DRAFT

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

April 20, 2011

A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 6:30pm in the Freedom Room of the Legislation Center, DeKalb County Government Complex, Sycamore, Illinois.  

Chairman Gudmunson called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.  Committee members present were Vice-Chair Augsburger, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cribben and Mr. Deverell.   Others present were Mr. Greg Millburg of DeKalb Farm Bureau, Mr. Jim Quinn, Operations Manager and Wayne Davey, Support Services Manager from the Highway Department.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Vice-Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Deverell to approve the minutes of the regular March 3, 2011 meeting.  The motion to approve the minutes as presented carried unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Vice-Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Brown to approve the agenda as presented.   The motion to approve the agenda carried unanimously. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None

AWARD RESOLUTION #R2011-20  OLD STATE ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT:

Mr. Davey explained that bids were taken on April 5, 2011 for the replacement of the Old State Road Bridge.  Five bids were received for this project with Sjostrom & Sons Incorporated from Rockford, Illinois submitting the low bid meeting specifications in the amount of $757,000.00.  All bids received were over the Engineer’s estimate of $690,811.00.  However, all bids seem to be in line with the economic trends and it was felt readvertisement would not produce lower bids.  Sjostrom & Sons have built several bridges in DeKalb County and they are considered a very reputable Company and have served DeKalb County well.   The County Engineer recommended this resolution be forwarded to the full Board recommending approval.   A motion was made by Vice-Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Deverell to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending award.  The motion carried unanimously. 

AWARD RESOLUTION #R2011-21  2011 COUNTY WIDE STRIPING PROJECT:

Bids were taken on April 5, 2011 for this years Striping Project for County and Road District Roads.  Only two bids were received this year and the low bid was submitted by America’s Parking Remarking Incorporated from St. Louis, Missouri.  The bid shows an increase of approximately 4% over last year’s prices.  The County Engineer recommends this resolution be forwarded to the full County Board recommending approval.  A motion was made by Mr. Deverell and seconded by Mr. Brown to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion carried unanimously. 

MFT RESOLUTION #R2011-22   2011 COUNTY WIDE STRIPING PROJECT:

Mr. Davey explained to the Committee that 50% of the County cost for the 2011 striping was budgeted through the use of MFT funds.  Prior to any funds being paid, the County Board must authorize the expenditure of such funds.  This resolution satisfies that requirement.  The County Engineer recommended this resolution be submitted to the full County Board recommending approval.  A motion was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Deverell to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion carried unanimously. 

AWARD RESOLUTION #R2011-07  2011 CRACK FILL & ROUT PROJECT:

During February’s Highway Committee meeting this award resolution was presented and discussed.  The Committee forwarded it to the full County Board recommending approval.  Between the Committee meeting and the February Board meeting this proposal was protested due to a labor issue by another bidder.  That protest has now been settled by the State of Illinois Office of Council and the protest has been denied.  This resolution can now be forwarded for award.  A motion was made by Vice-Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Deverell to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion carried unanimously. 

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:         Chairman Gudmunson had no comments at this time.

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

The County Engineer was attending the National Association of County Engineer’s Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN.  He provided his Transportation Improvement Progress Report for March prior to his departure.   The highlighted projects on the report were discussed.  The Old State Road Bridge project is scheduled to be awarded tonight.  The other projects highlighted continue to make “paper” progress as they work their way toward a letting date.  All projects have been discussed by the County Engineer earlier and there are no changes that need to be noted at this time.

Mr. Nathan Schwartz is on the County Board’s agenda tonight for appointment as the new County Engineer effective June 25, 2011.  Mr. Schwartz will begin work on June 20, 2011 and take over after Mr. Lorence’s retirement on June 24^th. 

Mr. Cribben inquired about the spring postings that the County puts in place every year. Even though Illinois Status provides the authority to do so many in the agriculture community still have grain, feed and livestock that need to moved and/or delivered year round.  Mr. Cribben suggested that maybe a window could be developed well in advance of the spring postings to alert those of the postings dates.  Mr. Brown inquired how the posting dates are arrived at.  Mr. Davey stated this is determined by the County Engineer after consultation with the Operations Manager.   Road Districts have control over their own roads and do not have to follow the County’s posting of the roads.  Many Road Commissioners currently act independently from the County’s postings, either posting earlier or longer than us.  The longest period of time the roads can be posted however, remains at no more than 90 days.  This item will be discussed with the incoming County Engineer and his procedures will be shared with the Committee for further discussion if needed. 

Mr. Deverell inquired if the County still contracts out any snow removal operations.  Mr. Davey stated that the Highway Department did that in the past but the last time the County went out for bids we received none.  Because of this the County purchased one additional tandem and now hires two part-time drivers during the winter months.  The County conducted a study approximately ten years ago to look into the feasibility of providing 24-hour snow removal.  This proposal was considered fiscally improbable at that time.  Our drivers are normally on the road between 4:00am and 9:00pm during a snow event. 

There has been no movement on the Keslinger Road Bridge as of this meeting.  The scheduled meeting between the County and Enbridge has once again been postponed.

The MPO is overseeing traffic counts in certain parts of the County.  These will include Peace and Freed as well as Peace and Brickville.  This information will be reviewed when received and further discussion of these intersections held to see what, if any, additional action can be taken to address safety concerns by residents in this area.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:   None

 ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Gudmunson inquired if there was anything else that needed to be brought before the Committee and hearing none requested a motion to adjourn.  A motion was made by Vice-Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Cribben.  The motion passed unanimously and the April 20, 2011 meeting was adjourned at 7:13pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

John Gudmunson

Chairperson