Publications & Sites 
Libertyville joins street patching consortium
Updated: June 18, 2012 8:33AM
Three municipalities have joined together in a cooperative, money-saving consortium to patch up street cracks and potholes within their communities.
The concept is to utilize the purchasing power of multiple communities when contracting for this annual preventive maintenance service.
John Heinz, director of Libertyville’s Public Works Department, said the Village Board agreed this week to join with the Village of Gurnee and the City of North Chicago in the cooperative venture. He said other communities are also welcome to affiliate.
Heinz said the new consortium picks up where the Northwest Municipal Conference’s street crack cooperative left off when they canceled their program recently. By joining together, participating municipalities can receive a better financial deal, Heinz indicates.
Street crack sealing is essential in preserving roadway longevity. Heinz said streets only last about 20 years in this harsh winter climate, and it is important to promptly seal cracks and potholes that develop from the typical freeze-thaw cycle that occurs every winter before they destroy roadbed foundations that require complete and expensive reconstruction.
In other actions May 8, the Libertyville Board approved creation of a special mobile application (app) for iPhone and Android smart phones that will be available through the Village later this year.
Trustee Jim Moran, who chairs the Board’s Special Projects Committee, said the app would provide the public with quick access to basic Village activities, inform the public about emergencies, and provide special information, such as including a business directory to encourage local shopping.
The Board authorized development of the app with Constituent Outreach Consulting for a start-up cost of $1,000 and an annual maintenance cost of $1,800. The contract renews annually and has a 10-day cancellation notice after the first six months.
