McHenry County Transportation Committee met Aug. 29.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at: 8:15 AM by Joseph Gottemoller.
PRESENT: Gottemoller, Skala, Thorsen, Wilcox (8:16 AM), Kearns ABSENT: Kopsell, Wilbeck
2. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Transportation Committee - Public Meeting - Aug 1, 2018 8:15 AM
On a motion by Mr. Skala seconded by Mr. Kearns, the meeting minutes of August 1, 2018 were approved as presented.
RESULT: ACCEPTED BY VOICE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Dan Walters, 6201 Johnson Road, Hebron, IL, spoke about the bridge projects in Hebron Township.
Mr. Zeke Nickels, Hebron Township Road Commissioner, spoke about the bridge projects in Hebron Township and distributed a Bridge Condition Summary sheet.
Mr. Tom Linneman, Fire Chief, Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District, spoke about the necessity to have those bridge weight limits raised so that protection equipment can traverse those bridges in Hebron Township.
Ms. Mary McCann, County Board Member, spoke about the bridge projects in Hebron Township. Ms. McCann then spoke about a boat launch in Marengo on the Kishwaukee River along Millstream Road. Lastly, she spoke about her experience where they had to change the design of detention ponds.
Lisa Haderlien, Harvard, IL, Executive Director of the Land Conservancy of McHenry County, spoke about how McHenry County is completely dependent on ground water and that McHenry County is considering putting in a compensatory storage basin in the aquifer at the intersection of Dowell and River Roads.
4. MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Kearns spoke about the bridge issue raised today in Hebron Township. He stated that perhaps funding for the Nondedicated Subdivision Roads program should go towards fixing the bridges.
Mr. Thorsen stated that we need to keep in mind that some of these bridges are Township bridges and they have their own funds too.
Staff stated that the State of Illinois determines the bridge postings based on structural calculations. MCDOT plans to bring a resolution forward which may go directly to the Committee of the Whole, appropriating additional funding to perform interim repairs.
5. ROUTINE CONSENT AGENDA
No discussion on these items.
These items was approved under the Routine Consent Agenda with a roll call vote.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Skala
SECONDER: Jim Kearns
AYES: Gottemoller, Skala, Thorsen, Wilcox, Kearns
ABSENT: Kopsell, Wilbeck
1. Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Illinois Department of Transportation, County of McHenry, and City of Marengo for the Acquisition of Right-of-Way for the Illinois Route 23 and Interstate 90 Interchange Project
2. Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Portable and Mobile Radios through the State of Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology Statewide Master Contract for Starcom 21 Equipment, No. DIT7016660, and Authorizing the Use of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Quarter Cent Sales Tax Fund for this Purpose
3. Resolution Approving an Engineering Services Agreement and Appropriating Funds for the Millstream Road over the Kishwaukee River (3022 & 3023) Bridge(s) Project
4. Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Illinois and Appropriating Funds for the Millstream Road over the Kishwaukee River (056-3022 & 056-3023) Bridge(s) Project
5. Resolution Approving the McHenry County Living Snow Fence Program and Appropriating Funds
6. Resolution Approving an Engineering Services Agreement and Appropriating Funds for the Hunter Road over Little Beaver Creek (056-3034) Bridge Project
7. Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Illinois and Appropriating Funds for the Hunter Road over Little Beaver Creek (056-3034) Bridge Project
8. Resolution Approving an Engineering Services Agreement and Appropriating Funds for the Algonquin Road Corridor and Wilmot Road at Main Street Traffic Signal Improvement Project
9. Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the State of Illinois and Appropriating Funds for the Algonquin Road Corridor and Wilmot Road at Main Street Traffic Signal Improvement Project
10. Resolution to Approve Adopt-A-Highway Volunteer Group Agreement
11. Resolution Approving the Acquisition of Right-Of-Way for Highway Purposes for the Union Road Bridge over the Kishwaukee River Project Pursuant to Eminent Domain
12. Resolution Awarding a Contract for Guardrail Maintenance and Appropriating Funds
13. Resolution Approving Payment of a Commercial Project Fee to the Fox Waterway Agency for the Chapel Hill Road Bridge over the Fox River Rehabilitation Project and Appropriating Funds
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Invest In Transit: the 2018-2023 Regional Transit Strategic Plan
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) recently released a video explaining why the Chicago Region should Invest In Transit. As part of the RTA service area, McHenry County residents directly benefit from the transit services provided by Pace, Metra and CTA. The video was played for the Transportation Committee.
