McLean County Transportation Committee met Dec. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Transportation Committee of the McLean County Board met on Tuesday, December 4,
2018 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 400, Government Center, 115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman William Caisley Members Randall Martin, Josh Barnett, Elizabeth Johnston, Logan Smith, Gerald Thompson and Shayna Watchinski
Members Absent: None
Other Members Present: None
Staff Members Present: Mr. William Wasson, County Administrator, Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division, Mr. Eric Schmitt, Administrative Services Director; Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads Present: Mr. Jerry Stokes, County Engineer,
Others Present: Mr. Luke Hohulin, Assistant County Engineer
Chairman Caisley called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Caisley presented the bills for review and approval.
Motion by Martin/Johnston to recommend payment of bills as submitted by the County Auditor in the amount of $852,210.33.
Motion carried.
Chairman Caisley presented the October 16, 2018 special Transportation Committee meeting minutes for approval.
Motion by Barnett/Smith to approve the October 16, 2018 special Transportation Committee meeting minutes.
Motion Carried
Chairman Caisley noted that he had requested changes to the November 6, 2018 meeting minutes regarding attendance.
Motion by Martin/Thompson to amend the November 6, 2018 meeting minutes.
Motion Carried.
Motion by Barnett/Watchinski to approve the November 6, 2018 meeting minutes as amended.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley confirmed there were no members of the public to appear before the Committee.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Resolution & Bid Tab for November 27, 2018 Letting for 2019 County Maintenance Materials. Mr. Stokes explained these numbers are for rock materials and other aggregates from different quarries for work throughout the year. He went over the different groups and the types of projects they are used for. Ms. Johnston asked about pricing within each grade. Mr. Stokes indicated prices are based on different types, such as brown gravel vs limestone gravel, that quarries prices and distance to quarries. Mr. Thompson asked about rate per ton. Mr. Stokes indicated that it is standard rate they use to give an estimate. Mr. Barnett asked about the difference in price of materials between vendors within same grade. Mr. Stokes indicated that he did not have an explanation on price difference.
Motion by Martin/Watchinski to recommend approval of a Resolution & Bid Tab for November 27, 2018 Letting for 2019 County Maintenance Materials
Motion carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve an Engineering Services Agreement – Hanson Professional Services. Mr. Caisley indicated this is for the improvement of Division Street in Chenoa. Mr. Stokes went over the project and showed the members where the work would be done in Chenoa. Mr. Stokes indicated this project similar to project done in Downs and since Hanson had done that project, they selected them to take care of this project. Mr. Stokes went over what was included in the agreement including permits and easements. Mr. Martin asked about timeframe. Mr. Stokes indicated that project will be designed in 2019 and completed in 2020 and would look to get it most of it completed the summer of 2020 to try to avoid issues with school traffic. Mr. Smith asked if this was two lane and if there was parking on the side of the road. Mr. Stokes indicated it was two lane with no parking on the side. Mr. Caisley indicated there was pedestrian traffic because of the school and the project includes re-doing the sidewalks.
Motion by Martin/Smith to recommend approval of an Engineering Services Agreement – Hanson Professional Services for Section 18-00053-00-FP – Division St in Chenoa.
Motion carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution Section 18-00053-00-FP – Division St in Chenoa.
Motion by Smith/Johnston to recommend approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution Section 18-00053-00-FP – Division St in Chenoa
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement, Jurisdictional Transfer Resolution, Jurisdictional Ordinance and Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Chenoa. Mr. Stokes indicated they met with the City of Chenoa and proposed that if we improve the sidewalks, they would take maintenance of this section from Boles street to 24. Mr. Stokes explained that traffic is light on 24 and so the County would like to transfer to townships different sections of this route. Mr. Thompson asked him to confirm that City of Chenoa is on board with transfer. Mr. Stokes indicated they are supportive. Mr. Wasson stated that the trade-off is that we are making improvements beyond what we would usually do. Mr. Stokes indicated that Chenoa would also replace a water line before the County starts construction. Mr. Martin asked him to confirm that transaction would be a cost reduction for us in the future. Mr. Stokes confirmed. Ms. Johnston asked if transfers like this had been done before. Mr. Stokes indicated they have been done from time to time and that a transfer was just done with the Downs project. Mr. Smith asked him to confirm area where we would still have maintenance jurisdiction. Mr. Stokes indicated there was an area north of 24 and that once the County does improvements to that section they would approach Chenoa about a transfer. Mr. Caisley asked about drainage with the project. Mr. Stokes indicated they would work to make sure pipes are not overloaded. There was discussion about where the water currently drains and work that would be completed.
