Kendall County Highway Committee met July 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Cesich, Matt Kellogg, Brian DeBolt, Scott Gengler & Scott Gryder
STAFF PRESENT: Michele Riley and Francis Klaas
ALSO PRESENT: PJ Fitzpatrick, Ryan Sikes, Kelly Farley, & Jonathan Proulx
The committee meeting convened at 3:31 P.M. with roll call of committee members. Gengler absent. Quorum established.
Motion DeBolt; second Cesich, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion approved unanimously.
Motion Cesich; second DeBolt, to approve the Highway Committee meeting minutes from April 12, 2022. Motion approved unanimously.
Motion Kellogg; second Cesich to recommend approval of a Local Public Agency Amendment #1 to the Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation for Eldamain – Contract B Construction. Klaas described how the State reallocated funding in this amendment so that Kendall County could realize the full $30 million grant that was provided in ReBuild Illinois. The remaining $5 million in construction costs will be paid with $4.1 million ReBuild Illinois Bond Funds, $675,000 in a DCEO Grant through Keith Wheeler’s Office, and a few remaining dollars from the Transportation Sales Tax Fund. DeBolt asked how much the bridge will cost the tax payers of Kendall County. Klaas indicated that there is no free lunch, but technically, there will be no local property taxes used for the project; only sales tax monies, which are paid for by local and non-local residents. Motion approved unanimously.
Klaas informed the committee that items #7 and #8 are not ready for action by the Committee.
Motion Cesich; second DeBolt to recommend approval of an ordinance granting variance to the Kendall County Highway Access Regulation Ordinance for Plainfield Logistics Centre on Ridge Road near 143rd Street. Klaas provided the committee with exhibits showing the proposed full access and noted that the proposal balances full access with adjoining properties, as well as future proposed access just north of Ill. Rte. 126. Gryder described the proposed use as catering to entities such as General Mills and Procter & Gamble. They anticipate a couple users that they are specifically serving. He also indicated that the Village President of Plainfield had asked him to come out and speak about the project from a Kendall County perspective. They anticipate additional development in the area with the proposed intersection improvement at Ridge & 143rd Street. Kendall County has programmed $1 million in 2023 for this project. Kellogg thought it would be a good idea to line up the full access with the south side of the fire district property on the west side of Ridge Road, so they would have good access. Jonathan Proulx, Planning Director for the Village of Plainfield, confirmed that the Ridge Road & 143rd Street intersection improvement would relocate the existing intersection just slightly north. Gryder asked Proulx what the nature of the opposition would be to this development project. Proulx indicated that there was some concern by a couple of village board members related to traffic, especially heavy trucks increasing in the area. He also described the additional road projects that would take the 143rd corridor further east to the interstate. The Plainfield Plan Commission has made a unanimous recommendation for approval of this development. Cesisch asked how many new employees would be at this site. Kellogg indicated that this would be the subject of a future meeting. Upon consideration, motion approved unanimously.
Gengler arrived at 3:46 P.M.
Under other business, Chairman Gryder asked Klaas about the southerly alignment of Eldamain Road. Klaas provided a brief history of the Eldamain Road corridor development, and emphasized how long it took to get the alignment approved by FHWA. It would be no small task to change the alignment, and he cautioned the committee about changing the alignment without significant additional discussion. Gengler summarized the discussion that was held at the Comprehensive Plan Update. There was opposition from the residents along Lisbon Road north of Walker Road to the current corridor alignment, as it would be very disruptive for them, and would increase traffic significantly someday. The comp plan committee had looked at options to run Eldamain more straight south from W. Highpoint through farm fields in order to get to Walker Road. Gryder asked how much the County had spent so far on Eldamain, Contract C. Klaas stated that $1.5 million had been spent on Phase I Engineering for the entire corridor, from Walker Road to Route 34. DeBolt asked when Contract C might be built. Klaas stated that there is no money whatsoever in the County’s 5-Year Plan for Contract C. He added that it may be 5 years or 50 years before anything is needed in the Contract C area. Gengler thought that the people on Highpoint Road would rather see it sooner than later. Klaas stated that the townships were interested in putting up weight limits on Eldamain / Lisbon south of Route 71 to discourage truck traffic.
Gryder asked about the land acquisition on N. Johnson Road for the County’s proposed road reconstruction, specifically on the Jim Johnson parcel. Klaas was not familiar with that specific parcel, but generalized that most of the acquisition was thin strips of new right-of-way.
DeBolt commended the Highway Department on the recent installation of blinker stop signs. He indicated that the County Sheriff was interested in the placement of more signs at specific locations, which he would provide to the County Engineer.
Klaas confirmed with the Committee that Fox Road will be closed at Illinois Railways Railroad for 90 days beginning June 22, 2022. Signing and portable message boards will be installed within the next 24 hours.
Committee discussed the ongoing Operators 150 Strike in the local quarries. Klaas indicated that the strike could have a profound impact on road and bridge construction if it continues. He then provided an update on all of the major road projects in the County. Gengler asked about the Cannonball Trail curve project. Utility reconstruction has delayed this project. DeBolt asked about the timing of the N. Johnson St. project. This is programmed for 2023 construction, but could get delayed because of significant utility reconstruction. Gryder and Kellogg both asked about the status of improvements on Route 126. Klaas said he would find out and report back to the committee. Committee also wanted to know about the Route 47 widening both north and south of Yorkville.
Motion DeBolt; second Gengler to forward Highway Department bills for the month of June in the amount of $372,004.02 to the Finance Committee for approval. By roll call vote, motion approved unanimously.
Motion Gengler; second DeBolt, to adjourn the meeting at 4:08 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/24689/637953008356500000
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