The regular monthly meeting of the Public Infrastructure and Development Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday, July 1, 2004 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, Mr. Faivre, 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. Ray Bockman, County Administrator, Ms. Joan Berkes-Hanson, IMO Director, Mr. Dennis Sands, Ms. Pat LaVigne, Mr. Roger Steimel, Ms. Eileen Dubin (Board Members), Mr. Tom Zucker, Director TRANSVAC,  Mr. Larry Anderson, Malta, Mr. Larry Lundgren, DeKalb, Mr. Harold Overton, DeKalb, Mr. Steve Kuhn, Sycamore, Mr. Jon Lehuta, DeKalb, Mr. Ray Beaker, DeKalb, and Mr. Miles Floit, Rochelle.

            Chairman Wilson stated for the record that the PI&D Committee did not meet during the month of June due to no items being ready to place on the agenda or needed the attention of the Committee.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

Motion made by Mr. MacMurdo and seconded by Mr. Gudmunson to approve the minutes of May 6, 2004.   After clarification was provided by Mr. Slack for Ms. Fauci concerning two points (the EDGE Tax credit and a tax cap discussed by Mr. Hopkins during his presentation) the motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 

Motion made by Mr. VanBuer to approve the agenda and Ms. Fauci seconded this motion.  Discussion followed to move agenda item # 3 to # 1.   The motion carried unanimously to approve the agenda as amended.   

DISCUSSION OF A PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF VETERANS LIVING IN DEKALB COUNTY (TABLED FROM MAY 6, 2004 MEETING)

Mr. Slack moved to remove this item from the table and Ms. Fauci seconded this motion. The motion carried unanimously.   Mr. Slack presented a Purchase of Service Agreement between DeKalb County and the Voluntary Action Center Inc to provide transportation to VA medical facilities for DeKalb County Veterans.  The agreement would run though November 30, 2005 and the cost to the County would be $35,000.00.  Mr. Slack pointed out there were sunsets or termination points built in to this agreement and they are the earliest of the following events:  A) November 30, 2005; B) The expenditure by the County of $35,000.00; or C) The receipt by the Voluntary Action Center of sustaining funding from another source.

The County Administrator informed the Committee that this arrangement would be the best way for the County to provide this service to the Veterans and it is the most direct way between the veterans and an organization willing to provide the service needed.  

It was discussed that the initial rate (charge) for this service will be $2.25 per mile and this charge may be adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in actual cost by mutual agreement of both parties.  The Committee inquired how that figure was arrived at.  Mr. Zucker informed the Committee this was the cost involved for the MedVac route (salaries/vehicle costs/fuel/indirect costs/etc.) divided by the number of miles for the MedVac Route. 

The Committee wanted to know when this agreement would become effective and was informed this agreement would become effective the date it was adopted/approved by the full County Board. 

The Committee inquired if VAC was actively seeking other sources of funding for this type of service and Mr. Zucker stated VAC was always seeking other funding sources.  Mr. Zucker stated that although this was a bad year for the State Budget he was very hopeful that additional funding would remain in the State budget to assist County’s with transportation needs.  Mr. Zucker stated that despite the State budget predicament that this funding continues to remain in all three versions of the State Budget. 

The Committee requested feedback and information to assess if this program was working and accomplishing what it was set up to do.  Management would have to define what would be considered a successful program and would look for feedback from both VAC and the Veterans.  Mr. Slack indicated he would remain on top of this program and bring any concerns to the Committee as well as regular updates. 

Discussion was held concerning if funds would be better managed through the DeKalb County Foundation and allowed to grow.  Most Foundation grants are for $5,000.00 only and this amount would not support the need for this service.  The County cannot donate money to the Foundation, but can purchase services. 

The Committee pointed out this problem was caused by the Federal Government and it should not be hidden.  The formalization of this need needs to be out in the open and brought to the attention of appropriate government officials. 

The Committee identified the need for marketing this situation throughout the Community and bringing attention to the fact that citizens could make arrangements in their estate planning to provide VAC with donations for this service. 

Ms. Dubin inquired if this cliental has been offered available services through social services and Mr. Zucker informed the Committee that they have.

Mr. Sands wanted to thank those involved for coming to a meeting he called and arriving at a solution for this problem.  Special thanks go to the County Administrator, the Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Slack, Mr. MacMurdo, Mr. Zucker, and the Veterans for bringing this matter to the Board’s attention and allowing this Committee and the Board  the opportunity to address this situation.  Mr. Wilson stated a lot of work went into this solution and it is a classic example of a 24-member board working through its committees to provide solutions to problems.  He thanked all involved for their efforts.   Motion made by Mr. Slack and seconded by Ms. Fauci to present this purchase of service agreement to the DeKalb County Board with a recommendation of approval.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Slack requested that County Board Rule 3e be suspended for him at this time in order for him to attend to a family emergency down state.  Chairman Wilson excused Mr. Slack. 

GIS WEB PROJECT UPDATE:  HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 

Ms. Joan Berkes-Hanson, IMO Director was present to provide the Committee an overview of the progress made on the County GIS IDOT project that will assist in our transportation needs and projects.  IDOT made available $80,000.00 for this project and the County was required to provide a $20,000.00 match.  The agreement term runs from July 2003 through December 2006. Ms. Berkes-Hanson informed the Committee this project will be completed ahead of the December 2006 timeframe and hopes to have it completed by December 2004.

