It's August 6, 2025.

And I call the Lake County Public Works and Transportation to Committee to order at 8 30 a.m.

In addition to being able to attend in-person remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom at the link on the agenda.

This meeting is being recorded through Zoom.

And I believe Member Wasick, um, are you attending this meeting remotely for a qualifying reason?

Yeah, but um, I am out of town.

Okay, I believe that is not a qualifying reason, Craig.

Okay, but you can obviously um attend to see what we're doing today.

So thank you for attending.

All right, could you please please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Can I get a roll call, please?

Member Kasman is absent.

Chair Clark.

Here.

Member Hugh?

Here.

Member Hunter.

Vice Chairman.

Present.

Member Roberts?

Here.

Member Wasick.

Here.

All right.

Um, is there any public comment today?

There's uh.

All right.

There's no chair's remarks, no unfinished business.

Our new business is the regular agenda, item 8.1, which is a joint resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Bowler Construction Company Inc.

of Waukegan, Illinois in the amount of 1,065,868 for the corporate woods reservoir improvements project.

Can I get a motion and a second motion by Hewitt, second by Hunter?

Good morning, Director McFarland.

Good morning, Chair and Committee members.

Uh, this is one of the five uh water storage reservoirs in the Vernon Hills water systems.

Um, like most all of our reservoirs, this one provides uh drink and water supply to the community in Vernon Hills.

The roof is in native repair, and there are some internal repairs also needed to some of the internal walls inside this this facility.

Uh bids were received, and bowl of construction was the lowest and responsible bidder, and I recommend the approval for this uh repair.

Very good.

Any questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

All right, item 8.2 is a presentation of the proposed 2026 to 2030 capital improvement program for the Lake County Department of Public Works.

We have with us our engineer and supervisor this morning, Brittany Sloan, and our assistant director, Mark Bergalt, and I'm going to invite them to present on RBF.

Okay, thank you.

Morning.

Morning.

Thanks for the opportunity to come before you this morning.

Um, my name is Mark Borgo, Assistant Director of Department of Public Works here with Brittany Sloan.

Um, we'd like to present uh the capital improvement program and related information.

The overall outline is to um show how the department meets our goals while addressing all the system needs.

Obviously, the needs change over time.

Um, also we'll be doing a brief financial breakdown, analysis, and comparative view um through the years of the program.

In addition, we'll do a more detailed dive into some of the projects of this year and upcoming years.

While following the guidance and direction of the county board, the department strives to address the needs of the department.

The needs in this industry are always changing.

Um, these changes are a result of technology, are a result of regulations and a result of other factors beyond our control.

Public works is always adaptive to the needs, but with thoughtful planning in mind and the economics of it all in mind.

And through a variety of mechanisms, we touch 40% of the county's population.

Pretty large area.

One of the needs of the system is the age and the material types of the infrastructure.

This is not unique to public works.

It's not unique to Lake County.

It's industry-wide and it's nationwide, and it's across many industries.

Our goal is to have thoughtful planning, balance the economics, while also addressing risk and resiliency of all the systems at the same time.

Another changing need of the system is the evolving technology.

One particular item is smart meters, smart water meters.

So we are investigating the options, benefits, and costs as the technology evolves.

And we anticipate having a pilot program in the near future for these.

Yes, vice chair.

So if I could thank you.

So these are different than that read, you know, we did a big upgrade a while ago so that you could just drive by, right?

And read the meters.

So these are smarter meters.

They do get smarter over time.

I don't want them smarter than I am.

Um so okay, I just want to, yeah.

So how are they going to be better?

How are they?

How are they smarter and not just like the newest gadget on the street to spend money on, if you understand what I'm asking?

Yes, very good question.

Appreciate the question.

Um, and I would like to have the opportunity to finish our analysis of them.

Sure.

And then we bring forth, but we're investigating not just jumping to something new, but it again seeing the benefit versus the cost and if it's worthwhile.

That sounds great.

Thank you.

Yes, our meters are a little bit smart already.

Uh, member Hunter.

Thanks.

As you guys are figuring out how you want to put those meters in and where and whatnot.

Uh, can you look at doing something that would be anything over six inch meters first?

Because they're normally have to be recalibrated every year.

There are largest users, they're usually schools and things like that.

So if they're going to be need to be recalibrated, that might be the time to change to upgrade them to the smart meter at that point.

