Engineering Department Department Mission It is the mission of the Engineering Department to protect and enhance the public health, safety and welfare by reviewing, inspecting and maintaining documentation of the public infrastructure constructed in new developments and for City capital programs including; roadways, bridges, sidewalks, street lights, traffic signals, storm sewers, sanitary sewers and lift stations. 2009 Significant Accomplishments The following is a summary of the department s activities in 2009. Although the list is not all-inclusive, it does represent the department s major accomplishments. Each accomplishment is linked to the Community/Strategic Goal(s) set by City Council. Community/Strategic Goal #1 A Safe Community Coordinated the following eight bridge inspections: Kimball Street over the Fox River, National Street over Fox River, Highland Avenue over the Fox River, Chicago Street over Fox River, Riverside Drive (between Highland Avenue and Chicago Street), Royal Boulevard over Tyler Creek, McLean Boulevard over Tyler Creek, Eagle Road over Tyler Creek. Reviewed 279 overweight motor vehicle permit applications. Community/Strategic Goal #2 Neighborhood Vitality Managed the Frazier Avenue Lowering project. Managed the Wing Street and State Route 31 (State Street) intersection improvement project. Completed the South Street Neighborhood Rehabilitation project. Community/Strategic Goal #3 Economic Growth and Diversified Tax Base Permitted 8 site plan developments including McGrath Honda within the Randall Rose Subdivision and NTN facility at 1700 Holmes Road. Accepted public improvements constructed to serve 23 various single lot developments. Permitted the off-site roadway improvements associated with the Sherman Hospital
development including improvements to Randall Road, Fox Lane and Holmes Roads. Community/Strategic Goal #4 Recreational, Leisure and Cultural Opportunities Began project management of the Elgin Bikeway Master Plan Route One and Elgin Bikeway Master Plan Route Four. Community/Strategic Goal #5 Quality Housing Accepted the Spartan Green Subdivision. Community/Strategic Goal #6 River as a Resource Adopted storm water ordinance modifications. Completed and submitted annual reports for the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) and MS 4 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to the IEPA. Community/Strategic Goal #7 Alive Downtown Managed Phase III of the of Central Business District streetscape project. Managed Phase IV of the Central Business District watermain project. Community/Strategic Goal #9 Customer Service Updated the Engineering Subdivision Final Plan Submittal Checklist and the Engineering Site Plan Checklist. Created Engineering Permit Application Checklist. Created a standard format for right of way encroachment permitting. Updated the Engineering section of the City s website facilitating easier online access to engineering documents. Created watermain testing procedures.
2010 Major Objectives Each year the department formulates objectives to specifically identify means by which the Community/Strategic Goals are to be reached. Presented below are the major objectives for Fiscal Year 2010 which will assist in realizing the goals established for the community by the City Council. Community/Strategic Goal #1 A Safe Community Complete the engineering selection for the 2010/2011 bridge inspection program and then complete the annual inspections. Including the completion of the Kimball Street Dam inspection. Community/Strategic Goal #2 Neighborhood Vitality Complete the bidding and construction/implementation of the 2010 Neighborhood Resurfacing and Reconstruction programs (including watermain replacement), Bent Street Sewer Separation, Big Timber Local Agency Pavement Preservation (LAPP), Riverside Deck, Oaks Club Sanitary and Lift Station project, Dundee Summit Intersection, Spartan Drive and South Street Extension. (see corresponding performance measure) Finalize and implement the Project Design Report for Highland Avenue through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Finish all the special assessment requirements for Willard Avenue, Erie Street, Illinois Avenue and Van Nostrand Place with the intent to bid and begin construction in 2010. Community/Strategic Goal #3 Economic Growth and Diversified Tax Base Work with developers looking to locate around I-90 and Randall Road following the opening of the new Sherman Hospital. Community/Strategic Goal #4 Recreational, Leisure and Cultural Opportunities Continue the project management of the Elgin Bikeway Master Plan Route One and Elgin Bikeway Master Plan Route Four. Community/Strategic Goal #5 Quality Housing Close out recent development projects, especially those that are no longer active, such as Providence, Waterford, Princeton West, Castle Creek, Oak Ridge, Shadow Hill, Randall Rose, Stonebrook, Copper Springs and Randall Point subdivisions.
