Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Met April 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Ms. Winfrey led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. ROLL CALL
Chair Joe VanDuyne called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Joe VanDuyne | Chair | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | Member | Absent | |
| 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 |
Present from the State's Attorney's Office: P. Mock
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Public Works & Transportation Committee - Regular Meeting - Mar 2, 2021 9:00 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Request by Speedway LLC for Highway Authority Agreement
(Chris Wise)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Donald Gould, Member SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Mica Freeman, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair SECONDER: Mica Freeman, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Donald Gould, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair SECONDER: Mica Freeman, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Ronaldson stated this is the agreement between IDOT but we need to put this on the letting. Likely at Executive Committee or it might be at the Will County Board Meeting; I will ask for a motion to replace the agreement. I had asked IDOT for a significant increase in their share. I am expecting them to give me a positive response; maybe today but I don’t have the agreement so I can’t have it before you now. All it will do is change the funding allocations on the last sheet; hopefully it increases State funds.
Mr. Moustis asked if the State’s portion is for the bridge over I-80.
Mr. Ronaldson replied it is; they are responsible for the reconstruction of the bridge.
Mr. Moustis said in the agreement will Tinley Park take over the surface of that bridge; or are we going to keep the surface of the bridge.
Mr. Ronaldson stated the JT agreement is currently with IDOT for final review where Tinley Park will take over the entire road. As part of that agreement; IDOT agreed to pay for the structure if the County would pay for maintaining from the deck up; that is above the steel. As far as the agreement with Tinley Park they are taking over the road and taking over those same responsibilities. The County will have no responsibility over the bridge once the JT agreement is complete.
Mr. Moustis replied that is good news because that bridge could be a pain in the neck; isn’t it.
Mr. Ronaldson stated it has been; but it should not be after we are done with it.
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Jim Moustis, Member SECONDER: Mica Freeman, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Frankie Pretzel, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Donald Gould, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tom Weigel, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Frankie Pretzel, Member SECONDER: Mica Freeman, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
VIII. DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION
1. Laraway Rd: Cedar Rd to US Route 45 – Virtual Public Engagement – www.larawayroadcorridor.com
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Ronaldson stated on the agenda we have our public engagement for Laraway Rd. from Cedar Rd. to Route 45. The date is April 14, 2021; that is a virtual public engagement webinar. The website is on your agenda to join; you do have to register. I invite you to attend so you can understand what Laraway Rd. will look like. It is the final design being put out to the public for final comment; once that is done we can start design on those segments within that area. Also Manhattan Monee Rd.; we had our virtual public meeting March 30, 2021. Those who attended, we really appreciate that; if you didn’t make that, the recording of that meeting should be up on the website by the end of the week if not already. The in-person open house is April 7th coming up tomorrow; that is to get input on the study area. From that we will come up with the final design; and have another public meeting later on in the process. One other interesting piece of information; Brandon Road Bridge is open after a year and several months; IDOT opened it up yesterday. So we have another route to get through I-80; which should be under construction by IDOT pretty soon.
2. Manhattan-Monee Road: Western Monee Village limit to I-57 – Virtual Public Engagement Webinar March 30 – In-Person Open House April 7 - www.manhattan-monee-study.com
(Jeff Ronaldson)
IX. STATE'S ATTORNEY DISCUSSION
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 the first item on our agenda was Speedway Gas Station contamination. There is also a similar project like that on the Executive Committee tomorrow; it concerns contamination of ground water by residential wells. I just want to bring it up to Executive Committee Members; to see if the Health Department has been involved in that. Are there existing wells that may be contaminated; or should there be monitoring wells put in that area to protect existing wells that might be there? I am not on the Executive Committee but I did want to bring it to their attention. I did bring it up to Mrs. Ogalla; maybe she will bring it up.
Mr. Pretzel said we have been talking about this $134 million coming from the American Recovery Act. Are there any opportunities for us to allocate some of that towards some of these projects that don’t have funding already; to speed things up?
Mr. Ronaldson said I think it is being discussed in other committees as to where that money is going; I am not aware that it is necessarily coming to DOT at this point. Maybe Mr. Palmer could comment on that.
Mr. Moustis stated we kind of included infrastructure; whether we do or not I don’t know. We haven’t made that decision yet.
Mr. Palmer stated along with the $134 million that was allocated to the American Rescue there is also the talk of an Infrastructure Bill at the Federal level; and the reemergence of earmarks. The DOT, Executive’s Office, County Board Leadership and I have been working together with Smith Dawson to submit projects to Congressional Offices so that could
fund some of these projects. You have worked with them on the list; correct Mr. Ronaldson?
