DRAFT

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

August 2, 2012

A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 6:00pm in the Conference Room of the DeKalb County Highway Department, DeKalb, Illinois.  

Chairman Gudmunson called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.  Committee members present were Vice Chair Augsburger, Mr. Cribben, Mr. Deverell and Mr. Foster.   Others present were Mr. Nathan Schwartz, County Engineer and Wayne Davey, Support Services Manager, from the Highway Department and Mr. Tice Cole, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Mr. Deverell and seconded by Vice Chair Augsburger to approve the minutes of the regular June 7, 2012 and special June 20, 2012 meetings.  The motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Mr. Foster and seconded by Vice Chair Augsburger to approve the agenda as presented.    The motion passed unanimously. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None

RESOLUTION #R2012-49 - RATIFICATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS, LOCAL 150 AND DEKALB COUNTY:

Mr. Schwartz presented the Committee with a Memorandum of Tentative Agreement for the 150 collective bargaining agreement.  The Agreement was presented to the Committee at their special June 20, 2012 meeting for consideration.  That agreement however omitted the details for the second year of the contract as agreed to.  This agreement corrects this oversight and includes the second year details which are: 

1. the right to re-open the contract after one year for the purpose of negotiating wages only.
2. the right to strike

A motion was made by Vice Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Deverell to forward the Memorandum of Tentative Agreement to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 RESOLUTION #R2012-50 – ENGINEERING AGREEMENT FOR BETHANY ROAD BRIDGE SECTION NUMBER 12-03128-02-BR WITH WENDLER ENGINEERING SERVICES:

Mr. Schwartz explained that the County has encountered a bridge in Cortland Road District that is experiencing the same problems as the Hortense Street Bridge in Kirkland.  Bridges that had a lift of hot-mix placed over their decks to level out the ride without having a protective water fabric barrier in place are showing signs of deterioration of the deck.  After noticing holes in the deck this bridge was inspected by the County and the State.  Upon reaching the conclusion that the bridge was unsafe, the road has been closed to all traffic.  Wendler Engineering is doing preliminary work to determine if just the deck needs to be replaced or if a complete bridge replacement is necessary.  In order to complete that work and prepare any plans necessary the County needs to enter into an agreement.  The cost of this agreement has been set at not to exceed $25,700.00.  Chair Gudmunson made a motion and Vice Chair Augsburger seconded it to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion passed unanimously. 

RESOLUTION #R2012-51 – APPROVAL OF AWARD TO RESURFACE CHICAGO ROAD UNDER SECTION 11-00231-00-RS;  RESOLUTION #R2012-52 – APPROVAL OF TRUCK ACCESS ROUTE PROGRAM (TARP) AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS FOR CHICAGO ROAD SECTION NUMBER 11-00231-00-RS;  RESOLUTION #R2012-53 – DESIGNATION OF CHICAGO ROAD AS CLASS II TRUCK ROUTE:

Mr. Schwartz explained the pending project of upgrading a portion of Chicago Road to a Class III Truck Route.  During the discussion it was noted that the Truck Access Route Program Agreement with the State of Illinois contained wording indicating this route was being upgraded to 90,000 pounds.  Mr. Schwartz stated that the road is scheduled to be upgraded to a standard 80,000 pound truck route and not a 90,000 pound road.  This project is a partnership between the County and a private entity.  A motion was made by Mr. Foster and seconded by Vice Chair Augsburger to table items 3, 4 and 5 on the agenda until August 15, 2012 to allow for clarification and confirmation if the road will be upgrade to 90,000 or 80,000 pounds.  The motion passed unanimously and these items were tabled.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:  Chairman Gudmunson commented on his understanding that Somonauk Road was scheduled to be resurfaced after the Sandwich Fair.  He had some concerns about the gravel shoulders being plowed off during the winter months.  Mr. Schwartz stated the shoulders would be treated with chloride to help keep the aggregate in place.  

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

Mr. Schwartz presented the Transportation Improvement Progress Report for the month of June.  A new item, item #2 Bethany Road Bridge, was discussed earlier with the recommended approval of the Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Wendler Engineering.  The upgrading of Chicago Road will be further discussed at the August 15^th Special Meeting.  East County Line Road is a scheduled TARP project and is being scheduled for 2014 after Kane County hopefully has completed the bridge replacement on this section of roadway.  Five Points Road Bridge is scheduled for completion during 2013 and the right-of-way acquisition is 25% complete.  Hortense Street Bridge bid letting is scheduled for August 3, 2012 and we will know the cost of the project then.  The County is scheduled to be in court later this month for Keslinger Road Bridge.  A Mediator will be appointed to help with settlement discussions.  Currently, the County and Enbridge have not agreed on a cost to repair the bridge.

Mr. Schwartz briefed the Committee on his intent to pursue information on entering into an agreement with the State of Illinois Public Works Departments to provide mutual aid to other Counties should a disaster occur and there is a need.  By entering into an agreement we would be placed in a data bank and when a disaster occurs an e-mail would be sent to the list requesting assistance.  The County would be under no obligation to render assistance.  As more information is obtain the County Engineer will present it to the Committee for their comments and discussion.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:   None presented.

ADJOURNMENT:

Chair Gudmunson asked if there was anything further that needed to be discussed and hearing none asked for a motion to adjourn.  A motion was made by Vice Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Deverell to adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously and the August 2, 2012 meeting was adjourned at 6:55pm.

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                        John Gudmunson

                                                                        Chairperson