Peoria Standard

Woodford County Road and Bridge Committee met April 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

1. Roll Call – Doug Huser (Chairman), John Krug, Duane Kingdon, Andy Rokey present. Also present are Conrad Moore, Lindell Loy (County Engineer), Charlie Schlosser, Carrie and Ansel Burdett and Cheryl Wolfe. Randy Roethler arrived at 4:33. Mr. Bob Cherveny arrived at 4:35 pm.

2. Review and consider meeting minutes of regular meeting on March 8, 2018.

Motion to approve the March 8, 2018 minutes made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Motion passed.

3. Review and consider minutes of past Executive Sessions. None

4. Public comment. None

5. Consider claims for the April 17, 2018, Board meeting.

Motion to approve April claims made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Mr. Huser asked about the fuel leak that was repaired by Martin Equipment. Mr. Schlosser reported that it was the fuel line injector and it cracked where the fuel line goes into the head. It requires a special tool to fix, doesn't have that tool. Mr. Huser also asked about truck 200, auction truck, and the repair to it. Mr. Schlosser reported that it has been malfunctioning, he changed everything, but the truck needed to be hooked up to the computer by Midwest Repair, and it showed the malfunction was in the control module. Mr. Huser then questioned the story of the pow truck 6 and truck 18. Mr. Schlosser stated that they can't get truck 6 to act up any more. Truck 18 is still acting up. It loses pressure and you can't get more than an idle out of it. Motion passed.

6. Old Business:

(a) Discuss and act on Claim in Vacation for lights in ESDA Building.

Mr. Moore reported that they have replaced the lights in the ESDA building. It was around $1,130 dollars and we will receive some rebates on that. Mr. Loy reported a check was needed when picking-up the materials and this item informed the committee why it was being paid in vacation.

(b) Discuss and act on Utility Ordinance amendments, per discussion at March 22, 2018 County Board Meeting.

Mr. Huser reported that he pulled this ordinance from the full Board meeting last month, as Mr. Loy and him made some changes - particularly changing the use of sand to back fill when they trench cut through a road to using flowable fill. There was discussion about using CA 6 and compaction testing. It was decided to use the verbiage in Item 7 on Page 4 of 7 of the Ordinance as presented. Mr. Moore stated that there are IDOT specifications that state certain materials that have to be used and standards that have to be followed. It was decided to update Item 15 on page 4 of 7. The third sentence should begin with “The tile to solid pipe connection ...". It was unanimously decided on the verbiage that was to be used. This revision will go to the County Board for approval.

7. New Business:

a. Discuss and act on Woodford County and Various Townships Seal Coat bids, Section 18-XX00015-GM.

Mr. Moore reported that the bids were opened this morning. There was a mix of who got each township. Motion to approve seal coat bid, as per highlighted, made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Motion passed. (Copy of seal coat bid attached).

b. Discuss and act on Various Townships Calcium Chloride bids, Section 18-XX000-01-GM.

Mr. Moore stated that there was only 1 bid. The price is up about $10 a ton from last year and is for dust control. Motion to approve bid by Sicalco Ltd. for $10,950 for calcium chloride made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Mr. Roethler asked if this was pass through and Mr. Moore replied that the townships would pay. Motion passed.

c. Discuss and act on CH 5 Bridge Bearing Replacement bids, Section 15-00160-00-BR.

This was a project designed in-house for the bridge north of Secor. There were four bidders. They will jack up the bridge deck, and replace the steel rocker bearings. Motion to accept the bid of Halverson Construction Company for $32,100 made by Rokey, seconded by Roethler. Motion passed.

d. Discuss and act on an engineering agreement with Wendler Engineering Services, Inc. for CH 13 Box Culvert Structural Analysis, Section 16-00165-00-BR.

