Kendall County Times

Kendall County Highway Committee met Oct. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

LOCATION: Kendall County Highway Department

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

STAFF PRESENT: Michele Riley, John Burscheid, and Francis Klaas

ALSO PRESENT: Randy Roberts

The committee meeting convened at 3:32 P.M. with roll call of committee members. Gengler absent. Quorum established.

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

Motion Rodriguez; second DeBolt, to approve the Highway Committee minutes from September 10, 2024. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion DeBolt; second Koukol to recommend approval of a resolution awarding contracts to the low bidders for the following projects:

20-00158-00-DR to D Construction, Inc. in the amount of $2,549,452.30

22-04115-00-BR to Riber Construction, Inc. in the amount of $665,874.48

23-00173-00-BR to D Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,811,115.38

Klaas described the projects that were bid and how the low bids compared to the engineer’s estimate.

Gengler arrived at 3:35 PM.

Discussion was held about the new style of bridge to be built on Wheeler Road – that being a press-brake tub girder style bridge. All metal components of this bridge will be hot-dip galvanized, which should make the bridge last for 100 years. Klaas also discussed the proposed bridge replacement on Caton Farm Road. This bridge will be a traditional I-beam and poured deck bridge; but it will have a 90-day closure restriction for Caton Farm Road. DeBolt asked how long the proposed detour route would be. Klaas stated that the detour would be north 1 mile to Walker Road and then over to Schlapp Road; so not very long. The township and City of Joliet have approved this detour route. Koukol pointed out the disparity in the bids for N. Johnson Street. There was a very wide swing in the low bid to the high bid. He was concerned that D Construction might get too much work and have trouble finishing all the projects. Upon consideration, committee unanimously approved the motion by voice vote.

Motion DeBolt; second Rodriguez to recommend approval of an Ordinance for the establishment of altered speed zones on various township roads (Ashe Road). Klaas reminded the committee that the County Board sets speed limits on township highways. Bristol Township has asked the County to look at Ashe Road between Galena Road and Baseline Road. Bachmann asked what the current speed limit is on this road. Klaas stated that it is unposted, and so by Illinois Law would have a maximum speed limit of 55 mph. Klaas also stated that the Highway Department had performed a speed study and is recommending a maximum speed limit of 45 mph. DeBolt indicated that traffic is going very fast northbound on Eldamain Road, and when they cross Galena Road, they come upon a residential subdivision that accesses Ashe Road on the left. There have been some near misses at this location according to DeBolt. Rodriguez also thought that there had been a bad accident at Eldamain and Galena just recently. DeBolt added that there is truck traffic on Eldamain Road that uses Ashe Road to continue north to Jericho Road. Klaas stated that they shouldn’t be doing that because Bristol Township has a “No Trucks” sign just north of Galena Road. Koukol added that this is not a unique problem. Trucks are also using a shortcut through the Ogden Falls Subdivision near Route 30 & Route 34 in order to continue east on Route 30. DeBolt asked if Kane County was going to follow suit (speed limit) on their part of Ashe Road. Klaas said that the Highway Department had talked to them, and he didn’t think that they were inclined to do it. He pointed out that Kane’s part is straighter and has less conflicts. DeBolt asked when the new speed limit signs would be erected. Klaas indicated that it could be done as soon as the County Board approves. Gengler wondered where the signs would go. Klaas said that there would be signs immediately north of Galena and just south of Baseline. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

In the Chairman’s Report, Bachmann wanted to discuss the recent petition from Seward Township regarding an amendment to the Seward Township map contained in the Land Resource Management Plan and how this relates to the County’s plan to widen Ridge Road. DeBolt wondered if the township wanted to keep everything ag, while everyone else wanted to make it business. Gengler thought that they just wanted to keep their map separate from the rest of the Plan. Koukol stated that the County has money in 2025 for the update to the Land Resource Management Plan. If the County adopts Seward’s map, it’s going to make it look like the County is not supportive of new industry along the Ridge Road corridor. He also thought that it was just a small group of people who want to isolate the township and keep it rural or agricultural. Koukol reminded the committee that he had recommended an extension of the time to review this proposal, but the township wouldn’t come to the table. Finally, he wanted the plans to mesh so there wouldn’t be problems down the road. He also stated that if the municipalities annex, the County and township won’t have any say in the matter anyway. DeBolt confirmed that there were people in the township that don’t want to change the rural nature of the township. Gengler confirmed that the township wants to change the map for the entire township. Bachmann understood that they wanted to make most of the township ag zoning. Gengler stated that they did want to change some of the residential zoning back to ag. Rodriguez thought that the Plan update process would include conversations with all the townships. He thought it was too bad that it was starting with this animosity. Koukol indicated that the township was not represented at the PB&Z meeting, and he wished they had pulled their petition, because he believed they would get a negative vote at the County Board. Bachmann perceived that they were asking for something that was against their best interest. Rodriguez discussed the various municipal land plans in the area and how they don’t really jive with each other either. Koukol thought that Joliet, Minooka, and Shorewood were going to come in at one time and discuss some of these plans, but there is apparently no momentum for this anymore. Gengler reiterated that the County and Township really aren’t going to have any control anyway if these properties are annexed.

In Other Business, Rodriguez wondered if contractors looked at the 5-Year Plan when they were submitting bids. Klaas stated that the 5-Year Plan and the bidding process are two completely separate things. The 5-Year Plan is more of a planning tool, while the bidding is concrete work that is to be done. Engineers and consultants look at the 5-Year Plan. Contractors just look at projects that are published for bidding.

DeBolt asked when the N. Johnson Street project would start. Klaas indicated that tree removal and utility relocation will occur this fall/winter and construction should start in the spring. DeBolt also asked if the Highway Department was communicating with the Villages of Newark and Millington since Fox River Drive is an important route between these two communities. Klaas stated that the engineering consultant, EEI, had prepared the County’s plans for this road improvement, and they are also Newark’s municipal engineer. So Newark, at least, was very aware of this project. He also indicated that he had spoken with the Village President of Millington about the project. Finally, he stated that the road would not be closed during construction, so that the public, including grain trucks, would be able to get through.

Motion DeBolt; second Gengler, to forward Highway Department bills for the month of October in the amount of $673,922.40 to the Finance Committee for approval. Klaas warned the Committee that the Maintenance of Equipment line item in the Highway Fund will be way over budget. The overall fund balance, however, will be close to original budget. Committee also discussed the new space from the vacated bus barn and the recent repairs made to the salt storage igloo. Motion approved unanimously.

Randy Roberts, Village of Millbrook Trustee, asked about the status of the traffic investigation for Fox River Drive through Millbrook. He discussed some of the difficulties in managing traffic and speed on Village Streets. The Village is also working with the Kendall County Sheriff's Department in regard to some of these matters. Klaas said that the Fox River Drive matter is still on his desk, and he will get back to it yet this month.

Motion Gengler; second Rodriguez to adjourn the meeting at 4:02 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/31357