McLean County Transportation Committee met Oct. 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Transportation Committee of the McLean County Board met on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman William Caisley Members Randall Martin, Josh Barnett, Elizabeth Johnston, Shayna Watchinski and Gerald Thompson
Members Absent: Member Logan Smith
Other Members Present: Chairman John McIntyre, Members Jim Soeldner and Catherine Metsker
Staff Members Present: Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator, Mr. Eric Schmitt, Assistant County Administrator, Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator; Ms. Jessica Woods First Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division, Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads Present: Mr. Jerry Stokes, County Engineer,
Others Present: Mr. Luke Hohulin, Assistant County Engineer
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Caisley at 8:00 a.m. and a quorum declared.
Chairman Caisley presented the minutes from the September 3, 2019 regular meeting and August 20, 2019 special meeting for review and approval.
Motion by Thompson/Watchinski to approve the minutes from the September 3, 2019 regular meeting and the August 20, 2019 special meeting.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented the prepaid bills for review and approval in the amount of $1,489,681.17. Mr. Friedrich ask what Show Bus was. Mr. Caisley explained it is a rural transportation system that runs through several central Illinois counties. Mr. Stokes indicated it is a pass through grant and the funds run through our County for the Program.
Motion by Watchinski/Friedrich to recommend payment of bills as submitted by the County Auditor in the amount of $1,489,681.17
Motion carried.
Chairman Caisley confirmed no other appearances by members of the public or employees.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a First Amendment to Road Upgrade and Maintenance Agreement – Blooming Grove Wind Energy Center, LLC. Mr. Stokes stated there were additional roads that needed to be added to the current Road Use Agreement with the County. Mr. Stokes went over a map showing changes to road work proposed in the current Road Use Agreement. Mr. Martin asked when this would start. Mr. Stokes indicated some work would start this fall but most would be done next year. Ms. Johnston asked about bridge and if agreement would be extended to cover side roads they would have to use as they could not use the bridge. Mr. Stokes indicated that bridge is in Gridley Township area so it would fall under agreement with Township. Mr. Caisley asked if they had reached an agreement with Gridley Township. Mr. Stokes indicated he did not believe so.
Motion by Thompson/Martin recommend approval of a First Amendment to Road Upgrade and Maintenance Agreement – Blooming Grove Wind Energy Center, LLC
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley asked that the budget be considered after presentation of the information items.
Ms. Rodriguez indicated there were no positions filled under the purview of the Transportation Committee. Mr. Caisley asked if there were any questions regarding positions; hearing none he indicated they would go on to project summaries.
Mr. Stokes provided an update on the Jefferson St., Towanda project. He indicated project is complete and went over by $30,000 because they went back and paved intersections and those were thicker than anticipated and also have to do additional sidewalk work. Mr. Stokes showed pictures of the Money Creek II Bridge project and went over what had been done and upcoming work including placement of steel beams. Mr. Stokes discussed the Old Colonial Road project that was a cold in place recycling project that has been completed. He stated they hoped it would come in under bid. Mr. Stokes went over Gillum Road project and indicated pavement of surface should be completed today and majority will be complete this week.
Mr. Stokes presented for action a request to approve the FY 2020 Highway Department Budget and Five Year Plan. Mr. Stokes went over each Fund:
1. Mr. Stokes indicated the Highway Fund where most revenue comes from general property tax but other revenue sources are Commodities sold to townships and municipalities, engineering services provided to Townships, Equipment reimbursement from Motor Fuel Tax, Permits and Road Use Agreement Fees and Fund Balance. He stated that proposed revenue for this Fund in 2020 is $2,982,750. He went over expenses for this fund including salaries, increase in overtime, health insurance increase, Gasoline, Non-major equipment, Design Expenses, Maintenance, Software Licenses, construction projects, computer equipment and capital assets
Mr. Caisley asked if we are maxed out on this levy. Mr. Stokes indicated we have been for 3-4 years. He said we are also maxed out on the Matching Fund. Mr. Caisley asked about the software license increase. Mr. Stokes indicated it was to increase plan software system and new GPS service unit that include software fee. Also some dual security items that will be assessed per computer. Mr. Caisley asked about telephone service fee. Mr. Stokes indicated they upgraded three flip phones with 3g service. Mr. Caisley asked about computer expense. Mr. Stokes indicated that was for a new server. Mr. Stokes listed paint truck and tandem trucks and rock spreader as some capital assets. Mr. Friedrich asked about number of bids they get on capital expenditures. Mr. Stokes went over bid process. Mr. Thompson asked about trading in paint truck and Mr. Stokes indicate they would probably sell it. Mr. Stokes also discussed rock spreader for shoulders.
