PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 

December 5, 2002
 

The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday December 5, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.   Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order.
 

Committee members present were Chairman Wilson, Vice Chairman MacMurdo, Ms. Fauci, Ms. Fullerton, Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. Slack and Mr. VanBuer. Also present were William Lorence, County Engineer, Wayne Davey, Highway Department Support Services Manager, Mr. James Quinn, Highway Department Operations Manager, Mr. Greg Millburg, Farm Bureau and the following citizens:  Mr. Dean Cornell, Mr. Chuck Pokorny, Ms. Ginge Pokorny, Ms. Diana Shott and Mr. Greg Zachwieja.

Chairman Wilson recognized the citizens present for the meeting and provided them an opportunity to present any matters of concern to the Committee.  Mr. Zachwieja introduced himself to the Committee and stated he was a resident of Pleasant Hill Road, Kingston Township.  Several of the residents had safety concerns with the increase of vehicle traffic now traveling over their road due to the closure of Genoa Road for bridgework.  Residents pulling out of driveways and approaching traffic are unable to see each other in several locations due to the natural lay of the land.  Traffic backs up onto the railroad tracks while waiting to enter Illinois State Route 72.  Also of concern is this once gravel, road which is now seal coated, is not marked with center or edge lines or no passing zones and this is making travel a challenge at best.  Residents had contacted the Kingston Road District Highway Commissioner and DeKalb County Sheriff Office but still remain concerned about safety for all residents and the traveling public.  Mr. Lorence explained some reasons for the increase in traffic and provided some options that may be available to the residents provided the Kingston Road District Highway Commissioner agrees to them.  It was the Committee’s recommendation that the Chairman prepare and send a letter the Highway Commissioner requesting this situation be revisited and additional options explored.  Chairman Wilson agreed to do so.  The Committee thanked the Residents for coming and being a part of County Government.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

Motion made by Ms. Fullerton to approve the minutes of October 3, 2002 and Mr. MacMurdo seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 

Motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. VanBuer and seconded by Ms. Fauci.  Discussion followed to amend agenda, adding item 1f, a resolution to authorize the DeKalb County Board Chairman to sign a Cooperative Agreement formulating a Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Committee recommended adding the resolution as item 1f.   Agenda was approved as amended unanimously.

AUTHORIZATION OF MFT FUNDS TO BE USED FOR COUNTY ENGINEER’S SALARY FOR JANUARY 1, 2003 THRU DECEMBER 31, 2003: 

            Chairman Wilson presented the resolution and explained that MFT funding is one of many funding streams used to pay salaries of the Highway Department employees.  The use of MFT funds for this purpose was an appropriate use of funds and is keeping with past practice.  Motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Mr. VanBuer to present the resolution to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion carried unanimously. 

COUNTY MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION: 

            Mr. Lorence presented a County Maintenance Resolution appropriating MFT funds for salaries, benefits, and equipment rental for the next calendar year.  Mr. Lorence explained how MFT funds are used by Counties to help offset the cost of salaries and equipment purchases for the Highway Department.  This resolution would be an estimate of the amount of funds needed for the year based upon projected projects and a supplemental resolution might be needed to close out the MFT year.   

Motion was made by Ms. Fauci and seconded by Mr. Slack to present subject resolution to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.   Motion carried unanimously. 

ORDINANCE 2003-01 TO ESTABLISH STATUARY 30 MPH SPEED ZONE ON BRICKVILLE ROAD AND EAST COUNTY LINE ROAD:

            Mr. Lorence explained the Ordinance before the Committee for urban district speed zones being established at 30 MPH for Brickville Road from Briar Lane to the Sycamore City Limits and East County Line Road from Maple Park Road to 1030 feet South of the Union Pacific Railroad crossing.  After discussion a Motion was made by Mr. Slack and seconded by Mr. MacMurdo to present subject ordinance to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.   Motion carried unanimously. 

