Kendall County Times

Kendall County Highway Committee met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Zach Bachmann, Dan Koukol, Scott Gengler, Brian DeBolt, and Ruben Rodriguez

STAFF PRESENT: Michele Riley, John Burscheid, and Francis Klaas ALSO PRESENT: David Guritz

The committee meeting convened at 3:30 P.M. with roll call of committee members. All present. Quorum established.

Motion DeBolt; second Koukol, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Rodriguez; second Gengler, to approve the Highway Committee meeting minutes from September 12, 2023. Motion approved unanimously.

Klaas provided an update of ongoing County projects around Kendall County. Burscheid gave Curran Contracting high marks for their good work on Galena-Kennedy intersection. Rodriguez asked about the progress on Collins Road Extension. Klaas stated that the project wouldn’t be completed until the end of 2024. He also reported that there would be a bid opening on 11-3-23 for several additional county projects that will be built in 2024.

Chairman Bachmann reported that he was working with Representative Jed Davis regarding several intersections in Kendall County where there have been higher accident rates. Rep. Davis has discussed the matter with the Illinois Department of Transportation. IDOT is doing studies on some of these intersections, so it is on their radar. Rodriguez asked why this had come up. DeBolt reported that there had been a fatal crash at Millington Road and Millhurst Road intersection, and then a couple weeks later there was an accident involving a school bus. Rodriguez wondered if IDOT would provide money for improvements. Klaas stated that it was good to raise awareness about some of the problems in Kendall County. IDOT would likely be the lead agency for any State routes and might be able to provide money on other routes. Klaas also reported that there were multiple things the County was going to do to try to improve safety at the Millington-Millhurst intersection.

In Other Business, David Guritz presented information on how to create a path between Hoover Forest Preserve and Fox River Bluffs Forest Preserve. He indicated that unless there was a bridge / boardwalk included in the plan, he was not sure that the Forest Preserve could be competitive with a RTP Grant application. He thought the most cost-effective approach is to keep the bridge near the County’s Eldamain Road right-of-way. Klaas expressed his concern about the specific location of the path. It would likely need to be within the Eldamain right-of way along the Wayne Borneman frontage; but would have to be located outside the Eldamain right-of-way along the Fox River Bluffs frontage. Gengler asked how much money the Forest Preserve had for the project. Guritz indicated they would have to come up with another $50,000 if TAP and grant funds are received.

The committee discussed the advantages of seeking grant money vs. using all local money to get the project going right away. Koukol thought it would be best to award the full $150,000 KC TAP funds for 2024 to the Forest Preserve. Guritz thought it would be important to seek legislative-type funds as well. Gengler noted that there was also $160,000 endowment available from the Hughes family that could be used on this project… specifically the foot bridge. He emphasized that without RTP funds, the County could control the whole thing on their schedule. Bachmann asked what the unobligated balance was in the TAP Fund. Klaas provided a report that showed there was about $54,000 unobligated balance. Guritz thought it would be important to still pursue the RTP funds, with an eye toward construction in 2025. Klaas pointed out that all the specifics for the money and the maintenance could be covered by an IGA, which is typically put in place for every TAP award anyway. Koukol stated that this was perfect timing for this matter, since the new budget was being considered at this time. Committee directed Klaas to withhold the NOFO for TAP funds in November, since all the 2024 funds would be purposed for the trail connection between Hoover and Fox River Bluffs.

Koukol asked Klaas if he had any control over the signing on township roads, specifically the intersection of Douglas and Collins. Koukol reported that he had an experience of someone running the stop sign, and others have reported the same thing. Klaas stated that townships need County Engineer permission to install regulatory signs, but the County would not normally initiate the installation without a request from the township. Committee discussed all the complaints about speeders and the general disregard for traffic control devices in recent years.

Motion DeBolt; second Rodriguez to forward Highway Department bills for the month of October in the amount of $62,808.78. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Koukol; second Rodriguez to go into executive session for the purpose of purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body.

After coming out of executive session; motion Koukol, second Bachmann to recommend approval of a real estate contract between County of Kendall and Terri L. Kaufman regarding the real estate and improvements, if any, at 1030 Wildy Road, Minooka, IL

Motion Rodriguez; second Gengler to adjourn the meeting at 4:22 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

Action Items

1. Approval of a real estate contract between County of Kendall and Terri L. Kaufman regarding the real estate and improvements, if any, at 1030 Wildy Road, Minooka, IL

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/28419