B. FY 2018-2019 Division of Transportation Budget Review
Staff presented a PowerPoint presentation for the 2018-2019 DOT Budget Review:
2018 Highlights
2019 Goals
Maintenance Goals & Highlights
Revenues and Expenditures by Fund
Fund 205 = Highway Fund + Facilities + Planning Liaison Fund 206 - Matching
Fund 207 - Bridge
Fund 261 - MFT
Fund 262 - County Option MFT
Fund 263 - MCDOT RTA Sales Tax Project
Total Expenditure Summary
Performance Indicators
Supplemental
MCDOT Vehicle/Equipment Capital Plan 2019-2026
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Wilcox requested the fund balances.
Staff stated that the remaining balance of the funds at the end of 2019 assuming all existing commitments and next year’s projects are all completed would be as follows:
Matching Fund = $487,000
Bridge Fund = $118,000
MFT = $301,000
County Option = $46,000
RTA Sales Tax = $1,392,000
The consensus of the Transportation Committee was to move the budget forward.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. Speed Study Requests - County and Township
Per direction at the August 1, 2018 Transportation Committee meeting, the Division of Transportation requested concurrence from the Transportation Committee before performing speed studies on the following routes:
| JURISDICTION | HIGHWAY | LIMITS | CURRENT SPEED LIMIT |
| McHenry County | Walkup Road | Talismon Dr. to Burning Bush Trail | 40 mph |
| McHenry County | Franklinville Road | 1⁄2 mile north and 1⁄2 mile south of Perkins Rd. | 55 mph |
| McHenry Township | Ringwood Road | South Solon Rd. to Spring Grove Rd. | 45 mph |
| Nunda Township | Pleasant Hill Road | Walkup Rd. to Bay Rd. |
Direction from the Transportation Committee was that the only road that necessitated a speed study was Franklinville Road.
B. Draft 2019-2023 Transportation Program Presentation
McHenry County Division of Transportation staff has updated the 2019-2023 Five-Year Transportation Program and gave a brief presentation to the Committee. An electronic version of the DRAFT Transportation Program can be found on the Division of Transportation’s home page at www.McHenryCountyDOT.org.
In addition to updating revenue and expenditure estimates, additional changes were made to the document which can be found in Appendix D (last page). Comments on this DRAFT Program should be sent to the McHenry County Division of Transportation by September 21, 2018.
Via email at mcdot@co.mchenry.il.us Via mail at 16111 Nelson Road, Woodstock, IL 60098
At the October 31, 2018 Transportation Committee meeting, the 2019-2023 Program is scheduled to be on the agenda for consideration before going before the full County Board on November 13, 2018.
Staff stated that at the next Transportation Committee meeting there will be a more formal presentation. Staff also distributed a copy of the McHenry County 2019-2023 Transportation Program.
Staff stated that this program is a bit smaller than last year because of flat revenues.
Staff assumes the State of Illinois will raise the Motor Fuel Tax and distribute more to
McHenry County, starting in 2020.
The program shows a shift away from expansion projects, moving towards preservation and
safety projects.
Staff stated that there is no presumption of a tax driven fee per mile. At least not for the next five years.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. Wilcox stated that for the record he will not be approving roundabouts when lesser changes can be looked at first.
C. 2018 Transit Plan Update
Staff stated that the project team held three (3) focus group meetings recently to get feedback on three concepts when a fourth option was developed:
Moving away from fixed routes service to Dial a Ride service; expanding MCRide.
Diverting money away from the underperforming fixed routes to well performing routes.
Fixed route expansion concept. Instead of expanding MCRide, put in new fixed routes.
Modify the fixed routes from long-distance to local circulators.
Discussion ensued.
Staff stated that more updates will be forthcoming next month.
D. Nondedicated Subdivision Road Construction Program - Update and Discussion
Staff distributed the current financial report on the Nondedicated Subdivision Road program further stating that the only notable change is that Algonquin Township has been completing some of their roadways per the IGA.
Mr. Gottemoller stated that he received a call from Mr. Gasser last week asking about adding a new road to the Nondedicated Subdivision Roads program. The Transportation Committee did not favor adding more roads at this time.