JURISDICTIONAL TRANSFER OF THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE OF SOUTH COUNTY LINE ROAD FROM DEKALB COUNTY TO SANDWICH ROAD DISTRICT: 

            Mr. Lorence explained this jurisdictional transfer would be a lengthy process.  Several parties would have to agree to give up and to accept this portion of the road.  Because this road is a county line road both DeKalb and LaSalle Counties as well as Sandwich and Northville Road Districts would have to agree to this transfer.  Mr. Lorence explained that the approval of this resolution would authorized the chairman to sign the appropriate documents necessary to accomplish the transfer but the transfer would not take place unless all parties agreed.  It was further explained the rational for this transfer was that portion of the road was the farthest southerly portion of DeKalb County Road system and it is not currently connected to any of our roads.  By doing this transfer it would allow residents in this area to be served by a road district that could respond to their routine maintenance needs in a timely manner.  Motion was made by Ms. Fauci and seconded by Ms. Fullerton to present subject resolution and the intergovernmental agreement to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval and authorize the Chairman to sign the appropriate documents.   Motion carried unanimously. 

JURISDICTIONAL TRANSFER OF 565 FEET OF SOUTH COUNTY LINE ROAD FROM DEKALB COUNTY TO THE CITY OF SANDWICH: 

            Mr. Lorence explained this particular transfer, which is very similar to the above.  However, this transfer only involves the City of Sandwich.  The City of Sandwich has already agreed to accept this portion of South County Line Road and it would be beneficial to all parties if this transfer were agreed to. Motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Mr. Van Buer to present subject resolution and the intergovernmental agreement to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval and authorize the Chairman to sign the appropriate documents.   Motion carried unanimously 

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FORMING THE DEKALB-SYCAMORE AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (DSATS): 

            Chairman Wilson explained the resolution before the Committee.  DSATS would be charged with providing continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning in and around the DeKalb-Sycamore Urbanized area.    Because the DeKalb-Sycamore area has a population in excess of 50,000 it  requires the formulation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization in order to continue to receive Federal capital or operating assistance for transportation.  Motion was made by Ms. Fullerton and seconded by Ms. Fauci to present subject resolution and cooperative agreement to the DeKalb County Board for consideration and approval to authorize the Chairman to sign the appropriate documents.   Motion carried unanimously. 

BID AWARDS: 

            Chairman Wilson explained that all bid letting for the Highway Department would be held the Tuesday before our regularly scheduled meetings at 10:00am in the Highway Department conference room whenever possible.  All lettings are either advertised in the Daily Chronicle or the Illinois Department of Transportation Notice to Contractors Bulletin published by the State every week.  Chairman Wilson invited all committee members to attend these lettings if they so desire.   

EQUIPMENT AWARDS: 

Mr. Lorence explained the first bid award for new equipment.  Cost, rotation schedule, and the product being purchased were discussed with members. Motion was made by Mr. Van Buer and seconded by Mr. Slack to recommend to the DeKalb County Board that the award for a new tandem cab and chassis be awarded to Northwest Ford; and that the one ton cab and chassis with dump box be awarded to Brad Manning Ford as the low bidders meeting specifications.   Motion carried unanimously. 

GENERAL COUNTY LETTINGS: 

Mr. Lorence explained the procedures for the General County letting that takes place every year.  This letting ensures the County receives the best possible price from surrounding vendors as County forces perform maintenance on all County roads for next year.  These prices also apply to all Road Districts throughout DeKalb County.  After discussion a Motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Mr. Van Buer to recommend to the DeKalb County Board that they approve all bidders for the upcoming 2003 maintenance season and award the bid for Liquid Calcium Chloride to Sicalco, Ltd of Hinsdale, Illinois as being the low bidder meeting specification for that product.  Motion carried unanimously. 

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS: 

                Chairman Wilson gave a brief overview of the Committee.  He provided all committee members with orientation materials, a copy of the Attorney General’s of the State of Illinois “Guide to the Illinois Open Meeting Act” and the DeKalb County Reference and Yearbook for 2002-2003.  Further discussion was held concerning the duties and responsibilities of the Committee and the need to focus more on Economic Development then there has been in the past.  Chairman Wilson also confirmed that the current meeting time and date was agreeable with the Committee and they would continue with that schedule.  Everyone agreed they are looking forward to the challenges ahead. 

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Lorence directed the committee’s attention to his report and explained it briefly.  Time was spent on the Genoa Railroad Bridge Project to provide an overview of the project and how the project received funding and the projected completion date.  Due to the late hour Mr. Lorence will provide greater detail on current highway projects at a later date.  A tour of the new facilities will be provided during the January meeting to those committee members wishing to do so.

ADJOURNMENT: 

            Mr. MacMurdo moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Gudmunson.   Motion carried unanimously and the December 5, 2002 meeting adjourned at 9:44 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted 

___________________
                                                                                    John A. Wilson
                                                                                    Chairman