The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee met Jan. 3 to approve maintenance contracts.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the committee:
WILL COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
302 N. CHICAGO ST. JOLIET, IL 60432
JANUARY 3, 2017
County Board Room Regular Meeting 9:00 AM
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Chair Donald Gould called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Donald Gould Chair Present Tom Weigel Vice Chair Present Steve Balich Member Present Mark Ferry Member Present Suzanne Hart Member Present Donald A. Moran Member Present Annette Parker Member Present Cory Singer Member Absent Jacqueline Traynere Member Late
Present from State's Attorney's Office: K. Meyers and K. Rabenda
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Weigel led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Public Works & Transportation Committee - Regular Meeting - Nov 1, 2016
9:00 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [6 TO 0] MOVER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair SECONDER: Donald A. Moran, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSTAIN: Balich ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Gould asked the members to introduce themselves and asked Transportation Director Gould to provide the committee members with a map of the County Road system.
VI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE RECOMMENDED TO COUNTY BOARD Minutes Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee January 3, 2017
1. Confirming Award of Contract to Various Contractors, Let on December 21, 2016, County Wide Maintenance Material - Bituminous Patching, All County Board Districts (Bruce Gould) Director Gould indicated items 1 through 6 are annual maintenance awards.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair SECONDER: Donald A. Moran, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
2. Confirming Award of Contract to P.T. Ferro Construction Co ($20.00 / Gal), Let on December 21, 2016, County Wide Maintenance Material - Bituminous Prime, All County Board Districts (Bruce Gould)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair SECONDER: Steve Balich, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
3. Confirming Award of Contract to Various Contractors, Let on December 21, 2016, County Wide Maintenance Material - Various Aggregate, All County Board Districts (Bruce Gould)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Mark Ferry, Member SECONDER: Suzanne Hart, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Steve Balich, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
5. Confirming Award of Contract to Hall Signs Inc. ($1,085.89), Let on December 21, 2016, County Wide Maintenance Material - Sheet Aluminum Sign Panels "Type 1", All County Board Districts (Bruce Gould)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Steve Balich, Member SECONDER: Suzanne Hart, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
6. Confirming Award of Contract to Hall Signs Inc. ($9,806.00), Let on December 21, 2016, County Wide Maintenance Material - Telescopic Metal Posts, All County Board Districts (Bruce Gould)
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Steve Balich, Member SECONDER: Annette Parker, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
7. Resolution for Improvement by County under the IL Highway Code for the County Wide Maintenance Material, All County Board Districts, Using MFT Funds ($4,007,620.00) (Bruce Gould) Director Gould indicated this is the appropriation for the previous items.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Suzanne Hart, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
8. Granting Ingress and Egress for a Proposed Auto Service Facility on Laraway
Director Gould stated Laraway Road is designated as a freeway and because of that designation any access onto it has to be approved by the County Board.
Mr. Weigel asked that a condition be put on the Resolution that the property must be annexed into the Village of New Lenox. In the past there has been problems, where the Committee permits access but the County Board does not approve the zoning.
Mr. Chris Kalischefski, representative of the developer stated our intention is to fully annex into the Village of New Lenox. We are working with Mr. Jeff Smith, the Village's Planner. The Village wants to make sure we are given access by the County before they proceed.
Mr. Balich clarified if they do not annex into the Village of New Lenox, they would have to ask the County for the zoning change in the unincorporated area.
Mr. Weigel stated in order to proceed with a SUP for a car wash, they would need to have pubic hearing.
Mr. Meyers asked what is the intent should the zoning fall through; do you wish to revoke the access permit?
Mr. Weigel responded yes. This is being approved subject to their annexation.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Steve Balich, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
Motion to Amend to Add a Condition that the Property Must be Annexed into the Village of New Lenox
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair SECONDER: Donald Gould, Chair AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
Motion to Move Amended Resolution to the County Board
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair SECONDER: Steve Balich, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
9. Authorizing Amendment to an Agreement Between the County of Will and Seefried Industrial Properties for Phased Development Site Access at the Southwest Corner of Manhattan-Monee Road (CH 6) and Ridgeland Avenue, Previously Approved in Resolution #16-166 dated June 16, 2016, County Board District #1 (Bruce Gould) Director Gould stated this is for the Amazon development. The design approved at the June 16, 2016 County Board meeting included a right turn lane for west bound traffic on Manhattan-Monee Road to north bound Ridgeland Avenue. Once the design was started they discovered there was a pipeline adjacent to Manhattan- Monee Road and the right turn lane conflicts with the pipeline. We did not require a right turn lane, but it was included in the Resolution. We have no problem removing this; that movement does not warrant a right turn lane. This Resolution states we are eliminating the right turn lane and amending the geometric design at the intersection.
