The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday August 7, 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. Gudmunson, Mr. Slack and Mr. VanBuer.  Also present were William Lorence, County Engineer, Mr. Ray Bockman, County Administrator and Wayne Davey, Highway Department Support Services Manager.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

Motion made by Mr. MacMurdo to approve the minutes of May 8, 2003 and Ms. Fullerton seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 

There was discussion to amend the agenda as follows:  Renumber item 1 as item 1a; add item 1b:  Resolution for Jurisdictional Transfer of 1.56 miles of South County Line Road to the Village of Somonauk; add item 1c:  Resolution authorizing the Board Chairman to enter into an agreement with the State of Illinois for the resurfacing of Old State, Esmond, and Lindenwood Road.  Motion made by Mr. VanBuer to approve the agenda as amended and Ms. Fauci seconded this motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY ON COUNTY PROPERTY 

Chairman Wilson called on Mr. Lorence to present this resolution to the Committee.  Mr. Lorence explained to the committee that the State of Illinois has requested a temporary easement to perform highway construction along US 30 in Waterman.  This easement would cover the North and East sides of the Highway Building located at 155 E. Lincoln Highway in Waterman.  The temporary easement would allow for the State to enter County property during construction and they would repave the County’s driveway up to our Building.  There is no cost to the County for this action.  A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Ms. Fauci to present the resolution granting a temporary easement to the State of Illinois to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion carried unanimously.    

RESOLUTION FOR JURISDICTIONAL TRANSFER:    

Mr. Lorence explained this transfer was at the request of the State of Illinois and involves South County Line Road beginning at the intersection of South County Line Road and Gage Street in the Village of Somonauk and proceeding easterly for 1.56 miles.  This road currently is under the jurisdiction and maintenance of LaSalle County.  However, because this road separates DeKalb and LaSalle Counties the State is requiring a Local Agency Agreement for Jurisdictional Transfer.  This segment of road would be transferred to the Village of Somonauk.  There would be no cost to the County.    A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo 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. 

RESOLUTION FOR LOCAL AGENCY AGREEMENT FOR FEDERAL PARTICIPATION: 

            Mr. Lorence explained to the Committee that DeKalb County was selected to receive Federal Funds to assist with the resurfacing of Old State Road, Esmond Road and Lindenwood Road during the 2004 Budget Year.  The estimated cost of this project is $1,000,000.00 and the County’s share of that cost would be 20% or an estimated $200,000.00.  A motion was made by Mr. VanBuer and seconded by Mr. Gudmunson to present the Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation and the resolution to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion carried unanimously. 

RESOLUTION FOR PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM FOR DEKALB COUNTY: 

            Mr. Bockman presented information from the City of DeKalb addressing a five-year decreasing term tax abatement plan that the County may want to adopt as well.  Industrial property, if the County Board approves this program, would be granted a property-tax abatement at 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% and 50% of the improved assessment.  After the fifth year firms would be required to pay 100% of their property taxes. Mr. Bockman stated this abatement could be used as a recruiting tool and incentive to lure industrial firms to locate within DeKalb County.  Mr. Bockman presented three additional handouts in response to earlier questions/concerns by Committee members.  A lengthy discussion followed and Committee members voiced concern about the impact this abatement would have on the school districts.  Additional concern was noted that in these times of financial strain on local governments, should DeKalb County even be looking at this issue.  Also the tax abatement issue ranks down the list of priorities for a firm exploring the possibility of relocating—public infrastructure is the most important.  It was explained that it would be difficult to approach this issue at the time the County has an interested party due to time constraints and confidentiality issues.  There is great concern that the tax burden in DeKalb County will continue to be placed on the shoulders of the residential taxpayer.  During the discussion, the issue of a firm leaving early or shortly after the fifth year of business was addressed.  Mr. Bockman stated the abatement program only pertained to the property taxes being assessed to the property/buildings.  If a firm were to leave prior to the fifth year there would be penalty clauses in the contract that would cancel the abatement program and the owner of the property/building would immediately be responsible for the full 100% of their property taxes.  Mr. Bockman indicated that a tax abatement program for DeKalb County has been part of the EDC strategic plan for years.  It was noted that the Federal and State Governments need to get involved with this issue because they would have a greater impact on the amount of incentives to be offered.  Committee members felt additional time was necessary to allow for discussion with the school districts and to study the additional information provide by Mr. Bockman.  Members would also like to speak with Mr. Hopkins and get his view on the necessity of an abatement program to attract industrial firms to our area.  A motion was made by Mr. Slack and seconded by Ms. Fauci to table this resolution to a later date.  Ms. Fauci, Mr. Slack and Mr. VanBuer voted to table; Ms. Fullerton, Mr. Gudmunson, Mr. MacMurdo and Mr. Wilson voted no.  Motion failed.    Additional discussion occurred as to how the tax burden is being funneled down to local government from the Federal and State Governments.  The City of DeKalb and the County have no desire to create another TIF District due to the restrictions that apply to the expenditure of these funds.  Regional areas were addressed and how that aspect may benefit our area.  A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo to forward the resolution presented by Mr. Bockman to authorize and direct its Chairman to recommend approval of individual projects to the DeKalb County Board as they arise based on the appropriateness of the project and the level of participation by other public and private partners.  The motion died for lack of a second. 

