The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday, May 6, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.  

Committee members present were Chairman Wilson, Vice-Chairman MacMurdo, Mr. Slack, and Mr. VanBuer.  Also present were William Lorence, County Engineer, Wayne Davey, Highway Department Support Services Manager, Mr. Roger Hopkins, Executive Director Economic Development,  Mr. Larry Anderson, Malta, Mr. Larry Lundgren, DeKalb, Mr. Harold Overton, DeKalb and Mr. Steve Kuhn, Sycamore.

            Chairman Wilson introduced Mr. Roger Hopkins to the Committee and Mr. Hopkins provided an update on the state of economic development in DeKalb County.  Mr. Hopkins informed the Committee that over the last seven years DeKalb County has lost approximately 4,000 jobs while gaining only approximately 1,000 jobs.  The job loss comes mainly from the commercial/industrial segment of the economy.  The commercial/industrial segment traditionally lags behind the recovery effort by about 18 months and DeKalb County is beginning to see this area improve.  Small business interest in DeKalb County is behind expectations.  Companies are finding ways to do more with less of a labor force and are re-tooling to become more efficient.  The EDC, in addition to continuing their efforts to attract new businesses to our area is also very involved in attempting to keep current jobs in DeKalb County.  AG Communications has been occupying a considerable amount of the EDC time these past weeks.  The AgCo building and Encoat are still receiving some interest but nothing to report at this time.  Committee members inquired what does the EDC consider to be a small business and the answer was a business that has less than $50 million in sales.  Committee members wanted to know if/how the EDC actively solicits business to our area.  Mr. Hopkins indicated that the EDC does solicit businesses to the area through networking, working with the utilities and railroads and direct mailings.  The Committee inquired into the status of some pending interest by certain industries to relocate to DeKalb County.  The Committee wanted to know if Mr. Hopkins could pinpoint any major concerns/roadblocks that are putting DeKalb County in a noncompetitive position for new industry coming to DeKalb.  Mr. Hopkins indicated that no particular concern has been brought to his attention, however non-union labor continues to be explored.  Mr. Hopkins also indicated that buildings need to be in place to allow businesses to move in quickly rather than having to wait for up to 15 months.  DeKalb County also needs to overcome the notion that we are too far from Chicago and that we have a small labor force.  The EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy) tax credit was discussed and the advantage the State of Wisconsin has over Illinois with their 7.9% corporation credit compared to Illinois’ 3% credit available for the creation of new jobs.  The effective property tax rate in Janesville is 2.2% of market value compared to approximately 2.8% in the City of DeKalb, and nearly 3% in Kirkland and Sycamore.  By comparison Rockford is over 3.5% of market value.  Unemployment in DeKalb County is currently 1 ½ % over the State average and there are approximately 3,200 individuals unemployed here.  Although we have been losing jobs in the commercial/industrial segment we have been gaining jobs in the retail/service segments.  Discussion was held concerning the I-39 Corridor Group that Mr. Hopkins is currently serving as the Executive Director.  There was concern by the Committee that while serving in this position Mr. Hopkins would have to recommend against businesses coming to DeKalb County and recommending they go to other Counties.  Mr. Hopkins stated he has not been placed in that position and he does not see that happening.  It remains the responsibility of the citizens to convince industry to relocate here by allowing tax abatements and other incentives.  For information Mr. Hopkins indicated that at some point it would be a good idea to look at a tax cap.  The State of Wisconsin is proposing a statewide tax cap that may be passed in the near future.  The Committee thanked Mr. Hopkins for taking time to meet with them and discussing economic development in DeKalb County. 

Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:45.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Mr. VanBuer and seconded by Mr. MacMurdo to approve the minutes of April 1, 2004.   With no discussion, the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 

Motion made by Mr. MacMurdo to approve the agenda and Mr. VanBuer seconded this motion.  Discussion followed to amend the agenda by deleting item 1 due to no bids being received for this project.   The motion carried unanimously to approve the agenda as amended.   

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD FOR IRENE ROAD BRIDGE 95-05125-00-BR AND AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT

Mr. Lorence explained to the Committee that the County has been in the process of replacing the historical bridge located on Irene Road in Franklin Road District since 1995.  The bid letting for this project was held on May 4, 2004 at the Highway Department and the low bidder meeting specifications for section 95-05125-00-BR was Civil Constructors, Inc. of IL of Freeport, Illinois in the amount of $795,428.29.  Mr. Lorence recommended to the Committee that this project be awarded Civil Constructors.  Mr. Lorence also explained to the Committee that due to the time involved in getting this project let, the original estimate used for budget purposes ($450,000.00) requires an amendment to the Aid to Bridge Budget line item in the amount of $420,000.00.  This additional amount is needed to cover the anticipated cost of construction and engineering fees for this project.  Motion made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Mr. VanBuer to present the resolution awarding the bridge project to the low bidder meeting specifications and the budget amendment to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion passed unanimously. 

