Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee met May 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Ms. Hamann 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 | Absent | |
| 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: C. Wise.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Public Works & Transportation Committee - Regular Meeting - Apr 5, 2022 9:00 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion: Will County Transportation Improvement Program FY 2023-2028
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Van Duyne said this morning we have a discussion on the Will County Transportation Improvement Program FY2023-2028. Good morning Mr. Ronaldson.
Mr. Ronaldson said we aren’t going to go through every page of the attachment, it is there for you to read. I would like to go through some highlights and discuss the projects. We will then open for discussion if you have questions; we will take questions throughout the next month, so you have more time to digest it. Then the following month we will move it forward to be approved at the County Board meeting.
At this juncture Mr. Ronaldson reviewed the PowerPoint Presentation of the Will County Transportation Improvement Program FY2023-2024.
Mr. Fricilone asked do you think that it is going to be tough getting people to give us competitive bids.
Mr. Ronaldson stated that has been a discussion point of many meetings I have been to. I haven’t seen that issue to date; we’ve always had plenty of bidders on our projects and some they are coming in under bid. There are some items that are coming in substantially higher; that is another challenge like materials are getting more expensive but that’s just because everything is more expensive. As far as getting the work out; they are working, they are working hard and fast.
Mr. Fricilone asked on 143rd St. can you do utility relocation before you have right of way.
Mr. Ronaldson said yes, that is because it is a pipeline, and they can do their work without the right of way that we need. They can work in our right of way, and it is their property beyond that. Next, we have Laraway Rd., Nelson Rd, on to Cedar Rd., that is another one that we have been talking about with land acquisition; we are hoping to settle a lot of those very quickly.
Mr. Moustis asked if we are replacing the bridge on 80th Ave.
Mr. Ronaldson said with this project we are replacing the entire bridge. Then Tinley Park is going to take the whole roadway, and IDOT is participating in a bridge reconstruction. There is State funding at $3.5 million; vested in their funding towards the bridge.
Mr. Moustis asked if you will be closing that road at some point.
Mr. Ronaldson replied no, it will always remain open. The deck is in poor shape, and I have talked with IDOT and convinced them that we are going to do an overlay of the bridge, it looks like we will be throwing away money, but in the end we won’t because it needs a lot of patch work. We need the bridge this year and most of next year to stage traffic, so it has got to stay in good condition. The road might be closed a night or two but that should be it. Finishing up the corridor projects we have a new project, and addition for Rt. 6; it is not a County Highway, but it is important to our County. It is shown in a lot or our plans; it shows that it needs widening. IDOT did a Phase 1 on it many years ago, but they let it lapse. To pick it up again IDOT is not able to do that for various reasons. They said if the local agencies would start the Phase 1; then they would finish it and then carry it forward. We have met with Channahon and Joliet to kick start it; we should be bringing an agreement forward soon. The intent is to split the Phase 1 amongst us; I put it in the plan so that everyone is on board with that.
Mr. Palmer said this project at Rt. 6 we looked at federal earmarked money. But because they didn’t have a current Phase 1, they couldn’t pursue that. This is one of many projects that Mr. Ronaldson’s department are working on to get them ready so that we can compete for some of that federal infrastructure money now and in the future. This also connects a lot of the other work on I-55, I-80, and the Houbolt Bridge.
Mr. Moustis said these roads are carrying more and more truck traffic; when you are reconstructing the whole road, I am assuming that these roads were not made for 80,000 lb. trucks.
Mr. Ronaldson stated they were made for 73,000 lb. to 80,000 lbs. These will be brought up to 80,000 lbs. and the oversize weight limit loads.
Mr. Weigel said I see Cherry Hill Rd. will that improve the intersection at Washington St. as well.
Mr. Ronaldson stated yes, it is the whole entire roadway so any intersection including Washington St. That pavement is over 70 years old; we should be starting that at the end of this year or early next year.
Mr. Van Duyne said when you were talking about Peotone Rd. it is rated for 73,000 lbs. and you are considering raising it to 80,000 lbs. What are the overweight trucks with the yellow lights, do they go up to 120,000 lbs.; if they do, how many trucks are we allowed to put on that road; wouldn’t we be considering building that road up to 120,000 lbs.
Mr. Ronaldson said we do not use our County Highway system for those overweight trucks, we told them to take state routes; occasionally they must go through there. You shouldn’t see a whole lot of those flashing lights.
Mr. Van Duyne stated I can tell you I do see them coming out of Wilmington and Peotone; I see them quite a bit.
