DRAFT 

HIGHWAY COMMITTEE 

November 1, 2012

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

DRAFT HIGHWAY COMMITTEE November 1, 2012 A meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held on Thursday, November 1, 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, and Mr. Foster. Others present were Mr. Nathan Schwartz, County Engineer and Wayne Davey, Support Services Manager and Greg Millburg, DeKalb County Farm Bureau.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Motion made by Vice Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Foster to approve the minutes of the regular October 4, 2012 meeting. The motion to approve the minutes carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Mr. Foster and seconded by Mr. Cribben to approve the agenda as presented. Discussion followed to amend the agenda by tabling item number 1 until November 21, 2012 at 7:00pm and replacing that item with MFT Resolution Number 2012- Winter Maintenance Materials. Mr. Cribben moved to amend the agenda as requested and Vice Chair Augsburger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve the agenda as amended carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

RESOLUTION #R2012- – MFT RESOLUTION FOR 2013 WINTER MAINTENANCE MATERIALS:

Mr. Schwartz explained that in order for the County to expend MFT funds for salt during 2013, the County Board needs to authorize the expenditure. The resolution presented accomplishes that requirement and recommended approval of the resolution in the amount of $500,000.00. A motion was made by Mr. Foster and seconded by Vice Chair Augsburger to forward the resolution to the full County Board recommending approval. The motion passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION #R2012-73 ANTICIPATION OF TOWNSHIP BRIDGE FUNDS:

Mr. Schwartz presented a resolution to anticipate township bridge funds for a project in Cortland Road District. The bridge on Bethany Road was unexpectedly closed due to problems with the deck of the bridge. In order to repair the bridge and re-open the road as soon as possible, Cortland Road District requested Township Bridge Program (TBP) funds be used for the repair. The current balance in that fund is not enough to cover 80% of the construction cost and therefore the County will request anticipation of funds. This will obligate future allotments to this project and the County will up front the cost of this project and receive annual payment from the State for the amount anticipated. Mr. Foster inquired if this procedure is done what affect would it have on future bridge projects, such as Keslinger Road. Mr. Schwartz explained that Keslinger Road Bridge is programmed to be funded from a different source than TPB funding and should not have any affect. A motion was made by Vice Chair Augsburger and seconded by Mr. Cribben to forward the resolution to the full County Board recommending approval. The motion passed unanimously.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:

Chairman Gudmunson commented on Somonauk Road resurfacing project and stated it looked good. He did notice that when the shoulders were placed at some field entrances that the gravel was higher than the hot-mix surface creating a hump that is hard for big equipment to navigate across. Mr. Schwartz stated he would have Maintenance look at those and see if they could not be leveled out.

Chairman Gudmunson thanked Vice Chair Augsburger for years of service to the County Board and the citizens of DeKalb County. This was Vice Chair Augsburger’s last meeting as he is not seeking reelection to the County Board.

COUNTY ENGINEER’S COMMENTS:

Mr. Schwartz presented the Transportation Improvement Progress Report for the month of October. Bethany Road Bridge letting was pushed back for one week and will be let on November 8th. This was due to a miscommunication within IDOT. Five Points Road Bridge is moving ahead with the land acquisition needed for additional right-of-way. The DeMinimis process has been completed with no adverse comments received regarding this issue. No movement by IDOT has been received as of this date concerning the additional $21,000 requested for the Glidden Road shoulder project. The auditors are still reviewing the paperwork. Hortense Street Bridge is scheduled to have the bridge rails delivered November 5, 2012 with installation shortly thereafter. The bridge is scheduled to be opened on November 9, 2012 at 10:00am after a ribbon cutting ceremony. Keslinger Road Bridge is scheduled to be in mediation November 9, 2012.

The 2013 Fee Schedule was reviewed. The Committee requested that the nominal $5.00 fee charged for permits be reviewed to see if a more appropriate fee should be charged. Mr. Schwartz explained the Department would review this schedule and discuss it with the Committee at a later meeting.

Mr. Schwartz inquired into the Committee’s opinion on the Department’s continued use of our DTN Weather Satellite service. This service currently costs the Highway Department $3,500 per year. The Department feels it is more accurate than other free services offered on the internet and provides historical information that others do not. The Committee felt this service should be discontinued with the understanding that if the Department feels the free services do not provide the timely information needed to make informed discussions, especially during snow events, that the Department could bring this matter back to the Committee for further 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. Cribben to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the November 1, 2012 meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm.

 Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

John Gudmunson

Chairperson