Gurnee Village Board met February 26.
Here is the minutes as provided by the board:
Call to Order Mayor Kovarik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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Other Officials in Patrick Muetz, Village Administrator; David Ziegler, Assistant Village
Attendance Administrator/Community Development Director; Bryan Winter, Village
Attorney; Jack Linehan, Assistant to the Village Administrator; Brian
Gosnell, Finance Director; John Kavanagh, Fire Chief; Kevin Woodside,
Police Chief; Scott Drabicki, Village Engineer
Roll Call Present: 6- Ross, Garner, Balmes, Hood, Thorstenson, Jacobs
Absent: 0- None
A. Discussion 1. Presentation by Darrell Blennis Jr., Executive Director, Central Lake
Items County Joint Action Water Agency – Agency overview regarding
production capacity, excess water reserves and future water sales.
The Mayor introduced Mr. Blennis stating that she, along with Trustee
Balmes represent the Village Board. Mr. Blennis’ presentation
included the following updates:
North Groups expansion including Lindenhurst, Lake Villa,
Grandwood Park and Fox Lake Hills
● Grandwood Park: Water Delivery in July 2017
● Lindenhurst: Water Delivery in December 2017
● *Lake Villa: Water Delivery anticipated in February 2019
● *Fox Lake Hills: Water Delivery anticipated in February 2019
● All contracts have been awarded
● $35 million in connection fees to CLCJAWA
* Delay in land acquisition and easements
West Group, including Wauconda and Volo
● Water Delivery anticipated in Summer of 2019
● 2 of 5 contracts awarded
● Remaining contracts to be advertised in next couple of months
● Land acquisition and easements nearly complete
● $15 million in connection fees to CLCJAWA (earmarked for
capacity improvements)
Capacity for More Expansion
● Is there water available?
○ Capacity vs demand
● Can this be achieved without jeopardizing the charter members?
○ Would the system be at risk?
● What are the benefits to more customers?
○ Financial benefits include:
■ Lower rates
■ Infusion of connection fees for capital projects.
● What are the downsides to more customers?
○ Additional wear and tear on the system
○ Additional new members would “water” down the influence
of the Charter Members
○ Unforeseen changes in water consumption
Mr. Blennis presented long range plan showing flow projections of the
North and West Groups that include projected average and maximum
daily flow and how they relate to the yearly projection.
Mr. Blennis also talked about system capacity, demand, MGD
(millions of water per day) reserves, water surplus and how it affects
the Charter Members, North Group Members and West Group
Members. He further stated that as a result of the surplus water
(7.07 MGD), other communities have expressed an interest in joining
JAWA or buying JAWA water. A detailed plan has been put together
on how to evaluate future sales including a series of approved criteria
and weighting factors at the Mayor’s request.
Next Steps Include
● Comprehensive Plan Update
○ Phase I - New Sales Evaluation Criteria and Framework -
Completed
○ Phase II - Reliability & Redundancy Improvements - Target
Completion Date - Summer of 2019 with Milestones
throughout 2018.
■ Transmission System Reliability/Redundancy - Summer
of 2018
■ Water Production Reliability/Redundancy - Winter of
2018
■ Interconnections with other Lake Michigan Water
Suppliers - Winter 2018
■ Existing pipeline condition assessment - Summer of
2019
● New Sales Workshop/Discussion
○ Pursue new sales? Let the Mayors decide.
○ Customer versus Member
In conclusion, Mr. Blennis stated that JAWA can leverage further
expansion to address infrastructure needs, capacity improvements,
redundancies and liability improvements or stick with the current plan,
Trustee Hold exited which is to maintain the backup supply.
the meeting at
7:20 p.m. Questions/Comments
Trustee Jacobs asked about the accuracy of projections and the
consequences if they were off. Mr. Blennis stated he feels very
confident that the accuracy of the demand projections are very
conservative.
Trustee Thorstenson asked about new higher excessive water usage
businesses and how they factor into the demand model. Mr. Blennis
stated that residential use is declining which offsets commercial
increases.
Trustee Thorstenson asked if the members decide what the fees of
the excessive water usage businesses would be. Mr. Blennis stated
that the Village sets the rate.
Trustee Ross asked if the North and West Groups are members. Mr.
Blennis stated yes, they are voting members and the number of
members is 13.
Trustee Balmes asked if there is enough land available to expand.
Mr. Blennis stated that have enough land.
Trustee Balmes asked if there is limit to how much Lake Michigan
water can be taken in. Mr. Blennis stated that every community has a
Lake Michigan allocation permit and each member operates
accordingly.
Trustee Garner asked why we should sell our extra capacity. Mr.
Blennis stated the financial benefits would include more sales, lower
rates, connection fees, etc. The downside would be more wear and
tear on the equipment and potential unforeseen change in demand.
Trustee Garner asked if the proposal is reversible. Mr. Blennis stated
that a customer contract, including term dates with options could be
built into the agreement.
Trustee Garner asked what is the percentage of potential savings per
gallon of water. Mr. Blennis stated 10-15% on the rate alone.
Trustee Ross asked about connection fees for new members. Mr.
Blennis stated that it is a contractual obligation that new members be
charged a connection fee.
Trustee Thorstenson asked if there are any unforeseen health
concerns regarding the water. Mr. Blennis stated that Lake Michigan
is a pristine source of drinking water and JAWA has one of the most
advanced processes in the country and that the drinking water is in
the top 1% water quality in the world.
The Mayor concluded stating that Mr. Muetz will forward the detailed
report to each Board member for their review and comment before
presenting a unified position paper to CLCJAWA.
Public Comment(s) None
Closing Comments Administrator Muetz reminded the Board of the upcoming Budget
meeting, Monday, March 5th, 5 p.m.
Adjournment It was moved by Trustee Balmes seconded by Trustee Garner to adjourn
the meeting.
Voice Vote: ALL AYE: Motion Carried.
Mayor Kovarik adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
http://www.gurnee.il.us/docs/default-source/meetings/village-board/minutes/2018/2018-26-02_vb_minutes.pdf?sfvrsn=2
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