DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Highway Committee met May 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Mr. Deutsch called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. and Ms. Richardson called the roll. Committee members present were Chairman Mr. Deutsch, Ms. Emmer, Mr. Haier, Ms. Ilenikhena, Vice Chairman Mr. Luebke, and Ms. Willis. The County Engineer Mr. Schwartz, Support Services Manager Ms. Richardson with one guest arriving after public comment time were present.

Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve the May 4, 2023 Agenda made by Emmer; seconded by Ilenikhena; Motion approved unanimously.

Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the April 6, 2023 regular Meeting Minutes made by Luebke; seconded by Willis; Motion approved unanimously.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Resolution R2023-037— A Resolution Awarding to enter into a Joint Funding Agreement for State-Let Construction work through IDOT, Perry Road Bridge

This resolution is to enter into an agreement with the State of Illinois for the use of federal COVID & LBFPOFF funds for the improvements to structure #019-3043 on Perry Road (CH 7), one mile east of Somonauk Road at Branch Battle Creek, north of Hinckley, IL. Designated as Section Number 18-00050-02-BR with an estimated construction & construction engineering to cost $860,309.59 with the local share estimated at $141,200.00. IDOT provides this agreement.

Committee Action: Moved by Willis; seconded by Emmer and approved unanimously. Considerations/Discussion Items - none

Chair’s Comments - none

County Engineer’s Comments

Monthly Update on Projects

-Mr. Schwartz first addressed the Plank Road Corridor Study. Informational postcards were mailed out by the consultant for the Public Meeting to be held May 18th at the Gathertorium. The website provides a lot of information and gives everyone the opportunity to provide their comments by mail, email, or at the webpage. The consultant will take the research, narrow to a couple options before again taking public comment on those options, then present a final option to the Board based on the third and final public outreach.

-Item #3 Glidden Road Intersection at Baseline Road east side ROW plats are being drawn to register new ROW. Preliminary engineering goal will be for a Spring 2024 letting.

-Item #6 Peace Road widening to Freed Road with a bridge replacement and road widening north of Rt 64 is moving forward with the designer in the process of finalizing details, construction planned in 2024.

-Item #7 Pearl Street Bridge is the Village of Kirkland’s project. A grant will pay 80% of the construction costs to replace bridge while County federal bridge dollars will be used for preliminary engineering. Talks held with IDOT yesterday assuring the project is moving forward. -Item #12 Rollo Road culvert replacements will be let this summer, meetings with property owners for ROW land acquisition are progressing as they are in favor of the projects.

Legislative Update

Mr. Schwartz shared that he is helping to provide County Engineers in the field knowledge related to legislative language in bills. An example given was a bill that required one public entity working with another must pay employee prevailing wages. This would affect everyone, especially townships which often work with each other on a regular basis. It is suggested to change the wording to allow for an adjacent township/city/county to work jointly.

DSATS Update

The Advisory Committee has passed their 5 year project listing, Policy Committee to approve next week.

DSATS will be using an intern this summer.

Other Miscellaneous Updates

The department is investigating and exploring County-owned land at Barber Greene Road and Peace Road. The fields have been holding water in the past year including where the wetlands are located. Recent rainwater had caused standing water to reach onto the road shoulder. Also, the department will be working on a gravel bike path along Barber Greene Road from Peace Road to Loves Road next year with possible future paving that might be done in 2025. It has been indicated the Town of Cortland may wish to do a bike path going north on Loves Road to Barber Greene Road with the possibility of both paths to be at the same time.

Old Business - none

New Business - none

Adjournment at 7:21 pm

Committee Action: Moved by Haier; seconded by Luebke and approved unanimously

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/minutes-hwy-05042023.pdf