Um, I would encourage that before household, because that's a huge undertaking and whatnot.

And they're less you don't have to service those smaller meters as fast as some as recalibrating the bigger meters, as you know.

So I would love to see that direction.

Appreciate the suggestion.

We'll look into it.

Yeah, thanks, Melatra.

Yeah.

On a large or broad view of our systems, we operate three waste uh water reclamation facilities, eight sewer systems, and 12 water systems.

In addition to that, though, we um work with three additional water reclamation facilities through a variety of IGAs with our other partners in the area, mostly municipalities.

Um, this involves a lot of coordination and cooperation.

And this very much goes in line with our 2025 theme: connecting our communities.

On a little bit more of a detailed view, we have about 800 miles of sewer main and water main throughout the county, an amazing amount of infrastructure that's a little bit out of sight, out of mind, but constantly requires attention and uh thoughtful planning and details for the 2025 fiscal year is another very active year.

As we can see here, the overall budget of the department on enterprise funds is 71.3 million dollars.

Of that, 21.5 million of enterprise funds is going to the capital program.

In addition to these enterprise funds, we are always exploring and utilizing any outside funding or additional funding when available.

Year to year, we can see here that 2025 is equally active as the recent years.

Yeah, thanks, Jeremy.

Yeah, so going through um 2025, is that those numbers are higher?

So is that still um ARPA money that's running through there?

So if you were to take out ARPA money, what would this bar graph look like?

So this bar graph is the enterprise funds only, no ARPA contribution.

Okay.

So um, and the comparison year to year is the enterprise funds only.

So the ARPA is a great shot in the arm, and we have a little bit of detail on that coming up.

Okay.

So thank you for the question, but um, it's busy on multiple fronts.

Yeah.

In addition to our enterprise funds and the ARPA funds, there's also been some congressionally directed funding.

And here are three active and ongoing projects the Displains River Dewatering Project, New Century Town Dewatering, as well as the Idlewide and Daddy Decker water main replacement projects and their related funding.

As member Maine mentioned, we did have ARPA funds for many multi-year projects.

Those funds allowed the projects to move forward.

And several of them are complete or nearly complete, and all the other projects are progressing along their expected timelines.

We see or expect no difficulties in meeting any of the required deadlines.

But everything's moving along very well.

The age, the life cycle of the assets, uh regulation and its changing dynamic, studies and assessments on our systems, our requirements of the systems, as well as what our operators need.

So all those factors are mixed together in the beginning funnel to develop a good CIP program.

It is important to address yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's needs, but it's also important to have a more long-term view and a pipeline and an analysis of what it takes for the long term.

So here it just gives a little bit of a graphic on the long-term view, the dollars involved, and what we're constantly looking and updating for that plan.

There are several different aspects that are considered or project types.

That's preserving the assets and preserving service to existing customers.

But in addition to that, or balancing with that is modernizing the system as appropriate and providing some additional capacity to meet future needs.

Yeah, I have a I was going to wait, but since expansion is on two slides, yeah.

Is the expansion based on, and it might be some combination of feeling that what we have is inadequate to serve existing customers.

And if it's also looking at future growth, which is really flatlined, you know, since you know it used to be 20 years ago, we're like, oh, we're going to be at eight population of 800,000 within 10 years, and that didn't happen, and it's you know, probably not.

So things like Mill Creek, they were that that facility was built with the not unreasonable expectation at that time.

There was going to be all this development and growth up there, which did not happen.

So when you're looking at expansion, what data set are you using to project what future needs are going to be?

So the future needs, some of it is coming by recent activity.

What areas are growing?

Our connections and our connection fees provide quite a bit of background and data for that.

Um, and then always having a little flexibility in the system to add if needed, when needed and appropriate and approved by the board.

Okay.

But I just offer that as a caution to the committee, because right that that Mill Creek was built with this going to happen.

Partly um some of the land has been bought by the Forest Preserve, and they had a buy out, you know, what those PEs or whatever they were.

But you know, there was going to be hundreds and hundreds of homes built up there.

Okay, so I think I just think we need to be cautious.

I've seen them associated with road projects, and you look at that, you go, well, those numbers are not gonna come out.

There's not gonna be that many homes built there.

So we don't want to be caught behind the eight ball, but on the other hand, uh I think we need to be cautious about looking at a long-term plan and at that time delving into those numbers of how much expansion is really going to be needed.

