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Home My WebLink About94-272 Resolution No. 94-272 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LETTER OF TERMINATION OF BIG- TIMBER/SUMMIT BRIDGE WHEREAS, the Elgin City Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed north end bridge along the Big Timber/Summit corridor on August 31, 1994 ; and WHEREAS, over 250 residents and other interested persons attended the hearing and overwhelmingly opposed the proposal ; and WHEREAS, the surrounding neighborhood which would have been bisected by a bridge is a predominantly minority residential area; and WHEREAS, the owners of property in the neighborhood were making some property improvements although the bridge was under consideration. It is anticipated that substantial improvements will be made in the absence of the potential bridge. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that George VanDeVoorde, Mayor, is authorized to advise appropriate state and federal officials in writing that the City of Elgin does not desire to proceed with further consideration of a bridge along the Big Timber/Summit corridor. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Richard B. Helwig, City Manager, is directed to study and review the city' s transportation network and advise the City Council of feasible options for improvements to the network including but not limited to the intersections of Kimball Street and State Street (Route 31 ) . s/ George VanDeVoorde George VanDeVoorde, Mayor Presented: September 28, 1994 Adopted: September 28, 1994 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 6 Nays 0 Attest : s/ Dolonna Mecum Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk • 1(: . 1 11E.1125°ill Agenda Item No . c?`,•— \V,..,? September 22, 1994 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Richard B. Helwig, City Manager SUBJECT: Big Timber - Summit Street Bridge PURPOSE To provide the Mayor and City Council with a proposed memorandum to IDOT which terminates the City' s participation in the bridge investigation. BACKGROUND On October 27 , 1993 City Council authorized an agreement with Kane County and IDOT for the Reevaluation of the bridge Environmental Impact Statement approved by FHWA in 1984 . On August 31, 1994, City Council was presented with the draft findings of the Reevaluation, as well as receiving public comment on the Reevaluation. On September 14 , 1994, at a Committee of the Whole meeting council voted to terminate further participation in the bridge project. The attached letter from the Mayor to Mr. Duane P. Carlson, IDOT District Engineer, conveys the City' s formal withdrawal from the project. COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED None. FINANCIAL IMPACT Eliminates future expenditures for the bridge Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. LEGAL IMPACT None. ___ . . Mayor and Members of the City Council September 22 , 1994 Page 2 RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Mayor to Execute the attached letter to IDOT, with a copy to Kane County. R-spectfully 12 : u i ted, _ 7 - 0060 • (64(4.07:: / James L. Kristiansen ( Public Works Director 1- . ___ Richard B. Helwig City Manager JLK/do Attachment /r47,91-1 4-Fim \;Tri WA* crime gate tWarr 150 DEXTER COURT ELGIN, ILLINOIS 60120 6e/04r /taw geUeitde September 23, 1994 708-931-5595 MAYOR Fax 708-931-5610 Mr. Duane P. Carlson, P.E. District Engineer Illinois Department of Transportation 201 West Center Court Schaumburg, IL 60196-1096 Attn: Ms . Nancy L. Magnus, P.E. RE: Big Timber/Summit Street Bridge Over the Fox River (Section 93-00155-00-BR) Dear Mr. Carlson: The Elgin City Council and the City' s staff have had the opportunity to review the subject draft Reevaluation and your comment letter dated July 5, 1994 . A public information meeting to present the Reevaluation findings to the City Council was held Wednesday, August 31, 1994 . Over 200 citi- zens of Elgin attended the meeting. The July 5, 1994 comment letter cited two areas of federal law which were of primary concern: 1) the project ' s adverse impact on community cohesion as addressed in the social im- pact provisions of Section 109(h) of the Federal-aid Highway Act of 1970, and 2) whether minority groups are shouldering a disproportionate share of the impacts of this project as addressed in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . These issues were also the primary concerns of those attending the August 31, 1994 meeting. After reviewing your July 5, 1994 letter with