Mr. Ronaldson said it would still be 80,000 lb. unless you determine something different. When we do the Phase 1, we will look at all the different traffic patterns, and maybe we will do that. The last one is a new addition which is Lorenzo Rd. or the BNSF which is just west of I-55. We will be bringing an agreement forward on this one as well. BNSF is going to pay for all the work; they know that they need a grade separation because of the work that they want to do. They already have some ICC funding; and I am not sure where the rest of the money is coming from, but they have it. They are going to pay for the whole thing, but it is going to become our structure, so we will have to maintain it. The agreement we are working on is, they are going to do the design, and we are going to approve it. Then we will let it and manage the construction of it so that it is built according to the way we want it built. They are also going to pay for the construction and the construction engineering. With that I will conclude the presentation, if you have any specific questions, I will be happy to answer those, or within the next couple of weeks. Please don’t wait till the very last week in case we need to update the plan.
Mr. Moustis asked Mr. Ronaldson to touch on the Countyline Bike Way Plan. I assume plenty of these projects there will be a bike path associated with them.
Mr. Ronaldson stated the Countyline Bike Way Plan was created when the FY 2040 plan was done; it is kind of a sister plan. It is not something that we maintain, the Forest Preserve maintains the bike way plan. Every time we have a new project that comes up, we will refer to the bike way plan to see if there are any desired improvements in there. Then we talk to the various municipalities when we start the project as well if they have sidewalks or bike paths in their own plans and want to incorporate them into the project. If they do, we will provide for that, obviously the local municipality must pay for it. Whether they do or not we will provide at least a shell for the future, that is our commitment.
Mr. Moustis asked if it is federal, or state money does it come with a requirement to have a bike path.
Mr. Ronaldson said there is no requirement; in complete streets it does require
you to look at it. Those kinds of improvements are federally eligible for grants and each municipality can go for those specific grants.
Mr. Fricilone asked you with the suspension of the increase in the gas tax at the state; is that going to affect any of the budgeting or how you are working your numbers for the next six months.
Mr. Ronaldson said they are talking about a six-month suspension that amounts to about $300,000 in our plan. it will not impact the near term; it will impact the other years; we have enough in the cash balances to carry these projects forward.
Mr. Van Duyne stated if you have other questions, and you want to send Mr. Ronaldson an email please copy me I would be interested in looking at both the questions and answers to those questions.
2. Confirming Award of Contract to K-Five Construction Corporation ($1,481,877.00), Let on April 20, 2022, Plainfield-Naperville Road (CH 14) from South of 119th Street to 87th Street, County Board Districts #3, #11 and #13 (Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Roinaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Donald Gould, Denise E. Winfrey SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Donald Gould, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Donald Gould, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Donald Gould, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Member SECONDER: Donald Gould, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Donald Gould, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS]
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Sherry Newquist, Vice Chair AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Moustis said this is a company that negotiates for the price on the right of way. Maybe we have had this before, but I am not familiar with it. I asked if this goes to the State’s Attorney’s Office, you said no because of IDOT; could you explain.
Mr. Ronaldson said negotiators are IDOT certified firms. We always use IDOT certified for appraisals, review appraisals, and negotiators. We always have referenced that list and they can’t come and talk to us for a contract until they have that IDOT certification. They take the appraisal and then negotiate the price of the right of way, and then close the deal on the properties. They are not directly involved in the court cases.
Mr. Wise stated they clear out a lot of cases that don’t have to go to eminent domain.
Mr. Ronaldson added we always use IDOT approved negotiators and appraisers.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Tom Weigel, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
(Jeff Ronaldson)
Mr. Moustis said I always bring up using firms that are here in Will County, that are familiar with Will County, I noticed that they are from Homewood. How do we determine what firm that you are using; Is it IDOT related?
Mr. Ronaldson stated for the engineering firms, it is not what you are referring to now. We use a QBS process that we use largely. For the appraisers the are usually a smaller value so we can go with firms that we have used in the past that we know do good work. But because we have so much coming, we do have to broaden our horizons a bit more. Again, they are IDOT certified individuals.