This is an agreement with Wendler to certify and seal the structural plans for a box culvert that the Highway Department designed. Motion to approve agreement with Wendler Engineering for $6,800 to check design for box culvert by Rokey, seconded by Roethler. Mr. Roethler questioned why Wendler is checking and validating our engineering work. Mr. Moore stated he is not a structural engineer, that we are losing our structural engineer, and the work has to be sealed and signed by a licensed structural engineer. Motion passed.

e. Discuss and act on an engineering agreement with Wendler Engineering Services, Inc. for CH 12 Culvert Replacement Structural Analysis, Section 17 00168-00-BR.

This is an agreement for $2,100 with Wendler Engineering to certify and seal the structural plans for a concrete foundation of a culvert. Motion to approve contract with Wendler Engineering for $2,100 made by Rokey, seconded by Roethler. Motion passed.

f. Discuss and act on appointment of Conrad Moore as Acting County Engineer.

Motion to appoint Conrad Moore as acting County Engineer by Rokey, seconded by Roethler. Discussion was held regarding putting the salary into the motion. Mr. Rokey withdrew his motion. Motion to appoint Conrad Moore as the acting County Engineer, with an interim salary of $109,000, after he signs a 6 year contract, contingent upon him passing the exam for County Engineer, and him accepting the job, the salary will be $112,000, and future pay raises based upon IDOT percentages. Motion made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Motion passed.

g. Discuss and act on appointment of Conrad Moore to the PPUATS Technical Committee.

Motion to appoint Conrad Moore to the PPUATS Technical Committee made by Roethler, seconded by Rokey. Motion passed.

h. Discuss and act on Certifying Conrad Moore to take the Examination for County Engineer.

Motion to certify Conrad Moore to take the Examination for County Engineer made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Motion passed.

i. Discuss and act on quotes for new snow plows.

Mr. Moore reported that there are two snow plows that need to be replaced. They have received quotes, which were all above $10,000. Mr. Schlosser reported that there are two 1997 snow plows that have had the mold board welded many times. It is $8,000 to replace the mold boards. They are worn out, and we have all the good we can get out of them. They don't even make the parts anymore to fix them. There was a short discussion on how wide to get plows. Mr. Schlosser reported that they would be 12 foot poly plows. There was discussion of possible discount if we purchase a plow and a truck at the same time. Mr. Schlosser stated that they are looking at the Wausau plows and explained to the committee why it is better. It was decided to spec and bid for one plow with the option to purchase two plows.

j. Discuss and act on wages for summer helpers.

Mr. Moore reported that they have 8 applications right now from high school students. He was hoping to have 4 or 5 college students apply. There was discussion on if there was a minimum age because of the work. Mr. Loy reported that he had spoken to Mr. Eric Snedeker, and was told they had to be at least 16 years old. Mr. Moore stated that last year they paid $9.00 an hour. It was discussed of having a range between $9 and $12 dollars an hour. Mr. Huser stated he would like to see more than 4 or 5 summer hires. He stated that we have culverts that are backed up, trees that need to be cut, and it would be beneficial to put several part time employees with a full time employee and get more work done and caught up. Motion for County Engineer to hire part-time seasonal help between $9 and $12, with a raise of .25 to .50 if they are returning for a second year of work, and based on performance made by Roethler, seconded by Krug. Motion passed. There was a short discussion if there was a limit with the union contract on how many people could be hired. Ms. Breyman was to check with the State's Attorney on minimum age and number that could be employed.

8. Other:

Equipment update.

The committee discussed how much money had been set aside in the budget for a new truck. Mr. Kingdon stated that last year they were going to buy a new truck and they pushed it for a year. They can't push it forever. Mr. Huser asked the committee if they were all on board for buying a new truck and the consensus was in favor of this. There was discussion on the make of truck they would want to purchase, and going down a model size. They would be getting rid of 2 trucks – truck 18 & 19. Mr. Huser will meet with Mr. Moore in the next couple of weeks to discuss the specifications for the new truck.

CH 13 update.

