DRAFT

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

March 4, 2010

A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held on Thursday March 4, 2010 at 6:00pm in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.  

Chairperson LaVigne called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.  Committee members present were Vice-Chairperson Augsburger, Mr. Emerson and Mr. Gudmunson.  Also present were Mr. William Lorence, County Engineer, Wayne Davey, Support Services Manager, and Mr. Larry Forsberg, Squaw Grove Resident. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Mr. Gudmunson and seconded by Mr. Emerson to approve the minutes of the regular February 4, 2010 meeting.  The motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Vice-Chair Augsburger to approve the agenda and Mr. Gudmunson seconded this motion.   The motion to approve the agenda carried unanimously. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Mr. Forsberg addressed the Committee stating his concern over the expenditure of tax dollars by DeKalb County for a planned roundabout at the intersection of Glidden and Rich Roads.  Mr. Forsberg stated he was involved in a horrific accident there on May 6, 2006 along with his son.  Both are still dealing with their injuries sustained from that accident.  With that said Mr. Forsberg stated a four-way stop would have most likely prevented his accident.  Mr. Forsberg noted that the cost of additional signage and flashers if needed would be a considerable cost savings to the taxpayers.  This tax savings, in his opinion, would accomplish what the roundabout is designed to do and that is to make travel safer and prevent accidents/lessen their severity.  At an estimated cost of $1,200,000.00 Mr. Forsberg feels this is not an appropriate project for those funds nor is Glidden and Rich the correct location for such a project.

 Mr. Lorence stated that DeKalb County has requested additional federal funds to assist with this project and feels confident that IDOT will provide that additional funding.  Few projects qualify for High Risk Rural Funds that have been set aside for this project and there is a possibility that 100% funding could be acquired.  The most DeKalb County would be responsible for would be ten (10%) percent or approximately $120,000.  

Mr. Forsberg thanked the Committee for their time and reiterated that a four-way stop would serve the same purpose and save the taxpayers over a million dollars.

Mr, Lorence stated again that the intersection of Glidden and Rich Roads does not meet the current warrants for a four way stop and the likelihood for meeting traffic signal warrant in the future were slim.  Mr. Lorence stated that his predecessor was directed by full County Board to install an unwarranted four-way stop at the intersection of Cherry Valley and Glidden Roads.  If the County Board so directed, the County Engineer would follow their direction, but that is not an option he would be in favor of.  Warrants are established for a reason and these warrants are nationwide and apply to all jurisdictions of government.  An unwarranted stop condition would have legal consequences if ever challenged in a court of law.

AWARD RESOLUTION #R2010-18 FOR 2010 ROAD DISTRICT HOT-MIX PROJECTS:   

Mr. Lorence explained that bids were taken for the 2010 Road District hot-mix projects. There were six projects being bid, however only three (3) need to be awarded by the full County Board due to the expenditure of Township MFT funds.  Of the competitive bids received Curran Contracting Company submitted the low bid meeting specifications for the following projects:  a) Sandwich Road District to resurface East Sandwich Road in the amount of $185,089.50 and,  b) Somonauk Road District to resurface Governor Beveridge Highway in the amount of $66,195.00.  Peter Baker and Son submitted the low bid meeting specifications for the Sycamore Road District project to resurface Base Line and Lukens Road in the amount of $305,655.45.  Mr. Lorence recommended approval to these two low bidders as noted.  A motion was made by Vice-Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Emerson to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion carried unanimously. 

RESOLUTION #R2010-11 FOR REVISED LOCAL AGENCY AGREEMENT FOR FEDERAL PARTICIPATION FOR GLIDDEN/RICH ROAD ROUNDABOUT:   

A motion was made by Mr. Emerson and seconded by Vice-Chair Augsburger to remove this item from the Table.  The motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Lorence explained that IDOT was currently reviewing our request for additional funds to complete this project.  Until that decision has been made Mr. Lorence recommended that this item be once again tabled until the May 2010 meeting.  A motion was made by Mr. Emerson and seconded by Mr. Gudmunson to table this item to the May Highway Committee meeting.  The motion carried unanimously. 

CHAIR’S COMMENTS:      None

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

The Transportation Improvement Progress Report for February was provided to the Committee for their review.  The highlighted projects on the report were discussed.  Perry Road and Peace Road will both be scheduled for a May 2010 letting.  Preliminary Engineering is progressing on the Kane Road culvert project as well as Five Points Road Bridge and Coltonville Road Bridge.  The estimate for the Old State Road Bridge project has been completed and the cost of this structure is less than originally estimated.  Due to this bridge costing less than $1,000,000 it does not qualify for Major

Bridge Funds and the County will now be looking at Federal and State funding to assist with this project.  Base Line Road Bridge is now in the design phase and is projected at 99% complete. The widening of Glidden Road and Somonauk Road are continuing to progress.  Kane County is planning to move forward during 2012 for the replacement of their bridge on East County Line Road.  Kane County will be paying for approximately 82% of that replacement with DeKalb County paying the remaining 18%. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:   Mr. Gudmunson requested that the May agenda include the placement of a four-way stop at Glidden and Rich roads for discussion.  Mr. Lorence stated he would place it on the agenda.

Vice-Chair Augsburger inquired if the County has a policy that would pay farmers to leave corn in the field during the winter months to assist with snow build up on County Roads.  Mr. Lorence stated the County has a standing policy that would pay farmers approximately $350.00 per acre for corn left standing for snow control purposes.  Farmers have not participated in this option over the last few years due to the inconvenience caused in the spring of trying to harvest a small area with large equipment and the inability to prepare that ground in the fall for the spring planting season.

Mr. Lorence stated he would not be present for the scheduled April 1^st Highway Committee meeting.  It was agreed by consensus that the April meeting be cancelled.

ADJOURNMENT:

Chairperson 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 Vice-Chair Augsburger to adjourn and Mr. Gudmunson seconded this motion. The motion passed unanimously and the March 4, 2010 meeting was adjourned at 6:42p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted

Patricia LaVigne

Chairperson