And my remaining if I if I may add, you know, some of the expansion that we're alluding to here kind of circles around some of the things that we've done recently.

For example, we just discussed the West Bump and station and the need to expand those pipes, and that's a function of the growth and Vernon Mills and some of the newer uh facilities that came online.

So those expansion type of expansion that we're alluding to here.

Yeah.

We did the slanting out on the Sandas Road list station because it was an increase in flow there.

Well, you're correct.

We're not talking about large expansion, i.e.

the expansion of another facility like Mill Creek, because you're right.

We don't have the data to drive that.

So the expansion that we're talking about, or those smaller expansion, good capacity.

Great.

Thank you so much.

Member Roberts.

It's a real quick question.

When was Milk Creek built?

That was in the early.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Another important perspective is the categories of the assets.

Um, as you can see here, and we've discussed it.

We have water reclamation facilities as well as the wastewater collection system.

We also have the water storage and the water distribution systems that are connected to them.

Um, all these categories make up our overall system, and we do place emphasis across all the categories on a year-to-year basis.

So in fiscal year 25, the breakdown of the enterprise budget is shown here.

And as we can see, the wastewater collection system received 9.4 million out of the 21 and a half, but all the categories received attention as needed.

At this point, I'd like to turn it over to Brittany.

Thanks very much.

Brittany Albrecht Sloan, engineering supervisor with Lake County Public Works.

I'm pleased to be here today to talk about the difference we're making in our communities and some of the exciting projects we're working on and have planned.

To get us started, I have two slides that give you a recap on our existing program year and where we're doing work in 2025.

So this is a snapshot in time.

Um, so this list of projects are all ongoing, and I'd like to highlight a couple and draw your attention to project numbers seven and eight, our Highland Lake Water Main Improvements project.

This has been a multi-phase project that has advanced in recent years thanks to ARPA funding.

This year we've extended a water main and are also establishing a test well as that project advances.

Another noteworthy project is our number 12, our oak terrace well house and water system interconnection.

Our yeah, sorry, our oak terrace well house and water system interconnection project.

This is a project that was made possible with the use of ARPA funds, and that's continuing to advance and it's anticipated to be substantially completed later this year.

And can I ask a question about that one?

Oh, yes.

So when you say interconnection, does that mean it's connecting with another system or um what does it mean when is this interconnection there?

Right now we have a water system that serves 15 residents, so it's a smaller system, and there's also a well that serves the West Oak Middle School.

They're in close proximity.

So there's a need to improve the area.

So this would be an and they uh um so this would be an effort to establish a new well, a formal system that would connect the two together.

Okay, so it's establishing a new well and then connecting the school with the neighborhood.

Yes.

And I'll be on the same system.

Okay, thank you.

Next, I'm gonna highlight four example projects with a little bit more depth.

This first project is our gauges Lake Water Tower.

This 1.25 million gallon storage facility will serve our wildwood water system.

And the center photo might look familiar, is from my presentation last year.

Um, we had the foundation established, and this year we've made a lot of progress.

This structure is now standing and painting is underway.

This next project in these images highlight our effort to modernize our SCADA system.

SCADA is the program that allows our operators to monitor and operate our facilities remotely.

So the images on this slide show an overview of the Dust Plains River water reclamation facility, but also in this software, our operators are able to visit every building and understand how each piece of equipment is operating and performing.

We're very busy at the Dust Plains River Water Reclamation Facility.

We're also constructing a new ultraviolet disinfection facility that will modernize the plant, eliminate the use of chemical disinfectants.

Um, and an evaluation of UV equipment has found they are effective on viral destruction as well.

It should be last highlight project from this year are some upgrades we're making at our new century town water reclamation facility in Vernon Hills.

This is a clarifier.

Clarifier equipment by design is open to the elements.

And in the summer months, they face a challenge of algae blooms in the tank that can negatively impact downstream processes.

So installation of clarifier covers mitigates that concern.

Yes, true heart.

Yes.

Can you help me understand?

That's just super interesting.

I don't know why.

Super interesting.

Um, so this cover will stop an algae bloom because what does it do?

Oxygen from going like light.

The sun won't get there.

Light.

That's all it is.

So it's stopping the light from going in.

Thank you, scientists.

Okay, we go back to UV damage if you want.