The open house was a success. They provided comment cards, and have received about 15 written responses, with mostly positive feedback. They are getting ready to submit preliminary design report to IDOT. Once that is approved, they can start moving forward with purchasing right of way. Mr. Huser commented on how impressed he was with how the open house was presented. Mr. Roethler spoke out against the CH 13 project and does not see any logical reason to continue on this project. Mr. Huser explained that the project is not shovel ready and pointed out that most of the bridges that need repaired are township bridges. The townships may not have the money to fix them. The County does not have control over the townships and cannot tell them when to fix their bridges. Mr. Cherveny addressed Mr. Roethler's concerns. He explained that the County Highway Funds are used to fix roads. He explained what happened several years ago when the Highway Department lost money because of a tax levy. MFT funds and matching funds can't be used to fix bridges. That Mr. Moore is paid to manage the work. We spend Federal Funds 4 to 5 years in advance because we can build a road today at a cost cheaper than we can 4 to 5 years in the future. The funds become available to us when other counties do not using them and the Federal Government is offering the money at no interest. CH 13 is structurally sound but functionally obsolete. The Highway Department first obligation is not to the County Board but to the travelling public and their safety. He stated that we need to get on board as a team to accomplish the goals and get the job done. Mr. Roethler wants to know how it went from just doing an engineering study to now purchasing right of way. That is deception to him because he didn't approve this. Mr. Cherveny stated that they have to use procedures set by the state for purchasing right of way. He also stated there was no use in just doing an engineering study. Mr. Krug addressed Mr. Roethler's statement as well stating that a resolution was passed by the County Board to do this project prior to Mr. Roethler coming on the County Board. That Mr. Roethler needs to look back at history, and understand what the people were directed to do and that they are following those directions over the course of history. Mr. Cherveny stated that this department doesn't decide what to do, just how to do it. So someone gave this department the authority to do this project. Mr. Huser and Mr. Roethler expressed concern that they didn't remember this committee giving the okay for the 0.2 miles of jurisdictional transfer of Main Street for this project. Mr. Loy responded that the full Board passed the resolution for it. Mr. Huser stated that he does not remember it being the way the resolution was written, but also admitted he did not read the resolution before the vote on it. Mr. Cherveny stated that he was at the committee meeting, and he even helped Mr. Loy write the resolution, and he believes the resolution represents what was discussed that night. Mr. Loy stated that the discussion was if the variances were passed by IDOT, then the County would take over the 2 tenths miles. Mr. Huser asked if the resolution was presented to the R&B Committee. Mr. Loy stated that there has never been a resolution presented to the committee, only to the full Board. Mr. Kingdon stated that he believe Mr. Cherveny is correct. This committee did not vote on the 0.2 miles of jurisdictional transfer, but did just like they did tonight with the utility policy. Instead of voting they just did a consensus if they were all in agreement. Mr. Huser stated that it doesn't make a difference since the Board approved it.

Misc. --Culvert bids will be next month.

Mr. Moore stated that the mailbox rules in the access ordinance and road use agreement have been sent to State's Attorney and he is waiting to hear back from him.

Ms. Breyman reported that she received a letter of non-compliance today from the Dept. of Agriculture regarding our noxious weeds. She called and spoke to them directly to see what they wanted. She explained that the Board just passed the policy last month and we were not appointing a superintendent. They asked for a copy of the policy which Ms. Breyman sent. While Ms. Breyman had her on the phone, she asked about the noxious weeds that were on state property along I 39, and the state taking care of them. The lady stated that she had only been in this position for two months, but would find out and call Ms. Breyman back. (Note- Ms. Breyman received a call from her on Friday. She informed Ms. Breyman that if we see noxious week on state property to notify the local IDOT, and if there is no local IDOT, then call her and she will pass information along.)

9. Executive Session. 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body.

Motion to go into executive session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body made by Kingdon, seconded by Rokey. Roll call vote - Rokey -yes, Kingdon - yes, Krug - yes, Roethler - yes, Huser - yes. Motion passed.

10. Action coming out of Executive Session Motion to come out of executive session made by Kingdon, seconded by Roethler. Motion passed.

See New Business F, G, H above.

11. Motion to Adjourn Motion to adjourn made by Rokey, seconded by Kingdon. Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 7:13 pm.

http://www.woodford-county.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04052018-761