Motion by Johnston/Watchinski to recommend approval of a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement, Jurisdictional Transfer Resolution, Jurisdictional Ordinance and Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Chenoa
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution and Matching Tax Resolution for Stringtown Road – Section 18-00057-10-RS. Mr. Stokes indicated this would be resurfaced in 2019 and indicated last time these were resurfaced was 1997 and that they try to get 20 year life span with roads. Mr. Barnett asked about life span of Railroad Bridge at the end of Stringtown Rd. Mr. Stokes indicated railroad did repair work on that when they were doing high-speed rail, but he was not aware of any plans to replace the bridge. Mr. Stokes further indicated he could not answer as to the life span of the bridge as it was not part of their jurisdiction. Mr. Thompson asked if these were 80,000lb roads. Mr. Stokes confirmed. Mr. Caisley asked if the Stringtown and Covell Rd projects would be bid as separate projects. Mr. Stokes indicated they would be done separately but bid at the same time.
Motion by Barnett/Watchinski to recommend approval of Motor Fuel Tax Resolution and Matching Tax Resolution for Stringtown Road – Section 18- 00057-10-RS
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution and Matching Tax Resolution for Covell Road – Section 18-00107-04-RS.
Motion by Smith/Johnston to recommend approval of Motor Fuel Tax Resolution and Matching Tax Resolution for Covell Road – Section 18-00107- 04-RS
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for Towanda-Barnes Road/Ireland Grove Road Intersection 13-00168-02-FP. Mr. Stokes indicated that Bloomington has paid their half for the design work by Farnsworth. Mr. Caisley summarized history of the project for new members of the Committee.
Motion by Barnett/Martin to recommend approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for Towanda-Barnes Road/Ireland Grove Road Intersection 13- 00168-02-FP.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve Ordinance and Resolution of Altered Speed Zone for Old Town Township. Mr. Stokes went over process where road commissioner requested reduced speed limits on roads in Old Town Township. Mr. Stokes indicated the Highway Department did speed studies for the areas requested and it was determined that most of the traffic goes about 45 miles per hour, so they were concurring it be reduced to 45 miles per hour. He stated there were a couple of other roads requested but the prevailing speed on those roads were still at the statute level of 55 so they were not concurring that changes need to be made on those roads. Mr. Caisley asked if the Village of Downs was ok with this. Mr. Stokes indicated they did not consult with the Village on this as it is outside Downs. Mr. Thompson asked Mr. Stokes to show them were the roads were. Mr. Stokes pulled up a map and went over roads with the Committee. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Stokes to confirm number of violators during study. Mr. Stokes confirmed. Mr. Smith asked if this was an area where a lot of accidents occur. Mr. Stokes indicated that it does not seem to be an accident-prone area, but because of site distances and curves the Road Commissioner felt it was area that needed a lower speed limit. Ms. Johnston asked if residents brought this up. Mr. Stokes was not aware of whether the residents had brought this up.
Mr. Barnett asked if Downs’s police department has jurisdiction over these roads. Mr. Wasson stated that he did not believe so. Mr. Barnett asked if the Road Commissioner would be asking for increased patrols by the Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Wasson stated that would be an unusual request. Mr. Caisley asked if we could have a public hearing. Mr. Stokes indicated that the Road Commissioner could. Mr. Thompson asked if the Road Commissioner had support. Mr. Stokes indicated that he did not know if the Road Commissioner had talked with constituents. Mr. Smith said he had a concern with this because the study shows 85% are doing 48 mph and he ask why 45 and not 50. Mr. Stokes indicated current statute is 55 and they usually lower in 10-mile increments. Mr. Smith said it looked like a majority of the drivers were doing their best to be safe and was not sure about changing. Mr. Thompson asked if they could table to next month. Mr. Stokes indicated the speed limit should reflect utilization in most cases. Mr. Schmitt indicated the County previously approved a policy regarding establishing speed limits when the responsibility passed from the State to County. He indicated that the policy and procedure were the same that was followed by the Illinois Department Transportation. Mr. Schmitt indicated they use engineering study to establish speed limits and public hearings are not done for this, so that changes are based on engineering facts and not opinion. He stated that people are going to drive what they feel most comfortable, so you post speed limits with those amounts as it provides the safest travel.
