Trustees and committee members in Hoffman Estates on Oct. 13 approved several routine but consequential items: an ordinance vacating and redrawing utility easements at Seasons at Hoffman Estates Apartments (1800 Autumn Drive); a license agreement allowing Commonwealth Edison Co. to install underground high-voltage distribution lines in the Beverly Road right-of-way to serve the Compass data center; and a resolution authorizing an agreement with BLA Inc. for construction inspection services not to exceed $164,580. Earlier in the evening, the board met a volunteer applicant, Deepak Bhojwani, and agreed to appoint him to the village's sustainability-related commission on Oct. 20.

Seasons easements: Jennifer, a planning staff member, told the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee the plat "cleans up the easements" for the Seasons property, vacating easements no longer required by redevelopment and expanding others to match constructed utility placements. Legal review has cleared the plat, staff said. Trustees approved the ordinance by voice vote.

ComEd license: Staff described the license agreement with Commonwealth Edison as the first of two distribution extensions that will bring underground service from a substation south of the tollway, under the tollway and then north along Beverly Road to the Compass site. The license permits installation and maintenance of the lines in the Beverly Road right-of-way, specifies pavement restoration standards and sets out removal language should the lines be abandoned. Staff said a second license agreement for a separate extension through local streets is expected in coming months. The license passed by voice vote.

Construction inspection contract: The Transportation Division requested outside engineering inspection assistance to oversee the ComEd work and ensure construction, traffic control and pavement restoration comply with approved plans and village standards. Staff said the cost of the contract with BLA Inc. will be reimbursed by ComEd through the company's permit for the right-of-way work. Trustees approved the resolution authorizing the agreement. The motion and vote were recorded as a voice vote; no named roll-call was taken.

Volunteer appointment: The board interviewed Deepak Bhojwani, a resident of Hoffman Estates for more than 25 years who described experience in civil engineering, project management and grant administration. "The definition of sustainability. It is more than environmental protection. It's about building a resilient community," Bhojwani said during his remarks. Trustees praised his background and said the mayor will make the appointment on Oct. 20.

What trustees said: Committee members asked clarifying questions about maintenance, pavement restoration, the route of underground lines and whether all wiring would be underground; staff confirmed the lines in the Beverly Road segment will be underground and that the ComEd permit will cover restoration and reimbursement. Staff also noted that work in some residential areas and longer routes will be addressed in a forthcoming second license agreement.

All listed motions on the Oct. 13 agenda passed by voice vote; meeting minutes and multiple departmental monthly reports were received and filed during the sessions.