Mr. Wesel said we used the QBS (Qualified Based Selection) process for selecting our engineering firms. Our dollar amounts on our land acquisition has fallen into the area where we must use the QBS process for the land acquisition aspect of things. We post on our website, and we send out invitations to firms that are prequalified with the State of Illinois for the land acquisition. It is a two to three step process depending on the dollar amount. They submit their statement of interest, which is a two-page summary of the project, their skills, and how they are going to attack the project. From there we are going to select three firms to submit a proposal as we did on these two sets of resolutions. From there a committee of Mr. Ronaldson, Mr. Gieseke, and I will go over the proposals and then we select the firms that meet the criteria that is set forth in our QBS criteria, and we also do an internal judging of who we think would be best to handle the project. We try to keep it local, but we must follow the QBS process, especially when we are working with projects that involve federal money.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD [UNANIMOUS] Next: 5/19/2022 9:30 AM
TO: Will County Board MOVER: Denise E. Winfrey, Member SECONDER: Tom Weigel, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
VIII. DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION DISCUSSION
Mr. Ronaldson stated I just have a couple of announcements. Veterans Memorial Trail, that is a bike trail planned along I-55 and that area. They are going to be closing Bruce Rd. in June and then closing 167th St. in July to place tunnels underneath the grade separations that go over the tollway. You will see some closures and some detours in the next couple of months related to that project. Through the efforts of the County Executive’s Office through their new grant coordinator; we did apply for the Raised Grant for Laraway Rd; hopefully we will hear from that. This is one of the big Federal ones and they can be challenging for smaller agencies like ourselves to get but we are trying and a good candidate for that grant. Two other grants we applied for, but I didn’t bring forward. The Will County Governmental League had a call for projects, again we called 143rd St. $7 million that we applied for; then Laraway Rd. at $3.5 billion on one of those projects there.
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 said Copperfield Rd. and Briggs St. has a signal; I assume it was put in maybe because of Silver Cross Hospital. I go there a lot and there is no traffic on Copperfield anymore. I was wondering if you could take a light out or study that to see if it is necessary.
Ms. Winfrey stated on Briggs there is a school.
Mr. Ronaldson said yes you can take counts to do that; but it is often challenging to take away a traffic signal when people are used to it.
Mr. Weigel said the school parking lot is on Briggs St.
Mr. Ronaldson said I know kids cross that intersection.
Mr. Weigel said the other item is Rt. 30 and Gougar Rd. the traffic signals; I was there yesterday north of the bridge over Hickory Creek. I had to go through four light changes to get through that intersection; I was wondering if you could check the timing on that. Are they activated by timing or are there sensors on the road?
Mr. Ronaldson stated there is detection in the pavement that calls for greens. Number one that is an IDOT signal; number two it is because of the railroad is so close, it is a split phase where only the north bound will go, then the south bound will go. It is much better with a typical traffic signal where both lanes can go at the same time. But because the railroad crossing right there ICC will not allow that. We are hoping to change that with the Phase 1 we are doing right now for the whole Gougar Rd. corridor when we do that improvement. Our plan is for the multi lanes and then our belief is we will be able to get rid of that, so that the flow of traffic will be much quicker. As of now there is nothing, we can do about that; the traffic signal will not allow us to operate in that fashion.
XII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Traynere said I don’t know if we have a name for the program, but I think we do; the one where we were going to synchronize the traffic signals for the county. Does that have a name?
Mr. Ronaldson replied that is the ITS plan that you might be referring to. The ITS Plan covers a great many things but one component of that is to synchronize the signals.
Ms. Traynere asked if that also include the municipalities.
Mr. Ronaldson replied that is only on our roadways.
Ms. Traynere asked if there is any way that we can get buy in to make that happen through the county. I see lots of delays in some places.
Mr. Ronaldson said if we were ever to get as robust as say Lake County where they manage all the signals through the county. They have a traffic management center, and they have staff to manage the traffic management center and make those changes as needed and it is very costly.
Ms. Traynere stated yes, it is very costly, another thing is what I find all over my front yard.
Mr. Ronaldson stated we haven’t gotten a response back; we think it is a different material than what we will use in our project. They are using a crack filler; we are going to route out the cracks where it is nice and uniform and then fill it. It will still have a bleed over, but you will still have a good adhesion. I am confident that we will be using a different process than what Bolingbrook used.
Mr. Van Duyne asked that Mr. Ronaldson send the email to the entire committee so we can see the email chain and what Ms. Traynere is talking about.
Mrs. Adams aske that it be sent to her.
XIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS BY CHAIR
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XV. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn @ 9:53 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member SECONDER: Jim Moustis, Member AYES: VanDuyne, Newquist, Brooks Jr., Gould, Moustis, Pretzel, Weigel, Winfrey ABSENT: Freeman |
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