Kendall County Times

Kendall County Highway Committee met March 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

LOCATION: Kendall County Highway Department

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jason Peterson, Dan Koukol, and Scott Gengler

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

ALSO PRESENT:

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

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

Motion Gengler; second Koukol, to approve the Highway Committee minutes from February 11, 2025. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Gengler; second Koukol to recommend approval of an agreement between the State of Illinois and Kendall County related to the reconstruction of Ill. Rte. 47 between Waterpark Way and Jericho Road. Klaas stated that this project is mostly in IDOT District 3, but District 1 is the lead agency. He provided an exhibit and described the responsibilities for Kendall County, which include continued maintenance of Galena Road as well as the new structure that is going to be built at the Rob Roy Creek. Peterson asked what was included in maintenance of the structure. Klaas stated that it would include removing brush, silt, or other items as well as any other repairs that would be required. He added that the County is providing maintenance for the existing structure, so this will not add to our responsibilities. He also indicated that City of Yorkville would be maintaining the new traffic signals and lighting at the Rte. 47 – Galena intersection. Gengler pointed out that this was a similar set up with Yorkville for the Rte. 47 – Baseline intersection. Committee reviewed and discussed the Rte. 47 exhibit. Klaas stated that the State’s Attorney Office has reviewed the agreement. Upon further consideration, the committee unanimously approved the recommendation by voice vote.

Motion Koukol; second Gengler to recommend approval of a resolution appropriating $62,008 for the improvement of Ill. Rte. 47 from Waterpark Way to Jericho Road per the Agreement between State of Illinois and Kendall County. Klaas explained that this was the funding mechanism for the agreement discussed previously, and it would have to be acted on separately. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Motion Gengler; second Koukol to authorize Francis C. Klaas to enter into contracts, including joint participation agreements, on behalf of Kendall County with the State of Illinois and any of its agencies or departments. This is simply to allow the County Engineer to order salt through the Central Management Services contract. CMS demands that this authorization be approved each and every year by the appropriate local governmental authority… in this case, the Kendall County Board. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Motion Gengler; second Koukol to recommend approval of the low bid of Gjovick Ford in the amount of $45,499 for the purchase of a new Ford F-150 4x4 Pickup Truck. Koukol asked who the new pickup was for. Klaas wasn’t sure exactly, but indicated that the oldest pickup was being rotated out with the purchase of the new one. Peterson asked if there were any other departments who might want the old pickup. Klaas said that he would check with other departments first before getting rid of the old pickup. He also said the budget for this item was $45,000. Low bid was very close to this. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote.

Motion Peterson; second Koukol to recommend approval of a Pipeline License Agreement between Kendall County and BNSF Railway Company pertaining to the Gates Creek Culvert Replacements Project. Klaas described the difficulties in negotiating anything with the Railroad. He stated that the State’s Attorney Office had reviewed and had some reluctance to recommend approval of some of the language. But both the County Engineer and SAO agreed that, even though distasteful, there might not be anything to gain by dragging out the negotiation of agreement language. For this reason, the County Engineer recommended approval in order to get this project moving. Koukol asked if HR Green was the engineer on this project. Klaas stated that they are the engineer of record. He also stated that the County was negotiating with ComEd as well for easements near the Orchard Road Pond. He added that this was a relatively simple project, but one that is very complicated and frustrating to complete. Upon further consideration, the motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.

Committee discussed the concept of granting more KC-TAP funds to the Forest Preserve for the proposed trail between Hoover and Fox River Bluffs. Klaas provided an exhibit and described the new TAP rules. Koukol thought this was a really good project and pointed out that the County has reached out to other agencies in regard to these funds. Committee recommended that the matter should be sent over to SAO for preparation of a new IGA to disperse additional funds to the Forest Preserve for this project.

In other business, Gengler reported that IDOT has notified the County that they are proceeding with liquidating parcels that were associated with the Prairie Parkway. Three parcels in particular are located in the vicinity of River Road. Two of them have houses on them and the other property is just a sliver. IDOT will be sending Christina Burns additional information regarding the availability of these parcels.

Motion Gengler; second Koukol, to forward Highway Department bills for the month of March in the amount of $200,646.45 to the Finance Committee for approval. Motion approved unanimously.

Motion Gengler; second Koukol to adjourn the meeting at 3:52 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

Action Items

1. Agreement between the State of Illinois and Kendall County related to the reconstruction of Ill. Rte. 47 between Waterpark Way and Jericho Road

2. Resolution appropriating $62,008 for the improvement of Ill. Rte. 47 from Waterpark Way to Jericho Road per the Agreement between State of Illinois and Kendall County

3. Authorization for Francis C. Klaas to enter into contracts, including joint participation agreements, on behalf of Kendall County with the State of Illinois and any of its agencies or departments

4. Approval of the low bid of Gjovick Ford in the amount of $45,499 for the purchase of a new Ford F-150 4x4 Pickup Truck

5. Pipeline License Agreement between Kendall County and BNSF Railway Company pertaining to the Gates Creek Culvert Replacements Project

https://www.kendallcountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/32407/638773895001130000