IMO and the Highway Department met and defined seven modules that would be helpful in the day-to-day operation of the Highway Department.  They are GASB-34, Highways, Bridges, Signs, Lighting, Adopt-A-Highway, and Traffic Signals.  To date the requirements and beta versions for five of these seven modules have been completed and features mapped in the GISWeb.  Highways and signs are the two remaining modules and are the most difficult to produce. 

The system-wide feature of this project is that it incorporates the Master Street Table that IMO has completed.  This feature now has a pull down box that contains the correct name of all the streets/roads in the County.  All Departments that use this feature will now have consistency when entering an address into databases and when performing search functions will produce correct data.  The master street table was completed per a County Board Resolution and IMO is the first Department to be in compliance with the new system. 

The project, when completed will have a clean, simple, professional, easy-to-use look and feel and it will incorporate drop-down menus whenever possible.  Ms. Berkes-Hanson walked the Committee through a couple of modules highlighting roads that are adopted throughout the County by Adopt-A-Highway Groups; bridges; and accidents occurring on County Highways.  Roads adopted were highlighted on a highway generated map and all data associated with the group was displayed.  Bridges were plotted on the map as well as accident data providing a wealth of information to the user. 

IMO will continue to work on this project with the development of the sign and highway modules. Sign location will also be provided utilizing GPS technology and the exact location of all County signs will be available in the database.  When the project is up and running some of this data will be available only to the Highway Department for their use.  Training will be conducted for users to ensure appropriate data is inputted and extracted as needed.  Users will be provided instruction on how to navigate the GISWeb through a series of Frequent Asked Questions.

Mr. Wilson thanked Ms. Berkes-Hanson for all her hard work and that of her Department as this project moves forward.  This database will be of tremendous value to the County. 

PRESENTATION BY MR. VANBUER OF FINAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE:

Mr. VanBuer shared his written report with the Committee.  A copy of this report will be provided to all Board members in their monthly Board packets at some future date.  Mr. VanBuer stated his subcommittee was very active in discussions.  At times it was hard to define their role, as it appeared they were discussing the same issues as the Regional Planning Committee.  The subcommittee submitted the following five recommendations to the Board for consideration:

a.                  There is a concern that the population projects used in the Unified Comprehensive Plan may be too conservative and therefore do not adequately reflect the potential urban development impact on DeKalb County.

b.                  A more proactive approach should be taken relative to public infrastructure, especially in regard to North-South major roads.  The possible development of a casino and ancillary facilities could impact the movement of traffic north and south in the County.

c.                  Public transportation must receive immediate emphasis in order to reduce the number of vehicles on County roads. 

d.                  The County must develop a proactive policy to preserve farmland and wetlands.

e.                  In order for the County to play a meaningful role in guiding future growth and development, it must have the governmental powers to develop policy.  Therefore, the County Board should fully discuss the potential gains in moving to becoming a homerule county.

Mr. Wilson thanked Mr. VanBuer for providing the Committee with his report and for all the hard work his subcommittee did.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:   

Chairman Wilson discussed the possibility of rescheduling the Global III Tour for either August 5, or September 2, 2004.  Committee members expressed they were available on either date.  The tour would be scheduled for around 3:30pm at Rochelle and TransVac would transport members from the Highway Department, leaving around 2:45pm.  After the tour members would return to the Highway Department for their regular scheduled meeting.  Mr. Davey will make the arrangements and notify members of the particulars.

Chairman Wilson mentioned the FY-2005 Budget Planning is underway and the calendars are out.  The Committee was informed that if they had issues they wanted the Board to consider while it works on the budget that appropriate forms are available for them to fill out and submit.

Chairman Wilson requested that when the PI&D Committee forwards an award recommendation to the full Board that we provide a one-sheet summary of those who submitted a bid and their total bid price for information only. 

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

Mr. Lorence informed the Committee that the Scout Road Bridge project, South County Line Road, Leland Road and Old State Road projects are completed.  Irene Road bridge project is on hold pending dry weather to allow tree removal and utility pole relocation to begin. 

The Committee viewed a short video entitled “Danger Signs” presented by the American Traffic Safety Services Association.  The video shows the dangers of the wrongful removal of regulatory signs and the consequences that could result.  Two years ago the PI&D Committee directed the Highway Department to provide a copy of this video to local high schools/Colleges/Universities for their information and use as they saw appropriate.  Since that time the Court case in this video had been going through the appeal process and distribution of this video was placed on hold.  All legal proceedings have been completed and the video has been cleared for release.  After discussion about the appropriate place to distribute the video and caution that this video may put the wrong idea in someone’s head, the Committee’s consensus was to proceed with the distribution at this time as previously agreed to.

There was some discussion concerning the Railroad Crossing on Nelson Road south of IL Route 38.  This crossing is very rough and needs some attention.  Mr. Lorence indicated this crossing is scheduled to be replaced for the third time and unfortunately is under the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Railroad.  There is very little the County or Road District can do to have the Railroad replace the crossing ahead of their schedule.

ADJOURNMENT: 

            There being no further business to be brought before the Committee Mr. Faivre moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Fauci.   Motion carried unanimously and the July 1, 2004 meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted

______________________

John A. Wilson