The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development committee of the

DeKalb County Board met on Thursday February 6, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.   Vice-Chairman MacMurdo called the meeting to order. 

Committee members present were Vice-Chairman MacMurdo, Ms. Fauci, Ms. Fullerton, Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. Slack and Mr. VanBuer. Also present were William Lorence, County Engineer, Ray Bockman, County Administrator, Wayne Davey, Highway Department Support Services Manager, Mr. Greg Millburg, Farm Bureau, Mr. Tom Zucker, TransVAC and Mr. Clive Turvey.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

Motion made by Ms. Fullerton to approve the minutes of January 2, 2003 and Mr. VanBuer seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 

It was discussed to amend the agenda by deleting item 2, Speed Zone Ordinance, and replacing it with an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of DeKalb.  It was further recommended to add an overview of Section 5311, presented by Mr. Tom Zucker of the Volunteer Action Center (TransVAC) to the agenda under new business and allow Mr. Zucker to give his overview as item number 1.  Motion to amend and approve the agenda was made by Mr. VanBuer and seconded by Ms. Fauci.  Motion carried unanimously.

OVERVIEW OF SECTION 5311 (Federal Transit Funds, Rural):

            Mr. Bockman explained to the Committee that they would be responsible to recommend to the full County Board certain Ordinances and Resolutions that may be required from time to time in order for the County to receive transit funds.   Mr. Bockman then introduced Mr. Zucker to the Committee and Mr. Zucker explained to the Committee that DeKalb County would now become the Grantee for Section 5311 Rural Transit funds.  These funds are provided through a grant administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and are passed to eligible grantees.  The City of DeKalb was the recipient in the past of this $375,000 grant for public transportation, but due to the fact that the DeKalb-Sycamore-Cortland Area has been certified as an urbanized area this grant is now distributed in two parts, urban and rural.  The City of DeKalb will continue to be the grantee for the urban grant and the County will become the recipient for the rural grant, estimated at $128,000. Both the County and the City of DeKalb will pass these grants through to TransVAC for the purpose of providing public transportation throughout DeKalb County and the metropolitan areas located therein.  Mr. Zucker explained that the purpose of this grant is for providing public transportation and everyone is eligible for this service.  This grant would cover one half of the operating expense, after fees collected had been applied, and 80% of the administrative expenses.  TransVAC provided 140,000 route trips to 3,000 riders last year.  Liability associated with the County being the Grantee was explained as minimal per Mr. Bockman.

MFT RESOLUTION FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:

            Mr. Lorence explained to the Committee the purpose of the MFT Resolution before the Committee.  These funds will be used in conjunction with local Matching Tax funds to resurface E. County Line Road north of Maple Park and Kirkland Road.  The estimated total funding for this project is $781,800.00 and the County Engineer is recommending $429,990.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds be expended on this project.  Motion made by Mr. VanBuer to present the resolution to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of Approval.  Ms. Fullerton seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

VICE-CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS: 

Vice-Chairman MacMurdo provided an opportunity to Committee members for sharing their issues, questions or concerns they would like to receive feedback on or items to be addressed at a later time.  Issues presented to the Committee included looking at ways to control the speed of vehicles in areas where existing laws and regulations prohibit reducing speed limits; increasing the County’s share of MFT revenue by encouraging Corporations with fleet vehicles to register, fuel, and park these vehicles overnight in DeKalb County; increase in bike paths to connect communities; finding ways to solve concerns of citizens who appear before the Committee; continue to be cost conscious in all areas of operation; provide a value analysis to all funding resolutions presented to the Committee to ensure citizens are receiving the very best for their dollar; and develop, recommend and present projects that would better link Kishwaukee College to the surrounding metropolitan areas through transportation routes and bike paths.  Vice-Chairman MacMurdo requested the County Engineer to compile and maintain this list for future reference.   

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Lorence explained the status of current projects and highlighted those projects scheduled for letting in the coming months (April/June). It was pointed out that project number 8 is a Federally funded project and it has been scheduled to be let April 25, 2003 in Springfield vs. during June as indicated.  The County was notified of this change on February 6, 2003.  All projects remain on schedule with the exception of project number 14, the Genoa Road Railroad Viaduct.  The County is concerned with the lack of progress being made on that project and has notified the contractor that we would support the enforcement of the $1,300.00 day penalty for late completion. 

            An update was provided on proposals being staffed for the permitting of roads to be used by FPL during the construction of wind farms in DeKalb County’s Shabbona and Malta Road Districts.  If/when the DeKalb County Board authorizes the farms to be constructed, there will be a procedure in place to allow for the centralizing of permit issuing.  The DeKalb County Engineer would handle this function for the County as well as the Road Districts involved in DeKalb County and the Lee County Engineer would do the same for Lee County.  This will ensure a unified and consistent process.  FPL will be expected to post a bond to cover the cost of the expected road surface damage during construction of the wind farm.

            Mr. Slack inquired what method the Highway Department used to adjust for the increase in prices of material/products consumed during the year.  Mr. Lorence explained that labor cost has the most impact on the Department’s budget and the budget is adjusted to the cost of living increase projected for the coming year.  If material prices soar during the construction year the Department would be forced to prioritize the construction projects to remain within the budget.  The tax levy is already at the maximum amount authorized and any additional sources of revenue would have to come through a referendum. 

ADJOURNMENT: 

            There being no further business to be brought before the Committee Ms. Fauci moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Fullerton.   Motion carried unanimously and the February 7, 2003 meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

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                                                                                    James R. MacMurdo
                                                                                    Vice Chairman