DRAFT

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

August 5, 2010

A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 6:00pm in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.  

Chairperson LaVigne called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.  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. Greg Millburg of DeKalb Farm Bureau.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Mr. Gudmunson and seconded by Vice Chair Augsburger to approve the minutes of the regular July 21, 2010 meeting.  The motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

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

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None

RESOLUTION #R2010-46   ANTICIPATING TOWNSHIP BRIDGE PROGRAM (TBP) FUNDS FOR SECTION 01-09114-00-BR, NORTH GROVE ROAD BRIDGE:

Mr. Lorence explained construction has been completed on North Grove Road Bridge in Mayfield Road District.  On October 15, 2008, the full County Board approved the original Resolution for $226,541.83 of TBP funds for this project.  After final payments have been made on this $1,080,679.97 project, the County is owed an additional $1,253.06 from the State’s Township Bridge Program.  In order to secure those funds this resolution must be submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.  A motion was made by Vice Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Gudmunson to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion carried unanimously.

CHAIR’S COMMENTS:      None

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

The Transportation Improvement Progress Report for July was provided to the Committee for their review.  The highlighted projects on the report were discussed.  The Kane Road box culvert project has been awarded.  Our Old State Road Bridge project is continuing as a County project and should be ready to proceed during 2011.   Coltonville Road Bridge project has been selected for Major Bridge Funding for FY-2016, which begins July 1, 2015.  The County is working to ensure all preliminary and design work is completed and ready to go prior to that date.  Once a project is selected for a program there is a possibility that projects can be scheduled earlier than initially slated.  This is the first time DeKalb County has secured major bridge funds for any bridge project within the County.  Five Points Road Bridge project is continuing to move forward and the County will continue to submit this project for major bridge funding as well.   The DeKalb Road District Gurler Road project is continuing with it redesign.  The Baseline Road Bridge project is still searching for funding opportunities. 

The Committee was provided a copy of the Department’s FY-2011 budget recommendation.  Highlights were discussed with Committee Members.  All fund balances remain strong within the five budgets.  The County’s Motor Fuel Tax budget will see a decrease in funds of approximately $500,000.  The MFT Budget as well as the Matching Tax Budget is built up as needed and then spent down on projects as funds are available.  Fund balances remain healthy in these two budgets and a deficient, although not preferred, should be of little concern at this time. 

The County Engineer is requesting one additional position this year to double encumber his position for a six month period as he nears retirement on June 30, 2011.  The cost for this six month period has been estimated at approximately $60,000.  Mr. Lorence pointed out to the Committee that while two Professional Engineer’s are in house during that six-month period work could proceed on design work for two small bridges.  This design work could be completed in-house with a savings to the County of $18,000 to $20,000 per bridge.  Mr. Lorence stated he has already identified two bridges that could be designed in-house if the County Board were to approve this request.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:   Chairperson LaVigne inquired into the status of the Keslinger Road Bridge.  Mr. Lorence stated he had received no updates from the State’s Attorney’s Office since our last meeting. 

The County Engineer informed the Committee that IDOT has indicated candidates for his position need to be submitted by the County to them no later than mid-January 2011.  Consideration should be given as to how the Committee will proceed with the selection process.  Chair LaVigne will speak with the County Administrator and inform the Committee on possible avenues to move the process forward.

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 August 5, 2010 meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted

Patricia LaVigne

Chairperson