Go back to what I'm sorry.

UV damage.

Okay.

Well, thank you.

Let's see, simple technology, but we needed more than just like an umbrella.

So please work well.

I know.

Gosh.

Shows up no more so I know.

I think the questions are really interesting.

I feel like we could have like a whole like podcast or something on the different things that you guys do at public works.

It makes it super interesting.

I know.

We we were we were actually gonna discuss that.

Yes.

So we are hoping we were gonna discuss that.

Maybe going on a field trip for the committee.

So we've been talking about like hopefully setting that up and inviting everybody in the committee, and we can go see everything.

Yeah.

All right.

I am now ready to talk about our upcoming projects.

So this is the five-year look ahead at our five year program, which will run from fiscal year 26 to fiscal year 2030.

I'm going to move through a program by investment category.

On each slide, you'll have a list of projects and a map of where they are located.

And I plan to highlight just one project on each slide.

I'm happy to provide additional info on anything else as it comes up.

Our first category is water production and storage.

This is the first of two slides.

Here, I'd like to point out project number two, our Fox Lake Hills water storage facility.

We're evaluating our Fox Lake Hills water system and have identified a need to add storage to improve system resiliency.

Project number five highlights our wild wood extended resiliency improvements that will be phased.

We have a companion study underway for the wildwood water system, and we'll from there determine which improvements are necessary and plan for those.

This is located in our wildwood water system.

It's made possible thanks to congressionally directed funding.

And it does support communities that were established more than 100 years ago.

Wastewater collection is up next.

This is the first of three slides.

Here I'd like to highlight number three our Rollins Road Force Main replacement.

This is an emergent.

Oh, I should highlight first.

Force mains are pressurized sewer pipes.

And we this has been highlighted as an emergent project due to the pipe's age and condition.

It will be replaced, we anticipate next year.

Project number 10, our Vernon Hills Milwaukee Avenue Pump Station rehabilitation.

This is another significant pumping facility in the system that serves Vernon Hills, and we've identified a need to improve the station to preserve our service to existing users and also meet the demands of development and redevelopment in the area.

Last slide on wastewater collection.

So this gives an opportunity to mention that utility infrastructure and utility infrastructure is often installed within road rights of way.

So we do find that roadway improvement projects can have a very large impact on our facilities.

So this is something we closely monitor, and projects 18 through 21 are all IDOT projects that we're keeping an eye on.

And so when I mean to declare, so if IDOT is gonna like rebuild a road or something, we have to pay to relocate the sewers and things like that.

Is that correct?

Oftentimes, if we can sometimes take a look at easements and the dates of those, sometimes there are opportunities to share cost, and so we always pursue those where we can.

Um, but there is certainly an expense too.

Right.

I think that's good for us, you know, to know to keep an eye on these because these are going to be costs we're gonna have to pay, but maybe not our choice, but it's important, these projects.

Yeah.

Next up is water reclamation facilities.

We are continuing to invest in all of our treatment facilities.

And right now at all three facilities, we are prioritizing dewatering improvements at all of three of our plants, and that's the final stage of treatment before biosolids are produced.

Lastly, other support facilities and equipment.

Our organization owns a number of properties throughout our system, one of which is our east main pumping station, which is located along Manitoke Creek, just south of Long Lake.

So project number one is a plan to stabilize the shoreline along that property, which will preserve the facility and then mitigate erosion and protect the shoreline as well.

Now we're gonna look at just next year, fiscal year 26.

This is our requested budget.

The total value for capital improvements is 22.4 million dollars.

And no, I'd like to know that we had significant investment planned for water production and storage as well as water reclamation facilities.

This map shows our anticipated new construction starts for next year.

And I'd like to highlight our project number 11, the Saunders Road Sewer Improvements Project.

You may recall that in 2024, we installed 8,000 linear feet of pressurized sewer mains or force main pipes.

This is the second and final phase of that project, which will replace a lift station pumping facility as well as gravity sewer pipes.

The next two slides are for your information.

This is a list of future projects, and these topics are on our radar.

So you'll have more, we will all have more to discuss in future programs.

Chair Hart.

Thank you.

Can you go back?

That's the one I I know.

I was gonna take something too.

Well, the only one I'm looking at is the first one.

Yeah.

Yes.

So I'm guessing what maybe you can tell me a little bit more about that and and sort of these prospective projects.

