McLean County Land Use and Transportation Committee met Nov. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the McLean County Board met at 8:00 a.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Members Gerald Thompson, Shayna Watchinski, Lea Cline, Jim Rogal and Beverly Bell
Members Absent Chairman Jim Soeldner; Member William Friedrich
Other Members Present: None
Staff Members Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Christopher Spanos, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division, Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads Present: Jerry Stokes, County Engineer; Phil Dick, Building and Zoning
Others Present: Michael Brown, Ecology Action Center
The meeting was called to order by Senior Member Gerald Thompson at 8:00 a.m. and a quorum declared.
Member Thompson presented the October 4, 2022, Land Use and Transportation Committee regular meeting minutes for approval.
Motion by Rogal/Bell to approve the October 4, 2022, Land Use and Transportation Committee regular meeting minutes.
Motion Carried.
Member Thompson presented prepaid bills in the amount of $3,265,493.87 for the Highway Department and Building and Zoning in the amount of $1,603.32.
Motion by Cline/Bell to recommend payment of Highway and Building and Zoning bills as presented.
Motion carried.
Member Thompson confirmed with Administrator Taylor there were no members of the public to speak.
Member Thompson presented for action on behalf of Jerry Stokes and the Highway Department a request to approve a 2023 Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Resolution and Estimate of Cost. Mr. Stokes went over the work and materials this request entailed.
Motion by Cline/Watchinski to recommend approval of a 2023 Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Resolution and Estimate of Cost.
Motion Carried.
Member Thompson presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution, Matching Fund Resolution and a Highway Fund Resolution with regard to Horse Farm Road (CH 21), Section 19-00058-07-WR. Mr. Stokes indicated this would be a reconstruction project that would go to bid in December so the work can start as soon as the weather breaks in April. He noted it is a heavily traveled road that includes semi traffic for elevators and this would widen and bring it up to an 80,000 lb. road. Mr. Thompson asked if DeWitt County section of this road was 80,000 lbs. Mr. Stokes indicated it was not and noted he had discussed with DeWitt department possibly doing work on their portion at the same time.
Motion by Cline/Watchinski to recommend approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution, Matching Fund Resolution and a Highway Fund Resolution with regard to Horse Farm Road (CH 21), Section 19-00058-07-WR:
Motion Carried.
Member Thompson presented for action a request to approve a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution. Ms. Taylor noted staff had included a closed session on agenda as this request involved the salary for Mr. Stokes. She noted that the Committee had previously passed a resolution that allowed salary to be set by IDOT in exchange for the State reimbursing the County for a portion of the salary. She further noted this amount was included in the budget for 2023. Member Thompson asked if anyone needed to go into closed session. No members indicated they did. Member Thompson called the question.
Motion by Cline/Rogal to recommend approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Resolution.
Motion carried.
Mr. Stokes provided an update including pictures of the Meadows Road and Townline Road projects. He also provided an update and pictures of a project in anchor township.
Mr. Thompson thanked members of Highway Department for stopping to assist farmer who needed medical assistance.
Member Thompson presented on behalf of Mr. Phil Dick, Building and Zoning Department a request by the Ecology Action Center (EAC) to approve renewal of a three-year McLean County Solid Waste Program agreement between the EAC, McLean County, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal. Ms. Taylor noted this was the standard renewal. She also noted Mr. Brown of the Ecology Action Center was in the audience if there were questions.
Motion by Cline/Bell to recommend approval of a request by the Ecology Action Center (EAC) to approve renewal of a three-year McLean County Solid Waste Program agreement between the EAC, McLean County, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal.
Motion Carried.
Member Thompson presented on behalf of Mr. Dick, a request to approve a Host Community Agreement between Henson Disposal and McLean County to establish a solid waste transfer facility as requested by the Ecology Action Center.
Motion by Watchinski/Cline to recommend approval of a Host Community Agreement between Henson Disposal and McLean County to establish a solid waste transfer facility as requested by the Ecology Action Center..
Motion Carried.
Member Thompson noted first and second quarter reports for the Ecology Action Center and the Storm Water Education program were included in the packet and invited Mr. Brown to come forward and provide further information on the reports provided. Mr. Brown noted City, Town, County and BNWRD all support the Ecology Action Center to meet state mandates. He noted outreach went down during pandemic, but numbers are increasing quickly. He also noted the reports were delayed due to staffing issues, but the Ecology Action Center is now fully staffed. Ms. Cline noted the fall hazard waste event was cancelled and asked if they would be doing that again in the future. Mr. Brown indicated there was a fire at the processing center that took those materials collected at the hazardous waste drive. He noted they tried to find another vendor but there was not enough notice even if they tried to push it back in the Fall. He stated they would not be able to do one in the Spring, so their next event would be next Fall. He noted Peoria County might have one in Spring and they would work to get the word out regarding that event.
Ms. Cline asked if there was an electronic recycling program for the community. Mr. Brown confirmed there is a consumer electronic recycling program the City, Town and County participate in. He stated community members can take electronics to the Normal site free of charge. Ms. Cline asked him to confirm the location is a drop off site. Mr. Brown confirmed and noted sometimes that is an issue for elderly persons in the community so they work to get volunteers to assist in those situations.
Ms. Bell asked if companies such as Best Buy would take old electronic equipment for recycling when you purchase new products. Mr. Brown indicated some still do but they charge a fee and the drop off is free.
Member Thompson presented on behalf of Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator a request to approve Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for the Solid Waste Management Fund 0159. Ms. Taylor noted the Committee had previously approved this budget but Staff needed to slightly adjust those figures based on the solid waste proposal presented to the committee.
Motion by Cline/Watchinski to recommend approval of Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget for the Solid Waste Management Fund 0159.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cline noted that on Tuesday, November 1st between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. the GingerBread House would be taking donations of extra Halloween candy to include in holiday care packages they would be sending to soldiers overseas.
Member Thompson asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee; hearing none, he adjourned the meeting at 8:26 a.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9288