2. Bridge Fund 0121. Mr. Stokes stated this fund is utilized for County Bridges & Culverts, and providing 10% for Township Bridge projects and 50% for Township Joint Culverts. He stated that 63% of revenue comes from the General Property Tax and remaining revenue comes from reimbursement from Townships for bridge/culvert projects and Fund Balance. Mr. Stokes indicated this tax rate was raised slightly. He said that would allow for a $79,000 increase in this Fund. He stated that on the construction and maintenance side is $275,000 and main project is the Maitland Bridge Project which is the last timber pile bridge. Mr. Caisley commented that engineering design expenses are up. Mr. Stokes indicated that the projects coming up in 2021 are larger projects and we also approved an agreement with consulting firm to do load ratings on bridges. Mr. Caisley asked if there might be lower load limits. Mr. Stokes indicated that could be possible. Mr. Caisley asked about hiring a structural engineer. Mr. Schmitt indicated that was reviewed a few years ago, but we still have to hire a consultant as we have to have two engineers sign off on the projects. Mr. Schmitt indicated there would not be enough work to keep them busy full time. Mr. Stokes further indicated amount we are paying this year would go down after load ratings project next year and then would only have one or two bridge projects a year.
3. Mr. Stokes indicated the Matching Fund is used to fund the County’s matching portion on Federal and Motor Fuel Tax Projects. He indicated the revenue comes from general property tax. He stated this Fund can only be used for construction expenses that we are using MFT or Federal dollars on, Engineering expenses or purchase of right of way, no daily operational expenses. He said this tax rate has been at its maximum the last 3-4 years.
4. Mr. Stokes indicated the Motor Fuel Tax Fund is used for maintenance, engineering, and construction. He stated that revenue comes from existing MFT formula and the Transportation Renewal Fund that started July 1, 2019. Mr. Stokes indicated the first allotment was an increase but did not feel that will be the case moving forward. He stated that another funding source is County Consolidated fund that was a discretionary fund IDOT enacted 15 years ago. He stated that when IDOT did their budget in April 2019 it was before capital bill came out and IDOT had cut this program. He said that if you run through numbers some of the counties were losing money, so IDOT is supposed to go back and reinstate those programs. He stated that another funding source is the REBUILD Illinois Capital Program but this program is still not finalized as it will depend on when State sells bonds. Mr. Stokes went over expenses including maintenance and construction on roads and bridges and purchase of paint, oil and chip and salt.
Mr. Stokes also indicated as part of their budget they had requested the addition of a Project Manager II to prepare and review engineering plans, and supervise and manage construction projects that will come up with the additional MFT funding. Mr. Stokes indicated he had handed out flow charts for MFT accounts. He also indicated he had handed out a map that showed projects for next five years and those that are unfunded projects. He stated that unfunded list decreased a lot with the increase of MFT funds.
Mr. Schmitt indicated they also recommended a reclassification of Mr. Stokes position with a 5% increase because with the additional funding there will be additional responsibilities, the Highway Department does a lot of engineering for Route 66 and the increase will bring him more in line with comparable counties.
Clarification was made that it was for the 2020 budget and not 2019 and that funding on page 27 was for 2019 and 2020 not 2018 and 2019.
Motion by Smith/Johnston to recommend approval of the FY 2020 Highway Department Budget and Five Year Capital Plan.
Motion carried.
Chairman Caisley asked if there was anything else to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, he adjourned the meeting at 8:56 a.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6954
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