our consultant, Alfred Benesch & Company, it is our opinion that the concerns outlined in your letter could be fully and adequately docu- mented through a. written reevaluation of the project. Howev- er, the most important revelation in your letter is that the 1984 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) , a report reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation ( IDOT) , did not fully document the Section 109 (h) impacts . Mr. Duane P. Carlson, P.E. September 23, 1994 Page 2 The letter also says that "If these new issues can be defined as not significant, and the impacts of these new issues have been fully disclosed and mitigated through previous public actions by the City of Elgin, then the Reevaluation will be determined acceptable (emphasis added) . " Conversations with Mr. Dennis Johnson of FHWA clarified that "previous public actions" means actions taken before initiating the Reevalua- tion. This appears to put the City of Elgin in an untenable position since your comment letter represents the first noti- fication we have received about the inadequacy of the 1984 FEIS. Until the Reevaluation process began, the City had no way of knowing that the approved FEIS was inadequate in cer- tain areas and, therefore, has taken on "previous public actions" to disclose and mitigate them. Given the precondi- tion described above, it appears impossible to meet your requirements for a successful Reevaluation and, therefore, a Supplemental EIS would be necessary. Based upon the additional adverse impacts identified by the draft Reevaluation, as well as the additional substantial increased cost necessary for the preparation of a Supplemen- tal EIS, the Elgin City Council decided on Wednesday, Septem- ber 14 , 1994 , not to proceed further with the bridge. investi- gation. We sincerely appreciate your assistance with the Reevaluation of the Big Timber/Summit Street Connector project . Sincerely, George VanDeVoorde Mayor amp cc: Nabi R. Fakroddin Kane County Superintendent of Highways Resolution No. 94-272 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING LETTER OF TERMINATION OF BIG TIMBER/SUMMIT BRIDGE WHEREAS, the Elgin City Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed north end bridge along .the Big Timber/Summit corridor on August 31, 1994; and WHEREAS, over 250 residents and other interested persons attended the hearing and overwhelmingly opposed the proposal; and WHEREAS, the surrounding neighborhood which would have been bisected by a bridge is a predominantly minority residential area; and WHEREAS, the owners of property in the neighborhood were making some property improvements although the bridge was under consideration. It is anticipated that substantial improvements will be made in the absence of the potential bridge. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that George VanDeVoorde, Mayor, is authorized to advise appropriate state and federal officials in writing that the City of Elgin does not desire to proceed with further consideration of a bridge along the Big Timber/Summit corridor. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Richard B. Helwig, City Manager, is directed to study and review the city's transportation network and advise the City Council of feasible options for improvements to the network including but not limited to the intersections of Kimball Street and State Street (Route 31 ) . George VanDeVoorde, Mayor Presented: September 28, 1994 Adopted: Vote: Yeas Nays Recorded: Attest : Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk - . - ,4 OF fi • --'- ---- 4, 70---16---,, 141,44003e.;4,-' ti)tt'6 ripe gliito eAfar 150 DEXTER COURT ELGIN, ILLINOIS 60120 &cve litnge ta ute September 30, 1994 708-931-5595 MAYOR Fax 708-931-5610 Mr. Duane P. Carlson, P.E. District Engineer Illinois Department of Transportation 201 West Center Court Schaumburg, IL 60196-1096 Attn: Ms . Nancy L. Magnus, P.E . RE: Big Timber/Summit Street Bridge Over the Fox River (Section 93-00155-00-BR) Dear Mr. Carlson: The Elgin City Council and the City' s staff have had the opportunity to review the subject draft Reevaluation and your comment letter dated July 5, 1994 . A public information meeting to present the Reevaluation findings to the City Council was held Wednesday, August 31, 1994 . Over 200 citi- zens of Elgin attended the meeting. The July 5, 1994 comment letter cited two areas of federal law which were of primary concern: 1) the project ' s adverse impact on community cohesion as addressed in the social im- pact