Do you have some sort of a cost estimate for each of them?

What does that look like?

That's a good question.

These are all on our radar because they're known issues or requests are kind of out there in the ether.

The re when they're on this list, they don't necessarily have a full plan forward and a cost estimate with respect to the Antioch Township sewer expansion.

We have an ongoing study.

It's a very complex project.

It becomes the picture becomes clear as we study and work through it.

Um, so some of these, so my short answer is that some of these do have a nearer-term cost estimate, but they we would really have to dig into design to dial it in further.

And what is because I know the that study, I believe, was paid for the ANIAC Township sewer study with ARPA money.

And so will that be completed, I assume like this year or next year.

Do you know for the just so then we'll have a better idea?

Sure.

So for the study itself, we have some milestones along the way.

Um, but it's expected to be fully complete by the end of 2026.

Okay.

Yeah, yeah, it's a big project.

Yeah, chair.

And it's I'm gonna talk to Matt just on this one.

You know, I think the Forest Preserves does a really good job laying out like CIP.

Hey, these are the projects.

Here's a brief description description, just thinking about what we as board members are used to seeing.

Not to say the county, sorry to rephrase the county does a great job.

It's all very complex.

I think when I um, and I don't want to speak for all of board all the board members, but when we can kind of see like here's the CIP, here's the years, here's the investment per year that goes into that.

Um, I think it's a nice way for at least for me to understand hey, here's how all these pieces have to work together.

Here's how we kind of chunk out the work so we don't overwhelm staff so that we've got enough money to do it.

Just a thought and how um we view projects, I think.

Over are you are you talking about years six through 10?

Because I think we have it for year one through five.

I believe it's it's in the list of all the projects, or am I thinking of no no?

I think I'm really just talking about CIP in general, like you know how we're funded and unfunded, right?

And those that are funded, it's like here's the money that comes in in these different years.

And look, it's just a I'm throwing out that thought.

It's really for Matt and the county administration and Gina.

Um anyway, I'm just throwing that out there.

Pardon?

Gina R CFO.

The CFO G.

Yeah.

I know.

CFO.

Excuse me.

Sorry.

The name show.

Yes.

Gina.

You've had a lot of responsibilities.

Yeah, cracking.

Here's here's an abacus.

Yeah, cracking.

Yeah.

Noted, we will we will uh have special fundamentals.

Just look into it.

Vice chair.

Yeah, that's a really interesting thought.

And I was just, and you clarified at the end.

Are most of these six to 10?

We don't have money for these.

Is that correct?

Like, would these all fall under unfunded or are there chunks for a phase one study?

But I I'm not asking for that answer now, but I guess that's kind of just adding on to Chair Hart's suggestion.

I said, Yeah.

Right.

Versus this is more like of an ideas list versus like a we're like trying to like put it in to you know different years or estimated costs.

Speak to it very briefly.

Yeah, we do have an ongoing um revenue that is dedicated and assigned to our CIP program.

And so looking at it in the five year range, understanding these out year projects allows us to be nimble, work on what we do know and are getting through.

But every year, that year six becomes closer and moves forward.

So that's when we would begin doing some of those studies.

Um, not the perfect answer.

Um, but just a high, just quick one.

Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

We actually met on this anti thing since you brought up that specifically last week.

This thing could be upwards of 145 million dollars.

It's right now we were we had a million dollar grant ARP money to be able to do the studies, and it's broke down into three different phases.

And we don't know what the constituents would pay at this point.

We don't know what phase would go first and and whatnot.

So it truly is six to ten years out.

And we're gonna need a lot of help on this one, federal and state, or both.

So that that at least to that one, since that was the one that was highlighted.

It's on the radar, but that's 145 million dollar project.

And we certainly don't have it here at the county level.

Well, and it is an enterprise fund.

So I know, and we're gonna have to look at different funding sources.

And I have to say, I really thank this board for spending ARPA money on the study.

I think you know, to have it so that we finally can find that, figure out how much it would cost and find the engineering, I think will allow us to play for grants and start planning this thing in, uh planning it in.

I know someday, I feel like that's the like in the skies, the Antioch Township Sewer expansion.

But obviously, having sewer in these areas is really important for you know, for the the water.

It's the health of the chain of lakes.

It is the health of the chain of lakes.

And here that's exactly the problem is we have failing septics out there, and that's why this is town.

