Kankakee County Highway Waterways & Building Committee met Jan. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chairman Mr. Carrico at 9:00 am.
Roll Call
The following committee members were present: Mr. Carrico, Mr. Hess, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Dunnill, Mr. Kerkstra, Ms. Amber Turner, Mr. Crutcher, Ms. Denise Turner, Mr. Koerner, Mr. Taden, Mr. Alexander-Hildebrand, and Mr. Long.
Members Absent
Mr. Marion, Mr. Miller, Ms. Rittmanic-Emme, Dr. Nims
Quorum:
Yes
In Attendance:
• Board Members – Mr. Lewellen
• Department Heads – Ms. Speckman, Mr. Skimerhorn, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Workman, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Downey, Mr. Heiden, Mr. Cavender
Media – Present
Public Comment – None
Approval of Minutes – December 11, 2025
Mr. Dunnill made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Crutcher seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. Bidding and Lettings – None
County Engineer Pay Estimates
There were no comments or questions on the pay estimates.
Mr. Fetherling made a motion to combine, waive the reading, and approve the pay estimates and Ms. Amber Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were Mr. Carrico, Mr. Hess, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Dunnill, Mr. Kerkstra, Ms. Amber Turner, Mr. Crutcher, Ms. Denise Turner, Mr. Koerner, and Mr. Taden.
Resolutions
• Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code
Mr. Heiden stated this is an annual IDOT requirement in order to spend state money on projects.
Mr. Dunnill made a motion to approve. Mr. Fetherling seconded the motion. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were Mr. Carrico, Mr. Hess, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Dunnill, Mr. Kerkstra, Ms. Amber Turner, Mr. Crutcher, Ms. Denise Turner, Mr. Koerner, and Mr. Taden.
Waterways
• Kankakee County Waterways Advisory Subcommittee Update
Mr. Scott O’Brien who is the Secretary of the Waterways Advisory Subcommittee was present and stated the next Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2026, at 8:30 in the 4th floor board room. There was no further update.
Mr. Long added he spoke to EMA Director Powell recently regarding a few of the Subcommittee recommendations and that Ms. Powell will be working with the Subcommittee to address a few of the ongoing concerns with ice jams and river levels.
Buildings – Ted Workman
• Facility Dude Report
The maintenance department has completed 158 work orders throughout the buildings last month with 31 still in progress.
• Financial Report
Mr. Workman reviewed the year end totals with the committee. For fiscal year 2024, the buildings and ground total budget was $1,571,948.18 and preliminary fiscal year 2025 totals show an ending balance of $1,261,783.69 which represents a decrease of $310,164.49. In addition, Mr. Workman stated recent energy efficiency updates are showing signs of success as data provided from ComEd shows an 8.6% reduction at the 189 E. Court building, 5.4% reduction at 1 Stuart Drive building, and 2.4% increase at 135 N Schuyler which is being investigated for further improvements.
• Building Report
Mr. Workman reviewed the report with the committee. There were no questions or concerns raised.
Mr. Parker made a motion to combine & approve the reports and Ms. Amber Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.
Mr. Workman stated three open positions in the maintenance department were recently filled and those employees are now undergoing training at the various county facilities.
Old Business – None
New Business – None
Other Business – None
Adjournment
Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 a.m. and Ms. Denise Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.
https://www.k3county.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01152026-2294