Ms. Watchinski asked them to confirm that the Road Commissioner brought this to them, that there do not seem to be any safety issues and there had not been any public input. Mr. Schmitt stated that you get public input with the study, because that is what they are driving. Mr. Schmitt indicated that the Road Commissioner requested because he feels it would be a safer speed and is trying to protect people. Ms. Johnston asked who pays for signage. Mr. Stokes indicated that the Township would pay for signs. Mr. Barnett asked about signage and driveways on this road. Mr. Stokes went over the area on the map again. Mr. Thompson indicated that there seemed to be questioned and said he would like to move to table to the next meeting since there was not a rush.
Motion by Thompson/Smith to table to December 31, 2018 meeting. Motion Carried.
Motion by Martin/Thompson to recommend approval of an Ordinance and Resolution of Altered Speed Zone for Old Town Township. (TABLED)
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve Bridge Replacement Petition, Hudson Road District, Section 16-19119-00-BR - Rhinehart Culvert. Mr. Stokes went over project location and scope of the project and showed pictures of the bridge. He went over funding for these programs with the state paying 80% and the County and Township each paying 10%. He also went over other ways bridge projects are funded. Mr. Smith asked if this would be replaced with a similar structure. Mr. Stokes indicated it would be larger, but similar materials. Ms. Johnston asked when this project would be constructed. Mr. Stokes indicated it would be the summer of 2019.
Motion by Smith/Watchinski to recommend approval of Bridge Replacement Petition, Hudson Road District, Section 16-19119-00-BR - Rhinehart Culvert
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve Resolution for Anticipation of Township Bridge Funds, Hudson Road District, Section 16-19119-00-BR, Rhinehart Culvert. He indicated that bridge funds are not distributed until August and September but they planned to bid this in February, so the Fund would cover up front costs and then receive reimbursement when bridge funds are available. Ms. Johnston asked if this is standard operating procedure. Ms. Stokes indicated it is common. Ms. Johnston asked if state always pays. Mr. Stokes indicated funds are allocated by statute so they have always received the funds.
Motion by Smith/Watchinski to recommend approval of Resolution for Anticipation of Township Bridge Funds, Hudson Road District, Section 16- 19119-00-BR, Rhinehart Culvert
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley asked for a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to section 2 (c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Motion by Barnett/Thompson to go into Closed Session pursuant to section 2 (c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Motion carried. Smith Voted No
The Transportation Committee went into closed session at 9:00 a.m. The Transportation Committee returned to open session at 9:27 a.m.
Chairman Caisley presented a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution & County Engineer’s Salary Agreement. Mr. Smith asked them to clarify that this is to pay a portion of the salary. Mr. Wasson confirmed.
Motion by Smith/Johnston recommend approval of Motor Fuel Tax Resolution & County Engineer’s Salary Agreement
Motion Carried.
Mr. Stokes stated there were no positions filled at the Highway Department.
Mr. Stokes provided an update on Shaffer Bridge project and indicated that the weather in November slowed the project down but project was now over 75% complete and planned to have it complete in the next few weeks. Ms. Johnston asked if the remaining 25% could wait until spring. Mr. Stokes indicated that remaining was mostly dirt and cleanup work so should be completed in the next few weeks with road pavement up to the bridge being completed next year.
Mr. Stokes indicated that only cleanup work and dirt work remained on the Towanda-Barnes Road Project. He also went over totals for the project. Mr. Stokes went over the Bellflower- Saybrook project cost and indicated the project was complete.
Under other business, the Committee discussed the January meeting and the holiday. It was decided to have the meeting on December 31st at 8:00 a.m.
Chairman Caisley asked if there was anything else to come before the Committee; hearing none, he adjourned the meeting at 9:36 a.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6444
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