McHenry County Transportation Committee met Oct. 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Meeting called to order at: 8:15 AM by Stephen Doherty.
PRESENT: Nowak, Aavang, Skala, Kearns (Remote), Vijuk, Doherty, Collins
ABSENT: Jindrich
Mr. Vijuk made a motion to allow Mr. Kearns to attend remotely, seconded by Mr. Skala. Motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
2. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Transportation Committee - Public Meeting - Sep 29, 2021 8:15 AM
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Skala SECONDER: Robert Nowak AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Skala, Kearns, Vijuk, Doherty, Collins ABSENT: Jindrich |
N/A
4. MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Collins wanted to thank MCDOT staff for their time on the phone in answering his questions about the Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) process. Mr. Vijuk wanted to thank all staff for providing the requested information on the Routine Consent Agenda corresponding to Mr. Vijuk's questions. He also asked that staff include in the "Background and Discussion" section whether a resolution was a competitive bid.
5. ROUTINE CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Mr. Skala, seconded by Mr. Vijuk, items 5.2-5.20 were approved as presented.
| RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Skala, Kearns, Vijuk, Doherty, Collins ABSENT: Jindrich |
2. Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funds for Partial Reimbursement of the County Engineer's Annual Salary
3. Resolution Appropriating Funds for the Purchase of Aggregate Materials for 2022 Highway Purposes
4. Resolution Appropriating Funds for the Purchase of Asphalt Materials for 2022 Highway Purposes
5. Resolution Awarding a Contract for Guardrail Spraying and Appropriating Funds
6. Resolution Accepting 2022 Rights-of-Way Finish Mowing Bid and Appropriating Funds for the Division of Transportation
7. Resolution Approving the McHenry County Artificial & Living Snow Fence Program and Appropriating Funds
8. Resolution Awarding a FY2022 Contract for Emergency and On-Call Tree Maintenance and Appropriating Funds
9. Resolution to Approve Adopt-a-Highway Volunteer Group Agreements
10. Resolution Awarding a Contract for FY2022 Road Weather Forecasting Services and Appropriating Funds
11. Resolution Awarding a Contract for FY2022 Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) Cloud Based Software Lease Program and Appropriating Funds
12. Resolution Appropriating Funds for the Purchase of Parts from Winter Equipment Company, Inc. for FY2022 and Appropriating Funds
13. Resolution Authorizing acceptance of Jack's Tire Sales and Services bid and for the County Board to enter into a two (2) year contract (12/1/21-11/30/23) with Jack's Tire Sales & Service, Inc., for the Purpose of Maintaining the Division of Transportation's Vehicle Fleet and Appropriating Funds
14. Resolution Appropriating Funds for FY2022 Salt
15. Resolution Appropriating Funds for FY2022 Calcium Chloride
16. Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Parts and Services in FY2022 with Rush Truck Centers of Illinois and Lakeside International Trucks for the Purpose of Maintaining the Division of Transportation's Vehicle Fleet and Appropriating Funds
17. Resolution Appropriating Funds for Natural De-icing Product for FY2022
18. Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Parts and Services for FY2022 with Badger Truck Centers for the Purpose of Maintaining the Division of Transportation's Vehicle Fleet and Appropriating Funds
19. Resolution Approving the FY2022 Purchase and Appropriating Funds for Three Snow Plow Trucks for the Division of Transportation
20. Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Tecma Associates, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services for Construction Engineering Services throughout the County, Section 21- 00545-00-EG, for a contract total not to exceed $66,528.00; Professional Services (Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors) vetted through a qualification based selection process in compliance with the Illinois Local Government Professional Services Selection Act, 50 ILCS 510/et.
21. Item 5.21 Pulled for Discussion
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
1. Recommendation for the approval of an Engineering Services Agreement to Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc., for Biennial Bridge Inspection Services, Section 22-00544-00-BI, for a contract total not to exceed $400,000.00; Professional Services (Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors) vetted through a qualification based selection process in compliance with the Illinois Local Government Professional Services Selection Act, 50 ILCS 510/et.
