DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Highway Committee met May 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

A virtual public meeting of the Highway Committee of the DeKalb County Board was held at 6:00pm.

Chairman Plote called the meeting to order at 6:03pm and called for the roll. Committee members present were Mr. Luebke, Mr. Pietrowski, and Vice Chair Willis. Ms. Emmer, Mr. Osland and Mr. West was absent. The County Engineer, Mr. Nathan Schwartz, Mr. Derek Hiland, Community Development Director, Mr. Pete Stefan, Finance Director, Mr. Wayne Davey, Support Services Manager and three guests were also present by video.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Motion made by Vice Chair Willis and seconded by Mr. Luebke to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Vice Chair Willis moved and Mr. Luebke seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2020 regular meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Two citizens spoke reiterating their comments and concerns about the driving conditions of Plank Road, specifically between Moose Range Road and just east of Lukens Road. They expressed their gratitude to Mr. Schwartz for exercising his engineering judgement to extend the current no passing zone through the Gerry Lane and Lukens Road intersections. Concerns still remain with the current speed limit of the road and the number of crashes caused by passing at intersections and vehicles passing when vehicle(s) in front of them are making a turning movement that requires them to cross a lane of traffic.

AWARD RESOLUTION: #R2020-31 REPAIR OF 13 TIMBER PILES ON TWO BRIDGES (ANDERLAND ROAD AND HAUMESSER ROAD)

Mr. Schwartz informed the Committee of the results of the bid letting held on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 for the repairs to 13 timber piles for two bridges in Afton and Milan Road District. After reviewing the cost of repairs and calculating the extended useful life to these structures the repairs will provide, Mr. Schwartz determined that repairing these structures instead of replacing them completely was the fiscally sound thing to do at this time. Civil Constructors Inc. from Freeport, Illinois submitted the low bid meeting specifications in the amount of $241,514.00. The amount was over the engineer’s estimate, however, Mr. Schwartz stated the repairs need to be accomplished and the scope of the project has not changed; rebidding this project would likely result in the same prices. As such Mr. Schwartz recommended accepting the low bid as submitted. The County will be sharing in the cost of this project with the two Road Districts involved. The County will be responsible for 50% of the cost and the Road Districts will be responsible for their respective share of the remaining 50%. Mr. Schwartz recommended approval of this resolution. Vice Chair Willis moved and Mr. Luebke seconded a motion to forward the resolution to the full County Board recommending approval. Motion passed unanimously.

The County Engineer requested to fill the vacant Administrative Clerk C position that was recently vacated. This position received Committee approval to be filled with a full- time employee during October 2019. The person selected for this position left prior to the end of the required six-month probation period for a better paying position. The Committee provided Mr. Schwartz with a consensus to advertise and fill the position as recommended.

The County is currently looking for summer help to mow right-of-ways (ditches). If anyone knows young adults (have to be over 17 years of age with a valid driver’s license) who are looking for summer employment please recommend the Highway Department.

ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Plote stated there was nothing further on the agenda and asked for a motion to adjourn. A motion was made by Mr. Luebke seconded by Vice Chair Willis and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:35pm.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/min20-hwymay.pdf