The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday, December 6, 2001, at 7:00 PM in the Conference Room of the County Highway Department. Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order.

Committee members present were Chairman Wilson, Mr. Smith Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Guehler, Mr. McLaughlin, Ms. Casella, and Mr. Sands. Ms. LaVigne arrived at 7:05 P.M. Also present was Mr. Ray Bockman, County Administrator, and Mr. William Lorence, County Engineer. Mr. Michael Haynes joined the meeting at 7:08 P.M.

Mr. Lorence announced the letting results with a recommendation for award going to Northwest Ford for the tandem truck cab and chassis for an amount of $57,000.00 and to Mike Mooney for the 3/4 ton pickup truck for $25,449.28. A motion was made by Mr. Smith to approve the award as recommended and was seconded by Mr. Casella. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Lorence presented the engineering agreements for three bridge projects located in DeKalb, Pierce and Mayfield Townships. Motion was made by Mr. McLaughlin and seconded by Mr. Smith to approve the agreements. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Lorence announced the Ordinance for the annual Spring Road Posting will be from mid January to April 14, 2002. A motion was made by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Guehler to approve the ordinance to post the roads. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Sands distributed the report of recommendations from the Snow Removal Task Force containing a process for finalization prior to the next labor contract. Mr. Sands outlined the contents of the report. Mr. Sands suggested that a meeting with Mr. Ray Bockman and Mr. Gary Hanson should take place to discuss methods of financing the cost of the process included in this report. Mr. Sands stated that the costs to implement would be approximately $92,000 to possibly come from MFT. Mr. Sands concluded by saying the cost of the recommendations in the study would also add approximately $30,000 to the Highway Department budget. Limited discussion took place regarding the use of motor fuel taxes to fund this project and/or other methods of financing it. Mr. Bockman suggested that he ask the staff to prepare from their perspective an estimate of the cost of doing what is proposed in this report and to prepare a separate estimate of what the ultimate costs would be. After this is done this committee could review the information to reach some definite conclusion. The committee accepted the report for further study.

Chairman Wilson requested at this time the committee to meet in executive session for the purpose of discussing Land Acquisition. A motion was made by John Guehler to recess this Committee to meet in executive session. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith. The motion carried unanimously by a voice vote. The time was 8:05 P.M. The Committee returned to its regular session at 8:30 P.M. A motion made by Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. McLaughlin. The motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

No action was taken by the Committee resulting from the executive session.

Chairman Wilson announced the next meeting for this Committee will be scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2002.

Mr. Lorence reported that the Malta Road culvert is complete and seeding will take place in the spring. Peace and Barber Greene are also complete and seeding is also scheduled for spring. Mr. Wilson inquired about the signals located at the entrance to Menards. He stated that he has been told those lights are not triggered by the traffic. Mr. Lorence responded that they are sending false signals when no cars are present. Mr. Lorence said the signals are actually maintained by the City of Sycamore and the County controls only the timing. However, he has taken some steps to remedy the situation with the advice of the City of DeKalb and others. He continued that the City of Sycamore has been informed and as soon as Mr. Brady returns from vacation a cooperative effort will be made to solve the problem.

Mr. Lorence stated that Glidden Road has been completed, except for the seeding to be done in the spring, and the City of DeKalb will be installing signs in the area. The Genoa Road project is just beginning and preparations are being made for the closing of the road. A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for December 12, 2001 at which some final decisions will be made. Mr. Lorence stated that shortly after this meeting his department will issue a news release to inform the public regarding the road closing and where detours will be located. The information will also be posted on the website. Mr. Lorence assured the committee that all the necessary steps will be taken to keep the public, city and school officials and local industries fully informed regarding this construction.

Mr. Lorence stated that the Perry Road project was awarded to Aurora Blacktop and the March letting will contain 9 miles for the Somonauk road project. He continued that by March all the major projects will be let for the year, other than the re- surfacing of Plank road.

Mr. Lorence distributed copies of the Rockford Area Transportation Studies for the perusal of this committee, as an example of what will be required of an MPO.

Respectfully submitted,

John A. Wilson, Chairman