DRAFT

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

February 2, 2012

A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held on Thursday, February 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. Brown, Mr. Cribben, Mr. Deverell and Mr. Foster.   Others present were Mr. Nathan Schwartz, County Engineer, Wayne Davey, Support Services Manager, Jim Quinn, Operations Manager from the Highway Department, Mr. Steve Frerichs, from Chastain & Associates, Mr. Tice Cole, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc., Mr. Jeff Englehardt, Daily Chronicle and Mr. Greg Millburg, Farm Bureau was also present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Vice Chairman Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Deverell to approve the minutes of the regular January 5, 2012 meeting.  The motion to approve the minutes as presented carried unanimously. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Mr. Deverell and seconded by Mr. Brown to approve the agenda as presented.    Discussion followed to amend the agenda adding an additional item 4.5 Executive Session.  Motion made by Mr. Foster and seconded by Mr. Cribben to amend – motion carried unanimously.  The agenda as amended was approved.

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None

AWARD RESOLUTION #R2012-08 – 2012 GENERAL COUNTY LETTING:

Mr. Schwartz explained to the Committee that each year the Departments request bids from various vendors used by the County and the Road Districts for road maintenance material.  All bids received are awarded and prices bid will remain in affect for the entire year.  Any of the 19 Road Districts can go to any of these establishments and receive the same price.  The Liquid Calcium Chloride is awarded to the lowest bidder and the County received only one bid for this product.  It is a good tool for planning purposes if the County or Road Districts want to perform maintenance.  Mr. Schwartz recommended forwarding this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  Vice Chair Augsburger made a motion and Mr. Foster seconded it to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval.  The motion passed unanimously. 

AWARD RESOLUTION #R2012-09 – 2012 ROAD DISTRICT MFT AGGREGATE PROJECTS:

Mr. Schwartz explained this resolution is for all planned Road Districts aggregate projects for this year.  There are three projects that will need to be approved by the full County Board and Mr. Schwartz recommends award to the lowest bidder meeting

specifications as documented on the bid tabs.  Vice-Chair Augsburger made a motion to forward this resolution to the full County Board recommending approval and that motion was seconded by Mr. Cribben.  The motion passed unanimously. 

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

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS: 

Mr. Schwartz presented his Transportation Improvement Progress Report for the month of January to the Committee.  An update on the Keslinger Road Bridge shows the next court date is February 23, 2012 and it will be held in Sycamore.

Mr. Schwartz gave a brief presentation on the County’ snow removal operations.  During snow storms the Highway Departments receives several calls concerning the lack of attention our roads seem to be receiving.  The Committee was briefed on how snow removal operations are conducted and presented pictures showing the roads three hours after the snow had stopped falling and that were in very good shape.  .  Members were

The County Engineer provided a labor cost per mile breakdown for the County and the Road Districts that submitted the requested information.  It was provided as requested by the Committee.

Mr. Foster inquired into spring posting of the roads and he wanted to make sure the Department made every effort to contact as much of the public as possible.  Mr. Foster seemed pleased with the procedures in place.

Vice-Chair Augsburger made a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of receiving an update on the Union 150 negotiations per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).  A roll call vote was taken with Vice-Chair Augsburger, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cribben, Mr. Deverell, Mr. Foster and Mr. Gudmunson all voting yes.  The Committee moved into executive session at 6:43pm.

The Committee returned from executive session at 7:25pm.

Mr. Brown asked when farmers leave corn in their field along the road were they compensated for this to help with the drifting snow.  Mr. Schwartz stated that Illinois law allows for farmers who are requested by a road authority to leave a cover crop over the winter to assist with the blowing snow can be compensated for that act if they participate.

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. Cribben to adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously and the February 2, 2012 meeting was adjourned at 7:26pm.

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                        John Gudmunson