Kendall County Times

Kendall County Highway Committee met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Zach Bachmann, Brian DeBolt, Scott Gengler & Ruben Rodriguez 

STAFF PRESENT: John Burscheid and Michele Riley

ALSO PRESENT: Jackie Kowalski, Steve Pence, Abby Christensen, C. Paul Eichelberger, Randy Roberts, and Ben Smith

The committee meeting convened at 3:33 P.M. with roll call of committee members. Koukol absent. Quorum established.

Motion Bachmann; second DeBolt, to amend the agenda moving #7, Speed Concerns on Fox River Drive in Millbrook, to #5. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Rodriguez; second DeBolt to approve to agenda as amended. Motion approved unanimously.

Jackie Kowalski introduced the entire Village Board from Millbrook except for one. She said that traffic issues are always being discussed in the Village and they were looking for a more permanent solution to the speeding problems, with Fox River Drive being the main concern. In the last few years, buses stop on Fox River Drive; so there are additional concerns with kids being picked up and dropped off. Smith added that there are a lot more younger couples in Millbrook now, which contributes to the additional children. DeBolt asked if this was happening by the school, but Roberts said it was happening all along Fox Rive Drive with southbound being more of a problem. Gengler asked if the Village wanted a stop sign at Burton Street. Roberts suggested a stop sign for southbound Fox River Drive at Millbrook Road. Christensen added that it’s just a two way stop and she suggested southbound traffic coming from Plano should stop. Pence said there used to be a 3-way stop at Harris Street; but it was moved to Millbrook Road many years ago. Eichelberger confirmed that drivers are disregarding stop signs and speeding. He was very concerned about the young people in town. Gengler asked if the Sheriff’s Office had been notified. Village Board members confirmed that the Sheriff had done a study and shared that information with the committee. Gengler also asked if the Sheriff was doing any enforcement. Village members confirmed that there was some enforcement but understood that the Sheriff couldn’t be out there forever. Rodriguez shared information about the use of speed bumps in California and suggested that as an option. Committee discussed the use of speed bumps in the Village of Plainfield.

Burscheid shared information from the MUTCD stating that stop signs shall not be used for speed control. He thought it might be a possibility at the intersection of Millbrook Road, but stops signs are probably not an option at the other streets. Burscheid also discussed how speeding complaints are dominating the complaints received at the Highway Department. He added that cell phones are exacerbating the problem as many drivers are distracted, which is contributing to speeding and accidents.

DeBolt asked if there was a school speed sign at the grade school. Village confirmed that there was a 20 mph speed limit when children are present. Rodgriguez related a story about exiting the Yogi Bear campground and witnessed a truck passing another car going very fast; so he recognized that speeding is an issue.

DeBolt then discussed the idea of a stop sign at Burton or Harris. Pence reiterated that there used to be a stop sign at Harris. Burscheid reminded everyone that stop signs cannot be used for speed control. Gengler asked what justification was necessary for putting up stop signs. Burscheid said that a traffic study would have to be completed. The study would look at traffic, accidents, access, etc. Rodriguez asked what traffic studies performed recently have then resulted in changes to the county system. Committee discussed some of the recently completed projects. DeBolt asked about the installation of flashing lights

Bachmann summarized the discussion and segwayed into the idea of incorporating our safety matrix as part of a traffic study for this area. He confirmed that speeding is a problem county wide and stressed the importance of coordinating with the Sheriff for some additional police presence. He indicated that, although the committee didn’t have a solution today, the matter is on the County’s radar and there would be additional conversations to address it. DeBolt again brought up the idea of stop signs at Fox River Drive and Millbrook intersection, as well as slow or school signs on each block. Burscheid related how there are now so many more accidents on County Highways – even on straightaways – due to distracted drivers. DeBolt gave an example of Fox River Drive coming into Plano, where there are stop signs, flashing lights, and crosswalk. Drivers blow right through there, even with the lights flashing, like it’s not even there.

