DeKalb County Highway Committee met March 5

DeKalb County Highway Committee met March 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chair Deutsch called the 6:30 pm meeting to order. Ms. Richardson called the roll. Other Committee members present were Ms. Coovert, Ms. Cozad, Ms. Emmer, Mr. Haier, Mr. Luebke. The County Engineer Mr. Schwartz and Support Services Manager Ms. Richardson were also in attendance. Mr. Marcinkowski was absent.

Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve the March 5, 2026 Agenda made by Emmer; seconded by Haier; motion carried by voice vote.

Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve Meeting Minutes from February 5, 2026 meeting was made by Cozad; seconded by Coovert; motion carried by voice vote.

Public Comments – No one present

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution R2026-022— A Resolution Awarding the 2026 General County Letting in which all bids are accepted. 

For the bid opening on February 26, 2026, Resolution #R2026- 022 involves the establishment of prices for calendar year 2026 for FOB aggregate, patching material, hot-mix asphalt, and liquid calcium chloride for County/Road Districts. All bids are awarded and the lowest cost for each project is calculated by taking the bid price of a product and adding in the cost of travel from the quarry/plant to the job site. County & Road District’s total estimate of cost was $660,000.00.

It was moved by Luebke, seconded by Haier, and was carried by voice vote to forward Resolution R2026-022 to the full County Board recommending its approval.

Resolution R2026-023 – A Resolution Awarding the 2026 Afton Road District Aggregate Project to Wagner Aggregate Inc., of DeKalb, IL in the amount of $89,040.00. 

For the bid opening held on February 26, 2026, Resolution R2026-023 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2026 project in Afton Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders to Wagner Aggregate Inc., of DeKalb, IL in the amount of $89,040.00. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $85,400.00.

It was moved by Emmer, seconded by Haier, and was carried by voice vote to forward Resolution R2026-023 to the full County Board recommending its approval

Resolution R2026-024 – A Resolution Awarding the 2026 Malta Road District Aggregate Project to Wagner Aggregate Inc., of DeKalb, IL in the amount of $62,750.00. 

For the bid opening held on February 26, 2026, Resolution R2026-024 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2026 project in Malta Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders to Wagner Aggregate Inc., of DeKalb, IL in the amount of $62,750.00. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $60,000.00.

It was moved by Coovert, seconded by Luebke, and was carried by voice vote to forward Resolution R2026-024 to the full County Board recommending its approval.

Resolution R2026-025 – A Resolution Awarding the 2026 Drainage Pipe Project to Illinois Culvert Company, of Tonica, IL in the amount of $99,356.88. 

For the bid opening held on February 26, 2026, Resolution R2026-025 involves the drainage pipes utilized by the County during 2026 for various drainage projects. This resolution awards the low bid meeting specification out of three bidders to Illinois Culvert Company, of Tonica, IL in the amount of $99,356.88. The estimate of cost for the County was $63,476.00. 

It was moved by Emmer, seconded by Cozad, and was carried by voice vote to forward Resolution R2026-025 to the full County Board recommending its approval.

Considerations/Discussion Items – Mr. Schwartz shared a preliminary site concept plan for the area along Plank Road, between IL Rte 23 and Luther Lowell. This plan shows multiple access points along IL Rt 23 and Plank Road. He reminded the committee that there were to be only predetermined access points when Peace/Plank was built. Any changes have to be approved by the County and the City located in. The committee consensus is that this is not in line with the longrange plans for multiple lane usage in this section of Plank Road between IL Rte 23 and Luther Lowell.

Chair’s Comments – None

County Engineer’s Comments

• Monthly Update on Projects

Mr. Schwartz went through several of the projects on the monthly Transportation Improvement Program, the items highlighted in red are those having updates since Committee’s last meeting.

Item #2 – Glidden Road Bridges from S of Baseline to N of Maple Road are in the QBS process with interviews to find the desired Engineering firm; probably will see Agreements at April meeting.

Item #5 – Goble Road Bridge north of Chicago Road is a 50 ft township timber pile bridge that is in the QBS interviewing process; also, with the intention of an Agreement for April. Item #9 – Peace Road Bridge & Road Widening is still moving forward; after the road postings are lifted the contractor will bring in the coifed dams, do piers and piling work. Item #10 – Peace Road Widening, Freed north to IL 23 preliminary engineering began. Item #14 – Plank Road Realignment Phase 1 Engineering permitting is moving forward; field stakes have been set for the Geotechnical work.

Item #15 – Plank Road Roundabout’s land acquisition process is still ongoing in the area zoned commercial. An IDOT approved licensed appraiser will be hired to get an independent land value for the extra ROW needed. This will delay the letting to the next IDOT Letting date in June. Unfortunately, with this delay it would push contract execution to late summer which would delay construction starting as the fall school year session begins. We do not desire to close the intersection that late in the year as it would likely not be completed prior to winter. Therefore, a request would be made in the contract that no construction can start until Spring 2027.

Item #19 – Various Bridge Replacements have 7 location structures, one for the County and six for the Road Districts. We want to be ready for an application for all these bridges that will qualify for structure replacements when or as soon as a funding opportunity arises. 

• Legislative Update – Various bills have been submitted. We are currently dealing with amendments with new rulings proposed. 

• DSATS Update DSATS’ new GIS employee, Emmanuel Miralrio was introduced and he spoke of his experience and eagerness to work for DeKalb County. 

• Miscellaneous Update –Mr. Schwartz informed the Committee that TransVac will be using our fuel depot facilities; staff is completing in house painting of the office/conference room areas; road postings are in effect for a few more weeks at least; advertising for Eng Tech II position as budget requested is out; will attend a job fair at Morrison Engineering College where our last Eng Tech was hired from; next letting for several County and Road District’s GM projects will be March 26th. These items will be presented at the Highway Committee in April. 

Old Business – none 

New Business – none 

Adjournment at 7:50 pm. It was moved by Haier; seconded by Luebke; and was carried by voice vote.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/agenda-hwy-04022026.pdf