Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board Infrastructure Committee met January 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Members Present: Phillip Salzer - Chairman; Gregory Adamson, James Dillon, Rachael Parker, Kate Pastucha

Members Absent: Barry Robinson

Others Present: Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman - Assistant County Administrators; Larry Evans - State's Attorney's Office; Brad Harding -County Board Member; Eric Dubrowski - Chief Financial Officer; Julie Ciesla – Finance; Dan O'Connell - Facilities Director; Amy Benecke McLaren, Jeff Gilles - County Highway; Angela Loftus - Assistant Director of Human Resources; Gretchen Pearsall – Dir. of Strategic Communications; Brian Asbell, Doug Gaa - Sheriff's Office; Steve Sonnemaker – County Clerk; Andrew Dwyer - Greater Peoria Mass Transit District

Call to Order:

Chairman Salzer called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.

A motion to approve the participation of Mr. Robinson via teleconference was made by Mr. Adamson and seconded by Ms. Pastucha. The motion carried. (unable to connect call)

Approval of Minutes:

A motion to approve the minutes of December 18, 2017 and January 11, 2018 was made by Ms. Parker and seconded by Ms. Pastucha. The motion carried.

Informational:

• Greater Peoria Sanitary District

Mr. Sorrel advised that the Greater Peoria Sanitary District Board of Trustees has appointed Mr. Brian Johnson as Executive Director. He stated that Mr. Johnson has offered to attend a meeting of the committee to introduce himself. He advised that although Mr. Johnson does not have an engineering background, he is an attorney whose father and grandfather have both been attorneys for the GPSD in the past. (Mr. Dillon enters meeting.) concern

Mr. Adamson noted previous discussion of the Executive Director’s $180,000.00 salary and review of comparable salaries, particularly the $135,000.00 salary for a comparable position in Rockford County. He questioned hiring an attorney at a starting salary above the salary earned by the position in Rockford. Mr. Sorrel commented that the $180,000.00 figure was the wage earned by the previous, outgoing Executive Director, and the starting wage of Mr. Johnson is in the $135,000.00 range. Mr. Adamson noted Mr. Johnson’s lack of engineering experience, and requested does that either Administration staff or Mr. Johnson clarify the requirements of the position and Mr. Johnson’s qualifications as Executive Director. Mr. Dillon suggested that as the GPSD is an independent board that is appointed by the County Board, both Mr. Johnson and the Chairman of the GPSD attend a committee meeting. Mr. Harding asked if it would be necessary for the County to contend with any part of the City’s CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) in the future. Mr. Sorrel answered in the affirmative, as the County is a property owner within the City and subject to stormwater tax or user fee enacted by the City of Peoria. He also commented that the County has not, and is not currently planning to allocate resources to the project. Ms. Pastucha asked if there would be a way to avoid the cost by keeping stormwater on property, and Mr. Sorrel advised that the cost cannot be eliminated but there would be the opportunity to reduce the assessed fee. Mr. O’Connell advised that preliminary discussion on the subject at the latest BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) meeting indicates that the maximum offset would be approximately 50% of the total cost.

• Facilities Master Plan

Mr. O'Connell advised that the architect is proceeding with a layout and design of the area at the Brandywine location. He stated that the design for the PCAPS remodel is anticipated by late February/early March 2018.

Rural Peoria County Transportation System:

Mr. Dwyer advised that contract negotiations continue with MV Transportation.

Veterans War Memorial:

Mr. Sonnemaker advised that construction on the memorial will resume in the Spring. He commented that both the Vietnam and Korean Conflict era statues will be installed as well. He advised that the intent of the Veterans Memorial Committee is to include a third statue representing a U.S. Soldier from the War on Terror/Middle East.

Mr. Sonnemaker stated that although the committee has selected an architect for the third statue, the County Board recommended holding the work due to a shortage of funds. He stated that donations currently total $377,338.00; after construction costs and costs related to the initial two statues, the fund balance will stand at approximately $49,000.00. He advised that the cost of the third statue is approximately $63,300.00, leaving the committee $15,000.00 short of 100% payment for the statue. He stated that engagement of an artist and completion of the third statue would take approximately nine months. He advised that donations continue to be collected on an ongoing and continuous basis, and he anticipates that the $15,000.00 gap will narrow in that time frame. Mr. Sonnemaker requested a consensus of the committee to proceed with approval of a sculptor for the third statue, and the committee had no objection to the request. Mr. Sonnemaker advised that a resolution would be placed on the February committee agenda to move forward with the approved artist.

Resolutions:

• Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Downstate Operating Assistance Grant

A motion to approve was made by Ms. Parker and seconded by Mr. Dillon. Mr. Sorrel advised that the grant is one of the two primary funding sources for rural transit. He stated that the County applies for the grant annually, with the most recent grant awarded by IDOT in July/August 2017. He advised after the grant award, IDOT forwards a finalized grant agreement to the County which requires a second resolution be adopted by Peoria County. He explained that IDOT did not forward the agreement until after the December meeting of the committee.

Mr. Sorrel advised that the agreement encompasses the state fiscal year, ending June 30, 2018, and will be retroactive to July 1, 2017. He also noted that this agreement will be the final agreement to be executed by the County due to the transition of services to the Mass Transit District on July 1, 2018. The motion carried.

• Construction Engineering Agreement with Hutchison Engineering Inc.

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Adamson and seconded by Ms. Pastucha. Mr. Gilles advised that due to low staffing levels with the department, it is necessary to contract with a consultant to perform engineering duties for the Old Galena Road/Cedar Hills Drive intersection project. He stated that staff is recommending entering into an agreement with 3 Hutchison Engineering for the project. He stated that the department recently hired an entry level Civil Engineer who will train on the job alongside the engineering firm. Ms. McLaren advised that the cost of the project, $292,384.46, will be appropriated from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. The motion carried.

• Reduction of Speed Limit on Princeville-Jubilee Road

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Dillon and seconded by Ms. Parker. Ms. McLaren advised that a request was made by the Village of Princeville to reduce the speed limit on a portion of Princeville Jubilee Road. She stated that the section of road has a posted 55 mph speed limit and a 45 mph advisory limit. She advised that a speed study was conducted and staff is recommending a 45 mph speed limit through the curves in that section of roadway. The motion carried.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Salzer at 2:49 p.m.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262018-494