provisions of Section 109(h) of the Federal-aid Highway Act of 1970, and 2) whether minority groups are shouldering a disproportionate share of the impacts of this project as addressed in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . These issues were also the primary concerns of those attending the August 31, 1994 meeting. After reviewing your July 5, 1994 letter with our consultant, Alfred Benesch & Company, it is our opinion that the concerns outlined in your letter could be fully and adequately docu- mented through a written reevaluation of the project. Howev- er, the most important revelation in your letter is that the' 1984 Final ' Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) , a report reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation ( IDOT) , did not fully document the Section 109 (h) impacts . Mr. Duane P. Carlson, P.E. September 30, 1994 Page 2 The letter also says that "If these new issues can be defined as not significant, and the impacts of these new issues have been fully disclosed and mitigated through previous public actions by the City of Elgin, then the Reevaluation will be determined acceptable (emphasis added) . " - Conversations with Mr. Dennis Johnson of FHWA clarified that "previous public actions" means actions taken before initiating the Reevalua- tion. This appears to put the City of Elgin in an untenable position since your comment letter represents the first noti- fication we have received about the inadequacy of the 1984 FEIS. Until the Reevaluation process began, the City had no way of knowing that the approved FEIS was inadequate in cer- tain areas and, therefore, has taken on "previous public actions" to disclose and mitigate them. Given the precondi- tion described above, it appears impossible to meet your requirements for a successful Reevaluation and, therefore, a Supplemental EIS would be necessary. Based upon the additional adverse impacts identified by the draft Reevaluation, as well as the additional substantial increased cost necessary for the preparation of a Supplemen- tal EIS, the Elgin City Council decided on Wednesday, Septem- ber 14 , 1994 , not to proceed further with the bridge investi- gation. We sincerely appreciate your assistance with the Reevaluation of the Big Timber/Summit Street Connector project. Sincerely, George VanDeVoorde Mayor amp cc: Nabi R. Fakroddin Kane County Superintendent of Highways Eon ,c4 OF Etc, Agenda Item No. 0-*...,...:,..,4 %Ito f 019' September 22, 1994 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Richard B. Helwig, City Manager SUBJECT: Big Timber - Summit Street Bridge PURPOSE To provide the Mayor and City Council with a proposed memorandum to IDOT which terminates the City' s participation in the bridge investigation. BACKGROUND On October 27, 1993 City Council authorized an agreement with Kane County and IDOT for the Reevaluation of the bridge Environmental Impact Statement approved by FHWA in 1984 . On August 31, 1994 , City Council was presented with the draft findings of the Reevaluation, as well as receiving public comment on the Reevaluation. On September 14 , 1994 , at a Committee of the Whole meeting council voted to terminate further participation in the bridge project . The attached letter from the Mayor to Mr. Duane P. Carlson, IDOT District Engineer, conveys the City' s formal withdrawal from the project. COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED None. FINANCIAL IMPACT Eliminates future expenditures for the bridge Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. LEGAL IMPACT None. Mayor and Members of the City Council September 22, 1994 Page 2 RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Mayor to Execute the attached letter to IDOT, with a copy to Kane County. 7 R-spectfully sub .Ted, . . i /I/0 , • Mael / James L. Kristiansen ( Public Works Director . C.