That's why that study was done a number of years ago and Austin resurrected it.

Yeah, and actually put it into a true study now where we're getting dollars tied to it.

So it's moving along.

Well, and hopefully it seems like the kind of the state would be very interested in is the water quality issues.

One would think one would think it's a federal waterway that's a federal or the federal government.

Yes.

So once we get this study done, then next step would be trying to find the funding.

Yep.

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Thank you.

You're very welcome.

Um that brings us to thank you and questions.

So are there any other questions you might have?

No, we can I know.

Well, I want to thank you.

I would you director McFarland, you and your staff for um really having this strategic, you know, capital improvement plan.

I remember when I first got on the board back in uh 2019, and this was the first going to meet I was on.

And when you look at the capital planning, I have to say it was not being done like it is now.

There was not, there was a leg, there was it had not been, there was not a lot of money, which you can look back that was being put into it.

And one of the first things I was told was we really need to start focusing on capital because obviously water and sewer is so important to our residents, and we have got to keep up with it.

And I look at it now, and I'm just so proud of this board for making this such a priority that and to like be do and to be so strategic.

And now we're actually planning and we're we, you know, we have the capital improvement plan.

We're not waiting for things to break and then trying to find money for it.

This is all very methodically planned in.

Also, want to thank Chair Hart and also Chair Frank over there from FNA and the whole board about spending so much of our ARPA money on this to really ensure the water quality, to ensure drinking water quality, but also water quality going into our rivers and things like that, and to really catch up.

I am just so proud of this program.

It is very impressive and it's fully funded.

You know, my question after last week was when we all talked about the water resiliency issues with Vernon Hills and making sure we have these connectors and wells was well, how are we going to pay for it?

Well, it is built into the CIP.

I mean, that's pretty impressive.

So all the things we want to do are in our budgeted for.

And I really can't thank really Austin and you all enough.

And as again, and this board for really making this a party.

We we are on target, and we are um we have a very resilient strong network, and we will go in in the future.

So really, but I I think we need to mention that that really was a change with this board.

So thank you.

All right, member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

I I just want to thank you.

We get a ton of presentations at this level, and they're and they're all you know power points.

And you took the time to put a narrative to each slide without reading me the slide that I can read.

And I to just sit there and read the slide that I'm looking at is is silly, but you designed a narrative with each one.

And I hope that other departments are listening to this.

Thank you so very much.

I really appreciate it.

It was informative and it was it was easy to watch and see.

And thanks for trusting my judgment of the slide you put up.

Member Roberts, I would like to just echo everything you said because it is it was so up until that algae part was which I'd like to take a class on that.

No, I mean, no, I mean it like more than that.

Yeah, so thank you.

It's so clear and so you're right.

We've just followed it so smoothly.

So thank you.

Well informative and interesting.

Chair Hart, thank you.

Um, and I apologize that I came in a little late.

Have we talked about PFAS and removal of PFAS?

I think uh Chair Clark, you had sent an article to me about what I think it was, is it a state and it's California?

I'm sorry, I don't know.

I think right about what they're doing.

Because yeah.

To remove PFAS, but they had started a long time ago, and now they really are.

But I know for us, yeah, maybe I'll update on that because I think for our federal guidelines, we are now we are like within federal guidelines, but are we planning for the future?

I think is what yeah, yeah.

If I could just quickly address that, um I don't want to jump ahead in a couple of weeks or not a couple of weeks, the next month, I believe we have Donna U and associates coming in to present um the PIFA study that they're doing on our drinking water and our wastewater facilities, and it's very comprehensive.

So rather than jump ahead and give you something now, if you don't mind, we could wait.

I hope you'll be present to listen to the full presentation from Donna U.

And I'll give you an overview as to where the department is relative to federal standards and where we are relative to PFOS and our drinking water and wastewater.

Great.

Thank you.

Great pleasure.

Um yeah, um, member Frank, and then chair.

I was going to say yeah.

It was uh oh, I'm sorry.

I was just getting ready to say, or it came from fall.

Many case members want to see a governing magazine May 17th of this year, and the city is your Belinda, California.

They have the largest treatment plan facility in the country that removes PFS, PFAS from its water side.

Thank you.

Yeah, it's funny.

I ran into the person from there at NECO.

So that's what I thought we were talking about.

I was talking to him, one of the people, and they were telling me what they were doing with PFAS removal, and it was fascinating.

