The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday May 8, 2003 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. Slack and Mr. VanBuer.  Also present were William Lorence, County Engineer and Wayne Davey, Highway Department Support Services Manager. Guest included Mr. Clive Turvey and Mr. James Quinn.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Mr. MacMurdo to approve the minutes of April 3, 2003 and Mr. VanBuer seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Ms. Fauci to approve the agenda and Mr. Slack seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

JURISDICTIONAL TRANSFER:

            Chairman Wilson called on Mr. Lorence to review the Local Agency Agreement for Jurisdictional Transfer of South County Line Road to the City of Sandwich. 

Mr. Lorence explained this transfer was a revisit of the action brought before the Committee during the December 5, 2002 meeting.  At that time the recommendation was to transfer this same section of road to the City of Sandwich and the Sandwich Road District.  The Sandwich Road District Commissioner declined to accept a portion of the road.  Since that time, the City of Sandwich has agreed to accept the County’s portion of South County Line Road (.75 miles) upon approval by IDOT and the resurfacing of this portion of the roadway.  Resurfacing is scheduled for construction year 2004.  LaSalle County will also be transferring their .75-mile section of roadway to the City of Sandwich and will share the cost of resurfacing.   A motion was made by Ms. Fullerton and seconded by Ms. Fauci to present the Local Agency Agreement for Jurisdictional Transfer and the resolution to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion carried unanimously.  

BID AWARDS:

Chairman Wilson presented the recommended bid awards for the two bridge projects, crack sealer, Sycamore Aggregate project, and two construction replacement vehicles. 

Mr. Lorence explained that the low bids were received by the following contractors: 

Len Trovero Construction of LaSalle, Illinois for Section 99-00189-00-BR, for the replacement of a bridge on Chicago Road over Little Indian Creek between Leland Road and Burma Road at $229,002.58.

Riber Construction of Dwight, Illinois for Section 02-00200-00-BR, for the replacement of a bridge super-structure on Chicago Road over Indian Creek between Shabbona Road and Sleepy Hollow Road at $271,061.80.

A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Ms. Fauci to award the bridge projects as noted and to recommend approval to the DeKalb County Board.  Motion carried unanimously.

Midwest Construction of Fox River Grove, Illinois for section 2003 Crack Sealer for the purchase of 30,000 pounds of roadway crack sealer for use on various roads within DeKalb County at $7,200.00.  A motion was made by Ms. Fullerton and seconded by Mr. MacMurdo to award the 2003 Crack Sealer as noted and to recommend approval to the DeKalb County Board.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Mike Mooney Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac, Inc of DeKalb, Illinois for the purchase of two construction vehicles:  One 2004 ¾ ton Pick-up Truck and one 2004 Utility Vehicle.  The low bid meeting specifications for the pick-up truck was $28,803.63.  The low bid meeting specifications for the utility vehicle was $23,908.48.  A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Ms. Fauci to award the vehicles as noted and to recommend approval to the DeKalb County Board.  Motion carried unanimously.  

Elmer Larson, LLC of Sycamore, Illinois for Section 03-18000-00-GM for 12,700 ton of aggregate to be spread on Swanson Road in Sycamore Road District at $89,789.00. A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Ms. Fauci to award the aggregate as noted and to recommend approval to the DeKalb County Board.  Motion carried unanimously.   The resolution will cover all the above-mentioned awards and is forwarded to the full DeKalb County Board recommending approval.

GIS GRANT AND RESOLUTION:

Mr. Lorence explained the State has some grant funding available to improve GIS within Counties.  The Highway Department has coordinated with the County’s Information Management Office and has devised a plan to improve the planning of future transportation needs of the County.  This funding will be used to purchase hardware and to develop software that could be used to aid the County in several areas of transportation planning, asset management, and funding.  The Information Management Office is providing the County match for this funding project.    A motion was made by Ms. Fauci and seconded by Ms. Fullerton to present the resolution and GIS Grant to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion carried unanimously. 

TRENCHING OF UNDERGROUND UTILITIES ON COUNTY RIGHT-OF- WAYS:

            Mr. Lorence explained to the Committee that he has received concerns by residents referencing the method of placing utilities on County right-of-ways.  Some methods are sealing off field tiles and inhibiting the proper drainage of land.  This leads to standing water and is cause for health concerns.  Mr. Lorence explained that by having all utilities trenched in to the County right-of-ways some of these problems could be identified at an early stage and corrective action taken before the utility company has left the area being worked.  The Committee directed the County Engineer to change the permit to require all utilities to be trenched at an appropriate depth.  Utility Companies will be notified of this change by a separate letter prior to the changes taking effect.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:

Chairman Wilson explained some of the pit falls when awarding bids for projects.  The County must continue its practice of awarding bid to the lowest bidder meeting specifications when utilizing MFT funds for projects.  Mr. Wilson referenced a recent article in the Chronicle where a bid was not awarded to the low bidder and the fact that legal proceedings are pending.  This was brought before the Committee as a matter of information. 

Chairman Wilson explained to the Committee that there appears to be no pressing business requiring action scheduled for the June 5, 2003 PI&D meeting.  After discussion it was the conscientious of the Committee to cancel that meeting.  If a matter were to present itself that required the Committee’s action it could be acted upon prior to the regular Board meeting on June 18, 2003.

 As a matter of information concerning the Wind Farm there has been no movement toward construction at this time.  Chairman Wilson requested Mr. Lorence keep the Committee appraised of any progress being made in this area.

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS:

            Mr. Lorence explained the status of current projects.  Both Chicago Road bridge projects will be requested to commence at the same time eliminating the need to close and detour Chicago Road twice this summer.  Plans are to have both bridges start after school is out and completed before harvest this fall.   The Genoa Railroad Bridge is about 80% complete and it is possible that the road could be open to traffic by the middle of June 2003.  Greenwood Acre Drive and Barber Greene Road, although not County funded projects, are being supervised by the County Engineer and progressing satisfactorily.  When the weather allows for drying the urban section of Greenwood Acre Drive should continue to progress.

ADJOURNMENT:

            There being no further business to be brought before the Committee Mr. MacMurdo moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Fullerton.   Motion carried unanimously and the May 8, 2003 meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

John Wilson
                                                                                    Chairman