Mclean County Transportation Committee met July 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Transportation Committee of the McLean County Board met at 8:00 a.m. in Room 404 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman William Caisley Members Randall Martin, Elizabeth Johnston, Gerald Thompson Shayna Watchinski and William Friedrich (via remote attendance)
Members Absent: Member Logan Smith
Other Members Present: None
Staff Members Present: Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator, Ms. Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator, Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary, Mr. Don Knapp, State’s Attorney; Ms. Samantha Vazquez Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division
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 May 19, 2020 special meeting and June 2, 2020 regular meeting for review and approval.
Motion by Watchinski/Martin to approve the minutes from the May 19, 2020 special meeting and June 2, 2020 regular meeting.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented prepaid bills in the amount of $ 2,224,073.59 for review and approval. Mr. Caisley asked about the purchase of right of way. Mr. Stokes indicated that expense was for title searches for properties involved with the 2022 Meadows Road project.
Motion by Martin/Watchinski to recommend payment of bills as submitted by the County Auditor in the amount of $2,224,073.59.
Motion carried.
Chairman Caisley confirmed with Ms. Rodriguez there were no appearances by members of the public or employees.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution and Matching Tax Resolution for Linden Street – Section 19-00159-02-RS. Mr. Stokes indicated this is for design work for 2021 project. He stated project utilizes federal dollars so need to get started to get it in IDOT system. He also indicated they requested safety funds to put in hot mix safety shoulders with rumble strips. Ms. Johnston asked if the rumble strips were for a stop sign or intersection. Mr. Stokes indicated these will be on the side of the road. Ms. Johnston asked about the cost the rumble strips add to the project. Mr. Stokes indicated the cost is 550,000 but received 508,000 from highway safety improvement program.
Motion by Johnston/Watchinski to recommend approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution and Matching Tax Resolution for Linden Street – Section 19- 00159-02-RS.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution, Meadows Road (CH 23) – Section 20-00005-05-WR. Chairman Caisley asked where this project was located. Mr. Stokes stated the project is located in Chenoa Township and about a mile in Lexington on a road that Blooming Grove Wind Farm is using. Mr. Stokes indicated this allows them to purchase the right of way when needed. He stated they need to get it into the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) as IDOT needs to do some environmental reviews. Mr. Stokes stated preliminary right of way work and moving utilities would be done in 2021 and the construction in 2022. Mr. Caisley asked if we would receive funds from the Wind Farm for construction. Mr. Stokes confirmed we would get funds from them.
Motion by Watchinski/Thompson to recommend approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution, Meadows Road (CH 23) – Section 20-00005-05-WR.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement, Jurisdictional Transfer Resolution and Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Downs for Seminar Street in Downs. Mr. Stokes went over proposal to pay amount and Downs have construction done and also take over future maintenance. Mr. Friedrich asked if there had been any instances where we deeded over roads and needed to take them back. Mr. Stokes indicated he was not aware of any instances of taking road maintenance back. He stated in the past the County has done the work first and then turned the road over; however, Downs wants to do more on the road including raised sidewalks and roundabouts that we would have difficultly maintaining with our equipment so they were supportive of taking over maintenance. Mr. Stokes indicated that Downs already approved this at their meeting. Mr. Caisley asked if this includes storm drainage. Mr. Stokes indicated estimate included curb and gutter, new storm sewer and resurfacing for the entire road.
Motion by Johnston/Watchinski to recommend approval of a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement, Jurisdictional Transfer Resolution and Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Downs for Seminar Street in Downs.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve an Ordinance and Resolution of Altered Speed Zone – White Oak Township, 825 East Road. Mr. Stokes went over location and indicated speed study showed they could reduce speed limit to 45 mph. Mr. Caisley asked if there had been collisions. Mr. Stokes indicated no accidents, but the Road Commissioner had received complaints of speeders. Mr. Thompson asked him to confirm road commissioner in agreement with this change. Mr. Stokes confirmed.
Motion by Johnston/Thompson to recommend approval of an Ordinance and Resolution of Altered Speed Zone – White Oak Township, 825 East Road.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Caisley presented for action a request to approve a Road Use Agreement with Moraine Solar, LLC. Mr. Stokes indicated this was for a solar farm in Downs and a special use permit requirement. He went over location as well as what the agreement covers including additional damage to the road.
Motion by Thompson/Johnston to recommend approval of a Road Use Agreement with Moraine Solar, LLC.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Stokes indicated they hired a truck driver laborer. Mr. Caisley asked if that put them at full staff. Mr. Stokes indicated full staff on maintenance department but still one short in the office for the civil engineer. Ms. Johnston asked on status of civil engineer position. Mr. Stokes indicated thought they had a candidate, but that individual took another position so advertised again and have only received three or four candidates. Mr. Johnston asked where we advertise. Mr. Stokes indicated on our website, local papers and then one of the local papers puts on Indeed or Jobs.com as part of the fee.
Mr. Stokes showed photos and updated the Committee on Gridley Road project – Route 24 to Livingston County. He then updated the Committee on the Colfax-Weston Road project. He then went over projects that would be starting soon including the Ron Smith Memorial Highway, Park Culvert on Pipeline Road, and Division St. in Chenoa. Mr. Stokes also went over the replacement of the last timber pile bridge in the County and showed pictures of that project throughout the replacement process. Mr. Caisley asked if Chenoa project would be done before the start of school. Mr. Stokes indicated it might be close. Mr. Friedrich asked if we would have any County roads closed prior to harvest. Mr. Stokes indicated the only one that might be is the park culvert project but located close to town. He stated they would be working on a bridge on county highway 36 that should be done before September.
Mr. Caisley suggested going out in September to look over projects.
Ms. Johnston asked about returning to in-person meetings and if they would have to chance to express their opinion. Mr. Caisley asked Administration if they would be returning to in person meetings. Ms. Rodriguez stated that Chairman McIntyre planned to bring that topic up at Executive Committee meeting. Ms. Johnston stated she wanted to be able to discuss as a Committee what they would like for safety precautions.
Mr. Caisley asked Mr. Stokes to go over the equipment update. Mr. Stokes stated some of the items were supposed to be delivered in August. He stated that a couple of other trucks were on a State contract that the State did not award, so they are looking to do something local. He went over possible options for purchasing different equipment in 2020 and moving truck purchases to 2021. Mr. Thompson asked if additions to this year would be within budget. Mr. Stokes confirmed they would be and went over numbers.
Mr. Thompson indicated there were a couple of complaints about wind farm and watering and asked for an update on that situation. Mr. Stokes indicated company had three water trucks going all week and they have a weekly meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 8th. He stated he had not heard from road commissioners about dust. Mr. Thompson asked if the Company’s position had changed. Mr. Stokes indicated it had not. Mr. Friedrich stated he and Chairman McIntyre would be touring the Chenoa windfarm and asked if members to reach out to him on his cell phone.
Mr. Thompson asked about timing on the Saybrook project. Mr. Stokes indicated it would be completed in the next month or two.
Chairman Caisley asked if there was anything else to come before the Committee; hearing nothing, he adjourned the meeting at 8:42 a.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7619
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