Roberts stated that Millbrook has discussed the idea of doing something similar to what Newark does… contracting with the Sheriff’s Department for extra patrols and enforcement. Those negotiations have gone slowly due to staffing issues and other things. The committee and the Village agreed that they all wanted to look for solutions to improve safety. Bachmann thought that this is exactly the kind of public feedback that is useful in implementing safety improvements.

Burscheid discussed the use of speed signs that flash and post the driver’s speed. Village of Plattville uses these types of signs on each end of town. One of the Village members asked if those could be used to issue tickets. No one knew the answer for sure. Roberts emphasized that if there was no enforcement, then drivers just won’t pay any attention to the signs. Bachmann concurred that enforcement must be a part of the solution. Rodriguez asked if the Village gets complaints about speeding from the public. Village stated that they get complaints at every meeting.

Members then talked about the difficulty of installing sidewalks along Fox River Drive because it is so narrow. They talked about the age of the existing sidewalks and how narrow they were. DeBolt discussed the idea of installing new sidewalks from the grade school all the way to Millbrook Road. There was some additional discussion about installing a stop sign on Fox River Drive at Millbrook Road. Bachmann thanked the Village and said that he expects a have a more accurate game plan in the near future.

Motion DeBolt; second Gengler to approve the Highway Committee minutes from April 9, 2024. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion DeBolt; second Gengler to recommend approval of an ordinance granting variance to the Kendall County Highway Access Regulation Ordinance. Gengler confirmed that the proposed access is what was proposed by the architect. Bachmann indicated that Forest Preserve might have originally been looking for an additional full access; but the access now proposed is just a right in / right out. He felt this was a good compromise. Burscheid discussed that buses are generally not allowed to back up; so this extra access would be helpful for the occasional bus traffic. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Motion DeBolt; second Gengler to recommend approval of a construction engineering services agreement between Kendall County and Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $228,150 for construction management of N. Johnson Street improvements. Bachmann stated that this project was designed by EEI, and Klaas had previously indicated that they (the County) did not have the personnel to oversee management of the project. Burscheid stated that the County is in the middle of another project in this vicinity – on Fox Rive Drive – and we have gapped the 3,600’ project that is part of this agreement. Burscheid emphasized that, although EEI would be doing the daily construction management, Highway Department would still track and supervise overall construction operations. Upon consideration, the motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.

Under Chairman’s Report, Bachmann discussed the adoption of the Intersection Safety Matrix. State’s Attorney has reviewed and recommended that the matrix be adopted by internal Highway Department policy. Bachmann planned to bring the matter up at C.O.W., just for discussion purposes, but advised that the internal policy idea would provide the best legal protection for the County. In retrospect, the committee then reviewed some of the conversation with the Village of Millbrook and how these issues would integrate with the adoption of the safety matrix. Rodriguez wanted to emphasize that actions taken by the Highway Department would be proactive. Bachmann felt the internal policy would allow the most flexibility and protection for the County.

In Other Business, Gengler asked if anything had been put out on social media regarding Collins Road construction. Riley reported that she had updated Facebook with the latest information. All work is supposed to be completed this calendar year. DeBolt thanked the Highway Department for installing the blinker stop signs at Little Rock Road, Abe St. and Creek Rd.

Motion DeBolt; second Rodriguez to forward Highway Department bills for the month of May in the amount of $146,483.70 to the Finance Committee for approval. Gengler thought the amount was very small. Riley indicated that, due to the timing of bills coming into the Highway Department, the second check run of bills for the month is generally much larger than the first.

Motion Rodriguez; second Gengler to go into executive session at 4:12 PM for the purposes of discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. By roll call vote, motion approved unanimously.

Regular session resumed at 4:15 PM. Motion Gengler; second DeBolt to release executive session minutes from May 14, 2024. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Rodriguez; second Gengler to adjourn the meeting at 4:16 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/30497