RESOLUTION FOR ANTICIPATION OF TOWNSHIP BRIDGE FUNDS

            Mr. Lorence explained to the Committee that the Irene Road Bridge is being built with Township Bridge Funds and are allocated from the State on a yearly basis.  Due to the fact that the balance in this fund and the annual allocation is not sufficient to cover the cost of the Irene Road Bridge a resolution is required to allow the State of Illinois to pay back DeKalb County yearly for the amount spent on this project.   It is anticipated that it will take the State of Illinois approximately 4.25 years to repay the Aid to Bridge fund that will be used to front the cost for this project.  The committee inquired if these Township Bridge Funds were delayed to the County or had they been received on a timely basis.  The Committee was informed that the County has and would receive these funds every August until the indebtedness is repaid.  The Committee was also informed that these funds are set aside by the Legislature and it would require the Legislature to discontinue this funding.  Motion made by Mr. Slack and seconded by Mr. MacMurdo to present the resolution for anticipation of Township Bridge Funds to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion passed unanimously. 

DISCUSSION OF TIMING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MALTA ROAD EXTENSION

            The Committee discussed the need to schedule a Public Hearing for the planned expansion of Malta Road.  This was brought to the Committee at the direction of the full County Board at their April meeting.  Several public hearings were held during the Comprehensive Planning processes and the Malta Road Extension was planned at that time.  Concerns reported to the Committee from citizens were that the County should not be taking farmland for roads and why is the County doing this project for Kishwaukee College and not doing a project for Northern Illinois University.  The Committee was informed that the County was not taking any farmland but simply reserving a portion of land for road improvement purposes that was being consumed by approved development.  As development moves to the west, improvements will need to be made to the infrastructure allowing for the safe movement of traffic to and from this subdivision.  This reservation of land should reduce the frustration of homeowners in this subdivision so that when/if this extension is built the County will not be required to purchase any additional land from homeowners.  This plan will also serve to alert the public as well that a future road project is in the planning stages for this area.  The road would be built over the railroad tracks allowing emergency access to the south side of the Village of Malta when a train is blocking the tracks.  The Committee was not sure of the need for a public hearing at this time because there was no additional information available to provide.  As the project gets closer the Committee will discuss the need for additional public hearings to be held at Kishwaukee College at some date to be determined.  In the meantime the County Engineer was directed to prepare and send a letter to the Mayor of the Village of Malta informing him of the County’s willingness to hold an information meeting if he so desires.

DISCUSSION FOR A PILOT PROGRAM FOR TRANSPORTING VETERANS LIVING IN DEKALB COUNTY

            The Committee was presented a draft resolution by Committee member Mr. Slack, establishing a veteran’s transportation assistance fund and “VetVAC” transportation service.  Motion made by Mr. Slack and seconded by Mr. VanBuer to present this resolution to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Discussion followed:  Mr. Slack explained that DeKalb County has an estimated 18,000 veterans and more that 15 associated service organizations.  Currently DeKalb County does not have a Veterans Assistance Commission that would provide or coordinate services to veterans.  The draft resolution funds a pilot program in the amount of $35,000.00 for the purpose of paying drivers and reimbursing TRANSVAC for providing door to door transportation of Veterans to various VA facilities in northern Illinois.  This assistance is needed and currently lacking in DeKalb County.  These funds would be provided from unbudgeted revenues received by DeKalb County as a result of the Governor’s Tax Amnesty program and that by agreeing to this pilot program the County would not be committing to any long term funding requirement.  Discussion was held stating that just because the County received $35,000.00 in unbudgeted revenue that there is nothing to say that it would not have an equal amount of unbudgeted expenditures to assign these funds to.  It was explained that the County makes funds available during the budget process for social services programs as well as funding economic development corporation as well as other entities.  If this pilot program identified a need to continue this program then funds could be requested and made available through this process.  Alternative funding sources were discussed for this program ranging from DeKalb County Foundation to the individual township special assistance programs.  The County could further place a referendum on the ballot to allow a tax for this purpose if the citizens were in favor of this program.  Mr. Overton, American Legion Post 66, addressed the Committee and explained the need for transportation of Veterans in DeKalb County.  He stated the need is great and will only become greater as our troops return from current overseas operations.  Mr. Overton stated it was time for the County to step up to the plate and provide this needed assistance to the Veterans for this pilot program.  Committee members expressed concerns that if this program was funded for one year and then no additional funds could be identified for future years that this would be a disservice to the veterans.  Additional discussion pointed out that a pilot program was for the purpose of gathering information and data to allow for an informed decision to be made about continuing this program and does not commit the County to any future funding.  Because this is an important issue that needed the support of the full Committee Mr. Slack made a motion to table this item until the June meeting of the PI&D Committee where it would be further discussed.  Mr. MacMurdo seconded this motion and the motion passed unanimously. 

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS: 

            Due to the time Chairman Wilson deferred his comments and turned the floor over to the County Engineer. 

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS:

Mr. Lorence informed the Committee that the Scout Road Bridge project is completed and opened to traffic.  Irene Road bridge project has been let and is now awaiting award approval of the full Board.  Bethany Road Extension is still in the ROW process and will not be let until all right-of-way has cleared all legal proceedings.  The working day clock on the Old State Road project has begun even though no work has started.   IDOT has denied the Contractor’s request to modify the start date due to other commitments by the Contractor.  

Mr. Lorence provided the Committee with updated information of the Prairie Parkway Study as well as the Northwest Kane County Planning Area.  Information was also provided concerning the Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club Swedish Days bicycle ride that will be held in portions of DeKalb County on June 27, 2004. 

ADJOURNMENT: 

            There being no further business to be brought before the Committee Mr. MacMurdo moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. VanBuer.   Motion carried unanimously and the May  6, 2004 meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M. 

Respectfully Submitted 

John A. Wilson
                                                                                    Chairman