It was expensive, but it was working, which I thought was really important and it gave us some hope too.

Member Hunter.

Thanks.

I just meant I wanted to mention one thing I saw during the presentation.

As the past president of Lakes Region Sanitary District, I noticed there was no rebuilding done in that district.

So for this board to take on that district, and we never paid anything for it.

We maintain it, and we they're all customers of Lake County now, but there's no infrastructure being replaced there at all, which meant we bought something that was or we were brought into something that was in really good shape.

Thank you.

Yeah, minor correction, Member Andrew.

We are doing some word there on the list stations on the one list.

One out of 23 lift stations.

Wow.

Well, there's a project manager.

How many list stations are we doing?

Just one in 23 listeners.

All right.

Any other questions?

All right.

Well, thank you very much.

That was very interesting.

Okay, item 8.3 is director's report.

Director McFarlane.

Just a quick update on a few items for committees attention.

The village of Matawa as an existing um agreement with CLC Java for water service.

Um, that's been around for a number of years.

Uh CLC Java Um the agreement reached the its end of life.

And the and CLC J Always desires to expand that.

So too is the village.

And so that agreement was renewed.

I just want you to be aware that there is no plans from the village to expand water service to any of the um systems in the area, but I believe there's just a need for the village on for CLC Java just to continue that agreement and make sure that it's viable.

There's an allocation there in place, so certainly want to keep it viable just if perchance um the village of Matawa the Saj down the road or in the near future that they may want to expand service, then they'll have that at their disposal.

Second item I want to share with you is the consumer confidence report.

Every year the department puts out its annual water quality report um to our consumers.

The report details all the analytical testing, all the required testants from the IEPA that we have done and any um challenges that we may have, it's published and sent out to make available to all of our customers for all for each of our 12 drink and water systems.

So that's available and umline.

So um just to make you aware of it that we've got it out, and if there's any questions, uh customers can feel free to call our office, and we'll be more than happy to address any questions and concerns that they have.

One of the things that we've done um in the last two years is again as I said, the consumer confidence confidence report addresses primarily the test and it comes through the IEPA.

There are non-regulatory testing that we also perform, and some of those we have online as well for each of the water systems.

So for customers that are looking for tests that are certainly not regulated, they can find it on the site for each of those water systems as well.

So just a lot of information that we're trying to provide in in light of all the new concerns for water quality that's out there today.

Last item I want to share with you.

I know it's been a uh a buzz this morning, but we're providing a tour to the Mill Creek facility.

Um target date is September 12th at 9.

Um, certainly inviting all our committee members to attend.

If you can make it, uh please let me know.

We can schedule that.

And I'll send you any note that you may need.

But um the things that we're gonna try and do, maybe target Mill Creek this year and maybe next year.

We'll look at the best Plains River plan to do a tour there.

So we want to start with Mill Creek.

I know sometime it's tough to schedule things in on your business schedule, but just throwing it out there for those of you that can make it.

Um, we'll love to have you.

Yeah, all which came true.

Sounds like we went tour.

Thank you.

And you'll be able to see that um clarifier cover.

We've got it there.

All right, thank you.

Sure.

Any questions?

That's all I got.

All right.

All right, thank you.

No questions.

Okay, so for executives, oh, there's is there a county administrator's report?

All right.

So for executive session today, we have some closed session minutes.

Um thank you.

So if uh so I'm gonna read what the state's attorney's office has recommended we do at the minutes, and then if we want to just approve what they've said, we can just vote to do it, or if we want to go into executive session to discuss it, we can't.

So um the state's attorney's office has reviewed the executive session minutes for the public works and transportation committee, as well as the inactive public works planning and transportation committee, which this committee has assumed the functions of.

The state's attorney's office has provided recommendations for which executive session minutes to release and which executive session minutes will remain confidential at this time.

Those recommendations are as follows.

For the public works and transportation committee, there are 40 items, and the state's attorney's office recommends based on their legal opinion that six of the items should be released open to the public, and 34 of the items should remain closed at this time.

For the public works planning and transportation committee, there are two items, and the state's attorney's office recommends based on their legal opinion that none of the items should be released open to the public, and all of the items should remain closed at this time.

So I just want to ask the committee.

Do we um would we prefer would the members refer to take their recommendations and vote on it, or would we like to go into executive session to look at the minutes?

