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Wheeling reports progress on Dundee Road water main, invasive‑species removal; announces staffing changes
Summary
Public works director reported 1,700 feet of water main installed on Dundee Road, removal contractor completed year‑one invasive species work in Avalon, and the village introduced Marisol Leyva as a new department head while promoting the public works director to assistant village manager.
Village Public Works Director Dan Kaup updated the Village of Wheeling Board of Trustees on April 7 that the Dundee Road water main replacement is ahead of schedule and that the village’s two‑year invasive species removal program has completed its first year of removals.
“Approximately 1,700 feet of pipe have been installed today,” Director Kaup said, reporting the contractor had finished the segment between Cedar and Schoenbeck and was working west of Schoenbeck toward St. Armand. Kaup said the contractor expects to complete the main through the centerline and begin work that will close outer lanes during the week of April 21, and that the overall project is expected to be finished by early June.
Kaup also briefed the board on the village’s invasive species removal program, which he described as “strictly invasive removal” focused mostly on buckthorn. He said the contractor (RES) finished the first‑year removals in the Avalon area and that village forester Matt Maishak and Superintendent Vince Hoffman worked with the contractor. Kaup reminded residents that Chapter 12.17 of the village code prohibits buckthorn on private property and said Public Works can help identify the plant and advise property owners; removal on private property remains the property owner’s responsibility.
In personnel news, Village Manager John Spondelas introduced the village’s newest department head, Marisol Leyva, who is joining the village ahead of the retirement of the assistant village manager/HR director. Spondelas said Leyva joined from the Village of Bartlett and would overlap with the retiring HR director before the May 2 retirement date. The board also approved expanding Director Kaup’s title to assistant village manager/public works director; Kaup will retain his public works responsibilities while taking on additional duties from the manager’s office.
Trustees asked procedural questions about timing and traffic impacts; Kaup said state work (IDOT) on the west end near Route 53 is scheduled separately and he did not expect the projects to overlap. Board members also asked how residents should report suspected invasive plants; Kaup directed them to contact Public Works for identification and guidance.
