Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Met Feb. 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Moustis led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. ROLL CALL
Chair Joe VanDuyne called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Joe VanDuyne | Chair | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | Member | Present | |
| Mica Freeman | Member | Present | |
| Donald Gould | Member | Present | |
| Jim Moustis | Member | Present | |
| Frankie Pretzel | Member | Present | |
| Tom Weigel | Member | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Member | Present |
1. WC Public Works & Transportation Committee - Regular Meeting - Jan 5, 2021 9:00 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of New Lenox and the County of Will for Placement of License Plate Reading Cameras Located on County Highways in the County of Will
(Jeff Ronaldson)
At this juncture Mr. Weigel arrived at the meeting.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Ronaldson said I would like to bring this particular one to your attention it is labeled as Safety Improvement; this is the first time we will be using rumble strips. You are probably more familiar with these on the State Routes on the sides, edge lines, and down the center line. With all of the trucks on the road we are trying to promote not straying from your lane. This will be the first one we will have on our County Highway system.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Ms. Newquist asked if the cost is being totally born by the county; or is the Crete Township Road District pitching in on this.
Mr. Ronaldson stated this project received (HSIP) Highway Safety Improvement Program money 90% of the cost will be picked up by those dollars. The remaining 10% is being split 2/3 the County and 1/3 by Crete Township.
Ms. Newquist stated it is really needed so I am glad it is going there.
Mrs. Ogalla asked if Mr. Ronaldson would give an explanation of what improvements are going to be there.
Mr. Ronaldson stated in looking at the intersection; we originally thought perhaps turn lanes and a signal. Upon further review it looks like a roundabout is probably the best option; and that is what we applied for with the HSIP money. We are going to be doing a Phase I which will actually identify the actual improvement; whether it will turn out to be a roundabout or not. It is an intersection improvement at that curve. It is a safety improvement but it looks like it may be a roundabout.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Pretzel asked Mr. Ronaldson to explain what design engineering services mean.
Mr. Ronaldson replied design engineering is actually the development of the roadway plans specifications for a contract. It is the plans that you use to go out to bid. This has been under design for several years now; we are just going to be letting it; probably in June. Since we are at the end we do have some additional engineering to clean up the plans since it has been so long. That is what this additional money is for.
Mr. Pretzel asked if they are looking to widen the road there.
Mr. Ronaldson stated the actual improvement is widening that road; it is a one lane in each direction and left turn lanes right now with a temporary signal. We are going to expand that to multi lanes; it is going to be five lanes, two lanes in each direction, duals on some legs, and a left and right turn lanes with a permanent signal. It is a fully improved intersection.
Mr. Pretzel replied it is defiantly necessary is the County taking the lead on this; or is this a joint project?
Mr. Ronaldson confirmed the County is the lead; this one also received CMAP money. It has some federal dollars in it as well; and the Village of New Lenox is a partner in the project. I was just corrected by staff; that is why they are behind me. Speaking of Cedar and Laraway this actually a project immediately to the left. We are going to be continuing that multi land facility to the west about a mile. I am getting my Cedar Rd. and Laraway projects mixed up. Same area and some multi lane facility but just a different project.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Ronaldson stated I would request that an amendment be made; that needs different verbage on the resolution. Please change to; IDOT to use the REBUILD Illinois dollars; the bondable money. I am going to ask that that the words County Motor Fuel Tax be substituted with REBUILD Illinois. Where it says Now Therefore be it resolved; have that say the bondable capital improvement shall be instructed by IDOT. Staff has this language.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Donald Gould, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Ms. Newquist asked if the cost will be split on this.
Mr. Ronaldson replied this one has multiple parties; Lake County IN has the majority of the dollars. Will County is only paying for the west leg of the intersection; which is $605,000 and Crete Township is doing the north and south legs of the intersection.
Mr. Moustis asked who will be responsible for the maintenance.
Mr. Ronaldson stated it will be Lake County IN.
Mr. Gould stated I saw where in the exhibit it stated that Lake County IN was paying 7% and there was language about Will County was paying Lake County for some improvement.
Mr. Ronaldson said they are the lead and we were just cost participating in the project.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Sherry Newquist, Jim Moustis SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 2/18/2021 9:30 AM TO: Will County Board
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
VIII. DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION
Mr. Ronaldson said I have three items to bring to your attention. Laraway Rd. between Cedar Rd. and Rt. 45; we are coming to the end of our Phase I Study. It is the preliminary engineering the geometrics gets set on. We are going to have a virtual public meeting at the end of February; I do not have the website yet. As soon as I do I will forward that to staff so they can get that out to the committee; I am sure that the Executives Office will get that our as well. We will have the public meeting; after that we can have it approved and start designing that segment of road. Next is the Gouger Rd. grade separation we talked about that last month. The Village and the County DOT Office quickly applied for the ICC Grade Protection Fund; staff at the ICC has recommended that we do get the $12 million we requested. The formal approval in consideration will be hopefully approved by the end of April; we will know for sure if we are getting it then. If we have the staff approval I think that looks very good for us. It is a great first step in getting the funding of that $36 million improvement. We will still keep applying to other grant; but we are a step closer. Lastly I-80 there was a pre-construction meeting recently where you will soon see construction starting on I-80 eastbound. They are going to start construction between Gardner and Rowell; the bridge is also in that area also. That is probably the first big major construction next to Rt. 30 intersection that is already going on. There beginning to move forward on the I-80 Project; in April unfortunately there will be some traffic backups; but they will be for the good in the end. That is all I have today.
IX. STATE'S ATTORNEY DISCUSSION
Mr. Wise stated I just wanted to bring back before the committee something I brought up at the January meeting. That was the notice of violation that the County received for the fact that we are not members of JULIE. I hope everybody has had the opportunity to read my memorandum; I know it came out late and I want to thank Mrs. Adams and Ms. Ceci for getting that out to you. What I am looking for is a way to move this along and the possibility to get authorization to put the manner on an upcoming Executive Committee Agenda; with a recommendation to join JULIE as recommended by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Van Duyne advised Mr. Wise to bring it to put it on Executive Committee next week.
X. MONTHLY WORK REPORTS
1. Construction Status Report
(Jeff Ronaldson)
2. Maintenance Status Report
(Jeff Ronaldson)
3. Phase II Summary Report
(Jeff Ronaldson)
XI. REPORTS BY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Mr. Weigel stated at the beginning of the meeting I called in on my phone; I could hear the meeting but could not talk. Is there something I need to do so you can hear me on the phone?
Mr. Van Duyne advised Mr. Weigel he must press *6 to unmute and also to mute you when calling in on your phone. That is the same way when you call in for Executive Session.
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS BY CHAIR
Mr. Van Duyne thanked Mr. Ronaldson for the fine work in getting the roads cleared for Monday morning’s rush hours traffic. County Highway 44 in Wilmington was completely cleared; and the shoulder and was completely dry. I did travel on some other roads and they did have snow and ice on them. It was really nice to see that our County Highway was clear and safe to drive on.
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NECESSARY TO DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITION Motion to go into Executive Session Necessary to Discuss Land Acquisition
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
1. Motion to Adjourn Meeting @ 9:45 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey |
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