I'd like to go into executive session.

Okay, then let's go into executive session.

So I would I need a motion um in a second to go in an executive session.

Motion by Hunter, second by Maine.

Can I get a roll call, please?

Chair Clark.

I think we have to roll call.

Aye, member Hewitt.

Member Hunter.

Vice Chairman.

Member Roberts.

All right.

So now we will go into executive session.

Just have a moment to I need a motion in a second to accept and follow the state's attorney's recommendations pertaining to the periodic review of executive session minutes.

Motion by Roberts, second by Hewitt.

Oh, um, yes, member Frank.

Thank you, Chair.

Um process comment, not about about some items, but not executive session comment.

Anyway, there's there are a few items on there that um indicated there was conversation about potential pending or threatened litigation, which I've been told previously uh sometimes is not appropriate for executive session.

We've we've brought items to county administration and to the state attorney's office, and we and I can recall specifically we were told not appropriate for executive session at FNA.

And Vice Chair Maine and I have had a conversation about uh tracking these kinds of reports, yeah, about tracking these kinds of reports many times over the years.

And there were some items on that list that I had never seen at FNA in the six years that I've been chairing that committee.

And so I would just like to request that we have a further conversation about what's being brought to the committees in executive session for updates because it feels to me a little disjointed after having seen that report.

Okay, thank you, Chair.

Thank you.

All right, all in favor, aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Are there any members' remarks?

Yes, member Hunter.

Thank you.

Um, you know, by our member rules, if we are to engage any department for potentially two hours worth of work, we need to discuss it ahead of time.

And I see something looming right now in my district.

It's a um it's it involves something that we don't have in any other district because it involves three counties.

It involves Kenosha County, McHenry County, and Lake County.

There's a road called Wilmont Road, which runs right next to Wilmont um uh forest reserve.

And for the we for those that have or have not been there, there's no parking in that forest reserve.

You have to literally park on the side of the road.

The property owner on on both on other than the forest reserve, the property owner of over a hundred acres up there is Thielen Sand and Gravel.

And what he wants to do is he's got a plan because it's a very dangerous road.

As that road enters into Wisconsin, there's line of sight problems, and it's and it's a high mile per hour road.

And he wants to get people together to talk about that from McHenry County, Kenosha County, and also Lake County.

And the Forest Reservice accepted the conversation.

When I had brought it up to Shane a couple months ago, he said, Hey, that's going to be the two-hour rule.

You've got to get permission.

So that's why I bring it here today.

But one of the plan that he has involves bike paths and connecting the bike paths of Kenosha County with the Chain of Lakes bike path up there through the state.

It's pretty detailed, but he wants everybody in one room.

He wants to be able to stop this, and that's what's happening right now.

And I don't think it's intentional.

I I think it's truly good spirited, but I'd like permission to be able to ask Shane or a representative from Lake County DOT to be part of that meeting when they when they have it.

As I said, the Forest Reserve has already said that he said there's got to be something there, and I we want to hear it.

At this point, there's no cost involved, it's just listening to our constituency.

Okay.

Yeah, and thank you for coming to the committee because that is the appropriate thing to do it.

So you're saying it would just be a couple hours so that it could be part of the conversation.

I think that's reasonable.

Yeah, member Roberts, did you?

I agree.

I've been there and it it's so dangerous to that hill, like coming up.

Yeah, and that way the line of site changes it changes everything, but it's the bike path in the bike paths, yeah.

Right.

And that's the state of Wisconsin, the state of Illinois, and three different counties.

We don't have that dynamic in any part of the county.

Yeah.

Michigan to the east, we have Kenosha County to the north, and we share a border with Cook County, but I don't think we have anything that gets to Cain ish, cook all that this does.

And it's it's and there's there's no people there, but there are we with the forest reserve, we attract people.

Exactly.

That is the highest point in Lake County too on a clear day.

You can see Lake Michael.

Wow, all the way from there.

Have you not bought from from the county from the county border?

You get a lot of different things.

You get and there's a little uh as long as there's no Canadian wildfire.

Well, I I think we definitely have consensus to move ahead on that.

And again, thank you for the I will reach out to to Shane and just let them know that this conversation took place.

Perfect.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other members' remarks?

All right, then I declare this meeting adjourned.

Our next meeting is August 27th, 2025.

Have a good day, everyone.