Maintenance IGA
Staff stated that since the last discussion, MCDOT has conferred with the Township Commissioners from McHenry, Nunda and Dorr. They have all expressed a willingness to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the caveat of $6,000.00 per mile. That would be for all maintenance year round. This amount is less than the snow plowing, snow and ice bids that MCDOT has received.
Discussion ensued.
Consensus was reached by the Transportation Committee to bring the Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) forward for the Townships at $6,000.00 per mile.
Orchard Beach
Staff stated that the first step is to perform a survey of the road. MCDOT recommended a consultant perform the work for efficiencies and timing.
Discussion ensued.
Consensus was reached by the Transportation Committee to perform the survey with the DOT staff. The Transportation Committee stated that the concept of having a consultant for the design and public involvement would be addressed in the future.
Mr. Skala questioned the status of the Nondedicated Subdivision Roads program in Dorr Township.
Staff stated that the Road Commissioner, Mr. John Fuller, wants the County to develop plans and lead the construction effort.
Mineral Springs Subdivision Lighting
Mineral Springs Subdivision has some lighting and the residents are requesting the County pay for the power. This is outside of prescriptive easement right-of-way.
Consensus was reached by the Transportation Committee to decline the request of having the County pay for lighting in the Mineral Springs Subdivision.
E. Staff Report(s)
Staff Recognition:
Dave Hansen - Shop Supervisor
Dave will be retiring in September after working at the MCDOT for over thirty-one (31) years. Dave is a valued employee and is really going to be missed. Dave has worked for four (4) of the County Engineers out of the six (6). Dave has been a great mentor and worked his way up from maintenance worker to our first Shop Supervisor and is quite the friend to everybody. He was able to keep 140 pieces of equipment going for the DOT. But he’s at the goal that everybody is looking forward to being at, and that is retirement.
Mr. Hansen stated that he wanted to thank the Transportation Committee and the entire County Board for his thirty-one (31) years here at the MCDOT. Mr. Hansen stated that it has been a great relationship working for the County.
There is a cake and coffee reception being held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the DOT from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for all County Employees and County Board Members honoring Dave for his service.
F. Township Consolitation
Construction Manager, Jim Werner, has personally met with all four of the respective Road District Commissioners. The items sought has been presented to them and for the Road Commissioners to begin working on and to provide the DOT with this necessary information.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (AS NECESSARY)
A. Motion: Meeting Minutes, Land Acquisition, and Pending Litigation
RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Skala
SECONDER: Jeffrey T Thorsen
AYES: Gottemoller, Skala, Thorsen, Wilcox, Kearns
ABSENT: Kopsell, Wilbeck
B. Motion: Return to Regular Session
The Transportation Committee returned to Regular Session at 11:12 AM.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Skala
SECONDER: Jim Kearns
AYES: Gottemoller, Skala, Thorsen, Wilcox, Kearns
ABSENT: Kopsell, Wilbeck
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES APPROVAL
1. Motion: Approval of the Executive Session minutes
The following Executive Session meeting minutes were reviewed by the Transportation Committee and were forwarded to the State’s Attorney Office (SAO) for review and possible release:
August 1, 2018.
The following Executive Session meeting minutes were reviewed by the State’s Attorney Office and per their recommendation, the following minutes can be released with noted redactions:
January 11, 2018, January 31, 2018, February 28, 2018, March 28, 2018, June 27, 2018 and August 1, 2018.
The following Executive Session meeting minutes were re-reviewed by staff and can be released in full:
July 17, 2013 and October 2, 2013
The following Executive Session meeting minutes were re-reviewed by staff and can be
released with noted redactions:
January 20, 2016 and February 17, 2016.
RESULT: RECOMMENDED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Joseph Gottemoller
SECONDER: Jeffrey T Thorsen
AYES: Gottemoller, Thorsen, Wilcox, Kearns
NAYS: Skala
ABSENT: Kopsell, Wilbeck
11. NEXT MEETING DATE AND LOCATION
A. 8:15 A.M. on September 26, 2018 - McHenry County Division of Transportation
12. ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Thorsen, seconded by Mr. Kearns, the meeting adjourned at 11:13 AM. A voice vote was taken for approval.
Full Comments on the above agenda items are included in the audio recording of this meeting, which can be found on the McHenry County Meeting Portal.
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