A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Thursday October 5, 2006 at 6:00pm in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.  

Chair LaVigne called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.  Committee members present were, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Fauci, Mr. Osborne and Mr. Whelan.   Also present were Mr. Jerry Busse, Bridge Technician, and Stacy Richardson, Highway Department. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Mr. Whelan and seconded by Ms. Fauci to approve the minutes of the regular September 7, 2006 meeting.  The motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Mr. Anderson to approve the agenda and Mr. Osborne seconded this motion.  The motion carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.    

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None

REVIEW OF PLANS FOR SECTION 05-00212-CF-BR, SUYDAM ROAD BRIDGE:

Committee members were provided with a set of plans for the construction of a single span steel beam bridge with a reinforced concrete deck supported on pile bent abutments.  Also included with these plans will be 725 feet of necessary improvement to the roadway approaches.  All questions concerning the plans were answered to the satisfaction of the Committee.  Concern was expressed as to the timing of the actual construction.  Mr. Busse indicated that because the steel would not be available until approximately April of next year that this project will not be started this year.  As we get closer to a fix time as to when the steel will be available a decision will be made as to when to begin construction.  This will depend on weather and posting conditions.  The road will have to be closed for approximately three months whenever the construction begins.  This project will not interfere with this year’s harvest in this area.

A motion was made by Ms. Fauci to approve the bridge plans and Mr. Anderson seconded this motion.  After further discussion the motion was amended to

include a recommendation to award this project to Civil Constructors, Inc who submitted the lowest bid meeting specifications.  The motion, as amended carried unanimously to forward the award resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.

CHAIR’S COMMENTS:  With the approval of the award resolution for the Suydam Road Bridge project, there will be no need to hold a special Committee meeting before the regular Board meeting on October 18, 2006.

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

The Transportation Improvement Progress Report was provided to the Committee for their review.  

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 

Mr. Whelan inquired if there were any plans to widen Somonauk Road.  Portions are included in the County Engineer’s Five year Transportation Plan and all members should have a copy of that plan.

Mr. Anderson commented that the Highway Department should take steps to eliminate the problem of having excess gravel being plowed into ditches during snow removal operations.  He indicated that one year, maybe could be blamed on weather conditions, but two years would not be acceptable.  Plow operators can adjust their shoes to prevent this from happening.

Ms. Fauci stated that she is on the City of DeKalb’s Environment Committee and studies have determined that the timing of traffic control signals saves fuel/energy.  Her Committee will be submitting that to the City of DeKalb for their consideration especially on Sycamore Road.

ADJOURNMENT:

Chair LaVigne inquired if there was anything else that needed to be brought before the Committee and hearing none asked for a motion to adjourn.  A motion was made by Ms. Fauci to adjourn and this motion was seconded by Mr. Whelan.  The motion passed unanimously and the October 5, 2006 meeting was adjourned at 6:25p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted

Pat LaVigne

Chair