Continue to work with the Legal Department to find ways to gain access to the sureties for the developments in distress. Community/Strategic Goal #6 River as a Resource Complete and submit annual reports for the CSO and MS 4 NPDES permits to the IEPA. Work with the City s consultant to complete the automated monitoring systems for the overflows and lift stations to assist in providing better information for the CSO program. Complete request for proposal and engineering service agreements for engineering of sewer separation projects. Community/Strategic Goal #7 Alive Downtown Manage Phase IV of the Central Business District streetscape project. Community/Strategic Goal #9 Customer Service Finalize through IDOT the City s engineering study on US 20 between Randall and Marshall Roads. Once completed, have the study link to the City s website to assist developers when requesting access to US 20. Efficiently utilize in-house and contract resources to complete the timely permitting of development related public infrastructure improvements and inspect the construction of those improvements as required by applicable ordinances, standards and specifications. (see corresponding performance measure) Work with MIS to integrate GIS into our work and provide monthly updates for all development projects. Digitize all plans and store electronically. Search out and utilize improved methods for sharing data and records. Develop standardized operating procedures for the engineering staff. Increase efficiency and consistency in inspection and documentation of public infrastructure improvements related to development. Work with the Community Development Department to utilize Naviline to track development projects. Increase training opportunities for all engineering staff. Emphasize that engineers meet the State requirements for professional development hours.
2010 Performance Measures 1. Complete the bidding and construction/implementation of the 2010 Neighborhood Resurfacing and Reconstruction programs (including water main replacement), Bent Street Sewer Separation, Big Timber Local Agency Pavement Preservation (LAPP), Riverside Deck, Oaks Club Sanitary and Lift Station project, Dundee Summit Intersection, Spartan Drive and South Street Extension. Definition The Engineering Department manages the bidding construction and implementation of all street resurfacing and reconstruction projects. The Neighborhood resurfacing program will resurface City streets where the pavement surface is in need of repair but all other items, sidewalks, curbs, ditches, etc. are in generally good condition. Minor repairs to curb and gutter may be considered. Generally work does include pavement striping. Reconstruction programs, on the other hand, repair poor pavement surfaces and other items in the right of ways including watermains, sidewalks curbs, sewers etc. Also included in this measure is the Riverside Deck project which is part of the Riverfront Master Plan. Analysis The goal of the resurfacing and reconstruction programs is to repair streets identified through the pavement rating program as either requiring street reconstruction or simply resurfacing to extend the useful life of streets. The Bent Street sewer separation project will separate the combined sewer system on Bent Street and upon completion allow for combined sewer separation projects to occur elsewhere in the basin. The Oaks Club Sanitary and Lift Station project will connect the lift station to a gravity sewer thereby allowing the lift station to be decommissioned. This will result in less maintenance for the Public Works Staff. The Riverside Deck project encompasses the reconstruction and reuse of the Riverside Parking deck as a pedestrian and bicycle friendly gathering area for viewing the river. Next Step The Engineering Department will await final budget numbers before putting the projects out to bid. The Riverside Deck project progress will be determined by stimulus funding levels. 1. Efficiently utilize in-house and contract resources to complete the timely permitting of development related public infrastructure improvements and inspect the construction of those improvements as required by applicable ordinances, standards and specifications. Definition The Engineering Department is responsible for the permitting and inspection of development related public infrastructure improvements in order to ensure that they are designed and constructed in accordance with all applicable City ordinance, standards, specifications and generally accepted engineering practices. Analysis The goal with this measure is to provide the development community a
predictable, responsive, common sense review environment that promotes future development and requires accountability from all the parties involved in the approval process. Completion of this goal will enhance the City s desire to be a community that welcomes sustainable development that fosters fiscal growth and improving economic opportunities, while complimenting Elgin s cultural amenities. Next Step Work in conjunction with the Community Development Department to standardize review processes and procedures to insure that plans are reviewed in a predictable, consistent manner. The Engineering Department will continue to insure that construction standards are upheld during construction via the implementation of standardized checklists to assure consistent inspections are performed by both in-house and contract resources.