Mrs. Traynere arrived at this juncture.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Vice Chair SECONDER: Mark Ferry, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker ABSENT: Singer, Traynere
VII. DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION
1. Jurisdictional Transfer of 95th Street (CH 89)
(Bruce Gould) Director Gould gave a brief history of the 95th Street reconstruction. Around December 22nd the Village of Bolingbrook put up stop signs on the County Highway, with no consultation or approval from DOT. I contacted the State's Attorney's Office and they contacted the Village of Bolingbrook. We have been working to find out what gave them the authority to do this; because it is a County Highway.
A map of the area was shown to give clarification of the area.
Director Gould continued they added stop signs to make it a four-way stop. The corporate limits of the Village of Bolingbrook and the City of Naperville are the center of the DuPage River. We did not find out about this until our maintenance administrator who drove through the intersection.
Mrs. Hart asked did the Mayor think that was his jurisdiction when he had the signs put up?
Director Gould responded the State's Attorney's Office has informed us because the Village never made a formal jurisdictional transfer to the county of this road it was still theirs. However, in 2001 the Board approved a Resolution placing 95th Street on the County Highway system from Boughton Road to Naperville Road and we have a multi-party IGA with the Village of Bolingbrook, City of Naperville and the County; it states when 95th Street is completed, it will be maintained by the County. We are in consultation with the SA’s Office. We were going to remove the signs, but were concerned we would be assuming some type of liability if something happened.
Mr. Meyers stated there is no liability not to take an action; but once you do you have to do it reasonably safely. It is a question of liability on our part, because we did not put up the stop signs. We did not believe they were warranted.
Mr. Gould stated it is very confusing to have a stop sign one day and not the next. That will definitely make the intersection more dangerous.
Mr. Palmer gave a history of the expansion. During construction there were numerous conversations about this area. There have been numerous e-mails sent in the past concerning speeding on the road. There were conversations about alleviating the issues and patrols were ramped up in. Since that time there have been a number of residents on the Bolingbrook side contact Board Members about doing something. There is a safety issue at this intersection because the view is partially obstructed. That was the motivation of doing something. There is a need; there is a bike path and residents use that to access the Forest Preserve. The Bolingbrook residents will tell you this is needed and they are glad to have it.
Mrs. Rice stated I became involved after residents reached out to me with their concerns. I met with the DOT and the Village of Bolingbrook. At the time the signs were placed I was under the impression it was within Bolingbrook's jurisdiction. I am supportive of the stop signs. It was very confusing for the residents that did reach out to the Village to understand the situation. The residents have been working with Mayor and requesting that the intersection be improved, not knowing it is a county road. There is an issue with viability because of bushes.
Mrs. Traynere stated I was involved with this since the study was done regarding sound walls. Naperville approved the sound walls, Bolingbrook did not. Bolingbrook residents approved the sound walls; but the Mayor interceded an eliminated the sound wall. The reason he gave for eliminating the sound walls was the obstruction.
Mrs. Hart stated we have had issues with drag racing on the road and I worked with the Sheriff, Naperville and Bolingbrook and they take turns patrolling. Residents wanted a stop sign; but it was not warranted, they wanted the speed limit lowered or speed bumps. Bolingbrook was willing to put in the speed bumps, but could not because they did not own the road. Mr. Gould told them they would have to take jurisdiction in order to that. Bolingbrook wants to take jurisdiction; Naperville does not. Mr. Moran and I are meeting with the two mayors and see if we can get this on their agendas. Bolingbrook cannot take their side unless Naperville participates.
