Kendall County Times

Kendall County Highway Committee met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

LOCATION: Kendall County Highway Department

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

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

ALSO PRESENT:

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

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

Motion Gengler; second Rodriguez, to approve the Highway Committee minutes from October 8, 2024. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Rodriguez; second Gengler to recommend approval of the low bid of Truck Centers in the amount of $135,357 for a 2025 Western Star tandem axle cab & chassis. Klaas provided background on the bidding process and the fact that the Highway Department’s goal is to acquire 1 new dump truck every year in order to completely replace the fleet every 10 to 12 years. Rodriguez asked if the replacement was based on first in, first out. Klaas said that is not always the case. In fact, some of the oldest trucks have been kept because they have less emissions equipment and tend to run better and longer. Trucks that have a history of mechanical problems are typically sold. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Motion Koukol; second Gengler to recommend approval of the low bid of $84,232 from Grainco FS, Inc. for the annual purchase of 12,000 gallons of unleaded gas and 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel for FY 2025. Rodriguez asked how this compared to the regular cost of fuel these days. Klaas indicated that the prices for the County were significantly cheaper because the County doesn’t have to pay certain federal taxes on the fuel and because of the bulk purchase. Rodriguez also asked if we always buy 12,000 gallons of gas and 20,000 gallons of diesel. Klaas stated that the bid documents provide a 10-year history of how much fuel was purchased; and those numbers generally average about 12,000 and 20,000 annually. The bid specifications also prevent the County from being penalized for buying less or more than the bid quantities. Koukol pointed out that Grainco really sharpened their pencil this year on the bid. Koukol and Rodriguez also asked questions about how the fuel use is monitored. Klaas indicated that the fuel provider checks the tanks frequently, especially in the winter when the Department uses lots of diesel fuel… sometimes even filling the tank daily. A larger diesel fuel tank was also installed this year – 2000 gallons compared to 1500 gallons – which will provide for a greater cushion during times of heavy use. Rodriguez asked about the gauging of the fuel accounts. Klaas said that the reading of the fuel in the tank is manual; but the purchases by all the departments is managed by software that documents the user, date, time, vehicle, and how much is used. Koukol asked if the diesel fuel was bio-diesel. Klaas stated that it was. Koukol thought that since the Highway Department uses the fuel so quickly, the fact that it is bio-diesel shouldn’t be a problem. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Klaas presented the long-range transportation plan to the committee members. A digital copy of the plan had been sent out to members a couple weeks prior. The committee reviewed the proposed $335 million worth of improvements in the Plan. Koukol pointed out that engineers are very interested in the projects contained in the Plan. Gengler asked about the Van Emmon improvements. Klaas discussed the County’s goal to maintain jurisdiction of County Highways until they intersect with other County Highways or State Highways. He provided examples of these efforts in Newark, Millington, Plano & Yorkville. Van Emmon could be another one of these types of projects, although he wasn’t sure whether Yorkville or the County might be the lead agency for the project. Rodriguez asked about the south end of Eldamain Road. Klaas stated that there was some controversy about whether these improvements should be included in the plan, but he felt strongly that it should be included, because it just can’t be ignored. He further explained why following existing alignments was likely preferred as opposed to running on new alignment and destroying so much farm ground. Rodriguez also asked if this would be a 4-lane road. Klaas indicated it would only be a 2-lane road with a reduced footprint, similar to how the road now looks south of Illinois Route 71. Bachmann asked what the intersection improvement would be at Eldamain and Walker. Klaas didn’t know, since the improvement was likely 20 or more years out and would be determined at that time.

Koukol wanted to discuss some of the projects on the east side of the County. He asked about the part of Plainfield east of Ridge Road that has no improvements shown in the Plan. Klaas indicated that traffic numbers were significantly less in that area when compared to those at the north end of Plainfield Road but admitted that you could make a strong argument for including the entire road. Koukol thought it would be best to show improvements for the entire length of Plainfield Road, for consistency and also to address the many crashes in this segment. Committee discussed and agreed that the entire length of Plainfield should be slated for improvements in the 20-year plan. Rodriguez and others thought it should be included for continuity. Klaas indicated he could amend the Plan and have it ready for County Board next Tuesday. Koukol also asked about the piece of Caton Farm Road going west from Ridge Road. Klaas discussed the piecemeal reconstruction of the roadway by developers and how the County will likely need to step in at some point and connect all the disjointed pieces. Koukol thought that the traffic numbers will be double whatever the projections are in this rapidly developing area.

Rodriguez asked about some of the improvements proposed in the area of Millbrook and Millington. Klaas discussed the proposed Walker Road realignment and the intersection improvement at Fox River Drive, Crimmin, and Walker Road. He indicated that the intersection improvement has been in the 5-Year Plan for several years, but we have been kicking it down the road because it just hasn’t been as big a priority as some of the higher traffic areas to the northeast. Gengler asked for clarification on the “capacity improvement” on the map. Klaas stated that this means there will be lanes added to the existing road, such as going from a 2-lane to a 4-lane road. Koukol discussed the continuing construction near Ridge Road and 143rd, including the DHL site. He also asked about the proposed 143rd improvements on the east side of the Village of Plainfield. No one knew the status of that project in Will County. Committee was comfortable with the Plan, with the modification to be made to Plainfield Road. Motion Gengler; second Bachmann to forward the Long-Range Plan, as amended, to the County Board for consideration. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

In other business, the Committee discussed whether there has been any movement on the Route 52 and Grove Road intersection improvement. Klaas stated that IDOT has had a survey crew out at that location within the past month. Bachmann indicated he would follow up with his contacts to see where it stands. Bachmann also asked Klaas for an update on the Collins Road Improvement. Klaas said that the contractor was really putting a lot of people on the project now, and they are still promising that the roadway part of the project will be done this calendar year.

Motion Gengler; second Rodriguez, to forward Highway Department bills for the month of November in the amount of $522,607.20 to the Finance Committee for approval. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Rodriguez; second Gengler to adjourn the meeting at 4:04 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

Action Items

1. Approve low bid of Truck Centers in the amount of $135,357 for a 2025 Western Star tandem axle cab & chassis

2. Approve the low bid of $84,232 from Grainco FS, Inc. for the annual purchase of 12,000 gallons of unleaded gas and 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel for FY 2025

3. Approve the 2024 – 2044 Long-Range Transportation Plan

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/31804