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS: 

Chairman Wilson provided the Committee with information on Section 1306 of H.R. 2088 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003.  This provision would establish rest area commercialization pilot projects along the Interstate Highway System.  Addresses to write to Legislators to support or oppose this provision was provided for any action deemed appropriate by Committee members.   

 The 2004 Budget Calendar was discussed.  Chairman Wilson has invited Mr. Gary Hanson, Deputy County Administrator to the Committee’s September 4^th meeting.  The budget books will be ready on September 3^rd and presented to the Committee on the 4^th, if they have not already received one. 

If any committee member has an item that they want to be considered in the upcoming legislative session should submit their suggestion to Ruth Anne Tobias at their earliest convenience.

The Committee was invited to review the goals set at the beginning of the year.  If anyone wishes to address one or more of these they should feel free to bring the matter up at a later meeting.

The Second Quarter sign report was reviewed.  Mr. Davey explained we are dividing the County into six sections and we will replace signs in one section a year.  The life expectancy of a sign face has been determined to be six years.  By having a replacement schedule the County would not be obligated to conduct annual night inspections of signs and would result in a reduction in personnel costs.

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Lorence explained the status of current projects.  The Chicago Road bridge projects are 60% and 40% complete.  The Genoa Railroad Bridge and East County Line Road are 100% complete and will be deleted from the next report.  Cherry Valley and Five Points Roads are very near completion as well.  These will be 100% completed by the end of this week. The Scout Road bridge is scheduled for a September 2, 2003 letting.  However, due to the time required for advertising this project through IDOT, the letting may have to be postponed.  If the letting is postponed the Committee might be asked to meet 30 minutes prior to the County Full Board meeting on September 17, 2003 to recommend awarding of this project.   

            A brief review of the Department’s 2004 budget submission was provided to the Committee members.  This information should be helpful when the full budget is presented.  For the most part budgeted revenues will increase slightly and overall expenditure will decrease, with the exception of the 3510 budget.  The increase in expenditures in this budget is to cover the anticipated land acquisition and professional services associated with acquiring additional needed right-of-way on Glidden Road and for establishing a right of way reservation for Malta Road. 

            Mr. Lorence presented his annual year in review statement to the Committee highlighting three pages of accomplishments enjoyed by the Department this past year. 

CLOSED SESSION: 

A motion was made by Ms. Fauci and seconded by Mr. Slack to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters.  A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye and the Committee went into closed session at 9:20pm, August 7, 2003. 

A motion was made by Ms. Fauci and seconded by Mr. MacMurdo to return to open session.  A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye and the Committee returned to open session at 10:05pm, August 7, 2003.  No action was taken.

OPEN SESSION:    

            A motion was made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Ms. Fullerton to reconsider the motion to table item 2 on the agenda, Property Tax Abatement, which had been defeated previously this evening.  Motion carried unanimously.

The Committee discussed the importance of this public policy decision and their desire for additional information prior to making a recommendation.  A motion was made by Ms. Fauci and seconded by Mr. MacMurdo to table this item.  Ms. Fauci, Mr. MacMurdo, Mr. Slack and Mr. VanBuer voted to table; Ms. Fullerton, Mr. Gudmunson and Mr. Wilson voted no.  Motion passed.  

ADJOURNMENT: 

There being no further business to be brought before the Committee Mr. VanBuer  moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Gudmunson.   Motion carried unanimously and the August 7, 2003 meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted 

John Wilson,
                                                                                    Chairman