfunction after the relocation the contractor will

not be held responsible for repairs. The new VFDs include a standard

two (2) year warranty and since they will have a certified start-up, an

additional one (1) year will be added to the warranty. Since the new

VFDs would be installed at the time of the improvements, there

would be no additional labor cost to the City.

• The new VFDs will be sized 33% larger than the current drives. As a

result, the drives will run cooler, extending the service life of the

VFD. In addition, the drives provide the ability to upgrade pump

horsepower in future, if needed.

This option recently presented itself as part of the wastewater plant improvements and needs to

be ordered in an expedient fashion to not delay the project. To facilitate the purchase without

delaying the project, the Public Works Department staff reached out to the vendor which is

providing new VFDs for smaller pumps in the project as well as the vendor that has supplied

VFDs in the past. Below is a tabulation of the VFD costs:

Vendor Make/Model Cost per VFD

LAI Ltd. ABB/ACQ580-01-240-A $13,150.00

Metropolitan Pump Company ABB/ACQ580-01-240-A $14,727.75

The Public Works Department recommends waiving the formal bid requirements to purchase

four (4) VDFs from LAI Ltd. at a total cost of $52,600.00.

City Council approval is recommended.

14. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

15. APPOINTMENTS

16. ADJOURNMENT