Mr. Ronaldson stated correct; any of those on that list could be selected that funding could go towards these projects and free up money for other ones. Then back to the $134 million, there is a component for revenue replacement; that would be up to the
County Board to decide how they allocate the money. There is a revenue lost because of the MFT and the pandemic so that is one item that could be allocated back to the DOT to refund were we lost that money from last year. That is one item that I am aware of regarding that matter.
Mr. Palmer stated chairman for you and the committee members; the challenge on these projects for the infrastructure package is they have to be shovel ready. All of them aren’t at the exact point; we have several that are and maybe Mr. Ronaldson maybe you want to bring that back to a future committee just to talk about which ones we have put in for. We are putting in for projects.
Mr. Ronaldson stated yes there is a list that is being submitted for their consideration. Then the legislators will decide amongst all of the other ones given to them; which ones they want to put forward.
Mr. Moustis said I want to mention we have had a discussion at the Executive Committee on these funds. Mr. Fricilone pointed out at the last meeting; there is going to be a lot of other money coming for various things. It could be infrastructure, schools so with our allocation we don’t want to take away from a potential of getting other grants when they become available. That is where we are at on the Executive Committee; as far as looking at how these funds are being used. The other area I would like to ask Mr. Ronaldson about; did we get Federal Funding for Laraway Rd.
Mr. Ronaldson stated we have assigned some of our federal funds towards a couple of segments in there. We did get federal dollars; CMAP money for Cedar Rd. and Laraway Rd. We have applied for other funds as well.
Mr. Moustis stated I know there are some that aren’t exactly shovel ready but there might be portions that are shovel ready.
Mr. Ronaldson replied there is one segment in there Laraway Rd. to Cedar Rd. that is nearly shovel ready. We are just getting right of way; and that is on the list that we submitted along with 80th Ave. and one or two others.
Mr. Palmer said we also had Bell Rd. around 159th . I forget if we put Weber Rd. in too.
Mr. Ronaldson stated we put Weber Rd. design in there but that is not shovel ready. The three that are shovel ready are stuck in right of way. As soon as they break right of way we are going. That is Bell Rd. in the south section; a segment of Laraway Rd. that we just spoke of; and 80th Ave.
Mr. Moustis asked if we talked to Tinley Park; they were really anxious on this. I was just wondering if they could push or apply for funds. It is our project; I think they had some other funds that they put towards this in the past; or they lobbied for some funds.
Mr. Ronaldson stated the description put together for 80th Ave. lists who is participating funding wise in there so as a partner; there is then a letter of support that has to be accompanying that; which the County Executive is doing. It might be worth reaching out to Tinley Park to see if they can contribute as well.
Mr. Moustis said I think it would be worth the conversation with Tinley Park; every little bit helps I think.
Mr. Van Duyne stated if I may follow up; maybe Mr. Palmer you may have an answer for this. To Mr. Moustis point; if we fund lost revenues through the ReBuild act to the Department of Transportation. If there are future funds being allocated towards them; would that hinder us from getting more money for the Department of Transportation?
Mr. Palmer stated I guess I would have to look for sure; I think it shouldn’t. If it is lost revenue in general; you can’t match Federal money with Federal money. But we are not matching for a project; if Mr. Ronaldson had a $5 million project and it required a $1 million match; we’re not putting the revenue to do the match. We are doing it to replace overall revenue. That would be my argument; I don’t know if that will hold but I would try that. I think that Mr. Ronaldson can work with Ms. Johannsen in the County Board Office and the Executive’s Office on having a defendable, quantified revenue loss number. I think that would be something useful to Mr. Moustis’ point when the Board takes that up; what we are looking at as far as revenue replacement. That way we could justify it if we are questioned on it.
Mr. Ronaldson replied that sounds fair; I can provide something that’s just our budget numbers as day to day but we will provide something.
Ms. Winfrey stated maybe the other piece to that is showing that because we are doing that how much money is freed up to go into the projects; and move the ground work forward. So that is the other part of that narrative.
Mr. Palmer said that is the goal if we free up money that allows Mr. Ronaldson to reallocate that money for other pieces of the project or other projects. The other thing to point out, Mr. Chairman, is in addition to the request that we are making, some are specifically for county projects and some are related projects. Municipalities are obviously asking for money too. For example on Thursday’s Executive Committee there is a request for a letter of support for the 143rd St. project up in Plainfield; which is a big connection across that area from east to west. It’s not our system but helps our system and it is part of the Freight Study of alleviating some of the freight traffic congestion and safety issues up there. Sometimes it is not part of our system but it helps our system by creating other paths for traffic. We are working with some of the municipalities and we always have to try and support them if they are doing something on their system but benefits the overall system.
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS BY CHAIR
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XV. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn @ 9:29 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Freeman, Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Brooks Jr. |
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