Director Gould explained that a County highway cannot just stop at the middle point of the bridge; that is not a logical termini; normally we stop at another state or county highway. This was originally designed in the 1990' as an SRA route; this was to be a through road with a high volume of traffic. Nothing in the report showed stop signs. A warrant analysis for the intersection was done and it did not meet the requirements. We are strict in putting up traffic control devices on a road where they are not warranted. That does put us under a liability. We have consulted with the State's Attorney's Office about putting up unwarranted signs.
Mr. Meyers stated if you undertake an improvement on the highway system; you have to do it in a safe and warranted manner. If you make changes and there is an accident; we have a liability; because we added a traffic control device that was not installed in a safe or warranted manner.
Mr. Balich asked what determines the speed limit on a road?
Director Gould explained the process. Based on the design of 95th Street, the limit was set at 40 mph. There have been instances where the violation rate is so high that the speed limit can increase. Since we opened 95th Street as a county highway we have had constant conversations about this road and about turning it over to Naperville and Bolingbrook. If they want to dictate what happens along the roadway, then they should take jurisdiction. We have certain requirements concerning design, signage, and warrant analysis. The county is not home rule; we can't make laws or statutes. We follow the state statutes. If a home rule community wants to dictate what happens on the road, they should it over.
Mr. Weigel asked if the area in question would have to be annexed into the Village and City.
Mr. Meyers responded I will research, but I don't believe they have any corporate powers outside their jurisdiction. This particular road is wholly within the boundaries of the two municipalities.
Mr. Gould clarified regardless of the boundaries they cannot take a road from the County.
Mr. Moran stated before this road was built, the Mayor of Bolingbrook had a cable guardrail installed and then planted shrubs on private property. The guardrail and the bushes create an obstruction at the intersection. Bolingbrook has a sight line ordinance that would allow them to clear the bushes from the private property, but they chose not to do that and instead put up a four way stop. Bolingbrook wants to take this portion of the road. We need to get Naperville to do the same. We are still working on this road; if we turn over jurisdiction what happens to the project?
Director Gould replied we would continue the project; the intersection has to be reconstructed. It is fully funded.
Mrs. Hart asked since this is being completed with federal dollars does it complicate anything?
Director Gould answered it does not complicate a JT; but it does complicate things when you start messing the road, the design and signage. You cannot just place signs along a federally funded project after it is completed. Our county highway system is developed and designed to move traffic between municipalities; we have higher volume and higher speed to move traffic. We undertook this project decades ago to have a reliever between Naperville Road and Washington Street; this was another crossing over the DuPage River.
Mr. Moustis gave a history of the 95th Street project. Bolingbrook supported the project; Naperville was neutral. The county spent time, money and effort to make this connection. It was a major project. Bolingbrook and Naperville understood what kind of road this was. The residents had the same objections then as they have now. Bolingbrook did not want the walls and now we have issues with the sight line because they refused to correct the sight line. If there is not a JT done we will have to remove the stop sign.
Mr. Gould asked would that be a decision of the County Engineer? If they feel a stop sign is warranted they can put it in?
Mr. Moustis continued it has to be in compliance with the standards. We adopted a standard; we do not deviate from it, nor does the County Engineer have the authority to deviate from it.
Director Gould stated I do not have the authority to deviate from statute. If it does not meet the warrants; then the County Board would have to direct me to do it. It does not meet the state requirements. I don't know if the County Board wants to deviate from the statutes.
Mr. Moustis stated we cannot arbitrarily start changing the ordinance because someone thinks it’s a good idea. A minority of people are jeopardizing the safety of others.
Director Gould stated the obstruction of the bushes were addressed with the Village. The issue is not the volume; the issue is the obstruction. Even with a four way stop you have not eliminated the obstruction.
Mrs. Rice clarified if Naperville is not interested in a JT; then Bolingbrook cannot. If the county decides to remove the stop signs; there is a major obstruction. When you make a left turn; you cannot see what is coming at 50 mph. The residents have suggested doing something about the bushes; we cannot see. When I spoke with our DOT their answer was it is on private property and the ASA has advised nothing can be done with the bushes on private property. There seems there has to be a way to improve the obstruction. If you could see what is coming at you it would be a much improved intersection. That is what residents want.
A brief discussion of placement of sound walls and whether they would be an obstruction took place.
Director Gould stated we have discussed this with the ASA. It is outside the county ROW; we cannot go on private property to remove an obstruction. The Village should be able to use their zoning ordinance to address the sight issue.
