Kendall County Highway Committee met May 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Zach Bachmann, Ruben Rodriguez, Brian DeBolt, Dan Koukol & Scott Gengler
STAFF PRESENT: Michele Riley, & John Burscheid
ALSO PRESENT: PJ Fitzpatrick
The committee meeting convened at 3:30 P.M. with roll call of committee members. Quorum established.
Motion DeBolt; second Rodriguez, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion approved unanimously.
Motion DeBolt; second Gengler, to approve the Highway Committee meeting minutes from April 11, 2023. Motion approved unanimously.
Motion Rodriguez; second Koukol to recommend Agreement between Kendall County and Mathewson Land Services in the amount of $34,500 for right-of-way consulting services on the Galena Road – Cannonball Trail Intersection improvement.
Chairman Bachmann noted that although Klaas is not present for the meeting, he did have notes regarding the agreement. Chairman Bachmann indicated that these funds for a small land acquisition project that is important so that construction can start shortly. Debolt mentioned there may be some contention where some homeowners may not want to sell. Motion approved unanimously.
Chairman Bachmann described the events of the Eldamain Bridge Ribbon Cutting. He confirmed the date of May 31st, 2023 at 1:00PM on the South Side of the bridge. Chairman Bachmann stated we are still in the process of getting a head count on various speakers. In addition, commemorative coins have been ordered. Chairman Bachmann described the coins, Riley indicated coins are one sided with the Kendall County logo in the center and Eldamain Bridge listed at the top along with May 31, 2023 along the bottom. Gengler stated he would prefer a Francis C. Klaas coin, Riley indicated that Chariman Kellogg approved a small handful of those coins to be ordered in addition to the Eldamain Road ones. Rodriguez mentioned they are looking to make a wall of fame in the boardroom for all of our projects. Chairman Bachmann indicated that he and Chairman Kellogg are working on their speeches for the ribbon cutting. He asked if any board members had specific notes to please share with them. Rodriguez inquired as to who will be speaking at the event. Chairman Bachmann confirmed that both he and Chairman Kellogg will be speaking. Riley presented the itinerary along with the flyer that HR Green created. DeBolt read itinerary allowed to group. DeBolt related how the weather cooperated with the building of the bridge.
In other business, Gengler asked if TAP funds need to be discussed, specifically the Forest Preserve trail underneath the bridge. Burscheid indicated he believes Klaas has been working with the forest preserve on this. Bachmann indicated he does not believe that there has been a clear picture as to who is taking the lead on this, his understanding is that Forest Preserve wants the highway to take the lead on this. Debolt mentioned he understands there may be more than the $75,000 available and his concern that the semis will be going so fast that a horse will get hit. Burscheid indicated that he knows there is a trail going under the bridge, DeBolt agreed, stating it will connect to the Fox River Bluffs. DeBolt indicated he would feel better once that is in place. DeBolt mentioned that if people are on the west end of Hoover and had to go back to their cars and drive over to Fox River Bluffs, they would just attempt to cross the road which could be dangerous. DeBolt inquired about a 4’ chain link fence to be installed to keep people from crossing. Burscheid indicated a chain link fence is being installed underneath the bridge on the south side to keep people from vandalizing it. He compared it to the Orchard Road bridge, as it is vandalized frequently. Burscheid explained we used a very expensive product and painted the piers to keep the graffiti off there, and a fence is being installed around the piers. DeBolt said to ask Klaas about the road as well to keep people off the road.
Gengler asked Chairman Bachmann to have the funding mentioned on the Eldamain Bridge brochure. He would like all the grants listed. Riley indicated that Evalation Consulting, Kendall County’s lobbyist is listed, and they were the ones who secured a lot of these funds. Rodriguez asked if the Prairie Parkway donated any funds. Riley and Burscheid indicated that we do not believe they were part of the funding. Riley indicated that a $675,000 DCEO grant from Keith Wheeler was obtained. Chairman Bachmann agreed with Gengler and would like funding to be outlined on the brochure so that tax payers can see how much money the highway department did due diligence and built the bridge with minimal funds from the tax payers.
Motion DeBolt; second Rodriguez to forward Highway Department bills for the month of May in the amount of $396,587.75. Motion approved unanimously.
Gengler inquired if there is anything out of the ordinary. Burscheid indicated that construction season has kicked off. DeBolt asked if we were able to obtain the last few pieces of property coming out of Newark. Burscheid indicated that he is unaware and needs to be addressed by Klaas. Rodriguez inquired about the project at Crimmins Road, Burscheid described the project as paving and explained crown corrections. Next year it will be chipped again. Koukol inquired about the progress of Ridge and Caton Farm Road. Burscheid indicated it is progressing. Koukol asked if there is a gas station on the southwest corner. Burscheid has not heard of any gas station being proposed.
Motion Gengler; second Koukol, to adjourn the meeting at 3:52 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
Action Items
1. Agreement between Kendall County and Mathewson Land Services in the amount of $34,500 for right-of-way consulting services on the Galena Road – Cannonball Trail Intersection Improvement.
https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/27124/638194027614670000
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