Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Highways and Buildings Committee met Jan. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Zenz, Ms. Haas, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Fetherling, and Mr. Smith

Members Absent

Mr. Tripp, Mr. Olthoff, Mr. Tholen, and Mr. Ritter

In Attendance

 Board Members

Mr. Wheeler

 Department Heads Wes Andrews and Mark Rogers

 Media None

1. CalltoOrder

The meeting was called to order by the Committee Vice-Chairman, Mr. Kinzinger, at 9:00 a.m. Quorum present.

2. PublicComment

None

3. Approval of Minutes: December 13, 2018

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to approve the minutes, and Ms. Haas seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

4. Highways - Mark Rogers

Mr. Hess made a motion to open the sealed bids, and Mr. Fetherling seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Rogers opened the sealed bids and advised the committee that what they are opening today is a unit price from the quarries. The Department then makes a map of the lowest on road cost for all of the county highways. This is a per ton price.

Mr. Rogers reviewed the unit price Bids with the committee.

 Bidding and Letting

 County-19-00000-00-GM

Ms. Peters made a motion to accept the opened bids, contingent upon review and approval of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Mr. Washington seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. Voting Aye were: Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Zenz, Ms. Haas, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Fetherling, and Mr. Smith

•County Engineer’s Pay Estimates

Mr. Rogers reviewed and discussed the County Engineer’s Pay Estimates with the committee.

Mr. Hess made a motion to approve the pay estimates, and Mr. Washington seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Washington, Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Zenz, Ms. Haas, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Fetherling, and Mr. Smith

 Resolutions None

Mr. Rogers distributed an information packet on the Motor Fuel Tax to present to the committee. With the new administration coming in at the State level, he believes there could be a capital program or transportation program. Mr. Rogers wanted to present to the committee how this could be distributed and what the needs are for the county.

Mr. Rogers continued to explain the Motor Fuel Tax to the committee with a distribution chart.

Ms. Peters wanted to confirm that the county will split a small percentage with all the other counties.

Mr. Rogers confirmed that was correct.

Mr. Washington asked if there was any indication in Motor Fuel Tax because of the declining amount of fuel that is being used.

Mr. Rogers stated that is what they are anticipating being discussed with the new administration. That is why Mr. Rogers wanted to present the information today, so the committee is aware of the needs of counties and townships.

Mr. Washington stated the heavy loads are deteriorating the 80,000 lb. roads faster. Mr. Rogers confirmed that is correct.

Mr. Rogers continued to discuss the transportation needs of the county with the committee, stating that we need $650 Million in new annual revenue according to the Illinois Association of County Engineers studies.

Ms. Peters asked if this was being brought up to the committee because the new governor is considering raising the fuel tax by 30% to cover pensions, but what we need to tell him that we need it for our roads.

Mr. Rogers said, yes. We need transportation funds. Mr. Rogers continued to discuss the needs with the committee.

5. Buildings-Wes Andrews

Mr. Andrews discussed and reviewed the monthly reports with the committee.

• Facility Dude Report

• Financial Report

Mr. Andrews provided a year over year comparison for the committee to review and Mr. Andrews discussed that report with the committee.

• Building Report

Mr. Andrews reviewed the building report in detail with the committee, reviewing each building for the County.

Regarding the Courthouse, the electronic automatic door lock was installed for enhanced safety measures.

Mr. Andrews discussed gate valves with the committee and the cost associated with replacing the gate/ball valve. Mr. Andrews stated that each time a plumber comes out to cut the gate valve, it costs $500 to replace.

There is a solutions called Pro Press that plumbers are using, it is an alternative. There are specific fittings that are used with equipment that presses the valves together. This solution would save a lot of money, since there are about 50 gate valves left to replace.

Mr. Andrews was looking to get the committee opinion on the equipment with purchasing Pro Press. Mr. Hess made the recommendation that the item goes to the Finance Committee for discussion. Mr. Kinzinger stated that the request is reasonable and makes sense.

Mr. Wheeler asked if the equipment can be used at all buildings.

Mr. Andrews confirmed.

Mr. Wheeler advised that Mr. Andrews can use his budget as he sees fit and the committee agreed that the purchase makes sense.

Mr. Andrews confirmed that there will be savings in the miscellaneous repairs line item.

Next, Mr. Andrews discussed the constant replacement of shower curtains and tabs at the Jerome Combs Detention Center and he found a cost effective solution with shower doors that are designed for correctional facilities specifically.

Mr. Andrews stated that they were going to start with eight stall doors to test the shower doors before they purchased them for all the stalls.

The committee agrees that doing a test on eight of them first will be a good idea.

Mr. Washington wanted to confirm that the hardware fittings are designed to withstand the water exposure.

Ms. Peters asked if there were references from other facilities that have used the doors.

Mr. Andrews said that there were a number of reviews, but he has not reached out to specific facilities.

Mr. Snipes asked about any eco-friendly water savings devices that could be used for the showers at the detention center.

Mr. Andrews stated that he has ComEd coming to do a walk thru of all buildings to discuss energy saving.

Mr. Wheeler wanted to comment that the Sheriff had shared praise for Mr. Andrews at the Criminal Justice meeting and Mr. Wheeler wanted to add to that by saying that the previous Maintenance Director did a great job and there has been no decline in competency when Mr. Andrews took over. Mr. Wheeler thanked Mr. Andrews for his work.

6. Old Business

None

7. NewBusiness

None

8. OtherBusiness

Mr. Wheeler asked if the committee would like to hear about a meeting that he just came from in regards to the Route 50 Corridor project.

Mr. Kinzinger advised that the committee would like to hear about the project.

Mr. Wheeler stated that the Enterprise Zone has funding that is going towards the planning for that corridor. Hitchcock design group is handling this planning. CSL Behring has designed and will be completing their parking lots in 2019. CSL has also designed walking and bike trails. The beautification of the corridor is in our hands. The interchange at Route 50 and Armour Rd also needs to be fixed. Everyone is in line for the development and we need to be certain that the transportation needs are met for that area. They are also looking at widening Route 50 and adding islands to accommodate the CSL employees walking across.

Mr. Snipes added that with the Chicago Bears doing so well, the traffic from that event will be greater than in the past.

9. Adjournment

Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m., and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/highways_11019.pdf