Mr. Moran stated the issue is the Village put the guard rails and bushes and they are reluctant to take it out.
Mr. Palmer stated we have county highways in the middle of farmland that move people rapidly from one area to another and county highways that go through residential areas. We need to look at a process to deal with these situations, if the communities will not accept a JT. This is not in the middle of farmland; it is in the middle of a residential subdivision. The residents have limited access to the roads unless they make a hazardous left turns. To say we can't do it; legally that is correct, but it is a safety issue. We have put flashing lights on stop signs in the rural areas. Bolingbrook not only put up the stop signs, but they added two warning signs, flags and flashing lights. This is not going to go away. We may have similar issues on Weber Road.
Mr. Moustis stated I am asking the ASA to see if there is any action we can take. If Bolingbrook refuses to do anything; I think we have an obligation to clear up any dangerous situation on our road system. Regarding the arterial roads; the state never deviates because more people are moving in. Examples of improvements along Route 30 in Frankfort were explained. When you start making exceptions the problems begin.
Mr. Moran stated it seems the issue Naperville has is the bridge; they don't want to take on the responsibility. Bolingbrook had concerns that 20 years from now there will be issues with the structure of the bridge even though they only took the bridge deck.
Director Gould explained the JT of the bridge on Black Road to the City of Joliet and Village of Shorewood. If it is the structure the municipalities are concerned about; we can get an agreement.
Mr. Gould thanked Director Gould for bringing this to the attention of the Committee. There is no action needed today; it was just a discussion item. Our concern is the safety of the public. We do not want to do anything that will endanger anyone. I would encourage the County Board Members from that area to get together and work with Naperville and Bolingbrook and move this forward.
Mr. Meyers encouraged members to submit specific request for opinion to the office.
VIII. STATE'S ATTORNEY DISCUSSION
Mr. Meyers stated I will no longer be attending your meeting. Ms. Katie Rabenda will be taking over the highway related issues. It has been a pleasure working with you.
Ms. Rabenda introduced herself. I have been researching the 95th Street issue and will continue to look at our legal options.
IX. MONTHLY WORK REPORTS & BUILD WILL REPORTS
Mr. Gould asked for an update on the situation in Lemont on 135th Street with Nicor.
Mr. Ronaldson replied Nicor is only 50% out of the way.
1. Construction Work Status
(Bruce Gould)
2. Maintenance Work Status
(Bruce Gould)
3. Phase II - Construction Status
(Bruce Gould)
4. Phase II - Summary Report
(Bruce Gould)
X. REPORTS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Mr. Balich stated the Village of Homer Glen does not want to have raised barriers on Bell Road. The Mayor has stated they will take over jurisdiction of Bell Road. Then we were told if the Village takes it over the County will not expand the other lanes. If the Village of Homer Glen takes over Bell Road; would the County finish the project?
Director Gould replied I don't know who the Village talked to from the DOT that said we would not widen or reconstruct the road. We could enter into an agreement where we will construct the road to the required standards and they take over jurisdiction. The problem here is we are beyond the point of changing the design; we have plans done for the road. We are doing ROW acquisition right now with the barrier median. This is a federally funded project. For us to change this now, we would have to go back and revise our reports to the feds.
Mr. Balich stated the Village has sent letters and never received a reply. They are going to ask me what will happen if they don't want raised barriers.
Mr. Gould stated if they put a letter in writing to the County Engineer he will answer the letter. We have been doing JT for years.
Director Gould and Mr. Palmer indicated they never received a letter from the Village regarding Bell Road.
Mr. Weigel stated he received an e-mail from a resident in Crete regarding the CSX tracks. He said the County is planning to put an overpass there; is there any truth to that?
Mr. Moustis answered CSX has contacted the County regarding a federal grant. We will be discussing this at the Executive Committee on Thursday. This is about a grade separation. There will be no County money involved; they need a sponsor to proceed.
XI. PUBLIC COMMENT
XII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT / ANNOUNCEMENTS
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn at 10:08 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Donald A. Moran, Member SECONDER: Mark Ferry, Member AYES: Gould, Weigel, Balich, Ferry, Hart, Moran, Parker, Traynere ABSENT: Singer
NEXT MEETING - FEBRUARY 7, 2017
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