„_C__. I- . ____ Richard B. Helwig City Manager JLK/do Attachment A f;' 4", /Pe gate 44744 150 DEXTER COURT // ��y� ELGIN.ILUNOIS 60120 &Ave1exn��,,77��a f�po a September 30, 1994 708-931.6595 MAYOR Fax 708-991-5610 Mr. Duane P. Carlson, P.E. District Engineer Illinois Department of Transportation 201 West Center Court Schaumburg, IL 60196-1096 Attn: Na. Nancy L. Magnus, P.S. RE: Big Timber/Summit Street Bridge Over the Fox River (Section 93-00155-00-BR) Dear Mr. Carlson: The Elgin City Council and the City's staff have had the opportunity to review the subject draft Reevaluation and your comment letter dated July 5, 1994. A public information meeting to present the Reevaluation findings to the City Council was held Wednesday, August 31, 1994. Over 200 citi- zens of Elgin attended the meeting. The July 5, 1994 comment letter cited two areas of federal law which were of primary concern: 1) the project's adverse impact on community cohesion as addressed in the social im- pact provisions of Section 109(h) of the Federal-aid Highway Act of 1970, and 2) Whether minority groups are shouldering a disproportionate share of the impacts of this project as addressed in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These issues were- also the primary concerns of those attending the August 31, 1994 meeting. After reviewing your July 5, 1994 letter with our consultant, Alfred Benesch & Company, it is our opinion that the concerns outlined in your letter could be fully and adequately docu- mented through a written reevaluation of the project. Howev- er, the most important revelation in your letter is that the 1984 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) , a report reviewed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) , did not fully document the Section 109(h) impacts. r j Mr. Duane P. Carlson, P.E. September 30, 1994 Page 2 The letter also says that "If these new issues can be defined as not significant, and the impacts of these new issues have been fully disclosed and mitigated through previous public actions by the City of Elgin, then the Reevaluation will be determined acceptable (emphasis added) ." Conversations with Mr. Dennis Johnson of FHWA clarified that "previous public actions" means actions taken before initiating the Reevalua- tion. This appears to put the City of Elgin in an untenable position since your comment letter represents the first noti- fication we have received about the inadequacy of the 1984 FEIS. Until the Reevaluation process began, the City had no way of knowing that the approved FEIS was inadequate in cer- tain areas and, therefore, has taken on "previous public actions" to disclose and mitigate them. Given the precondi- tion described above, it appears impossible to meet your requirements for a successful Reevaluation and, therefore, a Supplemental EIS would be necessary. Based upon the additional adverse impacts identified by the draft Reevaluation, as well as the additional substantial increased cost necessary for the preparation of a Supplemen- tal EIS, the Elgin City Council decided on Wednesday, Septem- ber 14, 1994, not to proceed further with the bridge investi- gation. We sincerely appreciate your assistance with the Reevaluation of the Big Timber/Summit Street Connector project. Since ly, d #7.4-• George anDeVoorde Mayor amp cc: Nabi R. Fakroddin Kane County Superintendent of Highways 111 AREA CHAMBER OF 24 East Chicago Street, P.O. Box 648 COMMERCE Elgin, Illinois 60121-Area Code (708)741-5680 Fax (708) 741-5677 September 13, 1994 Mayor George VanDeVoorde City of Elgin 150 Dexter Court Elgin, IL 60120 Dear George: On Friday, September 9th, the Economic Development Council voted to urge the City Council to continue the planning process in evaluating the Big Timber-Summit Street bridge project. They feel the construction of a bridge between Kimball Street and I-90 is critical to the continued economic development and welfare of this City. The City of Elgin's 1991 Transportation Study verified that the existing six river crossings in the City of Elgin do not have the capacity to meet in town circulation needs brought on by projected traffic demand. The study said that without an additional river crossing, Kimball Street would have to be widened to 10 - 12 lanes, an obvious impossibility. We believe the opening of the Grand Victoria Casino in October will have a major impact on our road system. Surely the City should analyze that impact on the center city and the community before deciding whether or not to shelve the project. Statements have been made by City representatives that no federal funding is available. That is not a fact. Programs such as ISTEA were specifically created to build bridges in urban areas. If the Council kills this project, we will be out of the loop for many years with IDOT, our Congressman and the Federal government. Congressman Hastert has worked very hard to bring this project to Elgin. You owe to him, IDOT, and the business and residential community a thorough analysis and discussion before you decide whether or not_ to proceed with this project. Sincerely, Edward Kelly Executive Vice President & CEO EK:bc Z00/Z0at, IIS81tVSD NI9'I$ LL99 DL 8OL$r 9T:CT i8/£T/BU