Motion to approve item 5.1 made by Ms. Aavang, seconded by Mr. Skala.
Mr. Collins questioned what the additional $50,000.00 in funds for Bridge Inspection Services is for considering Fiscal Year 2021 is coming to a close.
Construction Manager Jeremy Stull advised the increase in funds is the result of the decision to increase the scope of work in the contract to perform an additional 561 cross culvert inspections.
| RESULT: RECOMMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michele Aavang SECONDER: Michael Skala AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Skala, Kearns, Vijuk, Doherty, Collins ABSENT: Jindrich |
Mr. Skala stated that he still has issues with the way the County and Township Bridge Program is structured and advised he cannot vote to approve.
Assistant Director of Transportation Hennings and Construction Manager Stull provided an update as they recently attended the Township Highway Commissioner's meeting. The concept of having Townships contribute financially to the repair of their bridge structures in terms of a 50/50 split was discussed. As expected there was push back from smaller Townships in the western part of the County where lack of funds is an issue.
The goal is to find a middle ground where the responsibility of repairing and replacing Township bridges is shared by both the Townships and the County. This will apply to all new bridge projects starting at the Phase I Engineering stage in 2023. This does not apply to any projects currently in process.
| RESULT: RECOMMENDED [6 TO 1]
MOVER: John Collins SECONDER: Michele Aavang AYES: Nowak, Aavang, Kearns, Vijuk, Doherty, Collins NAYS: Skala ABSENT: Jindrich |
A. Advertising for Open Construction Engineer Positions
Direction is being sought from the committee regarding advertising for vacant positions at the DOT, primarily in the Construction Section. A couple of these positions have remained vacant all year with few qualified applicants. The upcoming 2022 construction season features the County's largest construction program to date, so there is a great need to attract staff. Discussion ensued. The Committee approved moving forward with advertising the two open construction engineering positions as "Resident Engineers" instead of, as was previously done, advertising specifically for a Construction Engineer III or Construction Engineer I. This change would cast a wider net and hopefully attract a variety of candidates to apply for the open positions. Their compensation would still remain tied directly to their experience and education in the field.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. Staff Report
Maintenance Superintendent Ed Markison and Assistant Superintendent Beth Skowronski provided a presentation on Winter Operations. Superintendent Markison wanted to state that in the 30 years he has been with the County, he has never had a better team heading into winter season.
Assistant Superintendent Skowronski provided an overview of planned winter operations, which begins on November 15 and ends on April 15 each year. There are ten (10) new 15,000 gallon tanks at the DOT tank farm that each contain a natural de-icing solution.
A fourth liquid snow plow route has been added for the 2021-2022 season, which brings the liquid route total to 13 roads in McHenry County. This fourth route includes Fleming, Country Club and Ridgefield roads. This is in addition to Flat Iron, Airport, McGuire, Charles, Nelson, Alden, Dunham, Deepcut, Hartland and Hughes roads.
Transportation Planning Manager Jon Paul Diipla provided an update on the County's bicycle and pedestrian plan, the McHenry County Connection. The final public survey was posted on October 19, 2021and is available on the McHenry County Connection website; www.mchenrycountyconnection.com
Transportation Planning Manager Diipla also provided an update on the County's 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. There are three (3) event workshops that will be taking place to gain feedback on current transportation systems. The goal is to get a sense for what works well together and what isn't working for the County, this project will continue through Summer of 2023. Additionally there will be several public engagement events over the next few months.
9. EXECUTIVE SESSION (AS NECESSARY)
A. Meeting Minutes, Land Acquisition, and Pending Litigation
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES APPROVAL
11. NEXT MEETING DATE AND LOCATION
A. 8:15 A.M. on December 1, 2021 - County Board Conference Room
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Vijuk, seconded by Mr. Skala. All members approved.
https://mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=4946&Inline=True
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